That first cut, produced a series of stocks and from there it was onto some valuation analysis and creating some target prices.

FORBES: 10 Buys And 10 Sells For 2010

Along with the quantitative and valuation analysis, they also look at: key success factors, key risk factors, the competitive landscape, insiders, institutional holdings, what type of institutions are holding the stock, and catalysts that might drive the stock up (or down).

FORBES: Quant / Value Stocks From My Class at Ross

Pitches are analyzed by judges for their valuation, catalytic analysis and presentation, and on how well students respond to questions from the judges.

FORBES: Magazine Article

Our individual company research leverages detailed review of financial footnotes and management discussion and analysis in SEC filings to deliver clients the whole truth about the profitability and valuation of every stock.

FORBES: Financial Sector Is Full Of Crummy Stocks

The comparables analysis uses an average of several valuation multiples for eBay and Ritchie Bros. when each company was in a similar growth phase and applies them to LQDT.

FORBES: Students from the McIntire Investment Institute Make the Pitch for Liquidity Services

"If you look at our stock and you do some analysis on it, the multiples that we trade at, the valuation that we trade at, in my opinion, is at a discount to our comps, " he said.

FORBES: Magazine Article

This unlocking of value occurs for a variety of supposed reasons, my favorite having been the fact that the more focused firms are easier to understand and analyze more thoughtfully: All else being equal, increased clarity leads to better analysis, more likely by industry experts, which boosts confidence and in turn leads to higher valuation metrics.

FORBES: More Than Meets The Eye At McGraw-Hill

Our analysis found that they are 26% more profitable than their average industry competitors and enjoy a 12% higher market valuation.

FORBES: The DNA Of Digital Leaders