During the shopping season, everyone's on the hunt for a bargain. Value investors should keep an eye out, too, for companies that are trading at serious discounts. But just like in shopping, it pays to be wary of what's on the clearance rack: it could be damaged, outdated, or just...not worth buying.
Three companies that are currently trading at surprisingly low valuations are Royal Dutch Shell (NYSE: RDS-A) (NYSE: RDS-B), Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE: OSK), and Plains All American Pipeline (NYSE: PAA). Let's take a closer look to see if they're one-of-a-kind steals...or better left on the shelf.
Finding top bargains while avoiding underperformers can be tough in any industry. Image source: Getty Images.