Can we simplify the complexities of the stock market and distill them into a simple set of quantifiable metrics? A lot of academic papers suggest this, and they offer formulas that should make the life of a stock picker easier. Some of the most compelling methodologies within this realm are the F-Score, Magic Formula, Acquirer’s Multiple, and the Conservative Formula. These quantitative strategies are designed to identify undervalued stocks with robust fundamentals and potential for high returns. But do they really work out-of-sample? A new paper by Marcel Schwartz and Matthias X. Hanauer tries to answer this interesting question…