What is book value? Are companies trading at P/BV < 1 value plays?

From time to time, I would be invited by Nextinsight, financial website http://www.nextinsight.net/index.php/story-archive-mainmenu-60/903-2010-/3253-just-ask- to answer queries from their readers. Here is the latest answer by me to a reader asking about Book Value plays. Q1. What is book value? Book value (“BV”) has a couple of definitions. From an investment and “layman” perspective, it refers to the balance left for the investors when a business is liquidated and the debts are paid. In order to calculate book value, one would use assets – liabilities on the balance sheet. Generally, are companies trading at P/BV < 1 value plays? For companies […]