While valuation is far from the only thing that matters, long-term investors can give themselves an edge by focusing on high-quality stocks that trade at attractive valuations. The best company bought at the wrong price can make for a terrible investment.

Two stocks that look like particularly good deals right now are Ally Financial (NYSE: ALLY) and International Business Machines (NYSE: IBM). Both have solid growth prospects, and both trade at beaten-down prices.

The banking industry has gone through some turmoil this year. The high-profile failures of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank in March spooked investors, and rightfully so. While both banks had uniquely risky strategies, even the strongest bank can succumb to an out-of-control bank run.

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Source Fool.com