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LabCorp (LH) Hits 52-Week High, Can the Run Continue?
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Shares of Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings (LH - Free Report) have been strong performers lately, with the stock up 18.3% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $206.74 in the previous session. Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings has gained 16.2% since the start of the year compared to the 1.6% move for the Zacks Medical sector and the 7.5% return for the Zacks Medical - Dental Supplies industry.
What's Driving the Outperformance?
The stock has an impressive record of positive earnings surprises, as it hasn't missed our earnings consensus estimate in any of the last four quarters. In its last earnings report on July 28, 2020, LabCorp reported EPS of $2.57 versus consensus estimate of $0.78 while it beat the consensus revenue estimate by 14.27%.
For the current fiscal year, LabCorp is expected to post earnings of $10.93 per share on $11.86 billion in revenues. This represents a -3.45% change in EPS on a 2.67% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $13.46 per share on $12.65 billion in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of 23.11% and 6.62%, respectively.
Valuation Metrics
LabCorp may be at a 52-week high right now, but what might the future hold for the stock? A key aspect of this question is taking a look at valuation metrics in order to determine if the company has run ahead of itself.
On this front, we can look at the Zacks Style Scores, as these give investors a variety of ways to comb through stocks (beyond looking at the Zacks Rank of a security). These styles are represented by grades running from A to F in the categories of Value, Growth, and Momentum, while there is a combined VGM Score as well. The idea behind the style scores is to help investors pick the most appropriate Zacks Rank stocks based on their individual investment style.
LabCorp has a Value Score of B. The stock's Growth and Momentum Scores are C and C, respectively, giving the company a VGM Score of B.
In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 18X current fiscal year EPS estimates. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 10.1X versus its peer group's average of 15X. Additionally, the stock has a PEG ratio of 2.41. This isn't enough to put the company in the top echelon of all stocks we cover from a value perspective.
Zacks Rank
We also need to look at the Zacks Rank for the stock, as this supersedes any trend on the style score front. Fortunately, LabCorp currently has a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy) thanks to rising earnings estimates.
Since we recommend that investors select stocks carrying Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) and Style Scores of A or B, it looks as if LabCorp meets the list of requirements. Thus, it seems as though LabCorp shares could have a bit more room to run in the near term.
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LabCorp (LH) Hits 52-Week High, Can the Run Continue?
Shares of Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings (LH - Free Report) have been strong performers lately, with the stock up 18.3% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $206.74 in the previous session. Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings has gained 16.2% since the start of the year compared to the 1.6% move for the Zacks Medical sector and the 7.5% return for the Zacks Medical - Dental Supplies industry.
What's Driving the Outperformance?
The stock has an impressive record of positive earnings surprises, as it hasn't missed our earnings consensus estimate in any of the last four quarters. In its last earnings report on July 28, 2020, LabCorp reported EPS of $2.57 versus consensus estimate of $0.78 while it beat the consensus revenue estimate by 14.27%.
For the current fiscal year, LabCorp is expected to post earnings of $10.93 per share on $11.86 billion in revenues. This represents a -3.45% change in EPS on a 2.67% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $13.46 per share on $12.65 billion in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of 23.11% and 6.62%, respectively.
Valuation Metrics
LabCorp may be at a 52-week high right now, but what might the future hold for the stock? A key aspect of this question is taking a look at valuation metrics in order to determine if the company has run ahead of itself.
On this front, we can look at the Zacks Style Scores, as these give investors a variety of ways to comb through stocks (beyond looking at the Zacks Rank of a security). These styles are represented by grades running from A to F in the categories of Value, Growth, and Momentum, while there is a combined VGM Score as well. The idea behind the style scores is to help investors pick the most appropriate Zacks Rank stocks based on their individual investment style.
LabCorp has a Value Score of B. The stock's Growth and Momentum Scores are C and C, respectively, giving the company a VGM Score of B.
In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 18X current fiscal year EPS estimates. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 10.1X versus its peer group's average of 15X. Additionally, the stock has a PEG ratio of 2.41. This isn't enough to put the company in the top echelon of all stocks we cover from a value perspective.
Zacks Rank
We also need to look at the Zacks Rank for the stock, as this supersedes any trend on the style score front. Fortunately, LabCorp currently has a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy) thanks to rising earnings estimates.
Since we recommend that investors select stocks carrying Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) and Style Scores of A or B, it looks as if LabCorp meets the list of requirements. Thus, it seems as though LabCorp shares could have a bit more room to run in the near term.