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Marathon Oil (MRO) Soars to 52-Week High, Time to Cash Out?
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Have you been paying attention to shares of Marathon Oil (MRO - Free Report) ? Shares have been on the move with the stock up 10.9% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $23.57 in the previous session. Marathon Oil has gained 39.4% since the start of the year compared to the 18.6% move for the Zacks Oils-Energy sector and the 36.2% return for the Zacks Oil and Gas - Integrated - United States 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 February 16, 2022, Marathon Oil reported EPS of $0.77 versus consensus estimate of $0.55.
For the current fiscal year, Marathon Oil is expected to post earnings of $2.88 per share on $6.22 billion in revenues. This represents an 83.44% change in EPS on a 13.79% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $2.33 per share on $5.66 billion in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of -19.1% and -9.09%, respectively.
Valuation Metrics
Marathon Oil 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.
Marathon Oil has a Value Score of C. The stock's Growth and Momentum Scores are B and A, respectively, giving the company a VGM Score of A.
In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 8X current fiscal year EPS estimates, which is not in-line with the peer industry average of 10.5X. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 5.4X versus its peer group's average of 10X. Additionally, the stock has a PEG ratio of 0.55. 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 consider the stock's Zacks Rank, as this supersedes any trend on the style score front. Fortunately, Marathon Oil 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 Marathon Oil meets the list of requirements. Thus, it seems as though Marathon Oil shares could still be poised for more gains ahead.
How Does MRO Stack Up to the Competition?
Shares of MRO have been soaring, and the company still appears to be a decent choice, but what about the rest of the industry? One industry peer that looks good is Occidental Petroleum Corporation (OXY - Free Report) . OXY has a Zacks Rank of # 1 (Strong Buy) and a Value Score of B, a Growth Score of A, and a Momentum Score of A.
Earnings were strong last quarter. Occidental Petroleum Corporation beat our consensus estimate by 37.04%, and for the current fiscal year, OXY is expected to post earnings of $4.44 per share on revenue of $28.76 billion.
Shares of Occidental Petroleum Corporation have gained 19.1% over the past month, and currently trade at a forward P/E of 10.53X and a P/CF of 4.01X.
The Oil and Gas - Integrated - United States industry is in the top 14% of all the industries we have in our universe, so it looks like there are some nice tailwinds for MRO and OXY, even beyond their own solid fundamental situation.
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Marathon Oil (MRO) Soars to 52-Week High, Time to Cash Out?
Have you been paying attention to shares of Marathon Oil (MRO - Free Report) ? Shares have been on the move with the stock up 10.9% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $23.57 in the previous session. Marathon Oil has gained 39.4% since the start of the year compared to the 18.6% move for the Zacks Oils-Energy sector and the 36.2% return for the Zacks Oil and Gas - Integrated - United States 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 February 16, 2022, Marathon Oil reported EPS of $0.77 versus consensus estimate of $0.55.
For the current fiscal year, Marathon Oil is expected to post earnings of $2.88 per share on $6.22 billion in revenues. This represents an 83.44% change in EPS on a 13.79% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $2.33 per share on $5.66 billion in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of -19.1% and -9.09%, respectively.
Valuation Metrics
Marathon Oil 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.
Marathon Oil has a Value Score of C. The stock's Growth and Momentum Scores are B and A, respectively, giving the company a VGM Score of A.
In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 8X current fiscal year EPS estimates, which is not in-line with the peer industry average of 10.5X. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 5.4X versus its peer group's average of 10X. Additionally, the stock has a PEG ratio of 0.55. 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 consider the stock's Zacks Rank, as this supersedes any trend on the style score front. Fortunately, Marathon Oil 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 Marathon Oil meets the list of requirements. Thus, it seems as though Marathon Oil shares could still be poised for more gains ahead.
How Does MRO Stack Up to the Competition?
Shares of MRO have been soaring, and the company still appears to be a decent choice, but what about the rest of the industry? One industry peer that looks good is Occidental Petroleum Corporation (OXY - Free Report) . OXY has a Zacks Rank of # 1 (Strong Buy) and a Value Score of B, a Growth Score of A, and a Momentum Score of A.
Earnings were strong last quarter. Occidental Petroleum Corporation beat our consensus estimate by 37.04%, and for the current fiscal year, OXY is expected to post earnings of $4.44 per share on revenue of $28.76 billion.
Shares of Occidental Petroleum Corporation have gained 19.1% over the past month, and currently trade at a forward P/E of 10.53X and a P/CF of 4.01X.
The Oil and Gas - Integrated - United States industry is in the top 14% of all the industries we have in our universe, so it looks like there are some nice tailwinds for MRO and OXY, even beyond their own solid fundamental situation.