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EMCOR Group, Inc. (EME) Hits Fresh High: Is There Still Room to Run?

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Have you been paying attention to shares of Emcor Group (EME - Free Report) ? Shares have been on the move with the stock up 5.9% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $179.26 in the previous session. Emcor Group has gained 19.8% since the start of the year compared to the 24.7% move for the Zacks Construction sector and the 25.6% return for the Zacks Building Products - Heavy Construction industry.

What's Driving the Outperformance?

The stock has a great 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 April 27, 2023, Emcor Group reported EPS of $2.32 versus consensus estimate of $1.83 while it beat the consensus revenue estimate by 0.59%.

For the current fiscal year, Emcor Group is expected to post earnings of $9.74 per share on $12.2 billion in revenues. This represents a 20.25% change in EPS on a 10.19% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $10.55 per share on $12.83 billion in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of 8.35% and 5.16%, respectively.

Valuation Metrics

Emcor Group 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 is due for a pullback from this level.

On this front, we can look at the Zacks Style Scores, as they provide investors with an additional way to sort 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.

Emcor Group has a Value Score of B. The stock's Growth and Momentum Scores are B and D, respectively, giving the company a VGM Score of B.

In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 18.2X current fiscal year EPS estimates, which is a premium to the peer industry average of 15.8X. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 16.4X versus its peer group's average of 8.8X. 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, Emcor Group currently has a Zacks Rank of #2 (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 Emcor Group meets the list of requirements. Thus, it seems as though Emcor Group shares could have potential in the weeks and months to come.

How Does EME Stack Up to the Competition?

Shares of EME 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 North American Construction Group Ltd. (NOA - Free Report) . NOA has a Zacks Rank of # 1 (Strong Buy) and a Value Score of B, a Growth Score of A, and a Momentum Score of F.

Earnings were strong last quarter. North American Construction Group Ltd. beat our consensus estimate by 18.33%, and for the current fiscal year, NOA is expected to post earnings of $1.87 per share on revenue of $634.37 million.

Shares of North American Construction Group Ltd. have gained 10.2% over the past month, and currently trade at a forward P/E of 10.75X and a P/CF of 3.7X.

The Building Products - Heavy Construction industry is in the top 26% of all the industries we have in our universe, so it looks like there are some nice tailwinds for EME and NOA, even beyond their own solid fundamental situation.


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