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MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS (MWA) Hit a 52 Week High, Can the Run Continue?
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Have you been paying attention to shares of Mueller Water Products (MWA - Free Report) ? Shares have been on the move with the stock up 1.1% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $21.71 in the previous session. Mueller Water Products has gained 50.7% since the start of the year compared to the 14.5% move for the Zacks Industrial Products sector and the 1.3% return for the Zacks Steel - Pipe and Tube 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 August 5, 2024, Mueller Water Products reported EPS of $0.32 versus consensus estimate of $0.23 while it beat the consensus revenue estimate by 7.41%.
For the current fiscal year, Mueller Water Products is expected to post earnings of $0.93 per share on $1.27 billion in revenues. Meanwhile, for the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $1.06 per share on $1.35 billion in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of 13.98% and 5.82%, respectively.
Valuation Metrics
Mueller Water Products 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 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. Investors should consider the style scores a valuable tool that can help you to pick the most appropriate Zacks Rank stocks based on their individual investment style.
Mueller Water Products has a Value Score of D. The stock's Growth and Momentum Scores are A and C, respectively, giving the company a VGM Score of B.
In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 23.3X current fiscal year EPS estimates, which is a premium to the peer industry average of 16.1X. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 21.2X versus its peer group's average of 11X. Additionally, the stock has a PEG ratio of 1.56. 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, Mueller Water Products 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 Mueller Water Products passes the test. Thus, it seems as though Mueller Water Products shares could have a bit more room to run in the near term.
How Does MWA Stack Up to the Competition?
Shares of MWA 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 Valmont Industries, Inc. (VMI - Free Report) . VMI has a Zacks Rank of # 2 (Buy) and a Value Score of B, a Growth Score of A, and a Momentum Score of B.
Earnings were strong last quarter. Valmont Industries, Inc. beat our consensus estimate by 17.82%, and for the current fiscal year, VMI is expected to post earnings of $16.88 per share on revenue of $4.05 billion.
Shares of Valmont Industries, Inc. have gained 1.5% over the past month, and currently trade at a forward P/E of 17.18X and a P/CF of 14.57X.
The Steel - Pipe and Tube industry may rank in the bottom 71% of all the industries we have in our universe, but there still looks like there are some nice tailwinds for MWA and VMI, even beyond their own solid fundamental situation.
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MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS (MWA) Hit a 52 Week High, Can the Run Continue?
Have you been paying attention to shares of Mueller Water Products (MWA - Free Report) ? Shares have been on the move with the stock up 1.1% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $21.71 in the previous session. Mueller Water Products has gained 50.7% since the start of the year compared to the 14.5% move for the Zacks Industrial Products sector and the 1.3% return for the Zacks Steel - Pipe and Tube 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 August 5, 2024, Mueller Water Products reported EPS of $0.32 versus consensus estimate of $0.23 while it beat the consensus revenue estimate by 7.41%.
For the current fiscal year, Mueller Water Products is expected to post earnings of $0.93 per share on $1.27 billion in revenues. Meanwhile, for the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $1.06 per share on $1.35 billion in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of 13.98% and 5.82%, respectively.
Valuation Metrics
Mueller Water Products 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 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. Investors should consider the style scores a valuable tool that can help you to pick the most appropriate Zacks Rank stocks based on their individual investment style.
Mueller Water Products has a Value Score of D. The stock's Growth and Momentum Scores are A and C, respectively, giving the company a VGM Score of B.
In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 23.3X current fiscal year EPS estimates, which is a premium to the peer industry average of 16.1X. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 21.2X versus its peer group's average of 11X. Additionally, the stock has a PEG ratio of 1.56. 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, Mueller Water Products 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 Mueller Water Products passes the test. Thus, it seems as though Mueller Water Products shares could have a bit more room to run in the near term.
How Does MWA Stack Up to the Competition?
Shares of MWA 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 Valmont Industries, Inc. (VMI - Free Report) . VMI has a Zacks Rank of # 2 (Buy) and a Value Score of B, a Growth Score of A, and a Momentum Score of B.
Earnings were strong last quarter. Valmont Industries, Inc. beat our consensus estimate by 17.82%, and for the current fiscal year, VMI is expected to post earnings of $16.88 per share on revenue of $4.05 billion.
Shares of Valmont Industries, Inc. have gained 1.5% over the past month, and currently trade at a forward P/E of 17.18X and a P/CF of 14.57X.
The Steel - Pipe and Tube industry may rank in the bottom 71% of all the industries we have in our universe, but there still looks like there are some nice tailwinds for MWA and VMI, even beyond their own solid fundamental situation.