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Cardtronics (CATM) Hits Fresh High: Is There Still Room to Run?

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Have you been paying attention to shares of Cardtronics ? Shares have been on the move with the stock up 21.1% over the past month. CATM hit a new 52-week high of $33.62 in the previous session. Cardtronics has gained 77.3% since the start of the year compared to the 14% move for the Zacks Business Services sector and the 18.2% return for the Zacks Financial Transaction Services 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 August 2, 2018, Cardtronics reported EPS of $0.61 versus consensus estimate of $0.38 while it beat the consensus revenue estimate by 5.23%.

For the current fiscal year, Cardtronics is expected to post earnings of $1.79 per share on $1.3 billion in revenues. This represents a -40.33% change in EPS on a -13.8% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $1.84 per share on $1.32 billion in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of 2.77% and 1.74%, respectively.

Valuation Metrics

Cardtronics may be at a 52-week high right now, but what might the future hold for CATM? 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.

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

In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 18.4X current fiscal year EPS estimates. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 2.9X versus its peer group's average of 15.3X. Additionally, the stock has a PEG ratio of 1.53. This isn't enough to put the company in the top echelon of all stocks we cover from a value perspective.

Cardtronics PLC Price and Consensus

Cardtronics PLC Price and Consensus | Cardtronics PLC Quote

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, Cardtronics 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 Cardtronics passes the test. Thus, it seems as though CATM shares could have potential in the weeks and months to come.

How Does Cardtronics Stack Up to the Competition?

Shares of Cardtronics have been moving higher, and the company still appears to be a decent choice, but what about the rest of the industry? Some of its industry peers are also looking good, including Evertec (EVTC - Free Report) , Robert Half International (RHI - Free Report) , and Broadridge Financial Solutions (BR - Free Report) , all of which currently have a Zacks Rank of at least #2 and a VGM Score of at least B, making them well-rounded choices.

The Zacks Industry Rank is in the top 46% of all the industries we have in our universe, so it looks like there are some nice tailwinds for CATM, even beyond its own solid fundamental situation.


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