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Express Scripts (ESRX) Soars to 52-Week High, Time to Cash Out?
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Have you been paying attention to shares of Express Scripts Holding ? Shares have been on the move with the stock up 2.1% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $98.98 in the previous session. Express Scripts Holding has gained 30.3% since the start of the year compared to the 2.5% move for the Zacks Medical sector and the 29.4% return for the Zacks Medical Services 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 October 31, 2018, Express Scripts reported EPS of $2.43 versus consensus estimate of $2.42 while it beat the consensus revenue estimate by 2.28%.
For the current fiscal year, Express Scripts is expected to post earnings of $9.08 per share on $101.6 billion in revenues. This represents a 27.89% change in EPS on a 1.53% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $9.48 per share on $104.21 billion in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of 4.35% and 2.57%, respectively.
Valuation Metrics
Express Scripts 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 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.
Express Scripts has a Value Score of A. The stock's Growth and Momentum Scores are B and B, respectively, giving the company a VGM Score of A.
In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 10.7X current fiscal year EPS estimates. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 9.3X versus its peer group's average of 17.5X. Additionally, the stock has a PEG ratio of 1.22. 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, Express Scripts 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 Express Scripts fits the bill. Thus, it seems as though Express Scripts shares could have a bit more room to run in the near term.
How Does Express Scripts Stack Up to the Competition?
Shares of Express Scripts 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 INC Research Holdings , Medpace Holdings (MEDP - Free Report) , and PRA Health Sciences , 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 21% of all the industries we have in our universe, so it looks like there are some nice tailwinds for Express Scripts, even beyond its own solid fundamental situation.
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Express Scripts (ESRX) Soars to 52-Week High, Time to Cash Out?
Have you been paying attention to shares of Express Scripts Holding ? Shares have been on the move with the stock up 2.1% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $98.98 in the previous session. Express Scripts Holding has gained 30.3% since the start of the year compared to the 2.5% move for the Zacks Medical sector and the 29.4% return for the Zacks Medical Services 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 October 31, 2018, Express Scripts reported EPS of $2.43 versus consensus estimate of $2.42 while it beat the consensus revenue estimate by 2.28%.
For the current fiscal year, Express Scripts is expected to post earnings of $9.08 per share on $101.6 billion in revenues. This represents a 27.89% change in EPS on a 1.53% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $9.48 per share on $104.21 billion in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of 4.35% and 2.57%, respectively.
Valuation Metrics
Express Scripts 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 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.
Express Scripts has a Value Score of A. The stock's Growth and Momentum Scores are B and B, respectively, giving the company a VGM Score of A.
In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 10.7X current fiscal year EPS estimates. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 9.3X versus its peer group's average of 17.5X. Additionally, the stock has a PEG ratio of 1.22. 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, Express Scripts 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 Express Scripts fits the bill. Thus, it seems as though Express Scripts shares could have a bit more room to run in the near term.
How Does Express Scripts Stack Up to the Competition?
Shares of Express Scripts 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 INC Research Holdings , Medpace Holdings (MEDP - Free Report) , and PRA Health Sciences , 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 21% of all the industries we have in our universe, so it looks like there are some nice tailwinds for Express Scripts, even beyond its own solid fundamental situation.