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First Cash Financial Services (FCFS) Hits 52-Week High, Can the Run Continue?
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Have you been paying attention to shares of First Cash (FCFS - Free Report) ? Shares have been on the move with the stock up 14.3% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $98.83 in the previous session. First Cash has gained 36% since the start of the year compared to the 13.3% move for the Zacks Finance sector and the 25.9% return for the Zacks Financial - Consumer Loans 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 April 24, 2019, First Cash Financial Services reported EPS of $0.97 versus consensus estimate of $0.89 while it beat the consensus revenue estimate by 0.52%.
For the current fiscal year, First Cash Financial Services is expected to post earnings of $3.9 per share on $1.86 billion in revenues. This represents a 10.48% change in EPS on a 4.43% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $4.51 per share on $1.96 billion in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of 15.77% and 5.53%, respectively.
Valuation Metrics
First Cash Financial Services 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. The idea behind the style scores is to help investors pick the most appropriate Zacks Rank stocks based on their individual investment style.
First Cash Financial Services has a Value Score of D. The stock's Growth and Momentum Scores are A and B, respectively, giving the company a VGM Score of B.
In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 25.2X current fiscal year EPS estimates. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 21.1X versus its peer group's average of 6.3X. 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, First Cash Financial Services 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 First Cash Financial Services fits the bill. Thus, it seems as though First Cash Financial Services shares could still be poised for more gains ahead.
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First Cash Financial Services (FCFS) Hits 52-Week High, Can the Run Continue?
Have you been paying attention to shares of First Cash (FCFS - Free Report) ? Shares have been on the move with the stock up 14.3% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $98.83 in the previous session. First Cash has gained 36% since the start of the year compared to the 13.3% move for the Zacks Finance sector and the 25.9% return for the Zacks Financial - Consumer Loans 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 April 24, 2019, First Cash Financial Services reported EPS of $0.97 versus consensus estimate of $0.89 while it beat the consensus revenue estimate by 0.52%.
For the current fiscal year, First Cash Financial Services is expected to post earnings of $3.9 per share on $1.86 billion in revenues. This represents a 10.48% change in EPS on a 4.43% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $4.51 per share on $1.96 billion in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of 15.77% and 5.53%, respectively.
Valuation Metrics
First Cash Financial Services 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. The idea behind the style scores is to help investors pick the most appropriate Zacks Rank stocks based on their individual investment style.
First Cash Financial Services has a Value Score of D. The stock's Growth and Momentum Scores are A and B, respectively, giving the company a VGM Score of B.
In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 25.2X current fiscal year EPS estimates. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 21.1X versus its peer group's average of 6.3X. 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, First Cash Financial Services 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 First Cash Financial Services fits the bill. Thus, it seems as though First Cash Financial Services shares could still be poised for more gains ahead.