We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies, revised Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
You are being directed to ZacksTrade, a division of LBMZ Securities and licensed broker-dealer. ZacksTrade and Zacks.com are separate companies. The web link between the two companies is not a solicitation or offer to invest in a particular security or type of security. ZacksTrade does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating individual securities.
If you wish to go to ZacksTrade, click OK. If you do not, click Cancel.
Kimberly-Clark (KMB) Hits Fresh High: Is There Still Room to Run?
Read MoreHide Full Article
Shares of Kimberly-Clark (KMB - Free Report) have been strong performers lately, with the stock up 5.4% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $149.23 in the previous session. Kimberly-Clark has gained 5.2% since the start of the year compared to the 1.4% move for the Zacks Consumer Staples sector and the 2.7% return for the Zacks Consumer Products - Staples 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 January 23, 2020, Kimberly-Clark reported EPS of $1.71 versus consensus estimate of $1.7 while it beat the consensus revenue estimate by 1.13%.
For the current fiscal year, Kimberly-Clark is expected to post earnings of $7.22 per share on $18.58 billion in revenues. This represents a 4.79% change in EPS on a 0.71% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $7.6 per share on $18.9 billion in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of 5.3% and 1.72%, respectively.
Valuation Metrics
Kimberly-Clark 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 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. 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.
Kimberly-Clark has a Value Score of C. The stock's Growth and Momentum Scores are B and A, respectively, giving the company a VGM Score of B.
In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 20X current fiscal year EPS estimates. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 15.7X versus its peer group's average of 12X. Additionally, the stock has a PEG ratio of 3.65. 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, Kimberly-Clark currently has a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy) thanks to favorable earnings estimate revisions from covering analysts.
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 Kimberly-Clark passes the test. Thus, it seems as though Kimberly-Clark shares could have a bit more room to run in the near term.
See More Zacks Research for These Tickers
Normally $25 each - click below to receive one report FREE:
Image: Bigstock
Kimberly-Clark (KMB) Hits Fresh High: Is There Still Room to Run?
Shares of Kimberly-Clark (KMB - Free Report) have been strong performers lately, with the stock up 5.4% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $149.23 in the previous session. Kimberly-Clark has gained 5.2% since the start of the year compared to the 1.4% move for the Zacks Consumer Staples sector and the 2.7% return for the Zacks Consumer Products - Staples 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 January 23, 2020, Kimberly-Clark reported EPS of $1.71 versus consensus estimate of $1.7 while it beat the consensus revenue estimate by 1.13%.
For the current fiscal year, Kimberly-Clark is expected to post earnings of $7.22 per share on $18.58 billion in revenues. This represents a 4.79% change in EPS on a 0.71% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $7.6 per share on $18.9 billion in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of 5.3% and 1.72%, respectively.
Valuation Metrics
Kimberly-Clark 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 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. 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.
Kimberly-Clark has a Value Score of C. The stock's Growth and Momentum Scores are B and A, respectively, giving the company a VGM Score of B.
In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 20X current fiscal year EPS estimates. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 15.7X versus its peer group's average of 12X. Additionally, the stock has a PEG ratio of 3.65. 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, Kimberly-Clark currently has a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy) thanks to favorable earnings estimate revisions from covering analysts.
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 Kimberly-Clark passes the test. Thus, it seems as though Kimberly-Clark shares could have a bit more room to run in the near term.