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Agco (AGCO) Hits 52-Week High, Can the Run Continue?

Have you been paying attention to shares of AGCO (AGCO)? Shares have been on the move with the stock up 12.8% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $139.62 in the previous session. AGCO has gained 32.3% since the start of the year compared to the 13.8% move for the Zacks Industrial Products sector and the 35% return for the Zacks Manufacturing - Farm Equipment 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 February 4, 2021, Agco reported EPS of $1.54 versus consensus estimate of $1.08 while it beat the consensus revenue estimate by 9%.

For the current fiscal year, Agco is expected to post earnings of $7.29 per share on $10.25 billion in revenues. This represents a 29.95% change in EPS on a 11.99% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $8.23 per share on $10.72 billion in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of 12.86% and 4.66%, respectively.

Valuation Metrics

Agco 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.

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

In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 18.7X current fiscal year EPS estimates. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 14.3X versus its peer group's average of 16.6X. Additionally, the stock has a PEG ratio of 1.26. 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, Agco 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 Agco fits the bill. Thus, it seems as though Agco shares could have potential in the weeks and months to come.

How Does Agco Stack Up to the Competition?

Shares of Agco 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 Titan International (TWI), Kadant (KAI), and ParkerHannifin (PH), 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 11% of all the industries we have in our universe, so it looks like there are some nice tailwinds for Agco, even beyond its own solid fundamental situation.


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