Advertisement
U.S. markets open in 3 hours 45 minutes
  • S&P Futures

    5,301.50
    -6.75 (-0.13%)
     
  • Dow Futures

    40,133.00
    -11.00 (-0.03%)
     
  • Nasdaq Futures

    18,463.00
    -40.75 (-0.22%)
     
  • Russell 2000 Futures

    2,133.90
    -4.50 (-0.21%)
     
  • Crude Oil

    81.71
    +0.36 (+0.44%)
     
  • Gold

    2,195.10
    +4.50 (+0.21%)
     
  • Silver

    24.55
    -0.20 (-0.82%)
     
  • EUR/USD

    1.0783
    -0.0047 (-0.43%)
     
  • 10-Yr Bond

    4.1960
    0.0000 (0.00%)
     
  • Vix

    13.03
    +0.25 (+1.96%)
     
  • GBP/USD

    1.2594
    -0.0044 (-0.35%)
     
  • USD/JPY

    151.4550
    +0.2090 (+0.14%)
     
  • Bitcoin USD

    70,608.08
    +746.60 (+1.07%)
     
  • CMC Crypto 200

    885.54
    0.00 (0.00%)
     
  • FTSE 100

    7,967.64
    +35.66 (+0.45%)
     
  • Nikkei 225

    40,168.07
    -594.66 (-1.46%)
     

Ametek (AME) Hits Fresh High: Is There Still Room to Run?

Shares of AMETEK (AME) have been strong performers lately, with the stock up 9% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $99.74 in the previous session. AMETEK has gained 47% since the start of the year compared to the 30.4% move for the Zacks Computer and Technology sector and the 28.7% return for the Zacks Electronics - Testing Equipment 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, 2019, Ametek reported EPS of $1.06 versus consensus estimate of $1.01 while it missed the consensus revenue estimate by 0.9%.

For the current fiscal year, Ametek is expected to post earnings of $4.13 per share on $5.2 billion in revenues. This represents a 25.53% change in EPS on a 7.28% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $4.41 per share on $5.48 billion in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of 6.59% and 5.35%, respectively.

Valuation Metrics

Ametek 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. 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.

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

In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 24.1X current fiscal year EPS estimates. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 23.9X versus its peer group's average of 20.5X. Additionally, the stock has a PEG ratio of 2.21. 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 consider the stock's Zacks Rank, as this supersedes any trend on the style score front. Fortunately, Ametek 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 Ametek meets the list of requirements. Thus, it seems as though Ametek shares could have a bit more room to run in the near term.

How Does Ametek Stack Up to the Competition?

Shares of Ametek have been soaring, 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 Itron (ITRI), Generac Holdlings (GNRC), and KLA (KLAC), 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 17% of all the industries we have in our universe, so it looks like there are some nice tailwinds for Ametek, even beyond its own solid fundamental situation.


Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
 
AMETEK, Inc. (AME) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
KLA Corporation (KLAC) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Generac Holdlings Inc. (GNRC) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Itron, Inc. (ITRI) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
To read this article on Zacks.com click here.
 
Zacks Investment Research

Advertisement