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Molina (MOH) Soars to 52-Week High, Time to Cash Out?

Does MasTec (MTZ) have what it takes to be a top stock pick for momentum investors? Let's find out.

Have you been paying attention to shares of Molina Healthcare (MOH)? Shares have been on the move with the stock up 10.4% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $141.66 in the previous session. Molina Healthcare has gained 83.9% since the start of the year compared to the 6.3% move for the Zacks Medical sector and the 23.5% return for the Zacks Medical - HMOs 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 July 31, 2018, Molina reported EPS of $2.25 versus consensus estimate of $1.09 while it beat the consensus revenue estimate by 4.68%.

For the current fiscal year, Molina is expected to post earnings of $7.51 per share on $18.8 billion in revenues. This represents a 1241.07% change in EPS on a -5.44% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $6.77 per share on $16.97 billion in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of -9.78% and -9.72%, respectively.

Valuation Metrics

Molina 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.

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

In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 18.8X current fiscal year EPS estimates. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 34.9X versus its peer group's average of 16.6X. Additionally, the stock has a PEG ratio of 1.23. 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, Molina currently has a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong 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 Molina fits the bill. Thus, it seems as though Molina shares could still be poised for more gains ahead.


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