Back to top

Image: Bigstock

Nomad Foods (NOMD) Hits 52-Week High, Can the Run Continue?

Read MoreHide Full Article

Shares of Nomad Foods (NOMD - Free Report) have been strong performers lately, with the stock up 1.8% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $25.25 in the previous session. Nomad Foods has gained 11.3% since the start of the year compared to the -3.9% move for the Zacks Consumer Staples sector and the -2.9% return for the Zacks Food - Miscellaneous 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 August 6, 2020, Nomad Foods reported EPS of $0.37 versus consensus estimate of $0.32 while it beat the consensus revenue estimate by 0.09%.

For the current fiscal year, Nomad Foods is expected to post earnings of $1.55 per share on $2.97 billion in revenues. This represents a 12.32% change in EPS on a 13.27% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $1.72 per share on $2.89 billion in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of 10.75% and -2.6%, respectively.

Valuation Metrics

Nomad Foods 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.

Nomad Foods has a Value Score of B. 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 16X current fiscal year EPS estimates. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 14.2X versus its peer group's average of 12.1X. 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, Nomad Foods 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 Nomad Foods passes the test. Thus, it seems as though Nomad Foods shares could have a bit more room to run in the near term.

How Does Nomad Foods Stack Up to the Competition?

Shares of Nomad Foods 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 The Hain Celestial Group (HAIN - Free Report) , Tate Lyle (TATYY - Free Report) , and TreeHouse Foods (THS - Free Report) , 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 50% of all the industries we have in our universe, so it looks like there are some nice tailwinds for Nomad Foods, even beyond its own solid fundamental situation.

Published in