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LGI Homes (LGIH) Soars to 52-Week High, Time to Cash Out?

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Shares of LGI Homes (LGIH - Free Report) have been strong performers lately, with the stock up 16.6% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $163.64 in the previous session. LGI Homes has gained 51.6% since the start of the year compared to the 13.2% move for the Zacks Finance sector and the 24.1% return for the Zacks Real Estate - Development 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 February 23, 2021, LGI Homes reported EPS of $5.18 versus consensus estimate of $3.93 while it beat the consensus revenue estimate by 8.02%.

For the current fiscal year, LGI Homes is expected to post earnings of $12.03 per share on $2.64 billion in revenues. This represents a 3.8% change in EPS on a 11.7% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $13.28 per share on $2.93 billion in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of 10.42% and 10.65%, respectively.

Valuation Metrics

LGI Homes 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 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.

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

In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 13.3X current fiscal year EPS estimates. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 13.9X versus its peer group's average of 14.1X. 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 look at the Zacks Rank for the stock, as this supersedes any trend on the style score front. Fortunately, LGI Homes 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 LGI Homes meets the list of requirements. Thus, it seems as though LGI Homes shares could still be poised for more gains ahead.

How Does LGI Homes Stack Up to the Competition?

Shares of LGI Homes 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 Barratt Developments PLC Unsponsored (BTDPY - Free Report) , Green Brick Partners (GRBK - Free Report) , and Agile Property Holdings (AGPYY - 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 26% of all the industries we have in our universe, so it looks like there are some nice tailwinds for LGI Homes, even beyond its own solid fundamental situation.

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