We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies, revised Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
You are being directed to ZacksTrade, a division of LBMZ Securities and licensed broker-dealer. ZacksTrade and Zacks.com are separate companies. The web link between the two companies is not a solicitation or offer to invest in a particular security or type of security. ZacksTrade does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating individual securities.
If you wish to go to ZacksTrade, click OK. If you do not, click Cancel.
Otter Tail Corporation (OTTR) Hit a 52 Week High, Can the Run Continue?
Read MoreHide Full Article
Have you been paying attention to shares of Otter Tail (OTTR - Free Report) ? Shares have been on the move with the stock up 24.1% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $82.46 in the previous session. Otter Tail has gained 14.4% since the start of the year compared to the 6.9% move for the Zacks Utilities sector and the 7.8% return for the Zacks Utility - Electric Power 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 1, 2022, Otter Tail reported EPS of $2.05 versus consensus estimate of $1.27.
For the current fiscal year, Otter Tail is expected to post earnings of $7.08 per share on $1.56 billion in revenues. This represents a 67.38% change in EPS on a 30.01% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $4.27 per share on $1.22 billion in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of -39.69% and -21.67%, respectively.
Valuation Metrics
Otter Tail 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.
Otter Tail has a Value Score of C. The stock's Growth and Momentum Scores are B and A, respectively, giving the company a VGM Score of B.
In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 11.5X current fiscal year EPS estimates, which is not in-line with the peer industry average of 20X. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 12.7X versus its peer group's average of 9.5X. 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, Otter Tail currently has a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong 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 Otter Tail fits the bill. Thus, it seems as though Otter Tail shares could have a bit more room to run in the near term.
How Does OTTR Stack Up to the Competition?
Shares of OTTR have been soaring, and the company still appears to be a decent choice, but what about the rest of the industry? One industry peer that looks good is Unitil Corporation (UTL - Free Report) . UTL has a Zacks Rank of # 2 (Buy) and a Value Score of B, a Growth Score of B, and a Momentum Score of D.
Earnings were strong last quarter. Unitil Corporation beat our consensus estimate by 25%, and for the current fiscal year, UTL is expected to post earnings of $2.60 per share on revenue of $535 million.
Shares of Unitil Corporation have gained 0.6% over the past month, and currently trade at a forward P/E of 22.07X and a P/CF of 9.59X.
The Utility - Electric Power industry is in the top 27% of all the industries we have in our universe, so it looks like there are some nice tailwinds for OTTR and UTL, even beyond their own solid fundamental situation.
See More Zacks Research for These Tickers
Normally $25 each - click below to receive one report FREE:
Image: Bigstock
Otter Tail Corporation (OTTR) Hit a 52 Week High, Can the Run Continue?
Have you been paying attention to shares of Otter Tail (OTTR - Free Report) ? Shares have been on the move with the stock up 24.1% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $82.46 in the previous session. Otter Tail has gained 14.4% since the start of the year compared to the 6.9% move for the Zacks Utilities sector and the 7.8% return for the Zacks Utility - Electric Power 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 1, 2022, Otter Tail reported EPS of $2.05 versus consensus estimate of $1.27.
For the current fiscal year, Otter Tail is expected to post earnings of $7.08 per share on $1.56 billion in revenues. This represents a 67.38% change in EPS on a 30.01% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $4.27 per share on $1.22 billion in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of -39.69% and -21.67%, respectively.
Valuation Metrics
Otter Tail 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.
Otter Tail has a Value Score of C. The stock's Growth and Momentum Scores are B and A, respectively, giving the company a VGM Score of B.
In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 11.5X current fiscal year EPS estimates, which is not in-line with the peer industry average of 20X. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 12.7X versus its peer group's average of 9.5X. 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, Otter Tail currently has a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong 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 Otter Tail fits the bill. Thus, it seems as though Otter Tail shares could have a bit more room to run in the near term.
How Does OTTR Stack Up to the Competition?
Shares of OTTR have been soaring, and the company still appears to be a decent choice, but what about the rest of the industry? One industry peer that looks good is Unitil Corporation (UTL - Free Report) . UTL has a Zacks Rank of # 2 (Buy) and a Value Score of B, a Growth Score of B, and a Momentum Score of D.
Earnings were strong last quarter. Unitil Corporation beat our consensus estimate by 25%, and for the current fiscal year, UTL is expected to post earnings of $2.60 per share on revenue of $535 million.
Shares of Unitil Corporation have gained 0.6% over the past month, and currently trade at a forward P/E of 22.07X and a P/CF of 9.59X.
The Utility - Electric Power industry is in the top 27% of all the industries we have in our universe, so it looks like there are some nice tailwinds for OTTR and UTL, even beyond their own solid fundamental situation.