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AppFolio (APPF) Hits a 52-Week High, Can the Run Continue?
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Have you been paying attention to shares of AppFolio (APPF - Free Report) ? Shares have been on the move with the stock up 29.8% over the past month. APPF hit a new 52-week high of $54.90 in the previous session. AppFolio has gained 30.6% since the start of the year compared to the 3.6% move for the Computer and Technology sector and the 8.9% year-to-date return for its peer group.
What's Driving the Outperformance?
The stock has an impressive record of positive earnings surprises, having beaten the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the last four quarters. In its last earnings report on April 30, 2018, AppFolio reported EPS of $0.15 versus the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.12 while it beat the consensus revenue estimate by 3.24%.
For the current fiscal year, AppFolio is expected to post earnings of $0.75 per share on $181.97 million in revenues. This represents a 66.67% change in EPS on a 26.54% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $1.1 per share on $224.3 million in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of 47.33% and 23.26%, respectively.
Valuation Metrics
AppFolio may be at a 52-week high right now, but what might the future hold for APPF? 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.
AppFolio has a Value Score of F. The stock's Growth and Momentum Scores are A and A, respectively, giving the company a VGM Score of B.
In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 72.8X current fiscal year EPS estimates. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 81.9X versus its peer group's average of 27X. This isn't enough to put the company in the top echelon of all stocks we cover from a value perspective.
We also need to look at the Zacks Rank for the stock, as this supersedes any trend on the style score front. Fortunately, AppFolio 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 and Style Scores of A or B, it looks as if AppFolio meets the list of requirements. Thus, it seems as though APPF shares could have potential in the weeks and months to come.
How Does AppFolio Stack Up to the Competition?
Shares of AppFolio 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 impressive, including EPAM Systems (EPAM - Free Report) , Weibo (WB - Free Report) , and CACI International (CACI - 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 36% of all the industries we have in our universe, so it looks like there are some nice tailwinds for APPF, even beyond its own solid fundamental situation.
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AppFolio (APPF) Hits a 52-Week High, Can the Run Continue?
Have you been paying attention to shares of AppFolio (APPF - Free Report) ? Shares have been on the move with the stock up 29.8% over the past month. APPF hit a new 52-week high of $54.90 in the previous session. AppFolio has gained 30.6% since the start of the year compared to the 3.6% move for the Computer and Technology sector and the 8.9% year-to-date return for its peer group.
What's Driving the Outperformance?
The stock has an impressive record of positive earnings surprises, having beaten the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the last four quarters. In its last earnings report on April 30, 2018, AppFolio reported EPS of $0.15 versus the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.12 while it beat the consensus revenue estimate by 3.24%.
For the current fiscal year, AppFolio is expected to post earnings of $0.75 per share on $181.97 million in revenues. This represents a 66.67% change in EPS on a 26.54% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $1.1 per share on $224.3 million in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of 47.33% and 23.26%, respectively.
Valuation Metrics
AppFolio may be at a 52-week high right now, but what might the future hold for APPF? 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.
AppFolio has a Value Score of F. The stock's Growth and Momentum Scores are A and A, respectively, giving the company a VGM Score of B.
In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 72.8X current fiscal year EPS estimates. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 81.9X versus its peer group's average of 27X. This isn't enough to put the company in the top echelon of all stocks we cover from a value perspective.
AppFolio, Inc. Price and Consensus
AppFolio, Inc. Price and Consensus | AppFolio, Inc. Quote
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, AppFolio 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 and Style Scores of A or B, it looks as if AppFolio meets the list of requirements. Thus, it seems as though APPF shares could have potential in the weeks and months to come.
How Does AppFolio Stack Up to the Competition?
Shares of AppFolio 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 impressive, including EPAM Systems (EPAM - Free Report) , Weibo (WB - Free Report) , and CACI International (CACI - 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 36% of all the industries we have in our universe, so it looks like there are some nice tailwinds for APPF, even beyond its own solid fundamental situation.