Have you been paying attention to shares of Anthem ? Shares have been on the move with the stock up 7.2% over the past month. ANTM hit a new 52-week high of $268.04 in the previous session. Anthem has gained 18.4% since the start of the year compared to the 5.1% move for the Zacks Medical sector and the 20.6% 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 25, 2018, Anthem reported EPS of $4.25 versus consensus estimate of $4.19 while it missed the consensus revenue estimate by 0.15%.
For the current fiscal year, Anthem is expected to post earnings of $15.48 per share on $91.47 billion in revenues. This represents a 28.57% change in EPS on a 2.7% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $17.07 per share on $97.59 billion in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of 10.26% and 6.7%, respectively.
Valuation Metrics
Anthem may be at a 52-week high right now, but what might the future hold for ANTM? 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.
Anthem has a Value Score of A. The stock's Growth and Momentum Scores are C and D, respectively, giving the company a VGM Score of B.
In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 17.2X current fiscal year EPS estimates. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 16.6X versus its peer group's average of 16.3X. Additionally, the stock has a PEG ratio of 1.45. 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, Anthem 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 Anthem fits the bill. Thus, it seems as though ANTM shares could still be poised for more gains ahead.
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Anthem (ANTM) Hits 52-Week High, Can the Run Continue?
Have you been paying attention to shares of Anthem ? Shares have been on the move with the stock up 7.2% over the past month. ANTM hit a new 52-week high of $268.04 in the previous session. Anthem has gained 18.4% since the start of the year compared to the 5.1% move for the Zacks Medical sector and the 20.6% 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 25, 2018, Anthem reported EPS of $4.25 versus consensus estimate of $4.19 while it missed the consensus revenue estimate by 0.15%.
For the current fiscal year, Anthem is expected to post earnings of $15.48 per share on $91.47 billion in revenues. This represents a 28.57% change in EPS on a 2.7% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $17.07 per share on $97.59 billion in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of 10.26% and 6.7%, respectively.
Valuation Metrics
Anthem may be at a 52-week high right now, but what might the future hold for ANTM? 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.
Anthem has a Value Score of A. The stock's Growth and Momentum Scores are C and D, respectively, giving the company a VGM Score of B.
In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 17.2X current fiscal year EPS estimates. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 16.6X versus its peer group's average of 16.3X. Additionally, the stock has a PEG ratio of 1.45. This isn't enough to put the company in the top echelon of all stocks we cover from a value perspective.
Anthem, Inc. Price and Consensus
Anthem, Inc. Price and Consensus | Anthem, 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, Anthem 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 Anthem fits the bill. Thus, it seems as though ANTM shares could still be poised for more gains ahead.