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Mellanox (MLNX) Hits 52-Week High, Can the Run Continue?

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Have you been paying attention to shares of Mellanox Technologies ? Shares have been on the move with the stock up 18.2% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $99.79 in the previous session. Mellanox Technologies has gained 7.6% since the start of the year compared to the 9.9% move for the Zacks Computer and Technology sector and the 9.7% return for the Zacks Electronics - Semiconductors 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 January 30, 2019, Mellanox reported EPS of $1.42 versus consensus estimate of $1.31 while it beat the consensus revenue estimate by 1.66%.

For the current fiscal year, Mellanox is expected to post earnings of $6.22 per share on $1.25 billion in revenues. This represents a 24.15% change in EPS on a 14.5% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $7.09 per share on $1.39 billion in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of 14.15% and 11.2%, respectively.

Valuation Metrics

Mellanox 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 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.

Mellanox has a Value Score of D. The stock's Growth and Momentum Scores are B and B, 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 33.4X versus its peer group's average of 10.5X. Additionally, the stock has a PEG ratio of 0.86. 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, Mellanox 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 Mellanox passes the test. Thus, it seems as though Mellanox shares could have potential in the weeks and months to come.

How Does Mellanox Stack Up to the Competition?

Shares of Mellanox 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 Amkor Technology (AMKR - Free Report) , Rambus (RMBS - Free Report) , and Applied Optoelectronics (AAOI - 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.

However, it is worth noting that the Zacks Industry Rank for this group is in the bottom half of the ranking, so it isn't all good news for Mellanox. Still, the fundamentals for Mellanox are promising, and it still has potential despite being at a 52-week high.


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