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Corteva, Inc. (CTVA) Hits Fresh High: Is There Still Room to Run?

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Have you been paying attention to shares of Corteva (CTVA - Free Report) ? Shares have been on the move with the stock up 2.8% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $48.87 in the previous session. Corteva has gained 24.2% since the start of the year compared to the 5.2% move for the Zacks Consumer Staples sector and the 20.6% return for the Zacks Agriculture - Operations 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 3, 2021, Corteva, Inc. reported EPS of $0.04 versus consensus estimate of $-0.03 while it beat the consensus revenue estimate by 11.47%.

For the current fiscal year, Corteva, Inc. is expected to post earnings of $1.93 per share on $14.71 billion in revenues. This represents a 28.67% change in EPS on a 3.5% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $2.34 per share on $15.61 billion in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of 21.25% and 6.08%, respectively.

Valuation Metrics

Corteva, Inc. 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. 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.

Corteva, Inc. has a Value Score of B. The stock's Growth and Momentum Scores are B and C, respectively, giving the company a VGM Score of B.

In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 24.9X current fiscal year EPS estimates. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 15.6X versus its peer group's average of 9.4X. Additionally, the stock has a PEG ratio of 1.76. 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, Corteva, Inc. 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 Corteva, Inc. fits the bill. Thus, it seems as though Corteva, Inc. shares could have potential in the weeks and months to come.

How Does Corteva, Inc. Stack Up to the Competition?

Shares of Corteva, Inc. 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 Adecoagro (AGRO - Free Report) , Ingredion (INGR - Free Report) , and Sanderson Farms , 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 Corteva, Inc. Still, the fundamentals for Corteva, Inc. are promising, and it still has potential despite being at a 52-week high.


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