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SM Energy (SM) Hits 52-Week High, Can the Run Continue?
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Have you been paying attention to shares of SM Energy (SM - Free Report) ? Shares have been on the move with the stock up 7.1% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $38.47 in the previous session. SM Energy has gained 27.3% since the start of the year compared to the 18.6% move for the Zacks Oils-Energy sector and the 29.7% return for the Zacks Oil and Gas - Exploration and Production - United States 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 24, 2022, SM Energy reported EPS of $1.14 versus consensus estimate of $0.82 while it beat the consensus revenue estimate by 35.38%.
For the current fiscal year, SM Energy is expected to post earnings of $6.62 per share on $2.65 billion in revenues. This represents a 257.84% change in EPS on a 1% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $7.81 per share on $2.67 billion in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of 18.03% and 0.78%, respectively.
Valuation Metrics
SM Energy 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. The idea behind the style scores is to help investors pick the most appropriate Zacks Rank stocks based on their individual investment style.
SM Energy has a Value Score of B. The stock's Growth and Momentum Scores are A and B, respectively, giving the company a VGM Score of A.
In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 5.7X current fiscal year EPS estimates, which is not in-line with the peer industry average of 6.6X. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 4.5X versus its peer group's average of 5.8X. 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, SM Energy 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 SM Energy meets the list of requirements. Thus, it seems as though SM Energy shares could have a bit more room to run in the near term.
How Does SM Stack Up to the Competition?
Shares of SM 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 Laredo Petroleum, Inc. . LPI has a Zacks Rank of # 2 (Buy) and a Value Score of A, a Growth Score of B, and a Momentum Score of B.
Earnings were strong last quarter. Laredo Petroleum, Inc. beat our consensus estimate by 2.11%, and for the current fiscal year, LPI is expected to post earnings of $29.08 per share on revenue of $1.4 billion.
Shares of Laredo Petroleum, Inc. have gained 11% over the past month, and currently trade at a forward P/E of 2.63X and a P/CF of 3.6X.
The Oil and Gas - Exploration and Production - United States 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 SM and LPI, even beyond their own solid fundamental situation.
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SM Energy (SM) Hits 52-Week High, Can the Run Continue?
Have you been paying attention to shares of SM Energy (SM - Free Report) ? Shares have been on the move with the stock up 7.1% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $38.47 in the previous session. SM Energy has gained 27.3% since the start of the year compared to the 18.6% move for the Zacks Oils-Energy sector and the 29.7% return for the Zacks Oil and Gas - Exploration and Production - United States 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 24, 2022, SM Energy reported EPS of $1.14 versus consensus estimate of $0.82 while it beat the consensus revenue estimate by 35.38%.
For the current fiscal year, SM Energy is expected to post earnings of $6.62 per share on $2.65 billion in revenues. This represents a 257.84% change in EPS on a 1% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $7.81 per share on $2.67 billion in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of 18.03% and 0.78%, respectively.
Valuation Metrics
SM Energy 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. The idea behind the style scores is to help investors pick the most appropriate Zacks Rank stocks based on their individual investment style.
SM Energy has a Value Score of B. The stock's Growth and Momentum Scores are A and B, respectively, giving the company a VGM Score of A.
In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 5.7X current fiscal year EPS estimates, which is not in-line with the peer industry average of 6.6X. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 4.5X versus its peer group's average of 5.8X. 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, SM Energy 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 SM Energy meets the list of requirements. Thus, it seems as though SM Energy shares could have a bit more room to run in the near term.
How Does SM Stack Up to the Competition?
Shares of SM 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 Laredo Petroleum, Inc. . LPI has a Zacks Rank of # 2 (Buy) and a Value Score of A, a Growth Score of B, and a Momentum Score of B.
Earnings were strong last quarter. Laredo Petroleum, Inc. beat our consensus estimate by 2.11%, and for the current fiscal year, LPI is expected to post earnings of $29.08 per share on revenue of $1.4 billion.
Shares of Laredo Petroleum, Inc. have gained 11% over the past month, and currently trade at a forward P/E of 2.63X and a P/CF of 3.6X.
The Oil and Gas - Exploration and Production - United States 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 SM and LPI, even beyond their own solid fundamental situation.