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Republic Services, Inc. (RSG) Soars to 52-Week High, Time to Cash Out?

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Have you been paying attention to shares of Republic Services (RSG - Free Report) ? Shares have been on the move with the stock up 15.2% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $146.4 in the previous session. Republic Services has gained 4.7% since the start of the year compared to the -16.7% move for the Zacks Business Services sector and the -4.2% return for the Zacks Waste Removal Services 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 August 4, 2022, Republic Services reported EPS of $1.32 versus consensus estimate of $1.18.

For the current fiscal year, Republic Services is expected to post earnings of $4.78 per share on $13.41 billion in revenues. This represents a 14.63% change in EPS on a 18.74% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $5.39 per share on $14.71 billion in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of 12.74% and 9.7%, respectively.

Valuation Metrics

Republic Services 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. 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.

Republic Services 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 30.5X current fiscal year EPS estimates, which is a premium to the peer industry average of 21.6X. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 17.8X versus its peer group's average of 15.8X. Additionally, the stock has a PEG ratio of 2.69. 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 consider the stock's Zacks Rank, as this supersedes any trend on the style score front. Fortunately, Republic Services 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 Republic Services fits the bill. Thus, it seems as though Republic Services shares could have a bit more room to run in the near term.

How Does RSG Stack Up to the Competition?

Shares of RSG 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 Waste Management, Inc. (WM - Free Report) . WM has a Zacks Rank of # 2 (Buy) and a Value Score of C, a Growth Score of B, and a Momentum Score of C.

Earnings were strong last quarter. Waste Management, Inc. beat our consensus estimate by 5.88%, and for the current fiscal year, WM is expected to post earnings of $5.70 per share on revenue of $19.77 billion.

Shares of Waste Management, Inc. have gained 15.7% over the past month, and currently trade at a forward P/E of 30.28X and a P/CF of 17.38X.

The Waste Removal Services industry is in the top 23% of all the industries we have in our universe, so it looks like there are some nice tailwinds for RSG and WM, even beyond their own solid fundamental situation.


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