We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies, revised Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
You are being directed to ZacksTrade, a division of LBMZ Securities and licensed broker-dealer. ZacksTrade and Zacks.com are separate companies. The web link between the two companies is not a solicitation or offer to invest in a particular security or type of security. ZacksTrade does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating individual securities.
If you wish to go to ZacksTrade, click OK. If you do not, click Cancel.
KLA Corporation (KLAC) Hit a 52 Week High, Can the Run Continue?
Read MoreHide Full Article
Have you been paying attention to shares of KLA (KLAC - Free Report) ? Shares have been on the move with the stock up 1.1% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $521 in the previous session. KLA has gained 34.3% since the start of the year compared to the 39% move for the Zacks Computer and Technology sector and the 12.7% return for the Zacks Electronics - Miscellaneous Products 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 October 25, 2023, KLA reported EPS of $5.74 versus consensus estimate of $5.39 while it beat the consensus revenue estimate by 1.53%.
For the current fiscal year, KLA is expected to post earnings of $23.16 per share on $9.69 billion in revenues. This represents a -8.71% change in EPS on a -7.72% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $25.79 per share on $10.34 billion in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of 11.36% and 6.71%, respectively.
Valuation Metrics
KLA 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 they provide investors with an additional way to sort 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.
KLA has a Value Score of B. The stock's Growth and Momentum Scores are B and D, respectively, giving the company a VGM Score of B.
In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 21.9X current fiscal year EPS estimates, which is a premium to the peer industry average of 15.5X. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 17.4X versus its peer group's average of 8.1X. Additionally, the stock has a PEG ratio of 2.2. 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, KLA 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 KLA meets the list of requirements. Thus, it seems as though KLA shares could have potential in the weeks and months to come.
How Does KLAC Stack Up to the Competition?
Shares of KLAC 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 Bel Fuse Inc. (BELFB - Free Report) . BELFB has a Zacks Rank of # 1 (Strong Buy) and a Value Score of A, a Growth Score of B, and a Momentum Score of A.
Earnings were strong last quarter. Bel Fuse Inc. beat our consensus estimate by 30.25%, and for the current fiscal year, BELFB is expected to post earnings of $6.22 per share on revenue of $650.8 million.
Shares of Bel Fuse Inc. have gained 4.2% over the past month, and currently trade at a forward P/E of 8.05X and a P/CF of 8.95X.
The Electronics - Miscellaneous Products industry may rank in the bottom 57% of all the industries we have in our universe, but there still looks like there are some nice tailwinds for KLAC and BELFB, even beyond their own solid fundamental situation.
See More Zacks Research for These Tickers
Normally $25 each - click below to receive one report FREE:
Image: Bigstock
KLA Corporation (KLAC) Hit a 52 Week High, Can the Run Continue?
Have you been paying attention to shares of KLA (KLAC - Free Report) ? Shares have been on the move with the stock up 1.1% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $521 in the previous session. KLA has gained 34.3% since the start of the year compared to the 39% move for the Zacks Computer and Technology sector and the 12.7% return for the Zacks Electronics - Miscellaneous Products 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 October 25, 2023, KLA reported EPS of $5.74 versus consensus estimate of $5.39 while it beat the consensus revenue estimate by 1.53%.
For the current fiscal year, KLA is expected to post earnings of $23.16 per share on $9.69 billion in revenues. This represents a -8.71% change in EPS on a -7.72% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $25.79 per share on $10.34 billion in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of 11.36% and 6.71%, respectively.
Valuation Metrics
KLA 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 they provide investors with an additional way to sort 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.
KLA has a Value Score of B. The stock's Growth and Momentum Scores are B and D, respectively, giving the company a VGM Score of B.
In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 21.9X current fiscal year EPS estimates, which is a premium to the peer industry average of 15.5X. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 17.4X versus its peer group's average of 8.1X. Additionally, the stock has a PEG ratio of 2.2. 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, KLA 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 KLA meets the list of requirements. Thus, it seems as though KLA shares could have potential in the weeks and months to come.
How Does KLAC Stack Up to the Competition?
Shares of KLAC 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 Bel Fuse Inc. (BELFB - Free Report) . BELFB has a Zacks Rank of # 1 (Strong Buy) and a Value Score of A, a Growth Score of B, and a Momentum Score of A.
Earnings were strong last quarter. Bel Fuse Inc. beat our consensus estimate by 30.25%, and for the current fiscal year, BELFB is expected to post earnings of $6.22 per share on revenue of $650.8 million.
Shares of Bel Fuse Inc. have gained 4.2% over the past month, and currently trade at a forward P/E of 8.05X and a P/CF of 8.95X.
The Electronics - Miscellaneous Products industry may rank in the bottom 57% of all the industries we have in our universe, but there still looks like there are some nice tailwinds for KLAC and BELFB, even beyond their own solid fundamental situation.