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Boston Scientific Corporation (BSX) Hits Fresh High: Is There Still Room to Run?

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Have you been paying attention to shares of Boston Scientific (BSX - Free Report) ? Shares have been on the move with the stock up 8.7% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $67.32 in the previous session. Boston Scientific has gained 15.3% since the start of the year compared to the 7.8% move for the Zacks Medical sector and the 6.5% return for the Zacks Medical - 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 January 31, 2024, Boston Scientific reported EPS of $0.55 versus consensus estimate of $0.51 while it beat the consensus revenue estimate by 3.77%.

For the current fiscal year, Boston Scientific is expected to post earnings of $2.25 per share on $15.55 billion in revenues. This represents a 9.76% change in EPS on a 9.2% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $2.54 per share on $16.89 billion in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of 12.81% and 8.63%, respectively.

Valuation Metrics

Boston Scientific 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.

Boston Scientific has a Value Score of C. 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 29.7X current fiscal year EPS estimates, which is a premium to the peer industry average of 20.8X. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 23X versus its peer group's average of 10.2X. Additionally, the stock has a PEG ratio of 2.34. 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, Boston Scientific 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 Boston Scientific meets the list of requirements. Thus, it seems as though Boston Scientific shares could have a bit more room to run in the near term.

How Does BSX Stack Up to the Competition?

Shares of BSX 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 Lantheus Holdings, Inc. (LNTH - Free Report) . LNTH has a Zacks Rank of # 2 (Buy) and a Value Score of B, a Growth Score of B, and a Momentum Score of F.

Earnings were strong last quarter. Lantheus Holdings, Inc. beat our consensus estimate by 18.24%, and for the current fiscal year, LNTH is expected to post earnings of $6.27 per share on revenue of $1.43 billion.

Shares of Lantheus Holdings, Inc. have gained 26.2% over the past month, and currently trade at a forward P/E of 10.87X and a P/CF of 10.1X.

The Medical - Products industry may rank in the bottom 65% of all the industries we have in our universe, but there still looks like there are some nice tailwinds for BSX and LNTH, even beyond their own solid fundamental situation.


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