Back to top

Image: Bigstock

Arch Capital Group Ltd. (ACGL) Hit a 52 Week High, Can the Run Continue?

Read MoreHide Full Article

Have you been paying attention to shares of Arch Capital Group (ACGL - Free Report) ? Shares have been on the move with the stock up 10.9% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $114.69 in the previous session. Arch Capital Group has gained 53.4% since the start of the year compared to the 16.6% move for the Zacks Finance sector and the 27.8% return for the Zacks Insurance - Property and Casualty 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 July 30, 2024, Arch Capital reported EPS of $2.57 versus consensus estimate of $2.17 while it beat the consensus revenue estimate by 0.66%.

For the current fiscal year, Arch Capital is expected to post earnings of $9.01 per share on $15.56 billion in revenues. This represents a 6.63% change in EPS on a 15.33% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $9.23 per share on $16.98 billion in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of 2.46% and 9.16%, respectively.

Valuation Metrics

Arch Capital 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. The idea behind the style scores is to help investors pick the most appropriate Zacks Rank stocks based on their individual investment style.

Arch Capital has a Value Score of B. The stock's Growth and Momentum Scores are D and B, respectively, giving the company a VGM Score of B.

In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 12.7X current fiscal year EPS estimates, which is not in-line with the peer industry average of 13.6X. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 12.8X versus its peer group's average of 13.2X. Additionally, the stock has a PEG ratio of 2.06. 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, Arch Capital currently has a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy) thanks to favorable earnings estimate revisions from covering analysts.

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 Arch Capital passes the test. Thus, it seems as though Arch Capital shares could still be poised for more gains ahead.

How Does ACGL Stack Up to the Competition?

Shares of ACGL 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 W.R. Berkley Corporation (WRB - Free Report) . WRB has a Zacks Rank of # 2 (Buy) and a Value Score of A, a Growth Score of C, and a Momentum Score of A.

Earnings were strong last quarter. W.R. Berkley Corporation beat our consensus estimate by 13.04%, and for the current fiscal year, WRB is expected to post earnings of $4.03 per share on revenue of $13.55 billion.

Shares of W.R. Berkley Corporation have gained 1.4% over the past month, and currently trade at a forward P/E of 14.42X and a P/CF of 16.99X.

The Insurance - Property and Casualty industry is in the top 8% of all the industries we have in our universe, so it looks like there are some nice tailwinds for ACGL and WRB, even beyond their own solid fundamental situation.


See More Zacks Research for These Tickers


Normally $25 each - click below to receive one report FREE:


W.R. Berkley Corporation (WRB) - free report >>

Arch Capital Group Ltd. (ACGL) - free report >>

Published in