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AppLovin Corporation (APP) Hits Fresh High: Is There Still Room to Run?

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Have you been paying attention to shares of AppLovin (APP - Free Report) ? Shares have been on the move with the stock up 27.3% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $166.74 in the previous session. AppLovin has gained 317% since the start of the year compared to the 18.3% move for the Zacks Business Services sector and the 39.4% return for the Zacks Technology 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 7, 2024, AppLovin reported EPS of $0.89 versus consensus estimate of $0.77 while it beat the consensus revenue estimate by 0.13%.

For the current fiscal year, AppLovin is expected to post earnings of $3.47 per share on $4.45 billion in revenues. This represents a 254.08% change in EPS on a 35.47% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $4.60 per share on $5.14 billion in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of 32.65% and 15.56%, respectively.

Valuation Metrics

AppLovin 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 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.

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

In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 47.9X current fiscal year EPS estimates, which is a premium to the peer industry average of 25.4X. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 66.2X versus its peer group's average of 12.1X. Additionally, the stock has a PEG ratio of 2.39. 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, AppLovin 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 AppLovin fits the bill. Thus, it seems as though AppLovin shares could have a bit more room to run in the near term.

How Does APP Stack Up to the Competition?

Shares of APP 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 Parsons Corporation (PSN - Free Report) . PSN has a Zacks Rank of # 2 (Buy) and a Value Score of C, a Growth Score of B, and a Momentum Score of A.

Earnings were strong last quarter. Parsons Corporation beat our consensus estimate by 27.27%, and for the current fiscal year, PSN is expected to post earnings of $3.20 per share on revenue of $6.52 billion.

Shares of Parsons Corporation have gained 1% over the past month, and currently trade at a forward P/E of 32.69X and a P/CF of 31.04X.

The Technology Services industry is in the top 19% of all the industries we have in our universe, so it looks like there are some nice tailwinds for APP and PSN, even beyond their own solid fundamental situation.


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