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Phibro Animal Health Corporation (PAHC) Hits Fresh High: Is There Still Room to Run?

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Have you been paying attention to shares of Phibro Animal Health (PAHC - Free Report) ? Shares have been on the move with the stock up 5.2% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $25.61 in the previous session. Phibro Animal Health has gained 120.6% since the start of the year compared to the 4.7% move for the Zacks Medical sector and the 15% 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 November 6, 2024, Phibro reported EPS of $0.35 versus consensus estimate of $0.23 while it missed the consensus revenue estimate by 6.25%.

For the current fiscal year, Phibro is expected to post earnings of $1.55 per share on $1.08 billion in revenues. This represents a 31.09% change in EPS on a 6.49% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $1.89 per share on $1.39 billion in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of 21.79% and 28.16%, respectively.

Valuation Metrics

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

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

In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 16.4X current fiscal year EPS estimates, which is not in-line with the peer industry average of 24.8X. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 12.1X versus its peer group's average of 12X. Additionally, the stock has a PEG ratio of 0.68. 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, Phibro currently has a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong 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 Phibro passes the test. Thus, it seems as though Phibro shares could still be poised for more gains ahead.

How Does PAHC Stack Up to the Competition?

Shares of PAHC 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 OraSure Technologies, Inc. (OSUR - Free Report) . OSUR has a Zacks Rank of # 2 (Buy) and a Value Score of A, a Growth Score of D, and a Momentum Score of D.

Earnings were strong last quarter. OraSure Technologies, Inc. beat our consensus estimate by 75%, and for the current fiscal year, OSUR is expected to post earnings of -$0.05 per share on revenue of $185.4 million.

Shares of OraSure Technologies, Inc. have gained 4.7% over the past month, and currently trade at a forward P/E of 90.86X and a P/CF of 3.16X.

The Medical - Products industry is in the top 34% of all the industries we have in our universe, so it looks like there are some nice tailwinds for PAHC and OSUR, even beyond their own solid fundamental situation.


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