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APA Corporation (APA) Hit a 52 Week High, Can the Run Continue?
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A strong stock as of late has been APA (APA - Free Report) . Shares have been marching higher, with the stock up 1.3% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $48.08 in the previous session. APA has gained 96.3% since the start of the year compared to the 41% move for the Zacks Oils-Energy sector and the 33.8% return for the Zacks Oil and Gas - Exploration and Production - United States industry.
What's Driving the Outperformance?
The stock has an impressive 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 5, 2026, APA reported EPS of $1.89 versus consensus estimate of $1.85 while it missed the consensus revenue estimate by 1.48%.
For the current fiscal year, APA is expected to post earnings of $5.79 per share on $9.02 in revenues. This represents a 53.58% change in EPS on a -2.13% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $4.08 per share on $8.01 in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of -29.48% and -11.23%, respectively.
Valuation Metrics
Though APA has recently hit a 52-week high, what is next for APA? 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). The individual style scores for Value, Growth, Momentum and the combined VGM Score run from A through F. The idea behind the style scores is to help investors pick the most appropriate Zacks Rank stocks based on their individual investment style.
APA has a Value Score of A. The stock's Growth and Momentum Scores are B and C, respectively, giving the company a VGM Score of A.
In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 8.3X current fiscal year EPS estimates, which is not in-line with the peer industry average of 9.7X. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 4.7X versus its peer group's average of 5.2X. Additionally, the stock has a PEG ratio of 0.83. This is good enough to put the company in the top echelon of all stocks we cover from a value perspective, making APA an interesting choice for value investors.
Zacks Rank
We also need to consider the stock's Zacks Rank, as this supersedes any trend on the style score front. Fortunately, APA currently has a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy) thanks to a solid earnings estimate revision trend.
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 APA meets the list of requirements. Thus, it seems as though APA shares could have potential in the weeks and months to come.
View the Zacks #1 Rank List
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APA Corporation (APA) Hit a 52 Week High, Can the Run Continue?
A strong stock as of late has been APA (APA - Free Report) . Shares have been marching higher, with the stock up 1.3% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $48.08 in the previous session. APA has gained 96.3% since the start of the year compared to the 41% move for the Zacks Oils-Energy sector and the 33.8% return for the Zacks Oil and Gas - Exploration and Production - United States industry.
What's Driving the Outperformance?
The stock has an impressive 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 5, 2026, APA reported EPS of $1.89 versus consensus estimate of $1.85 while it missed the consensus revenue estimate by 1.48%.
For the current fiscal year, APA is expected to post earnings of $5.79 per share on $9.02 in revenues. This represents a 53.58% change in EPS on a -2.13% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $4.08 per share on $8.01 in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of -29.48% and -11.23%, respectively.
Valuation Metrics
Though APA has recently hit a 52-week high, what is next for APA? 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). The individual style scores for Value, Growth, Momentum and the combined VGM Score run from A through F. The idea behind the style scores is to help investors pick the most appropriate Zacks Rank stocks based on their individual investment style.
APA has a Value Score of A. The stock's Growth and Momentum Scores are B and C, respectively, giving the company a VGM Score of A.
In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 8.3X current fiscal year EPS estimates, which is not in-line with the peer industry average of 9.7X. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 4.7X versus its peer group's average of 5.2X. Additionally, the stock has a PEG ratio of 0.83. This is good enough to put the company in the top echelon of all stocks we cover from a value perspective, making APA an interesting choice for value investors.
Zacks Rank
We also need to consider the stock's Zacks Rank, as this supersedes any trend on the style score front. Fortunately, APA currently has a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy) thanks to a solid earnings estimate revision trend.
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 APA meets the list of requirements. Thus, it seems as though APA shares could have potential in the weeks and months to come.