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Buckle (BKE) Hits a 52-Week High, Can the Run Continue?

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Have you been paying attention to shares of Buckle, Inc. (BKE - Free Report) ? Shares have been on the move with the stock up 17.1% over the past month. BKE hit a new 52-week high of $27.20 in the previous session. Buckle has gained 13.7% since the start of the year compared to the 11.9% move for the Retail-Wholesale sector and the 1.1% year-to-date return for its peer group.

What's Driving the Outperformance?

The stock has a great record of positive earnings surprises, having beaten the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the last four quarters. In its last earnings report on May 25, 2018, Buckle, reported EPS of $0.38 versus the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.35 while it missed the consensus revenue estimate by 0%.

For the current fiscal year, Buckle is expected to post earnings of $1.82 per share on $860.53 million in revenues. This represents a -1.62% change in EPS on a -5.79% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $1.47 per share on $800.06 million in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of -19.23% and -7.03%, respectively.

Valuation Metrics

Buckle, may be at a 52-week high right now, but what might the future hold for BKE? 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.

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

In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 14.8X current fiscal year EPS estimates. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 10.5X versus its peer group's average of 10.2X. This isn't enough to put the company in the top echelon of all stocks we cover from a value perspective.

Buckle, Inc. (The) Price and Consensus

 

Buckle, Inc. (The) Price and Consensus | Buckle, Inc. (The) Quote

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, Buckle, currently has a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy) thanks to rising earnings estimates.

Since we recommend that investors select stocks carrying Zacks Rank of 1 or 2 (Buy) and Style Scores of A or B, it looks as if Buckle, meets the list of requirements. Thus, it seems as though BKE shares could still be poised for more gains ahead.


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