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IHS Markit (INFO) Hits 52-Week High, Can the Run Continue?

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Have you been paying attention to shares of IHS Markit ? Shares have been on the move with the stock up 11% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $65.82 in the previous session. IHS Markit has gained 36.7% since the start of the year compared to the 30.6% move for the Zacks Business Services sector and the 36.3% return for the Zacks Business - Information Services 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 June 26, 2019, IHS Markit reported EPS of $0.71 versus consensus estimate of $0.65 while it missed the consensus revenue estimate by 0.03%.

For the current fiscal year, IHS Markit is expected to post earnings of $2.57 per share on $4.45 billion in revenues. This represents a 12.23% change in EPS on a 10.87% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $2.88 per share on $4.7 billion in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of 12.31% and 5.7%, respectively.

Valuation Metrics

IHS Markit 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.

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

In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 25.5X current fiscal year EPS estimates. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 19.2X versus its peer group's average of 23.1X. 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, IHS Markit 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 IHS Markit fits the bill. Thus, it seems as though IHS Markit shares could still be poised for more gains ahead.

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