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KLA (KLAC) Hits Fresh High: Is There Still Room to Run?
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Have you been paying attention to shares of KLA (KLAC - Free Report) ? Shares have been on the move with the stock up 5.5% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $198.21 in the previous session. KLA has gained 10.3% since the start of the year compared to the 12.6% move for the Zacks Computer and Technology sector and the -12.3% return for the Zacks Electronics - Miscellaneous 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 May 5, 2020, KLA reported EPS of $2.47 versus consensus estimate of $2.35 while it beat the consensus revenue estimate by 0.56%.
For the current fiscal year, KLA is expected to post earnings of $9.71 per share on $5.75 billion in revenues. Meanwhile, for the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $11.31 per share on $5.75 billion in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of -1.49% and -0.03%, respectively.
Valuation Metrics
KLA 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 these give investors a variety of ways to comb 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.
KLA has a Value Score of B. The stock's Growth and Momentum Scores are A and B, respectively, giving the company a VGM Score of A.
In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 20.2X current fiscal year EPS estimates. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 20.1X versus its peer group's average of 7.2X. Additionally, the stock has a PEG ratio of 1.68. 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 look at the Zacks Rank for the stock, as this supersedes any trend on the style score front. Fortunately, KLA 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 KLA fits the bill. Thus, it seems as though KLA shares could still be poised for more gains ahead.
How Does KLA Stack Up to the Competition?
Shares of KLA have been rising, and the company still appears to be a decent choice, but what about the rest of the industry? Some of its industry peers are also looking good, including SSE (SSEZY - Free Report) , Vishay Precision Group (VPG - Free Report) , and Arrow Electronics (ARW - Free Report) , all of which currently have a Zacks Rank of at least #2 and a VGM Score of at least B, making them well-rounded choices.
However, it is worth noting that the Zacks Industry Rank for this group is in the bottom half of the ranking, so it isn't all good news for KLA. Still, the fundamentals for KLA are promising, and it still has potential despite being at a 52-week high.
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KLA (KLAC) Hits Fresh High: Is There Still Room to Run?
Have you been paying attention to shares of KLA (KLAC - Free Report) ? Shares have been on the move with the stock up 5.5% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $198.21 in the previous session. KLA has gained 10.3% since the start of the year compared to the 12.6% move for the Zacks Computer and Technology sector and the -12.3% return for the Zacks Electronics - Miscellaneous 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 May 5, 2020, KLA reported EPS of $2.47 versus consensus estimate of $2.35 while it beat the consensus revenue estimate by 0.56%.
For the current fiscal year, KLA is expected to post earnings of $9.71 per share on $5.75 billion in revenues. Meanwhile, for the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $11.31 per share on $5.75 billion in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of -1.49% and -0.03%, respectively.
Valuation Metrics
KLA 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 these give investors a variety of ways to comb 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.
KLA has a Value Score of B. The stock's Growth and Momentum Scores are A and B, respectively, giving the company a VGM Score of A.
In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 20.2X current fiscal year EPS estimates. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 20.1X versus its peer group's average of 7.2X. Additionally, the stock has a PEG ratio of 1.68. 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 look at the Zacks Rank for the stock, as this supersedes any trend on the style score front. Fortunately, KLA 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 KLA fits the bill. Thus, it seems as though KLA shares could still be poised for more gains ahead.
How Does KLA Stack Up to the Competition?
Shares of KLA have been rising, and the company still appears to be a decent choice, but what about the rest of the industry? Some of its industry peers are also looking good, including SSE (SSEZY - Free Report) , Vishay Precision Group (VPG - Free Report) , and Arrow Electronics (ARW - Free Report) , all of which currently have a Zacks Rank of at least #2 and a VGM Score of at least B, making them well-rounded choices.
However, it is worth noting that the Zacks Industry Rank for this group is in the bottom half of the ranking, so it isn't all good news for KLA. Still, the fundamentals for KLA are promising, and it still has potential despite being at a 52-week high.