Amedisys (AMED) Hits 52-Week High, Can the Run Continue?

Shares of Amedisys (AMED) have been strong performers lately, with the stock up 30.3% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $206.1 in the previous session. Amedisys has gained 19.2% since the start of the year compared to the -7% move for the Zacks Medical sector and the -7.4% return for the Zacks Medical - Outpatient and Home Healthcare 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 February 18, 2020, Amedisys reported EPS of $0.94 versus consensus estimate of $0.93 while it missed the consensus revenue estimate by 1.9%.

For the current fiscal year, Amedisys is expected to post earnings of $5.05 per share on $2.14 billion in revenues. This represents a 14.77% change in EPS on a 9.52% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $5.97 per share on $2.28 billion in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of 18.14% and 6.42%, respectively.

Valuation Metrics

Amedisys 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. 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.

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

In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 39.4X current fiscal year EPS estimates. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 32X versus its peer group's average of 11.4X. Additionally, the stock has a PEG ratio of 2.78. 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, Amedisys currently has a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy) thanks to rising earnings estimates.

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 Amedisys passes the test. Thus, it seems as though Amedisys shares could have a bit more room to run in the near term.

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