Endo (ENDP) Hits 52-Week High, Can the Run Continue?

Have you been paying attention to shares of Endo International plc (ENDP)? Shares have been on the move with the stock up 35.4% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $17.46 in the previous session. Endo International plc has gained 121% since the start of the year compared to the 6.8% move for the Zacks Medical sector and the 4.8% return for the Zacks Medical - Drugs 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 August 8, 2018, Endo reported EPS of $0.76 versus consensus estimate of $0.55.

For the current fiscal year, Endo is expected to post earnings of $2.6 per share on $2.83 billion in revenues. This represents a -32.29% change in EPS on a -18.55% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $2.69 per share on $2.85 billion in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of 3.22% and 0.92%, respectively.

Valuation Metrics

Endo 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.

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

In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 6.6X current fiscal year EPS estimates. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 2X versus its peer group's average of 11.3X. Additionally, the stock has a PEG ratio of 3.29. 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, Endo 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 Endo meets the list of requirements. Thus, it seems as though Endo shares could still be poised for more gains ahead.

How Does Endo Stack Up to the Competition?

Shares of Endo 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 solid potential picks, including Nektar Therapeutics (NKTR), Eli Lilly and (LLY), and Celgene (CELG), 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.

The Zacks Industry Rank is in the top 43% of all the industries we have in our universe, so it looks like there are some nice tailwinds for Endo, even beyond its own solid fundamental situation.

Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
 
Endo International plc (ENDP) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Eli Lilly and Company (LLY) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Celgene Corporation (CELG) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Nektar Therapeutics (NKTR) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
To read this article on Zacks.com click here.
 
Zacks Investment Research