Lululemon (LULU) Soars to 52-Week High, Time to Cash Out?

Have you been paying attention to shares of lululemon athletica (LULU)? Shares have been on the move with the stock up 4.8% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $205.11 in the previous session. lululemon athletica has gained 67% since the start of the year compared to the 16.6% move for the Zacks Consumer Discretionary sector and the 17.9% return for the Zacks Textile - Apparel 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 September 5, 2019, Lululemon reported EPS of $0.96 versus consensus estimate of $0.89 while it beat the consensus revenue estimate by 4.63%.

For the current fiscal year, Lululemon is expected to post earnings of $4.74 per share on $3.85 billion in revenues. This represents a 23.37% change in EPS on a 17.2% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $5.59 per share on $4.44 billion in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of 18.06% and 15.13%, respectively.

Valuation Metrics

Lululemon 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. 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.

Lululemon has a Value Score of F. 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 42.9X current fiscal year EPS estimates. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 41.7X versus its peer group's average of 8.3X. Additionally, the stock has a PEG ratio of 2.36. 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, Lululemon 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 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) and Style Scores of A or B, it looks as if Lululemon passes the test. Thus, it seems as though Lululemon shares could still be poised for more gains ahead.

How Does Lululemon Stack Up to the Competition?

Shares of Lululemon have been soaring, 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 Guess? (GES), Crocs (CROX), and Skechers U.S.A. (SKX), 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 Lululemon. Still, the fundamentals for Lululemon are promising, and it still has potential despite being at a 52-week high.

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
 
lululemon athletica inc. (LULU) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Skechers U.S.A., Inc. (SKX) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Guess?, Inc. (GES) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Crocs, Inc. (CROX) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
To read this article on Zacks.com click here.
 
Zacks Investment Research