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Have you been paying attention to shares of Vertex (VERX)? Shares have been on the move with the stock up 28.9% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $55.52 in the previous session. Vertex has gained 104.7% since the start of the year compared to the 29.2% move for the Zacks Computer and Technology sector and the 34.2% return for the Zacks Internet - Software 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 November 6, 2024, Vertex reported EPS of $0.16 versus consensus estimate of $0.14.
For the current fiscal year, Vertex is expected to post earnings of $0.62 per share on $664.94 million in revenues. This represents a 58.97% change in EPS on a 16.17% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $0.71 per share on $763.22 million in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of 14.52% and 14.78%, respectively.
Valuation Metrics
Vertex 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. The idea behind the style scores is to help investors pick the most appropriate Zacks Rank stocks based on their individual investment style.
Vertex 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 89X current fiscal year EPS estimates, which is a premium to the peer industry average of 32.6X. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 74.9X versus its peer group's average of 27.6X. Additionally, the stock has a PEG ratio of 6.34. 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 consider the stock's Zacks Rank, as this supersedes any trend on the style score front. Fortunately, Vertex currently has a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy) thanks to rising earnings estimates.