Zebra Technologies (ZBRA) Hits A 52-Week High, Can The Run Continue?

Have you been paying attention to shares of Zebra Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ:ZBRA) ? Shares have been on the move with the stock up 23.66% over the past month. ZBRA hit a new 52-week high of $145.55 in the previous session. Zebra Technologies has gained 38.71% since the start of the year compared to the -4.97% move for the Industrial Products sector and the 9.31% year-to-date return for its peer group.

What's Driving the Outperformance?

The stock has an impressive record of positive earnings surprises, having beaten the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the last four quarters. In its last earnings report on February 22, 2018, Zebra Technologies reported EPS of $2.33 versus the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.12 while it beat the consensus revenue estimate by 4.4%.

For the current fiscal year, Zebra Technologies is expected to post earnings of $9.1 per share on $3.93 billion in revenues. This represents a 29.08% change in EPS on a 5.68% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $9.64 per share on $4.02 billion in revenues. This represents changes of 5.87% and 2.12%, respectively.

Valuation Metrics

While ZBRA has moved to its 52-week high in the recent past, investors need to be asking, what is next for the company? 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.

Zebra Technologies has a Value Score of C. 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 15.82x current fiscal year EPS estimates. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 11.86x versus its peer group's average of 19.46x. Additionally, the stock has a PEG ratio of 2.11. This isn't enough to put the company in the top echelon of all stocks we cover from a value perspective.

Zebra Technologies Corporation Price and Consensus

Zebra Technologies Corporation Price and Consensus | Zebra Technologies Corporation Quote

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, Zebra Technologies Corporation 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 or 2 (Buy) and Style Scores of A or B, it looks as if Zebra Technologies Corporation fits the bill. Thus, it seems as though ZBRA shares could have a bit more room to run in the near term.

How Does Zebra Technologies Corporation Stack Up to the Competition?

Shares of Zebra Technologies 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 KAMN, HTCMY, and ALG, 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 6.04% of all the industries we have in our universe, so it looks like there are some nice tailwinds for ZBRA, even beyond its own solid fundamental situation.