Shares of General Motors (GM) have been strong performers lately, with the stock up 14.2% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $61.24 in the previous session. General Motors has gained 67.6% since the start of the year compared to the 8.9% move for the Zacks Auto-Tires-Trucks sector and the 21.4% return for the Zacks Automotive - Domestic 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 October 22, 2024, General Motors reported EPS of $2.96 versus consensus estimate of $2.49.
For the current fiscal year, General Motors is expected to post earnings of $10.29 per share on $180.02 billion in revenues. This represents a 33.98% change in EPS on a 4.76% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $10.49 per share on $176.29 billion in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of 1.99% and -2.07%, respectively.
Valuation Metrics
General Motors 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 these give investors a variety of ways to comb 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.
General Motors has a Value Score of A. The stock's Growth and Momentum Scores are B and F, respectively, giving the company a VGM Score of A.
In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 5.9X current fiscal year EPS estimates, which is not in-line with the peer industry average of 13.1X. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 3.1X versus its peer group's average of 6.4X. Additionally, the stock has a PEG ratio of 0.46. 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, General Motors 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 General Motors fits the bill. Thus, it seems as though General Motors shares could have potential in the weeks and months to come.
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
