Agnico Eagle Mines Limited Hit a 52 Week High, Can the Run Continue?

Have you been paying attention to shares of Agnico Eagle Mines AEM? Shares have been on the move with the stock up 16.3% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $75.95 in the previous session. Agnico Eagle Mines has gained 36.3% since the start of the year compared to the -1.6% move for the Zacks Basic Materials sector and the 21.1% return for the Zacks Mining - Gold 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 April 25, 2024, Agnico reported EPS of $0.76 versus consensus estimate of $0.6 while it beat the consensus revenue estimate by 12.82%.

For the current fiscal year, Agnico is expected to post earnings of $3.28 per share on $7.65 billion in revenues. This represents a 47.09% change in EPS on a 15.49% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $3.56 per share on $7.67 billion in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of 8.57% and 0.23%, respectively.

Valuation Metrics

Agnico 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.

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

In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 22.8X current fiscal year EPS estimates, which is a premium to the peer industry average of 16.3X. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 14.4X versus its peer group's average of 10.3X. Additionally, the stock has a PEG ratio of 0.8. 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, Agnico currently has a Zacks Rank of #2 (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 Agnico meets the list of requirements. Thus, it seems as though Agnico shares could have potential in the weeks and months to come.

How Does AEM Stack Up to the Competition?

Shares of AEM have been soaring, and the company still appears to be a decent choice, but what about the rest of the industry? One industry peer that looks good is New Gold Inc. NGD. NGD has a Zacks Rank of # 1 (Strong Buy) and a Value Score of B, a Growth Score of B, and a Momentum Score of C.

Earnings were strong last quarter. New Gold Inc. beat our consensus estimate by 100%, and for the current fiscal year, NGD is expected to post earnings of $0.15 per share on revenue of $906.5 million.

Shares of New Gold Inc. have gained 22.4% over the past month, and currently trade at a forward P/E of 16.02X and a P/CF of 5.69X.

The Mining - Gold industry is in the top 11% of all the industries we have in our universe, so it looks like there are some nice tailwinds for AEM and NGD, even beyond their own solid fundamental situation.

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