Allianz SE (ALIZY) Soars to 52-Week High, Time to Cash Out?

Shares of Allianz SE (ALIZY) have been strong performers lately, with the stock up 11% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $35.83 in the previous session. Allianz SE has gained 16.2% since the start of the year compared to the 4.9% move for the Zacks Finance sector and the 6.1% return for the Zacks Insurance - Multi line 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 February 28, 2025, Allianz reported EPS of $0.67 versus consensus estimate of $0.64.For the current fiscal year, Allianz is expected to post earnings of $2.96 per share on $107.98 billion in revenues. This represents a 7.64% change in EPS on a -4.21% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $3.27 per share on $113.44 billion in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of 10.3% and 5.06%, respectively.Valuation MetricsAllianz 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 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. The idea behind the style scores is to help investors pick the most appropriate Zacks Rank stocks based on their individual investment style.Allianz has a Value Score of B. The stock's Growth and Momentum Scores are C and B, respectively, giving the company a VGM Score of B.In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 12X current fiscal year EPS estimates, which is a premium to the peer industry average of 10.5X. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 11.3X versus its peer group's average of 10.1X. Additionally, the stock has a PEG ratio of 1.33. This isn't enough to put the company in the top echelon of all stocks we cover from a value perspective.Zacks RankWe also need to look at the Zacks Rank for the stock, as this supersedes any trend on the style score front. Fortunately, Allianz 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 Allianz passes the test. Thus, it seems as though Allianz shares could have a bit more room to run in the near term.How Does ALIZY Stack Up to the Competition?Shares of ALIZY 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 CNO Financial Group, Inc. (CNO). CNO has a Zacks Rank of # 2 (Buy) and a Value Score of A, a Growth Score of D, and a Momentum Score of B.Earnings were strong last quarter. CNO Financial Group, Inc. beat our consensus estimate by 22.43%, and for the current fiscal year, CNO is expected to post earnings of $3.83 per share on revenue of $3.87 billion.Shares of CNO Financial Group, Inc. have gained 5.9% over the past month, and currently trade at a forward P/E of 10.88X and a P/CF of 10.03X.The Insurance - Multi line industry is in the top 33% of all the industries we have in our universe, so it looks like there are some nice tailwinds for ALIZY and CNO, even beyond their own solid fundamental situation.Only $1 to See All Zacks' Buys and SellsWe're not kidding.Several years ago, we shocked our members by offering them 30-day access to all our picks for the total sum of only $1. No obligation to spend another cent.Thousands have taken advantage of this opportunity. Thousands did not - they thought there must be a catch. Yes, we do have a reason. We want you to get acquainted with our portfolio services like Surprise Trader, Stocks Under $10, Technology Innovators,and more, that closed 256 positions with double- and triple-digit gains in 2024 alone.See Stocks Now >>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 Allianz SE (ALIZY): Free Stock Analysis Report CNO Financial Group, Inc. (CNO): Free Stock Analysis ReportThis article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).Zacks Investment ResearchWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks