Here is What to Know Beyond Why CVS Health Corporation (CVS) is a Trending Stock

CVS Health (CVS) has been one of the most searched-for stocks on Zacks.com lately. So, you might want to look at some of the facts that could shape the stock's performance in the near term.Over the past month, shares of this drugstore chain and pharmacy benefits manager have returned +4.9%, compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +3.8% change. During this period, the Zacks Retail - Pharmacies and Drug Stores industry, which CVS Health falls in, has gained 3.5%. The key question now is: What could be the stock's future direction?While media releases or rumors about a substantial change in a company's business prospects usually make its stock 'trending' and lead to an immediate price change, there are always some fundamental facts that eventually dominate the buy-and-hold decision-making.Revisions to Earnings EstimatesRather than focusing on anything else, we at Zacks prioritize evaluating the change in a company's earnings projection. This is because we believe the fair value for its stock is determined by the present value of its future stream of earnings.Our analysis is essentially based on how sell-side analysts covering the stock are revising their earnings estimates to take the latest business trends into account. When earnings estimates for a company go up, the fair value for its stock goes up as well. And when a stock's fair value is higher than its current market price, investors tend to buy the stock, resulting in its price moving upward. Because of this, empirical studies indicate a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and short-term stock price movements.CVS Health is expected to post earnings of $1.11 per share for the current quarter, representing a year-over-year change of -47.6%. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed -35.7%.The consensus earnings estimate of $5.37 for the current fiscal year indicates a year-over-year change of -38.6%. This estimate has changed -13.2% over the last 30 days.For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $6.25 indicates a change of +16.4% from what CVS Health is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has changed -12.5%.Having a strong externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool, the Zacks Rank, offers a more conclusive picture of a stock's price direction in the near term, since it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions. Due to the size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, CVS Health is rated Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell).The chart below shows the evolution of the company's forward 12-month consensus EPS estimate:12 Month EPSProjected Revenue GrowthWhile earnings growth is arguably the most superior indicator of a company's financial health, nothing happens as such if a business isn't able to grow its revenues. After all, it's nearly impossible for a company to increase its earnings for an extended period without increasing its revenues. So, it's important to know a company's potential revenue growth.For CVS Health, the consensus sales estimate for the current quarter of $97.34 billion indicates a year-over-year change of +3.8%. For the current and next fiscal years, $372.03 billion and $389.27 billion estimates indicate +4% and +4.6% changes, respectively.Last Reported Results and Surprise HistoryCVS Health reported revenues of $95.43 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +6.3%. EPS of $1.09 for the same period compares with $2.21 a year ago.Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $92.87 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of +2.75%. The EPS surprise was +1.87%.Over the last four quarters, CVS Health surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times. The company topped consensus revenue estimates two times over this period.ValuationNo investment decision can be efficient without considering a stock's valuation. Whether a stock's current price rightly reflects the intrinsic value of the underlying business and the company's growth prospects is an essential determinant of its future price performance.While comparing the current values of a company's valuation multiples, such as price-to-earnings (P/E), price-to-sales (P/S) and price-to-cash flow (P/CF), with its own historical values helps determine whether its stock is fairly valued, overvalued, or undervalued, comparing the company relative to its peers on these parameters gives a good sense of the reasonability of the stock's price.The Zacks Value Style Score (part of the Zacks Style Scores system), which pays close attention to both traditional and unconventional valuation metrics to grade stocks from A to F (an An is better than a B; a B is better than a C; and so on), is pretty helpful in identifying whether a stock is overvalued, rightly valued, or temporarily undervalued.CVS Health is graded A on this front, indicating that it is trading at a discount to its peers. Click here to see the values of some of the valuation metrics that have driven this grade.ConclusionThe facts discussed here and much other information on Zacks.com might help determine whether or not it's worthwhile paying attention to the market buzz about CVS Health. However, its Zacks Rank #5 does suggest that it may underperform the broader market in the near term.7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 DaysJust released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +24.1% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. See them 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 CVS Health Corporation (CVS): Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment ResearchWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks