Huron Consulting Group Inc. (HURN) Hit a 52 Week High, Can the Run Continue?

Have you been paying attention to shares of Huron Consulting (HURN)? Shares have been on the move with the stock up 15.9% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $153.77 in the previous session. Huron Consulting has gained 19.3% since the start of the year compared to the 6.5% move for the Zacks Business Services sector and the -1.6% return for the Zacks Consulting Services industry.What's Driving the Outperformance?The stock has a great 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 25, 2025, Huron Consulting reported EPS of $1.9 versus consensus estimate of $1.52 while it beat the consensus revenue estimate by 1.88%.For the current fiscal year, Huron Consulting is expected to post earnings of $7.08 per share on $1.61 billion in revenues. This represents a 9.43% change in EPS on an 8.65% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $8.02 per share on $1.66 billion in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of 13.32% and 2.97%, respectively.Valuation MetricsHuron Consulting 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 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.Huron Consulting has a Value Score of B. The stock's Growth and Momentum Scores are B and D, respectively, giving the company a VGM Score of A.In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 20.9X current fiscal year EPS estimates, which is not in-line with the peer industry average of 25.4X. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 17.9X versus its peer group's average of 16.8X. 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 consider the stock's Zacks Rank, as this supersedes any trend on the style score front. Fortunately, Huron Consulting 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 Huron Consulting fits the bill. Thus, it seems as though Huron Consulting shares could still be poised for more gains ahead.5 Stocks Set to DoubleEach was handpicked by a Zacks expert as the #1 favorite stock to gain +100% or more in 2024. While not all picks can be winners, previous recommendations have soared +143.0%, +175.9%, +498.3% and +673.0%.Most of the stocks in this report are flying under Wall Street radar, which provides a great opportunity to get in on the ground floor.Today, See These 5 Potential Home Runs >>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 Huron Consulting Group Inc. (HURN): 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