Itron, Inc. (ITRI) Hits Fresh High: Is There Still Room to Run?

Have you been paying attention to shares of Itron (ITRI)? Shares have been on the move with the stock up 11.3% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $118.5 in the previous session. Itron has gained 55.9% since the start of the year compared to the 26% move for the Zacks Computer and Technology sector and the 3.6% return for the Zacks Electronics - Testing Equipment 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 October 31, 2024, Itron reported EPS of $1.84 versus consensus estimate of $1.13.For the current fiscal year, Itron is expected to post earnings of $5.09 per share on $2.43 billion in revenues. This represents a 51.49% change in EPS on a 11.9% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $4.87 per share on $2.45 billion in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of -4.36% and 0.9%, respectively.Valuation MetricsItron 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. The idea behind the style scores is to help investors pick the most appropriate Zacks Rank stocks based on their individual investment style.Itron has a Value Score of B. The stock's Growth and Momentum Scores are B and A, respectively, giving the company a VGM Score of A.In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 23.1X current fiscal year EPS estimates, which is not in-line with the peer industry average of 25.7X. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 25.1X versus its peer group's average of 24.1X. Additionally, the stock has a PEG ratio of 0.92. 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, Itron 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 Itron passes the test. Thus, it seems as though Itron shares could have a bit more room to run in the near term.Zacks Names #1 Semiconductor StockIt's only 1/9,000th the size of NVIDIA which skyrocketed more than +800% since we recommended it. NVIDIA is still strong, but our new top chip stock has much more room to boom.With strong earnings growth and an expanding customer base, it's positioned to feed the rampant demand for Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Internet of Things. Global semiconductor manufacturing is projected to explode from $452 billion in 2021 to $803 billion by 2028.See This Stock Now for Free >>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 Itron, Inc. (ITRI): 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