Meta Platforms, Inc. (META) Hit a 52 Week High, Can the Run Continue?

Have you been paying attention to shares of Meta Platforms (META)? Shares have been on the move with the stock up 7.2% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $614.2 in the previous session. Meta Platforms has gained 73.4% since the start of the year compared to the 31.6% move for the Zacks Computer and Technology sector and the 38.7% return for the Zacks Internet - Software 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 30, 2024, Meta Platforms reported EPS of $6.03 versus consensus estimate of $5.19 while it beat the consensus revenue estimate by 0.95%.For the current fiscal year, Meta Platforms is expected to post earnings of $22.68 per share on $163.11 billion in revenues. This represents a 52.52% change in EPS on a 20.91% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $25.17 per share on $187.07 billion in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of 10.97% and 14.69%, respectively.Valuation MetricsMeta Platforms 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. The idea behind the style scores is to help investors pick the most appropriate Zacks Rank stocks based on their individual investment style.Meta Platforms has a Value Score of C. The stock's Growth and Momentum Scores are B and D, respectively, giving the company a VGM Score of B.In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 27.1X current fiscal year EPS estimates, which is not in-line with the peer industry average of 33.3X. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 31.1X versus its peer group's average of 28.5X. Additionally, the stock has a PEG ratio of 1.35. 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, Meta Platforms currently has a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy) thanks to favorable earnings estimate revisions from covering analysts.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 Meta Platforms passes the test. Thus, it seems as though Meta Platforms shares could have a bit more room to run in the near term.How Does META Stack Up to the Competition?Shares of META 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 Magnite, Inc. (MGNI). MGNI has a Zacks Rank of # 2 (Buy) and a Value Score of B, a Growth Score of B, and a Momentum Score of B.Earnings were strong last quarter. Magnite, Inc. beat our consensus estimate by 6.25%, and for the current fiscal year, MGNI is expected to post earnings of $0.95 per share on revenue of $610.85 million.Shares of Magnite, Inc. have gained 36.5% over the past month, and currently trade at a forward P/E of 24.03X and a P/CF of 26.75X.The Internet - Software industry is in the top 16% of all the industries we have in our universe, so it looks like there are some nice tailwinds for META and MGNI, even beyond their own solid fundamental situation.Zacks' Research Chief Names "Stock Most Likely to Double"Our team of experts has just released the 5 stocks with the greatest probability of gaining +100% or more in the coming months. Of those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian highlights the one stock set to climb highest.This top pick is among the most innovative financial firms. With a fast-growing customer base (already 50+ million) and a diverse set of cutting edge solutions, this stock is poised for big gains. Of course, all our elite picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months.Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners UpWant 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 Meta Platforms, Inc. (META): Free Stock Analysis Report Magnite, Inc. (MGNI): 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