Have you been paying attention to shares of Skyward Specialty Insurance (SKWD)? Shares have been on the move with the stock up 1.2% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $42.37 in the previous session. Skyward Specialty Insurance has gained 24% since the start of the year compared to the 16.5% move for the Zacks Finance sector and the 26.6% return for the Zacks Insurance - Property and Casualty industry.
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 August 5, 2024, Skyward reported EPS of $0.8 versus consensus estimate of $0.66 while it missed the consensus revenue estimate by 0.98%.
For the current fiscal year, Skyward is expected to post earnings of $2.96 per share on $1.13 billion in revenues. This represents a 40.28% change in EPS on a 27.9% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $3.26 per share on $1.29 billion in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of 10.08% and 13.46%, respectively.
Skyward 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. 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.
Skyward has a Value Score of A. The stock's Growth and Momentum Scores are D and C, respectively, giving the company a VGM Score of B.
In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 14.2X current fiscal year EPS estimates, which is a premium to the peer industry average of 13.6X. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 18.7X versus its peer group's average of 13.2X. Additionally, the stock has a PEG ratio of 0.79. This isn't enough to put the company in the top echelon of all stocks we cover from a value perspective.
We also need to look at the Zacks Rank for the stock, as this supersedes any trend on the style score front. Fortunately, Skyward 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 Skyward passes the test. Thus, it seems as though Skyward shares could have a bit more room to run in the near term.
Shares of SKWD 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 Axis Capital Holdings Limited (AXS). AXS has a Zacks Rank of # 2 (Buy) and a Value Score of A, a Growth Score of C, and a Momentum Score of C.
Earnings were strong last quarter. Axis Capital Holdings Limited beat our consensus estimate by 16.27%, and for the current fiscal year, AXS is expected to post earnings of $10.71 per share on revenue of $6.13 billion.
Shares of Axis Capital Holdings Limited have gained 2.9% over the past month, and currently trade at a forward P/E of 7.43X and a P/CF of 7.51X.
The Insurance - Property and Casualty industry is in the top 7% of all the industries we have in our universe, so it looks like there are some nice tailwinds for SKWD and AXS, even beyond their own solid fundamental situation.
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