JD.com, Inc. (JD) Hits 52-Week High, Can The Run Continue?

Have you been paying attention to shares of JD.com (JD)? Shares have been on the move with the stock up 14.8% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $33.29 in the previous session. JD.com has gained 58.2% since the start of the year compared to the 21.5% move for the Zacks Retail-Wholesale sector and the 21.2% return for the Zacks Internet - Commerce 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 August 13, 2019, JD.com, Inc. reported EPS of $0.33 versus consensus estimate of $0.09 while it beat the consensus revenue estimate by 0.79%.

For the current fiscal year, JD.com, Inc. is expected to post earnings of $0.94 per share on $80.46 billion in revenues. This represents a 179.41% change in EPS on a 16.09% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $1.22 per share on $94.51 billion in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of 28.42% and 17.47%, respectively.

Valuation Metrics

JD.com, Inc. 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.

JD.com, Inc. has a Value Score of B. The stock's Growth and Momentum Scores are A and D, respectively, giving the company a VGM Score of A.

In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 35.1X current fiscal year EPS estimates. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 51.2X versus its peer group's average of 19.8X. This isn't enough to put the company in the top echelon of all stocks we cover from a value perspective.

Zacks Rank

We also need to consider the stock's Zacks Rank, as this supersedes any trend on the style score front. Fortunately, JD.com, Inc. 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 JD.com, Inc. passes the test. Thus, it seems as though JD.com, Inc. shares could still be poised for more gains ahead.

How Does JD.com, Inc. Stack Up to the Competition?

Shares of JD.com, Inc. have been soaring, and the company still appears to be a decent choice, but what about the rest of the industry? Some of its industry peers are also impressive, including Qurate Retail Group (QRTEA), ASOS (LON:ASOS) PLS (ASOMY), and O'Reilly Automotive (NASDAQ:ORLY), all of which currently have a Zacks Rank of at least #2 and a VGM Score of at least B, making them well-rounded choices.

The Zacks Industry Rank is in the top 31% of all the industries we have in our universe, so it looks like there are some nice tailwinds for JD.com, Inc.even beyond its own solid fundamental situation.