5 Companies Reach 52-Week Highs

A number of companies have achieved annual milestones

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Jan 02, 2018
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According to GuruFocus, these stocks have reached their 52-week highs.

Lowe's reached the 52-week high of $92.94

Lowe's Companies Inc. (LOW, Financial) is the second-largest home improvement retailer in the world, operating more than 2,100 stores.

The price of Lowe's shares has reached $92.94, which is -2.2% off the 52-week high of $90.94. The company has a market cap of $77.12 billion; its shares were trading around $92.94 with a price-earnings (P/E) ratio of 22.29 and a price-sales (P/S) ratio of 1.15. The trailing 12-month dividend yield is 1.64%. The forward dividend yield is 1.76%. Lowe's had an annual average earnings growth of 8.10% over the past 10 years.

The company recently reported net earnings of $872 million and diluted earnings per share of $1.05 for the quarter ended Nov. 3, 2017, compared to net earnings of $379 million and diluted earnings per share of 43 cents in the third quarter of 2016. Diluted EPS increased 19.3% from 88 cents in the same period a year ago.

LKQ reached the 52-week high of $40.67

LKQ Corp. (LKQ, Financial) provides alternative and mechanical replacement products for vehicles.Â

The price of LKQ shares has reached $40.67, which is 1.8% off the 52-week high of $41.42. The company has a market cap of $12.57 billion; its shares were trading around $40.67 with a P/E ratio of 25.42 and a P/S ratio of 1.34. LKQ had an annual average earnings growth of 21.60% over the past decade.

LKQ recently reported third-quarter revenue of $2.47 billion, an increase of 11.7% from the prior-year quarter. Income from continuing operations was $122 million, an increase of 11.4%. On an adjusted basis, income from continuing operations was $140 million, an increase of 11.1%. Diluted EPS from continuing operations was 39 cents, an 11.4% increase from 35 cents in the year-ago quarter. On an adjusted basis, diluted EPS from continuing operations was 45 cents.

Michael S. Clark, the company's vice president of finance and controller, sold 7,500 shares of LKQ stock on Dec. 13 for an average price of $40.07 per share. The stock price has increased 1.5% since then.

Praxair reached the 52-week high of $154.68

Praxair Inc. (PX, Financial) produces, distributes and sells natural gases.

The price of Praxair shares has reached $154.68, which is 1.1% off the 52-week high of $156.40. Praxair has a market cap of $44.29 billion; its shares were trading around $154.68 with a P/E ratio of 27.52 and a P/S ratio of 4.01. The trailing 12-month dividend yield is 2.04%. The forward dividend yield is 2.04%. The company had an annual average earnings growth of 6.20% over the past decade.

Praxair recently reported third-quarter net income of $419 million and diluted EPS of $1.45. Sales in the third quarter were $2,922 million, growing 8% from the prior-year quarter. Operating profit was $626 million, a 26% increase from the prior-year quarter.

Norfolk Southern reached the 52-week high of $144.90

Norfolk Southern Corp. (NSC, Financial) is a rail transportation company.

The price of Norfolk Southern shares has reached $144.90, which is 0.4% off the 52-week high of $145.43. Norfolk Southern has a market cap of $41.46 billion; its shares were trading around $144.90 with a P/E ratio of 22.82 and a P/S ratio of 4.08. The trailing 12-month dividend yield is 1.68%. The forward dividend yield is 1.68%. Norfolk Southern had an annual average earnings growth of 6.40% over the past 10 years.

Norfolk recently reported third-quarter financial results. Net income was $506 million, up 10% year over year, yielding a record quarterly operating ratio of 65.9%. Diluted EPS were $1.75, up 13% year over year.

Kite Pharma reached the 52-week high of $179.79

Kite Pharma Inc. (KITE, Financial) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company.

The price of Kite Pharma shares has reached $179.79, which is 0.1% off the 52-week high of $179.95. Kite has a market cap of $10.31 billion; its shares were trading around $179.79 with and P/S ratio of 292.34.

For the second quarter, Kite recorded revenue of $10.1 million. Research and development expenses were $70.9 million, including $13.1 million of non-cash, stock-based compensation expenses. General and administrative expenses were $41.1 million, including $12.1 million of non-cash, stock-based compensation expenses. Net loss was $109.8 million, or $1.94 per share. Non-GAAP net loss was $84.7 million, or $1.50 per share, excluding non-cash, stock-based compensation expenses of $25.2 million.

Disclosure: I do not own these stocks.