The Middleby Corporation (MIDD) Hit a 52 Week High, Can the Run Continue?

Have you been paying attention to shares of Middleby (MIDD)? Shares have been on the move with the stock up 18.6% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $173.42 in the previous session. Middleby has gained 15.9% since the start of the year compared to the 21.6% gain for the Zacks Industrial Products sector and the 11.1% return for the Zacks Manufacturing - General Industrial industry.What's Driving the Outperformance?The stock has an impressive record of positive earnings surprises, having beaten the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the last four quarters. In its last earnings report on May 7, 2026, Middleby reported EPS of $2.16 versus consensus estimate of $1.94 while it beat the consensus revenue estimate by 8.09%.For the current fiscal year, Middleby is expected to post earnings of $9.53 per share on $3.38 in revenues. This represents a 2.8% change in EPS on a -9.35% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $10.47 per share on $3.5 in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of 9.92% and 3.56%, respectively.Valuation MetricsWhile Middleby has moved to its 52-week high over the past few weeks, investors need to be asking, what is next for the company? 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). The individual style scores for Value, Growth, Momentum and the combined VGM Score run from A through F. 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.Middleby has a Value Score of C. The stock's Growth and Momentum Scores are C and A, respectively, giving the company a VGM Score of B.In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 18.1X current fiscal year EPS estimates, which is not in-line with the peer industry average of 26X. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 14.8X versus its peer group's average of 18X. 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 is even more important than the company's VGM Score. Fortunately, Middleby 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 Middleby passes the test. Thus, it seems as though Middleby shares could have a bit more room to run in the near term.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 a little-known satellite-based communications firm. Space is projected to become a trillion dollar industry, and this company's customer base is growing fast. Analysts have forecasted a major revenue breakout in 2025. Of course, all our elite picks aren't winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks' Stocks Set to Double like Hims & Hers Health, which shot up +209%.Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners UpThis article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).Zacks Investment ResearchWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks