To The Moon

Pfizer$Pfizer(PFE)$ has recently been one of the most searched stocks. Therefore, you might want to consider some of the key factors that could influence the stock's performance in the near future.

Over the past month, shares of this drugmaker have returned +8%. The key question now is: What could be the stock's future direction?

Although media reports or rumors about a significant change in a company's business prospects usually cause its stock to trend and lead to an immediate price change, there are always certain fundamental factors that ultimately drive the buy-and-hold decision.

Revisions to Earnings Estimates

Rather than focusing on anything else, we prioritize evaluating the change in a company's earnings projection. This is because we believe the fair value for its stock is determined by the present value of its future stream of earnings.

We essentially look at how sell-side analysts covering the stock are revising their earnings estimates to reflect the impact of the latest business trends. And if earnings estimates go up for a company, the fair value for its stock goes up. A higher fair value than the current market price drives investors' interest in buying the stock, leading to its price moving higher. This is why empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.

For the current quarter, Pfizer is expected to post earnings of $2.02 per share, indicating a change of +88.8% from the year-ago quarter. The Consensus Estimate has changed -10.6% over the last 30 days.

For the current fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $6.60 points to a change of +49.3% from the prior year. Over the last 30 days, this estimate has changed -9%. For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $5.31 indicates a change of -19.7% from what Pfizer is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has changed +122.6%.

Having a strongexternally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool offers a more conclusive picture of a stock's price direction in the near term, since it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions. Due to the size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three otherfactors related to earnings estimates, Pfizer is rated Hold.

The chart below shows the evolution of the company's forward 12-month consensus EPS estimate:

12 Month EPS

Projected Revenue Growth

Even though a company's earnings growth is arguably the best indicator of its financial health, nothing much happens if it cannot raise its revenues. It's almost impossible for a company to grow its earnings without growing its revenue for long periods. Therefore, knowing a company's potential revenue growth is crucial.

In the case of Pfizer, the consensus sales estimate of $32.94 billion for the current quarter points to a year-over-year change of +73.6%. The $106.59 billion and $83.32 billion estimates for the current and next fiscal years indicate changes of +30.8% and -21.8%, respectively.

Last Reported Results and Surprise History

Pfizer reported revenues of $25.66 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +76%. EPS of $1.62 for the same period compares with $0.93 a year ago.

Compared to the Consensus Estimate of $26.49 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of -3.14%. The EPS surprise was -2.41%.

Over the last four quarters, Pfizer surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times. The company topped consensus revenue estimates two times over this period.

Valuation

No investment decision can be efficient without considering a stock's valuation. Whether a stock's current price rightly reflects the intrinsic value of the underlying business and the company's growth prospects is an essential determinant of its future price performance.

Comparing the current value of a company's valuation multiples, such as its price-to-earnings (P/E), price-to-sales (P/S), and price-to-cash flow (P/CF), to its own historical values helps ascertain whether its stock is fairly valued, overvalued, or undervalued, whereas comparing the company relative to its peers on these parameters gives a good sense of how reasonable its stock price is.

Pfizer is graded A on this front, indicating that it is trading at a discount to its peers. 

Bottom Line

The facts discussed here might help determine whether or not it's worthwhile paying attention to the market buzz about Pfizer. However, its HOLD rate does suggest that it may perform in line with the broader market in the near term.