Analysis

Understanding the Momentum Behind CyberArk's Stock

Published May 16, 2024

Investors, whether new to the market or seasoned veterans, aim to make informed and confident investment decisions. A key approach to selecting strong stocks is to understand various investing methodologies, particularly when examining stocks through the lenses of value, growth, or momentum investing.

What is Momentum Investing?

Momentum investing focuses on capitalizing on a stock's current performance trend. Investors and traders seek out stocks that demonstrate a positive upward or downward trend in price or earnings, with the belief that these trends tend to continue over time. Essentially, 'the trend is your friend' is the philosophy that momentum investors follow.

Grading Stocks with Style Scores

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Different stocks can be rated based on their performance potential using different investing styles, namely value, growth, and momentum. Each stock can receive a rating—from A to F—based on these styles, with an A indicating the highest probability of outperforming the market. These ratings help investors identify stocks with the best chances of success.

The Value Score, for instance, appeals to value investors who look for good stocks at great prices before they become apparent to the market. Through various financial ratios, this score pinpoints undervalued stocks that may offer significant returns.

Growth investors are more interested in a company's financial robustness and its future prospects. The Growth Score takes into account earnings, sales, and cash flow to identify stocks predicted to sustain growth over time.

The Momentum Score is the tool for momentum investors, who use it to decide when to enter or exit a position based on stock price trends and changes in earnings outlooks.

Combining Scores for Investment Decisions

For those who use a blend of investment strategies, the VGM Score—an amalgamation of the Value, Growth, and Momentum Scores—proves particularly useful. It rates stocks based on a weighted combination of these styles, making it easier to identify the most attractive stocks in terms of value, growth, and momentum.

Evaluating CyberArk's Stock Using Momentum and VGM Scores

CyberArk Software Ltd., a major player in the IT security solutions sector, demonstrates strong momentum in the stock market. As a company that serves numerous global businesses—more than half of the Fortune 500—it holds a compelling position in its industry.

With a rank reflecting a 'Hold' status and a VGM Score of B, CyberArk (CYBR) is especially interesting to momentum investors because of its A-rated Momentum Style Score. The company has witnessed a share price increase of 3.2% over the past month.

In addition, analysts who have revised their earnings expectations for the upcoming fiscal year are showing increased confidence in CyberArk. A noticeable earnings estimate upgrade for the company—coupled with a notable average earnings surprise history—indicates a strong potential for continuous performance, validating its favorable scores and making it a stock worth considering for investors' portfolios.

investing, momentum, stock