United Fire Group, Inc (UFCS) Hit a 52 Week High, Can the Run Continue?

Shares of United Fire Group (UFCS) have been strong performers lately, with the stock up 2.2% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $37.91 in the previous session. United Fire has gained 30.9% since the start of the year compared to the 17.6% move for the Zacks Finance sector and the 9.9% return for the Zacks Insurance - Property and Casualty 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 November 4, 2025, United Fire reported EPS of $1.5 versus consensus estimate of $0.69.For the current fiscal year, United Fire is expected to post earnings of $3.93 per share on $1.38 in revenues. This represents a 53.52% change in EPS on a 10.04% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $3.55 per share on $1.52 in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of -9.67% and 10.17%, respectively.Valuation MetricsUnited Fire 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 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). 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.United Fire has a Value Score of A. The stock's Growth and Momentum Scores are D and B, respectively, giving the company a VGM Score of B.In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 9.5X current fiscal year EPS estimates, which is not in-line with the peer industry average of 11.5X. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 12.2X versus its peer group's average of 12.9X. This is good enough to put the company in the top echelon of all stocks we cover from a value perspective, making United Fire an interesting choice for value investors.Zacks RankWe also need to consider the stock's Zacks Rank, as this is even more important than the company's VGM Score. Fortunately, United Fire currently has a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong 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 United Fire fits the bill. Thus, it seems as though United Fire shares could have potential in the weeks and months to come.How Does UFCS Stack Up to the Competition?Shares of UFCS have been soaring, and the company still appears to be a decent choice, but what about the rest of the industry? One industry peer that looks good is HCI Group, Inc. (HCI). HCI has a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy) and a Value Score of A, a Growth Score of A, and a Momentum Score of F.Earnings were strong last quarter. HCI Group, Inc. beat our consensus estimate by 100.82%, and for the current fiscal year, HCI is expected to post earnings of $16.00 per share on revenue of $892.05 million.Shares of HCI Group, Inc. have gained 11.1% over the past month, and currently trade at a forward P/E of 9.56X and a P/CF of 23.3X.The Insurance - Property and Casualty industry is in the top 15% of all the industries we have in our universe, so it looks like there are some nice tailwinds for UFCS and HCI, even beyond their own solid fundamental situation.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 UpWant the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report United Fire Group, Inc (UFCS): Free Stock Analysis Report HCI Group, Inc. (HCI): Free Stock Analysis ReportThis article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).Zacks Investment ResearchWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks