Here's Why Allegheny Technologies Incorporated Gained 13.3% in August

What happened

Shares of specialty materials manufacturer Allegheny Technologies Incorporated (NYSE: ATI) continued the rally that began in mid-May by surging over 13% last month. Fresh off promising second-quarter 2017 results announced in the final week of July, the stock found another catalyst in the form of a bullish analyst.

Chris Olin at Longbow raised his 2018 earnings-per-share estimate slightly and reiterated a buy rating and $24-per-share price target for Allegheny Technologies. That represented a nearly 29% premium to the closing price on Aug. 21, the day of the analyst's note to investors, which sent shares markedly higher the following day. What supports the analyst's optimism?

So what

Allegheny Technologies has been in the midst of a turnaround strategy that includes moves to bolster the company's pension commitments, focus on high-growth products, and improve operating margins by weeding out unnecessary costs. Management has executed the strategy almost to the letter.

For instance, the fastest-growing area of the business continues to be the high-performance materials and component segment, followed by forged products -- both areas that have received the highest levels of investment in recent years. Meanwhile, total cost of sales dropped while revenue grew 11% in the first half of 2017 compared to the year-ago period.

Olin only increased his 2018 EPS estimate by $0.04 to $1.40, but the updated note to investors signals increasing confidence in management's strategy and the growth prospects of Allegheny Technologies. A recently announced metal 3D printing joint venture with GE Aviation and strong performance in aerospace applications certainly help stoke the flames of confidence. However, investors should consider that an estimated $1.40 per share in earnings next year is significantly higher than what will be achieved in 2017.

Now what

Allegheny Technologies is quite a bit different today than it was just three years ago -- and for the better. Nonetheless, the company has a long way to go before returning to historical levels of revenue, profitability, and share price. It will take time for the company to continue growing earnings and margins. If it comes close to the $1.40 EPS mark next year, however, all bets may be off.

10 stocks we like better than Allegheny TechnologiesWhen investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.*

David and Tom just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy right now... and Allegheny Technologies wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys.

Click here to learn about these picks!

*Stock Advisor returns as of September 5, 2017

Maxx Chatsko has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.