These 3 Defensive Stocks Just Hit 52-Week Highs — Should You Lock In Gains?

分组1 - Darling Ingredients has a capital-intensive business model, leading to high depreciation and amortization expenses due to acquisitions and the cost of rendering plants and machinery [1] - In 2025, Darling's revenues reached $6.14 billion, a 7.4% increase from 2024, with $1.2 billion in sales from its joint venture with Valero Energy; however, net income fell to $62.8 million from $278.9 million [2] - The company, founded in 1882, has been converting animal byproducts into proteins and fats for over 140 years, with its stock hitting a new 52-week high of $59.36, reflecting a 94.44% increase over the past year [3] 分组2 - Darling's EBITDA in 2025 was $1.03 billion, a 4.6% decrease from the previous year, alongside a significant 77.4% decline in GAAP earnings year-over-year [6] - The trailing 12-month P/E ratio for Darling is reported at 148.92, resulting in a PEG ratio of -13.5x when compared to a five-year average earnings growth rate of -11.0% [7] - The forward P/E ratio is 18.2x based on a current share price of $58.47 and a 2026 earnings-per-share estimate of $3.22, with a five-year EPS growth rate of 53.1% [8] 分组3 - Historically, Darling's shares have not traded above $60 except during the COVID period, and with current diesel prices, there may be temptation to continue holding despite a near doubling in share price over the past year [10]