Zacks Investment Ideas feature highlights: Tech Data, Johnson Outdoor, Central Garden and Delta Apparel

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL- March 24, 2016 – Today, Zacks Investment Ideas feature highlights Features: Tech Data (TECD), Johnson Outdoor (JOUT),Central Garden (CENT) and Delta Apparel (DLA).

4 Value Stocks to Buy Into Earnings

Value stocks offer an opportunity to buy a stock that is currently undervalued by the market. Longer term investors tend to love value stocks as way to take advantage of current market conditions changing over time. A stock that might be ignored by investors today could be a big pay day tomorrow.

Some value stocks can offer speculative investors opportunities to profit during earnings season. A company's earnings present a chance for a value company to no longer be labled as value, if the company shows it is outperforming market expectations.

Below I take a look at four stocks that could potentially beat earnings and offer value to investors. These stocks all have are a Zacks Rank #1(Strong Buy) and have a Zacks Stlye Score of “A” or “B” in Value.

Tech Data (TECD) is a Zacks Rank #1(Strong Buy) that is a leading provider of internet technology products, logistics management and other value-added services. It distributes and markets broadline products, such as notebooks, tablets, desktop systems, printers, supplies, and components; and data center products, including servers, server accessories, networking products, storage hardware, and networking support services.

Tech Data has a market cap of $2.7 Billion and a Forward PE of 13. The stock sports a Zacks Style Score of “B” in Value and has a VGM score of “B”. Last quarter the company beat on earnings and saw quarter over quarter sales growth of 16% and quarter over quarter EPS growth of 79%.

Over the last month, analysts have been raising estimates for Tech Data. For fiscal year 2017, revisions have been lifted 4.2% higher, from $5.83 to $6.08. For 2018, they have been raised 3.9%, to $6.34 from $6.10.

Last quarter Tech Data reported a 9.05% EPS beat, which lifted the stock the 52 week highs. The company reports on May 26th where it will go for a fourth EPS beat out of the last five quarters.

Johnson Outdoor (JOUT) is a Zacks Rank #1(Strong Buy) that designs, manufactures, and markets outdoor equipment, diving, watercraft, and marine electronics products worldwide. The Company designs, manufactures and markets across four categories: Watercraft, Marine Electronics, Diving and Outdoor Equipment.

Johnson Outdoor has a market cap of $220 Million and a Forward PE of 13. The stock sports a Zacks Style Score of “B” in Value and has a VGM score of “B.” Last quarter the company reported a beat with EPS coming in at -$0.05 verse the -$0.32 expected. Revenue came in at $85.3 Million versus the $65.5 Million expected.

Over the last 60 days, analysts have been raising estimates for Johnson. For fiscal year 2016, revisions have been lifted 21.4% higher, from $1.40 to $1.70. For 2017, estimates have been raised 16.3%, to $1.85 from $1.59.

Johnson reports on May 26th where it will go for its third straight EPS beat. The last two quarters the stock has not followed suit, but another beat and the stock should gain momentum higher.

Central Garden (CENT) is a Zacks Rank #1(Strong Buy) that is a leading innovator, marketer and producer of quality branded products for the lawn & garden and pet supplies markets. The company’s products are sold to specialty independent and mass retailers in the following categories: In Lawn & Garden: Grass seed including the brands Pennington and The Rebels; wild bird feed and the brands Pennington and Kaytee; weed and insect control and the brands AMDRO, Sevin, Ironite and Over 'N Out and; decorative outdoor patio products and the brands Norcal, New England Pottery and Matthews Four Seasons.

Central Garden has a market cap of $800 Million and a Forward PE of 15. The stock sports a Zacks Style Score of “A” in Value, “B” in Growth and has a VGM score of “B”. Last quarter the company reported a beat with EPS coming in at $0.01 verse the -$0.12 expected. Revenue came in at $360 Million versus the $322 Million expected.

Over the last 60 days, analysts have been raising estimates for the company. For fiscal year 2016, revisions have been lifted 13.6% higher, from $0.95 to $1.08. For 2017, estimates have been raised 8.3%, to $1.17 from $1.08.

The company has surprised to the upside six quarters in a row and looks to do it again on May 3rd. Given the recent momentum in the stock since over the last couple quarters, another beat should push the stock higher.

Delta Apparel (DLA) is a Zacks Rank #1(Strong Buy) that designs, manufactures, sources, and markets a portfolio of lifestyle basics and branded active wear apparel and headwear products in the United States and internationally. The products they manufacture are sold under our brands of Delta Pro-Weight, Delta Magnum Weight, Healthknit and Quail Hollow Sportswear.

Delta has a market cap of $140 Million and a Forward PE of 12. The stock sports a Zacks Style Score of “A” in Value and has a VGM score of “A”. Last quarter the company reported a beat with EPS coming in at $0.09 versus the -$0.27 expected. Revenue came in at $90.2 Million versus the $89.5 Million expected. The 126% beat on EPS impressed investors who rewarded the stock with a 50% return over the month.

Over the last 60 days, analysts have been raising estimates for Delta. For fiscal year 2016, revisions have been lifted 50% higher, from $1.00 to $1.50. The company has shown a lot of volatility in its history of reports. The pop in the stock and its lack of earnings consistency might not make it a buy right now, but the stock should be bought if it pulls back into earnings on May 3rd.

In Summary

These four stocks offer investors value and an opportunity to take advantage of recent earnings momentum. For now these companies are undervalued by the market. However, if their earnings momentum can continue, investors will start to notice and take the stocks to higher prices.

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BIO-TECHNE CP (TECH): Free Stock Analysis Report
 
JOHNSON OUTDOOR (JOUT): Free Stock Analysis Report
 
CENTRAL GARDEN (CENT): Free Stock Analysis Report
 
DELTA APPAREL (DLA): Free Stock Analysis Report
 
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