4 Top-Ranked Stocks to Invest in for Solid Earnings Growth
Regardless of whether it is a start-up or an established company, earnings growth is of the highest priority for the top brass of any organization. After all, if the company doesn’t make money, it won’t last over the long haul.
Consider a company’s revenues over a given period, subtract the cost of production, and you have earnings. This metric is also considered the most important variable in influencing the share price. But, expectations of earnings also play a significant role.
Time and again, we have seen a decline in the stock price despite earnings growth and a rally in the price following an earnings decline. This is largely a result of a company’s earnings failing to meet market expectations.
Earnings estimates embody analysts’ opinion on factors such as sales growth, product demand, competitive industry environment, profit margins and cost control. Thus, earnings estimates serve as a valuable tool while making investment decisions. Earnings estimates also help analysts assess the cash flow to determine the fair value of a firm.
Investors, thus, should be on the lookout for stocks that are ready to make a big move. Hence, it is important for investors to buy stocks that have historical earnings growth and are seeing a rise in quarterly and annual earnings estimates.
Screening Criteria:
In order to shortlist stocks that have striking earnings growth and positive estimate revisions, we have added the following parameters:
Zacks Rank less than or equal to 2 (Only Zacks' 'Buys' and 'Strong Buys' are allowed. With the Zacks Rank proving itself to be one of the best rating systems out there, this is a great way to start things off.)
5-Year Historical EPS Growth (%) greater than X-Industry (stocks with a strong EPS growth history).
% Change EPS F(0)/F(-1) greater than or equal to 5 (companies that saw year-over-year earnings growth of 5% or more in the last reported fiscal).
% Change Q1 Estimates over the last 4 weeks greater than zero (stocks that have seen their current quarter earnings estimates revised higher in the last 4 weeks).
% Change F1 Estimates over the last 1 week greater than zero (stocks that have seen their annual earnings estimates revised higher in the last 1 week).
% Change F1 Estimates over the last 4 weeks greater than zero (stocks that have seen their annual earnings estimates revised higher in the last 4 weeks).
The above criteria narrowed down the universe of around 7,839 stocks to only 25. Here are the top four stocks:
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. REGN is a biotechnology company focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing treatments targeting severe medical conditions. The company has a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). The company’s expected earnings growth rate for the current year is 98%. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Evercore Inc EVR is a premier global independent investment banking advisory firm. The company has a Zacks Rank #1. The company’s expected earnings growth rate for the current year is 39.2%.
Houlihan Lokey, Inc. HLI is an investment bank that focuses on mergers and acquisitions, financings, financial restructurings and financial advisory services. The company has a Zacks Rank #1. The company’s expected earnings growth rate for the current year is 8.2%.
DICK'S Sporting Goods, Inc. DKS operates as a major omni-channel sporting goods retailer. The company has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). The company’s expected earnings growth rate for the current year is 110.6%.
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Disclosure: Officers, directors and/or employees of Zacks Investment Research may own or have sold short securities and/or hold long and/or short positions in options that are mentioned in this material. An affiliated investment advisory firm may own or have sold short securities and/or hold long and/or short positions in options that are mentioned in this material.
Disclosure: Performance information for Zacks’ portfolios and strategies are available at: https://www.zacks.com/performance
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Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (REGN) : Free Stock Analysis Report
DICK'S Sporting Goods, Inc. (DKS) : Free Stock Analysis Report
Evercore Inc (EVR) : Free Stock Analysis Report
Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (HLI) : Free Stock Analysis Report
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