CHICAGO - (Business Wire) Earnings estimate revisions are the most powerful force impacting stock prices. Couple that with the proven benefits of upgrades in ratings from brokerage firms and you have a strategy that delivered a +23.3 return in 2006. Four stocks meeting this screen
’s exclusive criteria are:
Agrium Inc. (NYSE: AGU),
El Paso Corp. (NYSE: EP),
AeroCentury Corp. (AMEX: ACY) and
CRA International Inc. (NASDAQ: CRAI).
View the entire list of stocks for the Upgrades and Revisions Profit Track at
http://at.zacks.com/?id=1844 Here are details on four companies currently identified by the Upgrades and Revisions Profit Track:
Agrium Inc. (NYSE: AGU) qualifies for this profit track with historical EPS growth of 35.54% over the past five years and a recent EPS surprise of 173.33%. This screen calls for five-year historical EPS growth greater than 17% and an EPS surprise of greater than 10% in its most recent quarter. AGU’s first quarter EPS amounted to $1.23, compared to 13 cents a year earlier. This Zacks #1 Rank company is a leading global producer and marketer of fertilizer, as well as a major retail supplier of agricultural products and services in both North America and Argentina.
El Paso Corp. (NYSE: EP), a Zacks #1 Rank company, earned its place on this profit track with five-year historical EPS growth of 69.40% and an EPS surprise of 13.79%. In the first quarter, EP’s year-over-year net earnings increased to 33 cents per share from 18 cents, while analysts expected earnings of 29 cents. EP is one of the largest integrated natural gas-to-power companies in the world.
AeroCentury Corp. (AMEX: ACY) is a Zacks #1 Rank company that reported outstanding first-quarter earnings of 18 cents per share, marking an EPS surprise of 205.88%. ACY satisfies this screen’s parameters with a per share price of $10.45 and a historical EPS growth rate 69.22% over the past five years. ACY is an operating lessor and finance company that specializes in leasing used turboprop aircraft and engines.
CRA International Inc. (NASDAQ: CRAI) sports five-year historical EPS growth of 18.23% and a Zacks #1 Rank. For the second quarter, the company reported earnings of 48 cents, which exceeded analysts’ expectations of 34 cents. CRAI is a consulting firm that works with businesses, law firms, accounting firms, and governments in providing a wide range of services.
Discover all the current stocks currently on the Upgrades and Revisions Profit Track at: http://at.zacks.com/?id=1869
About Profit Tracks
What is a "Profit Track"? Each Profit Track is a successful stock picking strategy with proven results through the Bear Market of 2001-2002 and the Bull run started in 2003. On Zacks.com we have created these nine unique screens to offer investors great strategies to potentially outperform the market in the years ahead. In 2006, the Low Price Stocks strategy was the top performing Profit Track with a return of +56.5% followed by the Discounted Fundamental screen with a +34% return. To see all nine strategies along with philosophy, past performance and current stocks, go to http://at.zacks.com/?id=1838.
All the Profit Track strategies were created and backtested using the Research Wizard software from Zacks Investment Research. If you like this screening strategy, but want to narrow down the list of stocks and even improve the performance, then you should start a free trial to this powerful stock picking tool. Learn more about the Research Wizard free trial offer and our new special report “Top 10 Stock Screening Strategies” at http://at.zacks.com/?id=4616
About Zacks
Zacks.com is a property of Zacks Investment Research, Inc., which was formed in 1978 by Leonard Zacks. As a PhD in mathematics Len knew he could find patterns in stock market data that would lead to superior investment results. Amongst his many accomplishments was the formation of his proprietary stock picking system; the Zacks Rank, which continues to outperform the market by nearly a 3 to 1 margin. The best way to unlock the profitable stock recommendations and market insights of Zacks Investment Research is through our free daily email newsletter; Profit from the Pros. In short, it's your steady flow of Profitable ideas GUARANTEED to be worth your time! Register for your free subscription to Profit from the Pros at http://at.zacks.com/?id=4617
Zacks Investment Research is under common control with affiliated entities (including a broker-dealer and an investment adviser), which may engage in transactions involving the foregoing securities for the clients of such affiliates.
Visit http://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.
Disclaimer: Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investors should always research companies and securities before making any investments. Nothing herein should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any security.
Zacks.com
Contact: Alla Kushner
Phone: 312-265-9208
Email: pr@zacks.com
Visit: www.Zacks.com
