Here are three stocks with buy ranks and strong growth characteristics for investors to consider today, December 20th:

H&E Equipment Services, Inc. : This integrated equipment services company carries a Zacks Rank #1, and has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 17.3% over the last 60 days.

H&E Equipment has a PEG ratio of 0.43 compared with 0.90 for the industry. The company possesses a Growth Score of A.

Archer-Daniels-MidlandCompany (ADM Quick QuoteADM - Free Report) : This agricultural commodities and ingredients company carries a Zacks Rank #1, and has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 8.3% over the last 60 days.

Archer-Daniels-Midland has a PEG ratio of 1.71 compared with 3.14 for the industry. The company possesses a Growth Score of A.

LPL Financial Holdings Inc. (LPLA Quick QuoteLPLA - Free Report) : This integrated platform of brokerage and investment advisory services carries a Zacks Rank #1, and has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 4.9% over the last 60 days.

LPL Financial has a PEG ratio of 0.35 compared with 0.60 for the industry. The company possesses a Growth Score of A.

See the full list of top ranked stocks here.

Learn more about the Growth score and how it is calculated here.