We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies, revised Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
You are being directed to ZacksTrade, a division of LBMZ Securities and licensed broker-dealer. ZacksTrade and Zacks.com are separate companies. The web link between the two companies is not a solicitation or offer to invest in a particular security or type of security. ZacksTrade does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating individual securities.
If you wish to go to ZacksTrade, click OK. If you do not, click Cancel.
5 Mid-Cap Stocks For Growth Investors to Buy Right Now
Read MoreHide Full Article
Investing in mid-cap companies is a safe bet, especially during economic downturns and stringent credit conditions. Moreover, investors who are interested in high returns can choose mid-cap funds that bear lesser risk than small-cap funds. Mid-cap funds are not susceptible to gyrations in the broader market. This makes these funds ideal bets given the erratic macroeconomic conditions in recent years.
But when compared with the stability of large caps, these are relatively risky bets. However, investors ignoring this key segment should note that the current developments in the global economy like strong employment growth and tax-cut tailwinds clear the way for mid-cap investing.
Consequently, taking a middle-of-the-road approach is considered to be an ideal investment option for investors seeking high returns in the near term.
With the help of our Style Score System and Zacks Stock Screener, we have identified five stocks with excellent growth potential and a favorable Zacks Rank.
Our Growth Style Score condenses all the essential metrics from the company’s financial statements to achieve a true sense of quality and sustainability of its growth. Our research shows that stocks with Growth Style Scores of A or B when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) offer the best investment opportunities in the growth investing space. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Amedisys provides home health and hospice services throughout the United States to the growing chronic, co-morbid, and aging population. The company sports a Zacks Rank #1 and Growth Score of A. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings for 2018 is pegged at $3.39, reflecting an expected year-over-year growth of 53.4%. Further, the company has a long-term expected earnings per share (EPS) growth rate of 18.6%.
Annual estimates for Amedisys have also moved north over the past 60 days, reflecting optimism on the stock. Over this period, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2018 and 2019 for the company has increased by around 9% and 9.1%, respectively.
Headquartered in Fort Smith, AR, the company provides freight transportation services and solutions. ArcBest is another attractive choice with a Zacks Rank #1 and Growth Score of A. The company has expected earnings growth of 143.6% for 2018. It also has a long-term expected EPS growth rate of 40.2%.
The estimates for both 2018 and 2019 for the company have also increased by around 8.4% and 9.6%, respectively, over the last 60 days.
Our next pick is Continental Building, headquartered in Silver Grove, Quebec. The company is a manufacturer of gypsum wallboard, joint compound and complementary finishing. This Zacks Rank #1 company has Growth Score of B. It has expected earnings growth of 50.4% for fiscal 2018.
The company delivered positive earnings surprise in two of the trailing four quarters with an average beat of 14.9%. The stock also has a long-term expected EPS growth rate of 30%.
The estimates for both 2018 and 2019 for the company have also increased by around 11.7% and 9.4%, respectively, over the last 60 days.
Continental Building Products, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise
Comfort Systems is a national provider of comprehensive heating, ventilation and air conditioning installation, maintenance, repair and replacement services. The company has a Zacks Rank #1 and Growth Score of A. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings for 2018 is pegged at $2.72, reflecting anticipated year-over-year growth of 56.3%.
Comfort Systems also has a long-term expected EPS growth rate of 10%.
Annual estimates for Comfort Systems have also moved north over the past 60 days, reflecting analysts’ confidence on the stock. Over this period, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2018 and 2019 for the company has increased by around 6.3% and 8.5%, respectively.
Illinois-based Paylocity, founded in 1997, offers cloud-based payroll and human capital management (HCM) software solutions to medium-sized organizations across the United States.
This Zacks Rank #2 company has Growth Score of B. It has expected earnings growth of 86.7% for fiscal 2019. The company delivered positive earnings surprise in three of the trailing four quarters with an average beat of 18%. The stock also has a long-term expected EPS growth rate of 22%.
The estimates for both 2019 and 2020 for the company have also increased by around 34.6% and 34.8%, respectively, over the last 60 days.
Paylocity Holding Corporation Price and EPS Surprise
It's hard to believe, even for us at Zacks. But while the market gained +21.9% in 2017, our top stock-picking screens have returned +115.0%, +109.3%, +104.9%, +98.6%, and +67.1%.
And this outperformance has not just been a recent phenomenon. Over the years it has been remarkably consistent. From 2000 - 2017, the composite yearly average gain for these strategies has beaten the market more than 19X over. Maybe even more remarkable is the fact that we're willing to share their latest stocks with you without cost or obligation.
Image: Bigstock
5 Mid-Cap Stocks For Growth Investors to Buy Right Now
Investing in mid-cap companies is a safe bet, especially during economic downturns and stringent credit conditions. Moreover, investors who are interested in high returns can choose mid-cap funds that bear lesser risk than small-cap funds. Mid-cap funds are not susceptible to gyrations in the broader market. This makes these funds ideal bets given the erratic macroeconomic conditions in recent years.
But when compared with the stability of large caps, these are relatively risky bets. However, investors ignoring this key segment should note that the current developments in the global economy like strong employment growth and tax-cut tailwinds clear the way for mid-cap investing.
Consequently, taking a middle-of-the-road approach is considered to be an ideal investment option for investors seeking high returns in the near term.
With the help of our Style Score System and Zacks Stock Screener, we have identified five stocks with excellent growth potential and a favorable Zacks Rank.
Our Growth Style Score condenses all the essential metrics from the company’s financial statements to achieve a true sense of quality and sustainability of its growth. Our research shows that stocks with Growth Style Scores of A or B when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) offer the best investment opportunities in the growth investing space. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Our Pick
Amedisys, Inc. (AMED - Free Report)
Amedisys provides home health and hospice services throughout the United States to the growing chronic, co-morbid, and aging population. The company sports a Zacks Rank #1 and Growth Score of A. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings for 2018 is pegged at $3.39, reflecting an expected year-over-year growth of 53.4%. Further, the company has a long-term expected earnings per share (EPS) growth rate of 18.6%.
Annual estimates for Amedisys have also moved north over the past 60 days, reflecting optimism on the stock. Over this period, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2018 and 2019 for the company has increased by around 9% and 9.1%, respectively.
Amedisys, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise
Amedisys, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise | Amedisys, Inc. Quote
ArcBest Corporation (ARCB - Free Report)
Headquartered in Fort Smith, AR, the company provides freight transportation services and solutions. ArcBest is another attractive choice with a Zacks Rank #1 and Growth Score of A. The company has expected earnings growth of 143.6% for 2018. It also has a long-term expected EPS growth rate of 40.2%.
The estimates for both 2018 and 2019 for the company have also increased by around 8.4% and 9.6%, respectively, over the last 60 days.
ArcBest Corporation Price and EPS Surprise
ArcBest Corporation Price and EPS Surprise | ArcBest Corporation Quote
Continental Building Products, Inc.
Our next pick is Continental Building, headquartered in Silver Grove, Quebec. The company is a manufacturer of gypsum wallboard, joint compound and complementary finishing. This Zacks Rank #1 company has Growth Score of B. It has expected earnings growth of 50.4% for fiscal 2018.
The company delivered positive earnings surprise in two of the trailing four quarters with an average beat of 14.9%. The stock also has a long-term expected EPS growth rate of 30%.
The estimates for both 2018 and 2019 for the company have also increased by around 11.7% and 9.4%, respectively, over the last 60 days.
Continental Building Products, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise
Continental Building Products, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise | Continental Building Products, Inc. Quote
Comfort Systems USA, Inc. (FIX - Free Report)
Comfort Systems is a national provider of comprehensive heating, ventilation and air conditioning installation, maintenance, repair and replacement services. The company has a Zacks Rank #1 and Growth Score of A. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings for 2018 is pegged at $2.72, reflecting anticipated year-over-year growth of 56.3%.
Comfort Systems also has a long-term expected EPS growth rate of 10%.
Annual estimates for Comfort Systems have also moved north over the past 60 days, reflecting analysts’ confidence on the stock. Over this period, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2018 and 2019 for the company has increased by around 6.3% and 8.5%, respectively.
Comfort Systems USA, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise
Comfort Systems USA, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise | Comfort Systems USA, Inc. Quote
Paylocity Holding Corporation (PCTY - Free Report)
Illinois-based Paylocity, founded in 1997, offers cloud-based payroll and human capital management (HCM) software solutions to medium-sized organizations across the United States.
This Zacks Rank #2 company has Growth Score of B. It has expected earnings growth of 86.7% for fiscal 2019. The company delivered positive earnings surprise in three of the trailing four quarters with an average beat of 18%. The stock also has a long-term expected EPS growth rate of 22%.
The estimates for both 2019 and 2020 for the company have also increased by around 34.6% and 34.8%, respectively, over the last 60 days.
Paylocity Holding Corporation Price and EPS Surprise
Paylocity Holding Corporation Price and EPS Surprise | Paylocity Holding Corporation Quote
Today's Stocks from Zacks' Hottest Strategies
It's hard to believe, even for us at Zacks. But while the market gained +21.9% in 2017, our top stock-picking screens have returned +115.0%, +109.3%, +104.9%, +98.6%, and +67.1%.
And this outperformance has not just been a recent phenomenon. Over the years it has been remarkably consistent. From 2000 - 2017, the composite yearly average gain for these strategies has beaten the market more than 19X over. Maybe even more remarkable is the fact that we're willing to share their latest stocks with you without cost or obligation.
See Them Free>>