OPNET Tech (OPNT)

OPNET Technologies, Inc. (OPNT - Snapshot Report) fought through another difficult trading session on Monday to finish as the top-performing Zacks #1 Rank stock.

A 3.61% gain was all that was needed to top the list today as the Dow declined by 0.5%, while the NASDAQ and S&P 500 each moved lower by more than 1%.

Volume for OPNT was more than 172,000 shares, compared to the daily average of around 137,000.

OPNT is a leading provider of application and network performance management solutions. It is part of the computer software industry. There are 2 other names from this space on today's Zacks #1 Rank List: Avid Technology, Inc. (AVID - Snapshot Report) and Citrix Systems, Inc. (CTXS - Analyst Report).

Earnings estimates for this fiscal year and next have moved up in the past 30 days, though there are only 2 total estimates for each period. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the fiscal year ending March 2012 is 96 cents per share, which is up 4.3% in the past month.

As for the fiscal year ending March 2013, the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.23 per share has appreciated by nearly 8% in the past 30 days. Furthermore, the guidance suggests year-over-year profit growth of approximately 28%.

There was no big news out of OPNT today, but it was only last month that the company announced a solid fiscal fourth-quarter report, which was the catalyst for the raised earnings estimates.

OPNET Technologies reported earnings per share of 19 cents, which was a penny better than the Zacks Consensus Estimate. The positive surprise came to 5.56%; the third straight quarter with better-than-expected results. Revenue moved higher year over year to $41.1 million from $34.4 million.

The quarter's performance was attributed to the company's "success in addressing the multi-billion dollar application performance management (APM) market".

OPNT also increased its June dividend.

The next two Zacks #1 Rank Top Performers on Monday practically had the same performance. Biopharmaceutical company Biospecifics Technologies Corp. (BSTC - Snapshot Report) gained 3.01% today, while power transmission equipment company Twin Disc, Inc. (TWIN - Snapshot Report) improved 3%.

Read the full analyst report on BSTC

Read the full analyst report on OPNT

Read the full analyst report on CTXS

Read the full analyst report on AVID

Read the full analyst report on TWIN