Here are three stocks with buy rank and strong value characteristics for investors to consider today, October 17:

Manitex International, Inc. : This engineered lifting solutions company carries a Zacks Rank #1, and has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 63.6% over the last 60 days.

Manitex International has a price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) of 13.47, compared with 21.30 for the industry. The company possesses a Value Score of B.

Central Garden & Pet Company (CENTA Quick QuoteCENTA - Free Report) : This pet supplies and garden products company carries a Zacks Rank #1, and has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 2.4% over the last 60 days.

Central Garden & Pet Company Price and Consensus

Central Garden & Pet Company price-consensus-chart | Central Garden & Pet Company Quote

Central Garden & Pet has a price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) of 13.89 compared with 17.10 for the industry. The company possesses a Value Score of A.

HSBC Holdings plc (HSBC Quick QuoteHSBC - Free Report) : This company which provides banking and financial services carries witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 4.1% over the last 60 days.

HSBC has a price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) of 5.60 compared with 10.00 for the industry. The company possesses a Value Score of B.

See the full list of top ranked stocks here.

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