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Computer Services Industry's Near-Term Outlook Looks Bright
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The Zacks Computer - Services industry primarily comprises companies that offer cloud and software-based solutions. Their offerings include national security solutions, business support solutions, systems engineering, and software application development solutions.
The industry participants cater to varied end markets and customers, including intelligence, defense, U.S. government agencies, communications, banking, financial services, insurance, healthcare, and media and entertainment.
Here are the industry’s three major themes:
Advancements in areas like IoT, AI, ML and robotics process automation are setting trends in the communications industry. Notably, these developments are pushing up demand for cost-efficient business support solutions and other digital monetization solutions.
Government agencies are ideal targets of cyber attacks, as they are entrusted with sensitive information. The increasing number of cyber attacks and related security risks are expected to keep the industry’s momentum alive. Notably, the growing need for cyber security solutions and services in critical areas like defense, intelligence and civilian agencies of the U.S. government bodes well for the industry participants.
The companies in this industry should benefit from increasingly complex network systems and sensitive information environments in which governments and businesses operate. The industry participants are keeping pace with global regulatory and business practice requirements, thereby helping customers incorporate the best practices while complying with governmental and industry norms.
Zacks Industry Rank Indicates Bright Prospects
The Zacks Computer - Services industry is housed within the broader Zacks Computer and Technology sector. It carries a Zacks Industry Rank #46, which places it in the top 18% of more than 250 Zacks industries.
The group’s Zacks Industry Rank, which is basically the average of the Zacks Rank of all the member stocks, indicates solid near-term prospects. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperforms the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.
The industry’s positioning in the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries is a result of positive earnings outlook for the constituent companies in aggregate. Looking at the aggregate earnings estimate revisions, it appears that analysts are gaining confidence in this group’s earnings growth potential. Since Feb 28, 2019, the industry’s earnings estimates for the current year has increased 0.7%.
Before we present a few stocks that you may want to consider for your portfolio, let’s take a look at the industry’s recent stock-market performance and valuation picture.
Industry Lags Sector and S&P 500
The Zacks Computer - Services industry has underperformed the Zacks S&P 500 composite as well as its own in the past year.
The industry has declined 2.7% over this period compared with the S&P 500’s rise of 5.1% and the broader sector’s return of 3.6%.
One-Year Price Performance
Industry’s Current Valuation
On the basis of forward 12-month price-to-earnings ratio, which is a commonly used multiple for valuing computer services stocks, the industry is currently trading at 19.39X versus the S&P 500’s 16.91X and the sector’s 19.59X.
Over the past five years, the industry has traded as high as 27.60X, as low as 15.35X and at the median of 22.62X, as the charts below show.
Price-to-Earnings (P/E) Ratio (F1)
Price-to-Earnings (P/E) Ratio (F1)
Bottom Line
Growing adoption of cyber security solutions, stringent regulatory requirements and the need for business automation solutions should continue to drive the industry’s growth.
Perficient, Inc. (PRFT - Free Report) , a digital transformation consulting firm, holds a Zacks Rank #1. The stock has gained 24% in the past year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current fiscal year earnings has increased 10.7% to $1.87 over the past 60 days.
Price and Consensus: PRFT
Headquartered in CO, CSGS Systems International, Inc. (CSGS - Free Report) is a provider of business support solutions primarily to the communications industry. It has seen a 17.7% increase in its share price over the past year. For this Zacks Rank #2 stock, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for current fiscal year earnings has increased 0.31% to $3.27 over the past 60 days.
Price and Consensus: CSGS
VA-based ManTech International Corporation is a provider of technologies and solutions for mission-critical national security programs. This Zacks Rank #2 stock has gained 16.6% in the past year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current fiscal year earnings has increased 1.8% to $2.28 over the past 60 days.
Price and Consensus: MANT
Biggest Tech Breakthrough in a Generation MARKETINGTEXTEND
Be among the early investors in the new type of device that experts say could impact society as much as the discovery of electricity. Current technology will soon be outdated and replaced by these new devices. In the process, it’s expected to create 22 million jobs and generate $12.3 trillion in activity.
A select few stocks could skyrocket the most as rollout accelerates for this new tech. Early investors could see gains similar to buying Microsoft in the 1990s. Zacks’ just-released special report reveals 7 stocks to watch. The report is only available for a limited time.
Image: Bigstock
Computer Services Industry's Near-Term Outlook Looks Bright
The Zacks Computer - Services industry primarily comprises companies that offer cloud and software-based solutions. Their offerings include national security solutions, business support solutions, systems engineering, and software application development solutions.
The industry participants cater to varied end markets and customers, including intelligence, defense, U.S. government agencies, communications, banking, financial services, insurance, healthcare, and media and entertainment.
Here are the industry’s three major themes:
Zacks Industry Rank Indicates Bright Prospects
The Zacks Computer - Services industry is housed within the broader Zacks Computer and Technology sector. It carries a Zacks Industry Rank #46, which places it in the top 18% of more than 250 Zacks industries.
The group’s Zacks Industry Rank, which is basically the average of the Zacks Rank of all the member stocks, indicates solid near-term prospects. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperforms the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.
The industry’s positioning in the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries is a result of positive earnings outlook for the constituent companies in aggregate. Looking at the aggregate earnings estimate revisions, it appears that analysts are gaining confidence in this group’s earnings growth potential. Since Feb 28, 2019, the industry’s earnings estimates for the current year has increased 0.7%.
Before we present a few stocks that you may want to consider for your portfolio, let’s take a look at the industry’s recent stock-market performance and valuation picture.
Industry Lags Sector and S&P 500
The Zacks Computer - Services industry has underperformed the Zacks S&P 500 composite as well as its own in the past year.
The industry has declined 2.7% over this period compared with the S&P 500’s rise of 5.1% and the broader sector’s return of 3.6%.
One-Year Price Performance
Industry’s Current Valuation
On the basis of forward 12-month price-to-earnings ratio, which is a commonly used multiple for valuing computer services stocks, the industry is currently trading at 19.39X versus the S&P 500’s 16.91X and the sector’s 19.59X.
Over the past five years, the industry has traded as high as 27.60X, as low as 15.35X and at the median of 22.62X, as the charts below show.
Price-to-Earnings (P/E) Ratio (F1)
Price-to-Earnings (P/E) Ratio (F1)
Bottom Line
Growing adoption of cyber security solutions, stringent regulatory requirements and the need for business automation solutions should continue to drive the industry’s growth.
Here, we present three stocks that either have a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or Rank 2 (Buy). These stocks are well positioned to outperform the market. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Perficient, Inc. (PRFT - Free Report) , a digital transformation consulting firm, holds a Zacks Rank #1. The stock has gained 24% in the past year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current fiscal year earnings has increased 10.7% to $1.87 over the past 60 days.
Price and Consensus: PRFT
Headquartered in CO, CSGS Systems International, Inc. (CSGS - Free Report) is a provider of business support solutions primarily to the communications industry. It has seen a 17.7% increase in its share price over the past year. For this Zacks Rank #2 stock, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for current fiscal year earnings has increased 0.31% to $3.27 over the past 60 days.
Price and Consensus: CSGS
VA-based ManTech International Corporation is a provider of technologies and solutions for mission-critical national security programs. This Zacks Rank #2 stock has gained 16.6% in the past year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current fiscal year earnings has increased 1.8% to $2.28 over the past 60 days.
Price and Consensus: MANT
Biggest Tech Breakthrough in a Generation MARKETINGTEXTEND
Be among the early investors in the new type of device that experts say could impact society as much as the discovery of electricity. Current technology will soon be outdated and replaced by these new devices. In the process, it’s expected to create 22 million jobs and generate $12.3 trillion in activity.
A select few stocks could skyrocket the most as rollout accelerates for this new tech. Early investors could see gains similar to buying Microsoft in the 1990s. Zacks’ just-released special report reveals 7 stocks to watch. The report is only available for a limited time.
See 7 breakthrough stocks now>>