Top Performing Stocks for the Week Ended Mar 21

The five best performing stocks on the Zacks #1 Rank List last week were: Kirby Corporation (KEX), Oriental Financial Group Inc. (OFG), CBRL Group, Inc. (CBRL), Netflix, Inc. (NFLX) and ManTech International Corporation (MANT).

Kirby Corporation (KEX) raised its first-quarter earnings per share guidance on Mar 17, sparking shares by 19.3% last week. The company, which operates a fleet that transports petroleum products, now expects EPS to exceed 66 cents, compared to its previous guidance between 57 cents and 62 cents. According to KEX, the move reflects stronger-than-expected demand for its marine transportation and diesel engine services operations. Analysts responded by boosting earnings estimates for the quarter by 9.8% in the past seven days. They now predict earnings per share of 67 cents. KEX will report first-quarter results on Apr 23.

KEX, which was the Timely Buy of the Week on Zacks.com last week, beat Wall Street’s earnings expectations in each quarter last year with an average surprise of approximately 4.3%. In the fourth quarter, EPS of 64 cents edged past the consensus by about 1.6% and improved handily from the previous year’s 45 cents. This marked its 16th straight quarter of year-over-year improvement. Meanwhile, consolidated revenues jumped 22% to $307.9 million from $251.4 million. Earnings estimates for the full year improved 3.4% over the past seven days.

Oriental Financial Group Inc. (OFG) reached fresh 52-week highs last week, and made the top performers list as share rose 13.4%. The company is a diversified financial holding company that operates under U.S. and Puerto Rico banking laws and regulations. Earnings estimates for this year have moved higher by 28.8% over the past two months.

In February, the company announced that fourth-quarter earnings per share reached 59 cents, which reversed a year-ago loss while beating the consensus by as much as 73%. Profit for the full year also moved to a profit from a loss. OFG attributed the results to success of its business strategies, which the company believes will bear more fruit in 2008. The company believes it can take advantage of any good quality strategic growth opportunities, given its strong capital structure. OFG provides a full range of mortgage, commercial and consumer banking services through its financial centers in Puerto Rico.

CBRL Group, Inc. (CBRL) announced some positive comparable sales for February earlier this month, which convinced analysts to boost earnings estimates for the fiscal year ending July 2008 by 5.9% over the past 30 days. On Mar 4, the company, which operates the Cracker Barrel Old Country Store restaurants and gift shops, reported that same-store restaurant sales advanced 0.9% in a difficult environment. The rise was attributed to a 3.1% higher average check stemming from an average menu price increase of about 3.2%. In addition, same-store retail sales were up 1.2%. Shares of CBRL rose 11.3% last week, making it one of the top-performing Zacks #1 Ranks.

The positive results for February comes shortly after a strong fiscal second-quarter report, which included an earnings per share surprise of 25% atop the consensus. In addition, EPS from continuing operations of 85 cents beat the year-ago result of 60 cents. Total revenue from continuing operations advanced 3.6% to $634 million, while same-store sales improved 1.1%. Comparable store retail sales were up 1.4%. CBRL also affirmed its guidance for the full fiscal year.

Netflix, Inc. (NFLX) makes another appearance on the top-performing Zacks #1 Rank list with a gain of 9% for the week ended Mar 21. The company was a top performer for the entire month of February, and was highlighted as a Momentum Stock of the Day at Zacks.com on Mar 18. Last week, the company enjoyed a brokerage upgrade. Its share price has soared over the past several months, as has its earnings estimates. Analysts boosted expectations for this year by more than 43% in two months and 7.7% in 30 days.

NFLX recently raised its first-quarter guidance, expecting earnings between 15 cents and 22 cents on revenue of $324 million to $328 million. It also raised its EPS, revenue and subscriber outlooks for the full year. This came on the heels of a strong fourth-quarter announcement, including an earnings per share surprise of more than 57% on revenue growth of 9%. Furthermore, NFLX gained 451,000 customers during the quarter.

ManTech International Corporation (MANT) is a leading provider of innovative technologies and solutions for mission-critical national security programs. During its fourth-quarter report from late February, MANT forecasted first-quarter earnings per share between 56 cent and 59 cents. That was above the consensus estimate at the time of 53 cents, which persuaded analysts to boost expectations for the quarter by 7.5% in the past month. Furthermore, it expects revenue between $425 million and $435 million in the quarter. MANT was a top-performing Zacks #1 Rank last week as shares moved forward by almost 8.5%.

Fourth-quarter earnings per share of 61 cents advanced upon the year-earlier result of 43 cents. Revenue reached $421.9 million, marking an advance of 45% from $290.7 million. The company attributed its revenue growth to support of the nation’s defense initiative both domestically and abroad, the acquisition of SRS Technologies, and the increased level of material acquisitions to support mission-critical programs. For the full year, MANT reported that earnings per share from continuing operations advanced 19% while revenues improved 27%.

Read the full analyst report on KEX

Read the full analyst report on OFG

Read the full analyst report on CBRL

Read the full analyst report on MANT

Read the full analyst report on NFLX