NCI, Inc.

NCI, Inc. (NCIT - Snapshot Report) is producing consistent results in a tough environment, having surprised and beaten analyst estimates in each of the last four quarters.

Company Description

NCI, Inc. provides information technology services, specializing in the support and administration of systems and networks. The company primarily services the federal government and has a market cap of $336 million.

Third-Quarter Results

NCI made its shareholders happy on Nov when the company reported solid third-quarter results. Revenue was up to $101 million from $85.2 million last year. Net income came in at $4.4 million, a 33% increase from the same period last year. This produced earnings of 32 cents per share, ahead of analyst estimates by 2 cents.

This was the fourth time in four quarters that NCI has surprised and beaten analyst estimates, having done so by an average of 2 cents, or 6.50%.

Guidance and Estimates

NCI said during its quarterly presentation that it expects fourth-quarter revenue between $101 and $106 million and earnings between 32 and 35 cents.

The analyst community continues to remain bullish on NCI, with the next-year estimate advancing 3 cents in the last 30 days to $1.44 per share, a 17% earnings growth projection.

Valuations

Based upon the current-year estimate, this stock is trading with a forward P/E multiple of 19X, a premium to the overall market.

The Chart

Shares of NCIT have performed admirably in 2008, advancing from just above $13 to current levels right around $25. The 52-week and all-time high is just above $28, take a look at the chart below.