Top Performing Stocks for the Week Ended Dec 26
The five best performing stocks on the Zacks #1 Rank List last week were: Scopus Video Networks Ltd. (SCOP), Questcor Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (QCOR - Snapshot Report), Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. (GMCR - Analyst Report), Cyberonics, Inc. (CYBX - Analyst Report) and Allegiant Travel Company (ALGT - Snapshot Report).
Shares advanced 38% for the week ended Dec 26. In its third-quarter report from November, SCOP announced year-over-year revenue growth of 31% with earnings per share that reversed a year-ago loss while also easily exceeding Wall Street expectations. Earnings estimates for this year are up solidly over the past 2 months, while next year's estimates have been steady. SCOP develops, markets and supports digital video networking solutions that enable network operators to offer advanced video services to their subscribers.
Questcor Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (QCOR - Snapshot Report) was a top-performing Zacks #1 Rank for the week ended Dec 26, as shares gained approximately 14.8%. Over the past 2 months, earnings estimates for this year and next advanced 29.4% and 12%, respectively. At the moment, analysts expect next year's profit to increase about 27% from this year.
The specialty pharmaceutical company announced strong third-quarter results in late October, including total net sales that advanced to $24.2 million from $14.8 million a year earlier. Earnings per share reached 13 cents, which topped the consensus by 30% while also improving year over year. One of the highlights in the quarter included a 50% sequential rise in new prescriptions for Acthar in the treatment of multiple sclerosis. The company also continued to repurchase its common shares.
Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. (GMCR - Analyst Report) has held up quite well at a time when most consumers are looking for ways to cut costs. This Zacks #1 Rank company was a top performer for the week ended Dec 26 as shares increased 7.6%. The company has watched earnings estimates for this fiscal year, ending September 2009, and next fiscal year, ending September 2010, gain 1.6% and 1.3%, respectively, over the past 2 months. GMCR is also featured as today's Momentum Stock of the Day at Zacks.com.
For its fiscal fourth quarter, GMCR announced earnings per share of 28 cents on net sales of $134.8 million. The EPS result beat the consensus by more than 33% while continuing this company's penchant for matching or beating Wall Street's quarterly expectations. The result also improved handily from the prior year. Meanwhile, net sales jumped 45% from $93 million.
Cyberonics, Inc. (CYBX - Analyst Report) has put together a solid record of beating Wall Street's quarterly earnings expectations, which is helping analysts' earnings estimates stay on an upward course. Over the past 4 quarters, CYBX amassed an average surprise of more than 160%. Meanwhile, earnings estimates for this fiscal year, ending April 2009, are up 40.6% in 2 months, while expectations for next fiscal year are up 13%. Furthermore, analysts currently expect next fiscal year’s profit to improve approximately 36% year over year.
CYBX gained 66% for the week ended Dec 26, which was enough to make this medical technology company a top-performing Zacks #1 Rank. On Dec 11, the company was featured as an Aggressive Growth Stock of the Day at Zacks.com. CYBX announced strong fiscal second-quarter results in November due to growth from its core U.S. epilepsy business. Earnings per share of 14 cents reversed a year-ago loss, while also eclipsing the consensus by as much as 133%. Net sales advanced 24% to $36 million. CYBX also increased its sales guidance for fiscal 2009.
Allegiant Travel Company (ALGT - Snapshot Report) got onto the Zacks #1 Rank Top Performers List for last week as shares moved higher by 6.2%. Earnings estimates continue to rise for this company, including advances in just the past 7 days. Expectations for this year are up 11.7% in 2 months and 1.3% in the past week. Furthermore, next year's estimates moved forward 6.4% and 3.1%, respectively, in those timeframes. Analysts currently expect next year's profit to advance more than 100% from this year.
ALGT was featured as a Momentum Stock of the Day at Zacks.com on Dec 1. Despite a challenging environment, the company announced a strong third-quarter performance in late October, including earnings per share of 24 cents that beat the consensus by more than 33%. Revenue jumped 35% to $116.9 million. ALGT focuses on flying travelers in small cities to world-class leisure destinations.