Here are three stocks with buy rank and strong momentum characteristics for investors to consider today, May 15th:

First Citizens BancShares, Inc. (FCNCA Quick QuoteFCNCA - Free Report) : This holding company for First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company has a Zacks Rank #1 and witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 67.2% over the last 60 days.

First Citizens BancShares, Inc. Price and Consensus

First Citizens BancShares, Inc. price-consensus-chart | First Citizens BancShares, Inc. Quote

First Citizens’ shares gained 65.1% over the last three months compared with the S&P 500’s advance of 1.8%. The company possesses a Momentum Score of A.

First Citizens BancShares, Inc. Price

First Citizens BancShares, Inc. price | First Citizens BancShares, Inc. Quote

Shake Shack Inc. (SHAK Quick QuoteSHAK - Free Report) : This restaurant franchise has a Zacks Rank #1 and witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 550% over the last 60 days.

Shake Shack, Inc. Price and Consensus

Shake Shack, Inc. price-consensus-chart | Shake Shack, Inc. Quote

Shake Shack’s shares gained 15% over the last three months compared with the S&P 500’s advance of 1.7%. The company possesses a Momentum Score of A.

Shake Shack, Inc. Price

Shake Shack, Inc. price | Shake Shack, Inc. Quote

Encore Wire Corporation : This electrical building wires and cables company has a Zacks Rank #1 and witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 15.6% over the last 60 days.

Encore Wire Corporation Price and Consensus

Encore Wire Corporation price-consensus-chart | Encore Wire Corporation Quote

Encore Wire’s shares gained 13.1% over the last six months compared with the S&P 500’s advance of 4.8%. The company possesses a Momentum Score of B.

Encore Wire Corporation Price

Encore Wire Corporation price | Encore Wire Corporation Quote

See the full list of top ranked stocks here

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