Here are three stocks with buy ranks and strong growth characteristics for investors to consider today, May 18th:

Diversified Healthcare Trust (DHC Quick QuoteDHC - Free Report) : This company that owns medical offices, life science properties and senior living communities and wellness centers carries a Zacks Rank #1, and has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 46.2% over the last 60 days.

Diversified Healthcare has a PEG ratio of 0.23 compared with 1.96 for the industry. The company possesses a Growth Score  of A.

Perion Network Ltd. (PERI Quick QuotePERI - Free Report) : This integrated digital advertising solutions company carries a Zacks Rank #1, and has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 5.6% over the last 60 days.

Perion has a PEG ratio of 0.46 compared with 0.72 for the industry. The company possesses a Growth Score of B.

PulteGroup, Inc. (PHM Quick QuotePHM - Free Report) : This homebuilding company carries a Zacks Rank #1, and has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 21.6% over the last 60 days.

PulteGroup has a PEG ratio of 0.48 compared with 0.69 for the industry. The company possesses a Growth Score of B.

See the full list of top ranked stocks here.

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