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

Valero Energy Corporation (VLO Quick QuoteVLO - Free Report) : This energy company carries a Zacks Rank #1, and has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 111.2% over the last 60 days.

Valero Energy Corporation Price and Consensus

Valero Energy Corporation price-consensus-chart | Valero Energy Corporation Quote

Valero has a PEG ratio of 0.35 compared with 0.47 for the industry. The company possesses a Growth Score of B.

Valero Energy Corporation PEG Ratio (TTM)

Valero Energy Corporation peg-ratio-ttm | Valero Energy Corporation Quote

TAL Education Group (TAL Quick QuoteTAL - Free Report) : This education services company carriesa Zacks Rank #1, and has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 34.1% over the last 60 days.

TAL Education Group Price and Consensus

TAL Education Group price-consensus-chart | TAL Education Group Quote

TAL Education has a PEG ratio of 0.67 compared with 1.09 for the industry. The company possesses a Growth Score of B.

TAL Education Group PEG Ratio (TTM)

TAL Education Group peg-ratio-ttm | TAL Education Group Quote

Sanmina Corporation (SANM Quick QuoteSANM - Free Report) : This integrated manufacturing services provider carries a Zacks Rank #1, and has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 11.5% over the last 60 days.

Sanmina Corporation Price and Consensus

Sanmina Corporation price-consensus-chart | Sanmina Corporation Quote

Sanmina has a PEG ratio of 0.75 compared with 1.03 for the industry. The company possesses a Growth Score of A.

Sanmina Corporation PEG Ratio (TTM)

Sanmina Corporation peg-ratio-ttm | Sanmina Corporation Quote

See the full list of top-ranked stocks here.

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