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The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: SPS Commerce, Core-Mark Holding, Clean Harbors, FTI Consulting and General Finance
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For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – November 7, 2018 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include SPS Commerce Inc. (SPSC - Free Report) , Core-Mark Holding Co. Inc. , Clean Harbors Inc. (CLH - Free Report) , FTI Consulting Inc. (FCN - Free Report) and General Finance Corp. .
ISM Services Index Remains Robust in October: 5 Top Picks
On Nov 5, the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) announced fresh figures for its service index for the month of October. Notably, the reading exceeded expectations. The ISM Services index clearly reflects that the U.S. economy has sustained its momentum going into the fourth quarter. Gains were broad-based and occurred across 17 industries.
Service-oriented businesses remain strong in October (improving for 105 consecutive months) and the momentum is likely to remain robust indicating a solid upcoming holiday season. At this stage, it will be a prudent move to invest in stocks from the services sector with a favorable Zacks Rank and strong growth potential.
Strong October Readings
The ISM reported that its service index was pegged at 60.3% for the month of October, surpassing the consensus estimate of 58.8%. Although the October reading trailed the September reading of 61.6% (an all-time high), it achieved the second highest level of the index’s 21-year old history. Notably, any reading above 50% indicates expansion of the services sector and a reading of above 55% reflects outstanding performance by the services sector.
A strong bunch of 17 industries have expanded in October. The sole exception was Educational Services. The Business Activity Index came in at 62.5%, and has now increased for 111 consecutive months. Additionally, the New Orders Index hit 61.5% while the Employment Index came in at 59.7%.
Healthy Fundamentals of the U.S. Economy
ISM chair Anthony Nieves said “The non-manufacturing sector has again reflected strong growth despite a slight cooling off after a record month in September.” This impressive result was predominately buoyed by a strong U.S. economy which is currently in the 10th year of expansion.
U.S. GDP increased 3.3% in the first nine months of 2018, surpassing the target of 3% set by President Trump. On Oct 30, the Conference Board reported that U.S. consumer confidence for the month of October was pegged at 137.9, the highest reading since September 2000.
Additionally, the future expectations index, — reflecting what Americans think the economy will look like in the next six months — increased to 114.6 from 112.5, signaling strong growth at least up to first quarter of 2019.
Our Top Picks
A substantial expansion in the services sector is indicative of its continuing attractiveness as an investment option. Additionally, encouraging economic data, like the latest report on non-firm pay-roll, bears out the optimism expressed by respondents in the ISM survey.
This is why it makes good sense to add stocks from this sector to your portfolio. We have narrowed down our search on five such stocks each carrying a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and strong growth potential. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
SPS Commerce Inc. is a provider of on-demand supply chain management solutions servicing its customers worldwide. The company has expected earnings growth of 93.8% for current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved by 10.7% over the last 30 days.
Core-Mark Holding Co. Inc. is one of the largest marketers of fresh and broad-line supply solutions to the retail industry in North America. The company has expected earnings growth of 28% for current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved by 2.4% over the last 30 days.
Clean Harbors Inc. is a leading provider of environmental, energy and industrial services in North America. The company has expected earnings growth of 260.6% for current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved by 17.8% over the last 30 days.
FTI Consulting Inc. provides business advisory services to manage change, mitigate risk, and resolve disputes worldwide. The company has expected earnings growth of 61.6% for current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved by 14.7% over the last 30 days.
General Finance Corp. provides mobile storage, liquid containment and modular space solutions. The company has expected earnings growth of 283.3% for current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved by 8.7% over the last 30 days.
Today's Stocks from Zacks' Hottest Strategies
It's hard to believe, even for us at Zacks. But while the market gained +21.9% in 2017, our top stock-picking screens have returned +115.0%, +109.3%, +104.9%, +98.6%, and +67.1%.
And this outperformance has not just been a recent phenomenon. Over the years it has been remarkably consistent. From 2000 - 2017, the composite yearly average gain for these strategies has beaten the market more than 19X over. Maybe even more remarkable is the fact that we're willing to share their latest stocks with you without cost or obligation.
Zacks Equity Research provides the best of quantitative and qualitative analysis to help investors know what stocks to buy and which to sell for the long-term.
Continuous coverage is provided for a universe of 1,150 publicly traded stocks. Our analysts are organized by industry which gives them keen insights to developments that affect company profits and stock performance. Recommendations and target prices are six-month time horizons.
Strong Stocks that Should Be in the News
Many are little publicized and fly under the Wall Street radar. They're virtually unknown to the general public. Yet today's 220 Zacks Rank #1 "Strong Buys" were generated by the stock-picking system that has nearly tripled the market from 1988 through 2015. Its average gain has been a stellar +26% per year.See these high-potential stocks free >>.
Zacks Investment Research is under common control with affiliated entities (including a broker-dealer and an investment adviser), which may engage in transactions involving the foregoing securities for the clients of such affiliates.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.
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The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: SPS Commerce, Core-Mark Holding, Clean Harbors, FTI Consulting and General Finance
For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – November 7, 2018 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include SPS Commerce Inc. (SPSC - Free Report) , Core-Mark Holding Co. Inc. , Clean Harbors Inc. (CLH - Free Report) , FTI Consulting Inc. (FCN - Free Report) and General Finance Corp. .
Today, Zacks is promoting its ''Buy'' stock recommendations. Get #1Stock of the Day pick for free.
Here are highlights from Tuesday’s Analyst Blog:
ISM Services Index Remains Robust in October: 5 Top Picks
On Nov 5, the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) announced fresh figures for its service index for the month of October. Notably, the reading exceeded expectations. The ISM Services index clearly reflects that the U.S. economy has sustained its momentum going into the fourth quarter. Gains were broad-based and occurred across 17 industries.
Service-oriented businesses remain strong in October (improving for 105 consecutive months) and the momentum is likely to remain robust indicating a solid upcoming holiday season. At this stage, it will be a prudent move to invest in stocks from the services sector with a favorable Zacks Rank and strong growth potential.
Strong October Readings
The ISM reported that its service index was pegged at 60.3% for the month of October, surpassing the consensus estimate of 58.8%. Although the October reading trailed the September reading of 61.6% (an all-time high), it achieved the second highest level of the index’s 21-year old history. Notably, any reading above 50% indicates expansion of the services sector and a reading of above 55% reflects outstanding performance by the services sector.
A strong bunch of 17 industries have expanded in October. The sole exception was Educational Services. The Business Activity Index came in at 62.5%, and has now increased for 111 consecutive months. Additionally, the New Orders Index hit 61.5% while the Employment Index came in at 59.7%.
Healthy Fundamentals of the U.S. Economy
ISM chair Anthony Nieves said “The non-manufacturing sector has again reflected strong growth despite a slight cooling off after a record month in September.” This impressive result was predominately buoyed by a strong U.S. economy which is currently in the 10th year of expansion.
U.S. GDP increased 3.3% in the first nine months of 2018, surpassing the target of 3% set by President Trump. On Oct 30, the Conference Board reported that U.S. consumer confidence for the month of October was pegged at 137.9, the highest reading since September 2000.
Additionally, the future expectations index, — reflecting what Americans think the economy will look like in the next six months — increased to 114.6 from 112.5, signaling strong growth at least up to first quarter of 2019.
Our Top Picks
A substantial expansion in the services sector is indicative of its continuing attractiveness as an investment option. Additionally, encouraging economic data, like the latest report on non-firm pay-roll, bears out the optimism expressed by respondents in the ISM survey.
This is why it makes good sense to add stocks from this sector to your portfolio. We have narrowed down our search on five such stocks each carrying a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and strong growth potential. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
SPS Commerce Inc. is a provider of on-demand supply chain management solutions servicing its customers worldwide. The company has expected earnings growth of 93.8% for current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved by 10.7% over the last 30 days.
Core-Mark Holding Co. Inc. is one of the largest marketers of fresh and broad-line supply solutions to the retail industry in North America. The company has expected earnings growth of 28% for current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved by 2.4% over the last 30 days.
Clean Harbors Inc. is a leading provider of environmental, energy and industrial services in North America. The company has expected earnings growth of 260.6% for current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved by 17.8% over the last 30 days.
FTI Consulting Inc. provides business advisory services to manage change, mitigate risk, and resolve disputes worldwide. The company has expected earnings growth of 61.6% for current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved by 14.7% over the last 30 days.
General Finance Corp. provides mobile storage, liquid containment and modular space solutions. The company has expected earnings growth of 283.3% for current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved by 8.7% over the last 30 days.
Today's Stocks from Zacks' Hottest Strategies
It's hard to believe, even for us at Zacks. But while the market gained +21.9% in 2017, our top stock-picking screens have returned +115.0%, +109.3%, +104.9%, +98.6%, and +67.1%.
And this outperformance has not just been a recent phenomenon. Over the years it has been remarkably consistent. From 2000 - 2017, the composite yearly average gain for these strategies has beaten the market more than 19X over. Maybe even more remarkable is the fact that we're willing to share their latest stocks with you without cost or obligation.
See Them Free>>
About Zacks Equity Research
Zacks Equity Research provides the best of quantitative and qualitative analysis to help investors know what stocks to buy and which to sell for the long-term.
Continuous coverage is provided for a universe of 1,150 publicly traded stocks. Our analysts are organized by industry which gives them keen insights to developments that affect company profits and stock performance. Recommendations and target prices are six-month time horizons.
Strong Stocks that Should Be in the News
Many are little publicized and fly under the Wall Street radar. They're virtually unknown to the general public. Yet today's 220 Zacks Rank #1 "Strong Buys" were generated by the stock-picking system that has nearly tripled the market from 1988 through 2015. Its average gain has been a stellar +26% per year.See these high-potential stocks free >>.
Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/zacksresearch
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Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.