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Here's Why Virtus Investment (VRTS) Stock is a Must Buy Now
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It seems to be a wise idea to add Virtus Investment Partners, Inc. (VRTS - Free Report) stock to your portfolio now, given the strong fundamentals and promising prospects. Further, the company’s solid assets under management (AUM) balance will likely keep boosting revenue growth.
The stock has been witnessing upward estimate revisions, reflecting analysts’ optimism about its earnings growth potential. Over the past 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2019 and 2020 moved 5.4% and 9% north, respectively.
Further, this Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stock has surged 46.5% so far this year, outperforming the industry’s rise of 8.3%.
5 Factors That Make Virtus Investment an Attractive Pick
Revenue growth: Organic growth remains a key strength for Virtus Investment. The top line witnessed a five-year CAGR of 5.2% (2014-2018). This was backed by solid AUM balance. Also, its projected sales growth rate of 2.9% for 2019 and 0.7% for 2020 indicate continuation of the momentum.
Earnings strength: Over the past three to five years, earnings of Virtus Investment witnessed 10.8% growth. This uptrend is anticipated to continue as the company’s earnings are projected to be up 17.2% and 4.9% in 2019 and 2020, respectively.
Also, Virtus Investment has an impressive earnings surprise history. Its earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the trailing four quarters, the average beat being 8.5%.
Further, the company’s projected earnings growth rate for the next five years is 3.9%, promising rewards for shareholders.
Impressive capital deployment: Virtus Investment is actively involved in capital-deployment activities. In August, the company hiked its quarterly dividend by 22% to 67 cents per share. This marks the second consecutive hike, since initiating dividend payouts in May 2014. The company increased its dividend by 22% last year as well.
Moreover, Virtus Investment’s share repurchases authorization is in place. As of Sep 30, 2019, the company had 338,183 shares left for buyback.
Backed by a strong liquidity position, no debt and consistently improving earnings, the company’s capital-deployment actions look sustainable.
Strong leverage: Virtus Investment’s debt/equity ratio is nil against the industry’s average debt/equity ratio of 0.25. This reflects that the company will be financially stable, even during adverse economic situations.
Superior Return on Equity (ROE): Virtus Investment’s ROE of 21.89% compares favorably with the industry average of 12.28%.This highlights the company’s commendable position over its peers in using shareholders’ funds.
Cohen & Steers Inc’s (CNS - Free Report) ongoing-year earnings estimate moved 3.7% north in 60 days’ time. Additionally, the stock has surged 92.7%, so far this year. It sports a Zacks Rank #1.
Eaton Vance Corporation (EV - Free Report) current-year earnings estimate has remained unchanged in the past 60 days. Further, the company’s shares have gained 36% in the year-to-date period. At present, it carries a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy).
Free: Zacks’ Single Best Stock Set to Double
Today you are invited to download our just-released Special Report that reveals 5 stocks with the most potential to gain +100% or more in 2020. From those 5, Zacks Director of Research, Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.
This pioneering tech ticker had soared to all-time highs and then subsided to a price that is irresistible. Now a pending acquisition could super-charge the company’s drive past competitors in the development of true Artificial Intelligence. The earlier you get in to this stock, the greater your potential gain.
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Here's Why Virtus Investment (VRTS) Stock is a Must Buy Now
It seems to be a wise idea to add Virtus Investment Partners, Inc. (VRTS - Free Report) stock to your portfolio now, given the strong fundamentals and promising prospects. Further, the company’s solid assets under management (AUM) balance will likely keep boosting revenue growth.
The stock has been witnessing upward estimate revisions, reflecting analysts’ optimism about its earnings growth potential. Over the past 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2019 and 2020 moved 5.4% and 9% north, respectively.
Further, this Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stock has surged 46.5% so far this year, outperforming the industry’s rise of 8.3%.
5 Factors That Make Virtus Investment an Attractive Pick
Revenue growth: Organic growth remains a key strength for Virtus Investment. The top line witnessed a five-year CAGR of 5.2% (2014-2018). This was backed by solid AUM balance. Also, its projected sales growth rate of 2.9% for 2019 and 0.7% for 2020 indicate continuation of the momentum.
Earnings strength: Over the past three to five years, earnings of Virtus Investment witnessed 10.8% growth. This uptrend is anticipated to continue as the company’s earnings are projected to be up 17.2% and 4.9% in 2019 and 2020, respectively.
Also, Virtus Investment has an impressive earnings surprise history. Its earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the trailing four quarters, the average beat being 8.5%.
Further, the company’s projected earnings growth rate for the next five years is 3.9%, promising rewards for shareholders.
Impressive capital deployment: Virtus Investment is actively involved in capital-deployment activities. In August, the company hiked its quarterly dividend by 22% to 67 cents per share. This marks the second consecutive hike, since initiating dividend payouts in May 2014. The company increased its dividend by 22% last year as well.
Moreover, Virtus Investment’s share repurchases authorization is in place. As of Sep 30, 2019, the company had 338,183 shares left for buyback.
Backed by a strong liquidity position, no debt and consistently improving earnings, the company’s capital-deployment actions look sustainable.
Strong leverage: Virtus Investment’s debt/equity ratio is nil against the industry’s average debt/equity ratio of 0.25. This reflects that the company will be financially stable, even during adverse economic situations.
Superior Return on Equity (ROE): Virtus Investment’s ROE of 21.89% compares favorably with the industry average of 12.28%.This highlights the company’s commendable position over its peers in using shareholders’ funds.
Other Key Picks
OFS Credit Company, Inc. (OCCI - Free Report) has witnessed 4.3% upward earnings estimate revisions for 2019, in the past 60 days. Moreover, this Zacks #1 Ranked stock has rallied 9.6%, year to date. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Cohen & Steers Inc’s (CNS - Free Report) ongoing-year earnings estimate moved 3.7% north in 60 days’ time. Additionally, the stock has surged 92.7%, so far this year. It sports a Zacks Rank #1.
Eaton Vance Corporation (EV - Free Report) current-year earnings estimate has remained unchanged in the past 60 days. Further, the company’s shares have gained 36% in the year-to-date period. At present, it carries a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy).
Free: Zacks’ Single Best Stock Set to Double
Today you are invited to download our just-released Special Report that reveals 5 stocks with the most potential to gain +100% or more in 2020. From those 5, Zacks Director of Research, Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.
This pioneering tech ticker had soared to all-time highs and then subsided to a price that is irresistible. Now a pending acquisition could super-charge the company’s drive past competitors in the development of true Artificial Intelligence. The earlier you get in to this stock, the greater your potential gain.
Download Free Report Now >>