Today, we have shortlisted 10 U.S. stocks across sectors which have registered positive earnings surprise by beating the consensus earnings estimates of analysts polled by Bloomberg during the first quarter of 2014. These stocks have reported strong growth in sales and earnings during the quarter with strong operating margins and provide high return on equity (ROE). We note that during the past three months, a majority of these stocks have accumulated gains with daily average trading volumes in excess of 100,000 shares.
|
Company Name |
Exchange |
Ticker |
Market Cap |
Last Price |
Average Volume |
Price Change |
Sales Growth* |
Sales Surprise |
EPS Growth* |
EPS Surprise |
Operating Margin* |
Return On Equity |
|
Gentherm Inc |
NASDAQ |
THRM |
1.5 |
42.34 |
669,529 |
30.1% |
31.0% |
+11.9% |
95.8% |
+68.4% |
13.4% |
19.1% |
|
AmTrust Financial Services |
NASDAQ |
AFSI |
3.2 |
42.01 |
643,772 |
10.6% |
89.3% |
+21.8% |
30.4% |
+34.3% |
12.7% |
22.9% |
|
QIWI plc |
NASDAQ |
QIWI |
2.3 |
43.90 |
607,295 |
10.4% |
28.7% |
+19.3% |
92.0% |
+47.9% |
19.3% |
70.1% |
|
US Ecology Inc |
NASDAQ |
ECOL |
1.0 |
48.57 |
168,276 |
28.7% |
24.4% |
+16.0% |
46.7% |
+39.9% |
25.9% |
18.7% |
|
YY Inc |
NASDAQ |
YY |
3.6 |
65.41 |
2,753,539 |
-27.1% |
111.6% |
+5.2% |
181.6% |
+15.2% |
30.8% |
34.1% |
|
Omega Protein Corp |
NYSE |
OME |
0.3 |
14.70 |
127,976 |
28.4% |
29.8% |
+22.1% |
171.4% |
+82.6% |
21.9% |
15.3% |
|
Westar Energy Inc |
NYSE |
WR |
4.7 |
36.24 |
951,652 |
7.0% |
15.1% |
+7.9% |
32.5% |
+12.8% |
23.8% |
10.3% |
|
Ligand Pharmaceuticals Inc |
NASDAQ |
LGND |
1.4 |
68.91 |
294,354 |
-0.5% |
37.0% |
+17.1% |
66.7% |
+22.6% |
33.2% |
21.0% |
|
Abraxas Petroleum Corp |
NASDAQ |
AXAS |
0.5 |
5.23 |
2,189,089 |
58.0% |
22.2% |
+5.2% |
400.0% |
+27.3% |
28.3% |
61.2% |
|
MercadoLibre Inc |
NASDAQ |
MELI |
3.9 |
87.89 |
773,552 |
-14.9% |
12.3% |
+5.1% |
72.5% |
+14.8% |
29.5% |
40.1% |
Source: Bloomberg
* As per latest reported quarter (Q1’14)
Company Description:
Gentherm Inc (NASDAQ: THRM)
Gentherm Inc. designs, develops, and manufactures heating, cooling, and ventilating devices for diverse global markets. The company offers heated seating, climate seating, electronics, and cables. for the automotive markets.
AmTrust Financial Services Inc (NASDAQ: AFSI)
AmTrust Financial Services, Inc. offers insurance coverage. The company offers property/casualty, workers’ compensation, special risk, and warranty insurance, and extended service plans. The company operates in the United States and the European Union, and reinsures risk worldwide.
QIWI plc (NASDAQ: QIWI)
QIWI plc is an instant payment operator for consumers. The company enables merchants to accept cash and electronic payments from virtual wallets, and operates cash-collecting terminals and kiosks.
US Ecology Inc (NASDAQ: ECOL)
US Ecology, Inc. provides disposal, treatment, transportation, packaging, and remediation services for generators of hazardous, non-hazardous, and low-level radioactive waste. The company’s customers include the chemical, petroleum, steel and pharmaceutical industries as well as universities and hospitals.
YY Inc (NASDAQ: YY)
YY Inc is a communication social platform that engages users in real-time online group activities through voice, text and video. The company’s platform is currently free, The company monetizes its user base through internet services, or IVAS, and online advertising.
Omega Protein Corp (NYSE: OME)
Omega Protein Corporation produces protein-rich fish meal, fish oil, and soluble. The company markets a variety of products derived from menhaden, an inedible fish found in coastal waters off the United States mid-Atlantic and Gulf coasts.
Westar Energy Inc (NYSE: WR)
Westar Energy, Inc. is an electric utility company servicing customers in Kansas. The company provides electric generation, transmission and distribution services.
Ligand Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ: LGND)
Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated develops drugs which regulate hormone activated intracellular receptors. These receptors play a role in regulating the genetic processes affecting diseases such as gynecological disorders, certain cancers, as well as cardiovascular, inflammatory, and skin diseases.
Abraxas Petroleum Corp (NASDAQ: AXAS)
Abraxas Petroleum Corporation acquires producing oil and gas properties. The company explores for and produces crude oil and natural gas in Texas, Wyoming, and Canada. Abraxas also operates or owns an interest in various gas processing plants in Canada.
MercadoLibre Inc (NASDAQ: MELI)
MercadoLibre Inc. operates an online trading site for the Latin American markets. The company’s website allows businesses and individuals to list items and conduct sales and purchases online in either a fixed-price or auction format. MercadoLibre offers classified advertisements for motor vehicles, vessels, aircraft, real estate and services, and offers online payment services.
