The following five stocks are recommended strongly by analysts and all saw advances in share prices year to date, along with their impressive recent financial performance.
8×8, Inc. (EGHT) is a provider of telecommunications services and cloud-based computing services to Internet protocol (IP), telephony and video applications, as well as contact center, web-based conferencing and unified communications services, managed hosting. According to the data provided by FactSet, six analysts gave an average rating of “Buy” and set an average price target of $6.45 on EGHT stock. The target represents a 8.77% upside potential for the latest EGHT stock closing price of $5.93. EGHT stock price has been up 89.27% year to date and crossed its 50-day and 200-day moving averages in the middle of June, 2012. The current stock price is 92.93% above the 52-week low of $3.11 and 2.12% lower than the 52-week high of $6.13.
Recent performance: For Q2 2012, the company posted EPS of 5 cents, topping the consensus estimate of 3 cents. The company recently announced that it has been awarded a new patent related to its contact/call center technologies by U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Sonic Automotive, Inc. (SAH) operates as an automotive retailer engaged in the sale of new and used cars, light trucks, and replacement parts; provision of vehicle maintenance, warranty repair, paint, and collision repair services and arrangement of extended service contracts, financing, insurance and other aftermarket products (F&I) for its customers. According to the data provided by FactSet, eight analysts gave an average rating of “Overweight” and set an average price target of 22.83 on SAH stock, a 29.50% upside potential for the latest SAH stock closing price of $17.63. SAH shares have moved up 19.04% since the beginning of this year and have been traded above the 50-day and 200-day moving averages in the middle of July, 2012. The current SAH stock price is 74.38% above the 52-week low of $10.11 and 7.45% lower than the 52-week high of $19.05.
Recent performance: For Q2 2012, the company’s EPS came in at 43 cents, 4.90% higher than the average analyst expectation of 41 cents. The company recently completed an exchange offer which strengthened its balance sheet and extended the maturities of its publicly issued debt, along with the recent $200 million issuance of Senior Subordinated Notes due 2022.
Delek US Holdings Inc. (DK) is an integrated energy company engaged in refining, distributing and retailing petroleum products. Delek operates through three segments: Refining, Marketing, and Retail. According to the data provided by FactSet, eight analysts gave an average rating of “Overweight” and set an average price target of $29.57 on DK stock, implying a 16.69% upside potential for the latest DK stock closing price of $25.34. The energy company has seen a cumulative advance of 122.09% in its share price since the beginning of this year, the biggest winner among these five best stocks to buy now. DK stock price crossed above the 50-day and 200-day moving averages at the beginning of June and is currently 169.29% above the 52-week low of $9.41 and 4.02% lower than the 52-week high of $26.40.
Recent performance: Delek announced a quarterly cash dividend of $0.0375 per share recently, which is payable on September 18, 2012, to shareholders of record on August 21, 2012. The integrated downstream energy company reported recently reported its Q2 2012 earnings up more than double, despite revenue missed the consensus estimate.
Asset Acceptance Capital Corp. (AACC) is engaged in the purchase and collection of defaulted and charged-off accounts receivable portfolios from consumer credit originators. According to the data provided by FactSet, four analysts gave an average rating of “Overweight” and set a average price target of $7.33 on AACC stock, representing a 15.25% upside potential to the latest AACC stock closing price of $6.36. AACC stock price has risen more than 62% since the beginning of this year, qualifed for one of the best stocks to buy at the moment. AACC stock price has been traded above the 50-day and 200-day moving averages from the start of March and is currently 127.14% above the 52-week low of $2.80 and 22.06% lower than the 52-week high of $8.16.
Recent Performance: The leading purchaser and collector of charged-off consumer debt reported Q2 2012 EPS of 12 cents, exceeding the Wall Street estimate of 9 cents. The company recently paid approximately 3 cents for per dollar of a debt.
Autobytel Inc. (ABTL) incorporated on May 17, 1996, is operating as an automotive marketing services company that assists automotive retail dealers and automotive manufacturers market and sells vehicles through its online programs. According to the data provided by FactSet, three analysts gave an average rating of “Buy” and set an average price target of $6.00 on ABTL stock, representing a 52.28% upside potential to the latest ABTL stock closing price of $3.94. ABTL stock price is up 12.57% from the beginning of this year. ABTL stock price crossed the 50-day moving average on August 17, 2012, but is still below the 200-day moving average. The current share price is 17.26% above the 52-week low of $3.36 and 25.66% lower than the 52-week high of $5.30.
Recent Performance: The company issued its Q2 2012 EPS of 2cents, in line with the consensus estimate. For the full year 2012, Asset Acceptance Capital expects single-digit revenue growth and more than doubling of net income year-over-year.