World Fuel Services' Shares Could Take Off

World Fuel's stock remains at the same level it settled at after jet fuel prices fell in December. On three separate occasions this spring, the stock has attempted to push through its upper trading range near $48. It failed every time.

With high energy prices, a stagnant stock price and second-quarter results expected Friday, analysts and traders are starting to look at World Fuel as a vehicle to harvest some easy value.

The company is expected to earn 64 cents a share this quarter, according to an analyst survey by Zacks Investment Research. This would be an 18.5% increase over first-quarter earnings and a 12.5% increase over the same period a year ago. Such results would likely motivate traders to bid up the company's shares in a big way.

Analysts at Stephens forecast that World Fuel will earn a more modest 60 cents a share in the second quarter. Stephens has an overweight rating on the stock and a $50 price target. Who doesn't like a nice little 20% bump in a short-term investment?

World Fuel Services was recently trading at $44.52.