Top Five Fast-Growth Stocks

Each weekday, TheStreet.com Ratings compiles a list of the top five stocks in five categories -- fast-growth, all-around value, large-cap, mid-cap and small-cap -- and publishes these lists in the Ratings section of our Web site.

This list, updated daily, is based on data from the close of the previous trading session. Today, fast-growth stocks are in the spotlight. These are stocks of companies that are projected to increase revenue and profit by at least 12% in the coming year and rank near the top of all stocks rated by our proprietary quantitative model, which looks at more than 60 factors.

The stocks must also be followed by at least one financial analyst who posts estimates on the Institutional Brokers' Estimate System. They are ordered by their potential to appreciate.

Note that no provision is made for off-balance-sheet assets such as unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments, market value of real estate or contingent liabilities that might affect book value. This could be material for some companies with large underfunded pension plans.

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Manitowoc(MTW Quote) manufactures and markets cranes and related products, food service equipment and marine products. It has been rated a buy since September 2005. The company demonstrates notable revenue growth, significant earnings-per-share improvement, impressive stock price appreciation and net income growth that has significantly outpaced that of the S&P 500 and its industry. Its price level is now somewhat expensive compared with the rest of its industry, but given the company's strengths, the higher price is justified.

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Electronic instruments and electromechanical device manufacturer Ametek(AME Quote) has been rated a buy since July 2005. The company's acquisition strategy is expected to augment revenue growth, with nearly 30 acquisitions completed since 1999. In June, the company announced the acquisition of Hamilton Precision Metals, which will diversify its electromechanical segment, and two privately held aerospace businesses. The company has also invested more than $300 million in new-product initiatives over the last five years.