Top Five Mid-Cap Stocks

The company expects that the positive environment seen in the first quarter will continue through this year, with the company hoping to benefit from a strong global agricultural economy and increased global spending on infrastructure. Management now anticipates year-over-year sales growth to be in the high teens, while operating income as a percent of sales is expected to show a slightly greater-than-one-point improvement for the year. However, Valmont's future results and our buy rating are subject to a variety of risks, including the availability and price of raw materials, future economic and market circumstances, and any actions or policy changes from domestic and foreign governments.

Strayer Education STRA is a for-profit postsecondary education services corporation. The company's mission is to make high-quality postsecondary education achievable and convenient for working adults in today's economy. Strayer offers a variety of academic programs through its wholly owned Strayer University. Programs are offered in both a traditional classroom setting and through Strayer University Online. The university was founded in 1892, and today it offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in business administration, accounting, information technology, education and public administration at 57 physical campuses in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Washington, D.C., Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee and Florida.

Our buy rating for Strayer has not changed since March 2003 and is based on a variety of strengths that include revenue and net income growth as well as a solid financial position. For the first quarter of fiscal 2008, Strayer's revenue rose 21% year over year due to increased enrollment and a 5% tuition increase that went into effect in January 2008. As a result, earnings per share improved 26%, while net income increased 25% to $23.52 million from $18.81 million in the year-ago quarter. The company has no debt, resulting in a debt-to-equity ratio of zero.