Top Five Mid-Cap Stocks: Ametek
05/15/08 - 06:59 AM EDT
TheStreet.com Ratings Staff
Going forward, Ametek estimates revenue for the full year 2008 to increase by a percentage in the high teens and estimates earnings in the range of $2.47 to $2.52 per share. Management also expects earnings for the second quarter to be about 61 cents to 63 cents a share, an increase of 13% to 17% from the second quarter of 2007. However, these results could be negatively affected should the company fail to successfully integrate its recent acquisitions. Other risks include the price and availability of raw materials and changes in the competitive environment.
Berry Petroleum (BRY Quote - Cramer on BRY - Stock Picks) is an independent energy company that produces, develops, acquires, exploits and explores for crude oil and natural gas. It has producing operations in California, Colorado and Utah, as well as interests in undeveloped and prospective oil and gas leasehold land positions in the western U.S. The company is also expanding into the Rockies and mid-Continent for light oil and natural gas. Berry was founded in 1909, and had 243 employees as of December 2007. Our buy rating for Berry has not changed since June 2003. Strengths can be seen in multiple areas, including growth in revenue and net income. Revenue grew 58% year over year for the first quarter of fiscal 2008. This appears to have helped boost earnings per share, which improved to 95 cents from 42 cents a year ago. Net income more than doubled year over year to $43 million. Management reports that the company is on target to achieve a 10% increase in production and net proved reserves in 2008, in addition to being in an excellent financial position. Powered by strong earnings growth and other factors, this stock's price has surged 42% over the past year, and we feel that it could move higher despite having already enjoyed nice gains. We feel that Berry's strengths outweigh a somewhat disappointing return on equity. However, it is important to remember that any stock can fall in a major bear market.
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