Top Five Small-Cap Stocks: Balchem, Natus

Natus has been rated a buy since June 2007. For the first quarter of fiscal 2008, Natus reported a 36% revenue increase year over year. The company also reported that its earnings per share improved from 7 cents a year ago to 11 cents in the most recent quarter. Over the same period, net income rose to $2.63 million from $1.52 million. First-quarter results were led by strong sales of newborn hearing-screening products. Additionally, the company completed its integration of Excel-Tech ahead of schedule, and recently announced an agreement to acquire Sonamed, a manufacturer of hearing-screening products.

Looking ahead, Natus increased its revenue and earnings guidance for fiscal 2008 and now anticipates revenue to range from $161 million to $162 million. Earnings per share are expected to be in the range of 70 cents to 72 cents for the full year, while guidance for the second quarter anticipates EPS in the range of 14 cents to 15 cents. This guidance does not include the potential impact of the Sonamed acquisition, which is expected to close by the end of May 2008. Bear in mind that the stock has surged 35% over the last year and is now trading at a price that is somewhat expensive when compared to the rest of the industry. We do, however, feel that the company does not currently have any significant weaknesses and that its strengths justify the higher stock price levels.

Pericom Semiconductor (PSEM) designs, develops and markets high-performance interface integrated circuits and frequency control products used in advanced electronic systems. Interface ICs transfer, route and time electrical signals among a system's microprocessor, memory and various peripherals as well as between interconnected systems. FCPs are electronic components used as time and frequency clocks in electronic products ranging from computers and telecommunications switching equipment to cell phones and televisions. Pericom's interface products increase system bandwidth.