Top Five Fast-Growth Stocks: CVS

Each business day, 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 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 all stocks rated by our proprietary quantitative model, which looks at over 60 factors.

In addition, the stocks must be followed by at least one financial analyst who posts estimates on the Institutional Brokers' Estimate System. Please note that definitions of revenue vary by industry, and this screen does not make adjustments for acquisitions, which can materially affect posted results. Likewise, earnings-per-share growth may be affected by accounting charges, share repurchases and other one-time items.

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.

DeVry (DV Quote) is an international higher education company. Classes are offered at a number of locations, as well as through DeVry University Online.

The company has been rated a buy since January 2007. DeVry's strengths include impressive earnings-per-share growth, compelling improvement in net income, revenue growth and a solid financial position. For the third quarter of fiscal 2008, DeVry reported EPS of 53 cents, vs. 32 cents a year ago. This increase continues the company's demonstrated pattern of EPS growth over the past two years, a trend that we feel should continue. The company's third quarter net income of $38.3 million represents an increase of 67% year over year. DeVry also has no debt to speak of, and its revenue rose by 18% in the second quarter.