Top 5 Mid-Caps for Dec. 25

Management stated that DeVry's strong first quarter results were driven by a strategic plan to increase enrollment through improved marketing and recruiting. The acquisition of U.S. Education also helps this strategic plan by allowing DeVry to further diversify its educational offerings. The company is confident that it should be able to continue maximizing shareholder value and achieving long-term growth goals despite a tough economy due to its diversified portfolio. It is important to remember that a quick ratio of 0.7 indicates a potential problem in covering short-term cash needs. In addition, the company shows low profit margins. All the same, we feel that the strengths detailed above are enough to outweigh any potential weaknesses at this time.

New Jersey Resources(NJR Quote) is an energy services holding company that provides retail and wholesale energy services to customers in New Jersey, other states from the Gulf Coast to New England, and Canada. We have rated it a buy since September 2002. This rating is supported by the company's healthy revenue growth, solid stock price performance, compelling net income growth, and impressive record of EPS growth.

For the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008, the company reported revenue growth of 40.1% year over year, which outpaced the industry average of 22.6%. Revenue growth appears to have helped boost EPS, which rose significantly from a loss of 91 cents per share in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007 to a profit of $1.86 in the most recent quarter. Net income surged 305.1% when compared to the same quarter a year ago. In addition, the company announced that its Board of Directors recently approved a 10.7% dividend increase, bringing the quarterly dividend rate to 31 cents per share. The company has paid quarterly dividends continuously since it began in 1952.