Five Mid-Cap Stocks With Top Rankings
BOSTON (TheStreet) -- Like middle children, mid-cap stocks often go unnoticed. The following five are determined to beat their small- and large-cap competitors in 2010.
5. Bio-Reference Laboratories
(BRLI)
provides clinical-testing services in the New York metropolitan area.
The numbers
: Fiscal fourth-quarter profit increased 37% to $7.2 million, or 51 cents a share, as revenue advanced 26% to $102 million. Bio-Reference's operating margin ascended from 12% to 13%. Its quick ratio of 1.9 and debt-to-equity ratio of 0.2 reflect a strong financial position.
The stock
: Bio-Reference Laboratories increased 57% during the past year, outpacing major U.S. indices. The stock trades at a price-to-earnings ratio of 25, a premium to health care services peers. Bio-Reference doesn't pay dividends.
4. Check Point Software Technologies
(CHKP) - Get Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. Report
designs Internet-security programs.
The numbers
: Fourth-quarter profit rose 27% to $110 million, or 51 cents a share, as revenue increased 25% to $272 million. Check Point's operating margin remained steady at 48%. The company holds $884 million of cash and no debt, indicating fiscal prudence.
The stock
: Check Point returned 44% in the past year, beating major U.S. indices. The stock trades at a price-to-earnings ratio of 20, a discount to software peers. Check Point doesn't pay dividends.
3. Maximus
TheStreet Recommends
(MMS) - Get MAXIMUS, Inc. Report
is a government consultant.
The numbers
: Fiscal first-quarter net income rose 5.6% to $13 million, and earnings per share climbed 17% to 81 cents, boosted by a smaller float. Revenue increased 19% to $202 million. The company's operating margin hovered at 12%. Maximus holds $132 million of cash and no debt.
The stock
: Maximus appreciated 46% during the past 12 months, more than major U.S. indices. The stock trades at a price-to-earnings ratio of 17, a discount to IT-services peers. The shares offer a 0.9% dividend yield.
2. DeVry
(DV)
is a for-profit educator.
The numbers
: Fiscal second-quarter profit soared 69% to $72 million, or $1 a share, as revenue advanced 28% to $473 million. DeVry's operating margin widened from 17% to 23%. The company boasts a liquid balance sheet, with $389 million of cash and $45 million of debt.
The stock
: DeVry advanced 5.1% over the past year, lagging behind major U.S. indices. The stock trades at a price-to-earnings ratio of 20, on par with diversified consumer-services peers. The shares offer a 0.3% dividend yield.
1. Church & Dwight
(CHD) - Get Church & Dwight Co., Inc. Report
sells household products.
The numbers
: Fourth-quarter profit increased 19% to $53 million, or 74 cents a share, as revenue increased 4% to $671 million. Church & Dwight's operating margin inched up from 14% to 15%. Its quick ratio of 1.2 and debt-to-equity ratio of 0.5 reflect financial stability.
The stock
: Church & Dwight rose 22% during the past year, trailing major U.S. indices. The stock trades at a price-to-earnings ratio of 19, a premium to household products peers. The shares offer a 0.9% dividend yield.
