"Everybody on Wall Street is looking for an edge. Our Quadrix(R) rating system is our edge, and we're always looking for ways to enhance its effectiveness," says quantitative analyst Richard Moroney.

In his Upside newsletter, he explain, "Among the best enhancements we've discovered focuses on the volatility of Overall Quadrix scores. Stocks with a history of steady Overall scores tend to have steady scores going forward. Below we look at two such stocks with strong and stable Quadrix scores."

Continue reading Aeropostale (ARO) and EZCorp (EZPW): Quants' New 'Best Buys'

Aeropostale (ARO) and EZCorp (EZPW): Quants' New 'Best Buys' originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 03 Mar 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This post is part of a special report, Top Picks for 2010, the 27th annual survey in which TheStockAdvisors.com asks the nation's leading advisors for their single favorite stock for the new year. See all 80 stocks listed here.

In the Upside newsletter, quantitative analyst Richard Moroney uses a proprietary system called Quadrix, a screening model that assesses stocks based on nearly 100 fundamental and technical variables.

Virtual Radiologic (VRAD) earns the Quadrix systems "best buy rating" and is the advisor's favorite investment pick for the coming year.

Continue reading Top Picks for 2010: Virtual Radiologic (VRAD)

Top Picks for 2010: Virtual Radiologic (VRAD) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 26 Dec 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"We screened our database for standouts based on meaningful profit surprises," says quantitative analyst Richard Moroney.

In Upside, a service focused on applying in-depth quantitative analysis to small to mid-cap growth companies, he looks at a trio of stocks earning his "Best Buy" rating -- Priceline (NASDAQ: PCLN), Sybase (NYSE: SY), and Synaptics (NASDAQ: SYNA).

"All things equal, the better a stock's earnings momentum and profit outlook, the more likely it is to outperform in the year ahead.

Continue reading Earnings surprises: Quant picks 'best buy' trio

Earnings surprises: Quant picks 'best buy' trio originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 16 Jun 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"We are still finding attractively valued growers in tech," says quantitative analyst Richard Morney.

In his Upside stock advisory newsletter, he notes "We have found several especially promising tech stocks with solid track records, strong finances, and attractive growth prospects."

Here, the advisor reviews three stocks that earn his top 'best buy' rating: Akamai NASDAQ: AKAM), Synaptics (NASDAQ: SYNA) and TeleCommunications Systems (NASDAQ: TSYS).

Continue reading A trio of technology values

A trio of technology values originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 21 Apr 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"First recommended in September 2004, Helix Energy Solutions (NYSE: HLX) is the oldest holding on our Buy List - and the biggest winner, gaining 133%," notes Richard Moroney.

Here, the editor of Upside explain, "Considering its bright profit-growth prospects, reasonable valuation, and impressive Quadrix scores, Helix remains among our very best ideas and a top pick in the oil patch."

"Helix serves energy producers worldwide, providing such contract services (36% of total revenue for the nine months ended September) as deepwater pipe-laying, well operations, robotics, and reservoir services.

"The shelf-contracting business (34%) consists of 59%-owned Cal Dive International (NYSE: DVR), a provider of dive-related and shallow-water construction services.

"The fast-growing oil and natural gas production business (30%) focuses on marginal, mature, and smaller fields - properties no longer significant or viable for large energy companies. Fueled partly by high energy prices, petroleum companies are increasingly targeting mature and small reservoirs.

Continue reading Helix Energy Solutions (HLX): A 'Best Buy' in energy

Helix Energy Solutions (HLX): A 'Best Buy' in energy originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 19 Feb 2008 12:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"The energy sector has been the U.S. stock market's best performer over the past three and five years -- and among the best so far in 2007," says Richard Moroney in his Upside newsletter.

He says, "Shares of energy companies, especially equipment and services concerns, seem unduly cheap -- even if per-barrel oil prices retreat by $10 or $15." Here he looks at Gardner Denver Inc. (NYSE: GDI) and NATCO Group Inc. (NYSE: NTG).

"Over the last three years, spending on capital expenditures has grown at an impressive 28% annual clip. Even if oil and gas prices drop sharply, which seems unlikely given supply and demand forecasts -- capital spending should remain robust.

"Gardner Denver is one of the largest providers of reciprocating pumps used in oil and gas drilling and production. For full-year 2007, management lifted its per-share profit guidance to a range of $3.10 to $3.18, up from the $2.49 earned in 2006. Gardner Denver, positioned to exceed consensus profit estimates, is a Best Buy.

Continue reading Best energy ideas: Drilling for value in oil services

Best energy ideas: Drilling for value in oil services originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 21 Oct 2007 11:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• Goldman Sachs added General Electric (NYSE:GE) to their Conviction Buy List with a $42 target, suggesting a 19% upside from current levels; Goldman thinks the December 12th outlook meeting could be a positive catalyst for the stock.
  

• Keefe Bruyette upgraded shares of Prudential (NYSE: PRU) to Outperform from Market Perform following the company's increased return-on-equity guidance.
• Barnes & Noble (NYSE: BKS) was upgraded to Outperform from Underperform at Credit Suisse citing relative valuation and the likelihood of a leveraged buy out event.

Analyst summaries provided by TheFlyOnTheWall.com (subscription required).

Analyst upgrades 12-6-06: General Electric, Prudential, and Barnes and Noble originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 06 Dec 2006 12:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.