Zacks #1 Rank Top Performers: Fuel Systems Solutions, Pantry, Ladish, JetBlue Airways and Thoratec

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Zacks.com announces the latest list of top performing Zacks #1 Rank (“strong buy”) stocks. The stocks on the prestigious list with the highest returns last week were Fuel Systems Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: FSYS), The Pantry, Inc. (NASDAQ: PTRY), Ladish Co., Inc. (NASDAQ: LDSH), JetBlue Airways Corporation (NASDAQ: JBLU) and Thoratec Corporation (NASDAQ: THOR). Each of these stocks easily outperformed the S&P 500.

Stocks ranked #1 (Strong Buy) by Zacks have produced an average annual return of +30% since inception in 1988. During the 2000-2002 bear market, Zacks #1 Rank stocks gained 43.8% while the S&P 500 tumbled 37.6%. To learn more about the Zacks Rank, go to http://at.zacks.com/?id=3172.

Here is a synopsis of the last week’s best performing Zacks #1 Rank stocks.

Fuel Systems Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: FSYS) made the Zacks #1 Rank Top Performers List for the week ended Nov 28 as shares jumped 48.3%. The alternative fuel solutions company has been enjoying rising earnings estimates for a while now. Expectations for the year ending this month are up 24.8% over the past 2 months, including a gain of 20.7% in 30 days. Next year’s analyst estimates advanced 19.3% and 17.2%, respectively, in those timeframes. In addition, analysts anticipate next year’s profit to advance almost 13% from this year.

FSYS has easily surpassed Wall Street’s quarterly earnings estimates in the past 4 quarters. The company put together an average surprise of approximately 147% in that time. Most recently, it announced earnings per share that soared past expectations by more than 217% in its third quarter. Revenue jumped 62% to $105.5 million, due to strong performances in its OEM and aftermarket transportation markets segments.

The Pantry, Inc. (NASDAQ: PTRY) announced fiscal fourth-quarter results on Nov 20, which included earnings per share of $1.03 that topped the consensus by almost 29%. The operator of convenience stores has now beat analysts’ expectations for 3 consecutive quarters, amassing an average surprise of more than 66%. Total revenues increased 24.5% year over year to $2.5 billion. The quarter’s results benefited from higher gas prices.

Shares of PTRY slipped after its fiscal fourth-quarter report, but rose 38.1% last week, which made it a top-performing Zacks #1 Rank company. Earnings estimates for the year ending September 2009 are up 27% in the past 2 months, including a gain of 9.4% in just the past 7 days.

Earnings estimates on Ladish Co., Inc. (NASDAQ: LDSH) have been on the rise for both this year and next. Over the past 2 months, expectations moved higher by 7.7% and 5.4%, respectively. Meanwhile, the past month has seen gains of 1.9% and 1.1%. Analysts currently expect profit to grow approximately 29% next year compared to the year before. LDSH made the Zacks #1 Rank Top Performers List last week with a gain of 33.2%.

In late October, LDSH announced its third-quarter results. Earnings per share of 70 cents easily exceeded the year-earlier result of 45 cents, while also eclipsing the consensus by more than 37%. Sales moved forward 15% to $121 million from $105 million. LDSH is a leading producer of metal components for the jet engine, aerospace and general industrial markets.

Analysts still expect JetBlue Airways Corporation (NASDAQ: JBLU) to report a loss for this year, though it has narrowed significantly over the past 2 months to the current loss estimate of (5 cents) from (22 cents). Furthermore, analysts expect a profit for next year, which has advanced almost 700% in 2 months and 7.7% in the past 7 days. With shares that gained 32%, JBLU was a top-performing Zacks #1 Rank company for the week ended Nov 28. In addition, JBLU was featured in last week’s Zacks Industry Rank Analysis.

In late October, JBLU reported a loss of 2 cents per share for its third quarter, which was narrower than analysts’ expected loss of 5 cents. Operating revenues jumped 17.9% to $902 million from $765 million a year earlier. The discount carrier sees continued strength in its bookings for the near-term, despite the challenging economic conditions.

Thoratec Corporation (NASDAQ: THOR) gained 24.8% last week, which helped the medical devices company find a place on the Zacks #1 Rank Top Performers List. It was announced last week that THOR would replace Dun & Bradstreet on the S&P MidCap 400 index. Earnings estimates for this year are up 21% over the past month, and analysts currently expect next year’s profit to improve over this year by more than 15%.

During its third-quarter report from late October, THOR raised its revenue and earnings guidance for 2008, thanks to continued adoption of its HeartMate II LVAS (Left Ventricular Assist System) for bridge-to-transplantation. For the quarter, earnings per share soared past the consensus and year-ago result, while revenues jumped 44% to $80.8 million from $56.1 million.

About the Zacks Rank

Since 1988, the Zacks Rank has proven that "Earnings estimate revisions are the most powerful force impacting stock prices." Since inception in 1988, #1 Rank stocks have generated an average annual return of +30%. During the 2000-2002 bear market, Zacks #1 Rank stocks gained +43.8%, while the S&P 500 tumbled -37.6%. Also note that the Zacks Rank system has just as many Strong Sell recommendations (Rank #5) as Strong Buy recommendations (Rank #1). Since 1988, Zacks Rank #5 stocks have underperformed the S&P 500 by 81% annually (+2 % vs. +11%). Thus, the Zacks Rank system allows investors to truly manage portfolio trading effectively.

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Disclaimer: Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investors should always research companies and securities before making any investments. Nothing herein should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any security.