This week, the commercial banking, aerospace and defense, biotechnology, auto parts and life science sectors are gathering momentum on the Portfolio Grader database.
With 100% of the sector’s stocks (5 out of 5) rating a “buy,” the commercial banking sector is one of the strongest. Within the commercial banking sector, Pacific Capital Bancorp (PCBC) and StellarOne Corporation (STEL) receive top marks of A’s. Citizens Republic Bancorp (CRBC) is also getting a B.
Aerospace and defense is thriving this week with 74% of stocks in the sector (31 out of 42) currently rating a “buy”. Among aerospace and defense stocks, Alliant Techsystem (ATK), Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. (HII) and TASER International, Inc. (TASR) are leading the way with A’s. Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. is the best performer in this sector, with a 216.5% increase in the last 12 months.
Biotechnology stands out with 72% of the sector’s stocks (61 out of 85) rating a “buy”. Gentium S.p.A. Sponsored ADR (GENT), Repligen Corporation (RGEN) and Insys Therapeutics, Inc. (INSY) are paving the way for the sector with A grades. Over the last 12 months, Repligen Corporation is the best performer in this sector, with a 413.1% increase.
Auto parts is excelling, with 71% of stocks in the sector (17 out of 24) rating a “buy”. Magna International (MGA), Dorman Products, Inc. (DORM) and Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. (CPS) are all currently earning A’s. Magna International beats the other stocks in its sector, with a 209.1% increase from a year ago.
The life science sector’s track record is proving one of the best with 67% of its stocks (16 out of 24) rating a “buy”. Out of the life science stocks, Wuxi PharmaTech (Cayman) Inc. Sponsored ADR (WX), Covance (CVD) and Illumina, Inc. (ILMN) are out front with A’s. Showing the most overall growth in its sector in the last 12 months, Wuxi PharmaTech (Cayman) Inc. Sponsored ADR is the top stock, with a 221.8% increase.
Louis Navellier’s proprietary Portfolio Grader stock ranking system assesses roughly 5,000 companies every week based on a number of fundamental and quantitative measures. Stocks are given a letter grade based on their results — with A being “strong buy,” and F being “strong sell.” Explore the tool here.
