Why KB Home (KBH), Herbalife Ltd. (HLF) and Ctrip.com International, Ltd. (ADR) (CTRP) are 3 of Today’s Best Stocks

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U.S. markets shrugged off Thursday’s decline to celebrate the arrival of spring in a big way today, even as the Northeast prepared for yet another snowstorm. There was further weakening in the U.S. dollar, and a lifting of commodities and oil prices was another positive for the markets.

Why KB Home (KBH), Herbalife Ltd. (HLF) and Ctrip.com International, Ltd. (ADR) (CTRP) are 3 of Today's Best StocksTraders were still giddy about the Federal Reserve’s actions this week.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose nearly 1%, while the S&P 500 climbed 0.9%, and the Nasdaq Composite gained 0.7%. Sectors were all broadly higher, and basic materials and energy stocks were quite strong today.

There were several earnings surprises and a dismissed lawsuit, which is why KB Home (NYSE:KBH), Herbalife Ltd. (NYSE:HLF) and Ctrip.com International, Ltd. (ADR) (NASDAQ:CTRP) are three of today’s best stocks.

KB Home (KBH)

KBH stock gapped up 8.4% on 19.4 million shares after posting first-quarter earnings of $7.8 million, or 8 cents a share, beating analysts’ estimates of 2 cents a share. Revenue rose 29% year-over-year to $580.1 million, ahead of the estimates for $477 million.

Additionally, new orders climbed 24% from a year ago, and the average sales price was 8% higher to $329,500. Backlog revenue was up 30% as well.

KBH stock has lagged well behind other stocks this year, but has bounced back nicely over the past week.

Herbalife Ltd. (HLF)

HLF stock has also seen new life lately, and soared 11% today after a lawsuit filed by activist investor Bill Ackman that accused the company of improper marketing practices was dismissed by a U.S. district court.

Judge Dale Fischer ruled that there was insufficient proof to show fraudulent activities were conducted by Herbalife, and that therefore shareholders could not claim share price losses due to illegal practices.

Last week, media reports surfaced that the FBI was investigating allegations of stock manipulation and are interviewing Ackman’s associates.

Ackman said today that the dismissal of the suit does not “exonerate or bless Herbalife’s business practices.”  Perhaps not, but it sure did put a crimp in Ackman’s well-publicized $1 billion short position against HLF stock.

Ctrip.com International, Ltd. (ADR) (CTRP)

CTRP stock soared higher by nearly 25% after reporting  a net loss of 11 cents per share for the fourth-quarter, but besting the Street view of a loss of 28 cents per share. In addition, revenue for the Chinese online travel company was up 33% to $308 million, about $4 million higher than the estimates.

Ctrip also said that first-quarter sales will grow some 50% to approximately $390 million, which also took analysts by surprise. Tourism revenue continues to be strong, even as the Chinese economy is showing signs of slowing.

It was the largest one-day gain for CTRP stock since May 2013.

As of this writing, Ethan Roberts does not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities.

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Article printed from InvestorPlace Media, https://investorplace.com/2015/03/kb-home-kbh-herbalife-ltd-hlf-ctrip-com-international-ltd-adr-ctrp-3-todays-best-stocks/.

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