This week, 5 Metals & Mining stocks are improving their overall ratings on Portfolio Grader. Each of these stocks is rated an “A” (“strong buy”) or “B” overall (“buy”).

Nucor Corporation (NUE) boosts its rating from a C to a B this week. Nucor Corporation products include carbon and alloy steel, steel joists, steel deck, cold finished steel, steel grinding balls, steel bearing products, and metal buildingsystems. The company also gets A’s in earnings growth, earnings revisions, and earnings momentum. For more information, get Portfolio Grader’s complete analysis of NUE stock.

Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc. Class A’s (SCHN) ratings are looking better this week, moving up to a B from last week’s C. Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc. Class A is a recycler of ferrous and nonferrous scrap metal, a recycler of used and salvaged vehicles and a manufacturer of finished steel products. The company also gets A’s in earnings revisions, earnings surprise, and earnings momentum. For more information, get Portfolio Grader’s complete analysis of SCHN stock.

Richmont Mines Inc. (RIC) gets a higher grade this week, advancing from a B last week to a A. Richmont Mines Inc. owns and operates the Francoeur, Beaufor and East Amphi mines located in Quebec, the Nugget Pond and Hammerdown mines in Newfoundland, and the Island Gold Mine in Ontario. The company also gets A’s in earnings momentum. For more information, get Portfolio Grader’s complete analysis of RIC stock.

Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. (CLF) improves from a B to a A rating this week. Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. is an international mining and natural resources company. The company also gets A’s in earnings revisions, earnings surprise, earnings momentum, and free cash flow. For more information, get Portfolio Grader’s complete analysis of CLF stock.

This week, Pershing Gold Corporation’s (PGLC) ratings are up from a C last week to a B. For more information, get Portfolio Grader’s complete analysis of PGLC stock.

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.