Buy These 3 Stocks On Today's Strong Gains

The New Year has been dominated by cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology, with unlikely companies such as Kodak (NYSE:KODK) jumping on the bandwagon after announcing its new KODAKCoin and KODAKOne platform.

Just ten days into 2018, retail powers have also fared well. Many retailers reported solid holiday shopping results, which helped lift shares of major U.S. chains including Sears (NASDAQ:SHLD) , Macy’s (NYSE:M) , Kohl’s (NYSE:KSS) and Target (NYSE:TGT) (also read: Why Retail Stocks Like Sears, Macy's & Kohl's Are Surging).

With that said, other companies outside of these trendy industries have also performed well. Let’s take a look at three surging stocks that are worth considering right now:

1. SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:SSNC)

This investment and financial management technology firm, which focuses on software and related services, saw its stock price soar over 11.50% on Wednesday to hit a new 52-week high of $47.12 per share. SS&C Technologies’ climb comes after reports surfaced that the company is in advanced talks to buy DST Systems Inc (NYSE:DST) for about $84 per share in cash. According to Reuters, a potential deal could be announced as early as this week.

SS&C is currently a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). The firm is also currently trading at a respectable 19.23x earnings, which marks a major discount compared to the “Computer - Software” industry average.On top of that, SS&C’s cash flow growth rate of 42.54% crushes its industry’s average and could help facilitate moves such as the company’s current DST acquisition talks. Looking ahead, the company’s full-year 2017 earnings are projected to jump 17.68% and hit $1.93 per share, based on our current Zacks Consensus Estimates.

2. Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (NASDAQ:ISRG)

Intuitive Surgical stock hit a new 52-week high of $425.71 per share after the company saw its stock price pop over 6% on Wednesday. The movement comes after the robotic-assisted surgical equipment firm announced strong preliminary fourth quarter and full-year 2017 results. Intuitive now expects to post Q4 revenues of $892 million, which would mark an 18% year-over-year jump.

The company is currently a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) and earned a “B” grade for Growth in our Style Scores system. Our current Zacks Consensus Estimates call for Intuitive’s 2017 earnings to hit $8.71 per share, which would mark a nearly 17% climb from the year-ago period. On top of that, the company’s current cash flow growth rate of 19.82% crushes the “Medical – Instruments” industry’s 4.32% average and could help Intuitive continue to innovate going forward.

3. Brighthouse Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ:BHF)

This provider of annuities and life insurance established by MetLife (NYSE:MET) saw its stock price jump over 4.50%. Brighthouse’s climb comes just days after MetLife announced the launch of two insurance-based investment companies for start-up companies: MetLife Digital Ventures and MetLife Digital Accelerator.

Brighthouse is currently a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) and rocks an overall “A” VGM score, supported by an “A” grade for Value and “B” grades for Growth and Momentum in our Style Scores system. The company is currently trading at 6.41x earnings, which is almost a 50% discount compared to its industry’s average. On top of that, Brighthouse’s 0.53 P/B ratio falls well below the “Insurance – Life Insurance” industry average. Looking ahead to 2018, the company’s full-year EPS is projected to skyrocket 538% to reach $9.63 per share, based on current Zacks Consensus Estimates.

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