Great investing opportunities exist everywhere in the stock market. But how do you find them?
Tracey Ryniec, Stock Strategist at Zacks Investment Research, discusses two hidden gems that might be worth a closer look at by investors: Argan Inc. (NYSE:AGX) and Bob Evans Farms, Inc. (NASDAQ:BOBE) .
Hidden gems are stocks that are followed only by a handful of Wall Street analysts and which the rest of the stock market doesn’t pay much attention to but they should because their fundamentals are strong.
Only 2 analysts follow Argan, a small cap holding company of 4 subsidiaries that provide services to the power industry including engineering and construction of power plants. One of those subsidiaries is Southern Maryland Cable, which provides telecommunication infrastructure.
Its second and third quarters last year were the first and second best quarters in the company’s history. In the third quarter, it paid out a $1.00 special dividend to shareholders.
Bob Evans Farms isn’t well known even though it has 522 restaurants in 18 states. It also operates BEF Foods, its convenience food side dish, pork sausage and frozen food business.
The restaurants have struggled in recent years but the company instituted a new menu in September of 2016 which should help. Same store sales are in the rise in numerous states. Its frozen food business continues to be strong, however, as profits rose 6% in the third quarter.
Analysts have been raising 2017 estimates for both companies. Both are Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks.
But what else should investors take away from these two companies? Watch our short video below to learn more about these hidden gems.
Zacks' Top 10 Stocks for 2017
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ARGAN INC (AGX): Free Stock Analysis Report
BOB EVANS FARMS (BOBE): Free Stock Analysis Report
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Zacks Investment Research