Increasingly, the Wall Street firms we cover are starting to agree that while the U.S. economy’s future is very bright, that future may be one of stock market gains much lower than the norm has been over the past 10 years. When that is the case, then investing strategies often shift from indexing to a more disciplined stock-picking routine. That’s when investors need solid growth ideas.
Jefferies highlights its top growth stocks to buy each week, and this week is no exception. While these companies are better suited for accounts that have a higher risk tolerance, they all make good sense for aggressive growth accounts and all have outstanding upside potential. These four look extremely good now.
Activision Blizzard
This remains a top video gaming pick on Wall Street and Jefferies is still very positive on the shares. Activision Blizzard Inc. (NASDAQ: ATVI) develops and publishes online, personal computer (PC), video game console, handheld, mobile and tablet games worldwide. The company develops and publishes interactive entertainment software products through retail channels or digital downloads and downloadable content to a range of gamers.
With its new Blackout mode, many analysts think “Black Ops 4” looks like the most exciting Call of Duty in years, and most are optimistic that Activision Blizzard will have a strong third and fourth quarter. The Jefferies report said this about the second-quarter results:
The company reported results ahead of consensus last week even in the seasonally slow second quarter. Third and fourth quarter guidance looks light but there are significant catalysts including expansions and a new Call of Duty. We believe the company could launch four mobile games in the next twelve months and they could contribute between $200 million and $500 million of incremental revenue upside. We raised our price target and note our earning over share estimates for 2018 and 2019 remain ahead of consensus.
Shareholders receive just a 0.51% dividend. The Jefferies price target is $96, and the Wall Street consensus target is $80.69. The stock traded at $69.75 Wednesday morning.
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Exact Sciences
This stock had been on fire but got hit hard recently. Exact Sciences Corp. (NASDAQ: EXAS) is a molecular diagnostics company focused on the early detection and prevention of the deadliest forms of cancer. It has commercialized a next-generation non-invasive colorectal cancer screening test, Cologuard, which received concomitant FDA approval and Medicare coverage in 2014 and is included in the colorectal cancer screening guidelines of the American Cancer Society, and stool DNA is included in the U.S. Multi-Society Task Force on Colorectal Cancer.
The stock is down 30% from highs posted in June and looks like a great buy at current levels. Jefferies noted this:
The Company reported last week and volumes disappointed. Management suggested that the compliance rate dropped off in June and that new orders tapered. We view the issues in the quarter as largely transitory and not related to demand. We highlight that the company re-accelerated new doctor adds in the quarter and signed several new Anthem/BCBS contracts since the quarter, allowing the company to go back to some non-compliant patients. We see an $18 billion total addressable market that is only 2-3% penetrated.
The Jefferies price objective remains at $60, and the consensus target is $61.20. Shares were trading at $50.10.
Neurocrine Biosciences
This biopharma company continues presenting data that have been very solid. Neurocrine Biosciences Inc. (NASDAQ: NBIX) is focused on developing and commercializing therapies for neurological and endocrine disorders. Its lead asset is Ingrezza, approved for the treatment of tardive dyskinesia and in development for the treatment of Tourette syndrome.
The company partnered with AbbVie on elagolix, in development for the treatment of endometriosis and uterine fibroids, and it is developing opicapone as an adjunct therapy for Parkinson’s disease.
Jefferies said this:
Ingrezza drove a $13 million beat versus our/consensus estimates. Results suggest some shortcomings from our recent doctor survey which had implied a soft second quarter for Ingrezza, as we conservatively modeled no 40 milligram capsule usage and note that community sites were underrepresented/not fully factored in.
Jefferies has a $131 price target. The consensus target is $129.44, and shares were trading at $117.10.
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Take-Two Interactive
This top video game producer has cashed in with some super-hot titles. Take-Two Interactive Software Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO) is a publisher and distributor of interactive software for gaming platforms from Sony and Microsoft and for the PC. The company is headquartered in New York, with development studios located around the world. Key franchises include Grand Theft Auto, Red Dead, Civilization, Borderlands, and Bioshock, as well as several licensed sports products such as NBA and WWE.
The launch of “Grand Theft Auto V” was a transformative event in the company’s history. Since launching in 2013, the Grand Theft Auto (GTA) franchise has sold over 95 million units, making it perhaps the all-time highest grossing and most profitable entertainment product for any form of media. Five years after launch, the GTA franchise accounted for nearly 40% of the company’s fiscal 2018 revenue, proving these major franchises can deliver long, high-margin revenue tails.
Jefferies commented on the solid earnings report:
Company reported better than expected results last week and raised full year guidance owing to GTA online, NBA 2K18 and GTA V. Despite intense competition for the holidays, we view Take Two’s Red Dead Redemption 2 as a likely hit with a high margin revenue tail. We’d own the stock ahead of the release.
The $145 Jefferies price target compares with the consensus target of $137.20. Shares traded at $121.55.
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Four top growth stocks to consider that could be great trades for the balance of 2018 and good holds into the coming years as they all stand to have continued revenue growth and are solid players in their respective sectors.
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