Stocks With High Business Predictability Ratings

Gurus are buying these high-quality stocks

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Jul 13, 2017
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According to GuruFocus’ All-In-One Screener, the following stocks have high business predictability ratings and positive total returns since the beginning of the year.

IDEXX Laboratories Inc. (IDXX)

The company develops, manufactures and distributes products and provides services for the companion animal veterinary, livestock and poultry, dairy and water testing markets.

GuruFocus gives the company a business predictability rating of 5 out of 5 stars. The stock has risen by 40.4% year to date.

The stock is trading with a price-earnings (P/E) ratio of 60.97. The price has been as high as $173.01 and as low as $153.24 over the last 52 weeks. It is 4.84% below its 52-week high and 7.43% above its 52-week low. According to the DCF calculator, the stock is overpriced by 253% at $164.63.

Six hedge funds hold the company for a total of 5.9 million shares. Ron Baron (Trades, Portfolio) is the largest shareholder among the gurus with 5.75% of outstanding shares followed by Jim Simons (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.11%, Chuck Royce (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.36%, Columbia Wanger (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.19%, Ruane Cunniff (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.03% and Mairs and Power (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.01%.

International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF)

It is engaged in manufacturing and supplying of flavors and fragrances for the food, beverage, personal care and household products industries either in the form of compounds or individual ingredients.

GuruFocus gives the company a business predictability rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars. The stock has risen by 14.4% year to date.

The stock is trading with a P/E ratio of 26.55. The price has been as high as $143.64 and as low as $113.16 the last 52 weeks. It is 7.02% below its 52-week high and 18.03% above its 52-week low. According to the DCF calculator, the stock is overpriced by 101% at $133.56.

Three gurus are holding a total of 943,207 shares. The largest shareholder among the gurus is Pioneer Investments (Trades, Portfolio) with 1.21% of outstanding shares followed by Mario Gabelli (Trades, Portfolio) with 1.18%, MS Global Franchise Fund (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.13% and Murray Stahl (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.01%.

IPG Photonics Corp. (IPGP)

It is a developer and manufacturer of fiber lasers and amplifiers for diverse applications in numerous markets. The company sells its products globally to OEMs, system integrators and end users in a wide range of diverse markets.

GuruFocus gives the company a business predictability rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars. The stock has risen by 53.7% year to date.

The stock is trading with a P/E ratio of 28.51. The price has been as high as $153.43 and as low as $80.52 the last 52 weeks. It is 1.10% below its 52-week high and 88.45% above its 52-week low.

Six gurus are holding a total of 1.4 million shares. Royce is the company's largest shareholder among the gurus with 1.2% of outstanding shares followed by Columbia Wanger with 1.17%, Pioneer Investments with 0.47%, Simons with 0.3%, Robert Olstein (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.13%, Frank Sands (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.07% and Joel Greenblatt (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.01%.

Gartner Inc. Class AĂ‚ (IT)

It is an information technology research and advisory company. It offers services to business leaders in high-tech and telecom enterprises and professional services firms, to supply chain professionals and technology investors.

GuruFocus gives the company a business predictability rating of 4 out of 5 stars. The stock has risen by 25.7% year to date.

The stock is trading with a P/E ratio of 59.07. The price has been as high as $128.29 and as low as $84.54 the last 52 weeks. It is 1.01% below its 52-week high and 50.22% above its 52-week low. According to the DCF calculator, the stock is overpriced by 163% at $127.

Three gurus are holding a total of 7.7 million shares. The company’s largest shareholder among the gurus is Baron with 7.74% of outstanding shares followed by Columbia Wanger with 0.49%, Simons with 0.45%, Royce with 0.29%, Steven Cohen (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.22% and Louis Moore Bacon (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.16%.

Itau Unibanco Holding SA ADRĂ‚ (ITUB)

The company operates through banks. Its services comprise of investment banking, credit card, financing, leasing and foreign trade financing.

GuruFocus gives the company a business predictability rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars. The stock has risen by 15.7% year to date.

The stock is trading with a P/E ratio of 9.90. According to the DCF calculator, the stock is undervalued with a margin of safety of 21% at $11.61.

Five gurus are holding a total of 18.7 million shares. Howard Marks (Trades, Portfolio) is the company's largest shareholder among the gurus with 0.12% of outstanding shares followed by Dodge & Cox with 0.09%, Simons with 0.04%, Jeremy Grantham (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.01% and Ken Heebner (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.01%.

Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings (LH)

It is a health care diagnostics company. It is engaged in providing comprehensive clinical laboratory and end-to-end drug development services.

GuruFocus gives the company a business predictability rating of 5 out of 5 stars. The stock has risen by 18.8% year to date.

The stock is trading with a P/E ratio of 21.09. The price has been as high as $154.82 and as low as $119.51 the last 52 weeks. It is 1.53% below its 52-week high and 27.56% above its 52-week low. According to the DCF calculator, the stock is overpriced by 91% at $152.45.

Ten gurus are holding a total of 2.3 million shares. The largest shareholder among the gurus is Larry Robbins (Trades, Portfolio) with 2.61% of outstanding shares followed by John Rogers (Trades, Portfolio) with 1.36%, Wallace Weitz (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.72%, Cohen with 0.21%, Simons with 0.18%, Greenblatt with 0.17% and Charles Brandes (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.1%.

LifePoint Health Inc. (LPNT)

It is a health care company. Through its subsidiaries it owns and operates community hospitals, regional health systems, physician practices, outpatient centers and post-acute facilities.

GuruFocus gives the company a business predictability rating of 4 out of 5 stars. The stock has risen by 14.3% year to date.

The stock is trading with a P/E ratio of 17.07. The price has been as high as $70.95 and as low as $50.60 the last 52 weeks. It is 8.46% below its 52-week high and 28.36% above its 52-week low. According to the DCF calculator, the stock is overpriced by 60% at $64.95.

Three gurus are holding a total of 2.4 million shares. Diamond Hill Capital (Trades, Portfolio) is the largest shareholder among the gurus with 4.11% of outstanding shares followed by Cohen with 1.71%, HOTCHKIS & WILEY with 1.16%, Vanguard Health Care Fund (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.84% and Paul Tudor Jones (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.01%.

Disclosure: I do not own any shares of any stocks mentioned in this article.