The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: NuVasive, Apogee Enterprises, Burlington Stores, Newfield Exploration and Saratoga Investment

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – July 15, 2016 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include NuVasive, Inc. NUVA, Apogee Enterprises, Inc. APOG, Burlington Stores, Inc. BURL, Newfield Exploration Co. NFX and Saratoga Investment Corp. SAR.

Today, Zacks is promoting its ''Buy'' stock recommendations. Get #1Stock of the Day pick for free.

Here are highlights from Thursday's Analyst Blog:

5 Momentum Picks That Brokers Love

Given a series of external forces that kept the U.S. economy in doldrums over the recent past, the market was eagerly waiting for some kind of impetus to push the economy uphill. And it came in the form of a sharp rebound in the U.S. jobs market. The June jobs report last Friday sent most of the indices skyward.

According to a CNBC news, "The U.S. economy added a better-than-expected 287,000 jobs last month, well up from the 11,000 in May, in a sign it had regained speed after a brief lull."

Bullish Jobs Report Sends Markets Soaring

This had a tonic effect on the stock market with the Dow Jones industrial average rising to a record high at the close of the Jun 12 session. Although NASDAQ is still lagging at this moment, the S&P 500 index that was too fragile to show any strong signs of gain over the past one year, is finally on a new high. At yesterday's close, this index was trading at 2,152. Notably, apart from its previous day's close, the S&P 500 index has failed to breach the 2,130 level since mid-May 2015.

Are We Cheering Just a Little Too Early?

It seems like the market has completely put behind it the plunge suffered from the shocking Brexit vote. However, one cannot expect this single factor – the June jobs report – to overpower all other recent commotions the U.S. market has been subject to, including the Fed's interest rate concerns, low oil prices, sluggish emerging market scenario and upcoming political game changing factors.

Though the Brexit effect seems to be fading away, we are on the cusp of a lackluster second-quarter earnings season with the bottom line expected to decline by 6.2%.

At this point when there is a lack of clarity about the direction of the market and when sustainable development is still a matter of question, the ideal investment strategy is to go for momentum stocks. In other words, when the market sentiment is erratic, it's best to forget about long-term growth and value investing. Instead, the emphasis should be on short-term gains driven by favorable movement in the stock price and possibilities of a further rise in the days ahead. In a nutshell, don't hold the stock, get in, make profit and get out is the mantra.

In fact it will be a wiser decision if you pick those momentum stocks which are also strongly preferred by most of its covering analysts.

5 Solid Momentum Picks

We have the Momentum Style Score and a favorable Zacks Rank as our fundamental screening criteria. We note that stocks with a Momentum Style Score of 'A' or 'B,' when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy), have good prospects. To make this screening more accurate, we have only selected those stocks which were recommended as Strong Buy or Buy by more than 80% of the brokers covering the stocks.

NuVasive, Inc. (NUVA), headquartered in San Diego, CA, is one of the leading global medical device companies in the global spine market, focused on developing minimally-disruptive surgical products and procedurally-integrated solutions for the spine. The company holds a Zacks Rank #1 which was recommended by more than 85% of the brokers covering the stock. Besides, it has a Momentum Style Score of A. Being a strong momentum stock, the company's price has appreciated by 13.5% year to date (YTD).

Apogee Enterprises, Inc. (APOG) is a developer of glass solutions for enclosing commercial buildings and framing art in the U.S. The stock too carries a Zacks Rank #1, a Momentum Score of A and, most impressively, a clean sheet of Strong Buy ratings from all brokers covering the stock. The company's stock price has rallied 8.9% YTD.

Burlington Stores, Inc. (BURL) is a retailer of branded apparel products in the U.S. The company carries a Zacks Rank #2 and a Momentum Score of A, making it a favorable pick. The company boasts a 55.6% price appreciation YTD.

Newfield Exploration Co. (NFX) based in Woodlands, TX, is an independent energy company engaged in the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas. The company holds a Zacks Rank #2 coupled with a Momentum Score of A. The company has seen a 37% price appreciation YTD which makes it an attractive investment option. We are also encouraged by the fact that more than 91% of the brokers covering the stock have recommended a Buy for it.

Saratoga Investment Corp. (SAR) is a business development company based in New York. The company carries a Zacks Rank #1, recommended by 100% of the brokers covering the stock, and also a Momentum Score of A, making it a favorable pick. The company boasts an 11.9% price appreciation YTD.

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Today, Zacks is promoting its ''Buy'' stock recommendations. Get #1Stock of the Day pick for free.

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Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.


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NUVASIVE INC NUVA: Free Stock Analysis Report
 
APOGEE ENTRPRS APOG: Free Stock Analysis Report
 
BURLINGTON STRS BURL: Free Stock Analysis Report
 
NEWFIELD EXPL NFX: Free Stock Analysis Report
 
SARATOGA INVEST SAR: Free Stock Analysis Report
 
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