3 Stocks That Blew the Market Away

• Email
• Share
• Print

Why settle for ordinary quarterly reports?

I believe that the biggest factor in a stock's ability to beat the market is to beat the market's expectations. That's why I look every week at three companies that have humbled Wall Street's pros over the past few trading days. If a company has more in the tank than the analysts figured, capital appreciation often follows.

We can start with Constellation Brands (NYSE: STZ). The country's largest winemaker stomped profit targets the same way it does grapes, by earning $0.54 a share in its latest quarter. Analysts were raising their glasses to a mere $0.41 per share in net income. Even with oenophiles trading down to cheaper, lower-margin wines in this crummy economy, Constellation is still finding a way to stay a step ahead of the pros.

Global Payments (NYSE: GPN) also charged in front of Wall Street. The financial-transactions processor earned $0.71 a share in its fiscal first quarter, fueled by gains in its overseas merchant-services business.

Global Payments' bottom line was flat with last year's showing, but $0.65 a share was Mr. Market's guesstimate. Whether we're talking about Western Union (NYSE: WU) or credit card giants MasterCard (NYSE: MA) and Visa (NYSE: V), there is clearly demand for transaction enablers in all economic climates.

Finally, we have Jabil Circuit (NYSE: JBL) checking in a winner. The circuit-board specialist rang up $0.16 a share in core earnings, twice the $0.08 per share that company watchers were looking for.

So keep watching the companies that surpass expectations. Over time, doing so will be a rewarding experience for investors, since the market rewards the overachievers. That's the kind of surprise we look for in the Motley Fool Rule Breakers newsletter service. Want in? Check out a 30-day trial subscription.

Either way, come back next Monday to learn about more stocks that blew the market away.