Best Performing Stocks To Watch Right Now


MDU Resources Group, Inc.’s (MDU Quick QuoteMDU ) two-platform business model, strategic acquisitions, capital investments in the electric and natural gas utility, and an increasing backlog are helping the utility fortify its existing operations. Also, the company has enough liquidity to meet its near-term obligations.

Shares of the presently Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) company have gained 30.6%, outperforming the industry’s rally of 20.9% in the past year. The utility’s long-term (three to five years) earnings growth rate is pegged at 6.94%.

One-Year Price Performance

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What’s Boosting the Stock?

MDU Resources’ two-platform business structure comprising the regulated energy delivery arm, and the construction materials and services unit includes different operating segments. This strategy supports in balancing out the industry-related seasonality risks that erode demand.


After spending $648 million in 2020, the utility spent $283.2 million in the first half of 2021. However, it reduced its investment plans to $806 million from $810.5 million in the ongoing year. It aims to spend $3,027 million during the 2021-2025 forecast period, which will increase the reliability of its services and enable it to cater to a growing customer base, effectively. The company expects its rate base to see a 5% CAGR over the next five years.

At the end of the June quarter, backlog for construction materials stood at $912 million while that of the construction services business was $1.32 billion. In the first quarter of 2021, the construction materials business acquired Mt. Hood Rock to expand its aggregates operation in Portland and also got the permission to extend its activities at a Texas aggregate quarry.


As of Jun 30, 2021, the utility had cash and cash equivalents worth $58 million and an available borrowing capacity of $611.8 million under its outstanding credit facilities. This shows that the company currently has sufficient liquidity to meet its near-term debt obligations.

Best Performing Stocks To Watch Right Now: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd (MHVYF)

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. is a diversified manufacturer. The Energy and Environment segment offers boilers, turbines, gas turbines, diesel engines, water wheels, windmills, nuclear power equipments, nuclear power peripheral devices, among others. The Traffic and Transportation segment offers various ships, including cruise ships, liquefied natural gas (LNG) ships, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) ships, car ferry, special purpose vessels, automobile carriers, oil tankers, container ships and others, as well as marine structures, among others. The Defense and Space segment offers ships, fighters, helicopters, aircraft fuselage parts, defense aircraft engines, induction flying objects, torpedoes, among others. The Machinery and Equipment systems segment offers waste treatment and exhaust gas treatment equipments, transportation equipments, steel machinery, compressors, bridges, among others. As of March 31, 2014, the Company had 290 subsidiaries and 39 associated companies. Advisors’ Opinion:

  • [By SEEKINGALPHA.COM]

    Major foreign competitors today now include the French firm Areva (OTCPK:ARVCF) and the Japanese firm Mitsubishi Heavy Industry (OTCPK:MHVYF). This is not a complete list but a focus on major players.

Best Performing Stocks To Watch Right Now: Durect Corporation(DRRX)

DURECT Corporation, a specialty pharmaceutical company, develops pharmaceutical products and therapies based on its proprietary drug formulations and delivery platform technologies. The company sells ALZET osmotic pumps for animal research use; LACTEL biodegradable polymers, which are used as raw materials in pharmaceutical and medical products; and excipients for pharmaceutical and medical device clients for use as raw materials in their products. Its product pipeline consists of Remoxy, an oral oxycodone gelatin capsule for the treatment of chronic pain under approval stage with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration; POSIDUR, a Phase III clinical stage sustained-release formulation of bupivacaine for the treatment of post-surgical pain; ELADUR, a Phase II clinical stage transdermal bupivacaine patch intended to provide continuous delivery of bupivacaine for up to three days from a single application for pain; and TRANSDUR, a Phase II clinical stage transdermal sufentanil patch intended to provide continuous delivery of sufentanil for up to seven days from a single application for chronic pain. The company?s Phase II clinical stage products comprise ORADUR-based opioid for the treatment of pain; and ORADUR-ADHD for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. It also conducts various research programs covering diseases and medical conditions of the central nervous system, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. The company has strategic agreement with Hospira, Inc.; Alpharma Ireland Limited; Nycomed Danmark ApS; Pain Therapeutics, Inc.; Pfizer Inc; Endo Pharmaceuticals Inc.; and EpiCept Corporation. DURECT Corporation was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in Cupertino, California.


Advisors’ Opinion:

  • [By ]

    Get a free copy of the Zacks research report on DURECT (DRRX)

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  • [By Max Byerly]

    DURECT (NASDAQ:DRRX) and Shiseido (OTCMKTS:SSDOY) are both medical companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their profitability, dividends, earnings, risk, analyst recommendations, valuation and institutional ownership.

  • [By Shane Hupp]

    Get a free copy of the Zacks research report on DURECT (DRRX)

    For more information about research offerings from Zacks Investment Research, visit Zacks.com

  • [By Logan Wallace]

    Get a free copy of the Zacks research report on DURECT (DRRX)

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Best Performing Stocks To Watch Right Now: Intersil Corporation(ISIL)

Intersil Corporation designs and develops power management and precision analog integrated circuits (ICs) for applications in the infrastructure, industrial, automotive, military, aerospace, computing, and consumer markets. The company offers various power IC solutions for battery management, processor power management, and display power management, including power regulators, converters, and controllers, as well as integrated power modules. It also provides precision analog components, such as amplifiers and buffers, proximity and light sensors, data converters, optoelectronics, video decoders, and interface products. The company markets its products through direct sales force and a network of distributors to original equipment manufacturers, original design manufacturers, and contract manufacturers primarily in China, the United States, South Korea, Japan, Germany, Singapore, and Taiwan. Intersil Corporation was founded in 1967 and is headquartered in Milpitas, California.

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