Zacks.com featured highlights include Private Bancorp of America, DXP Enterprises, Qifu Technology, Carriage Services and Universal Technical Institute

For Immediate ReleaseChicago, IL – December 26, 2024 – Stocks in this week’s article are Private Bancorp of America, Inc. PBAM, DXP Enterprises Inc. DXPE, Qifu Technology Inc. QFIN, Carriage Services Inc. CSV and Universal Technical Institute Inc. UTI.Buy 5 Stocks with Recent Price Strength Amid VolatilityU.S. stock markets have witnessed an impressive rally since the beginning of 2023 barring some minor hurdles. Year to date, the three major stock indexes — the Dow, the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite — have advanced 13.8%, 26%, and 33.9%, respectively.However, Wall Street is facing volatility in the second half of December. These disturbances occurred after the Fed indicated two rate cuts in 2025 instead of four expected in September. Consequently, a few stocks have shown price strength. We have primarily targeted stocks that have recently been on a bull run. Such stocks have a high chance of carrying the momentum forward.Five such stocks are — Private Bancorp of America, Inc., DXP Enterprises Inc., Qifu Technology Inc., Carriage Services Inc. and Universal Technical Institute Inc..If a stock is continuously witnessing an uptrend, there must be a solid reason or it would have probably crashed. So, looking at stocks capable of beating the benchmark that they have set for themselves seems rational.However, recent price strength alone cannot create magic. Therefore, other relevant parameters are needed to create a successful investment strategy.Here's how you should create the screen to shortlist the current as well as the potential winners.Let's discuss five out of these 5 stocks:Private Bancorp of America Inc. provides banking products and services to individuals and businesses in California. PBAM offers checking and savings, money market, certificate of deposit, sweep, zero balance, and individual retirement accounts, unsecured lines of credit, personal credit lines, and term loans, additional services, such as direct deposits, online banking, ATM and debit cards, credit cards, savings/line of credit overdraft protection, and safe deposit boxes, and certificate of deposit account registry services.The stock price of Private Bancorp of America has surged 15% in the past four weeks. The company has expected earnings growth of 5.6% for next year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for next-year earnings has improved 5.4% over the last 60 days.DXP Enterprises Inc. is a leading products and service distributor that adds value and total cost-savings solutions to industrial customers throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and Dubai.DXPE provides innovative pumping solutions, supply-chain services and maintenance, repair, operating and production (MROP). DXPE's breadth of MROP products and service solutions allows it to be flexible and customer-driven, creating competitive advantages for our customers. DXPE's business segments include Service Centers, Innovative Pumping Solutions and Supply Chain Services.The stock price of DXPE has appreciated 12% in the past four weeks. The company has expected earnings growth of 5.9% for next year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for next- year earnings has improved 11.7% over the last 30 days.Qifu Technology Inc. operates as a credit-tech platform under the 360 Jietiao brand in the People's Republic of China. QFIN provides credit-driven services that match borrowers with financial institutions to conduct customer acquisition, initial and credit screening, advanced risk assessment, credit assessment, fund matching, and other post-facilitation services and platform services. QFIN also offers e-commerce loans, enterprise loans, and invoice loans to SME owners. QFIN serves financial institutions, consumers, and small- and micro-enterprises.The stock price of Qifu Technology has advanced 10.6% in the past four weeks. The company has expected earnings growth of 12% for next year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for next- year earnings has improved 11.3% over the last 30 days.Carriage Services Inc. is a leading provider of death care services and products in the United States. CSV provides a complete range of services relating to funerals, burials and cremations, including the use of funeral homes and motor vehicles, the performance of cemetery interment services and the management and maintenance of cemetery grounds. CSV also sells related products and merchandise including caskets, burial vaults, garments, cemetery interment rights, stone and bronze memorials, as well as other items.The stock price of CSV has gained 2.3% in the past four weeks. The company has expected earnings growth of 12.9% for next year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for next-year earnings has improved 4.4% over the last 60 days.Universal Technical Institute Inc. provides transportation, skilled trades, and healthcare education programs in the United States. UTI operates in two segments, UTI and Concorde. UTI offers certificate, diploma, or degree programs under various brands, such as Universal Technical Institute, Motorcycle Mechanics Institute, Marine Mechanics Institute, NASCAR Technical Institute, and MIAT College of Technology.UTI also provides manufacturer-specific advanced training programs, including student-paid electives at its campuses, and manufacturer or dealer-sponsored training at various campuses and dedicated training centers. UTI serves students, partners and communities by providing education and support services in various fields.The stock price of Universal Technical Institute was up 0.2% in the past four weeks. It has an expected earnings growth rate of 29.3% for the current year (ending September 2025). The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 5.4% over the last 30 days.The Research Wizard is a great place to begin. It's easy to use. Everything is in plain language. And it's very intuitive. Start your Research Wizard trial today. And the next time you read an economic report, open up the Research Wizard, plug your finds in, and see what gems come out.Click here to sign up for a free trial to the Research Wizard today.For the rest of this Screen of the Week article please visit Zacks.com at: https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2387245/buy-5-stocks-with-recent-price-strength-amid-volatilityDisclosure: Officers, directors and/or employees of Zacks Investment Research may own or have sold short securities and/or hold long and/or short positions in options that are mentioned in this material. An affiliated investment advisory firm may own or have sold short securities and/or hold long and/or short positions in options that are mentioned in this material.About Screen of the WeekZacks.com created the first and best screening system on the web earning the distinction as the "#1 site for screening stocks" by Money Magazine.  But powerful screening tools is just the start. That is why Zacks created the Screen of the Week to highlight profitable stock picking strategies that investors can actively use.Strong Stocks that Should Be in the NewsMany are little publicized and fly under the Wall Street radar. They're virtually unknown to the general public. Yet today's 220 Zacks Rank #1 "Strong Buys" were generated by the stock-picking system that has more than doubled the market from 1988 through 2016. Its average gain has been a stellar +25% per year. See these high-potential stocks free >>.Follow us on Twitter:  https://www.twitter.com/zacksresearchJoin us on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/ZacksInvestmentResearchZacks Investment Research is under common control with affiliated entities (including a broker-dealer and an investment adviser), which may engage in transactions involving the foregoing securities for the clients of such affiliates.Contact: Jim GiaquintoCompany: Zacks.comPhone: 312-265-9268Email: pr@zacks.comVisit: https://www.zacks.com/Zacks.com provides investment resources and informs you of these resources, which you may choose to use in making your own investment decisions. Zacks is providing information on this resource to you subject to the Zacks "Terms and Conditions of Service" disclaimer. www.zacks.com/disclaimer.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/performancefor information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.Free: 5 Stocks to Buy As Infrastructure Spending SoarsTrillions of dollars in Federal funds have been earmarked to repair and upgrade America’s infrastructure. In addition to roads and bridges, this flood of cash will pour into AI data centers, renewable energy sources and more.In, you’ll discover 5 surprising stocks positioned to profit the most from the spending spree that’s just getting started in this space.Download How to Profit from the Trillion-Dollar Infrastructure Boom absolutely free today.Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Universal Technical Institute Inc (UTI): Free Stock Analysis Report DXP Enterprises, Inc. (DXPE): Free Stock Analysis Report Carriage Services, Inc. (CSV): Free Stock Analysis Report Qifu Technology, Inc. (QFIN): Free Stock Analysis Report Private Bancorp of America, Inc. (PBAM): Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment ResearchWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks