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Earnings growth and valuation multiples are indeed important for investors to determine a stock's ability to offer considerable returns but it is imperative that you determine whether or not an investment has relevant upside potential when considering stocks with significant relative price strength and…whether analysts are optimistic about the upcoming earnings results of these companies. This article analyzes 5 of the 9 stocks that met our screening parameters.

This version of the original article by Nilanjan Choudhury has been edited for length (…) and clarity ([ ]) by munKNEE.com to provide a fast & easy read

These are also essential in determining whether a stock's price performance is better than its peers or the industry average. If the stock's performance is lacking that of the broader groups despite impressive earnings growth or valuation multiples, then something must be wrong. It's always advisable to stay away from these stocks and bet on those that are outperforming their respective industries or benchmarks. This is because betting on a winner always increases the odds of winning.

Then again, it is imperative that you determine whether or not an investment has relevant upside potential when considering stocks with significant relative price strength. Stocks delivering better than the S&P 500 over a period of 1 to 3 months at the least and having solid fundamentals indicate room for growth and are the best ways to go about this strategy.

Finally, it is important to find out whether analysts are optimistic about the upcoming earnings results of these companies. In order to do this, we have added positive estimate revisions for the current quarter's (Q1) earnings to our screen. When a stock undergoes an upward revision, it leads to additional price gains.

1. Domtar Corp. (UFS) : A manufacturer and distributer of fiber-based products including communication papers, specialty and packaging papers and adult incontinence products, Domtar has a VGM Score of A. Over 30 days, the Fort Mill, SC-based company has seen the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2018 and 2019 increase 10.4% and 6.5%, to $3.62 and $3.77 per share, respectively.

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2. Expedia Group, Inc. (EXPE): Expedia Group is one of the largest online travel companies in the world focusing on travel planning, travel purchases, and travel experience sharing. The 2018 Zacks Consensus Estimate for this Bellevue, WA-based company is $5.19, representing some 20.7% earnings per share growth over 2017. Next year's average forecast is $5.98, pointing to another 15.2% growth. Expedia Group has a VGM Score of B.

3. Whiting Petroleum Corp. (WLL): Whiting Petroleum, headquartered in Denver, CO, is an independent energy company engaged in the exploration, development, and production of crude oil and natural gas properties in the United States. The firm has a VGM Score of B and an excellent earnings surprise history. It has a 100% track of outperforming estimates over the last four quarters at an average rate of 100.08%.

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4. WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (WCG): WellCare Health Plans offers government-sponsored managed care services ? Medicaid, Medicare Advantage and Medicare PDP ? to eligible families and individuals. Sporting a VGM Score of A, this Tampa, FL-headquartered company's expected EPS growth rate for three to five years currently stands at 14.60%, comparing favorably with the industry's growth rate of 13.20%.

5. ConocoPhillips (COP): Founded in 1875 and headquartered in Houston, TX, ConocoPhillips is a major global oil and gas exploration and production company with operations and activities in 17 countries. The company has a VGM Score of A and an enviable earnings surprise history. It surpassed estimates in three of the last four quarters.

This article identifies the 10 lowest PEmg (price/normalized earnings) companies reviewed by ModernGraham. Each company has been determined to be undervalued or fairly valued and suitable for the Defensive Investor according to the ModernGraham approach.

2. Price-to-Book Ratio Valuations: 6 Stocks That Met Our Screening Parameters

Value investing offers an opportunity to enter the market and grab stocks that have otherwise been overlooked by the majority of investors and are thus trading at cheap multiples. Although price to earnings (P/E) and price to sales (P/S) valuation tools are more commonly used for stock selection, the price-to-book ratio (P/B ratio) is also an easy-to-use metric for identifying bargain stocks with high-growth prospects. This article identifies 6 of the 10 stocks that met or surpassed our screening parameters.

3. 7 GARP Stocks Offering Solid Returns In the Near Term

A Growth At a Reasonable Price (GARP) strategy helps investors gain exposure to stocks that have impressive prospects and are trading at a discount. Using the GARP principle, we have run a screen to identify 7 stocks that are likely to offer solid returns in the near term.

4. Best 4 Defensive Stock Sectors & Best Stock In Each

Morgan Stanley has been busy recently. A team of over 30 analysts has just put together a list of the best defensive sectors, based on almost 25 years of market data. This article delves into four sector stock picks highlighted by the firm - stocks that can still deliver even in times of volatility or slowing returns - and why these four stocks also have the backing of the Street in general. Let's take a closer look now.

5. Expect 15% ? 28% Annual Returns From These 10 Dividend Achievers

Investors looking for high-quality businesses should consider dividend growth stocks. The beauty of strong dividend growth companies is that they pay their investors rising streams of dividend income, regardless of the direction the market is going. This article will discuss the top 10 Dividend Achievers, ranked according to their expected returns.

6. These 5 Consumer Discretionary ETFs Should Benefit From Record High Consumer Confidence

The confidence level among Americans reached an all-time high in April, suggesting strong economic growth in the coming period…With rising consumer confidence it is expected that consumer discretionary ETFs will perform well. Investors who intend to benefit from this sector should focus on the ETFs mentioned below.

7. 5 Low Price-To-Book Value Stocks To Buy Now

In value analysis the underrated price-to-book ratio (P/B ratio) is an easy-to-use valuation tool for identifying low-priced stocks with exceptional returns. Here are 5 such stocks you should seriously consider buying now.

8. 4 Stocks With BIG Growth Prospects

Even in the current climate, savvy investors can still find promising stocks with big growth prospects…The stocks covered below all boast sales growth of over 20%, based on the Street's 2019 estimates. These are the stocks to turn to if GDP growth begins to slow.

9. These 5 Top Dividend Stocks All Share A ?Strong Buy' Rating

Dividend stocks are a…[great] way to ride out the choppy markets right now [and we have identified 5 such stocks that all] share a 'Strong Buy' rating from the Street using TipRanks' powerful stock screener so, without further ado, let's dive in and take a closer look at what the Street's top analysts are saying about these five stocks right now:

10. These 10 ?Graham Number? Stocks Should Be Great Investments

The following 10 companies have demonstrated strong financial positions through passing the rigorous requirements of the ModernGraham Investor and show potential for capital growth based on their current price in relation to intrinsic value. As such, these Graham Number stocks may be a great investment if they prove to be suitable for your portfolio after your own additional research.

11. The Solid Earnings Growth Of These 5 Stocks Should Result In Stupendous Returns

Earnings estimates embody analysts' opinions of factors such as sales growth, product demand, competitive industry environment, profit margins and cost control. Thus, earnings estimates serve as a valuable tool while taking investment decisions. Earnings estimates also help analysts assess the cash flow to determine the fair value of a firm.

12. Here Are the Top 5 ?Breakout? Stocks (out of an universe of 7,875)

Picking breakout stocks is one of the most favored methods for those utilizing an active investing approach since this strategy promises superlative returns. Using specific screening parameters Zacks identified 9 prospective candidates out of an universe of 7875 and this article highlights the top 5 stocks that meet their criteria.

This version of the original article by Nilanjan Choudhury has been edited for length (…) and clarity ([ ]) by munKNEE.com to provide a fast & easy read