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7 Best Mid-Cap Stocks to Buy Now

By U.S. News & World Report

These great stocks are under the radar.

Where can you find the best mid-cap stocks to buy? Everyone knows where to find blue-chip companies that can help you sleep well at night: Just take a gander at the Dow 30. But what if you want a little excitement in your portfolio? And not just excitement — but the opportunity to see your holdings grow a little faster than, say, Procter & Gamble (ticker: PG) can? If at the same time you don’t want to throw caution to the wind and take an all-out flier, mid-cap stocks — worth between $2 billion and $10 billion — are the perfect solution.

Take Two Interactive Software (TTWO)

Shares of video game developer Take-Two Interactive, best known as the studio behind the “Grand Theft Auto” franchise, have been on an absolute run in 2017, but given the bullish megatrend in gaming, TTWO could still be considered one of the best stocks to buy. A recent National Bureau of Economic Research study even questions whether video games are responsible for materially reducing the labor supply. Trading at 19 times earnings, revenue is expected to grow by 44 percent between fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2019 to more than $2.5 billion. With other blockbuster franchises like “Red Dead Redemption” and “Mafia” to its name, TTWO is in good shape.

National Beverage Corp. (FIZZ)

You might not think that the company behind brands like Faygo and Rip It energy drinks would be worthy of inclusion on a “best stocks” list, but here it is. Rest assured, it’s not actually Faygo that makes FIZZ stock so compelling. It’s another one of the company’s brands, LaCroix. The zero-calorie sparkling water has helped spark some much-needed growth; revenue fell 3 percent in 2014 but is expected to grow by 17 percent in 2017. While FIZZ stock has also risen with LaCroix’s success, it’s still attractive. Best case scenario? Coca-Cola Co. (KO) or PepsiCo (PEP) decides to buy them out.

PRA Health Sciences (PRAH)

This company has a great business: It manages clinical trials for other biotech and pharmaceutical companies. It’s been going strong since its founding in 1976 but only went public in late 2014 — at which point it began a steady, remarkable 270-percent rally. As with all mid-cap stocks, there’s some risk of volatility, but the fundamentals of this business are quite good, with earnings per share up 26 percent in 2016 and expected to grow another 25 percent this year. Analysts like this company, with BofA/MerrillLynch initiating PRAH in late June with an “outperform” rating and an $89 price target.

Stamps.com (STMP)

Mailing and shipping services empire Stamps.com has been on a long-term growth trajectory that would make almost any company jealous, and that has made many shareholders rich. In the last 10 years, STMP shares have risen more than tenfold as a flurry of small businesses, consumers, e-commerce merchants and warehouse shippers have taken to the web to print postage and streamline shipping operations. While some e-commerce stocks like Amazon.com (AMZN) and Shopify (SHOP) have also rocketed in recent years, STMP remains a nice under-the-radar play on web shopping.

Dave & Buster’s Entertainment (PLAY)

Dave & Buster’s has found a niche, and it’s a profitable one. Shares of the arcade-themed restaurant chain are up more than 270 percent since its hyped IPO in 2014, a rally that includes a 35 percent uptick in the last year. It’s the niche that PLAY occupies that has made it such a standout and still makes it one of the best mid-cap stocks to buy today. With revenue expected to grow 17 percent this year and 11 percent next year, PLAY stock is still able to grow at a time when many restaurants are struggling, with its emphasis on video games giving it a source of stability and differentiation.

J2 Global (JCOM)

While you might not have heard of this $4 billion internet services company, you’ve certainly heard of some its major brands. Its digital media business includes sites like Askmen.com, IGN and PCMag.com. Still, most of JCOM’s revenue comes from its business cloud services segment, which provides highly demanded services like online backup, email security, customer relationship management and on-demand voice communications. Expected to grow revenue by 31 percent in fiscal 2017, J2 trades at just 13 times forward earnings and pays a 1.8 percent dividend.

Match Group (MTCH)

Online dating is here to stay — which by extension means Match Group is here to stay, too. MTCH is easily the best pure-play online dating stock to buy on Wall Street, with a portfolio of brands, websites and apps that have, over time, helped to define the market itself. Match.com, PlentyOfFish, OkCupid, BlackPeopleMeet and yes, Tinder itself, all operate under the Match Group umbrella. Revenue growth is solid, clocking in at 15 percent in the first quarter, driven by 30 percent growth in international revenue. With only a handful of analysts covering the company, this stock is a diamond in the rough.

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7 Best Mid-Cap Stocks to Buy Now originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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