CTXS Citrix Systems Inc

OPNET Technologies, Inc. (OPNT) fought through another difficult trading session on Monday to finish as the top-performing Zacks #1 Rank stock.

A 3.61% gain was all that was needed to top the list today as the Dow declined by 0.5%, while the NASDAQ and S&P 500 each moved lower by more than 1%.

Volume for OPNT was more than 172,000 shares, compared to the daily average of around 137,000.

OPNT is a leading provider of application and network performance management solutions. It is part of the computer software industry. There are 2 other names from this space on today's Zacks #1 Rank List: Avid Technology, Inc. (AVID) and Citrix Systems, Inc. (CTXS).

Earnings estimates for this fiscal year and next have moved up in the past 30 days, though there are only 2 total estimates for each period. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the fiscal year ending March 2012 is 96 cents per share, which is up 4.3% in the past month.

As for the fiscal year ending March 2013, the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.23 per share has appreciated by nearly 8% in the past 30 days. Furthermore, the guidance suggests year-over-year profit growth of approximately 28%.

There was no big news out of OPNT today, but it was only last month that the company announced a solid fiscal fourth-quarter report, which was the catalyst for the raised earnings estimates.

OPNET Technologies reported earnings per share of 19 cents, which was a penny better than the Zacks Consensus Estimate. The positive surprise came to 5.56%; the third straight quarter with better-than-expected results. Revenue moved higher year over year to $41.1 million from $34.4 million.

The quarter's performance was attributed to the company's "success in addressing the multi-billion dollar application performance management (APM) market".

OPNT also increased its June dividend.

The next two Zacks #1 Rank Top Performers on Monday practically had the same performance. Biopharmaceutical company Biospecifics Technologies Corp. (BSTC) gained 3.01% today, while power transmission equipment company Twin Disc, Inc. (TWIN) improved 3%.

 
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