On Friday, Oxford Industries got an upgrade for its IBD SmartSelect Composite Rating from 94 to 96. This, in spite of falling 4 straight days after breaking out of a cup with handle pattern.
The new rating is a sign the stock is outpacing 96% of all stocks when it comes to the most important stock-picking criteria. The best stocks tend to have a 95 or better grade as they begin to launch a significant move so be sure to keep that in mind when looking for the best stocks to buy and watch.
Oxford Industries broke out earlier, but is now trading around -2% below the prior 116.53 entry from a cup with handle. If a stock you're watching climbs above a buy point then retreats 7% or more below the original entry price, it's considered a failed base. This one is borderline, so you could wait for the stock to form a new base and breakout.
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One weak spot is the company's 62 EPS Rating, which tracks quarterly and annual earnings-per-share growth. Look for that to improve to 80 or better to show it's in the top 20% of all stocks.
Its Accumulation/Distribution Rating of B- shows moderate buying by institutional investors over the last 13 weeks.
Earning Update
In Q3, the company reported 23% earnings-per-share growth. Sales growth rose 26%, up from 11% in the prior quarter. That marks one quarter of increasing revenue gains. The next report is due around March 23.
Oxford Industries holds the No. 1 rank among its peers in the Apparel-Clothing Manufacturing industry group. Tapestry and Kontoor Brands are also among the group's highest-rated stocks.
