Navellier says – As I mentioned earlier, our Top 5 stocks had a stunning month. On average, they rallied 11.6%, far outpacing the broader market. So, this month, we’re keeping the same lineup. As a reminder, our Top 5 stocks are selected according to their Quantitative Grades.

Given the narrowing market, my Quantitative Grade has become one of my most important metrics. It measures the institutional buying pressure supporting our stocks. Like individual investors, large institutional investors, such as corporations, cities or school systems, invest in stocks for income. These large institutional clients buy large chunks of a stock. Typically, the more attractive a stock currently is to institutional investors, the better the stock will perform in the near term.

So if you’re looking for good stocks to buy and hold during the bumpy summer months, I recommend that you start with this month’s new buys, then these Top 5 stocks.

ABIOMED, Inc.

ABIOMED, Inc. (ABMD) rises to the top spot on the Buy List, and it’s no secret why. Over the past month, the medical devices company has surged 31%. ABIOMED is the only medical devices company that provides technologies that replace or assist the pumping function of a failing heart.

This is a big deal because heart disease accounts for some 800,000 deaths in the U.S. alone each year. So ABIOMED provides a life-saving service to tens of thousands of patients and their families. Given strong demand for medical devices to treat heart disease, ABIOMED’s business is booming. This was demonstrated in its latest earnings report, which covered the fiscal fourth quarter and fiscal 2018.

For the fourth quarter, net income soared 147% to $36.8 million, or $0.83 per share. Excluding special items, adjusted earnings came in at $0.80 per share. Over the same period, revenue improved 40% to $174.4 million. Analysts were expecting $0.64 EPS on $164.3 million in revenue, so ABIOMED posted a whopping 25% earnings surprise and a 6.1% sales surprise.

For FY 2018, net income surged 115% to $112.2 million, or $2.54 per share. Excluding special items, adjusted earnings came in at $2.45 per share. Over the same period, revenue jumped 33% to $593.7 million. ABIOMED also beat analysts’ estimates for FY 2017; with a Street view of $2.30 EPS on $583.7 million in revenue, the company posted a 6.5% earnings surprise and a 1.7% sales surprise.

ABIOMED released a strong outlook for FY 2019. The company is targeting revenues between $740 million and $770 million, or between 25% and 30% annual sales growth. ABIOMED also expects operating margin to range between 28% and 30%. ABMD remains a tremendous monopolistic play, and I recommend that you add shares up to $424.

SOM Technicals:

3-30-18: Closed at 290.99. Trade pressures are down into the neutral zone. On the 25×5 moving average as support. The next target up is 323.10.

4-7-18: Closed at 286.22. Trade pressures are neutral. Volumes are neutral. the Next target up is 323.10

4-14-18: Closed at 297.00. Trade pressures are up. Volumes are bullish. The next target up is 323.10.

4-21-18: Closed at 305.92. Trade pressures are up. Volumes are bullish. The next target up is 323.10.

4-27-18: Closed at 300.83. Trade pressures are up. Volumes are neutral. The next target up is 323.10.

5-5-18: Closed at 349.28. Trade pressures are up. Volumes are bullish. the next target up is 359.38. 

5-11-18: Closed at 372.70. Trade pressures are up. Volumes are bullish. The next target up is 412.00.

5-19-18: Closed at 384.36. Trade pressures are up. Volumes are bullish. The next target up is 412.

5-26-18: Closed at 391.49. Trade pressures are up. Volumes are bullish. the next target up is 412.00.

6-3-18: Closed at 392.25. Trade pressures are up but turning down. Volumes are neutral. The next target up is 412.00.

6-8-18: Closed at 409.77. Trade pressures are up but turning over. Volumes are neutral. Traded to the 412.00 target and now experiencing profit taking.

6-16-18: Closed at 443.58. Trade pressure are up. Volumes are bullish. The next target up is 463.97.

6-22-18: Closed at 427.29. Trade pressures are up but rolling over. Volumes are now bearish. The next target up is 463.97. Support is the 25×5 moving average at 411.26.

Northrop Grumman Corp.

Northrop Grumman Corp. (NOC) is the aerospace and defense giant that has the distinction of being the longest held position on the Blue Chip Growth Buy List. Since I recommended it in March 2014, the stock has soared 175%! And it shows no signs of slowing down.

This is a big year for Northrop Grumman, now that it has acquired aerospace and defense company Orbital ATK (OA) for $7.8 billion. This deal merges two of the largest D.C.-area public companies that have some of the biggest government contracts, and more importantly, improves U.S. technology as it relates to space, missiles and munitions.

And this acquisition builds upon an already strong foundation of sales and earnings. In its recent first-quarter earnings announcement, Northrop Grumman hiked up its earnings forecast for 2018. The company is now expecting earnings per share to range between $15.40 and $15.65, up from its previous guidance of $15.00 EPS to $15.25 EPS. The revised guidance represents between 16.0% and 17.8% annual earnings growth.

The other thing I love about Northrop Grumman is that it has a healthy dividend yield of 1.3%. Recently, the company approved a 9% increase in its quarterly dividend. Shareholders of record on June 4 will receive $1.20 per share on June 20. As I mentioned earlier, dividend increases help to provide a foundation under our stocks, and NOC is no exception. With its excellent blend of growth and value, I consider NOC a Strong Buy up to $355 per share.

SOM Technicals:

3-30-18: Closed at 349.12. Trade pressures are in the neutral zone. Volumes are bullish. The next target up is 361.68.

4-7-18: Closed at 352.99. Trade pressures are in the neutral zone. Volumes are neutral.

4-14-18: Closed at 350.00. Trade pressures are up into the neutral zone. Volumes are bullish. The next target up is 361.69.

4-21-18: Closed at 355.92. Trade pressures are up. Volumes are bullish to neutral. The next target up is 361.59.

4-28-18: Closed at 322.70. Trade pressures are down. Volumes are now neutral. The next target down is the 200 day moving average at 307.

5-5-18: Closed at 313.50. Trade pressures are down. Volumes are bullish to bearish. at the 200 day moving average.

5-11-18: Closed at 325.22. Trade pressures are down but rising. Volumes are now neutral. The next target up is 364.72.

5-19-18: Closed at 330.00. Trade pressures are in the neutral zone. Volumes are neutral to bullish. The next target up is 361.72.

5-26-18: Closed at 331.90. Trade pressures are just up out of the neutral zone. Volumes are bullish. the next target up is 361.72.

6-3-18: Closed at 329.99. Trade pressures are still in the neutral zone. Volumes are bullish. The next target up is 361.72.

6-8-18: Closed at 338.63. Trade pressures are in the neutral zone. Volumes are bullish. The next target up is 361.72.

6-16-18: Closed at 321.62. Trade pressures are down. Volumes are bearish. The next support down is the moving average at 317.17.

6-22-18: Closed at 312.04. Trade pressures are down. Volumes are bearish. Support is a the prior low pivot at 302.85.

S&P Global, Inc.

S&P Global, Inc. (SPGI) makes its fourth consecutive appearance on the Top 5 list. S&P Global provides intelligence, data and analytics, enabling business leaders around the world to make more informed decisions. With multiple divisions, including S&P Market Intelligence, S&P Global Ratings, S&P Dow Jones Indices and S&P Global Platts, the company has evolved into the leading provider of credit ratings, and is relied on by countless financial professionals for its data and custom indices.

The big thing in the works for S&P Global is its recent acquisition of Kensho Technologies, Inc. Kensho provides global banks and financial institutions with analytics, artificial intelligence, data visualization systems and machine learning. S&P Global purchased Kensho for $550 million, which was the largest acquisition price for an artificial intelligence company so far.

The acquisition is expected to be profitable in 2019 and is already broadening S&P Global’s impressive portfolio of offerings. A few weeks ago, the company announced that S&P Global Market Intelligence platform users can now access information on privately held companies. This data linking project was made possible by Kensho’s machine learning algorithms, as well as through a partnership with company database Crunchbase.

I’m excited to see what other kinds of innovations come out of the Kensho acquisition. In the meantime, SPGI has excellent forecasted sales and earnings. For the current quarter, analysts are calling for 6.6% annual sales growth and 24.4% annual earnings growth. And S&P Global is expected to keep up the pace over the next several quarters.

As a reminder, SPGI recently went ex-dividend on Friday, May 25. Shareholders of record will receive $0.50 per share on June 12. At current prices, SPGI has a 1.0% annual dividend yield. I recommend you buy this Conservative stock up to $214 per share.

SOM Technicals:

2-25-18: Closed at 191.67. Trade pressures are up. Volumes are bullish. The next target up is 203.26.

3-2-18: Closed at 189.02. Trade pressures are up but declining. Volumes are bearish. The next target up is 203.26.

3-11-18: Closed at 194.96. Trade pressures are up but declining. Volumes are bullish. The next target up is 203.26.

3-17-18: Closed at 192.51. Trade pressures are down into the neutral zone. Volumes are neutral. Support is the 25×5 at 189.

3-23-18: Closed at 186.49. Trade pressures are down. Volumes are bearish. Has just broken the 25×5 support. The next target down is 185.18, then 177.41.

3-30-18: Closed at 191.06. Trade pressures are down. Volumes are neutral. Consolidating at the 185 target.

4-7-18: Close at 189.74. Trade pressures are in the neutral zone. Volumes are bearish. Consolidating at the 185 downside target.

4-14-18: Closed at 190.76. Trade pressures are up. Volumes are bullish. Need a close above the downtrend resistance line at 196.38.

4-21-18: Closed at 192.96. Trade pressures are up. Volumes are now bearish. Support at 190.67.

4-27-18: Closed at 187.07. Trade pressures are down into the neutral zone. Volumes are neutral. The next target down is the 177.41 level.

5-5-18: Closed at 192.17. Trade pressures are down but rising. Volumes are now bullish. A new long entry at 192.04.

5-11-18: Closed at 199.99. Trade pressures are up. Volumes are bullish. The next target up is 204.16.

5-19-18: Closed at 197.92. Trade pressures are up. Volumes are now neutral. the next target up is 204.16

5-26-18: Closed at 200.34. Trade pressures are up. Volumes are mixed bearish to bullish. The next target up is 204.16.

6-3-18: Closed at 200.32. Trade pressures are up but declining. Volumes are now neutral. The next target up is 204.16.

6-8-18: Closed at 206.47. Trade pressures are up. Volumes are bullish. The next target up is 216.28.

6-16-18; Closed at 208.68. Trade pressures are up. Volumes are bullish. The next target up is 209.09.

6-22-18: Closed at 206.35. Trade  pressures are up. Volumes are bearish. The next target up is 215.08. Support is at the 25×5 moving average at 201.71.

The Boeing Company

The Boeing Company (BA) continues its winning streak on the Top 5 list, returning for the second-consecutive month. As you know, Boeing is a premier aerospace company and manufacturer of commercial jetliners, along with defense, space and security systems. It is best known for its commercial aircraft, including the 737, which is a favorite of domestic airlines like Southwest, United Airlines and American Airlines. Boeing also has a strong international presence, with customers in 150 countries.

And it seems like every week Boeing wins another big order for its airplanes and helicopters. Last quarter, Boeing made 184 commercial deliveries and its backlog increased to $486 billion, including more than 5,800 commercial airplanes. Boeing beat analysts’ sales expectations by 5.4% and earnings projections by a stunning 41.1%.

Boeing plans to keep up the momentum for the rest of 2018. This year, Boeing expects full-year sales between $96 billion and $98 billion, or 2.8% to 4.9% annual sales growth. Full-year core earnings per share are now expected to be between $14.30 and $14.50, or 38.8% to 40.8% annual earnings growth.

Along with its strong earnings prospects, Boeing also offers a 2.0% annual dividend yield. The stock recently went ex-dividend on May 10. Shareholders of record will receive $1.71 per share on June 1. I must also mention that Boeing is in the process of buying back $18 billion of its stock. I expect that BA will maintain its altitude through the bumpy summer months, so I recommend you add this Moderately Aggressive stock up to $390 per share.

SOM Technicals:

4-27-18: Closed at 340.00. Trade pressures are up but declining to the neutral zone. Volumes are neutral. Holding at the 25×5 support of 331.00.

5-5-18: Closed at 334.43. Trade pressures are down but rising. Volumes are now bullish. The next long entry is 345.83.

5-11-18: Closed at 342.17. Trade pressures are up. Volumes have closed as neutral. The next target up is 371.60.

5-19-18: Closed at 351.25. Trade pressures are up. Volumes are bullish. The next target up is 371.60.

5-26-18: Closed at 360.09. Trade pressures are up.Volumes are bullish. The next target up is 372.40.

6-3-18: Closed at 356.72. Trade pressures are up but declining. Volumes are neutral. The next target up is 372.48.

6-8-18: Closed at 369.50. Trade pressures are up. Volumes are bullish. The next target up is 372.49.

6-16-18: Closed at 357.88. Trade pressures have turned down into the neutral zone. Volumes are bullish. The next support down is the lower median line at 345.00.

6-22-18: Closed at 338.91. Trade pressures are down. Volumes are bearish. The next target down is 335.98.

XPO Logistics, Inc.

XPO Logistics, Inc. (XPO) rounds out this month’s Top 5 list. As a refresher, XPO is a leading global logistics company that helps customers manage their goods more efficiently throughout their supply chains. Through its two reporting segments—Transportation and Logistics—XPO Logistics helps over 50,000 customers improve their productivity and lower costs. Just last week, Gartner, Inc. named XPO Logistics as a leader in third-party logistics worldwide. It recognized XPO for its extensive service offerings and infrastructure, as well as its ability to anticipate customer needs.

XPO shares rallied nearly 10% this month, on the strength of its excellent first-quarter earnings report. Compared with Q1 2017, net income skyrocketed 243% to $66.9 million, or $0.50 per share. Excluding special items, adjusted earnings per share was $0.61. This beat the $0.51 consensus EPS estimate by a whopping 19.6%. Over the same period, sales jumped 18.4% to $4.19 billion. Analysts were looking for $3.92 billion in revenue, so XPO posted a 6.9% sales surprise.

Encouraged by these strong results, XPO Logistics reaffirmed its 2018 guidance. This year, the company expects adjusted earnings of at least $1.6 billion and free cash flow of $1 billion. Meanwhile, analysts are calling for 74.4% annual earnings growth and 8.3% sales growth. XPO Logistics is widely recognized as a market leader, and it has plenty of upside potential in 2018. I recommend you add this Moderately Aggressive stock up to $118 per share.

SOM Technicals:

3-30-18: Closed at 101.81. Trade pressures are down into the neutral zone. Volumes are neutral. The next target up is 109.37.

4-7-18: Closed at 96.26. Trade pressures are in the neutral zone. Volumes are bearish. The next target up is 109.37.

4-14-18: Closed at 99.40. Trade pressures are still neutral. Volumes are bullish to neutral. The next target up is 109.37.

4-21-18: Closed at 104.44. Trade pressures are up. Volumes are bearish. Touched the 109.37 target and now pulling back. Support at 101.24.

4-27-18: Closed at 98.10. Trade pressures are down into the neutral zone. Volumes are bearish. The next target down is the 92.55.

5-5-18: Closed at 101.24. Trade pressures are down but rising. Volumes are now bullish. After reaching the 109.37 target pulled back to 91.64. The 109.37 is the next target up.

5-11-18: Closed at 109.07. Trade pressures are up. Volumes are bullish. the next target up is 119.00.

5-19-18: Closed at 109.50. Trade pressures are up. Volumes are neutral. The next target up is 119.00

5-26-18: Closed at 108.81. Trade pressures are up but turning down. Volumes are still bullish. The next target up is 119.00.

6-3-18: Closed at 106.67. Trade pressures are up but declining. Volumes are bearish to neutral. The next target up is 119.00. Support is the 25×5 moving average at 105.52.

6-3-18: Closed at 111.28. Trade pressures are rising in the neutral zone. Volumes are bullish. The next target up is 119.00.

6-16-18: Closed at 113.88. Trade pressures are up. Volumes are bullish. The next target up is 119.00.

6-22-18: Closed at 108.76. Trade pressures are down into the neutral zone. Volumes are bearish. At support, next support at 101.00.