Return on Assets (TTM) is a profitability metric that gives a concise image of how much earnings have been generated from a company’s assets. As well, this indictor illustrates how efficient and effective management is relative to generating profits from these assets. This ratio is found by dividing earnings over total assets. For some this ratio is considered to be the most straightforward quantitative form of assessing management in relation to how well it utilizes a company’s assets.
We ran a screen for small-cap stocks that have a strong Return on Assets (X>20). From this narrowed pool we then screened out companies irms that are bouncing off their 52-Week lows.
1. Pioneer Southwest Energy Partners (PSE)
Sector | Energy |
Industry | Oil & Gas E&P |
Market Cap | $834M |
Beta | 0.41 |
PSE’s ROA (TTM) is 37.72%. The company is 3.84% above the 52-Week low. The short interest was 1.70% as of 08/31/2011.
2. Enzon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (ENZN)
Sector | Healthcare |
Industry | Biotechnology |
Market Cap | $371M |
Beta | 1.18 |
The company develops and commercializes therapies that treat cancer and adjacent diseases. ENZN’s ROA (TTM) is 36.26 %. The company is 3.39 % above the 52-Week low. The short interest was 19.40% as of 08/31/2011.
3. Strayer Education, Inc. (STRA)
Sector | Consumer Defensive |
Industry | Education & Training Services |
Market Cap | $946M |
Beta | 0.62 |
The company is a for-profit that offers secondary education services. STRA’s ROA (TTM) is 31.80 %. The company is 4.72 % above the 52-Week low. The short interest was 23.20% as of 08/31/2011.
4. Aeropostale, Inc. (ARO)
Sector | Consumer Cyclical |
Industry | Apparel Stores |
Market Cap | $776M |
Beta | 1.09 |
The company is a specialty retailer of accessories and casual apparel. ARO’s ROA (TTM) is 29.92%. The company is 4.91% above the 52-Week low. The short interest was 19.90% as of 08/31/2011.
5. PDL BioPharma, Inc. (PDLI)
Sector | Healthcare |
Industry | Biotechnology |
Market Cap | $781M |
Beta | 0.30 |
The company develops and sells therapies for life-threatening illnesses. PDLI’s ROA (TTM) is 29.01%. The company is 19.96% above the 52-Week low. The short interest was N/A as of 08/31/2011.
6. Xyratex, Ltd. (XRTX)
Sector | Technology |
Industry | Data Storage |
Market Cap | $261M |
Beta | 2.08 |
The company offers enterprise-class data storage solutions and technology. XRTX’s ROA (TTM) is 24.00%. The company is 13.19% above the 52-Week low. The short interest was 7.90% as of 08/31/2011.
7. Capella Education Company. (CPLA)
Sector | Consumer Defensive |
Industry | Education & Training Services |
Market Cap | $459M |
Beta | 0.48 |
The company offers post-secondary education services online. CPLA’s ROA (TTM) is 23.34%. The company is 10.19% above the 52-Week Low. The short interest was N/A as of 08/31/2011.
8. Usana Health Sciences, Inc. (USNA)
Sector | Consumer Def |
Industry | Household & Personal Products |
Market Cap | $390M |
Beta | 0.98 |
The company develops and sells nutritional and personal care products. USNA’s ROA (TTM) is 22.40%. The company is 12.08% above the 52-Week Low. The short interest was 44.30% as of 08/31/2011.
9. Valassis Communications Inc. (VCI)
Sector | Consumer Cycl |
Industry | Marketing Services |
Market Cap | $905M |
Beta | 3.58 |
The Company provides a wide range of marketing products and services to a variety of premier manufacturers, direct marketers, retailers, franchisees and other advertisers. VCI’s ROA (TTM) is 20.88%. The company is 3.84% above the 52-Week Low. The short interest was N/A as of 08/31/2011.
10. Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (RIGL)
Sector | Healthcare |
Industry | Drug Manufacturers - Specialty & Generic |
Market Cap | $505M |
Beta | 1.69 |
The company develops small molecule drugs for inflammatory diseases, viral diseases, and cancer. RIGL’s ROA (TTM) is 20.29%. The company is 10.44% above the 52-Week Low. The short interest was N/A as of 08/31/2011.
We hope this list helps as investors do their own due diligence.
Disclosure: I have no positions in any stocks mentioned, and no plans to initiate any positions within the next 72 hours.
