Why Bankrate, Inc. Shares Bounced Higher

Although we don't believe in timing the market or panicking over market movements, we do like to keep an eye on big changes -- just in case they're material to our investing thesis.

What: Shares of Bankrate, soared nearly 20% after the company announced better-than-expected fourth-quarter results and solid forward-revenue guidance.

So what: Quarterly revenue rose 31% year over year, to $122.3 million, which translated to adjusted net income of $16.9 million, or $0.17 per diluted share. Analysts, on average, were looking for earnings of just $0.17 per share on sales of $120.16 million.

In addition, fourth-quarter adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization was $35.4 million, or 28.9% of revenue.

For the current quarter, Bankrate expects revenue between $125 million and $130 million, with adjusted EBITDA between $33 million and $36 million. For the full year 2014, Bankrate says revenue should arrive in the range of $520 million to $530 million, with adjusted EBITDA between $145 million and $150 million. Both adjusted EBITDA ranges represent roughly 20% growth over the same year-ago periods.

Meanwhile, analysts were modeling first quarter and full year 2014 sales of $127.13 million and $522.51 million, respectively.

Now what: Bankrate's results were definitely solid, but, at best, the stock looks fairly valued after today's pop, trading around 24 times this year's expected earnings. Barring any massive upside surprises going forward, I think there are plenty of more attractive stocks in which investors can put their money to work now.

You'll never want to sell the three stocks in this free report
So where should you look? As every savvy investor knows, Warren Buffett didn't make billions by betting on half-baked stocks. He isolated his best few ideas, bet big, and rode them to riches, hardly ever selling. You deserve the same. That's why our CEO, legendary investor Tom Gardner, has permitted us to reveal The Motley Fool's 3 Stocks to Own Forever. These picks are free today! Just click here now to uncover the three companies we love.

The article Why Bankrate, Inc. Shares Bounced Higher originally appeared on Fool.com.

Steve Symington has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Copyright © 1995 - 2014 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.