PM Zack Shafran runs the Ivy Science and Technology fund, which is among the top performing in its category so far this year.
And 3 of his top holdings are stocks that you don’t hear much about – at least not on CNBC’s Fast Money Halftime Report.
They are Alliance Data Systems, Aspen Technology and ACI Worldwide.
Do they belong on your radar? Here’s a little more on these names and a summary of why Shafran thinks they’re buys.
Alliance Data
“Most people think of the company as a private label credit card company but they’re also all about data,” and marketing says Shafran.
And he thinks the information they compile is going to become all the more valuable as companies compete to tailor their products and services.
“The ability to influence consumer behavior is a very big opportunity – and they’re a key provider of all sorts of data analytics.”
Year to date this stock has gained 30%.
Aspen Technology
Shafran suggests this stock is just too cheap.
“At this company everything that could have gone wrong, did go wrong,” he says. “But now they’ve got new management” and he thinks the company is turning around.
Fundamentally he likes what he sees. “They’re starting to gain market share and make lots of money. We think this stock should trade up to $30.”
Year to date this stock has gained 33%.
ACI Worldwide
Shafran explains this company is a leading providers of software to the banking industry. And this stock could benefit as the sector starts to improve.
“Banks are looking for ways to run their businesses more efficiently and one of the best ways is with technology.”
Year to date this stock has gained over 50%.
