For today's edition of our upgrade list, we used our website's advanced screening functions to search for UPGRADES to BUY or STRONG BUY with complete forecast and valuation data. They are presented by one-month forecast return. Carlye Group (CG) is the only STRONG BUY in the list. The other stocks have been upgraded to BUY.

For today's bulletin, we take a look at Big Lots (BIG). Consolidated Stores Corp. is one of the leading value retailers specializing in closeout merchandise and toys. The company operates stores in the U.S., Puerto Rico and Guam and conducted online sales of children's products. Retail operations are conducted primarily under the following names: Odd Lots, Big Lots, Big Lots Furniture, Mac Frugal's Bargains Close-outs, and Pic N Save and K B Toys, K B Toy Works, and KB Toy Outlet and KBkids.com.

Big Lots reported a record 2017 Q2 a few weeks ago. In their latest earnings report, they reported income of $29.1 million, or $0.67 per diluted share, for the second quarter of fiscal 2017 ended July 29, 2017. This result represented a 29% increase over adjusted income of $23.4 million, or $0.52 per diluted share for the second quarter of fiscal 2016. Comparable store sales increased 1.8% for the second quarter of fiscal 2017. Net sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2017 increased 1.5% to $1,221.3 million.

David Campisi, Chief Executive Officer and President of Big Lots, stated at the time that he was

very pleased with our second quarter results. In a challenging retail environment with the pressures of online competitors and changing consumer shopping behaviors, our ownable and winnable merchandise categories are resonating with Jennifer and continue to demonstrate resiliency with solid sales growth in Q2. Our strategy is working as evidenced by our comps in ownable categories and our consistency of delivering growth in operating profit dollars and EPS. We are controlling what we can control and our teams are energized and excited as our new Fall merchandise has begun to arrive in stores.

This was the seventh straight quarter where Big Lots posted a positive earnings surprise. They also raised guidance following their Q2 results. For fiscal 2017, adjusted earnings per share are projected in the band of $4.15-$4.25, up from the earlier guidance of $4.05-$4.20. This represents growth of 14-17% over $3.64 per share recorded in fiscal 2016.

Below is our latest data for Big Lots (BIG):

ValuEngine updated its recommendation from HOLD to BUY for Big Lots on 2017-09-15. Based on the information we have gathered and our resulting research, we feel that Big Lots has the probability to OUTPERFORM average market performance for the next year. The company exhibits ATTRACTIVE P/E Ratio and Price Sales Ratio.

Valuation & Rankings
Valuation	0.87% overvalued	Valuation Rank(?)	55
1-M Forecast Return	0.51%	1-M Forecast Return Rank	85
12-M Return	4.43%	Momentum Rank(?)	44
Sharpe Ratio	0.30	Sharpe Ratio Rank(?)	65
5-Y Avg Annual Return	8.94%	5-Y Avg Annual Rtn Rank	68
Volatility	29.71%	Volatility Rank(?)	52
Expected EPS Growth	5.42%	EPS Growth Rank(?)	30
Market Cap (billions)	2.67	Size Rank	75
Trailing P/E Ratio	12.14	Trailing P/E Rank(?)	88
Forward P/E Ratio	11.52	Forward P/E Ratio Rank	77
PEG Ratio	2.24	PEG Ratio Rank	21
Price/Sales	0.51	Price/Sales Rank(?)	84
Market/Book	4.57	Market/Book Rank(?)	30
Beta	0.94	Beta Rank	43
Alpha	-0.16	Alpha Rank	28