Why MMS Should Be on Your Radar as a Standout Growth Play

For investors seeking exposure to expanding markets with proven earnings momentum, Maximus (MMS) presents a compelling opportunity. The company, headquartered in Reston, Virginia, operates government-sponsored health and human services initiatives across multiple continents. With a workforce exceeding 39,600 professionals stationed in the United States, Australia, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and the United Kingdom, MMS has built a geographically diversified platform positioned for sustainable expansion.

MMS currently holds a #1 Strong Buy designation on the Zacks Rank—a proprietary model that evaluates stocks based on earnings estimate revisions. This ranking reflects analyst confidence in the company’s profit trajectory. Beyond the headline rating, MMS earned an A-grade VGM Score, signaling attractive value combined with robust growth prospects and positive price momentum.

The Growth Story: Why MMS Stands Out

Growth-focused investors should take particular notice of MMS’s credentials. The stock carries a Growth Style Score of A, with analysts projecting year-over-year earnings growth of 11.3% for the current fiscal year. More compelling is the recent analyst activity: over the last two months, one analyst upgraded their fiscal 2026 earnings estimate, pushing the Zacks Consensus Estimate up $0.85 to $8.19 per share. This upward revision signals increasing confidence in MMS’s operational performance.

The company also boasts an impressive earnings surprise average of +29.3%, indicating it regularly exceeds investor expectations. This track record of beating guidance suggests management’s ability to execute and deliver results.

Understanding the Zacks Framework: How Style Scores Work

To contextualize MMS’s strong ratings, it’s worth understanding the analytical framework behind them. The Zacks Rank system has historically generated an average annual return of +23.83% since 1988—more than double the S&P 500’s performance—through stocks rated #1 (Strong Buy) and #2 (Buy).

However, the Zacks Rank alone produces over 800 top-rated stocks on any given day, making selection challenging. This is where Zacks Style Scores provide precision. These complementary indicators evaluate stocks across three dimensions:

Value dimension: Utilizing metrics like P/E ratios, PEG multiples, and Price/Cash Flow comparisons, the Value Score identifies undervalued opportunities before the broader market recognizes them.

Growth dimension: This metric examines earnings trajectories, revenue trends, and cash flow health to identify companies positioned for durable expansion—precisely MMS’s profile.

Momentum dimension: This component measures recent price movements and shifts in earnings expectations to pinpoint favorable entry points.

The VGM Score synthesizes all three factors, providing a composite ranking of value, growth potential, and momentum. When combined with a Strong Buy Zacks Rank, stocks with A or B Style Scores historically demonstrate the highest probability of outperformance.

The Convergence: MMS Meets the Criteria

MMS exemplifies the ideal intersection of these metrics. Its Strong Buy rank coupled with an A-grade Growth Score and A-grade VGM Score suggests the stock has moved beyond speculative appeal into fundamental strength. The company’s expanding government contracts, coupled with rising analyst estimates and consistent earnings beats, paint a picture of a business entering an accelerated growth phase.

Portfolio Implications

For investors building positions in growth-oriented stocks, MMS warrants serious consideration. The company’s combination of a #1 Zacks Rank, top-tier Style Scores, expanding geographic footprint, and robust analyst revisions aligns with the characteristics of historically successful stock selections.

As Zacks research has demonstrated, portfolio concentration in #1 and #2 ranked stocks with A or B Style Scores maximizes the probability of superior returns. MMS checks all these boxes, making it a natural fit for growth portfolios seeking exposure to both value and momentum characteristics in the public market.