Builders FirstSource, Inc. BLDR has been making the most out of the robust housing market, mergers & acquisitions, and focus on investing in innovations and enhancing digital solutions. The company’s shares have been rallying high, defying unprecedented supply-related constraints and challenges associated with the repair & remodeling or R&R market due to increased commodity costs.Shares of this construction supply company have surged 80.6% year to date, outperforming the Zacks Building Products – Retail industry’s 49.7% rise. Earnings estimates for 2021 for this Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) company have moved 31.1% upward over the past 30 days. This positive trend signifies bullish analysts’ sentiments, indicating robust fundamentals and the expectation of outperformance in the near term. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.Builders FirstSource also has a favorable VGM Score of B. Our research shows that stocks with a VGM Score of A or B, combined with a Zacks Rank #1 or 2 (Buy), offer the best investment opportunities to investors.Image Source: Zacks Investment ResearchLet’s delve into the major driving factors.Solid Housing Market: A BoonBuilders FirstSource has a huge range of building products. The company is a leading supplier and manufacturer of building materials, manufactured components, and construction services to professional contractors, sub-contractors, and consumers. BLDR is observing higher demand arising from solid momentum of the housing industry. Housing markets have been showing resilience of late, given low mortgage rates. With the opening of the economy, demand for housing and building material products has been improving, given the increasing trend of consumers to invest more in homes amid the pandemic. For third-quarter 2021, the company’s core organic sales increased 16.1% year over year.Robust Inorganic DriveBuilders FirstSource remains focused on systematic acquisitions to supplement organic growth and expand extensively across vast geographic boundaries. The company remains focused on companies manufacturing prefabricated components such as factory-built roof and floor trusses, wall panels, stairs, and engineered wood as well as other value-added products such as vinyl windows and millwork. Secondly, BLDR intends to enter some of the homebuilding markets wherein it does not currently operate.Focus on Digital PlatformsBuilders FirstSource has been investing in innovations and enhancing digital solutions for customers. The company’s latest acquisition of WTS Paradigm is a testimony to the fact. On Aug 17, 2021, Builders FirstSource acquired WTS Paradigm, a software solutions and services provider for the building products industry. This acquisition is an important step toward investing in innovative digital solutions that will help BLDR provide services to customers more efficiently.Impressive Earnings Surprise History & Earnings Growth ExpectationBuilders FirstSource has a solid earnings surprise history. The company surpassed earnings estimates in the trailing seven quarters. The trend is expected to continue in the near term, courtesy of its solid third-quarter 2021 performance.The company has solid prospects, as is evident from the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2021 earnings of $8.22 per share, which indicates 173.1% year-over-year growth.Upbeat ViewBuoyed by the performance through 2021, the company lifted its 2021 guidance for sales and adjusted EBITDA. Builders FirstSource now expects net sales in the range of $19.3-$19.8 billion versus $18-$19 billion expected earlier. Also, it expects 51-55% year-over-year growth on a pro-forma basis compared with 41-48% projected earlier.Adjusted EBITDA is now projected in the range of $2.85-$2.95 billion (up from the earlier expectation of $2.2-$2.4 billion). The company anticipates 166-176% growth on a year-over-year basis versus 105-124% projected earlier. It expects to realize cost savings of $90-$110 million from the BMC merger integration and free cash flow in the range of $1.8-$2 billion.Other Top-Ranked Stocks From the Broader Retail-Wholesale Sector:Dave & Buster's Entertainment, Inc. PLAY — which has been benefiting from reopening initiatives, ramped up vaccinations and excellent operational execution — sports a Zacks Rank #1. The company anticipates sustaining the momentum in the days ahead, backed by strategic initiatives that include a new menu, optimized marketing and technology investments.Dave & Buster's reported better-than-expected earnings in the trailing four quarters, with the average being 201.8%. The company’s fiscal 2021 earnings are likely to witness growth of 147.7%. PLAY has gained 36.4% in the past year.Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc. BECN presently has a Zacks Rank #2. The company has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 566.8%, on average. Shares of TACO have gained 48.5% in the past year.The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Beacon Roofing’s sales and earnings per share for the current financial year suggests an improvement of 7.3% and 7.1%, respectively, from the year-ago period.Kura Sushi USA, Inc. KRUS currently carries a Zacks Rank #2. The company has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 15.6%, on average. Shares of KRUS have gained a whopping 287.7% in the past year.The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Kura Sushi’s sales and earnings per share for the current financial year suggests growth of 108% and 85.7%, respectively, from the year-ago period. Bitcoin, Like the Internet Itself, Could Change Everything Blockchain and cryptocurrency has sparked one of the most exciting discussion topics of a generation. Some call it the “Internet of Money” and predict it could change the way money works forever. If true, it could do to banks what Netflix did to Blockbuster and Amazon did to Sears. Experts agree we’re still in the early stages of this technology, and as it grows, it will create several investing opportunities. Zacks’ has just revealed 3 companies that can help investors capitalize on the explosive profit potential of Bitcoin and the other cryptocurrencies with significantly less volatility than buying them directly. See 3 crypto-related stocks now >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc. (BECN): Free Stock Analysis Report Builders FirstSource, Inc. (BLDR): Free Stock Analysis Report Dave & Buster's Entertainment, Inc. (PLAY): Free Stock Analysis Report Kura Sushi USA, Inc. (KRUS): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research