Premium consumer goods company Pilgrim's Pride Corporation PPC reported better-than-expected results for third-quarter 2017. The company is poised to grow on the back of its diversified bird-size portfolio and strategic business acquisitions.EarningsThe company’s quarterly earnings of 93 cents per share surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 77 cents. The bottom line also came in higher than the year-ago tally of 39 cents per share.RevenuesIn the reported quarter, Pilgrim's Pride generated net revenues of $2,793.8 million, up 12% year over year. In addition, the top line comfortably surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2,267 million.Revenues from U.S. operations came in at $1,938.5 million, up 12.4% year over year. Mexican operations generated revenues of $341 million in the reported quarter, up 11% year over year. Top-line results from the company’s European operations also improved 11% year over year to $514.3 million.Pilgrim's Pride Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise Pilgrim's Pride Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | Pilgrim's Pride Corporation QuoteCosts/MarginsPilgrim's Pride's cost of sales in the reported quarter increased 3.3% year over year to $2,315.3 million. Gross margin expanded 700 basis points (bps) year over year to 17.1%.Selling, general and administrative expenses flared up 34.6% year over year to $102.2 million. Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) margin came in at 16.6%, advancing 707 bps year over year.Balance Sheet/Cash FlowPilgrim's Pride exited the third quarter with cash and cash equivalents of approximately $401.8 million, up from $292.5 million recorded on Dec 25, 2016. Long-term debt (net of current portion) was $2,548.6 million, as against $1,396.1 million as of Dec 25, 2016.In the reported quarter, the company generated $618.5 million of cash from its operating activities, up 12% year over year. Capital spending totaled $258.4 million compared to $221 million incurred in the year-ago quarter.OutlookPilgrim's Pride anticipates that solid demand for chicken in both international and domestic end-markets will bolster the company’s revenues and profitability in the quarters ahead. The latest Moy Park acquisition (September 2017) is likely to strengthen its European business, going forward. At the same time, the successful integration of GNP Company (January 2017) is projected to drive the company’s profitability in the near term.Zacks Rank and Other StocksPilgrim's Pride currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). Some other top-ranked stocks within the same space are listed below:Energizer Holdings, Inc. ENR currently holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) and has a positive average earnings surprise of 23.02% for the last four quarters. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.Inter Parfums, Inc. IPAR carries a Zacks Rank of 2 and has a positive average earnings surprise of 18.08% for the trailing four quarters.Lamb Weston Holdings Inc. LW also has a Zacks Rank of 2 and has a positive average earnings surprise of 11.02% for the same time frame.Wall Street’s Next AmazonZacks EVP Kevin Matras believes this familiar stock has only just begun its climb to become one of the greatest investments of all time. It’s a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in pure genius.Click for details >>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 Energizer Holdings, Inc. (ENR): Free Stock Analysis Report Inter Parfums, Inc. (IPAR): Free Stock Analysis Report Pilgrim's Pride Corporation (PPC): Free Stock Analysis Report Lamb Weston Holdings Inc. (LW): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here.