6 Tech Stocks That Rate Better Than Apple

MILLBURN, N.J. (Stockpickr) -- Apple(AAPL) seems to be one of those rare companies and stocks that come around once in a generation, whose fundamental metrics more than justify the stock's performance. Intel(INTC) was that stock in the 1990s.

So I'm curious: Which stock is next? Are there other tech companies that have even better metrics than Apple and could be up-and-comers?

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To find these stocks, I selected two key metrics on which I place a high degree of importance when evaluating a stock from a fundamental perspective: return on equity and gross margins. The companies I found have ROE greater than Apple's 45.6% and gross margins greater than Apple's 44.7%.

Here are six tech stocks that rater better than Apple.

Gartner Gartner(IT) is an investment technology research, advisory and consulting company. Established in 1979, the company has grown along with the greatest technological boom in history. Gartner's research analysts not only help their end user clientele but also have an impact on Wall Street as an independent research provider.

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Revenue for the company grows in the low double-digit percentages, but given Gartner's business model as a service provider, its high gross margin rate converts revenue growth into even higher earnings growth. Earnings per share are expected to rise at a percentage rate in the mid-20s in 2012 and 2013.