What happened Shares of EPAM Systems (NYSE: EPAM), a leading provider of digital platform engineering and software development services, rocketed 82.9% in 2019, according to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence. That performance made it one of the year's better-performing large-cap tech stocks. For context, the S&P 500 index delivered a total return of about 31.5% in 2019. In 2020, EPAM stock raced out of the gate: It's up 5.2% through Jan. 9, compared with the S&P 500's 1.4% rise. Image source: Getty Images. So what We can attribute EPAM Systems' strong 2019 stock rise to its robust financial performance. In the company's most recently reported quarter, EPAM's revenue jumped 26% year over year to $588.1 million. Under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), earnings per share (EPS) inched up 1% to $1.16, and adjusted EPS rose 19% to $1.39. That result comfortably beat Wall Street's $1.33 consensus estimate. "Our clients are continually being challenged to deliver dynamic, human-centered experiences and platforms quickly and at scale," CEO Arkadiy Dobkin said in the earnings release. "Our third quarter results demonstrate the continued demand for our services as we help our clients become adaptive enterprises to better address these market challenges." Now what Investors should be getting material news next month. While EPAM hasn't yet scheduled a date for the release of its fourth-quarter and full-year 2019 results, they should come out in mid-February. In light of the company's strong third-quarter results, management raised its 2019 adjusted EPS outlook. It also reiterated its full-year revenue and GAAP EPS guidance as follows: Metric 2019 Guidance Projected Change Revenue Number not specified At least 23% GAAP EPS $4.43 At least 5% Adjusted EPS $5.35 (Previously was $5.25) At least 22% Data source: EPAM Systems. 10 stocks we like better than EPAM SystemsWhen investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.* David and Tom just revealed what they believe are the ten best stocks for investors to buy right now... and EPAM Systems wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys. See the 10 stocks *Stock Advisor returns as of December 1, 2019 Beth McKenna has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends EPAM Systems. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.Source