Dear Subscriber,

Yesterday, in addition to cutting the fed funds target rate to a historic low, the Fed outlined additional steps to ease the credit crunch and restore economic growth.

As I explained on our blog, yesterday's statement from the Fed was an acknowledgement that other measures are needed:

http://at.zacks.com/?id=4763

Zacks Equity Research financial analyst Eric Rothman also opined on our blog. He believes that lending practices are more important than the fed funds rate:

http://at.zacks.com/?id=5062

Wishing you prosperity,
Charles Rotblut, CFA
Senior Market Analyst & Editor
Profit from Pros

Today's Top Stories: Wednesday- December 17, 2008

ZACKS RANK BUY STOCKS

• Aggressive Growth - Monsanto (MON) is heading into its next earnings announcement with estimates on the rise. Shares are trading at solid valuations. Learn More...
   
• Growth & Income - Casey's General Stores (CASY) recently delivered a solid fiscal second quarter in the face of a difficult environment. Analysts are hinting toward more growth going forward. Learn More...
   
• Momentum - Almost Family (AFAM) has been on a big rally since early summer, advancing along a longer-term trend line that is still very much in play. Learn More...
   
• Value - Powell Industries (POWL) recently reported record orders, revenue and earnings per share in fiscal 2008. It is heading into fiscal 2009 with a solid backlog of orders. Learn More...
   

• Bull Of The Day: The Medicines Company (MDCO).
  Full Zacks research report: Learn More...
  
• Bear Of The Day: Ford Motor Company (F).
  Full Zacks research report: Learn More...
  
• ZACKS INDUSTRY OUTLOOK: Metals & Mining.
  Prices have peaked due to the record commodities run-up that has been stopped by slowing economies. Prices are falling in recent months. We like AKS. Learn more...
  
• Dow Chemical (DOW) Under Pressure
• Biogen Idec (BIIB) Deeply Undervalued
• So Where Did All the Money Go?

EDUCATION: Aggressive Growth.

Earnings Manipulation. Learn more...

PeopleAndPicks.com:

"smallstk" recently made a Buy call on COGT because its "earnings growth looks good". This VIP also picked up SNDA. Learn More...

• The Difference Between Your Best and Worst Stocks
• Zacks Rank Value Buys - Dec. 15, 2008
• Estimate Increases Getting Rare

SCREEN OF THE WEEK: The Difference Between Your Best and Worst Stocks.

Kevin Matras explains how to define winning stocks, and then shows how to find them. Read about ALK, DLTR, GVA, SXCI and WPP. Learn more...

OPTIONS COMMENTARY: U.S. Bancorp (USB).

Bullish options bettors recently battled bears for this financial firm. Learn More...

PROFIT TRACKS: High Rank Value.

This strategy pinpoints value stocks that are also good bargains with real potential for earnings improvement. Four stocks featured include IDA, ANH, FFIC and GR. Learn more...

OTHER ZACKS RESOURCES:

• Read current and past issues of this newsletter online
• Zacks.com Home Page
• All Zacks #1 Rank Buy Stocks (Premium)
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REFER-A-FRIEND

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http://at.zacks.com/?id=2320

Regards and Happy Investing,

Charles Rotblut, CFA
Senior Market Analyst
Zacks.com

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