Chicago, IL – February 17, 2011 – Four free stock picks are being made available today on Zacks.com. The industry’s leading independent research firm highlights one Zacks #1 Rank Strong Buy or a Zacks #2 Rank Buy stock for each of the four main styles of investing: Aggressive Growth, Growth & Income, Momentum, and Value.
Zacks #1 Rank Stocks have nearly tripled the S&P 500 since 1988, producing an average annual return of +26%. Performance has been notable even during volatile and down times. For example, during the last bear market, 2000-2002, the market tumbled
-37.6% – but Zacks #1 Rank stocks gained +43.8%.
Here is a summary of today's selected stocks that are now highly rated by Zacks:
Ultratech, Inc. analysts are raising expectations after the recent earnings surprise. A healthy balance sheet and optimistic outlook should be enough to propel this Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) even higher.
Looking from stable growth and a strong dividend? General Mills has both.
Hanger Orthopedic Group, Inc. recently spiked to a new all-time high after reporting a very solid fourth-quarter earnings surprise of 30%. With three consecutive earnings surprises and rising estimates, this Zacks #1 rank stock has a leg up on the momentum field.
The trajectory is up for Snap-on Inc. Earnings and sales have risen year over year each of the last four quarters. Despite shares trading at 2-year highs, this Zacks #1 Rank (strong buy) still has value, with a forward P/E of 14.5.
Underlying the four free stock picks is a simple truth that first appeared in a Financial Analysts Journal article published in 1979. Leonard Zacks, a Ph.D. in Mathematics from M.I.T. found that "earnings estimate revisions are the most powerful force impacting stock prices." Zacks #1 Rank is awarded to a stock when analysts sharply upgrade their estimates of what the company will earn.
About Zacks
Zacks.com is a property of Zacks Investment Research, Inc., which was formed in 1978 by Len Zacks. The company continually processes stock reports issued by 3,000 analysts from 150 brokerage firms. It monitors more than 200,000 earnings estimates, looking for changes.
Then, when changes are discovered, they’re applied to help assign more than 4,400 stocks into five Zacks Rank categories: #1 Strong Buy, #2 Buy, #3 Hold, #4 Sell, and #5 Strong Sell. This proprietary stock-picking system continues to outperform the market by a nearly 3-to-1 margin.
More Free Stock Picks
Each weekday, new Zacks #1 Rank or Zacks #2 Rank stock picks are released on the free email newsletter, Profit from the Pros. Investors are invited to register for their free subscription at http://at.zacks.com/?id=91
Zacks Investment Research is under common control with affiliated entities (including a broker-dealer and an investment adviser), which may engage in transactions involving the foregoing securities for the clients of such affiliates.
Disclaimer: Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investors should always research companies and securities before making any investments. Nothing herein should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any security.
Zacks.com
Aggressive Growth Stocks:
Contact: Bill Wilton
Phone: 312-265-9277
or
Growth & Income Stocks:
Contact: Rob Plaza
Phone: 312-265-9442
or
Momentum Stocks:
Contact: Michael Vodicka
Phone: 312-265-9226
or
Value Stocks:
Contact: Tracey Ryniec
Phone: 312-265-9232
Read the full analyst report on UTEK
Read the full analyst report on GIS
Read the full analyst report on HGR
Read the full analyst report on SNA