Zacks Sell List Highlights: Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Home Inns & Hotels Management, The E.W. Scripps Company and Lowe’s Companies

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – July 13, 2011 – Zacks.com releases details on a group of stocks that are currently members of the exclusive Zacks #5 Rank List – Stocks to Sell Now. These stocks are currently rated as a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell): Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc.  (CBRL - Snapshot Report) and Home Inns & Hotels Management Inc. (HMIN - Snapshot Report).  Further, Zacks announced #4 Rankings (Sell) on two other widely held stocks: The E.W. Scripps Company (SSP - Snapshot Report) and Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (LOW - Analyst Report).

To see the full Zacks #5 Rank List - Stocks to Sell Now visit: http://at.zacks.com/?id=92

Since inception in 1988, the S&P 500 has outperformed the Zacks #5 Rank List of Stocks to Sell Now by 80% annually (+2% vs. +10%). While the rest of Wall Street continued to tout stocks during the market declines of the last few years, Zacks told investors which stocks to sell or avoid.    

Here is a synopsis of why CBRL and HMIN have a Zacks Rank of #5 (Strong Sell) and should most likely be sold or avoided for the next one to three months. Note that a #5 Strong Sell rating is applied to 5% of all the stocks in the Zacks Rank universe:

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. (CBRL - Snapshot Report) announced third-quarter earnings of 58 cents per share on May 24 that missed analysts’ expectations by 12.12%. This apart the estimate results missed previous year’s results by 3 cents. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year slipped to $3.87 from $4.09 per share in the last 60 days. Next year’s estimate dipped 31 cents to $4.31 per share in the time span.

Home Inns & Hotels Management Inc. (HMIN - Snapshot Report) posted a first-quarter loss of 4 cents per share on May 9, which came in 15 cents wider than the average forecast. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the full year fell to a profit of $1 per share from $1.09 over the past two month. For 2012, analysts expect a decrease of 29 cents per share, compared to projection made in the last couple of month’s to a profit of $1.74 per share.  

Here is a synopsis of why SSP and LOW have a Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) and should also most likely be sold or avoided for the next one to three months. Note that a #4 Sell rating is applied to 15% of all the stocks ranked by Zacks;

The E.W. Scripps Company (SSP - Snapshot Report) announced first-quarter loss of 13 cents per share on May 10, which missed analysts’ projections by 160 %.The total operating revenue reduced 2.1 % as compared to 2010. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the full year slipped 8 cents to a loss of 11 cents per share over the past 60 days.

Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (LOW - Analyst Report) reported a first-quarter profit of 34 cents per share on May 16 that fell 5.56% short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate. The full-year average forecast fell 6 cents to $1.64 per share in the last two months. Next year’s forecast dropped to $1.90 per share from $1.97 per share in the same period.

Truly taking advantage of the Zacks Rank requires the understanding of how it works.  The free special report; “Zacks Rank Guide: Harnessing the Power of Earnings Estimate Revisions” is available to provide this insightful background. Download a free copy now to prosper in the years to come at http://at.zacks.com/?id=93

About the Zacks Rank

Since 1988, the Zacks Rank has proven that "Earnings estimate revisions are the most powerful force impacting stock prices." Since inception in 1988, #1 Rank Stocks have generated an average annual return of +28%. During the 2000-2002 bear market, Zacks #1 Rank stocks gained +43.8%, while the S&P 500 tumbled -37.6%. Also note that the Zacks Rank system has just as many Strong Sell recommendations (Rank #5) as Strong Buy recommendations (Rank #1). Since 1988, Zacks Rank #5 stocks have significantly underperformed the S&P 500 (2.8% versus +9.7%). Thus, the Zacks Rank system allows investors to truly manage portfolio trading effectively.

Visit http://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.

Zacks “Profit from the Pros” e-mail newsletter offers continuous coverage of Zacks Rank Buy stocks and highlights those stocks poised to outperform the market. Subscribe to this free newsletter today by visiting http://at.zacks.com/?id=94

About Zacks

Zacks.com is a property of Zacks Investment Research, Inc., which was formed in 1978 by Len Zacks. As a PhD from MIT Len knew he could find patterns in stock market data that would lead to superior investment results. Amongst his many accomplishments was the formation of his proprietary stock picking system; the Zacks Rank, which continues to outperform the market by nearly a 3 to 1 margin. The best way to unlock the profitable stock recommendations and market insights of Zacks Investment Research is through our free daily email newsletter; Profit from the Pros.  In short, it's your steady flow of Profitable ideas GUARANTEED to be worth your time! Register for your free subscription to Profit from the Pros at http://at.zacks.com/?id=95

Join us on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/ZacksInvestmentResearch  

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.

Media Contact
Zacks Investment Research
800-767-3771 ext. 9339
support@zacks.com
http://www.zacks.com

Read the full analyst report on CBRL

Read the full analyst report on HMIN

Read the full analyst report on SSP

Read the full analyst report on LOW