Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Select Comfort, Retail Ventures, Cost Plus, SRS Labs, Inc. and Ladish Co., Inc.

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – April 30, 2009 - Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: Select Comfort (SCSS - Snapshot Report), Retail Ventures (RVI - Snapshot Report), Cost Plus (CPWM - Analyst Report), SRS Labs, Inc. (SRSL - Snapshot Report) and Ladish Co., Inc. (LDSH - Snapshot Report).

Get the most recent insight from Zacks Equity Research with the free Profit from the Pros newsletter: http://at.zacks.com/?id=4579.

Here are highlights from Wednesday’s Analyst Blog:

Consumer Confidence Jumps

Low-priced retail stocks are jumping again today. Names moving higher include Select Comfort (SCSS - Snapshot Report) up 20%, Retail Ventures (RVI - Snapshot Report) up 20% and Cost Plus (CPWM - Analyst Report) up 10%.

The catalyst was this morning’s Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index, which beat expectations of by about 10 points. The Index improved considerably in April and now stands at 39.2, up from 26.9 in March. That is the Index’s biggest increase since November 2005 and its highest reading since November 2008.

There are two components to the Index: consumers’ present situation and expectations. The Present Situation Index was 23.7, up from 21.9 in March, but the Expectations Index rose to 49.5 from 30.2 in March. The Conference Board noted that "[t]he sharp increase in the Expectations Index suggests that consumers believe the economy is nearing a bottom; however, this Index still remains well below levels associated with strong economic growth."

SRS Labs Upgraded to Buy

SRS Labs, Inc. (SRSL - Snapshot Report) develops and licenses audio technologies to OEMs in the home entertainment, portable media device, personal telecom, computing, automotive and broadcasting markets.

December quarter results were significantly better than consensus estimates. Management continues to expect 25% growth in 2009, driven by incremental revenue from new licensees. We are upgrading SRSL shares to BUY given its very strong growth prospects in the recession-hit year. However, we caution investors regarding the very small customer base, noting that the company generated 42% of revenue from Samsung alone in fiscal 2008.

Ladish EPS Drops Like a Hammer

Ladish Co., Inc. (LDSH - Snapshot Report), the forging, casting and machining company, posted Q1-09 Sales that were de-pressed 9.8% to $105.7 million (we had been looking $98.1 million), while EPS dropped mightily (just like the hammer on one of its forges) by 80.5% to 8¢ (our model was at 23¢).

The Gross Profit Margin was squeezed from 12.6% to 6.9%, while S,G&A Expense remained at 3.8% of Sales. Interest Expense & Other increased by 50.8%, driven, in part, by the cost of funds used to make recent acquisitions. Not helping matters was the Tax Rate, which increased from 37.3% to 40.1%, and the share count, which was higher by 9.3%.

Want more from Zacks Equity Research? Subscribe to the free Profit from the Pros newsletter: http://at.zacks.com/?id=2649.

About Zacks Equity Research

Zacks Equity Research provides the best of quantitative and qualitative analysis to help investors know what stocks to buy and which to sell for the long-term.

Continuous coverage is provided for a universe of 1,150 publicly traded stocks. Our analysts are organized by industry which gives them keen insights to developments that affect company profits and stock performance. Recommendations and target prices are six-month time horizons.

Zacks "Profit from the Pros" e-mail newsletter provides highlights of the latest analysis from Zacks Equity Research. Subscribe to this free newsletter today: http://at.zacks.com/?id=2677

About Zacks

Zacks.com is a property of Zacks Investment Research, Inc., which was formed in 1978 by Leonard Zacks. As a PhD in mathematics 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=4580.

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

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.

Contact:
Mark Vickery
Web Content Editor
312-265-9380
Visit: www.zacks.com