Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Gafisa, Tam, Vivo, Ambev and Cost Plus, Inc.

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – May 28, 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: Gafisa (GFA - Analyst Report), Tam (TAM - Analyst Report), Vivo (VIV - Snapshot Report), Ambev (ABV - Analyst Report) and Cost Plus, Inc. (CPWM - Analyst 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:

Brazil Getting to Pre-Crisis Levels

As we said last week, the aggressive interventions of the BCB will not prevent a major appreciation of the Brazilian real. We also said that the real would test the BRL/USD level 2.00 soon. In fact, today the real reached 2.00 per dollar and we expect further appreciation.

It is quite clear that the economic environment in Brazil is changing for better and that Brazil will outperform more developed economies like the U.S., European countries and Japan. In fact, it is already outperforming!

We still believe the strength of the Brazilian domestic market will counterbalance the negative effects of the crisis and that Brazilian interest rates will keep on falling. In such an improving economic environment we recommend Gafisa (GFA - Analyst Report), Tam (TAM - Analyst Report), Vivo (VIV - Snapshot Report) and Ambev (ABV - Analyst Report).

Sell Cost Plus Down to $0.50

Cost Plus, Inc. (CPWM - Analyst Report) management's guidance for the second quarter cautioned investors to prepare for more of the same. Cost Plus expects same-store sales to decrease 9.5%-14.5% and a pre-tax loss from continuing operations of $14-$21 million. We reiterate our Sell rating on CPWM shares and our six-month target price of $0.50.

Our discounted cash flow analysis pegs the company's fair value at less than $1. Unless Cost Plus manages to pull off a successful turnaround, its shares are headed lower. We think the stock has downside risk to $0.50.

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