Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Marriott International, Unum Group, Sun Life Financial Inc. and Genworth Financial Inc.

Chicago, IL – June 23, 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: Starwood Hotels & Resorts (HOT - Analyst Report), Marriott International (MAR - Analyst Report), Unum Group (UNM - Analyst Report), Sun Life Financial Inc. (SLF - Snapshot Report) and Genworth Financial Inc. (GNW - Snapshot Report).

Get the most recent insight from Zacks Equity Research with the free Profit from the Pros newsletter: http://at.zacks.com/?id=5513

Here are highlights from Monday’s Analyst Blog:

Hotel Stocks Showing Weakness

Hotel stocks had remained resilient over recent months in spite of the ongoing streak of bleak operating statistics reported thus far this year. However, the shares have pulled back in recent days.

Over the last two weeks, shares of Starwood Hotels & Resorts (HOT - Analyst Report) have fallen more than 18%, while shares of Marriott International (MAR - Analyst Report) have declined nearly 15%. This compares to a decline in the S&P 500 Index of just under 5% over the same time period.

We continue to believe that investors in lodging stocks have been overly optimistic regarding the chances of a second-half recovery in operating fundamentals. While we acknowledge that the year-over-year comparisons will likely improve in the back half of the year, we expect that the change will simply reflect the poor performance in the second-half of 2008, rather than a material improvement in current conditions.

Unum Group Gets New CFO

Earlier today, Unum Group (UNM - Analyst Report) named Richard P. McKenney as executive vice president and Chief Financial Officer. Mr. McKenney (40) succeeds Robert C. Greving, who in February 2009 announced his plans to retire later this year.

However, Mr. Greving will remain with the insurer for the next several months to ensure a smooth transition. McKenney has served as Executive Vice President and CFO of Sun Life Financial Inc. (SLF - Snapshot Report) and Genworth Financial Inc. (GNW - Snapshot Report).

UNM provides group and individual disability insurance, long term care insurance, life insurance, employer and employee-paid group benefits, and related services within the United States and the United Kingdom.

Want more from Zacks Equity Research? Subscribe to the free Profit from the Pros newsletter: http://at.zacks.com/?id=5515.

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=5517

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=5518.

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

Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ZacksInvestment

Join us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Zacks-Investment-Research/57553657748?ref=ts

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