Zacks.com releases the latest list of
Zacks Rank Buy Stocks. Every day on Zacks.com, four stock picks are made
based on criteria for the each of the four main styles of investing:
Aggressive Growth, Growth & Income, Momentum and Value. The four Zacks
Rank Buy stocks highlighted today are Big Lots, Inc. (NYSE: BIG), Snap-on,
Inc. (NYSE: SNA), Cimarex Energy Co. (NYSE: XEC) and Amkor
Technology (Nasdaq: AMKR).
Stocks ranked #1 (Strong Buy) by Zacks have produced an average annual
return of +32.2% since inception in 1988. During the 2000-2002 bear
market, Zacks #1 Rank stocks gained 43.8% while the S&P 500 tumbled
-37.6%. To see the full Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) List, or the rank for
any other stock, visit: http://at.zacks.com/?id=88
Here is a synopsis of today’s Zacks Rank Buy
Stocks:
Aggressive Growth – Big Lots, Inc.
(NYSE: BIG)
Big Lots, Inc. is growing operating profits and generating ample cash
flow despite a difficult retailing environment. It's recently reported
fourth quarter produced a nice earnings surprise. Over the past four
quarters, it has posted an average surprise of 39.7%.
Zacks Guide to Aggressive Growth Investing (free!): http://at.zacks.com/?id=4309
Growth & Income – Snap-on, Inc.
(NYSE: SNA)
Snap-on, which is trading very close to a 52-week high, declared a
quarterly dividend of 30 cents per share in late April. The company's
dividend yield of 2.0% sits well above the industry average of 0.7%.
Prior to declaring a dividend, this solid Growth & Income pick announced
a robust first quarter with higher earnings and sales, which included
44% of the sales from outside the United States. SNA said it expects
full year 2008 sales and earnings to exceed 2007 levels. Wall Street is
also bullish on the company's future, pegging current full-year 2008
earnings forecasts at $3.93 per share, versus last month’s
$3.72.
Zacks Guide to Growth & Income Investing (free!): http://at.zacks.com/?id=4310
Momentum – Cimarex Energy Co. (NYSE:
XEC)
Cimarex Energy just posted another great quarter in which its
profit more than doubled from the same period last year. The company's
excellent results were driven by higher production and a significant
increase in the average selling prices of both gas and oil. Moving
forward, Cimarex says its plan to invest $1.1 to $1.3 billion in 2008 in
development and production projects, which should lead to a production
increase between 8% and 12% on the year. Higher volumes, higher prices,
this looks like a virtual formula for another great quarter.
Zacks Guide to Momentum Investing (free!): http://at.zacks.com/?id=4311
Value – Amkor Technology (Nasdaq: AMKR)
Amkor Technology is benefiting from the growing worldwide demand for
consumer electronic devices as sales for the first quarter rose 7.4%
year-over-year. The company has surprised on estimates three out of the
last four quarters on average of 27.44%. Amkor's forward P/E is 8.73,
well under the industry average of 28.9.
Zacks Guide to Value Investing (free!): http://at.zacks.com/?id=4312
The free special report, “Zacks Rank Guide:
Harnessing the Power of Earnings Estimate Revisions,”
provides an insightful background about this wealth-building tool.
Download your free copy of the report now to prosper in the years to
come by visiting 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 +32.2%.
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
underperformed the S&P 500 by 129% annually (+5.3% vs. +12.1%). 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”
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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
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Zacks Investment Research is under common control with affiliated
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may engage in transactions involving the foregoing securities for the
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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.
