CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Zacks.com releases the latest list of Zacks Rank Buy Stocks.
Everyday on Zacks.com, four stocks are selected based on how well they
match the criteria for the four main schools of investing: Aggressive
Growth, Growth & Income, Momentum and Value. The four Zacks Rank Buy
stocks highlighted today are MAXIMUS, Inc. (NYSE: MMS), Questar
Corporation (NYSE: STR), Priceline.com Incorporated (Nasdaq: PCLN),
and ProAssurance Corporation (NYSE: PRA).
Stocks ranked #1 (Strong Buy) by Zacks have produced an average
annual return of +31.9% 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 - MAXIMUS, Inc. (NYSE: MMS)
MAXIMUS, Inc. has experienced a surge in earnings estimates for
both this year and next. Over the past month, this year's estimates
have soared 50 cents to 89 cents per share, while next year's numbers
have jumped 37 cents to $2.41 per share. MMS has exceeded analyst
forecasts in each of the past four quarters.
Growth & Income - Questar Corporation (NYSE: STR)
Questar Corporation exceeded analysts' earnings expectations in 15
out of the past 16 quarters. The company recently raised its full-year
profit and production guidance. Consensus earnings estimates for both
this year and next are up over the past two months for this Zacks #1
Rank stock. On May 14, the Board of Directors declared a two-for-one
stock split and raised the company's dividend. STR has a current
dividend yield of 0.93%.
Momentum - Priceline.com Incorporated (Nasdaq: PCLN)
On May 8, Priceline.com Incorporated reported first-quarter
earnings of 33 cents per share, up from 19 cents per share in the
year-ago period and 14 cents above expectations. After reaching a
6-year high on May 8, the first-quarter release caused the stock to
tumble roughly 16% before finding support against the 50-day moving
average. PCLN has since rebounded on analyst upgrades and appears
ready to retest the recent highs.
Value - ProAssurance Corporation (NYSE: PRA)
ProAssurance Corporation, a Zacks #1 Rank stock, topped the
consensus earnings estimate in six consecutive quarters and in nine
out of the last 10. Since the release of PRA's first-quarter results,
analysts have been upping their earnings estimates for both this year
and next. Earnings per share are projected to grow 11% over the next
3-5 years. PRA has a price-to-book ratio of 1.7, compared to 4.5 for
the market.
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," 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 +31.9%. 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 132% annually (+5.1%
vs. +11.9%). Thus, the Zacks Rank system allows investors to truly
manage portfolio trading effectively.
Zacks Rank performance is the total return (price changes +
dividends) of equal weighted portfolios, consisting of those stocks
with the indicated Zacks Rank, assuming zero transaction costs. These
returns are not the result of a backtest; these are actual returns
since 1988. The stocks in the Zacks Rank portfolios were available to
Zacks clients before the beginning of each month (monthly
rebalancing). Performance results from 1988 through September 2006 are
based on a subset of all Zacks Rank stocks that excludes stocks
covered by only one analyst and ADR's.
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=90.
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.
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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.
The S&P 500 Index is a well-known, unmanaged index of the prices
of 500 large-company common stocks, mainly blue-chip stocks, selected
by Standard & Poor's. The S&P 500 Index assumes reinvestment of
dividends but does not reflect advisory fees. An investor cannot
invest directly in an index.
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.
Source: Zacks.com
Contact: Zacks.com
Aggressive Growth Stocks:
Roopak Chakravarty, 312-265-9188
or
Growth & Income Stocks:
Jim Licato, 312-265-9226
or
Momentum Stocks:
Ryan Whitmore, 312-265-9265
or
Value Stocks:
Jim Licato, 312-265-9226
pr@zacks.com
www.zacks.com