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Zacks Releases Four Powerful ''Buy'' Stocks: Nanometrics, Valspar, Hanesbrands and Keithley Instruments

^{Published on 2010-06-18 14:12:04 - Market Wire}
 

CHICAGO--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--Four free stock picks are being made available today on Zacks.com. The industrya™s leading independent research firm highlights one Zacks #1 Rank Strong Buy or a Zacks #2 Rank Buy stock for each of the four main styles of investing: Aggressive Growth, Growth & Income, Momentum, and Value.

"earnings estimate revisions are the most powerful force impacting stock prices."

The four highlighted picks are: Nanometrics (Nasdaq: [ NANO ]), Valspar Corp. (NYSE: [ VAL ]), Hanesbrands, Inc. (NYSE: [ HBI ]) and Keithley Instruments, Inc. (NYSE: [ KEI ]).

Today, Zacks is promoting its ''Buy'' stock recommendations. Four daily picks are offered free at [ http://at.zacks.com/?id=88 ].

Zacks #1 Rank Stocks have nearly tripled the S&P 500 since 1988, producing an average annual return of +26%. Performance has been notable even during volatile and down times. For example, during the last bear market, 2000-2002, the market tumbled -37.6% a" but Zacks #1 Rank stocks gained +43.8%.

Here is a summary of today's selected stocks that are now highly rated by Zacks:

Aggressive Growth a" [ Nanometrics ](Nasdaq: [ NANO ])

Nanometrics crushed earnings expectations and continues to improve at a break-neck pace.

Zacks Guide to Aggressive Growth Investing (free!): [ http://at.zacks.com/?id=4309 ]

Growth & Income a" [ Valspar Corp. ](NYSE: [ VAL ])

Valspar Corp. shares have performed very well during the recent market downturn. Its stock is now less than a dollar below its 52-week high.

Zacks Guide to Growth & Income Investing (free!): [ http://at.zacks.com/?id=4310 ]

Momentum a" [ Hanesbrands, Inc. ] (NYSE: [ HBI ])

Hanesbrands, Inc. has been hot for the last 12 months, recently hitting a new multi-year high above $31 after reporting a 61% earnings surprise in late April. With a bullish next-year estimate calling for 21% earnings growth, the long-term picture looks good too.

Zacks Guide to Momentum Investing (free!): [ http://at.zacks.com/?id=4311 ]

Value a" [ Keithley Instruments, Inc. ] (NYSE: [ KEI ])

Keithley Instruments, Inc. recently raised its dividend to pre-recession levels as orders jumped and demand improved across the globe. The company trades with a forward P/E of just 9.8, which is well under the industry average of 17.5.

Zacks Guide to Value Investing (free!): [ http://at.zacks.com/?id=4312 ]

How to Regularly Access Top Zacks Rank Picks for Free:[ http://at.zacks.com/?id=7154 ]

Underlying the four free stock picks is a simple truth that first appeared in a Financial Analysts Journal article published in 1979. Leonard Zacks, a Ph.D. in Mathematics from M.I.T. found that "earnings estimate revisions are the most powerful force impacting stock prices." Zacks #1 Rank is awarded to a stock when analysts sharply upgrade their estimates of what the company will earn.

Today, Zacks is promoting its stock recommendations by offering four daily picks free to those who register at [ http://at.zacks.com/?id=7155 ].

About Zacks

Zacks.com is a property of Zacks Investment Research, Inc., which was formed in 1978 by Len Zacks. The company continually processes stock reports issued by 3,000 analysts from 150 brokerage firms. It monitors more than 200,000 earnings estimates, looking for changes.

Then, when changes are discovered, theya™re applied to help assign more than 4,400 stocks into five Zacks Rank categories: #1 Strong Buy, #2 Buy, #3 Hold, #4 Sell, and #5 Strong Sell. This proprietary stock-picking system continues to outperform the market by a nearly 3-to-1 margin.

More Free Stock Picks

Each weekday, new Zacks #1 Rank or Zacks #2 Rank stock picks are released on the free email newsletter, Profit from the Pros. Investors are invited to register for their free subscription at [ http://at.zacks.com/?id=91 ].

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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.

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.

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