Zacks Releases Four ''Strong Buy'' or ''Buy'' Stocks: Sohu.com, Fluor Corporation, Frontline Ltd. and Parker Hannifin Corporation

2008-05-01 23:53:06 -

- Four free stock picks are being made available today on Zacks.com. The industry's leading independent research firm highlights a Zacks #1 Rank Strong Buy stock or a Zacks #2 Rank Buy stock for each of the four main styles of investing: Aggressive Growth, Growth & Income, Momentum, and Value. Today's four highlighted picks are: Sohu.com, Inc. (Nasdaq: SOHU), Fluor Corporation (NYSE: FLR), Frontline Ltd. (NYSE: FRO) and Parker Hannifin Corporation (NYSE: PH).

Zacks #1 Rank Strong Buys have nearly tripled the S&P 500 since 1988, producing an average annual return of +31%. Performance has been notable even during volatile and down times. For example, during the last bear market, 2000-2002, the market tumbled -37.6% - but Zacks #1 Rank stocks gained +43.8%.

To see the secret behind this performance, investors are invited to download the free special report, Zacks Rank Guide: Harnessing the Power of Earnings Estimate Revisions. at.zacks.com/?id=4422

Here is a summary of today's Zacks #1 Rank Strong Buy Stocks:

Aggressive Growth - Sohu.com, Inc. (Nasdaq: SOHU)

Sohu.com, Inc. recently reported an excellent quarter and guided higher. Its sponsorship of the 2008 Olympic Games should boost revenues going forward as well. Earnings estimates really took off after the company's report. Analysts are now expecting $1.86 per share for the current year, up nine cents from a week ago.

Zacks Guide to Aggressive Growth Investing (free!): at.zacks.com/?id=4423

Growth & Income - Fluor Corporation (NYSE: FLR)

Fluor Corporation is a solid Growth & Income pick that will be reporting first-quarter results on May 12, 2008. In late February, the company posted record results for 2007 and upped its guidance for 2008. Net earnings for 2007 soared 102% year-over-year to a record $533 million. Wall Street estimates are on the rise with current forecasts of $5.61 climbing from $5.46 over the past 90 trading days. Fluor also offers income, sporting a dividend yield of 0.6%, which is above the industry average, and FLR's ROE of 21% crushes the industry average of 6%.

Zacks Guide to Growth & Income Investing (free!): at.zacks.com/?id=4424

Momentum - Frontline Ltd. (NYSE: FRO)

Frontline Ltd. shares have been on a nice run for the past three months, advancing from less than $35 on Jan 22 to their current location of over $55. Much of the recent price strength comes after the company's very strong fourth-quarter and full-year results, reported on Feb 14. Frontline is enjoying robust sales and strong pricing power due to the incredible surge in the energy markets.

Zacks Guide to Momentum Investing (free!): at.zacks.com/?id=4425

Value - Parker Hannifin Corporation (NYSE: PH)

Parker Hannifin sees strong growth in all of its global markets, even in a slowing North America, as the industrial sector continues to outperform. The company has a long history of rewarding shareholders, having increased its dividend 52 consecutive years. Parker Hannifin has beaten Wall Street estimates the last four quarters on average of 6.73%. It has a forward P/E of 13.45.

Zacks Guide to Value Investing (free!): at.zacks.com/?id=4426

The Zacks Rank Discovery

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.

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, they'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 stock picks are released on the free email newsletter, Profit from the Pros. Investors are invited to register for their free subscription at at.zacks.com/?id=4427

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.

Zacks.com
Aggressive Growth Stocks:
Contact: Roopak Chakravarty
Phone: 312-265-9188
or
Growth & Income Stocks:
Contact: Alex Kolb
Phone: 312-265-9149
or
Momentum Stocks:
Contact: Michael Vodicka
Phone: 312-265-9226
or
Value Stocks:
Contact: Tracey Ryniec
Phone: 312-265-9232

Email: pr@zacks.com
Visit: www.zacks.com

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