2008-08-12 23:48:03 -

- Zacks.com announces the latest list of top performing Zacks #1 Rank ("strong buy") stocks. The stocks on the prestigious list with the highest returns last week were Fuel Systems Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: FSYS), Almost Family, Inc. (NASDAQ: AFAM), USANA Health Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: USNA), China Medical Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: CMED) and Badger Meter, Inc. (NYSE: BMI). Each of these

stocks easily outperformed the S&P 500.

Stocks ranked #1 (Strong Buy) by Zacks have produced an average annual return of +32% 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 learn more about the Zacks Rank, go to at.zacks.com/?id=3172.

Here is a synopsis of the last week's best performing Zacks #1 Rank stocks.

Increasing demand for alternative energy led shares of Fuel Systems Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: FSYS) higher by approximately 47.3% last week. On Thursday, the company announced that second-quarter revenues surged 50% year over year to $98.3 million, compared to $65.6 million. Furthermore, earnings per share beat both the consensus and year-ago result. FSYS also increased its 2008 consolidated revenue outlook to $350 million.

Earnings estimates for this year are up 17.2% over the past 2 months. However, one of the most appealing aspects of this company is its future potential. FSYS - which already has extensive exposure in Europe, Asia and Latin America - sees important medium-term opportunities in the U.S. Analysts are currently estimating that next year's earnings per share will be about 27.4% better than this year's.

Earnings estimates for Almost Family, Inc. (NASDAQ: AFAM) have jumped in the past 7 days as the provider of home health nursing services reported strong second-quarter results on Aug 5. The company reported earnings per share of 50 cents on net service revenues of $48.7 million. EPS eclipsed the consensus by more than 31% and advanced easily from the prior year's 35 cents, while revenues improved 50% from second quarter 2007. The company was particularly pleased with the 33% organic revenue growth rate in its Visiting Nurse segment.

Analyst expectations for this year and next are up 24.5% and 28.9%, respectively, in the past week. They also currently expect 2009 profit to be about 18.6% better than that of 2008. AFAM made the Zacks #1 Rank Top Performers List last week with a gain of approximately 20.1%.

USANA Health Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: USNA) made the Zacks #1 Rank Top Performers List for last week as shares advanced 12.8%. Earnings estimates for this year are up 11.5% in two months, including a gain of 2.7% in the past 30 days. Analysts currently expect a 10.8% profit increase next year over this year.

In late July, the company - which develops and manufacturers nutritional, personal care and weight management products - announced second-quarter results. Net sales of $109.2 million advanced year over year by 1.5% from $107.5 million, due mainly to new incentive programs and stronger foreign currencies. Earnings per share of 62 cents were ahead of the consensus by about 1.6%.

China Medical Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: CMED) announced solid fiscal first-quarter results last week, which included year-over-year revenue growth of almost 50%. Furthermore, earnings per ADS advanced from the previous year as well, while also topping the consensus. The medical device company said it was pleased with the change in its major source of revenues from selling medical equipment to selling diagnostic reagents. As for the full year, CMED reaffirmed its targets.

Shares of the company advanced 12.1% last week, which was enough to make it a top-performing Zacks #1 Rank. There is currently only one analyst covering the stock, but that analyst has been boosting estimates for the year ending March 2009 significantly for weeks. Over the past two months, the expectation is up 53%, including a gain of about 13.1% in seven days.

Badger Meter, Inc. (NYSE: BMI) announced on Friday an increase in its quarterly common stock dividend of 22.2% to 11 cents from 9 cents. This marks the company's 16th straight year of increased dividend payments. It is payable Sep 15 to shareholders of record Aug 29. The company, which manufacturers and markets flow measurement products, made the Zacks #1 Rank Top Performers List for the week ended Aug 8 with shares that advanced 9.8%.

In late July, BMI announced second-quarter earnings per share of 48 cents, which topped the consensus by more than 11.6%. The result also improved from the previous year. Net sales from continuing operations advanced 20.1% to $74.7 million from $62.2 million, driven by its utility products. Over the past month, earnings estimates for this year have advanced approximately 4.4%.

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%. 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 % vs. +12%). Thus, the Zacks Rank system allows investors to truly manage portfolio trading effectively.

To view the current Zacks #1 Rank List and to see additional Zacks Rank resources, go to at.zacks.com/?id=3173.

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

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.

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Jim Giaquinto
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