2008-08-20 22:49:13 -

- Four free stock picks are being made available today on Zacks.com. The industry'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.

The four highlighted picks are: Tetra Tech, Inc. (Nasdaq: TTEK),

Suncor Energy, Inc. (NYSE: SU), Cornell Companies, Inc. (NYSE: CRN) and Unit Corp. (NYSE: UNT).

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

Zacks #1 Rank Stocks have nearly tripled the S&P 500 since 1988, producing an average annual return of +30%. 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%.

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

Aggressive Growth - Tetra Tech, Inc. (Nasdaq: TTEK)

Tetra Tech has surprised analysts for the fourth time in the past four quarters. The company also built up a record backlog of business and has recently acquired three firms to support the added business.

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

Growth & Income - Suncor Energy, Inc. (NYSE: SU)

Suncor Energy saw growth in the second quarter as evidenced by net earnings of $829 million, beating last year's $738 million. The company's earnings per share are expected to grow by 10% over the next 3 - 5 years, which is ahead of the industry average of 8%.

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

Momentum - Cornell Companies, Inc. (NYSE: CRN)

Cornell Companies recently reported strong second-quarter results and boosted its earnings guidance for the remainder of the year. Revenue was up 3.4% from last year to $94.6 million. Net income jumped ahead to $5.3 million, up from $3.4 million last year.

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

Value - Unit Corp. (NYSE: UNT)

Unit Corp. recently delivered second-quarter earnings per share of $2.00, eclipsing the previous year's $1.41 and topping the consensus estimate by a penny. During the past four consecutive quarters, the company's earnings results were ahead of Street estimates three times and matched the other time.

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

How to Regularly Access Picks from the Zacks Rank Discovery for Free: at.zacks.com/?id=88

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 at.zacks.com/?id=88

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 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 at.zacks.com/?id=91

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: Michael Vodicka
Phone: 312-265-9226
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.