2008-08-22 23:06:04 -

- 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: ICON Plc (Nasdaq: ICLR), Monsanto Company (NYSE: MON), Unit Corporation's (NYSE: UNT) and TBS International Limited (Nasdaq: TBSI).

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 - ICON Plc (Nasdaq: ICLR)

ICON Plc made several key acquisitions and partnerships this year and continues to expand globally. The company also just announced great second-quarter results for its fourth earnings surprise in as many quarters.

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

Growth & Income - Monsanto Company (NYSE: MON)

Monsanto Company recently announced its expansion of a joint venture with China National Seed Group Corp. The joint venture provides corn seed to Chinese farmers. In early August, Monsanto declared a quarterly dividend of 24 cents per share, which is payable on October 24, 2008, to shareowners of record on October 3, 2008.

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

Momentum - Unit Corporation's (NYSE: UNT)

Unit Corporation's share price recently reversed its downward slide, bouncing from a key level and once again initiating its upward trajectory. The company's second-quarter results were awesome, and based upon analyst earnings projections, this stock looks very undervalued trading at these levels.

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

Value - TBS International Limited (Nasdaq: TBSI)

TBS International Limited turned in record results in the second quarter and saw higher forecasts from Wall Street. The full-year 2008 consensus estimate of $7.12 per share climbed from $6.37 over the past 30 trading days.

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.

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

Zacks.com
Aggressive Growth Stocks:
Michael Vodicka
Phone: 312-265-9226
or
Growth & Income Stocks:
Alex Kolb
Phone: 312-265-9149
or
Momentum Stocks:
Michael Vodicka
Phone: 312-265-9226
or
Value Stocks:
Alex Kolb
Phone: 312-265-9149
Email: pr@zacks.com
Visit: www.zacks.com