2008-09-19 22:14:02 -

- 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: Big Lots, Inc. (NYSE: BIG),

U.S. Steel Corporation (NYSE: X), Cedar Fair, LP (NYSE: FUN) and Ultrapetrol Bahamas Limited (Nasdaq: ULTR).

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 - Big Lots, Inc. (NYSE: BIG)

Big Lots has been a safe haven for shoppers and investors in such a turbulent market. As the economy slows, shoppers are looking for ways to stretch their weakened dollars and are turning to discount retailers. The company has just reported another great quarter driven by record inventory turnover.

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

Growth & Income - U.S. Steel Corporation (NYSE: X)

U.S. Steel Corporation's record results signal stellar growth. The company's strong cash flow enables it to hike dividends, which is what occurred in late July when U.S. Steel upped its dividend by 5 cents per share, declaring a 30-cent dividend. The company's earnings per share are expected to grow by 14% over the next 3 to 5 years, outpacing the industry average projection of 10%.

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

Momentum - Cedar Fair, LP (NYSE: FUN)

Cedar Fair, LP's share price has been rallying since mid July, recently helped by the company's solid second-quarter results in which actual earnings came in far ahead of analyst estimates.

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

Value - Ultrapetrol Bahamas Limited (Nasdaq: ULTR)

Ultrapetrol is expanding its river system business as commodities shipping booms. The company reported record revenues in the second quarter as revenues rose 50%. Ultrapetrol has surprised the last two quarters by an average of 135.90%. It's trading at only 5.1x forward earnings.

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:
Contact: Bill Wilton
Phone: 312-265-9277
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