2008-04-22 23:45:20 -

- 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: Bucyrus International, Inc. (Nasdaq: BUCY),

Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY), Central European Distribution Corp. (Nasdaq: CEDC) and Petro-Canada (NYSE: PCZ).

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 - Bucyrus International, Inc. (Nasdaq: BUCY)

Bucyrus International is thriving despite a poor economic backdrop. Booming commodities markets and strong global growth are accounting for the success. Over the past four quarters, the company has posted an average surprise of 15.6%. During the past two months, this year's earnings estimates have increased 27 cents to $5.12 per share.

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

Growth & Income - Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY)

Bristol-Myers Squibb will release first-quarter results on April 24. BMY declared a quarterly dividend of 31 cents per share in early March . With a yield of 5.6%, Bristol-Myers Squibb is an industry standout as very few drug companies pay a dividend. The company sports solid growth in addition to income. In late January, Bristol-Myers reported net sales from continuing operations of $5.4 billion increased 33% year-over-year.

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

Momentum - Central European Distribution Corp. (Nasdaq: CEDC)

Central European Distribution Corp. shares have been rallying on the heels of the company's excellent fourth-quarter and full-year results, reported in February, in which full-year earnings were up more than 38% to $77.1 million. CEDC also recently announced a financial stake in a Russian alcohol importer and distributor, in order to more effectively pursue growth opportunities within the region.

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

Value - Petro-Canada (NYSE: PCZ)

Petro-Canada is taking advantage of its size as one of Canada's largest integrated oil companies to invest in the risky, but potentially lucrative, Alberta oil-sands development. The company beat Wall Street estimates three out of four quarters in 2007 on average of 7.44%. Petro-Canada has a 2008 P/E of only 7.62.

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.

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

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