Zacks.com Announces That Richard Rhodes Highlights the Following Stocks: Marsh & McLennan, Apple Computer, Aeropostale, J.M. Smucker, and Barr Pharmaceuticals

Business Wire, Oct 7, 2004

CHICAGO -- High oil prices are wreaking havoc with the market. Richard Rhodes has decided to stay on the sidelines since the technical picture is rather confusing. But investors should be ready to make their move by studying this expert's trading positions and watch list. Read about Marsh & McLennan (NYSE:MMC), Apple Computer, Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL), Aeropostale, Inc. (NYSE:ARO), The J.M. Smucker Company (NYSE:SJM), and Barr Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE:BRL). Richard Rhodes is editor of The Rhodes Report newsletter. Click here for the full story exclusively on Zacks.com: http://at.zacks.com/?id=84

Here are the highlights from the Featured Expert column:

As for Richard Rhodes' TRADING STANCE at this time, he and his team continue to have a rather bearish bias given the recent strength in crude oil prices and the ancillary energy products such as heating oil, natural gas and even unleaded gasoline. This is slowing the economy in terms of retail and consumer spending patterns; it is increasing the savings rate as consumers seek to put a 'buffer' between the required needs such as energy and their wants - i.e. discretionary items. So, discretionary always loses out - and this is why the retail shares of which Rhodes is short are showing declines. Also, Rhodes sees the 'cracks' in the housing foundation appearing - another negative to the economy he simply does not believe is 'baked into the pie' and generally neglected by many.

Trading Positions

The shares below are issues in which Rhodes currently holds a position.

Marsh & McLennan (NYSE:MMC) is primarily a holding company which, through its subsidiaries and affiliates, provides clients with analysis, advice and transactional capabilities in the fields of risk and insurance services, investment management and consulting.

Apple Computer, Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) designs, manufactures and markets personal computers and related personal computing and communicating solutions for sale primarily to education, creative, consumer, and business customers.

Aeropostale, Inc. (NYSE:ARO) is a mall-based specialty retailer of casual apparel and accessories that targets both young women and young men aged 11 to 20.

StockWatch Waiting Room (long candidates)

The shares below are issues Rhodes and his team are interested in adding to Trading Positions, but they are 'waiting' for further appropriate technical evidence in order to trade with a high degree of confidence.

The J.M. Smucker Company (NYSE:SJM) is the leading marketer of jams, jellies, preserves, and other fruit spreads in the U.S.

Barr Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE:BRL) and its subsidiaries are engaged in the development, manufacture and marketing of generic and proprietary pharmaceuticals.

Read Richard Rhodes' complete commentary, and take a look at all of the selections on his Trading Positions and Waiting Room lists, by clicking: http://at.zacks.com/?id=85

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