Zacks Buy List Highlights: Cal Dive, Taiwan Semiconductor, General Cable, and Maverick Tube

Business Wire, Dec 15, 2005

CHICAGO -- Zacks.com releases another list Zacks Rank Buy Stocks. Everyday on Zacks.com, four stocks are selected based on how well they match the criteria for the four main schools of investing: Aggressive Growth, Growth & Income, Momentum and Value. The four Zacks Rank Buy stocks highlighted today are Cal Dive International (NASDAQ:CDIS), Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (NYSE:TSM), General Cable Corporation (NYSE:BGC), and Maverick Tube Corporation (NYSE:MVK).

Stocks ranked #1 (Strong Buy) by Zacks have produced an average annual return of 33% since inception in 1988. During the 2000-2002 bear market, Zacks #1 Rank stocks gained 43.8% while the S&P 500 tumbled 37.6%. To see the full Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) List, or the rank for any other stock, visit: http://at.zacks.com/?id=88

Here is a synopsis of today's Zack Rank Buy Stocks:

Aggressive Growth - Cal Dive International (NASDAQ:CDIS)

--Year-over-year earnings growth has averaged 101% over last 11 quarters

--Estimates are being revised upwards

--Trades at a discounted valuation; PEG ratio is just 0.57

--Recent acquisitions and investments are handsomely paying off

Growth & Income - Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (NYSE:TSM)

--Has met or exceeded expectations in nine of the past 11 quarters

--EPS growth rate for the next 3-5 years projected to be 25.0%

--Increased revenues, expanded gross margins and grown profits over the past three years

--Strong ROE of 20.3%

--Favorable current dividend yield of 2.4%

Momentum - General Cable (NYSE:BGC)

--Long history of positive earnings surprises, beating estimates 10 out of the last 11 quarters.

--10 consecutive quarters of positive revenue growth.

--Showing an ability to pass along higher raw material costs to customers

--Stock made a new 52-week high on Dec 13, 2005 on heavy volume.

--Short-term technical indicators are either up or turning up.

Value - Maverick Tube Corporation (NYSE:MVK)

--Has beat estimates for seven out of the last eight quarters

--Estimates for 2005 have increased by 5.5% over the past 60 days, reflecting upward revisions by five analysts. For 2006, the consensus estimate is up a staggering 34.2% when compared to estimates of two months ago

--Sales, gross margins, and profits have increased for the past two years

--MVK trades at less than 4x book value

--Recent stock buyback of more than 6.2 million shares and possible future share repurchases

Truly taking advantage of the Zacks Rank requires the understanding of how it works. The free special report, "Zacks Rank Guide: Harnessing the Power of Earnings Estimate Revisions," provides an insightful background about this wealth-building tool. Download your free copy of the report now to prosper in the years to come by visiting http://at.zacks.com/?id=93.

About the Zacks Rank

For over 17 years, the Zacks Rank has proven that "Earnings estimate revisions are the most powerful force impacting stock prices." Since inception in 1988, #1 Rank stocks have generated an average annual return of 33%. During the 2000-2002 bear market, Zacks #1 Rank stocks gained 43.8%, while the S&P 500 tumbled 37.6%. Also note that the Zacks Rank system has just as many Strong Sell recommendations (Rank #5) as Strong Buy recommendations (Rank #1). Since 1988, Zacks Rank #5 stocks have underperformed the S&P 500 by 155.5% annually ( 4.6% vs. 11.8%). Thus, the Zacks Rank system allows investors to truly manage portfolio trading effectively.

Zacks "Profit from the Pros" e-mail newsletter offers continuous coverage of Zacks Rank Buy stocks and highlights those stocks poised to outperform the market. Subscribe to this free newsletter today by visiting http://at.zacks.com/?id=90.

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