All Star Analysts Portfolio Highlights: Cisco Systems, Harley-Davidson, GE, and Texas Instruments

Business Wire, Feb 2, 2005

CHICAGO -- Zacks.com just released its latest additions and deletions to its proprietary All Star Analyst portfolio. Members on this exclusive list include Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO), Harley-Davidson (NYSE:HDI), GE (NYSE:GE) and Texas Instruments, Inc. (NYSE:TXN). View the entire list of stocks on the All Star Analyst portfolio at http://at.zacks.com/?id=510

This exclusive portfolio represents all stocks with a Strong Buy rating from at least five analysts with a 5 Star All Star ranking. These are the brokerage analysts whose stock recommendations proved to be the most profitable for investors. In 2003 this portfolio gained 46.6% nearly doubling the rise of the S&P 500. Here is a synopsis of why these stocks are on the All Star Analysts Portfolio:

Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) recently announced the addition of Cisco Medical-Grade Network Assessment and Cisco e-Radiology solution to its Medical-Grade Network initiative. The company said that a Cisco Medical-Grade Network represents another big step toward a world of 'Connected Health,' where the network can help surgeons conduct medical procedures 400 kilometers away from their patients, or a quarter of a mile below the ocean surface. Such innovation bodes well for Cisco moving forward, and has helped to link four All Star Analysts together with buy recommendations for the company.

Harley-Davidson (NYSE:HDI): In late January, Harley-Davidson introduced three new motorcycles: an all-new 2006 VRSCR Street Rod, a big bore 15th Anniversary Edition 2005 Fat Boy and dirt track-inspired 2005 Sportster 883R. These three bikes continue a long line of excellence over the past 100-plus years that has made Harley-Davidson the dominant name in motorcycles. The fourth quarter ended the company's 19th straight year of record revenue and earnings, as retail sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles grew 7.1% for 2004 in the U.S. and 1.5% internationally. With more than $5 billion in revenue last year, the All Stars have decided to take a ride with Harley-Davidson.

GE (NYSE:GE) believes its businesses are positioned in the right markets with strong teams driving powerful initiatives. The company completed its strategic repositioning and returned to double-digit earnings growth in the fourth quarter. Nine of its 11 businesses delivered such growth. GE said its industrial sales grew 19% and assets for its key financial services businesses ended the year up 20%. Total orders advanced 15%. GE is confident of achieving 10% to 15% earning growth with strong cash flow. GE expects such growth to continue well into 2006. The All Stars like that a giant like GE can continue to perform above expectations, and that's one of the main reasons 5 of these analysts are recommending the company.

Texas Instruments, Inc. (NYSE:TXN): The semiconductor industry may not be the most vibrant space right now, but that didn't keep Texas Instruments from putting together a strong fourth quarter. Strong growth in products for the wireless market and higher royalty revenue helped to offset declines in other areas. Revenue from its wireless products improved more than $1 billion to $3.8 billion. Meanwhile, revenue for DLP and high-performance analog products improved 79% and 40% respectively. Now that customers have made their inventory adjustments, Texas Instruments believes it's in a good position once growth reemerges, and the All Stars appear to agree.

Discover all the current All Star Analyst rankings and top analyst recommendations at http://at.zacks.com/?id=511

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To learn which brokerage analysts are the best in their field and what stocks they're recommending today, see the Zacks All Star Analyst survey. This exclusive survey, created with Fortune Magazine, reveals the "Best-of-Breed" brokerage analysts. They are the select group of winners from the universe of brokerage analysts - the ones who consistently beat the street - the few you should be following now. Visit the Zacks All Star Survey to find the best analysts and their top stock recommendations at http://at.zacks.com/?id=512

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