Zacks Buy List Highlights: bebe stores, Ingram Micro, Marvell Technology Group Ltd. and Staples, Inc

Business Wire, Jan 19, 2005

CHICAGO -- Zacks.com releases another list of stocks that are currently members of the coveted Zacks #1 Ranked list. The #1 ranked stocks highlighted today include the following companies: bebe stores, inc. (NASDAQ:BEBE) and Ingram Micro, Inc. (NYSE:IM). Further they announced #2 Rankings (Buy) on two other widely held stocks: Marvell Technology Group Ltd. (NASDAQ:MRVL) and Staples, Inc. (NASDAQ:SPLS). To see the full Zacks #1 Ranked list or the rank for any other stock then visit. http://at.zacks.com/?id=88

Stocks ranked #1 (Strong Buys) by Zacks have produced an average annual return of 32.9% since inception in 1988. During the recent Bear market from 2000 through 2002, the Zacks #1 Ranked stocks gained 43.8% while the S&P 500 tumbled -37.6%.

Here is a synopsis of why these stocks have a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy). Note that a #1 Strong Buy rating is applied to 5% of all the stocks Zacks ranks:

bebe stores, inc. (NASDAQ:BEBE) will announce fiscal second quarter earnings results on January 20, 2005. Over the past two months, earnings estimates for the year ending June 2005 have improved 11 cents, or almost 14%. Earlier this month, bebe stores announced that same-store sales for December jumped 28%, prompting the company to raise its guidance for fiscal second quarter earnings. The company now expects quarterly earnings in the range of 37 cents to 40 cents, up from a prior guidance of 35 cents to 37 cents.

Ingram Micro, Inc. (NYSE:IM) reaffirmed its mid November guidance in early December, announcing that, with the exclusion of integration costs, it expects earnings of 32 cents to 36 cents per share for the fourth quarter. The company said that even with the exclusion of the benefits of the Tech Pacific acquisition, its sales guidance represents sequential growth of 11% to 15%. For the year ended December 2004 and the year ending December 2005 earnings estimates climbed 7 cents and 13 cents respectively from 3 months ago, representing increases of almost 8% and almost 13%.

Here is a synopsis of why these stocks have a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy). Note that a #2 Buy rating is applied to 15% of all the stocks ranked by Zacks:

Marvell Technology Group Ltd. (NASDAQ:MRVL) reported pro forma net income of 22 cents per diluted share for its fiscal third quarter, beating the year-ago result and topping the consensus by almost 5%. Marvell has now beaten Wall Street's earnings per share expectations for seven straight quarters. Net revenue jumped 47% to $317.6 million. The company attributed its strong financial track record to the strength of its technology, strong partnerships with customers and suppliers, and the hard work of its employees.

Staples, Inc. (NASDAQ:SPLS) earnings estimates for the year ending this month and the year ending January 2006 are each up 3 cents, or about 2%, from three months ago. In November, the company posted fiscal third quarter earnings per share of 41 cents, exceeding the consensus by more than 2% and marking the 12th straight quarter above Wall Street expectations. Total sales improved 12%. Staples said its customers are responding positively to its strong execution and easy shopping experience.

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About the Zacks Rank

For over 15 years, the Zacks Rank has proven that "Earnings estimate revisions are the most powerful force impacting stock prices." Since inception in 1988 the #1 Ranked stocks have generated an average annual return of 32.9%. During the recent Bear market from 2000 through 2002, the Zacks #1 Ranked 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). And since 1988 the S&P 500 has outperformed the Zacks #5 Ranked Strong Sells by 168.2% annually (11.8% vs. 4.4% respectively). Thus, the Zacks Rank system can truly be used to effectively manage the portfolio trading.

Zacks "Profit from the Pros" e-mail newsletter offers continuous coverage of Zacks #1 Ranked stocks highlighting those stocks poised to outperform the market. http://at.zacks.com/?id=90

The Zacks Rank, and all of its recommendations, is created by Zacks & Co., member NASD. Zacks.com displays the Zacks Rank with permission from Zacks & Co. on its web site for individual investors.

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