Zacks Buy List Highlights: Catalina Marketing, Investment Technology Group, American Power Conversion and Coach

Business Wire, Jan 21, 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: Catalina Marketing Corporation (NYSE:POS) and Investment Technology Group, Inc. (NYSE:ITG). Further they announced #2 Rankings (Buy) on two other widely held stocks: American Power Conversion Corporation (NASDAQ:APCC) and Coach, Inc. (NYSE:COH). 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:

Catalina Marketing Corporation (NYSE: POS) will announce fiscal third quarter results on January 26, 2005. Earnings estimates for the year ending March 2005 improved by 3 cents, or almost +3%, over the last two months. For the fiscal second quarter, pro forma non-GAAP consolidated net income was 36 cents per diluted share, beating the consensus by +44%. The company said it is now focusing on the Catalina businesses in which it holds strategic advantages that will serve to generate long-term growth and profitability.

Investment Technology Group, Inc. (NYSE: ITG) recently announced that U.S. trading volume was 2.1 billion shares for December an increase from both November's 1.8 billion and last year's December volume, which was also 1.8 billion. For the third quarter, the company posted earnings per share of 27 cents, excluding special items, exceeding the consensus by +35%. For the year ended December 2004 and the year ending December 2005 earnings estimates moved up 9 cents and 18 cents respectively from 3 months ago, marking improvements of about +11% and +19%. The company will announce fourth quarter earnings on January 27, 2005.

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:

American Power Conversion Corporation (NASDAQ: APCC) earnings estimates for the year ended December 2004 and the year ending December 2005 are up 17 cents and 10 cents respectively from three months ago, representing upward movements of almost +26% and +13%. The company posted third quarter non-GAAP net income of 28 cents per share in late October, beating the consensus by almost +65%. The company said a favorable product mix, manufacturing and service cost efficiencies, and flat sequential operating expenses drove substantial sequential earnings growth. The company will report fourth quarter earnings on February 3, 2005.

Coach, Inc. (NYSE: COH) will announce fiscal second quarter results on January 25, 2005. Earlier this month, Coach decided to raise its earnings per share guidance for the quarter to at least 67 cents from its previous forecast of about 64 cents. The company said it was delighted with the continued strength of its results and the success of its key holiday initiatives as total U.S. sales improved +27%. Coach has been able to surpass the Street's estimates over the past 12 consecutive quarters.

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" Is available free to provide this insightful background. Download a free copy now to prosper in the years to come. http://at.zacks.com/?id=89

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.

About Zacks

Zacks.com is a property of Zacks Investment Research, Inc., which was formed in 1978 to compile, analyze, and distribute investment research to both institutional and individual investors. The guiding principle behind Zacks work is the belief that investment experts, such as brokerage analysts and investment newsletter writers, have superior knowledge about how to invest successfully. The goal is to unlock these pros' profitable insights for individual investors hard-pressed to find this valuable information in one source. A free subscription to "Profit from the Pros" weekly e-mail newsletter provides the best way to use these experts' insights for more profitable investing. Register for a free subscription to Profit from the Pros http://at.zacks.com/?id=91