Zacks Bull and Bear of the Day Highlights: Zumiez, ProQuest, Myriad Genetics and Prudential

Business Wire, August 24, 2006

CHICAGO -- Zacks Equity Research highlights Zumiez, Inc. (Nasdaq:ZUMZ) as the Bull of the Day and ProQuest Company (NYSE:PQE) as the Bear of the Day. In addition, Zacks Equity Research provides analysis on Myriad Genetics, Inc. (Nasdaq:MYGN) and Prudential Financial (NYSE:PRU). Full analysis of all four stocks is available at http://at.zacks.com/?id=2676.

Here is a synopsis of all four stocks:

Bull of the Day:

Our Bull of the Day recommendation is for Zumiez, Inc. (Nasdaq:ZUMZ). Zumiez second-quarter EPS was $0.01 ahead of our estimate, while its sales were a little light of our forecast. What's more, the company increased its guidance for the second half of the year. We maintain our Buy rating and $35 target price. ZUMZ shares have declined nearly 37% since the beginning of July, despite the company's fundamentals remaining strong. We continue to believe the shares of this high-growth company are attractively priced and represent a favorable buying opportunity.

Bear of the Day:

Our Bear of the Day recommendation is for ProQuest Company (NYSE:PQE). ProQuest expects its accounting review will result in the restatement of earnings reported for fiscal years 2000 to 2004 and for the first three quarters of 2005. The company also provided 2006 revenue and EBIT guidance. Consequently, we have downgraded the stock from a Hold to a Sell, and the target price has been set to $10.

Analyst Blog:

Myriad Genetics, Inc. (Nasdaq:MYGN) is a biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the development of diagnostic and therapeutic products. The company employs a variety of proprietary proteomic technologies to identify genes, their relative proteins and their pathways. Research in these areas has helped the company in developing drugs that prevent various diseases. From a research and development standpoint, we are optimistic about the future potential of Myriad. The growth of predictive medicine, several candidates in Alzheimer's disease and cancer lead us to be bullish on the stock. We maintain our Buy rating on Myriad and our target price is $31.

Prudential Financial (NYSE:PRU) has greatly expanded its ROE in the last two years through both organic growth and acquisitions (Aoba Life, Hyundai and CIGNA Retirement) coupled with cost cutting. We see further opportunities ahead. However, we think book value growth will slow, particularly as the company continues to repurchase stock at current prices, which are at 1.8x book. That said, the company has indicated that it remains interested in major overseas acquisitions and estimates its excess capital at $3 billion. The book value multiple has expanded over the past year and now rests in the mid-range of the peer group, where we think it will remain as share prices rise with book value.

Get the full analysis of all four stocks by going to http://at.zacks.com/?id=2649.

About the Bull and Bear of the Day

Every day, the analysts at Zacks Equity Research select two stocks that are likely to outperform (Bull) or underperform (Bear) the markets over the next 3-6 months.

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