All Star Analysts Portfolio highlights: Danaher Corporation, Energy Conversion Devices, Schlumberger and Starwood Hotels & Resorts

Business Wire, Dec 28, 2006

CHICAGO -- Zacks.com just released its latest additions and deletions to its proprietary All Star Analyst portfolio. Members on this exclusive list include Danaher Corporation (NYSE: DHR), Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ: ENER), Schlumberger Limited (NYSE: SLB) and Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT). 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 four analysts with a 5-Star All Star ranking. These are the brokerage analysts whose stock recommendations proved to be the most profitable for investors. Since July 2002, this portfolio has generated an annualized return of 7.53%. Here is a synopsis of why these stocks are in the All Star Analysts Portfolio:

Danaher Corporation (NYSE: DHR) raised the lower end of its fourth quarter earnings per share guidance in mid-December, and now expects between 92 cents and 94 cents. Previously, the outlook was 89 cents to 94 cents. For 2007, the company expects earnings between $3.68 and $3.78 per share. The company continues to hold its spot on the All Star Analyst Portfolio.

Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ: ENER) recently announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary United Solar Ovonic received a $15 million order from BIOHAUS PV Handels GmbH for the delivery of UNI-SOLAR[R] photovoltaic (PV) products in 2007. The alternative energy developer said the cooperation with BIOHAUS follows its plan to expand its presence in Germany and other European markets. The company remains on the All Star Analyst Portfolio. In its fiscal first quarter, ENER reported a loss per share that narrowed year over year and beat the consensus on revenue that improved approximately 17%.

Schlumberger Limited (NYSE: SLB) is a Zacks #2 Rank company, and remains a favorite of the All Star analysts. Analysts at Zacks Research Digest believe that SLB's international focus, emphasis on its core oilfield operations, diverse offering of technologically-advanced products and services, favorable pricing environment, and higher-than-expected upsurge in operating margin will help SLB post solid earnings performance over the next several years. For its third quarter, the oil services company earned 81 cents per share on revenue of $4.95 billion. EPS bettered the consensus by approximately 6.6% and almost doubled the year-ago performance. Revenue advanced from $3.7 billion.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) remains one of the All Stars' favorite names in the hotels industry. There are several aspects about Starwood that analysts appreciate, including its investments in productivity enhancements such as customer relationship management, database management and call center technology. The company's strong brands and solid balance sheet are also positives, according to analysts. All of Starwood's business units performed well during the third quarter and the company expects strength to continue in 2007 and beyond.

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

About Zacks All Star Analyst Survey

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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