Zacks Industry Outlook highlights: OfficeMax, Dick's Sporting Goods, Bed Bath & Beyond, First Cash Financial Services and EZCORP

Business Wire, June 15, 2006

CHICAGO -- Zacks.com releases its latest Industry Outlook. This report identifies the best stocks in the top-ranked industries. Featured in the latest report is the retail-misc/diversified industry with a focus on the following stocks: OfficeMax Inc. (NYSE: OMX), Dick's Sporting Goods, Inc. (NYSE: DKS), Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. (NASDAQ: BBBY), First Cash Financial Services, Inc. (NASDAQ: FCFS) and EZCORP, Inc. (NASDAQ: EZPW). To read the complete Industry Outlook report and to see all of the top-ranked industries, visit http://at.zacks.com/?id=2177.

Here are details on the stocks featured in the latest Industry Outlook.

OfficeMax Inc. (NYSE: OMX) reported first-quarter earnings per share of 77 cents, excluding special items, which bettered the consensus by approximately 133%. Sales advanced to $2.42 billion from $2.32 billion. Given the solid results in the quarter, OfficeMax believes it is positioned to achieve the 2006 goals that were outlined in its turnaround plan from January.

Dick's Sporting Goods, Inc. (NYSE: DKS) enjoyed robust business across most categories in the first quarter, leading to net sales of $645.5 million. The result advanced 13% from $570.8 million in the year-earlier quarter. Same-store sales advanced 6.5%.

Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. (NASDAQ: BBBY) will report its quarterly results next week. In April, the company posted fiscal fourth quarter net sales of about $1.69 billion, which advanced 14.8% from the previous year's fiscal fourth quarter. Same-store sales were up 6.3%, compared to 5.1% last year. For the year, net sales reached approximately $5.81 billion, marking a rise of 12.9%.

First Cash Financial Services, Inc. (NASDAQ: FCFS) reported first quarter consolidated revenues of $56 million, gaining 19% from $47 million in the same quarter of 2005. Same-store sales were up 13% and were realized across all major revenue lines. Furthermore, the company opened 20 new stores during the quarter, as it continues its long-term expansion strategy to open a high rate of new stores in high-potential markets.

EZCORP, Inc. (NASDAQ: EZPW) posted fiscal second-quarter earnings of 56 cents per share, compared to 29 cents in the year-earlier period. The result bettered the consensus by almost 4%. Total revenues of $78.9 million increased 25%. The company also raised its earnings per share guidance for fiscal 2006.

About Zacks Industry Outlook

These stocks featured above have a Zacks Rank of #1 ("Strong Buy") or #2 ("Buy") and a Zacks Equity Research rating of "Buy". The Zacks Rank is a quantitative indicator designed to cover periods of 1-3 months. Zacks Equity Research recommendations are based on both quantitative and qualitative factors and are intended to cover periods of 3-6 quarters.

Since 1988, the Zacks Rank has proven that "Earnings estimate revisions are the most powerful force impacting stock prices." A $10,000 investment in the Zacks Rank list made in 1988 would now be worth $1.82 million - equivalent to a 33% annualized return! During the 2000-2002 bear market, Zacks #1 Rank 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). Since 1988, Zacks Rank #5 stocks have underperformed the S&P 500 by 129.7% annually ( 5.2% vs. 11.9%). Thus, the Zacks Rank system allows investors to truly manage portfolio trading effectively.

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