Zacks Buy List Highlights: J.C. Penney Corporation, Inc., Omnicom Group, Inc., Falconbridge Limited, and CompuCredit Corporation

Business Wire, May 19, 2006

CHICAGO -- Zacks.com releases the latest list of Zacks Rank Buy Stocks. Everyday on Zacks.com, four stocks are selected based on how well they match the criteria for the four main schools of investing: Aggressive Growth, Growth & Income, Momentum and Value. The four Zacks Rank Buy stocks highlighted today are J.C. Penney Corporation, Inc. (NYSE:JCP), Omnicom Group, Inc. (NYSE:OMC), Falconbridge Limited (NYSE:FAL), and CompuCredit Corporation (Nasdaq:CCRT).

Stocks ranked #1 (Strong Buy) by Zacks have produced an average annual return of 33% since inception in 1988. During the 2000-2002 bear market, Zacks #1 Rank stocks gained 43.8% while the S&P 500 tumbled 37.6%. To see the full Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) List, or the rank for any other stock, visit: http://at.zacks.com/?id=88

Here is a synopsis of today's Zacks Rank Buy Stocks:

Aggressive Growth - J.C. Penney Corporation, Inc. (NYSE:JCP)

J.C. Penney Corporation, Inc. reported its 12th straight quarter of increasing same-store sales, a key measurement for retailers. JCP has exceeded earnings estimates for seven consecutive quarters. Nine analysts have raised their numbers for fiscal year 2007. Earnings estimates for the company continue to rise. Over the past 90 days, this year's estimates have risen 2.6% to $4.35 per share.

Growth & Income - Omnicom Group, Inc. (NYSE:OMC)

Omnicom Group, Inc. met or exceeded analysts' earnings expectations in eight of the past nine quarters. Earnings per share are projected to grow 12.1% over the next 3-5 years. The company increased revenues and grew profits for an amazing nine years in a row. OMC had a record year for new business in 2005 and continues to expand in Asia. The company has a current and five-year average dividend yield of 1.1%.

Momentum - Falconbridge Limited (NYSE:FAL)

Falconbridge Limited enjoys good earnings growth, a great chart, a hot industry and is in the middle of a bidding war. FAL finds itself in the middle of a bidding war as Xstrata offered to buy the 80% of FAL that it doesn't already own, offering $14.5 billion, which exceeds Inco's offer for FAL. On the earnings front, FAL reported March 2006 EPS of $1.21, up 112% from last year's 57 cents and a positive 21% earnings surprise over analysts' consensus estimates. Sales grew 35% to $2.858 billion and income was $462 million, up 129%.

Value - CompuCredit Corporation (Nasdaq:CCRT)

CompuCredit Corporation, a Zacks #1 Rank stock, recently beat the Street's quarterly earnings estimate by 18.5%. Earnings per share are forecasted to grow 15.5% over the next 3-5 years. The consensus earnings estimate has been on the rise for both 2006 and 2007. CCRT is currently trading at a valuation of 10.2x trailing 12-month earnings and at 9.2x current fiscal-year estimated earnings.

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About the Zacks Rank

For over 18 years, the Zacks Rank has proven that "Earnings estimate revisions are the most powerful force impacting stock prices." Since inception in 1988, #1 Rank stocks have generated an average annual return of 33%. 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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