Zacks Buy List Highlights: Priceline.com Incorporated, United Technologies Corporation, Greif, Inc. and Avnet, Inc

Business Wire, Oct 31, 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 Priceline.com Incorporated (Nasdaq: PCLN), United Technologies Corporation (NYSE: UTX), Greif, Inc. (NYSE: GEF), and Avnet, Inc. (NYSE: AVT).

Stocks ranked #1 (Strong Buy) by Zacks have produced an average annual return of 32.4% 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 - Priceline.com Incorporated (Nasdaq: PCLN)

Priceline.com Incorporated has exceeded earnings estimates in 10 out of the past 11 quarters. Five of those surprises have exceeded 20%. Additionally, year-over-year growth has been stellar over that time period. Over the past 60 days, this year's estimates have increased a nickel to $1.78 per share, while next year's numbers have jumped 21 cents to $2.26 per share.

Growth & Income - United Technologies Corporation (NYSE: UTX)

United Technologies Corporation, first presented as a Growth and Income stock on May 9, exceeded analysts' earnings expectations for 16 straight quarters. After posting solid results for the third quarter and first nine months of 2006, the company raised its full-year earnings per share guidance. Consensus estimates have been on the rise for both this year and next year. UTX has a current dividend yield of 1.6% and a five-year average dividend yield of 1.5%.

Momentum - Greif, Inc. (NYSE: GEF)

On Aug 30, Greif, Inc. announced third-quarter earnings per share of $1.45 versus 88 cents in the prior-year period. In addition to this 65% year-over-year improvement, the earnings report was a 32% positive surprise over analysts' expectations. GEF set a new 52-week high on Monday at $97.68 on more than twice normal volume. Since its debut as a Momentum pick on Sep 22, GEF has gained 25.4%.

Value - Avnet, Inc. (NYSE: AVT)

Avnet, Inc., a Zacks #1 Rank stock, topped analysts' earnings estimates in five out of the past six quarters by an average margin of 10%. Earnings per share are forecasted to grow 16.1% over the next 3-5 years. The company has a price-to-book ratio of 1.2, compared to 5.5 for the market. Its PEG ratio currently sits at 0.62.

Truly taking advantage of the Zacks Rank requires the understanding of how it works.

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About the Zacks Rank

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 $1.80 million - equivalent to a 32.4% 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 145.9% annually ( 4.7% vs. 11.6%). Thus, the Zacks Rank system allows investors to truly manage portfolio trading effectively.

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