Zacks Sell List Highlights: American Power Conversion, Fieldstone Investment, Westwood One Inc. and Alcatel

Business Wire, Sept 19, 2006

CHICAGO -- Zacks.com releases details on a group of stocks that are currently members of the exclusive Zacks #5 Rank List - Stocks to Sell Now. These stocks are currently rated as a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell): American Power Conversion Corp. (NASDAQ: APCC) and Fieldstone Investment Corp. (NASDAQ: FICC). Further, Zacks announced #4 Rankings (Sell) on two other widely held stocks: Westwood One Inc. (NYSE: WON) and Alcatel SA (NYSE: ALA). To see the full Zacks #5 Rank List - Stocks to Sell Now visit: http://at.zacks.com/?id=92

Since inception in 1988, the S&P 500 has outperformed the Zacks #5 Rank List -- Stocks to Sell Now by 129.7% annually (11.9% vs. 5.2% respectively). While the rest of Wall Street continued to tout stocks during the market declines of the last few years, Zacks told investors which stocks to sell or avoid.

Here is a synopsis of why APCC and FICC have a Zacks Rank of #5 (Strong Sell) and should most likely be sold or avoided for the next one to three months. Note that a #5 Strong Sell rating is applied to 5% of all the stocks in the Zacks Rank universe:

American Power Conversion Corp. (NASDAQ: APCC) has seen this year's earnings estimates drop 20 cents per share over the past two months. Next year's estimates have dropped 18 cents per share. The company missed second-quarter earnings estimates by four cents, or almost 24% when it reported results in late-July. The earnings came in 41% lower than last year's results.

Fieldstone Investment Corp. (NASDAQ: FICC) has experienced a drop in analyst estimates. Earnings estimates for this year stand at 84 cents per share, down 12 cents from 30 days ago. The company reported second-quarter earnings that were almost 70% lower than last year. A challenging mortgage market contributed to FICC's poor earnings results.

Here is a synopsis of why WON and ALA have a Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) and should also most likely be sold or avoided for the next one to three months. Note that a #4 Sell rating is applied to 15% of all the stocks ranked by Zacks:

Westwood One Inc. (NYSE: WON) has been the target of increasing bearishness by analysts. Over the past two months, full year estimates have declined almost 20%. The new consensus estimate calls for 41 cents per share this year. Revenue and earnings fell from last year as the company was hit by a weak commercial advertising environment. The company expects the weak conditions to continue for some time.

Alcatel SA (NYSE: ALA) has seen its earnings estimates drop for this year. The current 2006 consensus estimate of 84 cents per share is eight cents below the forecast of two months ago. There is widespread concern amongst analysts regarding the pending merger with Lucent Technologies and declining market share.

Truly taking advantage of the Zacks Rank requires the understanding of how it works. The free special report; "Zacks Rank Guide: Harnessing the Power of Earnings Estimate Revisions" is available to provide this insightful background. Download a free copy now to prosper in the years to come at http://at.zacks.com/?id=93

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 $1.8 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 145.8% annually ( 4.7% vs. 11.6%). Thus, the Zacks Rank system allows investors to truly manage portfolio trading effectively.

Zacks "Profit from the Pros" e-mail newsletter offers continuous coverage of Zacks #1 Rank stocks and highlights those stocks poised to outperform the market. Subscribe to this free newsletter today by visiting http://at.zacks.com/?id=94

About Zacks

Zacks.com is a property of Zacks Investment Research, Inc., which was formed in 1978 by Leonard Zacks. As a PhD in mathematics Len knew he could find patterns in stock market data that would lead to superior investment results. Amongst his many accomplishments was the formation of his proprietary stock picking system; the Zacks Rank, which continues to outperform the market by nearly a 3 to 1 margin. The best way to unlock the profitable stock recommendations and market insights of Zacks Investment Research is through our free daily email newsletter; Profit from the Pros. In short, it's your steady flow of Profitable ideas GUARANTEED to be worth your time! Register for your free subscription to Profit from the Pros at http://at.zacks.com/?id=95

Zacks Investment Research is under common control with affiliated entities (including a broker-dealer and an investment adviser), which may engage in transactions involving the foregoing securities for the clients of such affiliates.