Zacks Challenge Top Player Interview features Barr Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Zoltek Companies, Inc. and Brightpoint, Inc

Business Wire, Sept 8, 2006

CHICAGO -- Zacks.com introduces its Third Quarter Challenge top player interviews, which feature insights from the leaders of the Zacks Simulator game. The Simulator allows investors to prove their stock picking abilities by competing directly against other players for prizes worth thousands of the dollars.

Zacks contacted another player that is climbing his way to the top of the Zacks Third Quarter Stock Challenge. Pablo Lamarca (aka: atila) currently holds a Simulator portfolio that boasts an overall return of approximately 20%. Some of his current Simulator positions include Barr Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE:BRL), Zoltek Companies, Inc. (Nasdaq:ZOLT) and Brightpoint, Inc. (Nasdaq:CELL). Click here for the full story exclusively on Zacks.com: http://at.zacks.com/?id=2518.

Highlights from the September 6 interview include:

What does he look for?

The savvy investor is not concerned with whether the stock is a large-cap, small-cap, a growth style investment or a value play. He mainly focuses on the long-term growth prospects of the company, share price, the performance of the industry and what the analysts are saying.

Some of his current Simulator positions include Barr Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE:BRL), Zoltek Companies, Inc. (Nasdaq:ZOLT) and Brightpoint, Inc. (Nasdaq:CELL). Click here to check out this competitor's entire portfolio: http://at.zacks.com/?id=2515.

What is his market outlook? Does he have advice for new investors?

The Third Quarter Stock Challenge contender is not too optimistic about the rest of this year. Due to the slowing economy, he noted that the S&P 500 will end the year at a level that's not much higher than its current average.

For those who are just starting out, Pablo suggests diversifying and taking a step-by-step approach.

Check out the complete interview and learn more about the Simulator at: http://at.zacks.com/?id=2518.

The Challenge is On! Do You Have What it Takes?

Sign up now for the Zacks Challenge. It's free. It's fun. It's the place to show your investing prowess. The best stock pickers will be rewarded with thousands of dollars in prizes. Learn more at http://at.zacks.com/?id=2520.

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