Zacks Buy List Highlights: WellCare Health Plans, Inc., Union Pacific Corporation, Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. and Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc

Business Wire, Feb 22, 2007

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 WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG), Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP), Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: SBGI), and Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc. (NYSE: OHI).

Stocks ranked #1 (Strong Buy) by Zacks have produced an average annual return of 31.8% 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 - WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG)

As a result of the company's strong quarter, earnings estimates have been on the upswing for WellCare Health Plans, Inc. Over the past week, this year's estimates have jumped 21 cents to $4.11 per share. WCG has beaten analyst expectations for 10 straight quarters, with seven of them posting double-digit surprises. Four analysts have raised their forecasts for the current year.

Growth & Income - Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP)

Union Pacific Corporation exceeded analysts' earnings expectations for the past 10 quarters. Financial results for the fourth quarter and full year of 2006 were solid. Analysts have upped their profit forecasts for both this year and next. The Board of Directors recently authorized a share repurchase program and raised its quarterly dividend by 17% to 35 cents per share. UNP is currently yielding 1.2%.

Momentum - Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: SBGI)

On Feb 14, Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. reported fourth-quarter earnings at nine cents per share. Revenues jumped 10.8% to $198.1 million from $178.8 million. On Wednesday the company gapped higher on the open and set a new 52-week high close on more than twice normal volume.

Value - Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc. (NYSE: OHI)

Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc. recently reported solid results for the fourth quarter and full year of 2006. The consensus estimate for this year has risen over the past 30 days. The Board of Directors recently boosted its quarterly cash dividend by a penny to 26 cents per common share of stock. This Zacks #1 Rank stock has a price-to-book ratio of 3.3, compared to 4.9 for the market.

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," provides an insightful background about this wealth-building tool. Download your free copy of the report now to prosper in the years to come by visiting 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 $1.77 million - equivalent to a 31.8% 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 143.6% annually ( 4.8% vs. 11.8%). 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 Rank Buy stocks and highlights those stocks poised to outperform the market. Subscribe to this free newsletter today by visiting http://at.zacks.com/?id=90.

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 http://at.zacks.com/?id=91

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.

(a) The S&P 500 Index ("S&P 500") is a well-known, unmanaged index of the prices of 500 large-company common stocks selected by Standard & Poor's. The S&P 500 includes the reinvestment of all dividends, no transaction costs, and represents the gross returns before management fees.