Zacks Sell List Highlights: Western Refining Inc., Hansen Natural, Columbia Sportswear Co. & Coca-Cola Enterprises

Business Wire, June 13, 2008

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): Western Refining Corp. (NYSE: WNR) and Hansen Natural (NASDAQ: HANS). Further, Zacks announced #4 Rankings (Sell) on two other widely held stocks: Columbia Sportswear Co. (NASDAQ: COLM) and Coca-Cola Enterprises (NYSE: CCE). 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% annually ( 5.3% vs. 12.1%). 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 WNR and HANS 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:

Western Refining Corp. (NYSE: WNR) has been feeling the squeeze that most refiners have been experiencing over the last 12 months, as the crack spread, the difference in cost between a barrel of oil and a gallon of gasoline, continues to contract. Gasoline prices have simply been unable to keep pace with the meteoric rise in crude prices, and that has crippled the profits of the refining segment of the energy market. Western Refining Corp.'s stock price has been in a steady decline for the last 12 months, topping off at over $65 a share, to its recent low-point of less than $10.

Hansen Natural (NASDAQ: HANS) has been a top-tier performer over the last five years, consistently producing exceptional returns for its shareholders. But recently, the company and its share price have taken a hit. Hansen's first-quarter results were short of analyst expectations, posting earnings of 29 cents per share against the expected 36 cents. In turn, analysts downgraded their current-year estimates, dropping the consensus estimate to $1.93 per share from $2.14 per share. Hansen's stock price is down over 50% in the last 8 months, topping off at over $68 in November of 2007 and dropping to its current price of $31.

Here is a synopsis of why COLM and CCE 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;

Columbia Sportswear Co. (NASDAQ: COLM) shares have suffered along with the overall strength of the economy, as consumers tighten their budgets and curb discretionary spending patterns to cushion the blow of higher energy and food costs. The company's stock traded as high as $70 last summer, but is now hovering just above $40. As one would suspect, analyst estimates have continued to fall, with the current-year estimate shedding 34 cents over the last 90 days and dropping to $3.18 per share.

Coca-Cola Enterprises (NYSE: CCE) reported on May 28 that the company is in danger of missing its 2008 profit guidance. Weak sales in the U.S., particularly on 20-ounce bottles, was the reason cited for the decline. Shares of CCE have been declining since early 2008, topping off at over $26 a share and finally stabilizing right around $20.

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." Since inception in 1988, #1 Rank Stocks have generated an average annual return of 32.2%. 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% annually ( 5.3% vs. 12.1%). Thus, the Zacks Rank system allows investors to truly manage portfolio trading effectively.

Visit http://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.

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