Zacks Releases Four Powerful "Buy" Stocks: Compass Minerals International, Abbott Laboratories, Patriot Coal Corp. and Silicon Motion Technology Corporation

Business Wire, June 17, 2008

CHICAGO -- Four free stock picks are being made available today on Zacks.com. The industry's leading independent research firm highlights one Zacks #1 Rank Strong Buy or a Zacks #2 Rank Buy stock for each of the four main styles of investing: Aggressive Growth, Growth & Income, Momentum, and Value.

The four highlighted picks are: Compass Minerals International, Inc. (NYSE: CMP), Abbott Laboratories (NYSE: ABT), Patriot Coal Corp. (NYSE: PCX) and Silicon Motion Technology Corporation (Nasdaq: SIMO).

Today, Zacks is promoting its "Buy" stock recommendations. Four daily picks are offered free at http://at.zacks.com/?id=88

Zacks #1 Rank Stocks have nearly tripled the S&P 500 since 1988, producing an average annual return of 30%. Performance has been notable even during volatile and down times. For example, during the last bear market, 2000-2002, the market tumbled -37.6% - but Zacks #1 Rank stocks gained 43.8%.

Here is a summary of today's selected stocks that are now highly rated by Zacks:

Aggressive Growth - Compass Minerals International, Inc. (NYSE: CMP)

Compass Minerals International has had an amazing run in 2008. The company's stock price has more than doubled, opening the year trading at $40 and recently moving past the $82 mark. Compass's first-quarter results were impressive, posting an 88% jump in income from just last year. With robust demand and strong pricing power to boot, this stock looks well positioned to continue its upward ascent.

Zacks Guide to Aggressive Growth Investing (free!): http://at.zacks.com/?id=4309

Growth & Income - Abbott Laboratories (NYSE: ABT)

Abbott Laboratories, which recently released positive data about its blockbuster drug Humira, is a solid pick for those in search of both growth and income. The company recently declared its 338th quarterly dividend in the amount of 36 cents per share. The dividend translates into a yield of 2.7%, which remains quite competitive within its industry as most pharmaceuticals do not pay a dividend. First-quarter results were announced in mid-April, demonstrating strong growth. Excluding special items, earnings totaled 63 cents per share, beating the year-prior result while matching the consensus estimate.

Zacks Guide to Growth & Income Investing (free!): http://at.zacks.com/?id=4310

Momentum - Patriot Coal Corp. (NYSE: PCX)

Patriot Coal Corp. reported a small loss in its most recently reported quarter, but those results belie the strength and momentum that the company and the industry are experiencing. Strong global demand is leading to higher selling prices, and Patriot just doubled its production capacities with the acquisition of Magnum Coal Company for $709 million.

Zacks Guide to Momentum Investing (free!): http://at.zacks.com/?id=4311

Value - Silicon Motion Technology Corporation (Nasdaq: SIMO)

Silicon Motion saw sales increase 35% year-over-year to a new a record for the first quarter. The company remains bullish about the remainder of 2008 as sales of portable consumer devices remain hot worldwide. Silicon Motion has surprised on estimates two out of the last four quarters by 6.28%. The company's forward P/E is only 8.76.

Zacks Guide to Value Investing (free!): http://at.zacks.com/?id=4312

How to Regularly Access Picks from the Zacks Rank Discovery for Free: http://at.zacks.com/?id=88

Underlying the four free stock picks is a simple truth that first appeared in a Financial Analysts Journal article published in 1979. Leonard Zacks, a Ph.D. in Mathematics from M.I.T. found that "earnings estimate revisions are the most powerful force impacting stock prices." Zacks #1 Rank is awarded to a stock when analysts sharply upgrade their estimates of what the company will earn.

Today, Zacks is promoting its stock recommendations by offering four daily picks free to those who register at http://at.zacks.com/?id=88

About Zacks

Zacks.com is a property of Zacks Investment Research, Inc., which was formed in 1978 by Len Zacks. The company continually processes stock reports issued by 3,000 analysts from 150 brokerage firms. It monitors more than 200,000 earnings estimates, looking for changes.

Then, when changes are discovered, they're applied to help assign more than 4,400 stocks into five Zacks Rank categories: #1 Strong Buy, #2 Buy, #3 Hold, #4 Sell, and #5 Strong Sell. This proprietary stock-picking system continues to outperform the market by a nearly 3-to-1 margin.

More Free Stock Picks

Each weekday, new Zacks #1 Rank or Zacks #2 Rank stock picks are released on the free email newsletter, Profit from the Pros. Investors are invited to register for their free subscription at 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.

Disclaimer: Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investors should always research companies and securities before making any investments. Nothing herein should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any security.