Zacks Releases Four "Strong Buy" or "Buy" Stocks: ZOLL Medical, Microsoft, Murphy Oil and StatoilHydro

Business Wire, June 3, 2008

CHICAGO -- Four free stock picks are being made available today on Zacks.com. The industry's leading independent research firm highlights a Zacks #1 Rank Strong Buy stock or a Zacks #2 Rank Buy stock for each of the four main styles of investing: Aggressive Growth, Growth & Income, Momentum, and Value. Today's four highlighted picks are: ZOLL Medical (Nasdaq: ZOLL), Microsoft Corporation (Nasdaq: MSFT), Murphy Oil Corporation (NYSE: MUR) and StatoilHydro ASA (NYSE: STO).

Zacks #1 Rank Strong Buys have nearly tripled the S&P 500 since 1988, producing an average annual return of +31%. 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%.

To see the secret behind this performance, investors are invited to download the free special report, Zacks Rank Guide: Harnessing the Power of Earnings Estimate Revisions. http://at.zacks.com/?id=4422

Here is a summary of today's Zacks #1 Rank Strong Buy Stocks:

Aggressive Growth - ZOLL Medical (Nasdaq: ZOLL)

ZOLL Medical is in quite good shape. Strong earnings growth and a healthy pipeline have shareholders smiling. The company has posted an average surprise of 13.9% over the past four quarters. Current-year earnings estimates have increased nine cents to $1.11 per share over the past 60 days.

Zacks Guide to Aggressive Growth Investing (free!): http://at.zacks.com/?id=4423

Growth & Income - Microsoft Corporation (Nasdaq: MSFT)

Microsoft, the global technology software company, continues to generate a stockpile of cash in a strong global economy. The company forecasts double-digit revenue, operating income and earnings per share growth for 2008 and 2009. MSFT has surprised on estimates each of the last four quarters on average of 11.40%.

Zacks Guide to Growth & Income Investing (free!): http://at.zacks.com/?id=4424

Momentum - Murphy Oil Corporation (NYSE: MUR)

Murphy Oil Corporation has been cashing in on the big boom in the energy markets. This oil exploration company reported blistering first quarter results on Apr 30 that included a big jump in income to $409 million. The company's average selling price of a barrel of oil grew from $47.89 last year to $84.95. Revenues also grew a robust 90% to $6.53 billion.

Zacks Guide to Momentum Investing (free!): http://at.zacks.com/?id=4425

Value - StatoilHydro ASA (NYSE: STO)

StatoilHydro ASA, the Norwegian integrated oil company, saw net income rise 62% in the first quarter compared to 2007 as realized oil prices rose 42% year-over-year. The company surprised on Wall Street estimates by 34.29% in the first quarter. StatoilHydro has a 2008 P/E of 11.05.

Zacks Guide to Value Investing (free!): http://at.zacks.com/?id=4426

The Zacks Rank Discovery

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.

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 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=4427

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.

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