Zacks Buy List Highlights: ANSYS, Inc., L-3 Communications Holdings, Murphy Oil Corporation and Fossil, Inc

Business Wire, March 5, 2008

CHICAGO -- Zacks.com releases the latest list of Zacks Rank Buy Stocks. Every day on Zacks.com, four stock picks are made based on criteria for the each of the four main styles of investing: Aggressive Growth, Growth & Income, Momentum and Value. The four Zacks Rank Buy stocks highlighted today are ANSYS, Inc. (Nasdaq: ANSS), L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: LLL), Murphy Oil Corporation (NYSE: MUR) and Fossil, Inc. (Nasdaq: FOSL).

Stocks ranked #1 (Strong Buy) by Zacks have produced an average annual return of 32.2% 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 - ANSYS, Inc. (Nasdaq: ANSS)

ANSYS, Inc. is enjoying strong organic growth trends, which has enabled it to experience several excellent quarters in a row. Thus far, it seems the tough economic conditions haven't slowed the company. Beating the Street has become old hat for the company as it has posted an average surprise of 19.9% over the past four quarters. This year's earnings estimates have risen six cents to $1.36 over the past week.

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

Growth & Income - L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: LLL)

L-3 Communications Holdings is a terrific Growth and Income play. Thanks to its strong cash flow, the company upped its dividend by 20% while continuing to invest in growth through internal initiatives and acquisitions. L-3 reported fourth-quarter earnings of $1.63 per share in late January, outpacing the previous year's $1.37 and exceeding the consensus estimate by three cents. Consolidated net sales grew by 12.4% from the year-ago quarter.

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

Momentum - Murphy Oil Corporation (NMYSE: MUR)

Murphy Oil Corporation has been cashing in on the big boom in the energy markets. This oil exploration company reported blistering fourth quarter results on Jan 30 that included a 135% jump in income to $206.1 million. The company's average selling price of a barrel of oil grew from $46.24 last year to $76.11. The CEO offered positive guidance moving forward, saying that he expects continued strong demand and pricing power to drive the company first quarter results to $1.80-$2.00 per share, which would mark a very nice improvement from current earnings.

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

Value - Fossil, Inc. (Nasdaq: FOSL)

Fossil is bucking the trend in the struggling retail sector by making a niche for itself in fashionable watches in the United States and Europe. The company surprised on estimates for the fourth-quarter by 10.29% and guided higher on first quarter sales by 12% to 14%.

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

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." 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.

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