Zacks Releases Four Powerful "Buy" Stocks: Diamond Foods, Perrigo Co., Albany Molecular Research and Shanda Interactive Entertainment

Business Wire, Oct 1, 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: Diamond Foods, Inc. (Nasdaq: DMND), Perrigo Co. (Nasdaq: PRGO), Albany Molecular Research, Inc. (Nasdaq: AMRI) and Shanda Interactive Entertainment Limited (Nasdaq: SNDA).

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 - Diamond Foods, Inc. (Nasdaq: DMND)

Diamond Foods has increased sales and earnings is a brutal market. The company acquired a major brand to increase its exposure as it continues to pressure the new 52-week high. Diamond is showing impressive growth rates while maintaining a 0.66 PEG ratio.

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

Growth & Income - Perrigo Co. (Nasdaq: PRGO)

Perrigo has been performing well in a down market, and analysts have been boosting forecasts. Fiscal full-year earnings estimates are up 2% in just the past week. The company announced record fiscal fourth-quarter results in mid-August.

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

Momentum - Albany Molecular Research, Inc. (Nasdaq: AMRI)

Albany Molecular Research is weathering the current economic storm in commendable fashion. The company reported strong second-quarter results on Aug 6, forecasted a bullish full-year earnings projection and bears the favor of an accelerating share price.

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

Value - Shanda Interactive Entertainment Limited (Nasdaq: SNDA)

Shanda Interactive Entertainment is tapping into China's emerging middle class with online games and entertainment. The company has surprised on estimates 4 consecutive quarters by an average of 13.45%. Shanda trades at only 9.7x projected earnings.

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.

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