IPGP IPG Photonics Corporation

CHICAGO, March 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- 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.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101027/ZIRLOGO)

The four highlighted picks are: IPG Photonics Corp (Nasdaq: IPGP), C.R. Bard, Inc.  (NYSE: BCR), Jazz Pharmaceuticals,Inc.  (Nasdaq: JAZZ) and STEC Inc.  (Nasdaq: STEC).

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 +26%. 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 – IPG Photonics Corp (Nasdaq: IPGP)

IPG Photonics Corp is the top rated stock in a very hot industry.  After coming in ahead of expectations in the most recent quarter, estimates for this Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) are looking extremely bullish.

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

Growth & Income – C.R. Bard, Inc.  (NYSE: BCR)

How much steadier can you get than a medical device maker? These companies can usually weather difficult or volatile times (like now), which always make them attractive to the Growth & Income investor. C.R. Bard, Inc.  is one such company. It is well diversified with a reasonably strong pipeline, which has helped it put together a string of positive quarterly EPS surprises.

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

Momentum – Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Inc.  (Nasdaq: JAZZ)

Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Inc. recently spiked to a new multi-year high on the company's third consecutive earnings surprise. With estimates on the rise and a bullish growth projection, this Zacks #1 rank stock sings in the key of momentum.

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

Value – STEC Inc.  (Nasdaq: STEC)

With technology stocks in a multi-month bull market, it's unusual to find one that has the magical combination of both growth and value. STEC Inc.  has a PEG ratio of just 0.8.

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

How to Regularly Access Top Zacks Rank Picks for Free:  http://at.zacks.com/?id=7154

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=7155  

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

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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.

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SOURCE Zacks Investment Research, Inc.