APD Air Products and Chemicals Inc

CHICAGO, Jan. 13, 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: STRATTEC Security Corp. (Nasdaq: STRT), Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (NYSE: APD), PriceSmart, Inc. (Nasdaq: PSMT) and Kulicke & Soffa Industries, Inc. (Nasdaq: KLIC).

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 – STRATTEC Security Corp. (Nasdaq: STRT)

STRATTEC Security Corp. just received a very bullish estimate revision heading into an upcoming earnings release.

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

Growth & Income – Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (NYSE: APD)

Like a lot of industrial stocks, shares of Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. have surged over the last few months as the global economic recovery gains traction. The stock is up more than 36% since July 1, for instance.

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

Momentum – PriceSmart, Inc. (Nasdaq: PSMT)

PriceSmart, Inc. just hit a new all-time high at $39.93 after reporting strong Q3 results in early January that included a 14% earnings surprise. With an average earnings surprise of 17% over the last four quarters and bullish growth projection, this Zacks #1 rank stock offers a big box of momentum.

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

Value – Kulicke & Soffa Industries, Inc. (Nasdaq: KLIC)

Is there any further upside in the semiconductor sector? Kulicke & Soffa Industries, Inc. has surprised on estimates the last 7 quarters as the recovery took hold but its last beat was by just 2.4%.

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

Follow us on Twitter:  http://twitter.com/zacksresearch

Join us on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Zacks-Investment-Research/57553657748?ref=ts

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.

Zacks.com

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

SOURCE Zacks Investment Research, Inc.