VSEA Varian Semiconductor (MM)

CHICAGO, Feb. 16, 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: Varian Semiconductor (Nasdaq: VSEA), Destination Maternity Corporation (Nasdaq: DEST), Sirona Dental Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: SIRO) and Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. (NYSE: SWK).

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 – Varian Semiconductor (Nasdaq: VSEA)

Varian Semiconductor is growing rapidly and expects that pace to continue through the next fiscal year. This Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) has earnings that are skyrocketing, great valuations and is in the top rated industry.

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

Growth & Income – Destination Maternity Corporation (Nasdaq: DEST)

Destination Maternity Corporation recently reported better-than-expected results for the first quarter of 2011. Earnings per share came in 17% above the Zacks Consensus Estimate, and management raised its guidance for the full year.

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

Momentum – Sirona Dental Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: SIRO)

Sirona Dental Systems, Inc. recently hit a new all-time high at $51.88 after reporting another strong quarter that beat analyst expectations. With a solid 10% growth projection and discounted P/E, this Zacks #1 rank stock is a beaming momentum pick.

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

Value – Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. (NYSE: SWK)

Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. has combined two famous names into one company with double digit earnings growth expected in 2011 and 2012. This Zacks #1 Rank (strong buy) recently announced it was raising its dividend 21%.

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

SOURCE Zacks Investment Research, Inc.