Zacks Sell List Highlights: Flowers Foods, Synutra International, Randgold Resources and Carpenter Technology

CHICAGO, Feb. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Zacks.com releases details on a group of stocks that are currently members of the exclusive Zacks #5 Rank List – Stocks to Sell Now. These stocks are currently rated as a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell): Flowers Foods, Inc. (NYSE: FLO) and Synutra International, Inc. (Nasdaq: SYUT). Further, Zacks announced #4 Rankings (Sell) on two other widely held stocks: Randgold Resources Ltd. (ADR) (Nasdaq: GOLD) and Carpenter Technology Corporation (NYSE: CRS). To see the full Zacks #5 Rank List - Stocks to Sell Now visit: http://at.zacks.com/?id=92

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

Since inception in 1988, the S&P 500 has outperformed the Zacks #5 Rank List of Stocks to Sell Now by 80% annually (+2% vs. +10%). While the rest of Wall Street continued to tout stocks during the market declines of the last few years, Zacks told investors which stocks to sell or avoid.

Here is a synopsis of why FLO and SYUT have a Zacks Rank of #5 (Strong Sell) and should most likely be sold or avoided for the next one to three months. Note that a #5 Strong Sell rating is applied to 5% of all the stocks in the Zacks Rank universe:

Flowers Foods, Inc.'s (NYSE: FLO) fourth-quarter earnings of 34 cents per share, reported earlier this month, came in 5 cents short of analysts' expectations. Flower Food's full year sales decreased 1.0%. For 2011, the Zacks Consensus Estimate moved down 8 cents to a profit of $1.59 per share over the past month as 9 out of the 10 covering analysts cut back on projections. The following year's forecast dropped 11 cents to $1.70 per share in the same period.

Synutra International, Inc. (Nasdaq: SYUT) posted a third-quarter loss of 36 cents per share on Feb 3 in contrast to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for a loss of 20 cents. The full-year average forecast is pegged at a loss of 60 cents per share, which declined from a loss of 42 cents per share in the last 30 days. During that time, next year's estimate slid 20 cents to 43 cents per share in the same time period.

Here is a synopsis of why GOLD and CRS have a Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) and should also most likely be sold or avoided for the next one to three months. Note that a #4 Sell rating is applied to 15% of all the stocks ranked by Zacks;

Randgold Resources Ltd. (ADR)'s (Nasdaq: GOLD) fourth-quarter earnings of 29 cents per share, announced on Feb 7 missed analyst's expectations by 48%. For 2011 the average forecast dipped 19 cents to $3.97 per share over the past month as 3 analysts out of 7 revised downwards. The forecast for 2012 has seen a decline of 9 cents which now stands at $5.56 per share in a span of a week.

Carpenter Technology Corporation (NYSE: CRS) reported second-quarter earnings per share of 21 cents on January 25, while analysts anticipated a profit of 24 cents. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year widened 12 cents to a profit of $1.26 per share in the last 30 days as 8 analysts out of 10 pulled back on expectations. Estimate for next year is pegged at a profit of $2.74 per share, 4 cents worse than a month-ago projection.

Truly taking advantage of the Zacks Rank requires the understanding of how it works. The free special report; "Zacks Rank Guide: Harnessing the Power of Earnings Estimate Revisions" is available to provide this insightful background. Download a free copy now to prosper in the years to come at 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 +27%. 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 significantly underperformed the S&P 500 (-0.9% versus +9%). 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=94

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 at http://at.zacks.com/?id=95

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.