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 -- Varian Medical Systems, Inc. (NYSE: VAR)

Varian Medical Systems just reported another earnings surprise along with increased revenue. The company also released its newest technology for cancer treatment.

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

Growth & Income -- Abbott Laboratories (NYSE: ABT)

Abbott Laboratories saw all 12 covering analysts boost full-year earnings estimates. Forecasts of $3.32 per share were increased from last month's $3.27.

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

Momentum -- Apollo Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: APOL)

Apollo Group's share price has been rallying since the company reported excellent fourth-quarter results in late October. Estimates continue to rise, with the next-year estimate projecting 18% earnings growth.

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

Value -- Omnicare, Inc. (NYSE: OCR)

Omnicare raised full-year guidance after a strong third-quarter as pharmacy services for the elderly continue to see growth even in a rocky economic environment. OCR has surprised on estimates 4 consecutive quarters by an average of 14.73%. Omnicare has a forward P/E of 11.89.

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.

SOURCE: Zacks.com

Zacks.com 
Aggressive Growth Stocks: 
Contact: Bill Wilton 
Phone: 312-265-9277 
or 
Growth & Income Stocks: 
Contact: Alex Kolb 
Phone: 312-265-9149 
or 
Momentum Stocks: 
Contact: Michael Vodicka 
Phone: 312-265-9226 
or 
Value Stocks: 
Contact: Tracey Ryniec 
Phone: 312-265-9232 
Email: pr@zacks.com 
Visit: www.zacks.com

Expected next investor conference call information:
Conference Call Date: 10/28/2008
Conference Call Time: 5:00 PM
Conference Call URL: http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=79624&p=IROL-Guestbook&UniqueId=1987317&mp=irol-eventDetails&mpdp=EventId~1987317!WebCastId~799857!StreamId~1193857&pp=IROL-BasicWebCast&ppdp=EventId~1987317!WebCastId~799857!StreamId~1193857&pph=339&ppw=270&rdu=&rdt=&upv=0