Skip to main content

Zacks Buy List Highlights: Jacobs Engineering Group, Rockwell Automation, DynCorp International and Astoria Financial Corporation

Zacks.com releases the latest list of Zacks Rank Buy Stocks. Everyday on Zacks.com, four stocks are selected based on how well they match the criteria for the four main schools of investing: Aggressive Growth, Growth & Income, Momentum and Value. The four Zacks Rank Buy stocks highlighted today are Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc. (NYSE: JEC), Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE: ROK), DynCorp International, Inc. (NYSE: DCP) and Astoria Financial Corporation (NYSE: AF).

Stocks ranked #1 (Strong Buy) by Zacks have produced an average annual return of +32.2% since inception in 1988. During the 2000-2002 bear market, Zacks #1 Rank stocks gained 43.8% while the S&P 500 tumbled -37.6%. To see the full Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) List, or the rank for any other stock, visit: http://at.zacks.com/?id=88

Here is a synopsis of todays Zacks Rank Buy Stocks:

Aggressive Growth Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc. (NYSE: JEC)

Jacobs Engineering is constructing strong returns for its shareholders. A look behind the numbers reveals impressive findings. Over the past 60 days, this year's earnings estimates have increased 23 cents to $3.02 per share. Six out of the 13 covering analysts have raised their forecasts over the past month.

Growth & Income Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE: ROK)

Rockwell Automation offers an impressive ROE of 32%, more than tripling the industrys average of 10%. Rockwells dividend yield of approximately 2% is also above the industry average. The company released financial results for the fiscal fourth quarter and full year in early November. Fourth-quarter earnings of $1.07 per share outpaced the consensus estimate by a penny and surpassed the previous years result. Rockwell issued an earnings per share guidance for 2008 that ranges between $4.25 and $4.45. Wall Streets forecasts are in line with the companys outlook.

Momentum DynCorp International, Inc. (NYSE: DCP)

DynCorp International, in conjunction with a strategic partner, was awarded a massive government contract with a maximum value of $4.6 billion. The company also has a very strong history of beating analyst estimates, having done so by an average of four cents, or 16.99%, over the last four quarters.

Value Astoria Financial Corporation (NYSE: AF)

Astoria Financial may actually benefit from the mortgage turmoil. This is due to the fact that it doesn't have to sell loans. Rather it keeps them in a portfolio while many other banks are going out of business. The stock is attractively priced at 13.7x 2008 estimates. Over the past 60 days, that estimate has increased eight cents to $1.66 per share. This number would represent 11% earnings growth over 2007.

The free special report, Zacks Rank Guide: Harnessing the Power of Earnings Estimate Revisions, provides an insightful background about this wealth-building tool. Download your free copy of the report now to prosper in the years to come by visiting 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 +32.2%. 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 underperformed the S&P 500 by 129% annually (+5.3% vs. +12.1%). Thus, the Zacks Rank system allows investors to truly manage portfolio trading effectively.

The performance of the Zacks Rank portfolios shown above for annual and year-to-date periods are the linked monthly total returns (price changes + dividends) of equal weighted hypothetical portfolios, consisting of those stocks with the indicated Zacks Rank, assuming monthly rebalancing and zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios. The hypothetical portfolios were created at the beginning of each month from Jan 1988 forward based on the values of the Zacks Rank available to Zacks' clients before the beginning of each month. The portfolios created monthly from 1988 through September 2006 exclude ADRS and are comprised of stocks that have the indicated Zacks Rank and were covered by at least two analysts at the time of the stocks inclusion in the portfolio. Starting in October 2006 and going forward, the portfolios are comprised of all stocks with the indicated Zacks Rank and do not exclude ADRs, which is more reflective of the list of stocks that customers will find on the Zacks web sites. 2007 returns are for the period of Jan 1 Jun 30, 2007. These performance numbers have been audited from 1995 through 2003 by Autschuler Melovan, a division of American Express Financial.

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=90.

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 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.

The S&P 500 Index is a well-known, unmanaged index of the prices of 500 large-company common stocks, mainly blue-chip stocks, selected by Standard & Poor's. The S&P 500 Index assumes reinvestment of dividends but does not reflect advisory fees. An investor cannot invest directly in an index.

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.

Contacts:

Zacks.com
Aggressive Growth Stocks:
Roopak Chakravarty, 312-265-9188
or
Growth & Income Stocks:
Alex Kolb, 312-265-9149
or
Momentum Stocks:
Michael Vodicka, 312-265-9226
or
Value Stocks:
Roopak Chakravarty, 312-265-9188
Email: pr@zacks.com
Visit: www.zacks.com

Data & News supplied by www.cloudquote.io
Stock quotes supplied by Barchart
Quotes delayed at least 20 minutes.
By accessing this page, you agree to the following
Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.