For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – April 27, 2009 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: Lockheed Martin Corp (LMT), Schlumberger, Ltd. (SLB), Halliburton’s (HAL), deCODE genetics, Inc. (DCGN) and Celera Corp. (CRA).

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Here are highlights from Friday’s Analyst Blog:

Lockheed Beats & Ups Guidance

Lockheed Martin Corp (LMT) reported a 1st quarter 2009 profit of $666 million, down 9% from $730 million in the 1st quarter of 2008.

On a per-share basis, the reported result was $1.68 per diluted share, down 4% from $1.75 per diluted share in the year ago period. The bottom-line EPS, however, beat by 2% analysts’ consensus estimate of $1.64 per share.

SLB Beats on Overseas Strength

Oilfield service giant Schlumberger, Ltd. (SLB) reported first-quarter earnings this morning that were inline with our above-consensus estimate and provided an overall outlook of continued weakness through the rest of 2009.

Margins help up better than expected, with international resilience offsetting North American softness. Given its benchmark status, Schlumberger’s results and its dour outlook sets the stage for the rest of the oilfield service group. Contrary to Halliburton’s (HAL) view of a near-term stabilization in the onshore U.S. drilling scene, Schlumberger does not expect a recovery before the middle of 2010.

deCODE genetics Gets 1st Lifeline

Yesterday (Thursday), deCODE genetics, Inc. (DCGN) announced that the company signed an agreement with Celera Corp. (CRA). Pursuant to the agreement, deCODE granted Celera non-exclusive worldwide licenses to deCODE’s genetic markers for increased risk of major cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, including heart attack, stroke, atrial fibrillation (AF) and type II diabetes. These markers can be incorporated into laboratory tests for assessing and managing individual risk of these diseases.

The deCODE markers include single letter variations in the human genome (SNPs) on chromosome 9p21 linked to increased risk of heart attack and aortic aneurysm, SNPs on chromosome 4q25 conferring risk of AF and stroke, and SNPs in the TCF7L2 gene linked to increased risk of type II diabetes. Studies by deCODE and independent academic groups have demonstrated the utility of testing for these markers to better understand individual risk and to inform more effective and personalized prevention and therapy.

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