Astec Industries Inc.’s (ASTE) MACD indicator has moved into bearish territory with a reading of -0.4105. The Zacks #5 Rank (“Strong Sell) stock has slipped more than 3% to $23.35 in afternoon trade. The Zacks Consensus Estimate on the company’s full-year earnings has reduced by 10 cents over the past week to $1.14 per share."ASTE" Free Stock Analysis: Buy? Sell? Hold?Zacks Investment Research

Here are the stocks added to the Zacks #5 Rank ("strong sell") List today:

American Commercial Lines Inc (ACLI) Arris Group Inc (ARRS) Associated Banc-Corp (ASBC) Astec Industries Inc (ASTE) Badger Meter Inc (BMI) Banner Corp (BANR) Beacon Roofing Supply Inc (BECN) Brunswick Corp (BC) C&D Technologies Inc (CHP) Capital Product Partners LP (CPLP) Capitol Federal Financial (CFFN) Ciber Inc (CBR) CIT Group Inc (CIT) Copano Energy LLC (CPNO) Crucell NV (CRXL) CryptoLogic Ltd (CRYP) Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica SA (ERJ) ...

Here are the stocks added to the Zacks #5 Rank ("strong sell") List today:

Alexandria Real Estate Equities Inc (ARE) American Commercial Lines Inc (ACLI) Ameren Corp (AEE) Arris Group Inc (ARRS) Assisted Living Concepts Inc (ALC) Astec Industries Inc (ASTE) Blackrock Kelso Capital Corp (BKCC) CapLease Inc (LSE) Cascade Bancorp (CACB) Cheniere Energy Inc (LNG) Ciber Inc (CBR) Community Trust Bancorp Inc (CTBI) EnPro Industries Inc (NPO) Evergreen Solar Inc (ESLR) Fair Isaac Corp (FICO) First Industrial Realty Trust Inc (FR) ...

Astec Industries, Inc. (ASTE) recently acquired Industrial Mechanical & Integration (IMI), a wood pellet machine manufacturing company based in Canada. The company did not disclose the financial terms of the acquisition.  IMI has a unique technology, which it has been testing for two years. It is now making the first group of production machines. President of IMI and key employees have agreed to remain with the company to further develop and promote this new technology.  Already with some of its business units making components required by the wood pellet industry, Astec has further strengthened its position as a turnkey supplier to this market. Astec said that with this acquisition it can provide a one-stop solution to those customers who want a pellet plant that can process material from round wood to the finished product.  The company pointed out that conventional pellet production machines do not ...

Astec Industries Inc.’s (ASTE) MACD indicator has entered into bearish territory with a reading of -0.1365. The Zacks #5 Rank (“Strong Sell") stock has slipped more than 2% to $26.51 in morning trade. The full-year Zacks Consensus Estimate on the company's earnings has reduced by 15 cents over the past 2 months to $1.26 per share."ASTE" Free Stock Analysis: Buy? Sell? Hold?Zacks Investment Research

Road building equipment manufacturer, Astec Industries Inc. (ASTE), reported its second quarter earnings before the market opened. The company reported earnings of $0.34 per share, below our expectations of $0.41 per share and 63% lower than previous year’s EPS of $0.93.

Revenue during the quarter declined 32.0% to $188.8 million from $277.7 million a year ago. The decline in sales was a result of delay/postponement of several infrastructure projects due to the economic downturn. The company reported lower sales in all its segments.

Sales in the Asphalt Group were down 3.8%, while the Mobile Asphalt Paving Group sales declined 34.9%. The company expects these two businesses to benefit from the stimulus package funds allocated to roads and bridges over the next 18 months.

The company noted that the demand in other businesses continues to remain weak. Especially the Underground Group, which serves the energy and residential business, is expected to remain very

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Astec Industries, Inc. (ASTE) reported 2Q08 EPS of $0.93, slightly below our estimate of $0.95 but up 12% year-over-year, primarily led by a 22.7% increase in sales attributable to a weak dollar resulting in higher international sales, market acceptance of new products, improved market share, increased sales of recycling equipment and pricing increases.

The company’s commitment to research and development has led to several new product launches and double-digit sales growth. This, in conjunction with strong international sales growth, should drive 2008 EPS growth of 12.3%. While the fundamental story is positive, we reiterate our Hold recommendation on ASTE due to valuation.

Amid a weakening U.S. dollar and the ramp-up of the overseas sales force, we expect international sales to grow in relative importance to its overall business, as the domestic economy decelerates into 2008 and more than offset any potential downturn in domestic spending.

We are forecasting double-digit international

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