Shares of Cott Corporation (COT) are up approximately 4% Friday, which is enough to make it a Zacks #1 Rank Top Performer during a tough morning session.

< ?DART(15);?> COT, one of the world's largest non-alcoholic beverage companies, announced a solid second quarter report in late July; and its earnings estimates remain well above levels from 2 months ago.

The company is 1 of only 2 from the beverages-soft drink industry on today's 229-stock Zacks #1 Rank List. (The other company is Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc. (CCE).)

Volume is around 877,000 shares at the moment, which is still below the daily average of 1.1 million.

Earnings Estimates

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for this year is at 65 cents, which has remained steady over the past 30 days but represents a hefty 80% improvement from 2 months ago. There are 5 covering analysts for this

...

Coca Cola Enterprises Inc.'s (CCE) share price has moved into oversold territory with a stochastic value of 10.32. The Zacks #2 Rank ("Buy") stock has either topped or met the consensus forecast in each of the last 4 quarters with an average surprise of 106.50%, or 7 cents per share. Moreover, the full-year consensus estimate has moved up a penny over the past week to $1.33 per share.

"CCE" Free Stock Analysis: Buy? Sell? Hold?Zacks Investment Research

Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc. (CCE) was trading above a short-term level of resistance at $16.76 on low volumes this morning. The company has met or topped the consensus forecast in each of the last 4 quarters with an average surprise of 106.50% or 7 cents per share. Coca-Cola Enterprises is a Zacks#1 Rank ("Strong Buy") stock.

"CCE" Free Stock Analysis: Buy? Sell? Hold?Zacks Investment Research

Coca-Cola Enterprises (...

Here are the stocks added to the Zacks #1 Rank ("strong buy") List today:

Akamai Technologies Inc (AKAM) Alliant Techsystems Inc (ATK) AmeriCredit Corp (ACF) Cadbury Plc (CBY) Carter's Inc (CRI) Check Point Software Technologies Ltd (CHKP) Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc (CCE) Dolby Laboratories Inc (DLB) Enzon Pharmaceuticals Inc (ENZN) Farmers Capital Bank Corp (FFKT) FBR Capital Markets Corp (FBCM) Intevac Inc (IVAC) Lance Inc (LNCE) MediciNova Inc (MNOV) Meritage Homes Corp (MTH) Monarch Casino & Resort Inc (MCRI) NetLogic Microsystems Inc (NETL) Nicor Inc (GAS) Oriental Financial Group Inc (OFG) Phase Forward Inc (PFWD) Power-One Inc (PWER) Ship Finance International Ltd (SFL) Stoneridge Inc (SRI) Tellabs Inc (TLAB) Total System Services Inc (TSS) Travelzoo Inc (TZOO) Universal Health Services Inc (UHS) ...

Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc. (CCE) provided a full-year earnings guidance that is ahead of the consensus after posting better-than-expected first-quarter results.

The company expects earnings between $1.24 and $1.29 per share, excluding one-time items. Analysts have been expecting earnings of $1.19 for 2009.

Earlier, Coca-Cola Enterprises had indicated that profit would grow by a percentage in the mid single digits.

It reaffirmed projections of $600 million in free cash flow.

The company expects North American revenue to increase by a percentage in the low- to mid-single digits, compared to its prior forecast of mid-single-digit growth. Sales in Europe are projected to grow in the mid-single digit range.

The soft drink bottler reported adjusted earnings of 20 cents per share, topping the average forecast by 15 cents. Results were boosted by continued strength from Europe as well as improving trends in North America. Revenue rose 3% to $5.05 billion.

Shares

...

Here are the stocks added to the Zacks #1 Rank ("strong buy") List today:

Aaon Inc (AAON) Akamai Technologies Inc (AKAM) Badger Meter Inc (BMI) BAE Systems Plc (BAESY) Cadence Pharmaceuticals Inc (CADX) California Pizza Kitchen Inc (CPKI) Carriage Services Inc (CSV) Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc (CMG) Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc (CCE) CVR Energy Inc (CVI) HearUSA Inc (EAR) HLS Systems International Ltd (HOLI) Illumina Inc (ILMN) Innophos Holdings Inc (IPHS) Jarden Corp (JAH) NewMarket Corp (NEU) Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd (NAK) O'Reilly Automotive Inc (ORLY) Papa John's Int'l Inc (PZZA) Rimage Corp (RIMG) Schweitzer-Mauduit International Inc (SWM) Shanda Interactive Entertainment Ltd (SNDA) Shinhan Financial Group Co Ltd (SHG) SonicWall Inc (SNWL) Thomson SA (TMS) UIL Holdings Corp (UIL) View the entire ...

Here are the stocks added to the Zacks #1 Rank ("strong buy") List today:

Achillion Pharmaceuticals Inc (ACHN) Advance Auto Parts Inc (AAP) Advantest Corp (ATE) Agree Realty Corp (ADC) Aluminum Corp of China Ltd (ACH) Amkor Technology Inc (AMKR) ARYx Therapeutics Inc (ARYX) Barloworld Ltd (BRRAY) Bio-Reference Laboratories Inc (BRLI) The Buckle Inc (BKE) California Pizza Kitchen Inc (CPKI) Cerus Corp (CERS) Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc (CMG.B) Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc (CCE) Crucell NV (CRXL) D R Horton Inc (DHI) Dana Holding Corp (DAN) Delhaize Group (DEG) Diageo Plc (DEO) Distribucion Y SVC (DYSVY) Emergency Medical Services Corp (EMS) Gen-Probe Inc (GPRO) Healthcare Services Group Inc (HCSG) HLS Systems International Ltd (HOLI) ICU Medical Inc (ICUI) Keppel Corporation Ltd (KPELY) L'Oreal SA (...

The maturing carbonated beverages category has resulted in the Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc. (CCE) management announcing a strategic restructuring program emphasizing the growth categories of non-carbonated beverages and low calorie sodas. The plan should mitigate the impact of higher input costs from increases in the prices of aluminum cans and high fructose corn syrup.

However, the weak economic environment in North America and subsequent softer-than-expected volume are concerning. Despite the stock being in the lower end of the historical valuation range, the Hold recommendation is being maintained until there are signs of stabilization in North America.

With a strong relationship with Coca-Cola (KO) and a financially leveraged balance sheet, Coca-Cola Enterprises stock has traded in a P/E multiple range of 12 to 20 over the last five years. At the current P/E of 12.6, the stock is becoming attractive, but given the near-term weakness in North America, it is prudent to

...