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

Advisory Board Co (ABCO) Bell Microproducts Inc (BELM) Beneficial Mutual Bancorp Inc (BNCL) Briggs & Stratton Corp (BGG) Commerce Bancshares Inc (CBSH) Conceptus Inc (CPTS) Crane Co (CR) Dolan Media Co (DM) Dorman Products Inc (DORM) Dover Corp (DOV) Dow Chemical Co (DOW) Drew Industries Inc (DW) E-House China Holdings Ltd (EJ) ev3 Inc (EVVV) GAMCO Investors Inc (GBL) ICT Group Inc (ICTG) Integrated Silicon Solution Inc (...

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

Advisory Board Co (ABCO) Amerigon Inc (ARGN) Amicas Inc (AMCS) Avago Technologies Ltd (AVGO) Bancorp Inc (TBBK) Bare Escentuals Inc (BARE) Benchmark Electronics Inc (BHE) BHP Billiton Ltd (BHP) BHP Billiton Plc (BBL) Cabela's Inc (CAB) Cadbury Plc (CBY) Cantel Medical Corp (CMN) Commerce Bancshares Inc (CBSH) Connecticut Water Service Inc (CTWS) Crane Co (CR) Domtar Corp (UFS) DryShips Inc (DRYS) EnerNOC Inc (...

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – October 14, 2009 – Zacks.com announces the latest Industry Outlook. Today, Zacks Equity Research discusses the U.S. Banks sector, including Fannie Mae (FNM), Freddie Mac (FRE), Commerce Bancshares Inc. (CBSH), Wilmington Trust Corporation (WL) and Zions Bancorp (ZION).

Here is the latest on the U.S. Banks sector:

While the state of the economy is showing signs of recovery, a lot remains to be done. The Treasury continues to have huge direct investments in institutions like Fannie Mae (FNM) and Freddie Mac (FRE).

We expect loan losses on commercial real estate portfolio to remain high for banks that hold large amounts of high-risk loans. Also, as a result of a rise in charge-offs, the levels of reserve coverage have fallen over the past quarters and the banks will have

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After enduring extraordinary shocks in 2008, the U.S. banks entered an exceptional state of turmoil in 2009. Starting as a credit issue in the subprime segment of the mortgage market, the sticky situation spread to almost the entire financial services industry, and all corners of the globe. In other words, the financial crisis ultimately morphed into a massive economic crisis, which has had major ramifications across the whole world. Although the banking industry is dealing with liquidity and confidence challenges, it now has financial support from the U.S. government. The government has taken several steps, including programs offering capital injections and debt guarantees, to stabilize the financial system. We believe that the worst of the credit crisis is now probably behind us. After almost a year of initiating the $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), a lot has improved with respect to the economic crisis, but ...

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

Accuride Corp (AURD) Analogic Corporation (ALOG) Berkshire Hills Bancorp Inc (BHLB) Boise Inc (BZ) CAI International Inc (CAP) Chunghwa Telecom Co Ltd (CHT) Ciena Corp (CIEN) Commerce Bancshares Inc (CBSH) Dime Community Bancshares Inc (DCOM) Discover Financial Services (DFS) First Security Group Inc (FSGI) First State Bancorp NM (FSNM) FNB United Corp (FNBN) Georgia Gulf Corp (GGC) GreenHunter Energy Inc (GRH) The Hain Celestial Group Inc (HAIN) Independent Bank Corp (IBCP) Irwin Financial Corp (IFC) Itron Inc (ITRI) ITT Corp (ITT) KB Financial Group Inc (KB) Kelly Services Inc (KELYA) Kubota Corp (KUB) Liberty Property Trust (LRY) Marine Products Corp (MPX) Nara Bancorp Inc (NARA) Nu Horizons Electronics Corp ...

This morning, Commerce Bancshares, Inc. (CBSH) reported its 1Q09 financial results. The company reported earnings of $30.8 million or $0.40 per diluted share, compared to $43.8 million or $0.57 per diluted share in the prior quarter. The results were seven cents short of our estimate and nine cents short of consensus, mainly due to a sharp increase in the loan loss provision.Taxable-equivalent net interest income for 1Q09 decreased 4.4% sequentially. Average loans increased 1.5% sequentially and 2.6% year-over-year to $11.1 billion, primarily the result of the acquisition of $368 million in federally guaranteed student loans in 4Q08. Average deposits increased 6.5% sequentially and 9.3% year-over-year.Credit metrics deteriorated further during the quarter, with total non-performing assets rising to $118.7 million or 1.08% of loans outstanding, while net charge-offs increased to $34.9 million. The increase in net charge-offs was mainly the result of higher consumer, credit ...

Commerce Bancshares, Inc.'s (CBSH) diluted operating earnings (excluding the gain on sale of a branch in southeastern Kansas) of $0.71 per share were in-line with our estimates, but two pennies ahead of consensus. Earnings were driven by expansion in net interest margin and strong growth in non-interest revenue, while expenses remained under control.

Non-performing assets were somewhat stable but charge-offs increased during the quarter. After reviewing the results and based on credit concerns, we are moderating our FY08 and FY09 estimates but maintaining our Hold recommendation on the shares of CBSH with a six-month target price of $47.50 per share.

CBSH has significant excess capital -- 8.66% tangible equity at June 30. We see significant value in this excess capital as reflected by our valuation methodology. Repurchases have been significant, reducing outstanding shares by about 0.5% to 1% quarterly over the last five years, adding greatly to EPS and supporting

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