For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – November 16, 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: Nordstrom Inc. (JWN), Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (ANF), The Walt Disney Company (DIS), Wells Fargo & Company (WFC) and Bank of America Corporation (BAC).

Get the most recent insight from Zacks Equity Research with the free Profit from the Pros newsletter: http://at.zacks.com/?id=5513

Here are highlights from Friday’s Analyst Blog:

Nordstrom Ups Guidance, Post-Beat

High-end retailer Nordstrom Inc. (JWN) has reported strong third quarter 2009 results with net income of $83 million or 38 cents per share compared to $71 million or 33 cents per share in the year-earlier

...

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – November 13, 2009 – Zacks Equity Research highlights Expedia Inc. (EXPE) as the Bull of the Day and Triumph Group, Inc. (TGI) the Bear of the Day. In addition, Zacks Equity Research provides analysis on Target (TGT), TJ Maxx/Marshall’s (TJX) and Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF).

Full analysis of all these stocks is available at http://at.zacks.com/?id=5506

Here is a synopsis of all five stocks:

Bull of the Day:

Expedia Inc. (EXPE) is one of the leading online travel companies in the world. The company reported strong results in the last quarter, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Promotional activity continues to have a positive impact on the conversion rate, and spending is expected to strengthen in the next few quarters.

We are also positive about international initiatives, which we think will be the key to future growth.

...

Expedia Inc. (EXPE) is one of the leading online travel companies in the world. The company reported strong results in the last quarter, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Promotional activity continues to have a positive impact on the conversion rate, and spending is expected to strengthen in the next few quarters.

We are also positive about international initiatives, which we think will be the key to future growth. Cost management, a favorable online advertising environment and solid financials are other encouraging factors.

By comparison, the possibility of increased occupancy taxes and low growth in Egencia (the smallest segment) seem less significant. However, the declining average daily rates could be something to watch. We are reiterating our Outperform rating on EXPE shares.Zacks Investment Research

Vulcan Materials (VMC) reported a 20% fall in net profits to $48 million or 38 cents per share in the third quarter, from $60 million or 53 cents per share in the year-ago period. The decline was on the back of a 19%-29% fall in sales volumes for the company’s key product lines. However, the company did manage to meet the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Revenue declined 23% to $778 million. Gross profit as a percent of net sales -- excluding depreciation, depletion and amortization -- increased to 34% from 31% in the prior-year quarter. This was attributed to Vulcan’s efficient cost management and productivity improvements. Segment Performance Revenue in the Aggregates segment shrank 19% to $533 million due to lower shipments, which more than offset the earnings benefit from improved prices, lower unit costs for diesel fuel and cost control measures. Shipments declined 20% due ...

Newell Rubbermaid (NWL), the maker of Sharpie pens, Calphalon cookware and Rubbermaid containers, reported better-than-expected third-quarter results and raised its outlook. The quarterly earnings of 38 cents a share beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 35 cents and climbed 8.6% from 35 cents reported in the prior-year quarter.  On a reported basis including one-time items, quarterly earnings came in at 28 cents, up 40% from 20 cents reported in the prior-year quarter.  Management now expects fiscal year 2009 earnings in the range of $1.27 to $1.32 per share, as against $1.15 to $1.30 forecasted earlier. For the fourth quarter, earnings are expected between 23 cents and 28 cents a share.  Despite a double-digit fall of 17.7% in revenue to $1,449 million, Newell’s bottom line benefited from the exit of certain line of products, lower cost of products sold and effective cost management. Consequently, Newell’s gross ...

Bemis Company, Inc. (BMS) reported third quarter earnings of 48 cents per share, above the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 39 cents and year-ago EPS of 43 cents. Earnings growth in the quarter was primarily driven by strong operating performance in the Flexible Packaging business, helped by improved sales mix and successful cost controls by the company. Quarterly sales dropped 8.7% year over year to $898.9 million. The second quarter acquisition of the South American rigid packaging operations of Huhtamaki Oyj contributed 1.9% to the third quarter sales. This was more than offset by a negative currency translation effect of 3.6%. The remaining 7.0% decline in sales came from lower volumes and selling prices, partially offset by improved sales mix. Sales in the Flexible Packaging segment were down 7.5% compared to last year, as positive contribution from acquisition and improved sales mix were more than offset by ...

Big Lots Inc. (BIG) recently reported better-than-expected second quarter results surpassing the bottom-line expectation. Effective cost management drove the growth in bottom-line with increased efficiencies in distribution and transportation costs, reduced advertising expenses, and decline in payroll costs.   Earnings per share (excluding one-time items) of 35 cents was well above the company’s guidance range of 26 cents to 32 cents, and surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 31 cents. Earnings per share increased 9.4% year over year, compared to 32 cents in the prior-year quarter.   On a reported basis, Big Lots delivered EPS of 34 cents, up 6.3%.   Management now expects EPS for the third and fourth quarter to be in the range of 14 cents to 19 cents, and 99 cents to $1.04, respectively. Management also raised its full year earnings guidance on account of better-than-expected results. It now expects EPS to be in ...

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – August 21, 2009 – Zacks Equity Research highlights Expedia Inc. (EXPE) as the Bull of the Day and KeyCorp. (KEY) the Bear of the Day. In addition, Zacks Equity Research provides analysis on Bank of America (BAC), Wells Fargo (WFC) and PNC Financial (PNC).

Full analysis of all these stocks is available at http://at.zacks.com/?id=2676

Here is a synopsis of all five stocks:

Bull of the Day:

Expedia Inc. (EXPE) is one of the leading online travel companies in the world. The company reported strong results in the last quarter, beating the consensus estimate. Although bookings continue to be impacted by the recession, management has taken promotional measures to improve the conversion rate.

We are also positive about international initiatives, which we think will be the key to future growth. Cost management, a favorable online advertising

...

Expedia Inc. (EXPE) is one of the leading online travel companies in the world. The company reported strong results in the last quarter, beating the consensus estimate. Although bookings continue to be impacted by the recession, management has taken promotional measures to improve the conversion rate.

We are also positive about international initiatives, which we think will be the key to future growth. Cost management, a favorable online advertising environment and solid financials are other encouraging factors. In comparison, the possibility of increased occupancy taxes and low growth in Egencia (the smallest segment) seem less significant.

However, the declining average daily rates could be something to watch. We are initiating coverage of EXPE shares with an OUTPERFORM rating. Zacks Investment Research

We are initiating coverage of Expedia, Inc (EXPE) with an Outperform rating. The stock has had a great run since the beginning of the year, with the share price increasing nearly 149%. Most of the increase has come on the heels of the company reporting better than expected results in the March quarter. This was followed by another stellar quarter, making the company look very good. Its closest competitors Orbitz Worldwide (OWW) and Priceline.com (PCLN) have also fared quite well, indicating a positive outlook for the sector. As one of the largest online travel companies in the world, Expedia has been impacted by the recession. However, management has come back strongly, with effective promotions that stepped up the conversion rate. The Summer Sale of 2009 was very big, with 5,000 hotels joining in, compared to 1,800 last year. Participating hotels saw a ...