International stocks continue to gain popularity as investors look to align their portfolios with emerging market economies and creditor nations. Brazilian stocks have been at the top of the list, with the South American juggernaut being fueled by a pro-growth government, booming exports and the modernization of its infrastructure.

Pro-Growth Government

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, otherwise known as "Lula", has led the country's pro-growth strategy, appointing the market oriented economist and former CEO of Bank Boston Henrique Meirelles as head of the Brazilian Central Bank. Lula and his administration quickly strengthened the country's relationship with the IMF by renewing agreements and paying off its debt early.

Next up was the Growth Acceleration Program, an initiative designed to free the country's economy from growth constraints. By 2008 Brazil had became a creditor nation, with its debt recently getting the nod from Standard & Poors

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For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – August 14, 2009 – Zacks Equity Research highlights Gafisa S.A. (GFA) as the Bull of the Day and King Pharmaceuticals (KG) the Bear of the Day. In addition, Zacks Equity Research provides analysis on Bally (BYI), International Game Technology (IGT) and WMS Industries Inc. (WMS).

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:

We are reiterating our Outperform recommendation on Gafisa S.A. (GFA). We have been encouraged by the stimulus package and the new value-added tax relief recently announced by the Brazilian government.

Second quarter 2009 results were positive, mainly considering the international crisis, which has affected Brazil's construction sector.

The new Government Housing Program and the R$600 million debenture from Caixa Economica will help Tenda to expand its business plan

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For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL - June 1, 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: Marriott (MAR), Starwood (HOT), Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG), Wyndham Worldwide (WYN) and Gafisa S.A. (GFA).

Get the most recent insight from Zacks Equity Research with the free Profit from the Pros newsletter: http://at.zacks.com/?id=4579.

Here are highlights from Friday's Analyst Blog:

Hotel Stocks Due for Correction

Shares of Marriott (MAR) have rallied approximately 85% from the lows reached in early March. Shares of Starwood (HOT) have climbed even higher, rallying roughly 150% since early March. Shares of other companies in the industry, including Intercontinental

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We are reiterating our Buy recommendation on Gafisa S.A. (GFA). We have been encouraged by the stimulus package and the new value-added tax relief recently announced by the Brazilian government.First quarter 2009 results were positive considering the international crisis, which has affected Brazil's construction sector. The new Government Housing Program and the R$600 million debenture from Caixa Econômica will help Tenda to expand its business plan for the development of projects in the lower income sector.Throughout its first 50 years, the company has realized more than 800 enterprises, including luxury residential condominiums, commercial buildings, flats and shopping centers. In total, those properties add up to around 9 million square meters of constructed area in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. Read the full analyst report on "GFA"Zacks Investment Research

Highlights include Vivo Participacoes SA (VIV), Tim Participacoes SA (TSU), Ultrapar Participacoes SA (UGP) and Gafisa SA (GFA).Today the Brazilian Central Bank will announce a new cut in domestic interest rates. The global crisis reached Brazil, and according to the last Focus survey (a weekly survey conducted by the Brazilian Central Bank with brokers, banks and consultants), the Brazilian GDP should fall 0.39% in 2009. We believe this outlook is still benign. The IMF expects the Brazilian economy to fall 1.3% this year.In such a challenging economic environment, it sounds really odd that Brazilian domestic interest rates still are at 11.25% per year. The inflation target for 2009 is 4.5% and, again according to the Focus survey, expected inflation for 2009 is now at 4.3% per year. Forget about soccer -- indeed Brazil is now the world champion of real interest rates!...

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL - April 23, 2009 - Zacks Equity Research picks Gafisa S.A. (GFA) as Bull of the Day and Johnson Controls, Inc. (JCI) as Bear of the Day. In addition, the analysts at Zacks Equity Research discuss the latest on Nabors Industries (NBR), BJ Services (BJS) and Halliburton (HAL).

Full analysis of all these stocks is available at: http://at.zacks.com/?id=2678

Bull of the Day

We are reiterating our Buy recommendation on Gafisa S.A. (GFA). We have been encouraged by the stimulus package and the new value-added tax relief recently announced by the Brazilian government.

Fourth quarter 2008 results were lower than expected, which is a clear indication that the international crisis has reached Brazil's construction sector. The recent acquisition of Tenda will enhance the company's presence in the low-income segment, which will be the focus of the Brazilian government. Thus, we expect Gafisa to benefit

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We are reiterating our Buy recommendation on Gafisa S.A. (GFA). We have been encouraged by the stimulus package and the new value-added tax relief recently announced by the Brazilian government.

Fourth quarter 2008 results were lower than expected, which is a clear indication that the international crisis has reached Brazil's construction sector. The recent acquisition of Tenda will enhance the company's presence in the low-income segment, which will be the focus of the Brazilian government. Thus, we expect Gafisa to benefit from the announced program in the following quarters.

Currently, Gafisa is trading at 7.7x 2009 revised EPS estimate. We reiterate our Buy recommendation on Gafisa, with a target price of US$16.25, representing a valuation between 9x and 10x our 2009 P/E, closer to the Bovespa benchmark for Brazilian stocks.Zacks Investment Research

Highlighted is Gafisa SA (GFA).Yesterday, the Brazilian government announced new tax reliefs for the construction sector. For the next 3 months, 30 items -- cement, electric devices, etc. -- will have a value added tax relief that can be renewed at the end of the 3-month period, depending on the economic situation.With the new tax relief, it is expected that retail prices of construction materials could be reduced by as much as 8%. It seems that the Brazilian government is trying as hard as possible to stimulate the construction sector. This is quite understandable. With increasing unemployment in the low income classes, the construction sector, if revived, can absorb easily huge amounts of unemployed workers.Additionally, the construction of a considerable number of new homes for low-income families could support government approval during difficult times in the following months. In 2010, there will ...

After the announcement of the Brazilian stimulus package for the construction sector late last week, we decided to upgrade Gafisa S.A. (GFA) from Hold to Buy. As we were expecting, the stimulus program was announced with the following main points:    New investments of R$34 billion (US$14.9 billion) in order to build an estimated total of one million new homes, with 400 thousand for very poor families (with a 100% subsidy) amounting a total investment of R$16 billion (US$7 billion) and the monthly installment for this program not to exceed US$22 per month 400 thousand homes will be built for low income class families; with some degree of subsidy as annual rates will be 5% or 6% per year -- very low for Brazilian standards -- depending on the total family income. Total investment for this program should be around R$10 billion ...

Highlighted in this blog is Gafisa SA (GFA).New Stimulus Plan for Brazilian Construction Sector to be Announced TodayToday is expected the announcement of a new package of stimulus measures for the Brazilian construction sector. According to Brazilian papers, the new measure will include new investments of at least BRL 28 billion (US$12.3 billion) in order to build an estimated total of one million new homes -- 400 thousand for very poor families (with a 100% subsidy), 400 thousand for low income class families (with some degree of subsidy) and 200 thousand for middle class families, without subsidy.Additionally, a guarantee fund to cover defaults should be established. At this point there is no real news available, only talk on newspapers and market gossip.However, if the plan is to be announced as expected, it will be very positive for the Brazilian construction ...