For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – November 23, 2009 – Zacks Equity Research highlights Caterpillar (CAT) as the Bull of the Day and Cost Plus, Inc. (CPWM) the Bear of the Day. In addition, Zacks Equity Research provides analysis on Gap Inc.(GPS), J.M. Smucker Company (SJM) and Stone Energy Corporation (SGY).

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:

Caterpillar (CAT) is a market leader in construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, and industrial gas turbines. With its strong brand name, pricing power and global dealer network, we believe Caterpillar is well positioned to take advantage of the growing need for infrastructure development globally.

Though the company expects 2009 sales to decline more than 35% year-over-year, it anticipates an improvement in its top-line in

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Coach, Inc. (COH) recently declared a quarterly dividend of $0.075 per share, which translates into an industry-leading yield of 1%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate continues to see upward revisions, rising 2% in the past month.

Solid Income

Coach announced that its dividend of $0.075 is payable on December 28 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on December 7.

Bullish Forecasts

Analysts polled by Zacks are bullish on earnings for COH. For the year ending June 2010, the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.07 was increased by a penny in the past week and hiked from $1.92 over the past 60 days. For the following year, forecasts of $2.27 are up 2 cent in the past week and climbed from $2.07 over the past 60 days.

Favorable Benchmark Comparisons

The company offers solid fundamentals, trading with a forward P/E

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Gap Inc. (GPS), a premier international specialty retailer, has reported healthy third quarter results despite challenging market conditions. The company reported net income of $307 million or 44 cents per share during the quarter compared to $246 million or 35 cents per share in the year-earlier quarter.  The robust earnings were primarily driven by strong sales at its low-price Old Navy segment and the highest third quarter operating margins in a decade. Net sales during the quarter were $3.59 billion compared to $3.56 billion in the year-ago quarter, largely due to a 10% increase in comparable sales across 1,060 Old Navy stores that account for about 40% of the total sales.  The Old Navy chain has benefited from the increasing preference among U.S. shoppers for lower-price and discount stores due to the continued challenging macroeconomic environment. Gross margins increased 380 basis points year-over-year to 42.5%. Operating ...

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – November 19, 2009 – Four free stock picks are being made available today on Zacks.com. The industry’s leading independent research firm highlights one Zacks #1 Rank Strong Buy or a Zacks #2 Rank Buy stock for each of the four main styles of investing: Aggressive Growth, Growth & Income, Momentum, and Value.

The four highlighted picks are: OPNET Technologies, Inc. (OPNT), Gap Inc. (GPS), Fossil Inc. (FOSL) and Ameriprise Financial Inc. (AMP).      Today, Zacks is promoting its ''Buy'' stock recommendations. Four daily picks are offered free at http://at.zacks.com/?id=5607

Zacks #1 Rank Stocks have nearly tripled the S&P 500 since 1988, producing an average annual return of +26%. Performance has been notable even during volatile and down times. For example, during the last bear market, 2000-2002, the market tumbled -37.6% – but Zacks #1 Rank stocks gained +43.8%.

Here is a summary

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Gap Inc. (GPS), which announces third-quarter results after today's closing bell, just declared a quarterly dividend of $0.085 per share, which translates into an industry-leading dividend yield of 1.5%. The company also reported sales growth for the month of October.

Company Description

Gap Inc. is a global specialty retailer that sells clothing, accessories and personal care products for men, women, children and babies under the Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic, Piperlime and Athleta brands. The company operates stores in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Ireland and Japan.

Gap also has franchise agreements with unaffiliated franchisees to operate Gap and Banana Republic stores in many other countries around the world. Under these agreements, third parties operate or will operate stores that sell apparel, purchased from Gap, under Gap's brand names.

Estimates are Bullish Ahead of Earnings Announcement

Analysts polled by Zacks have been upbeat on GPS ahead of today's

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Gap Inc. (GPS) continues to see bullish Zacks Consensus Estimates. The current full year forecast of $1.40 per share is up 5 cents over the past month.

For 2010, analysts polled by Zacks are calling for earnings of $1.53 per share, versus last month's $1.48.

The company recently announced that it will return to television advertising in November and that it will continue to invest internationally, including: opening its first Gap store in China in 2010; expanding its Outlet store presence internationally; and launching online businesses in Canada and the United Kingdom in 2010.

"Old Navy's performance this year has shown what we can deliver through consistent products, re-invigorated marketing, and an enhanced store environment," said Glenn Murphy, chairman and CEO of Gap Inc. "With our improved economic model, we're ready to step up our investments and strategies to regain market share

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

AES Corp (AES) Akzo Nobel NV (AKZOY) Alliance Financial Corp (ALNC) Atlantic Tele-Network Inc (ATNI) BASF SE (BASFY) Biovail Corp (BVF) Carbo Ceramics Inc (CRR) Cato Corp (CATO) Cellcom Israel Ltd (CEL) Chunghwa Telecom Co Ltd (CHT) Covidien Plc (COV) DG FastChannel Inc (DGIT) Diodes Inc (DIOD) Dover Corp (DOV) E.ON AG (EONGY) Endurance Specialty Holdings Ltd (ENH) Gap Inc (GPS) Investors Bancorp Inc ...

Gap Inc. (GPS) reported comparable store sales slipping by 3% year-over-year. While sales were slightly lower, which is not unique amid the current economic environment, GPS shares continued climbing and are trading close to a 52-high. The company also recently released sad news, announcing that Donald G. Fisher, co-founder of Gap, died after a long and heroic battle with cancer.

Company Description

Gap Inc. is a global specialty retailer that sells clothing, accessories and personal care products for men, women, children and babies under the Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic, Piperlime and Athleta brands. The company operates stores in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Ireland and Japan.

Gap also has franchise agreements with unaffiliated franchisees to operate Gap and Banana Republic stores in many other countries around the world. Under these agreements, third parties operate or will operate stores that sell apparel, purchased from Gap, under Gap's brand

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Gap Inc. (GPS) is a premier international specialty retailer offering a diverse range of clothing, accessories and personal care products for  men, women, children and babies. Its flagship brands include Gap, Banana  Republic, Old Navy, Piperlime and Athleta. Approximately three-fourths of Gap’s revenue is generated from its operations in the U.S.   With a market cap of over $15 billion, The Gap is the industry leader by a stretch in the highly fragmented specialty retail sector. The Gap’s globally recognized brands complement one another, enabling it to leverage its position in the sector.   The Gap has a strong balance sheet with cash and cash equivalents of $2.1 billion at quarter end and no outstanding debt. Furthermore, the company  has $439 million available under its $500 million revolving credit facility.   Management has taken stringent cost-control measures and prudent inventory management policies to reduce the operating expenses and ...

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – August 27, 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: Safeway Inc. (SWY), Vodafone Group Plc (VOD), Gap Inc. (GPS), Charles Schwab Corp. (SCHW) and Cisco Systems Inc. (CSCO).

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 Wednesday’s Analyst Blog:

Safeway Expands Board

Safeway Inc. (SWY), the third-largest supermarket chain in North America, recently appointed Arun Sarin and Michael S. Shannon to its Board of Directors, expanding the number of members from 10 to 12. With these appointments, management brings on board some key

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