Almost Family, Inc. (AFAM) continues to quietly beat estimates and grow revenues. Third quarter estimates have risen in the last 30 days.

Almost Family provides home health nursing, rehabilitation and personal care services. It has surprised on estimates 7 quarters in a row and has beat on average of 15.42% in the last four.

On Aug 5, the company reported second quarter results which saw revenues rise 54% to $74.9 million from $48.7 million in the year ago period. The company surprised on the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 8.96% as earnings per share were 73 cents compared to the estimate of 67 cents. Almost Family reported 50 cents in the year ago period.

The Visiting Nursing segment saw 65% growth compared to the second quarter of 2008, with 29% of that coming from organic growth and the rest from acquisitions. The Personal Care segment increased 11%.

Will the company's

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Lubrizol Corp. (LZ) continues to see higher Zacks Consensus Estimates and stellar share price momentum after delivering a strong second quarter. Shares have been hitting fresh 52-week highs and are currently trading slightly below that level.

Company Description

Lubrizol Corporation makes chemical that are used for improving the quality and performance of products used in the global transportation, industrial and consumer markets.

This involves production of lubricant additives for engine oils, other transportation-related fluids and industrial lubricants, as well as fuel additives for gasoline and diesel fuel. Lubrizol also makes ingredients and additives for personal care products and pharmaceuticals.

The company describes its products as ones that enhance the quality, performance and value of its customers' products while reducing their environmental impact.

Lubrizol is headquartered in Wickliffe, Ohio. The company owns and operates manufacturing facilities in 19 countries, as well as sales and technical offices around the world. Founded in

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div style="text-align: justify;"My favourite call today comes from Keybanc Capital Markets.br /br /They are upgrading span style="font-weight: bold;"Ashland (NYSE:ASH) /spanto Buy from Hold and are establishing a $53 price target given improved confidence that Valvoline can keep rolling on higher profitability, cost savings initiatives are ahead of schedule and the Hercules franchises have good room for earnings growth. While the stock has had a strong run since March 2009, they believe it is still attractive trading at an estimated FY10 EV/EBITDA multiple of 4.5x. Firm's price target is based on an estimated FY10 EV/EBITDA multiple of 6.0x.br /br /span style="font-weight: bold;"- 2010 EPS Estimate Increased: /spanKeybanc is raising their FY10 EPS estimate by $0.85 to $3.25 vs. their estimate of $3.00 for FY09. The year-over-year improvement looks for very modest volume growth, improved costs and flattish earnings for Valvoline.br /br /span style="font-weight: bold;"- Valvoline – Sustainable:/span The majority of the ...

Lubrizol Corp. (LZ) has been hitting 52-week highs lately. The company recently posted a strong second quarter and hiked its 2009 earnings guidance.

Company Description

Lubrizol Corporation makes chemical that are used for improving the quality and performance of products used in the global transportation, industrial and consumer markets.

This involves production of lubricant additives for engine oils, other transportation-related fluids and industrial lubricants, as well as fuel additives for gasoline and diesel fuel. Lubrizol also makes ingredients and additives for personal care products and pharmaceuticals.

The company describes its products as ones that enhance the quality, performance and value of its customers' products while reducing their environmental impact.

Lubrizol is headquartered in Wickliffe, Ohio. The company owns and operates manufacturing facilities in 19 countries, as well as sales and technical offices around the world. Founded in 1928, Lubrizol has approximately 6,800 employees worldwide. Revenues for 2008 were $5.0

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A gain of about 4.4% is going to be enough to make OMNOVA Solutions Inc. (OMN) a top-performing Zacks #1 Rank stock on Friday.

< ?DART(15);?> This is the second time in July that we are featuring this specialty chemicals company as a top performer. The company made the list back on the 6th with a similar gain of about 4%.

Volume today is at approximately 315,000 shares, which is well below the average of 930,000.

OMN is an innovator of emulsion polymers, specialty chemicals, and decorative and functional surfaces for a variety of commercial, industrial and residential end uses. There is only 1 other company from the Chemicals-Specialty industry on today's Zacks #1 Rank List: Lubrizol Corporation (LZ).

Earnings Estimates

For this fiscal year, which ends in November, the Zacks Consensus Estimate currently stands at 34 cents. That marks

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Companies highlighted in this weekly wrap include Ross Stores Inc. (ROST), Lubrizol Corporation (LZ), Best Buy Co. Inc. (BBY), United Online, Inc. (UNTD) and Baxter International Inc. (BAX).

Ross Stores Inc. (ROST) has been beating the market since we last covered it as a Growth and Income pick. The company also continues to see bullish forecasts from analysts, including a full-year earnings growth expectation of 16%.

Analysts are forecasting $2.71 per share for the current year, versus the 2 months-ago level of $2.50. For

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For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL - June 26, 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: The Gap, Inc. (GPS), Lubrizol Corporation (LZ), Green Mountain Coffee Roasters (GMCR) and Dollar Tree Inc. (DLTR).     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 +28%. 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

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Lubrizol Corporation (LZ) recently declared a dividend of 31 cents per share, noting that it is payable September 10 to shareholders of record at the close of business on August 10. The company boasts an industry-leading yield of 3%.

Company Description

Lubrizol Corporation makes chemical that are used for improving the quality and performance of products used in the global transportation, industrial and consumer markets.

This involves production of lubricant additives for engine oils, other transportation-related fluids and industrial lubricants, as well as fuel additives for gasoline and diesel fuel. Lubrizol also makes ingredients and additives for personal care products and pharmaceuticals.

The company describes its products as ones that enhance the quality, performance and value of its customers' products while reducing their environmental impact.

Lubrizol is headquartered in Wickliffe, Ohio. The company owns and operates manufacturing facilities in 19 countries, as well as

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Highlighted stocks include Almost Family, Inc. ( The Visiting Nurse segment was on fire, as revenue soared 97% to $58.7 million. 41% of the revenue growth was organic, with the rest coming from acquired operations.

The Personal Care segment also saw gains in the quarter with revenue increasing 14% to $9.2 million.

AFAM surprised on estimates by 13.33%. Net income rose 124% to $5.6 million, or 68 cents, from $2.5 million or, 44 cents per share, in the first quarter of 2008. The weighted average shares outstanding for purposes of calculating EPS

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For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL - May 1, 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: MWI Veterinary Supply, Inc. (MWIV), Strayer Education, Inc. (STRA), The Steak n Shake Company's (SNS) and Lubrizol Corporation (LZ).     Today, Zacks is promoting its ''Buy'' stock recommendations. Four daily picks are offered free at http://at.zacks.com/?id=88

Zacks #1 Rank Stocks have nearly tripled the S&P 500 since 1988, producing an average annual return of +28%. 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

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