For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – November 12, 2009 – Zacks Equity Research highlights Cisco Systems (CSCO) as the Bull of the Day and Potash Corporation (POT) the Bear of the Day. In addition, Zacks Equity Research provides analysis on JPMorgan Chase & Company (JPM), Citigroup Inc.(C) and Bank of America (BAC).

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:

Cisco Systems (CSCO) is a leading provider of IP-based networking and other products. The company's first quarter results were a significant improvement over prior quarters, with both revenue and earnings exceeding our expectations.

Of particular note is the growth in orders, which indicates continued business momentum. Improving operating performance, solid financials, a sound restructuring policy and new growth initiatives are the drivers behind our Outperform rating.

However,

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According to an internal memo to all employees, JPMorgan Chase & Company (JPM) will lift a salary freeze it put in place last year. The salary freeze was applicable for employees making more than $60,000 a year. The decision to lift the salary freeze is a part of JPMorgan’s compensation review process, following its profits for last several quarters in its investment-banking operations.   The bank also intends to pay a $500 special award globally to employees who receive less than $60,000 a year.   Additionally, the bank also plans to add more than 300 staff to its branches to support a $4 billion increase in small business lending in an effort to help revive the U.S economy. Also, to boost new loans and refinancing, JPMorgan will hire 1,200 mortgage loan officers by the end of 2010. This addition will increase the company’s sales force by approximately ...

As many frequent readers of the Russian media would attest, retrieving accurate data pertaining to any sensitive topic can prove difficult.  It is thus reassuring to see that Russia has agreed to hold its census next year, at a cost of 10.5 billion rubles, after initial hesitation due to apparent lack of funds.  Indeed, this commentator suggests that whilst the census may go ahead, it will be 'less comprehensive and less accurate' than many would wish.  Murray Feshbach at RFE/RL argues that a census would allow the country to seriously tackle the issues of demographic decline, its manifest HIV and TB problems, and form policies on how to accommodate its ethnic and religious minorities.  Feshbach suggests census-phobia is ...

Monster Worldwide, Inc. (MWW) yesterday reported revenues of $215 million in the third quarter of 2009, down 35% year over year and down 3.7% sequentially. The company operates in three business segments: Careers North America, Careers International and Advertising & Communications. The revenue continues to be impacted by lower global demand for recruiting advertising services. Approximately 42% of revenues were generated from international operations and total revenue was negatively impacted by $7.4 million from unfavorable foreign exchange rates. Careers North America generated revenue of $95 million, down 39% year over year. Careers International revenue came in at $85 million, down 40% year over year. Internet Advertising & Fees generated revenue of $35 million, essentially flat over the $35 million reported in last year’s third quarter. Management stated that revenue and new business activity might have hit a bottom, but revenue continues to be challenged by ...

In the third quarter, Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV) is expected to post narrow losses. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Southwest is a loss of 4 cents per share. Southwest may see a drain in its profits from non-cash charges in its fuel hedging program. As of June 30, 2009, the company had fuel derivative instruments in place for approximately 30% of its expected third quarter 2009 jet fuel consumption. Though revenue remains a problem for the airline, it is trying to entice the passengers with cheaper prices. More traffic and less capacity or available seats led to a rise in average occupancy for Southwest in September. Load factor jumped to 74.7%, a gain of more than 11% from Sept. 2008. These full loads were built with cheap fares and other promotions which the airline has been offering of late. There have been signs that demand ...

Not much happened yesterday. The Dow fell 47 points. The newspapers attributed the reversal to surprisingly low consumer confidence numbers. Apparently, consumers aren’t so sure this crisis is over. As we reported yesterday, they’re saving money… maybe even at an 8% rate.

Oil didn’t move yesterday. Neither did gold.

The Wall Street Journal reported that markets were reacting to “mixed data”.

That is to say, some reports were encouraging. Others were not. It was as if one weather forecaster called for a blizzard. The other for sunny skies and warm temperatures. Investors didn’t know how to dress.

Among the dark clouds was an item on the falloff in tax revenues. States are having a hard time balancing their books, because their tax receipts are declining. The WSJ reports that they are running 17% below last year.

Since states cannot print money, they’re forced to make cutbacks – typically reducing hours worked per employee as

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Clenergen Corp. announced today that it has secured long term leases effective 25 years on plantation land parcels in the Tirunelveli District of Tamilnadu for cultivation of its feedstock. The company has already begun working on the first parcel of 850 acres for a detailed survey prior to designing the irrigation system and commercial planting. The lease has been provided by Emberumanar Jeer Trust, an entity regulated by the Government of Tamilnadu.

The company has also been granted a lease of 1,200 acres from a similar Government of Tamilnadu, which is anticipated to be closed by October 30th 2009 after completion of the formalities relating to contour mapping. Clenergen plans to cultivate Beema Bamboo over these land parcels once a detailed assessment of the soil conditions and water availability is complete. Beema Bamboo planting is scheduled to commence in November 2009 since

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BP: British Petroleum. Big Profits

by Tony Daltorio, the Investment U Research Team

Not too long ago, seven major oil companies – commonly referred to as the Seven Sisters – controlled their market.

But that was then and this is now. Today, they’re scrambling to find new oil fields, while “smaller” companies rock the industry.

That’s why there’s been so much excitement over the recent discovery of a ‘giant’ oil field in the Gulf of Mexico by one of the Seven Sisters, British Petroleum ADR (NYSE: BP).

When international oil companies consider where to invest, they typically have to choose between technically straightforward fields in politically turbulent countries, or politically stable areas that require complex and costly production techniques.

Easily produced, accessible energy resources in secure countries just don’t exist anymore; the era of cheap oil is truly over.

But BP has a long history

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According to the latest news from Monster Worldwide Inc. (MWW), online job postings surged in August and registered the highest monthly gain in four years following slow hiring activity in summer. However, it was down 24% year over year. Monster World Wide is an online recruitment firm and the parent company of Monster.com, the leading career website in the world. The company, headquartered in New York, is also the largest advertising agency network for worldwide recruitment. Management stated that this surge in job postings indicates signs of improvement in the US economy, with the demand for managers and professionals as well as sales and office workers picking up. Online labor demand in the arts, entertainment and recreation industry rebounded from a historic low in July. Demand for staff in sales and commerce related industries also registered an increase in both retail trade and wholesale trade....

Why Is Beijing Investing $200 Billion in One Company? The answer is simple. This rail company hauls 25% of the world’s freight – but it only has 6% of the world’s track. Right now, freight supply is 65% shy of demand. Sales for this company have grown on average 47% over the last five year. And now, with a $200 billion infusion, it’s about to jump even higher. Estimates show the potential gains at 356%. Click here for the full report.

BP PLC (NYSE ADR: BP) yesterday (Wednesday) announced a “giant” oil discovery in the Gulf of Mexico that may contain more than 3 billion barrels of oil. The find is evidence of the Gulf’s resurrection as a major oil producer, as well as the great lengths – or depths – to which major oil companies must go to find vibrant wells.

The well, known as the …