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

3M Co (MMM) AMCOL International Corp (ACO) Archer-Daniels-Midland Co (ADM) Arena Resources Inc (ARD) Bell Microproducts Inc (BELM) Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc (BIO) BNP Paribas (BNPQY) Boston Beer Co Inc (SAM) Conmed Corp (CNMD) Crosstex Energy Inc (XTXI) Deutsche Bank AG (DB) Dover Corp (DOV) Dow Chemical Co (DOW) Eaton Corp (ETN) FBL Financial Group Inc (FFG) Fuel Systems Solutions Inc (FSYS) Genoptix Inc (GXDX) ...

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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For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – October 22, 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: China Fire & Security Group Inc (CFSG), Ross Stores, Inc. (ROST), China Automotive Systems, Inc. (CAAS) and Cott Corporation (COT).      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

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Corning Inc. (GLW) recently announced its acquisition of Axygen BioScience from American Capital Ltd. (ACAS) for approximately $400 million in cash. Axygen makes plastic consumable labware, liquid handling products and bench-top laboratory equipment.

"Axygen's product portfolio and established distribution network will significantly strengthen Corning's life sciences platform and are critical components to our long-term growth strategy for this business," said Peter F. Volanakis, Corning's president and chief operating officer. "We believe this highly strategic acquisition offers synergies that will allow us to grow our life sciences business to more than $500 million in revenue by 2011," he added.

Improved Outlook

Corning also recently updated its outlook, announcing that it expects sales volume at its wholly owned business to be down by less than 5% in the third quarter, compared to the quarter-prior. The forecast is an improvement from the previous projection of a decline of 5% to 10% decline.

The company previously stated

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For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – September 18, 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: Ross Stores, Inc. (ROST), Tim Hortons Inc. (THI), Broadpoint Gleacher Securities Group, Inc. (BPSG) and Del Monte Foods Company (DLM).      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

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Shares of Ross Stores Inc. (ROST) have advanced more than 3% in afternoon trade after the company offered an upbeat outlook.  The retailer expects fiscal third-quarter earnings of 57 cents to 63 cents per share, which is higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 56 cents.  Moreover, Ross also expects earnings to range between $3.00 and $3.12 per share for the year ending Jan 2010.  The guidance is higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.00 per share, which has moved up by 18 cents over the past month.  Meanwhile, the company reported fiscal second-quarter earnings of 82 cents per share, matching the Zacks Consensus Estimate.  Sales expanded 8% to $1.77 billion, while same-store sales recorded a growth of 3%.  ROST, a Zacks #2 Rank ("Buy") stock, is trading on higher-than-usual volume of approximately 2.1 million, against the average daily volume of ...

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

3Com Corp (COMS) 51job Inc (JOBS) Actions Semiconductor Co Ltd (ACTS) Aeropostale Inc (ARO) Companhia de Bebidas das Americas (ABV) American Italian Pasta Co (AIPC) American States Water Co (AWR) Amkor Technology Inc (AMKR) Anworth Mortgage Asset Corp (ANH) Asbury Automotive Group Inc (ABG) Ashland Inc (ASH) Associated British Foods Plc (ASBFY) AudioCodes Ltd (AUDC) Baidu Inc (BIDU) Banco Santander SA (STD) Bank of Montreal (BMO) Barnes & ...

National Semiconductor Corporation (NSM) has been outperforming the market, climbing about 7% from the time it was last featured as a Growth and Income pick just a few weeks ago.

Bullish Projections

The company continues to see higher earnings revisions. For the year ending May 2010, the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 38 cents per share is up 171% over the past 2 months. For the following year, the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 62 cents per share is up 41% over the past 2 months.

Solid Fundamentals

The company boasts an industry-leading return on equity (ROE) of 30%, while the industry average is less than 1%. NSM's net profit margin of 5% stacks up well against a negative industry average. The company also offers and an industry-leading dividend yield of 2%.

Read the July 21 commentary on NSM.

Last Week's Growth and Income Zacks Rank Buy Stocks

Lubrizol Corp. (LZ) has been

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For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – August 6, 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: CA, Inc. (CA), Ross Stores Inc. (ROST), Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (CMG) and Universal Health Services, Inc. (UHS).      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

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Highlighted stocks include Ross Stores, Inc. (...