Today we are featuring top-performing "Small Cap" equity mutual funds, which mainly invest in equity securities of companies with market capitalizations of less than $1 billion.

Investors can find such funds by checking out the entire list of Zacks #1 Rank Small Cap Equity Funds.

3 Strong Performers

Artisan Small Cap Value (ARTVX) seeks long-term capital growth. It uses a bottom-up investment process to construct a diversified portfolio of undervalued firms that have attractive business models.

The fund invests primarily in common stocks of small U.S. companies with market capitalizations less than three times the weighted average market cap of companies in the Russell 2000 index.

Maximus Inc. (MMS), Sanderson Farms Inc. (SAFM) and SPSS Inc. (SPSS) are among the fund's top holdings.

Conestoga Capital Advisor Small Cap (CCASX) seeks long-term capital growth

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Sanderson Farms Inc.'s (SAFM) share price has moved into oversold territory with a stochastic value of 12.80. Analysts have been boosting their estimates on the Zacks #2 Rank ("Buy") company's fiscal 2009 earnings, with the consensus up $1.39 over the past month to $3.79 per share. The most accurate is even bullish at $3.98 per share.

"SAFM" Free Stock Analysis: Buy? Sell? Hold?Zacks Investment Research

Advanced Auto Parts (...

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL - June 12, 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: Buckle Inc. (BKE), Ross Stores Inc. (ROST), Sanderson Farms Inc. (SAFM) and Big Lots Inc. (BIG).     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 +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

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Sanderson Farms Inc. (...

Today we are featuring top-performing "Small Cap" equity mutual funds, which mainly invest in equity securities of companies with market capitalizations of less than $1 billion.

Investors can find such funds by checking out the entire list of the Zacks #1 Rank Small Cap Equity Funds.3 Strong Performers

Artisan Small Cap Value (ARTVX) seeks long-term capital growth. It uses a bottom-up investment process to construct a diversified portfolio of undervalued firms that have attractive business economics.

The fund invests primarily in common stocks of small U.S. companies with market capitalizations less than three times the weighted average market cap of companies in the Russell 2000 index.

Maximus Inc. (MMS), Sanderson Farms Inc. (SAFM) and SPSS Inc. (SPSS) are among the fund's top holdings.

Conestoga Capital Advisor Small Cap (CCASX) seeks

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

Acxiom Corp (ACXM) Aluminum Corp. of China Ltd (ACH) Associated British Foods Plc (ASBFY) Biovail Corp (BVF) Borders Group Inc (BGP) Capitol Federal Financial (CFFN) Children's Place Retail Stores Inc (PLCE) China Medical Technologies Inc (CMED) Flanders Corp (FLDR) Forest Oil Corp (FST) Fuqi International Inc (FUQI) Hanesbrands Inc (HBI) Heartland Financial USA Inc (HTLF) HMS Holdings Corp (HMSY) Longtop Financial Technologies Ltd (LFT) Luxottica Group SpA (LUX) Netflix Inc (NFLX) Nordson Corp (NDSN) North American Energy Partners Inc (NOA) PennantPark Investment Corp (PNNT) Phillips-Van Heusen Corp (PVH) PLATO Learning Inc (TUTR) Rent-A-Center Inc (RCII) J Sainsbury Plc (JSAIY) Sanderson Farms Inc (SAFM) Sturm Ruger & Co (RGR) TELUS ...

Sanderson Farms Inc. (SAFM) announced fiscal second-quarter earnings of $1.27 per share, topping the consensus estimate by 69 cents, primarily due to lower feed costs.

The poultry processor's sales fell 2% to $426.8 million, reflecting the impact of production cuts.

"We are cautiously optimistic as we head into the summer months and what is typically a period of better demand for chicken," said CEO Joe F. Sanderson, Jr.

The full-year average forecast has increased by 5 cents to $2.40 per share over the past month as 4 out of 9 covering analysts raised expectations.

SAFM, a Zacks #3 Rank ("Hold") stock, has advanced more than 4.6% today on extraordinarily high volume of 1.6 million, compared to average daily volume of about 242,000.

"SAFM" Free Stock Analysis: Buy? Sell? Hold?Zacks Investment Research

Until 1990, gambling in Mississippi was not permitted. Now it is a major source of revenue for the state and an attractive tourist attraction. Following are some interesting facts about Mississippi:1. 25% of total employment is generated by the agriculture industry.2. Mississippi most important agricultural products are poultry and eggs, forestry, soybeans and corn.3. The state offers different business incentives to new businesses and businesses relocating to Mississippi. They include tax credits, and tax exemptions.4. The top manufactured products are processed foods, beverages, dairy and grain products.5. Between 2004 and 2005 Mississippi’s export increased by 26% to achieve a record $4 billion.6. Mississippi’s top export are chemical products.7. Manufacturing firms employ 172,000 workers in the state.8. Mississippi’s oil reserves rank it number 13 out of 50 states, with 167 million barrels of oil.9. Mississippi has the ...

The improved efficiencies at Sanderson Farms, Inc.’s (SAFM) poultry complexes in Georgia and Mississippi, along with the new facility in Waco, Texas, should enhance improve unit operating costs and increase production levels in fiscal 2008. However, grain costs are expected to continue increasing in 2008. As a result, the construction of a new complex in Kinston, North Carolina has been delayed. The Hold rating is maintained.

The company’s new facility, which opened during the fourth quarter of 2007, added 18 percent to the existing capacity. Though construction is currently being delayed, the company plans to build a new feed mill, poultry processing plant, and hatchery in Kinston, North Carolina. The new complex at its full capacity will be equipped to process 6.7 million pounds of dressed poultry meat per week.

Due to the company’s volatile earnings and loss reported in fiscal 2006, the stock is best valued on a price-to-sales basis.

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