For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL - June 9, 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: Penske Automotive (PAG), Macy's (M), Saks (SKS), Nordstrom (JWN) and Euroseas Ltd. (ESEA).

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Here are highlights from Monday's Analyst Blog:

Penske Automotive Buys Saturn

Penske Automotive (PAG) today announced that it will be purchasing the Saturn brand, including the rights to sell parts and cars through the Saturn dealerships.

There may be little cash involved, as no inventory is being transferred. The company also may outsource

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PENSKE AUTOMOTIVE BUYS SATURNPenske Automotive (PAG) today announced that it will be purchasing the Saturn brand, including the rights to sell parts and cars through the Saturn dealerships.There may be little cash involved, as no inventory is being transferred. The company also may outsource production to a lower-cost producer once an initial GM manufacturing period ends. The keys to this deal are finding an Indian or Chinese producer to lower Saturn's costs, and also pushing more and varied product through the Saturn dealerships. Ultimately, this is a "dealership acquisition" by Penske. We think the deal will be successful and is well timed. Auto sales have bottomed and may be poised for a slow recovery. Read the full analyst report on "PAG"Zacks Investment Research

The markets were off today as the Dow Jones Industrial Average was the only major index to be in the black, up 0.15% to a level of 8,763.13.  The NASDAQ was down 0.03% closing at 1849.42 while the S&P 500 was down 0.25% ending at 940.09.  The 10-year once again saw price down ending with a yield of 3.83%.  A dollar gained strength today resulting with gold falling, settling at $962.60, and weaker demand saw crude prices fall to $68.44 a barrel. 

General Motors announced preliminary plans to sell its Saturn unit to Penske Automotive Group [PAG: 14.65, +0.05 (+0.34%)] which would put Penske in charge of Saturn’s parts, distribution, service, brands, and trademarks.  Mr. Roger Penske did not say how much the deal would be worth, but he said that the deal would allow for Saturn to retain 13,000 jobs in the corporation and the 350 dealerships.  The sale

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Penske Picks up “Belle” of GM

by The Investment U Research Team

In perhaps one of the few success stories that will come from the bankruptcy of General Motors (OTC: GMGMQ), Saturn will be sold to Penske Automotive Group (NYSE: PAG).

As a brand Saturn was supposed to reinvent GM, but unfortunately it became the other way around. GM’s poor product construction remade Saturn. The brand suffered from it’s inconsistent products.

If Penske can turn their success in racing and autos into improving the product quality of Saturn, they may well have gone home with the “Belle of the Ball.”

In many ways Saturn was one of the best aspects of GM. Through their focus on satisfaction and loyalty, Saturn truly “got” why customers came back – Their dealers recognized the importance of the relationship. And customers responded.

As

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Chrysler LLC has asked court approval for a May 22 exit from bankruptcy, outlining Fiat SpA’s (OTC ADR: FIATY) plan to scoop Chrysler assets and urging that a quick bankruptcy is vital to keep suppliers, dealers and consumers’ trust in the brand. According to its filing in New York bankruptcy court, Chrysler seeks approval of a plan where creditor objections must be submitted by May 11, competing bids must be submitted by May 15, and a May 21 hearing to rubber stamp the winning bid, Bloomberg reported. “Key suppliers and dealers simply cannot survive a prolonged period of uncertainty,” Chrysler said in its motion seeking approval of the sale process. “Consumers will look elsewhere for vehicles if delays persist.” Sign up ...