Zacks Releases Four Powerful ''Buy'' Stocks: Central European Distribution Corporation, Watson Wyatt Worldwide, PharMerica Corporation and MDU Resources Group

The four highlighted picks are: Central European Distribution Corporation (Nasdaq: CEDC), Watson Wyatt Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: WW), PharMerica Corporation (NYSE: PMC | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) and MDU Resources Group, Inc. (NYSE: MDU).

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 +30%. 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 summary of today's selected stocks that are now highly rated by Zacks:

Aggressive Growth - Central European Distribution Corporation (Nasdaq: CEDC)

Central European Distribution Corporation shares just broke through a key level of resistance and set a new 52-week and all-time high. The company's stock price has had a great year, advancing from less than $47 a share to this recent high-water mark above $77, an impressive return of more than 60%. Estimates continue to revise their earnings estimates upward.

Zacks Guide to Aggressive Growth Investing (free!): http://at.zacks.com/?id=4309

Growth & Income - Watson Wyatt Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: WW)

Watson Wyatt Worldwide, which recently acquired Argentine human-resources and financial-services firm Marcu & Asociados, continues to offer a solid ROE of 17%. With the industry average ROE coming in lower at 10%, WW's ROE is just one attribute that makes it an attractive Growth and Income pick. Watson Wyatt is slated to report fiscal fourth-quarter results on August 12.

Zacks Guide to Growth & Income Investing (free!): http://at.zacks.com/?id=4310

Momentum - PharMerica Corporation (NYSE: PMC)

PharMerica Corporation has been delivering solid returns to shareholders in 2008, as its stock price has been steadily climbing for most of the year. This comes in tandem with rising analyst estimates, a reflection of the fundamental strength needed to support a higher stock price. The company has also surprised and easily beaten analyst estimates in each of the last two quarters.

Zacks Guide to Momentum Investing (free!): http://at.zacks.com/?id=4311

Value - MDU Resources Group, Inc. (NYSE: MDU)

MDU Resources Group scored a record first quarter as its oil and natural gas division continues to bring in big profit. The company has surprised on estimates 2 of the last 4 quarters by an average of 2.38%. MDU Resources has a forward P/E of 14.08.

Zacks Guide to Value Investing (free!): http://at.zacks.com/?id=4312

How to Regularly Access Picks from the Zacks Rank Discovery for Free: http://at.zacks.com/?id=88

Underlying the four free stock picks is a simple truth that first appeared in a Financial Analysts Journal article published in 1979. Leonard Zacks, a Ph.D. in Mathematics from M.I.T. found that "earnings estimate revisions are the most powerful force impacting stock prices." Zacks #1 Rank is awarded to a stock when analysts sharply upgrade their estimates of what the company will earn.

Today, Zacks is promoting its stock recommendations by offering four daily picks free to those who register at http://at.zacks.com/?id=88

About Zacks

Zacks.com is a property of Zacks Investment Research, Inc., which was formed in 1978 by Len Zacks. The company continually processes stock reports issued by 3,000 analysts from 150 brokerage firms. It monitors more than 200,000 earnings estimates, looking for changes.

Then, when changes are discovered, they're applied to help assign more than 4,400 stocks into five Zacks Rank categories: #1 Strong Buy, #2 Buy, #3 Hold, #4 Sell, and #5 Strong Sell. This proprietary stock-picking system continues to outperform the market by a nearly 3-to-1 margin.

More Free Stock Picks

Each weekday, new Zacks #1 Rank or Zacks #2 Rank stock picks are released on the free email newsletter, Profit from the Pros. Investors are invited to register for their free subscription at http://at.zacks.com/?id=91

Zacks Investment Research is under common control with affiliated entities (including a broker-dealer and an investment adviser), which may engage in transactions involving the foregoing securities for the clients of such affiliates.

Disclaimer: Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investors should always research companies and securities before making any investments. Nothing herein should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any security.

SOURCE: Zacks.com

Zacks.com Aggressive Growth Stocks: Contact: Michael Vodicka Phone: 312-265-9226 or Growth & Income Stocks: Contact: Alex Kolb Phone: 312-265-9149 or Momentum Stocks: Contact: Michael Vodicka Phone: 312-265-9226 or Value Stocks: Contact: Tracey Ryniec Phone: 312-265-9232 Email: pr@zacks.com Visit: www.zacks.com Visit http://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.