Zacks Releases Four Powerful ''Buy'' Stocks: PepsiAmericas, L-3 Communications, Raven Industries and Overseas Shipholding Group

The four highlighted picks are: PepsiAmericas, Inc (NYSE: PAS), L-3 Communications (NYSE: LLL), Raven Industries, Inc. (Nasdaq: RAVN | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) and Overseas Shipholding Group, Inc. (NYSE: OSG).

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 -- PepsiAmericas, Inc (NYSE: PAS)

PepsiAmericas is reaping the benefits of European acquisitions as they record an 18% year-over-year increase in second-quarter earnings. The stock has rebounded quite nicely after setting a 52-week low, is a Zacks Rank #1 rated stock, and just raised 2008 full-year guidance.

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

Growth & Income -- L-3 Communications (NYSE: LLL)

One of the recent contracts awarded to L-3 Communications was an $18 million contract by the U.K. Ministry of Defense (MoD), Royal Air Force. L-3 continues to outperform its peers in both the growth and income categories. The company's ROE of 13% is above the industry average of 11%. Its dividend yield of 1.1% tops the industry average of 0.1%.

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

Momentum -- Raven Industries, Inc. (Nasdaq: RAVN)

Raven Industries is fresh off the heels of another awesome quarter in which its sales were up 24% from last year. Analyst estimates continue to advance, and the company's share price is pressuring a short-term level of resistance and looks well positioned for a breakout.

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

Value -- Overseas Shipholding Group, Inc. (NYSE: OSG)

Overseas Shipholding Group recently raised its dividend by 40% as shipping rates remain high. The company has surprised on estimates 2 out of the last 4 quarter by an average of 5.14%. Overseas Shipholding has a price-to-book (P/B) of only 1.1.

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.

Visit http://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.

SOURCE: Zacks.com

Zacks.com Aggressive Growth Stocks: Bill Wilton, 312-265-9277 or Growth & Income Stocks: Alex Kolb, 312-265-9149 or Momentum Stocks: Michael Vodicka, 312-265-9226 or Value Stocks: Tracey Ryniec, 312-265-9232 Email: pr@zacks.com Visit: www.zacks.com