Zacks #1 Rank Top Performers: Collective Brands, Buffalo Wild Wings, Life Partners Holdings, Flir Systems and Shanda Interactive Entertainment

Stocks ranked #1 (Strong Buy) by Zacks have produced an average annual return of +30% since inception in 1988. During the 2000-2002 bear market, Zacks #1 Rank stocks gained 43.8% while the S&P 500 tumbled 37.6%. To learn more about the Zacks Rank, go to http://at.zacks.com/?id=3172.

Here is a synopsis of the last week's best performing Zacks #1 Rank stocks.

Collective Brands (NYSE: PSS | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) got some good news last week as Standard & Poor's revised its outlook on the footwear and accessories retailer to "stable" from "negative." Its credit ratings were also affirmed. The revision came after a judge significantly reduced a monetary award against PSS to $65.3 million from $305 million in a trademark infringement case with Adidas.

Shares of Collective Brands advanced 23.2% last week, making it a top-performing Zacks #1 Rank. Earnings estimates for this fiscal year, ending January 2009, are up 17.7% in the past month. In addition, expectations for next fiscal year, ending January 2010, are up 16.3% in that timeframe. At the moment, analysts are expecting profit for next fiscal year to advance approximately 18% from this fiscal year. For its fiscal second quarter, PSS reported an earnings surprise of more than 86% above the consensus while sales jumped 30%.

Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc. (NASDAQ: BWLD | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) was featured as an Aggressive Growth Stock of the Day at Zacks.com on Sep 17, as it "has been climbing steadily following a strong earnings report and lower costs." Last week, shares advanced 18.7%. Over the past 2 months, earnings estimates for this year and next are up 4.5% and 3.7%, respectively. Analysts expect next year's profit to advance almost 21% from this year.

In late July, Buffalo Wild Wings announced solid second-quarter results, which included earnings per share of 31 cents that beat the consensus by almost 15%. In the year-ago quarter, BWLD earned 22 cents. Total revenue jumped almost 29% to $97.9 million. Other highlights in the quarter included a 29.5% gain in company-owned restaurant sales, as well as a same-store sales increase of 8.3% at company-owed restaurants and 4.5% at franchises. BWLD is confident that it can achieve its 2008 targets of 15% unit growth, 20% revenue growth and 25% net earnings growth.

Life Partners Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: LPHI | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) expects record earnings for its fiscal second quarter. The company, a leader in the secondary market for life insurance, sees a 56% jump in net earnings during the quarter, as well as a 47% surge in revenues. LPHI stated that its business model deals exclusively with assets that have inherent value, and are not reliant on market performance. The company also said that its does not rely on credit to grow its business, so the tight credit market has had no negative impact.

LPHI made the Zacks #1 Rank Top Performers List for last week as shares advanced 12.9%. The one analyst covering this company has raised the estimate for this fiscal year, ending February 2009, by 5% over the past 2 months. Furthermore, next fiscal year's profit is expected to advance by 15.7% year over year.

With shares that gained 10.4%, Flir Systems Inc. (NASDAQ: FLIR | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) made the Zacks #1 Rank Top Performers List for last week. Earnings estimates for this year are up 5% over the past 3 months, including a gain of 2.4% in 2 months. Expectations for next year are up 9% and 4% in those timeframes, respectively. Next year's estimates are currently 24% better than this year's, which is an encouraging sign for the future.

One of FLIR's most recent contracts includes a $96.6 million order for stabilized multi-sensor systems from the U.S. Army. The company, which makes thermal imaging and stabilized camera systems, has a good record of meeting or beating Wall Street's quarterly earnings expectations. The past 4 quarters have amassed an average surprise of 7.1%. For its second quarter, FLIR announced earnings per share of 29 cents, which inched past the consensus by almost 3.6% while also topping the year-ago result. The company also increased its revenue and earnings guidance for 2008.

Shanda Interactive Entertainment Ltd. (NASDAQ: SNDA | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) was a top performer last week as shares gained 9.5%. The company has enjoyed rising earnings estimates for a while, including gains for this year of 4.7% in 2 months and 3.8% in 30 days. Analysts have also boosted expectations for next year in those timeframes, and currently expect profit growth of more than 18% over this year.

Earlier this month, SNDA, which is a leading interactive entertainment media company in China, reported solid second-quarter results. Consolidated net revenues in the quarter advanced to US$122.1 million, while earnings per ADS of 56 cents easily topped the consensus.

About the Zacks Rank

Since 1988, the Zacks Rank has proven that "Earnings estimate revisions are the most powerful force impacting stock prices." Since inception in 1988, #1 Rank stocks have generated an average annual return of +30%. During the 2000-2002 bear market, Zacks #1 Rank stocks gained +43.8%, while the S&P 500 tumbled -37.6%. Also note that the Zacks Rank system has just as many Strong Sell recommendations (Rank #5) as Strong Buy recommendations (Rank #1). Since 1988, Zacks Rank #5 stocks have underperformed the S&P 500 by 81% annually (+2 % vs. +11%). Thus, the Zacks Rank system allows investors to truly manage portfolio trading effectively.

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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 Jim Giaquinto 312-265-9268 pr@zacks.com www.Zacks.com