The Gee$e.

[di4]

3/29/2007 ***********************************************
ZACKS.COM PROFIT from the PROS
** Tactics that Work in Good and Bad Markets **
***********************************************

Today's Topics: Thursday - March 29, 2007

1) ZACKS RANK BUY STOCKS - Today we highlight four new stocks
with a short-term "Buy" or "Strong Buy" recommendation: ICF
Int'l (ICFI), Knoll (KNL), Hologic (HOLX) and US Home Systems
(USHS). Get these stories below.

2) BEST OF THE ZACKS $100,000 CHALLENGE- JazzFarmRocks Scott
described his investment style as "making money." Read this
Simulator Player's interview and take a look at the Zacks
Challenge Player Blog.

3) ZACKS EQUITY RESEARCH - Higher fuel prices are helping oil
refiners' profits, but are also another headwind for trucking
companies. Read the Industry Rank Analysis and get our Bull
and Bear Stocks of the Day.

4) PROFIT TRACKS - EARNINGS AND MARGINS - If you are searching
for earnings growth and net profit margins, check out this
screening strategy.

5) ZacksElite.com TIMELY BUY OF THE WEEK - Sierra Wireless
(SWIR) recently experienced a spike in share price and
believes it is well positioned for 2007. Check out its record-
breaking revenue.


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==============================================

1) ZACKS RANK BUY STOCKS

==============================================

Zacks #1 Rank stocks average a 31.8% annual return. Every day
on Zacks.com we highlight four new Zacks Rank Buy stocks. Each
individual stock is chosen based on how well they match the
criteria for the four main schools of investing: Aggressive
Growth, Momentum, Growth & Income and Value.

Aggressive Growth - ICF International, Inc. (ICFI)

ICF International, Inc. (ICFI) has only been public since
September, but things are certainly moving in the right
direction. Earnings estimates for this year have rocketed
higher over the past week, gaining 23 cents to $1.34 per
share. Even with the latest surge in the stock, it is still
trading at a price/book ratio of 2.2, below the industry
average. The stock is also cheap on a price/earnings basis,
trading at 12.9x next year's estimates. Read the full analysis
on ICFI at http://at.zacks.com/?id=3106


Growth & Income - Knoll, Inc. (KNL)

Knoll, Inc. (KNL) has exceeded earnings estimates in each of
the past five quarters. Year-over-year growth has averaged
over 40% over that time. Three analysts have raised their
forecasts for this year. Over the past 60 days, this year's
estimates have risen nine cents to $1.46 per share. The stock
is attractively valued at 13.4x next year's estimate, well
below the 25.4% long-term growth rate. Read the full analysis
on KNL at http://at.zacks.com/?id=3108


Momentum - Hologic Inc. (HOLX)

Hologic Inc. (HOLX) continues to trend higher after reporting
a 15.4% earnings surprise for its fiscal first quarter in late
January. While the stock is trading near 52-week highs, a
significant close above $60 should support continued upward
momentum. Read the analysis of HOLX at
http://at.zacks.com/?id=3109


Value - US Home Systems Inc. (USHS)

US Home Systems Inc. (USHS) surpassed analyst expectations for
the second consecutive quarter. The Zacks #1 Rank stock
currently trades at a discount to both the market and its
industry. With a strong expansion strategy and new products in
the pipeline, US Home Systems seems poised for further growth.
Read the full analysis on USHS at http://at.zacks.com/?id=3110


Zacks Rank Resources

* Zacks Rank Homepage at http://at.zacks.com/?id=3104

* Zacks Elite: Discover Ben Zacks' hand picked #1 Rank stocks
on his Timely Buys list at http://at.zacks.com/?id=2550

* Zacks Rank Breakout Trader: When a stock moves quickly to a
Zacks #1 Rank, this trading service uses that turnaround to
make 55% a year. Learn more at: http://at.zacks.com/?id=3496

* Zacks Options Trader: Combine the timeliness of Zacks #1
Rank stocks with the explosive profit potential of options.
Learn more at http://at.zacks.com/?id=2689

* Zacks Wealth Management: Own all the Zacks #1 Rank stocks in
a portfolio managed by Zacks. Learn more at
http://at.zacks.com/?id=2551


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==============================================

2) Best of the Zacks $100,000 Challenge

==============================================

Zacks is conducting a nationwide talent search to find the
very best stock pickers. The winner gets a $100,000 dream job
with Zacks! Sign up for free to join the competition, or just
read what stocks the leading players are trading on the Zacks
Challenge Player Blogs. http://at.zacks.com/?id=3469


Best of the Zacks Challenge Player Blogs
-----------------------------------------

Here's what the leading players are saying lately:

Beris (Rank #20 with $133,980)

MY PRECIOUS (HL)
Investors should be paying a lot more attention to silver, as
silver might offer a safer and more predicable hedge than
gold. Just look at Hecla Mining's (HL) performance. While the
market can't decide whether or not it wants to plunge below
12,000, this Zacks #1 Rank company keeps creeping up and
taking new highs every day...

Read More or Comment on this post:
http://at.zacks.com/?id=3478


Java J (Rank #1 with $1,627,300)

HOKU SCIENTIFIC - MOVING UP STRONGLY DESPITE A DOWN MARKET
(HOKU)
Most likely, Hoku Scientific is rallying today on news of it
holding a groundbreaking ceremony on their proposed
polysilicon production plant near South Philbin Road in
Pocatello...

Read More or Comment on this post:
http://at.zacks.com/?id=3479


Read all the Player Blog posts at:
http://at.zacks.com/?id=3482


Top Zacks Challenge Player Interview: JazzFarmRocks Scott
----------------------------------------------------------

Some Simulator players and real-world investors, follow a
style of investing that is based on fundamentals, technicals
or a combination of the two. Yet others look for value or
growth. Some focus on specific sectors like oil or technology.
Scott Farr's (aka: JazzFarmRocks Scott) investment approach is
a little different, more general and very straightforward. It
is all about "making money" for Scott.

"Making money for me is about adaptation and evolution.
Learning as well as isolating good information from useless
information. My approach to making money has changed and
evolved the most during this Zacks Challenge. I've revisited
technical analysis and tried to `rock' the market momentum a
bit," remarked Scott.

This Zacks $100K Challenge contender and LA-based
rocker/guitar teacher has certainly "rocked" the Simulator
contest with his 12th place ranking and overall return of 50%
since the beginning of this year.

This participant's trading history reveals positions in Acadia
Pharmaceuticals Inc. (ACAD), Hirsch International Corp.
(HRSH), Ascent Solar Technologies Inc. (ASTI), Novastar
Financial Inc. (NFI) and Starbucks Corp. (SBUX). Take a look
at his entire trading history by clicking here:
http://at.zacks.com/?id=2515

Click here to read the whole interview with
JazzFarmRocks Scott: http://at.zacks.com/?id=2518

Click here for more on the Zacks $100,000 Challenge:
http://at.zacks.com/?id=3469


====================================================

3) ZACKS EQUITY RESEARCH

====================================================

Have you noticed prices at the pump lately? According to the
Lunberg survey, gas prices are up 37 cents per gallon since
the end of January. Last week, the national average was about
$2.61 per gallon. Rising oil prices, increased demand and
maintenance-related issues at refiners all have played a role.
The good news is that gas prices are expected to start
trending down soon (assuming the problems with Iran do not
escalate).

The even better news is that earnings estimates for refiners
moving higher - giving investors an opportunity to profit.
During the past four weeks, 51 full-year profit forecasts have
been raised on companies within Oil Refining & Marketing
versus just 15 forecasts being cut. This Zacks Revisions Ratio
of 3.4:1 compares to a ratio of just 0.7:1 for the entire
Zacks Rank universe.

The rebound in crude prices that has occurred since mid-
January may have brokerage analysts changing their minds about
where oil prices will be at in 2007. Previously, estimates for
multiple oil-related companies had been lowered on
expectations that oil prices would be lower this year than
last year. Since early February, however, crude hasn't spent
much time below $59.

More...

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Best of Zacks Equity Research continued...

Refiners not only benefit from higher oil prices, but they are
also in a favorable position from a supply/demand standpoint.
Refineries in the U.S. are operating at almost full-
utilization. The sustained economic expansion should result in
increased consumption of gasoline. These are big positives for
companies whose earnings are dependant the size of the margins
they can command.

There are currently three Zacks #1 Rank ("strong buy")
refiners: Global Partners (GLP), Holly Corporation (HOC) and
Western Refining (WNR). There are also four Zacks #2 Rank
("buy") stocks.

________________________________________

Oil prices are hitting new highs for the year at the same time
brokerage analysts are cutting their full-year forecasts on
several trucking companies, including Arkansas Best (ABFS),
Heartland Express (HTLD), Knight Transportation (KNX), Marten
Transportation (MRTN) and Werner Enterprises (WERN).

Rising fuel costs are a negative for transportation companies,
but there are also other factors adversely affecting trucking
companies. Weakness in the housing and automotive sectors are
putting pressure on spot prices across the board as freight
companies are becoming more competitive for market share. Some
large retailers are tightening inventory control, resulting in
a lower amount of shipments. The supply of vehicles has
increased as companies sought to buy new trucks ahead of new
EPA regulations that went into effect this year. Finally, rail
continues to take market share away from long-haul carriers.
Our transportation analyst Ann Heffron provides a good
analysis of the headwinds currently facing the trucking sector
in her Mar 26 report on Werner Enterprises. (The report is
available to Zacks Premium subscribers.)

Transportation-Trucking contains two Zacks #5 Rank ("strong
sell") stocks - ABFS and MRTN - and eight Zacks #4 Rank
("sell") stocks.

To read the complete Industry Rank Analysis, click
http://at.zacks.com/?id=2344

Charles Rotblut, CFA is the senior market analyst for Zacks
Equity Research.

****************************************************************

MORE FROM ZACKS EQUITY RESEARCH...

Analyst Blog

Real-time market insights from Zacks Equity Research Analysts.
Stocks featured recently include Sony Corporation (SNE),
Campbell Soup (CPB), Motorola (MOT) and iPass (IPAS). See
their latest posts at http://at.zacks.com/?id=2585


BULL OF THE DAY

HDFC Bank (HDB) - Attractively Priced.
Full Zacks research report at http://at.zacks.com/?id=2341


BEAR OF THE DAY

Sony Corp. (SNE) - Lots of Competition.
Full Zacks research report at http://at.zacks.com/?id=2342


ZACKS ANALYST INTERVIEW

Bernanke: `No Cavalry to the Rescue'

We still think the next move is a rate cut, but realistically
we see this happening in September at the earliest:
http://at.zacks.com/?id=2693


EARNINGS TRENDS

Revisions Ratio for 2007 Drops to 0.80

Over the last four weeks, more estimates have been cut than
raised in every sector but Health Care:
http://at.zacks.com/?id=2343


Rating Upgrades - New! (Premium)

Find out which stocks have been recently upgraded by Zacks
Equity Research:
http://at.zacks.com/?id=2997


Zacks Equity Research Buys - New! (Premium)
Read the reports on all of the stocks on the
Zacks Equity Research Buy List:
http://at.zacks.com/?id=2998

****************************************************************

Learn More about Zacks Equity Research at
http://at.zacks.com/?id=2268

Full access to Zacks Equity Research is now available on
Zacks.com:
http://at.zacks.com/?id=2999

Zacks Wealth Management: Own all the Zacks #1 Rank stocks in a
portfolio managed by Zacks. Learn more at
http://at.zacks.com/?id=2691


==============================================

4) PROFIT TRACKS

==============================================

Zacks.com is proud to share with you some of the best trading
strategies that truly allow you to Profit from the Pros. Today
we highlight...

Profit Tracks: Earnings and Margins

This Profit Track goes to the heart of fundamental investing
by finding companies with healthy earnings. The main
ingredients are the search for Earnings Growth and Net Profit
Margins. Then for good measure we make sure earnings estimates
are moving higher which is a strong indicator of future
performance and that brokerage firms are positively rating the
stock.

Here are four stocks that make the grade for the Earnings and
Margins Profit Track:

Anixter International Inc.(AXE) announced fourth-quarter
results in late January. The company stated that strong fourth
quarter results completed a series of record-setting quarters
leading to a record year in terms of sales and earnings.
Earnings per share topped the previous year's fourth quarter
and exceeded the consensus estimate by 2%. Anixter's full-year
earnings experienced growth of 77% on a year-over-year basis.
Continue your research on AXE at http://at.zacks.com/?id=2354

Brush Engineered Materials, Inc. (BW), a Zacks #1 Rank (Strong
Buy) company, sports year-over-year earnings per share growth
of 69% for the full year. The company reported fourth-quarter
earnings of 44 cents per share, excluding an item, in mid-
February. The result more than doubled last year's 21 cents
and surpassed the consensus estimate by 13%. Sales reached
$207.8 million for the fourth quarter, an increase of 48% over
the year-prior quarter. Sales for the full-year 2006 were a
record $763.1 million, up 41% from the 2005 result. Continue
your research on BW at http://at.zacks.com/?id=2355

Cholestech Corp. (CTEC) meets the criteria of this Profit
Track as evidenced by its year-over-year earnings growth of
66% for the full year. In late January, CTEC posted fiscal
third-quarter earnings that were higher than the year-ago
result and outperformed the consensus estimate by 7%.
Cholestech Corp. mentioned that its operating results continue
to reflect improving margins in its business. Continue your
research on CTEC at http://at.zacks.com/?id=2356

Logility Inc. (LGTY) recently released financial results for
its fiscal third quarter. GAAP earnings per share totaled 15
cents, which matched the previous year's result. Logility said
it was pleased with the quarterly performance, pointing out
that it added 23 new customers and delivered all-time record
revenues and operating earnings. Out of all the companies
currently listed under this Profit Track, LDTY boasts the
highest year-over-year earnings per share growth of 980% for
the fiscal full year. Continue your research on LGTY at
http://at.zacks.com/?id=2357

To see the track details for this winning screen, go to
http://at.zacks.com/?id=2358

All the Profit Track strategies were created and backtested
using the Research Wizard software from Zacks Investment
Research. If you like this screening strategy, but want to
narrow down the list of stocks and even improve the
performance, then you should start a free trial to this
powerful stock picking tool. Learn more about the Research
Wizard free trial offer and our new special report "Top 10
Stock Screening Strategies" at http://at.zacks.com/?id=2359

****************************************************************


SCREEN OF THE WEEK

Don't Trade the Headlines

Kevin Matras explains why using a backtested trading strategy
is the only way to go:
http://at.zacks.com/?id=2360


==============================================

5) ZacksElite.com TIMELY BUY of the WEEK

==============================================

Here you'll discover a Zacks #1 Rank stock hand selected by
Ben Zacks to outperform the market over the next 30 to 90
days. This week's Timely Buy is...

Sierra Wireless (SWIR)
------------------------------------------------

Sierra Wireless, Inc. (SWIR) is currently experiencing upward
momentum in its share price thanks to a rival maker of
wireless modems that raised its first-quarter outlook.

The company, based in British Columbia, Canada, develops and
markets wireless solutions, including data modems for portable
computers (PC), embedded modules for original equipment
manufacturers (OEMs), rugged vehicle-mounted modems, and
mobile phones.

Sierra's customers include Lenovo, Panasonic, Toshiba, Hewlett
Packard, Hitachi, iPass, Ingram Micro, Cingular, Verizon,
Sprint, T-Mobile, Handspring/Palm, and others.

Its most popular product is the AirCard, which allows portable
computers such as notebooks and personal digital assistants
(PDAs) to access the Internet over existing wireless phone
networks.

Revenue by product segments in the fourth quarter of 2006 was:
70% from PC cards, 24% from OEM/embedded modules, 2% from
mobile products, and 4% from other sources. The distribution
channel, including wireless carriers, generated 46% of
revenue, resellers 27%, PC OEMs 17%, and other sources
represented 10%. For the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006, the
company derived 54% of its revenue from the Americas, 24% from
Europe, and 22% from the Asia- Pacific region.

Sierra Wireless just announced an agreement to supply the new
Sierra Wireless AirCard(R) 595U USB modem for access to the
Sprint Mobile Broadband EV-DO Rev A Network.

"We are pleased to collaborate with Sprint in the launch of
our newest product, the AirCard 595U USB modem," said Dan
Schieler, senior vice president, Worldwide Sales for Sierra
Wireless. "With value-added features like the included desktop
docking cradle, access to Sprint Location Services with the
latest version of Sprint Connection Manager, and battery
boosted power for better performance in a variety of coverage
areas, the AirCard 595U delivers a best-in-class solution for
data customers looking for the flexibility that a USB
interface provides."

The company recently announced a definitive agreement to
acquire AirLink Communications, Inc. ("AirLink"), a privately-
held developer and supplier of high value fixed, portable and
mobile wireless data solutions for industrial and public
safety applications.

SWIR said it believes that combining AirLink's leading modem
and software products business with its rugged MP product line
creates a focused, well-positioned leader in the mobile and
machine to machine (M2M) segments of SWIR's market. Sierra
Wireless added that it believes the business from these market
segments has solid growth prospects and an attractive gross
margin and operating margin profile. The company sees AirLink
as an important strategic addition to its overall business.

The company posted fourth-quarter and full-year results in
late January. Revenues for the fourth quarter reached a record
quarterly amount $68.3 million, driven by new product
introductions, continued global channel expansion and strong
OEM design win activity. Last year's fourth-quarter revenue
totaled $37.6 million.

Fourth-quarter earnings per share came in at nine cents,
topping the consensus estimate by 29% and outperforming the
year-prior result.

SWIR issued a first-quarter earnings per share guidance of 12
cents, prompting analysts to increase their forecasts from the
two months-ago level of seven cents to current estimates of 12
cents per share.

The company stated that 2006 was a year of growth and
recovery. SWIR's revenue grew by 107% and the company moved
from a deep loss position in 2005 to solid and improving
profitability by the end of 2006. Sierra Wireless also noted
that its intense focus on wide area wireless for mobile
computing, combined with strong new product and business
development execution, is driving the company's improving
results and SWIR believes it is well positioned for 2007.

The 2007 outlook for the telecommunications and wireless
industries has become more favorable. The fundamental downturn
may have reached a bottom, as telecommunications companies
reduced spending and improved operating performance over the
past several quarters. In addition, telecommunications
companies continue to be the largest group in terms of Mergers
and Acquisitions. Consolidation among the largest
telecommunications services-focused companies has created an
environment where equipment-focused companies now interact, on
a relative basis, with less customers and reduced selling
opportunities.

Long-term growth prospects for the sector are not nearly as
favorable as in the early part of 2000, but are more
attractive than in 2006, with further consolidation expected.

****************************************************************

About Zacks Timely Buy of the Week

Each week we highlight one stock from the ZacksElite.com
Timely Buys list. This exclusive portfolio selected by Ben
Zacks has beaten the S&P 500 every single year since inception
in 1996. $10,000 invested in this strategy since inception
would now be worth $115,319 versus only $23,597 invested in
the S&P 500.

Click here to learn more about ZacksElite.com and the free
trial offer http://at.zacks.com/?id=2346

****************************************************************

OTHER TOOLS FROM ZACKS

At the heart of Zacks Investment Research is the Zacks Rank
investment philosophy that continues to vastly outperform the
market. Our Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) List has generated the
following results for investors:

* +31.8% average annual return since 1988 versus +11.8% for
S&P 500

* Outperformed S&P 500 in 17 of the last 18 years

* +43.8% total return from 2000 to 2002 - the worst
bear market in over 60 years.

* +18% in 2005

And just as importantly, the Zacks #5 Rank stocks (Strong
Sell) list has alerted investors as to which stocks to dump
from their portfolios to avoid unnecessary losses.

FREE PORTFOLIO TRACKER

Do you believe that these events affect stock prices?

* Broker Recommendation changes
* Earning Estimate revisions
* Earnings Announcements
* Zacks Rank changes

If you answered yes, then how are you staying on top of these
changes for your stocks? If you are one of the 45,000
investors who wake up every morning to the Daily Portfolio
Updates emails from Zacks.com, then you are all set. If not,
then sign up now to get this vital information sent to you
daily and improve your portfolio's performance. Did we mention
it's free? Get started now by going to
http://at.zacks.com/?id=2352

---------------------------------------------------------

We hope you enjoyed this issue of "Zacks.com Profit from the
Pros" and we look forward to visiting with you again tomorrow.

REFER-A-FRIEND

If you enjoy this e-mail newsletter, then please pass it along
to a friend. Simply forward them the link below to sign up for
their own free subscription. If you're reading a forwarded
copy, sign up for your own, so you get this wealth of
information every week. Just click on the link below. THANKS!
http://at.zacks.com/?id=2338

Regards and Happy Investing,

Charles Rotblut, CFA

Senior Market Analyst
Zacks.com

p.s. What is the mission for Zacks Profit from the Pros?
To find out how we will help you become a more
successful investor, visit http://at.zacks.com/?id=2353

*The S&P 500 Index is a well-known, unmanaged index of the
prices of 500 large-company common stocks, mainly blue-chip
stocks, selected by Standard & Poor's. The S&P 500 Index
assumes reinvestment of dividends but does not reflect
advisory fees. An investor cannot invest directly in an
index.

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.

To contact us by mail:

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Attn: Profit from the Pros
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