All Star Analysts Portfolio: Corporate Executive Board Company, Countrywide, St. Jude Medical and United Technologies Corporation.

Business Editors

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 10, 2003

Zacks.com just released its latest additions and deletions to the coveted All Star Analyst portfolio. This exclusive portfolio represents all stocks with a Strong Buy rating from at least five analysts with a 5 Star All Star ranking. These are the brokerage analysts whose stock recommendations proved to be the most profitable for investors. The newest member to the list is United Technologies Corporation (NYSE:UTX). Three current members of this portfolio are: The Corporate Executive Board Company (NASDAQ:EXBD), Countrywide Financial Corporation (NYSE:CFC) and St. Jude Medical, Inc. (NYSE:STJ). View the entire list of stocks on the All Star Analyst portfolio at http://asaportfolio.zacks.com

Here is a synopsis of why these stocks are on the All Star Analysts Portfolio:

The Corporate Executive Board Company (NASDAQ:EXBD) is a leading provider of best practices research and analysis focusing on corporate strategy, operations and general management issues. The company provides its integrated set of services currently to more than 1,900 of the world's largest and most prestigious corporations, including over 70% of the Fortune 500. In April, EXBD announced that revenues for the first quarter increased +27.7% to $47.3 million from $37 million for the first quarter of 2002. Earnings per diluted share for the latest quarter were 22 cents, up +37.5% from 16 cents for the comparable period in 2002. Analysts were very pleased with their first-quarter results and continued strong performance in a difficult economy. In fact, all 9 analysts covering the company rate it either a "buy" or "strong buy". And of those analysts, several are All Stars, which adds even greater credibility. Looks like good things are on the horizon for EXBD.

Countrywide Financial Corporation (NYSE:CFC), through its subsidiaries, provides mortgage banking and diversified financial services in domestic and international markets. CFC announced last week that in May loan fundings totaled approximately $40 billion, while average daily applications were approximately $3.2 billion. The average number of daily applications exceeded 20,000. In April, CFC announced that net earnings reached $326 million, up a remarkable +95% over last year's first quarter of $168 million. Earnings per diluted share of $2.44 increased +85% over last year's first quarter of $1.32, marking the company's eighth consecutive quarter of record earnings per share. With a persistently low interest rate environment, combined with their strategically enhanced infrastructure, their earnings were pushed to a new high. In the past 2 months, the consensus has increased this year's earnings estimates by about +33%. In addition, several All Star analysts are predicting the favorable interest rate environment will continue providing strong recommendations for CFC.

St. Jude Medical, Inc. (NYSE:STJ), together with its subsidiaries is a global leader in the development, manufacturing and distribution of medical device products for the cardiac rhythm management, cardiology and vascular access, and heart valve disease management markets. The company recently reported success in the OASES (Overdrive Atrial SEptum Stimulation) clinical trial in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and a Class I or II pacemaker. Atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common chronic arrhythmia, affects 5 million people worldwide. In the United States, AF presents an immense healthcare and financial burden, affecting over 2 million people with annual medical expenditures exceeding billions of dollars. Prior to the study's release, STJ reported record first quarter net sales of $441.4 million. Earnings for the first quarter of 2003 were $80.0 million, which was a +28.8% increase over net earnings of $62.1 million in the first quarter of 2002. Earnings per diluted share were 43 cents in the first quarter of 2003, a +26.5% increase over the 34 cents reported in the first quarter of 2002. These numbers impressed many All Star analysts. Investors looking for strong growth in even the toughest environments should look into STJ.

United Technologies Corporation (NYSE:UTX) provides technology products and support services to the building systems and aerospace industries. In April, UTX reported first quarter 2003 earnings of $1.00 per share, up +9% from the same quarter last year. In addition, net income grew by +7% to $502 million and consolidated revenues were $6.7 billion, 5% higher than last year's first quarter. The company was pleased with the first quarter numbers. They felt it exemplified the importance of their balance of businesses. High revenue growth at Otis, combined with Carrier's fourth consecutive quarterly margin increase, helped offset commercial aviation weakness. Although the company announced that commercial aerospace sales were down -20%, it's military aerospace revenues grew more than +30%. As such, UTX reaffirmed the company's expectations for 2003 earnings per share in the range of $4.55 to $4.80. New military contracts along with a recovering economy should bode well heading into the second half of 2003. Several All Star analysts have jumped on board this technology company looking for a continued rise in share value.

Discover all the current All Star Analyst rankings and top analyst recommendations at http://allstarrank.zacks.com

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