All Star Analysts Portfolio Highlights: ENSCO Int'l, Essex Corporation, IDEX Corporation and Wachovia Corporation.

CHICAGO -- Zacks.com just released its latest additions and deletions to its proprietary All Star Analyst portfolio. Members on this exclusive list include ENSCO International, Inc. (NYSE:ESV), Essex Corporation (NASDAQ:KEYW), IDEX Corporation (NYSE:IEX) and Wachovia Corporation (NYSE:WB). View the entire list of stocks on the All Star Analyst portfolio at http://at.zacks.com/?id=510.

This exclusive portfolio represents all stocks with a Strong Buy rating from at least four analysts with a 5-Star All Star ranking. These are the brokerage analysts whose stock recommendations proved to be the most profitable for investors. Since July 2002, this portfolio has generated an annualized return of 9.34%, exceeding the S&P 500. Here is a synopsis of why these stocks are in the All Star Analysts Portfolio:

ENSCO International, Inc. (NYSE:ESV) is scheduled to report its third quarter results on Oct 24. For its second quarter, the company posted earnings per share of $1.27 that beat the consensus by almost 5% while surging year over year. Revenues of $478.8 million advanced from $246.3 million. It was ENSCO's third straight quarter with record revenue and net income. ENSCO said it remains confident with regard to both its markets and its financial prospects.

Essex Corporation (NASDAQ:KEYW) announced last week the completion of its Adaptive Optics Associates acquisition, which is expected to be accretive immediately. As a result, the company raised its revenue guidance for 2006 to between $240 million and $250 million. Essex also enhanced its preliminary revenue guidance for 2007 to between $330 million and $350 million. All Stars continue to like this provider of advanced signal, image, information processing, information assurance and cyber-security solutions.

IDEX Corporation (NYSE:IEX) is a Zacks #2 Rank company that remains on the All Star Portfolio. Earlier this month, the company announced the completion of its acquisition of Banjo Corporation. Banjo is a leader in special purpose, severe duty pumps, valves, fittings and systems. The total cash purchase price was $183 million. IDEX is scheduled to report its third quarter numbers next week.

Wachovia Corporation (NYSE:WB) announced earlier this month that it completed the merger with Golden West Financial Corporation. Although there are concerns about the takeover on Wall Street, Wachovia said the combination enhances its market presence, product set and mix of businesses. The financial services giant is scheduled to report its third quarter results on Oct 16. In the second quarter, the company said its team delivered record results in three of its four major businesses. Earnings per share of $1.18, excluding items, topped the consensus by 2.6% and bettered the year-ago performance. Revenue rose 14%.

Discover all the current All Star Analyst rankings and top analyst recommendations at http://at.zacks.com/?id=511.

About Zacks All Star Analyst Survey

To learn which brokerage analysts are the best in their field and what stocks they're recommending today, see the Zacks All Star Analyst survey. This exclusive survey, created with Fortune Magazine, reveals the "Best-of-Breed" brokerage analysts. They are the select group of winners from the universe of brokerage analysts - the ones who consistently beat the street - the few you should be following now. Visit the Zacks All Star Survey to find the best analysts and their top stock recommendations at http://at.zacks.com/?id=512.

Top recommendations from All Star Analysts Highlighted in FREE Investment Newsletter

Each week, Zacks.com highlights investment insight and favorite recommendations from All Star Analysts and other leading investment experts. This is all part of our FREE e-mail newsletter, "Profit from the Pros." The only way to get these powerful insights is with a FREE subscription to the "Profit from the Pros" investment newsletter. Register for a free subscription at http://at.zacks.com/?id=513.

About Zacks

Zacks.com is a property of Zacks Investment Research, Inc., which was formed in 1978 by Leonard Zacks. As a PhD in mathematics Len knew he could find patterns in stock market data that would lead to superior investment results. Amongst his many accomplishments was the formation of his proprietary stock picking system; the Zacks Rank, which continues to outperform the market by nearly a 3 to 1 margin. The best way to unlock the profitable stock recommendations and market insights of Zacks Investment Research is through our free daily email newsletter; Profit from the Pros. In short, it's your steady flow of Profitable ideas GUARANTEED to be worth your time! Register for your free subscription to Profit from the Pros http://at.zacks.com/?id=514.

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.

(a) The S&P 500 Index ("S&P 500") is a well-known, unmanaged index of the prices of 500 large-company common stocks selected by Standard and Poor's. The S&P 500 includes the reinvestment of all dividends, no transaction costs, and represents the gross returns before management fees.

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.