All Star Analysts Portfolio Highlights: Chico's FAS, Guitar Center, Jabil Circuit, and Target.

Business Editors

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 18, 2004

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. In 2003 this portfolio gained +46.6% nearly doubling the rise of the S&P 500. The members on the exclusive list are: Chico's FAS, Inc. (NYSE:CHS), Guitar Center (NASDAQ:GTRC), Jabil Circuit, Inc. (NYSE:JBL) and Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT). View the entire list of stocks on the All Star Analyst portfolio at http://at.zacks.com/?id=510

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

Chico's FAS, Inc. (NYSE:CHS) sells exclusively designed, private-label women's clothing and related accessories. Early this month, Chico's FAS reported earnings of $1.14 per diluted share for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2004, which compares with the prior year's result of 78 cents. Net sales for the year improved +44.7% to $768 million, as same-store sales for company-owned stores advanced +16.1%. Its fiscal fourth quarter was equally as impressive, with earnings of 29 cents per diluted share that topped the consensus by a penny and more easily surpassed last year's performance of 17 cents. Net sales moved forward +55.8% to $216 million with same-store sales for company-owned stores up +20.5%. This fiscal year, Chico's FAS expects to reach its billion dollar sales goal, while keeping operating margins that are at or near the top of the specialty apparel industry. With such strong quarterly and annual results, backed up with plans to reach $1 billion in sales for fiscal 2004, it's easy to see why several All Star analysts are recommending this specialty retailer.

Guitar Center (NASDAQ:GTRC) is the nation's leading retailer of guitars, amplifiers, percussion instruments, keyboards and pro-audio and recording equipment. Earlier this week, Guitar Center announced the launch of a new sales division dubbed GC Pro, which expands the company's services to customers using their products in professional applications. The new division provides personalized service through regional account managers to commercial recording facilities, such as live music and dance clubs, churches, broadcast facilities, and professional musicians and producers, among many others. For the fourth quarter, Guitar Center posted earnings per diluted share of 78 cents, which improved upon the year-ago result of 57 cents. It also beat the consensus by +4%. Consolidated net sales moved forward +18.2% to $395.8 million. For the year, net income rose +45.9% on a net sales jump of +15.8%. Guitar Center stated that solid supply chain execution enabled the company to capitalize on high traffic at its Guitar Center stores, while it is now poised to capitalize on increased Internet demand. The strong financial results for the quarter allowed Guitar Center to meet its goal of generating positive cash flow from operations for the year. Several All Stars have noticed and have placed the company on their buy lists.

Jabil Circuit, Inc. (NYSE:JBL) is a global leader in the Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) industry, offering innovative solutions to world leading electronics companies. Yesterday, Jabil Circuit reported that fiscal second quarter core earnings improved +52% to $49.7 million vs. $32.6 million in the previous year's period. Core earnings per share moved forward +50% to 24 cents per diluted share from 16 cents last year. Business strength across a broad range of customers and sectors more than offset seasonal weakness in its consumer business. The company is confident that the momentum will carry throughout its fiscal year, as it continues to improve its operational execution, satisfy customer requirements and deliver profitable growth. Jabil Circuit expects revenue for the full year to grow by more than +30%, with core operating income advancing by more than +40%. Such a successful quarter and encouraging outlook has many All Star analysts recommending Jabil Circuit.

Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT) operates large-store general merchandise formats, including discount stores, moderate-priced promotional and traditional department stores, as well as direct mail and on-line business. Earlier this week, Target stated that it expects March same-store sales to exceed its forecast, as sales through the second week of March have been solid. Also this week, Target announced that it's partnering with Rapala Group to sell that company's Rapala Fishing Kids(TM) collection at Target stores. As for its fiscal fourth quarter, Target reported earnings of 91 cents per share in late February, which jumped from 75 cents in the year-ago period. The company delivered much stronger growth in the fourth quarter than in its first nine months. Earnings per share for the full year advanced +11% to $2.01. Target's efforts will remain focused on strengthening its offering to its customers, achieving profitable market share growth, and creating substantial value for its shareholders.

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

Do you want to know which brokerage analysts are the best in their field and what stocks they're recommending today? Find out with 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 your free copy at http://at.zacks.com/?id=513

About Zacks

Zacks.com is a property of Zacks Investment Research, Inc., which was formed in 1978 to compile, analyze, and distribute investment research to both institutional and individual investors. The guiding principle behind our work is the belief that investment experts, such as brokerage analysts and investment newsletter writers, have superior knowledge about how to invest successfully. Our goal is to unlock their profitable insights for our customers. And there is no better way to enjoy this investment success, then with a FREE subscription to "Profit from the Pros" weekly e-mail newsletter. For your free newsletter, visit 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.