All Star Analysts Portfolio Highlights: Commercial Capital Bancorp, Illinois Tool Works, Microsoft, and Wells Fargo & Co.

CHICAGO -- Zacks.com just released its latest additions and deletions to its proprietary All Star Analyst portfolio. Members on this exclusive list include Commercial Capital Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:CCBI), Illinois Tool Works, Inc. (NYSE:ITW), Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) and Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC). 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 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. Here is a synopsis of why these stocks are on the All Star Analysts Portfolio:

Commercial Capital Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:CCBI) announced results in late October for the first full quarter since the close of their acquisition of Hawthorne Financial Corporation. Earnings per share grew +88% from the year-earlier period to 32 cents, as the quarter was marked by continued strength in the markets the company operates, continued strength in overall balance sheet performance and mix, record loan origination, and continued transition of the composition of the bank's deposit base towards a greater percentage of core deposits. One of the main highlights for the quarter was an increase in consolidated assets of +5% to $4.97 billion as of September 30, 2004, compared to $4.74 billion in June 30, 2004. With its acquisition of Hawthorne proceeding on schedule, the All Star Analysts have their eyes on Commercial Capital Bancorp as it heads towards its next quarterly announcement on January 24th.

Illinois Tool Works, Inc. (NYSE:ITW) reported last month an operating revenue increase of +15% for the three months ended November 30, 2004, consisting of +8% growth from base revenues, +4% growth from acquisitions, and a +4% increase from currency translation. Its base revenues reflected continued strength in businesses that serve the Specialty Systems and Engineered Products end markets in North America. Illinois Tool Works reaffirmed its mid-point forecasts for the fourth quarter and full year 2004 while also narrowing the earnings range estimates to between $1.17 and $1.21 for the quarter and $4.36 to $4.40 for the year. The company appears to have solid momentum pushing it forward, and its taking several All Star Analysts along for the ride. Illinois Tool Works will report its fourth quarter results on January 27th.

Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT): At the 2005 International Consumer Electronics Show earlier this month, Microsoft Chairman and Chief Software Architect Bill Gates stated that 2004 marked the year that the digital lifestyle truly entered the mainstream. Microsoft plans to be at the forefront of this new lifestyle with innovative products such as Windows Mobile-based Portable Media Centers. The All Star analysts are well aware of Microsoft penchant for innovation, and is one of the main reasons why this software stalwart is on so many Focus Lists. Microsoft's fiscal second quarter results will be announced on January 27th. In its fiscal first quarter, the company reported that revenue advanced +12% to $9.19 billion, while earnings per share exceeded the consensus by more than +6%.

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) announced earlier this month that it has become one of the nation's 20 largest mutual fund companies via the completion of the acquisition of $29 billion in assets under management from Strong Financial Corporation. The company stated the addition of Strong's equity funds complements its strength in its fixed-income and asset allocation funds, and reinforces the entire Wells Fargo Funds lineup. Such news is just one of the latest reasons why All Star Analysts like this financial services giant. Much of its growth continued to come from earning more business from current customers.

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

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