All Star Analysts Portfolio Highlights: Countrywide Financial, Dell, Hilton Hotels and Target Corporation.

CHICAGO -- Zacks.com just released its latest additions and deletions to its proprietary All Star Analyst portfolio. Members on this exclusive list include Countrywide Financial Corporation (NYSE:CFC), Dell (NASDAQ:DELL), Hilton Hotels Corporation (NYSE:HLT) and Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT). 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 in the All Star Analysts Portfolio:

Countrywide Financial Corporation (NYSE: CFC), which provides mortgage banking and diversified financial services, recently reiterated its long-term target for annual earnings growth of between 15% and 20%. At an Investor Forum earlier this week, the company also highlighted several 2010 goals, including mortgage origination market share to approach 30%, annual mortgage origination volume to approach $1 trillion and mortgage servicing market share to exceed 20%, among others. Late April saw Countrywide Financial report earnings per diluted share of $1.13, which beat the consensus by almost 11%. The company also raised its 2005 earnings guidance to between $3.60 and $4.60 per share. Several All Stars like the direction in which Countrywide Financial is heading and continue to recommend the company.

Dell (NASDAQ: DELL) reported fiscal first quarter earnings of 37 cents per share on total revenue of $13.4 billion. The earnings result matched the consensus and improved on a year-over-year basis, while revenue moved forward 16%. The company enjoyed significant growth outside of the U.S. with revenue in Europe, the Middle East and Africa growing 20%. Furthermore, revenue in Asia-Pacific and Japan improved 19%. Sales outside the U.S. moved forward 21% and grew to 42% of its total revenue. The All Stars were especially pleased with Dell's outlook for its fiscal second quarter. The company expects revenue to advance between 16% and 18% to between $13.6 billion and $13.8 billion. It also anticipated earnings per share of 37 cents to 39 cents.

Hilton Hotels Corporation (NYSE: HLT) remains one of the All Stars' favorite companies in the re-invigorated hotels industry. Last week, the company announced the acquisition of 112 acres of undeveloped land on Hawaii's Big Island for $65 million. Hilton Hotels didn't announce its plans for the land, but Hawaii is one of its biggest markets. Meanwhile, the company reported earnings per share of 15 cents, excluding items, marking a solid improvement over the year-earlier performance of 10 cents. Significant volume and rate increases from business transient customers, along with continued improved pricing power from the group and leisure markets, sparked double-digit revenue-per-available room gains at many of its owned hotels.

Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT): The All Stars continue to keep this retailer in their crosshairs. Target beat Wall Street expectations by almost 4% with fiscal first quarter earnings per diluted share of 55 cents. Furthermore, total revenues advanced 12.7% to $11.477 billion while same-store sales improved 6.2%. Target, which sees May same-store sales tracking near the high end of its forecast, is optimistic about its ability to sustain its competitive advantage. The company also said it remains confident that it will continue enjoying profitable market share growth throughout 2005 and beyond.

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

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