All Star Analysts Portfolio Highlights: Deere & Company, Lincoln National, The Sports Authority and Wachovia Corporation.

Business Editors

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 1, 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: Deere & Company (NYSE:DE), Lincoln National Corporation (NYSE:LNC), The Sports Authority (NYSE:TSA) and Wachovia Corporation (NYSE:WB). 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:

Deere & Company (NYSE:DE) is probably best known for it's green and yellow agricultural equipment; but Deere also operates segments in commercial and consumer equipment, construction and forestry, and credit. Last month the company earned the top ranking in the industrial and farm equipment category of Fortune magazine's America's Most Admired Companies list. Analysts were impressed when Deere reported worldwide net income of $170.8 million, or 68 cents per share, for the first quarter ended January 31, compared with net income of $68.0 million, or 28 cents per share, last year. The company stated an improved performance in both their agricultural equipment and construction and forestry divisions. All equipment divisions are benefiting from improving market conditions and continued positive customer response to their products. If things continue on this fast track, investors my want to climb on board with the All Stars and plow some capital into DE.

Lincoln National Corporation (NYSE:LNC) had consolidated assets of over $100 billion and had consolidated revenues of $5.3 billion in 2003. Through its wealth accumulation and protection businesses, the company provides annuities, life insurance, 401(k) and 403(b) plans, 529 college savings plans, mutual funds, managed accounts, institutional investment and financial planning and advisory services. Several top All Star analysts are recommending LNC as a good long-term holding. In February, LNC reported net income of $194.3 million, or $1.08 per diluted share for its fourth quarter of 2003. By comparison, net income for the fourth quarter of 2002 was $51 million, or 29 cents per diluted share. For the full year of 2003, net income was $511.9 million or $2.85 per diluted share versus $48.8 million or 26 cents per diluted share in 2002. Lincoln reported record total domestic net flows for the quarter of $2.5 billion, up 84% from the prior year quarter. For the full year, total domestic net flows reached a record $6.2 billion, up 34% from 2002. Several financials had record years, but few are garnering the attention that LNC has of late.

The Sports Authority (NYSE:TSA) is one of the nation's largest full-line sporting goods retailers offering a comprehensive high-quality assortment of brand name sporting apparel and equipment at competitive prices. Earlier this month the company announced results for its fourth quarter and year ended January 31, 2004. Excluding merger integration costs, fourth quarter net income was $28.3 million, or $1.08 per diluted share, compared with $1.03 per diluted share in the prior year's quarter, as reported by the former Gart Sports Company on a stand-alone basis, and pro-forma combined net income for the prior year's quarter of 77 cents per diluted share. Total sales for the 13 weeks ended January 31, 2004 increased 125% to $712.0 million compared with $316.8 million in the prior year's fourth quarter as reported by the former Gart Sports Company on a stand-alone basis. Fourth quarter comparable store sales for the combined company increased 0.2% from last year's combined company results. Fiscal year 2004 EPS guidance increased to a range of $2.57 to $2.62 per diluted share, excluding merger integration costs, versus prior guidance of $2.55 to $2.60 per diluted share, showing strength in the company's future prospects. Several All Star analysts have TSA listed on their Focus or Buy Lists.

Wachovia Corporation (NYSE:WB) is one of the largest providers of financial services to retail, brokerage and corporate customers throughout the East Coast and the nation, with assets of $401 billion, market capitalization of $61 billion and stockholders' equity of $32 billion at Dec. 31, 2003. Wachovia plans to release its first quarter 2004 earnings results on Monday, April 19, 2004, which analysts hope will continue the positive trend set previously. In January the company reported fourth quarter 2003 net income available to common stockholders of $1.1 billion, or 83 cents per share, compared with $891 million, or 66 cents per share, in the fourth quarter of 2002. Several All Star analysts believe that 2003 was a year of milestones for Wachovia, and their strong fourth quarter results cap a year marked by exceptional execution. WB produced record earnings and record growth in each line of its businesses in 2003, and delivered a +32% total return to shareholders. Along with a few other financial firms, Wachovia managed to outperform a very hot industry and looks to keep that trend going.

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

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