All Star Analysts Portfolio Highlights: Host Hotels & Resorts, IDEX Corp., Marriott Int'l and Rowan Companies.

CHICAGO -- Zacks.com just released its latest additions and deletions to its proprietary All Star Analyst portfolio. Members on this exclusive list include Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: HST), IDEX Corporation (NYSE: IEX), Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) and Rowan Companies, Inc. (NYSE: RDC). 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 7.53%. Here is a synopsis of why these stocks are in the All Star Analysts Portfolio:

Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: HST), the country's largest lodging real estate investment trust, announced first-quarter results last month that included funds from operations of 30 cents, which eclipsed the consensus by 3.5%. Meanwhile, contributions from its Starwood portfolio helped total revenue advance year over year to $1.04 billion. According to Zacks Research Digest, analysts like the company's high-quality, well-diversified portfolio, which has substantial exposure to big convention hotels. Analysts also appreciate the company's strong balance sheet, increasing dividend rate and geographic expansion.

IDEX Corporation (NYSE: IEX) is an applied solutions company and a member of the All Star Analyst Portfolio. In April, the company announced that first-quarter sales advanced 25% to $333.3 million, while organic sales grew 10% and orders improved 23%. Earnings per share of 45 cents (after adjusting for a 3-for-2 stock split) also increased on a year-over-year basis. IDEX Corporation believes it is well positioned in attractive product segments supported by strong underlying industry fundamentals.

Marriott International, Inc.'s (NYSE: MAR) long-term growth outlook appears favorable due to its differentiated business model and reputation for operational excellence in hospitality services, according to Zacks Research Digest. Analysts also appreciate the company's strong portfolio of brands. For its first quarter, Marriott announced earnings per share from continuing operations of 40 cents on revenues of $2.9 billion. EPS advanced from 38 cents in the previous year and bettered the consensus by 5.3%. Revenues advanced 7% year over year. Marriott remains one of the All Stars' favorite names in hotels.

Rowan Companies, Inc. (NYSE: RDC) announced earlier this month that first-quarter revenues reached a record $462.3 million, compared to $299.8 million a year earlier. The result also advanced sequentially from $410.9 million. In addition, earnings per share also improved on a year-over-year basis. The company stated that demand for jack-ups in the Middle East and many other foreign markets remains strong, and it is continuing to aggressively pursue long-term opportunities abroad. Rowan Companies is a major provider of international and domestic contract drilling services.

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

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