All Star Analysts Portfolio Highlights: Williams-Sonoma, Capital One, Deere & Company and Illinois Tool Works.

Business Editors

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 4, 2003

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 has gained +22.1% outpacing the +9.4% rise of S&P 500. The new members on the list is: Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE:WSM) While three current members are: Capital One Financial Corp. (NYSE:COF), Deere & Company (NYSE:DE) and Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:ITW). View the entire list of stocks on the All Star Analyst portfolio at http://asaportfolio.zacks.com

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

Capital One Financial Corp. (NYSE:COF) is the holding company for Capital One Bank and offers a variety of credit card and financial services to customers. Capital One reported that its second quarter 2003, earnings per share increased by +34% over the same period in the prior year. This increase in earnings was driven primarily by the improved profitability of its auto and international businesses. Earnings for the second quarter of 2003 were $286.8 million, or $1.23 per share (fully diluted) compared with earnings of $213.1 million, or 92 cents per share, for the second quarter of 2002. The company continues to shift its portfolio mix to higher quality loans. This has impressed many top All Star analysts and has been high on their recommendation list.

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. While the farm equipment industry continues to have its fair share of problems, DE reported worldwide net income of $247.5 million, or $1.02 per share, for the third quarter ended July 31. This was a +68% increase over last year's $147.6 million, 61 cent per share number. Worldwide net sales and revenues grew +11% to $4.402 billion for the third quarter compared with a year ago and also increased +11% to $11.595 billion for the nine months. All Star analysts believe these results build on the success of prior quarters and reflect strong sales of new products and the company's ongoing efforts to hold down costs and operate more efficiently at lower asset levels. Deere should be able to leverage these efficiencies and prosper as the economy recovers and sales increase. It appears that the company is running in the right direction and taking investors for a pleasant ride.

Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:ITW) is a $9.5 billion diversified manufacturer of highly engineered components and industrial systems. The company consists of approximately 600 decentralized operations in 44 countries and employs 48,700 people. ITW reported an operating revenue increase of +6% for the three months ended July 31, 2003. The operating revenues for the three-month period consisted of a +2% growth from acquisitions and a +6% contribution from currency translation. In addition, Leasing and Investments, as well as, inter-company revenues contributed +2% of growth in the period. The above growth was offset by a -4% decline in base business revenues. The company's revenue performance for the three months continued to reflect weakness in a variety of North American and international end markets. Based on one month of actual results in the 2003 third quarter, ITW continues to forecast a range of 77 cents to 87 cents for income per diluted share from continuing operations. For full-year 2003, the company's forecast remains unchanged as income per diluted share from continuing operations is expected to be in the range of $3.12 to $3.32. As the economy begins to pick up more steam, ITW looks to be well positioned to benefit from the expansion, which is probably why several top All Star analysts are recommending ITW to long-term investors.

Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE:WSM) is a specialty retailer of products for the home. The retail segment sells its products through its three retail concepts: Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn and Hold Everything. The direct-to-customer segment sells similar products through the Internet and its five direct-mail catalogs, Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, Hold Everything and Chambers. In late August, WSM announced better than expected operating results for the second quarter ended August 3, 2003 and increased its full fiscal year 2003 earnings per share guidance. Second quarter of fiscal year 2003 diluted earnings per share of 15 cents exceeded second quarter of fiscal year 2002 diluted earnings per share by 3 cents per share and even the high end of the company's May 22, 2003 earnings guidance by a penny per share. Top All Star analysts were extremely pleased that WSM was able to deliver another consecutive quarter of strong financial performance. On a revenue increase of +17%, WSM delivered earnings growth of over +26% while continuing to invest in new concepts. The company's ongoing focus on customer service, operational execution, and cost containment allowed them to drive business and deliver record second quarter earnings. Retail stocks are on the move and WSM looks to be out in front.

Discover all the current All Star Analyst rankings and top analyst recommendations at http://allstarrank.zacks.com

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