All Star Analysts Portfolio highlights: American Capital Strategies, GlobalSantaFe, PPD 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 American Capital Strategies Ltd. (NASDAQ:ACAS), GlobalSantaFe Corporation (NYSE:GSF), PPD, Inc. (NASDAQ:PPDI) 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 11.63%, exceeding the S&P 500. Here is a synopsis of why these stocks are in the All Star Analysts Portfolio:

American Capital Strategies Ltd. (NASDAQ:ACAS) announced, earlier this month, that net operating income improved year-over-year to 77 cents per share in its first quarter, which is typically its lowest performing quarter of the year. The company said the results place it on plan to achieve its annual goals. In addition, American Capital Strategies' Board of Directors declared a second quarter regular dividend of 82 cents per share to record holders as of May 30, 2006 payable on Jul 5, 2006. That marks a rise of 9% over the regular dividend in the second quarter 2005.

GlobalSantaFe Corporation (NYSE:GSF) began 2006 on a strong note with record quarterly revenues and the highest average dayrates in its history. First-quarter earnings per share reached 65 cents on revenues of $679.4 million. That earnings result compared to 21 cents a year-earlier and surpassed the consensus by more than 3%, while revenues advanced from $488.6 million. As of the quarterly report, the company had repurchased $348.1 million of its shares, as part of a $2 billion repurchase plan announced in March. GlobalSantaFe said it is poised for a year of record revenues and earnings, and several All Star Analysts agree.

PPD, Inc. (NASDAQ:PPDI) is a leading global contract research organization providing discovery, development and post-approval services as well as compound partnering programs. In mid-April, the company posted net revenue of $299.4 million for the first quarter, marking an increased of 22.7% from net revenue of $244.1 million in the first quarter of 2005. This quarter has historically been light for PPD, but the company said it nonetheless delivered its second largest quarter of gross and net new business on record, along with year-over-year margin expansion in the development segment. The company remains a favorite among the All Star Analysts.

Rowan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:RDC) is a major provider of international and domestic contract drilling services, and remains a favorite with the All Star Analysts. In its first quarter report from late April, the company stated that its businesses continue to perform at record levels. For the quarter, earnings per share of 53 cents improved from the same period in 2005, while revenues advanced to $299.8 million from $222.4 million. Rowan expects worldwide demand for competitive jack-ups to continue exceeding the supply, which should allow for future increases in day rates and contract length.

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

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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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