All Star Analysts Portfolio highlights: C-COR, Cost Plus, Cox Communications and General Electric.

CHICAGO -- 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 C-COR (NASDAQ:CCBL), Cost Plus, Inc. (NASDAQ:CPWM), Cox Communications (NYSE:COX) and General Electric Corp. (NYSE:GE). 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:

C-COR (NASDAQ:CCBL) is a top-tier global provider of optical packet and digital video transport communications products; end-to-end fiber-to-the-premise systems; comprehensive OSS solutions; and high-end technical outsourced field services--all supporting cost-effective delivery of voice, video, and high-speed data over advanced broadband networks. C-COR will announce fiscal year 2004 fourth quarter and year-end results before the market opens today. In April, the company announced net sales for the third quarter of fiscal year 2004 were $58.4 million compared to $50.1 million for the same period last year, an increase of +17%. Bookings in the second quarter were $64.8 million for a book-to-bill ratio of 1.11. Net income for the third quarter of fiscal year 2004 was $5.0 million, compared to a net loss of ($114.6) million for the same period last year. Earnings per share on a diluted basis for the third quarter of fiscal year 2004 were 12 cents, compared to a net loss per share of ($3.15) for the same period last year. The current year third quarter results reflect the sale of approximately $743,000 of inventory that was previously fully reserved, which had a positive impact on gross margin. With several acquisitions now completed, CCBL has landed on many All Star analysts' radars.

Cost Plus, Inc. (NASDAQ:CPWM) is a leading specialty retailer of casual home living and entertaining products. Earlier this month the company announced that total sales for the second quarter ended July 31, 2004 were $189.5 million, representing a +18.6% increase from $159.8 million for the second quarter ended August 2, 2003. Same store sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2004 increased +3.2% on top of a 3.4% increase for the second quarter of fiscal 2003. The company also reaffirmed its prior EPS guidance for the quarter at 14 cents to 15 cents per diluted share compared to 13 cents per diluted share earned in the prior year's second quarter. Cost Plus will provide detailed third quarter and updated full year earnings guidance when it reports second quarter results this morning at 8:00 a.m. P.D.T. Business thus far is consistent with the company's guidance for an increase in comparable store sales of between +3.0% and +4.0%. This might be a good time to shop Cost Plus.

Cox Communications (NYSE:COX) is a multi-service broadband communications company. Cox is the nation's fourth-largest cable television provider, and offers both traditional analog video programming under the Cox Cable brand as well as advanced digital video programming under the Cox Digital Cable brand. Last month Cox announced total revenues for the second quarter of 2004 were $1.6 billion, an increase of +12% over the second quarter of 2003. This was primarily due to growth in advanced-service subscriptions (which include digital cable, high-speed Internet access and telephony) and higher basic cable rates. An increase in Cox Business Services customers, as well as an increase in advertising sales, also contributed to overall revenue growth. Cox's continued commitment to customer growth and improving profitability resulted in strong revenue growth of +12%, operating income growth of +27%, operating cash flow growth of 16% and the company's 6th consecutive quarter of year-over-year operating cash flow margin improvement. Several top All Star analysts are giving Cox Communications a warm reception and are recommending the company as a buy.

General Electric Corp. (NYSE:GE) is one of the largest conglomerates in the world. In July the company announced that its second quarter 2004 earnings were $3.9 billion, or +3% higher than second quarter 2003. Excluding non-cash earnings from GE's principal pension plans, earnings increased 9%. Earnings per share for the second quarter of 38 cents exceeded their previous guidance of 37 cents, as nine of 11 businesses contributed double-digit improvements to earnings, and first-half cash from operating activities grew 61% over last year. GE completed major portfolio moves during the quarter, closing the Amersham acquisition, the NBC Universal merger and the successful initial public offering of Genworth Financial. These changes, along with the continued build-out of their growth platforms, gives GE a great set of businesses for the future. GE looks to be a company that is very popular with the All Stars and may bring good things to investors.

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

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