All Star Analysts Portfolio highlights: Carnival, Caterpillar, Cytyc Corporation, and Ingersoll-Rand.

CHICAGO -- Zacks.com just released its latest additions and deletions to its proprietary All Star Analyst portfolio. Members on this exclusive list include Carnival (NYSE:CCL), Caterpillar, Inc. (NYSE:CAT), Cytyc Corporation (NASDAQ:CYTC) and Ingersoll-Rand Company Ltd. (NYSE:IR). 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 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. Here is a synopsis of why these stocks are on the All Star Analysts Portfolio:

Carnival (NYSE: CCL) didn't let a destructive hurricane season keep its fiscal fourth quarter down. Despite the many challenges, the company still posted earnings of 36 cents per diluted share, marking a +16% advance over the consensus. The company has also laid the groundwork for future expansion over the next five years, by ordering ships for several different brands operating in all the major regions of the global marketplace. With a strong quarterly performance and solid plan for the future, Carnival believes the strength of its 2005 advance bookings, along with the continued strength in overall leisure travel, builds confidence that 2005 will be a good year. Many top All Star analysts feel more confident and are jumping aboard by recommending Carnival.

Caterpillar, Inc. (NYSE: CAT) put together a robust third quarter performance with earnings per share of $1.41 that topped the consensus by more than +4%. Sales and revenue for the quarter jumped +38% to $7.65 billion, fueled by $1.83 billion of higher Machinery and Engines volume, $136 million of increased Price Realization, a $102 million favorable impact of Currency on sales due primarily to the strengthening euro and British pound and $41 million of higher Financial Products revenues. The company expects 2004 sales and revenues to rise about +30% and profit per share to advance +80% to +85%. Caterpillar said the key sectors it serves should continue to show solid growth next year, and several All Star analysts have responded favorably by recommending this industry juggernaut.

Cytyc Corporation (NASDAQ: CYTC) announced in December that the Strategic Health Authority (SHA) of the National Health Service (NHS) intends to convert all cervical screening to the ThinPrep(R) Pap Test in all eight of its labs. The arrangement represents potential usage of about 800,000 ThinPrep Pap Tests over the next five years. The All Star analysts have taken note of this company's potential regarding the ThinPrep(R) Pap Test. Furthermore, in late October, Cytyc announced improved revenues and diluted earnings per share for its third quarter, experiencing a strong performance in both the diagnostic and surgical divisions.

Ingersoll-Rand Company Ltd. (NYSE: IR) announced in early December that it will receive about $26 million from anti-dumping claims under the Continued Dumping and Subsidy Offset Act (CDSOA) for the year 2004. Furthermore, the company continues to anticipate strong growth in most North American and European markets and solid growth in Asia for the rest of the year and into 2005. Ingersoll-Rand continues to expect fourth quarter earnings from total operations between $1.13 and $1.23, and full year earnings per share of $4.80 to $4.90, which is +43% better than 2003. This solid outlook for the future continues to peak the interest of the All Star analysts.

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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