All Star Analysts Portfolio highlights: Cogent Systems, Hilton Hotels, Symantec Corporation and Wells Fargo.

CHICAGO -- Zacks.com just released its latest additions and deletions to its proprietary All Star Analyst portfolio. Members on this exclusive list include Cogent Systems (NASDAQ:COGT), Hilton Hotels Corporation (NYSE:HLT), Symantec Corporation (NASDAQ:SYMC) and Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC). 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 in the All Star Analysts Portfolio:

Cogent Systems (NASDAQ:COGT) is a leading provider of Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems (AFIS) and other fingerprint biometric solutions to governments, law enforcement agencies and other organizations worldwide. In late April, Cogent announced first quarter net revenues of $35.8 million, which was a record for the company while marking a 133% surge on a year-over-year basis. Sequentially, the result was 13% better than that of the fourth quarter. The company stated that it is seeing an increasing number of requests for proposals for its AFIS systems, as evidenced by a $34 million contract awarded last month for a national identification program in Morocco. Cogent believes it will continue growing its business throughout 2005, which makes this innovative company very attractive to several All Star analysts.

Hilton Hotels Corporation (NYSE:HLT) remains one of the All Star analysts' favorite companies in the resurgent hotels industry. In April, Hilton Hotels announced a robust performance for its first quarter as each of its three businesses displayed excellent results and sustainable growth. Earnings per share, excluding items, reached 15 cents in the quarter, topping both the consensus and year-ago level. The company stated that significant volume and rate increases from business transient customers, along with continued improved pricing power from the group and leisure markets, sparked double-digit revenue-per-available room gains at many of its owned hotels. Hilton Hotels believes prospects are good that its strong business trends will continue throughout the year.

Symantec Corporation (NASDAQ:SYMC) completed its merger with VERITAS Software Corporation earlier this month. Through the deal, Symantec said it will provide enterprise customers with a more effective way to secure and manage their information. The company can now deliver information security and availability solutions across all platforms and to customers of all sizes. Symantec also announced the 10 directors that will serve on the Board of the combined company. Computer security is a big issue these days, and the All Star analysts believe that this innovative leader stands to benefit moving forward.

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) will report its second quarter results on July 19th. In April, the company called its first quarter performance "another outstanding, record-breaking quarter," highlighted by double-digit growth in loans and in revenue. The company also said its continued to strengthen its strong balance sheet while putting together solid profit performance in all of its major business groups. Although earnings per share just missed the consensus by a penny, the result of $1.08 marked a 5% advance on a year-over-year basis. In addition, revenue advanced 13%. Wells Fargo is a top pick with a number of All Star analysts in the financial services industry.

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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