All Star Analysts Portfolio highlights: Electronic Arts, Hilton Hotels, Kohl's and Wachovia Corporation.

CHICAGO -- Zacks.com just released its latest additions and deletions to its proprietary All Star Analyst portfolio. Members on this exclusive list include Electronic Arts (NASDAQ:ERTS), Hilton Hotels Corporation (NYSE:HLT), Kohl's Corporation (NYSE:KSS) and Wachovia Corporation (NYSE:WB). 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. Since July 2002, this portfolio has generated an annualized return of 12.92%, exceeding the S&P 500 by a margin of more than 50%. Here is a synopsis of why these stocks are in the All Star Analysts Portfolio:

Electronic Arts (NASDAQ:ERTS) is one of the most innovative companies in its industry and has made its way on the lists of several All Stars. The company announced yesterday that Marvel Nemesis(TM): Rise of The Imperfects(TM) has shipped to retail outlets nationwide. Players can take control of more than 17 fighters, including well-known characters such as Spider-Man, Wolverine, and Daredevil, along with a new set of characters dubbed 'The Imperfects.' Another example of Electronic Arts' innovation is Arena Football(TM), which will be available February 7, 2006 as the AFL celebrates its 20th season. The goal of the game, which will be under the EA SPORTS(TM) brand, is to make gamers think differently about how they play a football video game. It will feature 8-on-8 play, including six players who play both sides of the ball, and the ability to send players into and over the walls with each play.

Hilton Hotels Corporation (NYSE:HLT) recently offered an update to the status of its hotels impacted by Hurricane Katrina. According to the company, most hotels reported water leaks, broken windows and minor stucco damage in various areas. Some hotels will be closed longer-term due to cleanup efforts and water damage, especially in New Orleans. Despite such difficulties, Hilton Hotels remains a favorite with the All Stars in the hotels industry. For the second quarter, the company reported recurring earnings per share of 27 cents, marking a significant year-over-year improvement and a positive earnings surprise of more than 12%. Total revenue advanced 10% to $1.18 billion. Comparable-owned hotel revenue per available room (RevPAR) improved 9.4%, thanks to strength in New York, Hawaii, Boston, and an improvement in Chicago.

Kohl's Corporation (NYSE:KSS) reported early this month that same-store sales for August advanced 4.6%, which was above expectations. Furthermore, total sales fro the period increased 14.3%. The company's CEO stated that August's sales performance was in-line with expectations, and Kohl's continues to expect same-store sales growth between 4% and 6% for the fiscal third quarter and earnings per share of 43 cents to 46 cents. For its fiscal second quarter, which was released in August, Kohl's posted earnings per share of 54 cents, which beat the consensus by almost 4%, on net sales that improved 15.6%. Same-store sales were up 5.1%. Kohl's is one of the newest additions to the All Star Analyst Portfolio.

Wachovia Corporation (NYSE:WB) reported second quarter earnings per share of $1.07 in July, excluding items, which bettered the year-ago result of 98 cents. The result also topped the consensus by almost 2%. Revenue increased 16% from the second quarter 2004, largely reflecting the acquisitions of SouthTrust Corporation and the Palmer & Cay, Inc. insurance brokerage firm. Wachovia also announced recently an agreement to acquire nationwide residential mortgage banker AmNet Mortgage for an approximate total value of $83 million. AmNet Mortgage is the parent company of American Mortgage Network. The acquisition was Wachovia's second purchase of a California-based company in as many days. Wachovia remains a favorite with several 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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