Ben Zacks Recommends the Following Stocks: Cooper Companies, UCBH Holdings and Tractor Supply Company.

Business Editors

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 5, 2003

Although the market will continue to face obstacles, Ben Zacks says there is money to be made in this stock-pickers environment. Learn how to use earnings estimate revisions to uncover high quality companies by starting with several attractive entry points. Learn about Cooper Companies (NYSE:COO), UCBH Holdings (NASDAQ:UCBH), and Tractor Supply Company (NASDAQ:TSCO). Click here for the full story exclusively on Zacks.com: http://featuredexpert2bw.zacks.com/

Here are the highlights from the Featured Expert column:

The first month of 2003 has been a microcosm of the previous couple of years. It began with a great deal of optimism and a general feeling that equities were a good place to be. Then, it started to get rattled as concerns over tepid earnings outlooks began to take hold. The 2003 year is likely to remain very much a stock-pickers environment as Ben Zacks continues to latch onto companies with tangible evidence of improved operating fundamentals.

Cooper Companies (NYSE:COO) is one stock on the focus list that is at an attractive price. The company makes contact lenses, gynecological instruments, and diagnostic equipment. Cooper had reported quarterly earnings of 86 cents (before a 2 for 1 stock split) in its third quarter, 3 cents ahead of the Zacks consensus estimate for the quarter.

Zacks also likes UCBH Holdings (NASDAQ:UCBH) at these levels. The company concentrates on serving California's Chinese-American community through 30 branches, primarily in the San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Stockton/Sacramento areas. UCBH Holdings (UCBH) reported record net income of $12.7 million for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2002. This is an increase of 54.3% compared with net income of $8.2 million for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2001.

Tractor Supply Company (NASDAQ:TSCO) has been mowing up estimates as well. With about 430 stores (90 of which were opened during the second quarter of 2002) in 30 states, TSC operates one of the largest retail farm store chains in the US. Tractor Supply reported net income of $17.6 million, or 88 cents a share, compared with net income of $9.6 million, or 51 cents a share, a year earlier. Revenue increased to $327.9 million from $220.4 million a year earlier.

Learn more about the above-mentioned companies, and get Ben Zacks' complete market commentary, by clicking: http://featuredexpert3bw.zacks.com/

About Zacks Featured Experts

To be a successful investor you need professional advice. Experts who know what they're talking about and can help you achieve your financial goals in good markets...and especially in bad ones will help you improve your portfolio. That is why Zacks Investment Research has assembled the best investment experts in the business to offer their powerful advisory newsletters to you on all the major investment topics: Stocks, Mutual Funds, Bonds, Options, Futures etc.

Recommendations from Featured Experts Highlighted in FREE Investment Newsletter

The best way to tap into the powerful advice from these experts is through our free weekly e-mail newsletter, "Profit from the Pros". Each week we highlight several Featured Experts in this free e-mail newsletter. Get your free subscription to "Profit from the Pros" at: http://www.freeprofit1bw.zacks.com

About Zacks

Zacks.com is a property of Zacks Investment Research, Inc., which was formed in 1981 to compile, analyze, and distribute investment research to both institutional and individual investors. The guiding principle behind our work is the belief that investment experts, such as brokerage analysts and investment newsletter writers, have superior knowledge about how to invest successfully. Our goal is to unlock their profitable insights for our customers. And there is no better way to enjoy this investment success, than with a FREE subscription to "Profit from the Pros" weekly e-mail newsletter. For your free newsletter, visit http://www.freeprofitbw.zacks.com

Zacks Investment Research is under common control with affiliated entities (including a broker-dealer and an investment adviser), which may engage in transactions involving the foregoing securities for the clients of such affiliates.

Disclaimer: Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investors should always research companies and securities before making any investments. Nothing herein should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any security.

Methodology of the Performance Calculations: The Timely Buys portfolio is measured based on how an investor would have fared by buying all of the given recommended stocks and selling all of the stocks which have been removed from the list. Time frame is from 3/1/1996 to 6/28/2002. All stocks are equally weighted at the beginning of each calendar year and are rebalanced after a stock is added or deleted from the list and on a quarterly basis. Performance is measured at the same intervals. Results are measured using only capital gains or losses. No dividends, taxes or transaction costs are included. Transactions occur on the date posted. Closing prices are used on those dates for the calculation of the results.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results.