Zacks #1 Rank Top Performers: Avici Systems, Brush Engineered Materials, Nexstar Broadcasting, ICF Int'l and Cbeyond.

CHICAGO -- Zacks.com announces the latest list of top performing Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks. The stocks on the prestigious list with the highest returns last week were Avici Systems (NASDAQ: AVCI), Brush Engineered Materials Inc. (NYSE: BW), Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: NXST), ICF International (NASDAQ: ICFI) and Cbeyond, Inc. (NASDAQ: CBEY). Each of these stocks easily outperformed the S&P 500.

Stocks ranked #1 (Strong Buy) by Zacks have produced an average annual return of +31.8% since inception in 1988. During the 2000-2002 bear market, Zacks #1 Rank stocks gained 43.8% while the S&P 500 tumbled 37.6%. To learn more about the Zacks Rank, go to http://at.zacks.com/?id=3172.

Here is a synopsis of the last week's best performing Zacks #1 Rank stocks.

Avici Systems (NASDAQ: AVCI) was one of the top-performing Zacks #1 Rank companies for the month of March and its momentum is continuing in April. The provider of network routing systems, which is scheduled to report first-quarter results on Wednesday, gained 12.2% last week and reached 52-week highs on Apr 9 and Apr 10. For the first quarter, analysts are expecting 14 cents per share, up from five cents two months ago.

For the fourth quarter, Avici Systems reported earnings per share that soared past the consensus and bettered year-earlier performance, while revenues of $15.9 million advanced from $5.6 million. Looking toward 2007, the company plans to stay focused on maximizing its near-term financial returns while prudently investing in its future.

Brush Engineered Materials Inc. (NYSE: BW) advanced 12.1% last week to become one of the top-performing Zacks #1 Rank companies, and bookended the stretch with 52-week highs on Apr 9 and Apr 13. Analysts like the company's unique position as an integrated supplier of beryllium and are anticipating its first-quarter earnings report next week. Earnings estimates for the quarter are up 7.4% from two months ago.

Brush Engineered Materials announced strong fourth-quarter results in February, as overall demand increased across the company's key markets. Excluding items, earnings per share reached 44 cents, up from 21 cents in the year-ago period and 12.8% above consensus estimates. Revenues rose to $207.8 million from $140.6 million. Brush Engineered also offered a 2007 profit guidance that was above Wall Street expectations.

Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: NXST) owns, operates, programs or provides sales and other services to several televisions stations across the country. The company reached 52-week highs on Apr 12 and Apr 13, helping it become a top-performing Zacks #1 Rank company with an advance of 11.9%. Analysts continue to expect a loss for this year, but the degree has been narrowed over the past two months.

In early March, the company announced fourth-quarter earnings per share of 16 cents, reversing a year-ago loss of 22 cents and handily exceeding the consensus estimate. Net revenue advanced 24% to $77.2 million. The company attributed its top-line performance during the quarter to strong political spending in its markets, the ongoing benefits of retransmission consent revenues and gains in local ad sales.

ICF International (NASDAQ: ICFI) partners with government and commercial clients to deliver consulting services and technology solutions in various markets. The company, which reached 52-week highs on Apr 11, Apr 12 and Apr 13, increased 11.7% last week. The performance made ICF Int'l one of the better-performing Zacks #1 Rank companies for the period. Earnings estimates for this year are up approximately 20.1% over the past month.

Shares of ICF Int'l advanced after announcing a strong fourth-quarter performance last month thanks to winning important re-competitions, gaining new contracts and negotiating two acquisitions. The company, which received a third task order from Millennium Challenge Corporation valued at US$1.3 million earlier this month, reported revenue of $113.9 million for the quarter, more than doubling the year-earlier result of $51.8 million. Earnings per share of 65 cents soared above the consensus by more than 100%. Looking forward, ICFI sees significant opportunities for growth across its major markets, especially in homeland security, climate change and energy. The company also forecasted first quarter and full year revenue that was above expectations.

Cbeyond, Inc. (NASDAQ: CBEY) was one of the better-performing Zacks #1 Rank companies last week with a gain of 11.15%. The company is a telecom provider that serves small businesses and analysts are taking notice. Earnings estimates for this year are at 46 cents, marking a rise of approximately 21% from two months ago. For the quarter ended last month, which will be reported in early May, expectations have improved by 50%.

In early March, Cbeyond announced earnings per share of 16 cents that easily surpassed Wall Street expectations on revenue that improved year over year to $58.9 million.

About the Zacks Rank

Since 1988, the Zacks Rank has proven that "Earnings estimate revisions are the most powerful force impacting stock prices." Since inception in 1988, #1 Rank stocks have generated an average annual return of +31.8%. During the 2000-2002 bear market, Zacks #1 Rank stocks gained +43.8%, while the S&P 500 tumbled -37.6%. Also note that the Zacks Rank system has just as many Strong Sell recommendations (Rank #5) as Strong Buy recommendations (Rank #1). Since 1988, Zacks Rank #5 stocks have underperformed the S&P 500 by 143.6% annually (+4.8% vs. +11.8%). Thus, the Zacks Rank system allows investors to truly manage portfolio trading effectively.

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(a)The Zacks Performance Rank performance is the total return of equal weighted simulated portfolios consisting of those stocks with the indicated Zacks Rank net of fees. Results reflect the reinvestment of dividends and other earnings. Simulated results do not represent actual trading and may not reflect the impact that economic and market factors might have had on decision-making if an adviser were actually managing a client's money.

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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.