Zacks #1 Rank Top Performers: Gulf Island Fabrication, Key Technology, Dawson Geophysical, Riverview Bancorp and Horizon Lines.

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 Gulf Island Fabrication, Inc. (NASDAQ: GIFI), Key Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: KTEC), Dawson Geophysical Company (NASDAQ: DWSN), Riverview Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: RVSB) and Horizon Lines, Inc. (NYSE: HRZ). 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.

Gulf Island Fabrication, Inc. (NASDAQ: GIFI), which builds offshore drilling platforms for the petroleum industry, gained approximately 15.6% last week. That was more than any other Zacks #1 Rank company. Earnings estimates for this year and next are up 9.9% and 9% respectively in the past seven trading days. Gulf Island Fabrication reached fresh 52-week highs on each day from Nov 29 through Dec 1.

Key Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: KTEC) advanced 12.2% last week, as the automated inspection and process systems company ended the week with three consecutive new 52-week highs (set on Nov 29 - Dec 1). In late November, Key Technology announced that it would initiate its stock repurchase program on Nov 27. The buyback occurs at the same time earnings estimates are rising - analysts have raised their fiscal 2007 profit expectations by 12 cents over the past 30 days to 57 cents per share.

Dawson Geophysical Company (NASDAQ: DWSN) is a leading provider of U.S. onshore seismic data acquisition services, and it increased 9.7% last week. For its fiscal fourth quarter, the company reported earnings per share of 66 cents, compared to 37 cents a year earlier, which topped the consensus by almost 5%. Revenues jumped 39% to $51.5 million from $37.1 million. Revenue growth was mainly due to price improvements for the company's services, expanded capabilities of existing crews and the operation of a 12th crew.

Riverview Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: RVSB) gained 9.4% last week to become one of the top performers. RVSB is a holding company for Riverview Savings Bank, which is a community oriented financial institution offering traditional financial services to the residents of its primary market area. Analysts have become increasingly bullish about the company's prospects. The current estimate for fiscal 2007 earnings of $1.02 per share is two cents above the forecast of a month ago and four cents above the forecast of 60 days ago.

Horizon Lines, Inc. (NYSE: HRZ) is a Zacks #1 Rank company that advanced approximately 8.7% last week. Recently, HRZ announced the appointment of two new board members and took delivery of the first of five new, U.S.-flag, foreign built, sister vessels that is being chartered from subsidiaries of Ship Finance Int'l Ltd. Analysts expect this country's leading Jones Act container shipping and integrated logistics company to earn $1.15 per share this year, four cents more than they expected just a month ago.

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.

To view the current Zacks #1 Rank List and to see additional Zacks Rank resources, go to http://at.zacks.com/?id=3173.

Zacks "Profit from the Pros" e-mail newsletter offers continuous coverage of Zacks Rank stocks and highlights those stocks poised to outperform the market. Subscribe to this free newsletter today by visiting http://at.zacks.com/?id=3168.

About Zacks

Zacks.com is a property of Zacks Investment Research, Inc., which was formed in 1978 by Leonard Zacks. As a PhD in mathematics Len knew he could find patterns in stock market data that would lead to superior investment results. Amongst his many accomplishments was the formation of his proprietary stock picking system; the Zacks Rank, which continues to outperform the market by nearly a 3 to 1 margin. The best way to unlock the profitable stock recommendations and market insights of Zacks Investment Research is through our free daily email newsletter; Profit from the Pros. In short, it's your steady flow of Profitable ideas GUARANTEED to be worth your time! Register for your free subscription to Profit from the Pros by going to http://at.zacks.com/?id=3169.

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.

(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.

(b)The S&P 500 Index ("S&P 500") is a well-known, unmanaged index of the prices of 500 large-company common stocks selected by Standard & Poor's. The S&P 500 includes the reinvestment of all dividends, no transaction costs, and represents the gross returns before management fees.

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.