Zacks #1 Rank Top Performers: TBS Int'l, DryShips, GrafTech International, Life Partners Holdings and Excel Maritime Carriers.

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 TBS International Ltd. (NASDAQ: TBSI), DryShips, Inc. (NASDAQ: DRYS), GrafTech International Ltd. (NYSE: GTI), Life Partners Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: LPHI) and Excel Maritime Carriers Ltd. (NYSE: EXM). Each of these stocks easily outperformed the S&P 500.

Stocks ranked #1 (Strong Buy) by Zacks have produced an average annual return of +32.2% 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.

TBS International Ltd. (NASDAQ: TBSI) is a top-performing Zacks #1 Rank company for the second time this month (The stock last made the list for the week ended Aug 3.) This ocean transportation service company, which gained 27.3% for the week ended Aug 24, has been able to capitalize on the strong market conditions of its industry. As part of its fleet expansion and renewal program, TBSI recently announced that it will acquire the handysize bulk carrier M.V. Atlantis Charm for $10.7 million. The vessel, which will be renamed the M.V. Savannah Belle, has an expected delivery between October and December. This brings the fleet to 36 vessels, including the previously announced acquisition of two other vessels.

TBS International once again accommodated increased demand while also expanding its overall business, leading to another solid quarterly performance. Second-quarter adjusted earnings per share of 56 cents significantly advanced year-over-year, and also edged past the consensus by almost 2%. Total revenues jumped 31% to $77.2 million from $59 million. Over the past month, earnings estimates for this year have improved approximately 5.6% to $2.64.

After taking a week off, DryShips, Inc. (NASDAQ: DRYS) returned to the top performers list with a gain of 24.5% last week. The international provider of drybulk carriers, which has made frequent appearances on the list thanks to favorable industry conditions, was also a top performer for the week ended Aug 10. Earnings estimates for this year are up 17.4% over the past month, including a rise of 13.8% over the past seven trading days.

DryShips announced a strong second quarter last week, including earnings per share, excluding items, of $1.59 that beat the consensus by more than 16%. The result also advanced substantially from the previous year. Voyage revenue moved forward to $112.5 million from $54.5 million. DryShips also announced its fleet renewal highlights, and said its fleet will consist of 46 vessels once the activity is completed by the end of the first quarter 2008. The average age will be just below nine years, compared to the industry average of 13 years. Looking forward, the company said that the outlook for 2008 remains positive.

GrafTech International Ltd. (NYSE: GTI) reported second-quarter earnings per share from continuing operations, excluding items, of 37 cents on net sales of $256 million. The earnings result compared to 14 cents in the previous year and beat the consensus by 54%. Net sales increased 15% from $223 million. The company attributed its strong quarterly numbers to higher prices, good cost control and execution on productivity initiatives. The company was a top-performing Zacks #1 Rank company last week as shares gained approximately 21.6%.

GrafTech International is one of the world's largest manufacturers and providers of high quality synthetic and natural graphite and carbon based products and technical and research and development services, with customers in 80 countries engaged in the manufacture of steel, automotive products and electronics. Earnings estimates for this year are up 18.6% over the past month to $1.21. According to the company, global steel industry conditions continue to be favorable and GrafTech remains encouraged by the underlying demand for its products.

Life Partners Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: LPHI) makes the top performance list for a second consecutive week. Shares of the company gained 21.2% last week and moved forward 8.8% in the previous week. The company's stock has increased in value more than 600% during the past year, while its average trading volume moved to 234,000 share per day. Due to such momentum, Life Partners Holdings previously announced a 5-for-4 stock split that will be paid on Sep 27 to shareholders of record as of Sep 14. It also announced that it will pay a quarterly cash dividend of six cents per share to shareholders of record as of Aug 31 to be paid on or about Sep 12.

For its fiscal first quarter, Life Partners announced earnings per share of 49 cents, easily surpassing both its year-ago total and the Wall Street consensus. In addition, revenues of approximately $17.6 million advanced year over year from $6.2 million, and total business volume soared 180%.

Following in the footsteps of TBS International and DryShips last week was Excel Maritime Carriers Ltd. (NYSE: EXM). This seaborne transportation services company gained 21.7% for the week ended Aug 24 and became yet another company from its industry to reach a prominent spot on the top performers list. Excluding items, second-quarter earnings per share of 71 cents eclipsed the consensus by almost 25%, while total revenues advanced to $37.3 million from $26.7 million. The company said it is benefiting from the strength in shipping markets and consistent implementation of its balanced fleet deployment strategy.

Over the past month, earnings estimates for this year moved forward by more than 12%. Excel Maritime, which announced a second consecutive quarterly dividend of 20 cents per share, believes its strong balance sheet enables it to further pursue fleet expansion opportunities.

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 +32.2%. 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 129% annually (+5.3% vs. +12.1%). Thus, the Zacks Rank system allows investors to truly manage portfolio trading effectively.

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