Zacks Brokerage Buy List: Abbott, American Tower, Automatic Data Processing and ConocoPhillips.

CHICAGO -- Today Zacks.com releases the names of four more stocks that are on their coveted Brokerage Buy List portfolio. This portfolio includes just those stocks that currently appear on the core recommended lists of at least three of the top 14 brokerage firms. These stocks are considered the best large-cap stocks to own for the long term according to Wall Street's top players. Since January 2003, this portfolio has generated an annualized double-digit return. Here are four stocks that are currently members of this prestigious list: Abbott (NYSE:ABT), American Tower Corporation (NYSE:AMT), Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (NYSE:ADP), and ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP). View the entire list of stocks on the Brokerage Buy List at http://at.zacks.com/?id=139

Here are the explanations as to why these stocks are on the Brokerage Buy List:

Abbott (NYSE:ABT), the broad-based pharmaceutical and medical products company, remains a large-cap stock to own for the long term by five of the leading brokerages. Earlier this week, the company stated that its balanced, broad-based businesses delivered strong results in 2005 that were also within its expectations. For the fourth quarter, earnings per share, excluding items, reached 76 cents on worldwide sales of $6 billion. The earnings result matched the consensus and improved upon the year-earlier performance, while worldwide sales advanced 7% from $5.7 billion. Looking forward, Abbott said it has the earnings power and stability to continue delivering consistent earnings per share growth.

American Tower Corporation (NYSE:AMT) remains one of the best large-cap stocks to own for the long-term by four of the leading brokerage firms. In early November, American Tower announced that it narrowed its loss in the third quarter to six cents, compared to a year earlier. Total revenues reached $264.7 million, a 46% advance from the same period in 2004, while rental and management segment revenue advanced 49% to $260.8 million, of which $67.4 million was attributable to SpectraSite. American Tower said it made significant progress in merger integration activity concerning SpectraSite, and also strengthened its financial position. The company is confident it can deliver consistent financial and operations results in 2006.

Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (NYSE:ADP) is one of the largest providers of a broad range of premier, mission-critical, cost-effective transaction processing and information-based business solutions. Positive momentum continued in Automatic Data Processing's core businesses during the fiscal second quarter. Earnings per share from continuing operations reached 47 cents, which advanced from 42 cents in the year-ago period and beat the consensus by more than 4%. Revenue grew 9% to $2.2 billion. The company said results were ahead of its expectations, with particular strength in its Employer Services business. Automatic Data Processing now expects revenue growth of 10% in fiscal 2006, compared to its previous guidance of high single-digit revenue growth. Furthermore, the company also raised the bottom end of its forecast for earnings per share from continuing operations, and now expects between $1.93 and $1.96. Automatic Data Processing is considered a large-cap stock to own for the long term, according to three top brokerage firms.

ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP): Despite the impact of the hurricanes on its Gulf Coast operations, ConocoPhillips said its operations ran well in the fourth quarter. Income from continuing operations was $2.69 per share, which topped the consensus by approximately 1.5%. The result also marked a solid year-over-year advance. Meanwhile, revenues reached $52.2 billion in the quarter, compared to $40.1 billion in the same quarter of 2004. For 2005, income from continuing operations was $9.63 per share, versus $5.79 a year-earlier. Total revenues grew to $183.4 billion from $136.9 billion. Furthermore, the company spent $11,620 million during the year on capital expenditures and investments, which effectively reflects an 86% reinvestment of 2005 net income. ConocoPhillips remains on the lists of three of the leading brokerages.

To discover all the other profitable stock portfolios at Zacks.com, use this link: http://at.zacks.com/?id=140

About Zacks Brokerage Buy List

Zacks has developed many successful ways for individual investors to profit from the stock picking prowess of Wall Street professionals. The Brokerage Buy List is yet another powerful tool that investors can wield in order to improve their investment results. This portfolio is comprised of the core stocks recommended by at least three of the Top 14 brokerage firms. These are the kind of large-cap stocks that are best for long-term investors. Since January 2003, this portfolio has generated an annualized double-digit return. To learn more about the Brokerage Buy List, go to http://at.zacks.com/?id=141

About Zacks

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