Zacks Brokerage Buy List: Abbott, Automatic Data Processing, Cisco and General Electric.

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), Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (NYSE:ADP), Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) and General Electric (NYSE:GE). View the entire list of stocks on the Brokerage Buy List at http://at.zacks.com/?id=139

Here are 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 top pick with six of the leading brokerage houses. The company's third quarter guidance disappointed some, but its July 13 second quarter report was strong. Earnings per share of 58 cents, excluding items, improved from 54 cents year-over-year and topped the consensus by almost 2%. Worldwide sales jumped 17.5% to $5.52 billion. Sales for Abbott's Pharmaceutical Products Group advanced 18%, thanks to strong performances from HUMIRA, Ultane(R)/Sevorane, TriCor, Omnicef, and Mobic. Meanwhile, sales at the Medical Products Group increased 13.6%.

Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (NYSE:ADP) reported fiscal fourth quarter earnings per share of 44 cents in late July on revenues of $2.3 billion. The earnings result matched the consensus and improved 22% on a year-over-year basis. Revenues advanced 10% from $2.1 billion in the fiscal fourth quarter of 2004. According to the company, the quarter capped off an excellent year that surpassed its expectations. For the year ended June 30, 2005, earnings per share growth was 15% while revenue grew 10%. Looking forward, Automatic Data Processing forecasted fiscal 2006 revenue growth in the high single-digits and earnings per share growth of 15% to 20%, assuming stock compensation was expensed in fiscal 2005. Automatic Data Processing is considered one the best large-cap stocks to own for the long-term by three of the leading brokerage firms.

Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) reported fiscal fourth quarter pro forma earnings per share of 25 cents early last month, compared to 21 cents a year earlier. Furthermore, sales reached $6.6 billion, marking gains of 11.1% and 6.4% on a year-over-year and sequential basis respectively. Cisco said its "home run" during the quarter was the continued balance across geographies, architectural evolutions, product families and market segments, with the commercial and enterprise segments bringing in top results. Cisco, which was very active on the acquisition front during the quarter, said it will continue to make investments in its growth areas that will provide customers with an intelligent network. Cisco is a favorite with six of the leading brokerage firms.

General Electric (NYSE:GE) stated that its improved business fundamentals and solid execution led to all of its businesses delivering at least double-digit earnings growth for the second quarter. Meanwhile, GE remains one of the best large-cap stocks to own for the long-term by as many as seven of the leading brokerages. In mid-July, the company posted second quarter earnings per share of 44 cents, matching the consensus and easily exceeding the year-earlier performance. In addition, revenues advanced 13% to $41.6 billion with organic growth at 8%. General Electric, which now expects to deliver earnings per share growth of between 12-14% for the year, said it has aggressively executed a strategy to expand its margins and sustain its earnings growth for the long-term.

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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