Zacks Bull and Bear of the Day Highlights: CRA International, U.S. Cellular, Liberty Property Trust and Xoma, Ltd.

CHICAGO -- Zacks Equity Research highlights CRA International (Nasdaq: CRAI) as the Bull of the Day and U.S. Cellular (NYSE: USM) the Bear of the Day. In addition, Zacks Equity Research provides analysis on Liberty Property Trust (NYSE: LRY) and Xoma, Ltd. (Nasdaq: XOMA). Full analysis of all four stocks is available at http://at.zacks.com/?id=2676.

Here is a synopsis of all four stocks:

Bull of the Day:

Our Bull of the Day recommendation is for CRA International (Nasdaq: CRAI). We expect the company to continue to benefit from strong demand for its services. We are also encouraged by ongoing acquisition activity, which has expanded the company's European presence and existing service offerings.

Bear of the Day:

Our Bear of the Day recommendation is for U.S. Cellular (NYSE: USM). Financial reporting delays at U.S. Cellular have intensified the risk and uncertainty associated with the relatively high valuation. Over the near-term, we do not believe U.S. Cellular would be a part of consolidation activities, outside of TDS full ownership. But the stock has moved up in anticipation of a buyout offer from parent TDS. However, given that TDS already controls most of the shares outstanding, it is unlikely that it will have to pay a large premium for the remaining shares of USM. Recently, the company released its fourth quarter 2005 results, which were disappointing. We maintain our Sell recommendation based on the current valuation level, timing uncertainty of audited financial information, and our expectations that share demand may be in a near-term decline until complete financials are presented.

Analyst Blog:

We continue to rate Liberty Property Trust (NYSE: LRY) a Hold. While the company's low valuation remains attractive, we remain neutral on the company due to several factors. Liberty reported unimpressive results in the 2nd quarter, as the company is having a hard time raising rents in below average markets. Overall occupancy is rising in the company's core portfolio, although the company appears to be buying occupancy with concessions. LRY is in the midst of a dilutive dispositions program, and as such, we do not expect any meaningful earnings growth in 2006. Liberty is focusing on development which could prove beneficial down the road, although most projects will not add to earnings in the near term. We rate the company a Hold due to a comparatively low valuation and an attractive yield.

Xoma, Ltd. (Nasdaq: XOMA) is a biopharmaceutical company that develops products to treat infectious diseases, immunological and inflammatory disorders, and cancer. The company's receives royalties on worldwide sales of psoriasis drug Raptiva, as well as provides contract manufacturing and licensing services related to its bacterial cell expression and human engineering technology. The company also possesses an interesting early-stage pipeline and collaborative research efforts. We look forward to several positive catalysts the remainder of 2006 to help drive the shares higher. We see fair value at $4.00.

Get the full analysis of all four stocks by going to http://at.zacks.com/?id=2649.

About the Bull and Bear of the Day

Every day, the analysts at Zacks Equity Research select two stocks that are likely to outperform (Bull) or underperform (Bear) the markets over the next 3-6 months.

About the Analyst Blog

Updated throughout every trading day, the Analyst Blog provides analysis from Zacks Equity Research about the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets.

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