Zacks Buy List Highlights: Alcon, Inc., United States Steel Corporation, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation and Mercury Interactive.

CHICAGO -- Zacks.com releases another list of stocks that are currently members of the coveted Zacks #1 Ranked list. The #1 ranked stocks highlighted today include the following companies Alcon, Inc. (NYSE:ACL) United States Steel Corporation (NYSE:X). Further they announced #2 Rankings (Buy) on two other widely held stocks: Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation (NYSE:BNI) and Mercury Interactive Corporation (NASDAQ:MERQ). To see the full Zacks #1 Ranked list or the rank for any other stock then visit. http://at.zacks.com/?id=88

Stocks ranked #1 (Strong Buys) by Zacks have produced an average annual return of +33.4% since inception in 1988. During the recent Bear market from 2000 through 2002, the Zacks #1 Ranked stocks gained +43.8% while the S&P 500 tumbled -37.6%.

Here is a synopsis of why these stocks have a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy). Note that a #1 Strong Buy rating is applied to 5% of all the stocks Zacks ranks:

Alcon, Inc. (NYSE:ACL) issued its fourth quarter report in early February, which showed earnings of 60 cents per diluted share versus last year's 43 cents. Fourth quarter earnings outpaced the consensus by about +13%. The company mentioned that it demonstrated continued growth across all of its major businesses, expanded market share of key new products and capitalized on its established infrastructure to grow profits faster than sales. Earnings estimates for the year ending December 2005 improved by 22 cents, or almost +8%, from one month ago.

United States Steel Corporation (NYSE:X) earnings estimates for the year ending December 2005 are above one month ago levels by 21 cents, or almost +3%. For its fourth quarter report, which was released in late January, the company posted earnings per diluted share that reversed last year's loss and were ahead of the consensus by about +20%. Revenues moved forward year-over-year to about $3.9 billion. One of the company's major accomplishments in 2004 was substantial cash generation, which enabled U.S. Steel to strengthen its balance sheet and its financial capability to support future growth initiatives.

Here is a synopsis of why these stocks have a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy). Note that a #2 Buy rating is applied to 15% of all the stocks ranked by Zacks:

Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation (NYSE:BNI) has experienced a number of upward revisions from analysts recently for the year ending December 2005. Earnings estimates for the period improved 18 cents, or almost +6%, over the past 60 days. In late January, the company reported all-time record earnings per share of 91 cents for the fourth quarter, outperforming last year's 61 cents and topping the consensus by almost +17%. The company said that for the third consecutive quarter, BNSF experienced unprecedented market demand from its customers.

Mercury Interactive Corporation (NASDAQ:MERQ) issued its fourth quarter report in early February, calling 2004 its most successful year ever, with its customers expanding their investments in Mercury Optimization Center offerings as they take an enterprise approach to streamlining IT. The company also announced fourth quarter non-GAAP net income of 42 cents per diluted share, which beat the consensus by more than +10%. Revenue improved +34% year-over-year to $204.3 million. Earnings estimates for the December 2005 year are above levels from two months ago by 19 cents, or approximately +14%.

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About the Zacks Rank

For over 15 years, the Zacks Rank has proven that "Earnings estimate revisions are the most powerful force impacting stock prices." Since inception in 1988 the #1 Ranked stocks have generated an average annual return of +33.4%. During the recent Bear market from 2000 through 2002, the Zacks #1 Ranked 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). And since 1988 the S&P 500 has outperformed the Zacks #5 Ranked Strong Sells by 133.5% annually (12.21% vs. 5.23% respectively). Thus, the Zacks Rank system can truly be used to effectively manage the portfolio trading.

Zacks "Profit from the Pros" e-mail newsletter offers continuous coverage of Zacks #1 Ranked stocks highlighting those stocks poised to outperform the market. http://at.zacks.com/?id=90

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