Zacks Buy List Highlights: AutoDesk, Inc., GATX Corp., Akamai Technologies, and Charming Shoppes.

CHICAGO -- Zacks.com releases another list of stocks that are currently members of the coveted Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) List. The #1 Rank stocks highlighted today are AutoDesk, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADSK) and GATX Corp. (NYSE:GMT). Further, Zacks announced #2 Rankings (Buy) on two other widely held stocks: Akamai Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:AKAM) and Charming Shoppes, Inc. (NASDAQ:CHRS). To see the full Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) List, or the rank for any other stock, visit: http://at.zacks.com/?id=88

Stocks ranked #1 (Strong Buy) by Zacks have produced an average annual return of +33% 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%.

Here is a synopsis of why ADSK and GMT have a Zacks Rank of 1. Note that a #1 Strong Buy rating is applied to only 5% of all the stocks Zacks ranks:

AutoDesk, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADSK) recently announced fiscal second-quarter non-GAAP earnings of 29 cents per share, exceeding the consensus estimate by almost 21% and outpacing the year ago result. The company mentioned that it saw strong demand across all divisions and all markets. ADSK felt confident enough to raise its fiscal 2006 earnings guidance as did a analysts. Current Wall Street earnings estimates of $1.23 per share are above one week ago levels by about 5%.

GATX Corp. (NYSE:GMT) reported second-quarter earnings of 62 cents per share in late July. The result surged past the consensus estimate of 30 cents per share and eclipsed the year prior result. The company stated that based on the improving trend in Rail and Specialty's marine business, coupled with unexpectedly high remarketing income, its 2005 outlook has improved. GMT now expects 2005 GAAP earnings to be in the range of $1.90 - $2.00 per share. Analysts have the same outlook as evidenced by their increase in full year 2005 earnings estimates from $1.62 to $2.00 per share over the past 30 trading days.

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

Akamai Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:AKAM) posted second-quarter GAAP earnings of 11 cents per share, matching the consensus estimate and outperforming last year's result. Revenue grew 27% year-over-year. The company said excellent performance across its business in the second quarter helped to drive its record top-line results and profitability. Earnings estimates for the year ending December 2005 are up three cents, or almost 7%, from one month ago.

Charming Shoppes, Inc. (NASDAQ:CHRS) recently released fiscal second-quarter earnings of 30 cents per share, jumping ahead of the consensus estimate by about 11% and beating the year ago result. The company noted that its results for the second quarter include solid improvement in its operating income for each of its retail store brands. CHRS updated its earnings projection for the year ending January 2006. Its current guidance range is 73 - 75 cents per share versus the previous range of 69 - 73 cents per share. Analysts are in agreement as indicated by their current estimates of 74 cents per share, a 4% increase in just the past seven trading days.

Truly taking advantage of the Zacks Rank requires the understanding of how it works. The free special report, "Zacks Rank Guide: Harnessing the Power of Earnings Estimate Revisions," provides an insightful background about this wealth-building tool. Download your free copy of the report now to prosper in the years to come by visiting http://at.zacks.com/?id=93.

About the Zacks Rank

For over 16 years, 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 +33%. 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 143.5% annually (+4.9% vs. +12%). Thus, the Zacks Rank system allows investors to truly manage portfolio trading effectively.

Zacks "Profit from the Pros" e-mail newsletter offers continuous coverage of Zacks #1 Rank stocks and highlights those stocks poised to outperform the market. Subscribe to this free newsletter today by visiting http://at.zacks.com/?id=90.

The Zacks Rank, and all of its recommendations, is created by Zacks & Co., member NASD. Zacks.com displays the Zacks Rank with permission from Zacks & Co. on its web site for individual investors.

About Zacks

Zacks.com is a property of Zacks Investment Research, Inc., which was formed in 1978 to compile, analyze, and distribute investment research to both institutional and individual investors. The guiding principle behind Zacks work is the belief that investment experts, such as brokerage analysts and investment newsletter writers, have superior knowledge about how to invest successfully. The goal is to unlock these pros' profitable insights for individual investors hard-pressed to find this valuable information in one source. A free subscription to "Profit from the Pros" weekly e-mail newsletter provides the best way to use these experts' insights for more profitable investing. Register for a free subscription to Profit from the Pros http://at.zacks.com/?id=91

Zacks Investment Research is under common control with affiliated entities (including a broker-dealer and an investment adviser), which may engage in transactions involving the foregoing securities for the clients of such affiliates.

(a) The S&P 500 Index ("S&P 500") is a well-known, unmanaged index of the prices of 500 large-company common stocks selected by Standard & Poor's. The S&P 500 includes the reinvestment of all dividends, no transaction costs, and represents the gross returns before management fees.

Disclaimer: Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investors should always research companies and securities before making any investments. Nothing herein should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any security.