Zacks Buy List Highlights: Cymer, Inc., Oxford Industries, Joy Global, and WebEx Communications.

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 Cymer, Inc. (NASDAQ:CYMI) and Oxford Industries, Inc. (NYSE:OXM). Further, Zacks announced #2 Rankings (Buy) on two other widely held stocks: Joy Global, Inc. (NASDAQ:JOYG) and WebEx Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ:WEBX). 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 CYMI and OXM have a Zacks Rank of 1. Note that a #1 Strong Buy rating is applied to only 5% of all the stocks Zacks ranks:

Cymer, Inc. (NASDAQ:CYMI) recently released third-quarter earnings of 35 cents per share, jumping ahead of the consensus estimate by 75%. The company stated that it is pleased that third quarter operating results came in ahead of its expectations, and with its continuing strong market leadership in the growing argon fluoride (ArF) segment of the DUV market. Analysts reacted by increasing full year 2005 earnings estimates by 20 cents, or nearly 23%, over the past seven trading days.

Oxford Industries, Inc. (NYSE:OXM) announced fiscal first-quarter results earlier this month. Earnings per share not only outpaced the previous year's total, but also exceeded the consensus estimate by almost 41%. OXM was comfortable enough to issue a full year earnings guidance of $3.42 to $3.52 per share, an improvement from its prior forecast of $3.25 to $3.35. Analysts recently pegged earnings at $3.55 per share for the year ending May 2006. The current estimates are ahead of one month ago levels by almost 7%.

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

Joy Global, Inc. (NASDAQ:JOYG) reported fiscal third-quarter earnings of 57 cents per share in late August. The result beat the consensus estimate by almost 8% and topped last year's 20 cents. The company mentioned that its third quarter results continued its strong operating performance trend. Earnings estimates for the year ending October 2005 are up 12 cents, or about 6%, from two months ago.

WebEx Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ:WEBX) will announce financial results for the third quarter on October 27, 2005. In late July, the company posted second-quarter earnings of 29 cents per share, surpassing the consensus estimate by almost 4% and improving on last year's 22 cents. WEBX said it had another good quarter, demonstrating the expanding market for collaborative application services. This company managed to outpace Wall Street estimates each time over the past five consecutive quarters.

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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 155.5% annually (+4.6% vs. +11.8%). Thus, the Zacks Rank system allows investors to truly manage portfolio trading effectively.

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