Zacks Buy List Highlights: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc., Hypercom Corp., Microsemi Corporation, and Monster Worldwide, Inc.

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 Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. (NYSE:FSL) and Hypercom Corp. (NYSE:HYC). Further, Zacks announced #2 Rankings (Buy) on two other widely held stocks: Microsemi Corporation (NASDAQ:MSCC) and Monster Worldwide, Inc. (NASDAQ:MNST). 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 FSL and HYC have a Zacks Rank of 1. Note that a #1 Strong Buy rating is applied to only 5% of all the stocks Zacks ranks:

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. (NYSE:FSL) reported third-quarter earnings of 35 cents per share, excluding items, in mid-October. The result was ahead of analysts' expectations by 25% and surpassed the year prior total. Net sales reached $1.45 billion versus $1.47 billion in the second quarter and $1.43 billion in the third quarter of 2004. Earnings estimates for the year ending December 2005 are above one month ago levels by four cents, or approximately 3%.

Hypercom Corp. (NYSE:HYC) recently released third-quarter earnings of seven cents per share, outperforming last year's one cent and outpacing the consensus estimate by 75%. Revenues for the third quarter totaled $69.8 million, which is an 11.2% year-over-year improvement. Earnings estimates for the year ending December 2005 are above one month ago levels by one penny, or 12.5%.

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

Microsemi Corporation (NASDAQ:MSCC) posted fiscal fourth-quarter non-GAAP earnings of 21 cents per share in mid-November. The result improved on last year's 13 cents and topped the consensus estimate by almost 11%. The company said it feels confident that it can exceed overall industry growth expectations in both its high reliability semiconductor and high performance analog and mixed signal businesses. MSCC forecasted fourth-quarter non-GAAP earnings per share of 21 cents to 23 cents. Current Wall Street estimates of 23 cents are above one month ago levels of 21 cents.

Monster Worldwide, Inc. (NASDAQ:MNST) earnings estimates for the year ending December 2005 moved up three cents, or about 3%, from two months ago. In late October, the company announced third-quarter earnings of 25 cents per share, surpassing last year's 17 cents and beating the consensus estimate by approximately 4%. MNST commented that it believes its high brand awareness, effective sales force, and expanding global presence position it well to continue to drive strong and consistent financial results.

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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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