Zacks Buy List Highlights: Helmerich & Payne, Oxford Industries, Corning, Inc., Paychex, 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 Helmerich & Payne, Inc. (NYSE:HP) and Oxford Industries, Inc. (NYSE:OXM). Further, Zacks announced #2 Rankings (Buy) on two other widely held stocks: Corning, Inc. (NYSE:GLW) and Paychex, Inc. (NASDAQ:PAYX). 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 HP 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:

Helmerich & Payne, Inc. (NYSE:HP) recently announced fiscal fourth-quarter earnings of 68 cents per share, which was an improvement over the year prior result. The company mentioned that its 2005 results benefited from the strongest U.S. land market environment in over 20 years. Analysts issued upward revisions of earnings estimates for the year ending September 2006. Current estimates of $3.66 per share are approximately 3% above one month ago levels.

Oxford Industries, Inc. (NYSE:OXM) reported fiscal first-quarter results in early October. Earnings per share exceeded the consensus estimate by almost 41% and outpaced the previous year's total. 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. These Wall Street estimates are ahead of two months ago levels by almost 7%.

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

Corning, Inc. (NYSE:GLW) recently reaffirmed its fourth quarter earnings guidance of 21 cents to 23 cents per share. During the past seven trading days, Analysts raised estimates nearly 5% to 22 cents. In late October, the company reported third-quarter earnings that were almost 24% above the consensus estimate and topped last year's performance. The company stated that strong worldwide demand for its products and services, along with internal productivity gains, contributed to the company's excellent results.

Paychex, Inc. (NASDAQ:PAYX) earnings estimates for the year ending May 2006 are above two months ago levels by five cents, or about 4%. The company posted fiscal first-quarter earnings per share of 30 cents in late September, which topped the consensus estimate by more than 7% and eclipsed last year's 23 cents. The company mentioned that Fiscal 2006 is off to an exceptional start as a stronger than anticipated economy caused revenues and net income to exceed its expectations.

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 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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