Zacks Buy List Highlights: Rohm & Haas Company, Urban Outfitters, Inc., Cognizant Technology Solutions, and Danaher Corporation.

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 Rohm & Haas Company (NYSE:ROH) and Urban Outfitters, Inc. (NASDAQ:URBN). Further, Zacks announced #2 Rankings (Buy) on two other widely held stocks: Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation (NASDAQ:CTSH) and Danaher Corporation (NYSE:DHR). 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 +32.8% 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 ROH and URBN have a Zacks Rank of 1. Note that a #1 Strong Buy rating is applied to only 5% of all the stocks Zacks ranks:

Rohm & Haas Company (NYSE:ROH) earnings estimates for the year ending December 2005 moved up 20 cents, or almost 8%, over the past 90 trading days. In mid April, the company posted first-quarter earnings of 70 cents per share, outpacing last year's 51 cents and exceeding the consensus estimate by approximately 9%. First-quarter sales totaled $2,022 million versus last year's $1,832 million. The company mentioned that it is successfully implementing price increases to recover the extraordinary run-up in raw material and energy costs, while maintaining tight control over operating costs.

Urban Outfitters, Inc. (NASDAQ:URBN) has experienced upward revisions in earnings estimates for the year ending January 2006, including an increase of nine cents, or almost 6%, from two months ago. In mid-May, the company released fiscal first-quarter earnings of 32 cents per share, surpassing last year's 20 cents and exceeding the consensus estimate by about 10%. Urban Outfitters stated that all of its brands produced excellent results in the quarter and, as a result, the company remains optimistic about summer season results.

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

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation (NASDAQ:CTSH) earnings estimates for the full year are above two months ago levels by three cents, or about 3%. In late April, the company commented on the strong performance of its first quarter, citing continued demand for premium IT solutions from its onsite/offshore model as a catalyst. CTSH posted first-quarter earnings of 22 cents per share, eclipsing last year's 14 cents and jumping ahead of the consensus estimate by almost 5%. Revenue increased 52% year-over-year.

Danaher Corporation (NYSE:DHR) recently reaffirmed its second-quarter and full year earnings guidance, pegging the full year at $2.67 to $2.77. Analysts are in agreement as evidenced by their most recent 2005 earnings estimate of $2.74 per share, a three cent increase from two months ago levels. In mid-April, the company reported record first-quarter earnings of 58 cents per share, improving on last year's 45 cents and beating the consensus estimate by almost 2%. DHR said that despite tougher comparisons in the quarter, it is pleased to report growth of 4% from existing businesses, also known as core revenues.

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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 +32.8%. 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 (+4.65% vs. +11.88%). Thus, the Zacks Rank system allows investors to truly manage portfolio trading effectively.

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