Zacks Buy List Highlights: Timken Co., Worthington Industries, bebe stores, inc. and Centex Corporation.

CHICAGO -- Zacks.com releases another list of stocks that are currently members of the coveted Zacks #1 Ranked list. The #1 Ranked (Strong Buy) stocks highlighted today include the following companies: Timken Co. (NYSE:TKR) and Worthington Industries, Inc. (NYSE:WOR). Further, Zacks announced #2 Rankings (Buy) on two other widely held stocks: bebe stores, inc. (NASDAQ:BEBE) and Centex Corporation (NYSE:CTX). To see the full Zacks #1 Ranked list or the rank for any other stock visit http://at.zacks.com/?id=88

Stocks ranked #1 (Strong Buys) by Zacks have produced an average annual return of +33.4% since inception in 1988. During the recent bear market from 2000 through 2002, Zacks #1 Ranked stocks gained 43.8% while the S&P 500 tumbled 37.6%.

Here is a synopsis of why these stocks have a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy). Note that a #1 Strong Buy rating is applied to 5% of all the stocks Zacks ranks:

Timken Co. (NYSE:TKR) will announce first quarter results on April 19, 2005. The company recently increased its earnings guidance due to strong industrial market demand, price increases, raw material surcharges and increased productivity. Timken boosted both first quarter and full year expectations, pegging a quarterly forecast of 57 cents to 62 cents, which was above the consensus and its previous projection of 38 cents to 43 cents. Analysts advanced earnings estimates for the year ending December 2005 by 27 cents, or almost +15%, from one month ago.

Worthington Industries, Inc. (NYSE:WOR) reported fiscal third quarter earnings of 42 cents per share, excluding an item, in mid-March. The result jumped ahead of the consensus by +20% and surpassed last year's result. Third quarter net sales of $747.4 million increased 34% above last year's $558.1 million. The company said that all three of its business segments and its joint ventures reported significant increases in sales and operating income over last year's quarter. Full year 2005 earnings estimates moved up 8 cents, or about +4%, from one month ago.

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

bebe stores, inc. (NASDAQ:BEBE) recently released March's retail sales total of $49.7 million versus the $34.9 million last year. Same store sales increased 30.6% compared to an increase of 20.5% for March 2004. Earnings estimates for the year ending June 2005 are above two months ago levels by 3 cents, or approximately +3%. bebe stores will announce its fiscal third quarter earnings results on April 21, 2005.

Centex Corporation (NYSE:CTX), which has topped the consensus for the past 11 consecutive quarters, reported fiscal third quarter earnings of $1.91 per diluted share in late January. The result exceeded the consensus by almost +2% and beat last year's $1.52. Domestic home building revenues were $2.24 billion compared to the $1.91 billion reported for the same quarter last year. The company said its focus on neighborhood growth coupled with continuous improvement produced strong sales and margin expansion. Centex will report fourth quarter results on April 27, 2005.

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About the Zacks Rank

For over 15 years, the Zacks Rank has proven that "Earnings estimate revisions are the most powerful force impacting stock prices." Since inception in 1988 the #1 Ranked stocks have generated an average annual return of +33.4%. During the recent Bear market from 2000 through 2002, the Zacks #1 Ranked 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). And since 1988 the S&P 500 has outperformed the Zacks #5 Ranked Strong Sells by 133.5% annually (12.21% vs. 5.23% respectively). Thus, the Zacks Rank system can truly be used to effectively manage the portfolio trading.

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