Zacks Buy List Highlights: Western Digital Corporation, Thor Industries, Inc., AK Steel Holding Corporation, and Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc.

CHICAGO -- Zacks.com releases the latest list of Zacks Rank Buy Stocks. Everyday on Zacks.com, four stocks are selected based on how well they match the criteria for the four main schools of investing: Aggressive Growth, Growth & Income, Momentum and Value. The four Zacks Rank Buy stocks highlighted today are Western Digital Corporation (NYSE:WDC), Thor Industries, Inc. (NYSE:THO), AK Steel Holding Corporation (NYSE:AKS), and Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc. (NYSE:HOS).

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%. To see the full Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) List, or the rank for any other stock, visit: http://at.zacks.com/?id=88

Here is a synopsis of today's Zacks Rank Buy Stocks:

Aggressive Growth - Western Digital Corporation (NYSE:WDC)

The rise in earnings estimates for disk-drive maker Western Digital suggests that fears about downward pressure on margins are overblown. Over the past 60 days, expectations have been upped for fiscal 2006 and fiscal 2007. Based on these forecasts, WDC is likely to continue to report strong growth.

Growth & Income - Thor Industries, Inc. (NYSE:THO)

Thor Industries, Inc., a Zacks #1 Rank stock, recently reported record revenues, profits and earnings per share for the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2006. Backlog at the end of January was the highest in the company's history. The Board of Directors at THO recently voted to increase its quarterly dividend 40%. The company's return on equity is more than twice that of the industry average.

Momentum - AK Steel Holding Corporation (NYSE:AKS)

AK Steel is a takeover candidate that reported a positive fourth quarter earnings surprise. It's always a challenge to forecast takeover stocks and AKS is no exception. It is significant to note that the gap created on Mar 2, when news of the takeover talks surfaced, broke a major downtrend line, drawn from the peak more than a year ago. That peak was set on Feb 28, 2005 at 18.23. Also important to note is that the gap created on Mar 2 has yet to be filled. Clearly this is a stock reacting to an impressive earnings surprise with other factors built in.

Value - Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc. (NYSE:HOS)

Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc., a Zacks #1 Rank stock, recently reported record 2005 fourth-quarter and year-end results. Earnings per share are forecasted to grow 42.0% over the next 3-5 years. With the stock trading at a valuation of 13.2x its current fiscal-year estimated earnings, a PEG ratio of 0.31 is calculated. HOS has a price-to-book multiple of 2.0.

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 17 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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