Zacks Issues Buy Recommendations on the Following 4 Stocks: InterDigital, Quiksilver, Ball Corp., and United Online.

Business Editors

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 25, 2003

Zacks.com releases another list of stocks that are currently members of the coveted Zacks #1 Ranked list which has produced an average annual return of +33.6% since 1988 and has gained +13.3% annually since 2000 as the markets have been tumbling down. Among the #1 ranked stocks today we highlight the following companies: InterDigital Communications Corporation (NASDAQ:IDCC) and Quiksilver, Inc. (NYSE:ZQK). Further they announced #2 Rankings (Buy) on two other widely held stocks: Ball Corporation (NYSE:BLL) and United Online, Inc. (NASDAQ:UNTD). To see the full Zacks #1 Ranked list or the rank for any other stock then visit. http://www.zacksrank1bw.zacks.com

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 we rank:

InterDigital Communications Corporation (NASDAQ:IDCC) develops and markets advanced digital wireless telecommunications systems using proprietary technologies for voice and data communications and has developed an extensive patent portfolio related to those technologies. The company's subsidiary, InterDigital Technology Corporation, entered into worldwide, royalty-bearing license agreements with Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson and Ericsson Inc. (Ericsson) and Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB (Sony Ericsson) for sales of terminal units and infrastructure products compliant with Second Generation (2G) GSM/TDMA and 2.5G GSM/GPRS/TDMA standards. The company called the deal an 'important accomplishment' and a milestone event. In addition, the company put together a +170% earnings surprise in its most recent quarterly report, with a profit while Wall Street was expecting a loss. Estimates for this year have moved forward in the past seven trading days. An investment in IDCC may help your portfolio communicate with solid returns.

Quiksilver, Inc. (NYSE:ZQK) designs, arranges for the manufacture of, and distributes casual sportswear, beachwear and snowboardwear primarily for young men and boys under various labels, including, Quiksilver, Roxy, Pirate Surf and Que. Retail may be a tough spot right now, but ZQK flew above the fray in the first quarter of its fiscal 2003, with fully diluted earnings per share almost doubling to 24 cents from 13 cents last year. The result also easily exceeded Wall Street's expectations. Furthermore, consolidated net sales in the quarter improved by +31% to $192.1 million. ZQK said the momentum from last year carried into 2003 as the company surpassed expectations for the fifth consecutive quarter. That's quite an accomplishment in an otherwise sour space. The company also enjoys an excellent track record of beating estimates over the past several quarters. Estimates for this year and next currently sit above levels from three months 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 we rank:

Ball Corporation (NYSE:BLL) is a manufacturer of metal and plastic packaging, primarily for beverages and foods, and a supplier of aerospace and other technologies and services to commercial and governmental customers. The company's subsidiary, Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corporation, recently was awarded three contracts to perform technology development of innovative Earth science remote-sensing instruments under NASA's Instrument Incubator Program. In addition, its most recent quarterly report saw earnings attributable to common shareholders in 2002 of 56 cents per share, which beat both last year's total and Wall Street's expectations. It expects results in 2003 to build on those from 2002, which would bode very well for shareholders. The company's earnings estimates have seen a substantial rise from levels three months back. Investors seeking solid returns during this unpredictable time could have a ball with an investment in BLL.

United Online, Inc. (NASDAQ:UNTD) is a leading nationwide Internet Service Provider (ISP). Earnings estimates for this year and next are currently at higher levels than from three months ago, as the company has done a good job in performing better than Wall Street's expectations. In its fiscal second quarter, pro forma net income reversed a year-ago loss at 20 cents per diluted share while total revenues advanced by +37% to a record $65.8 million. Pay subscribers also reached a record of 2.18 million. The Internet is here to stay and if UNTD can continue to keep up then its future should be a profitable one. Therefore, investors may want to log on and surf their way toward solid gains with a piece of UNTD. To truly take advantage of the Zacks Rank, you need to first understand how it works. That's why we created the free special report; "Zacks Rank Guide: Harnessing the Power of Earnings Estimate Revisions." Download your free copy now to prosper in the years to come. http://freezrguideprbw1.zacks.com

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 1988 the #1 Ranked stocks have generated an average annual return of +33.6% compared to the (a)S&P 500 return of only +11.3%. Plus this exclusive stock list has generated average gains of +13.3% during the last 3 years; a substantial return compared to the large losses suffered by most investors during that time frame. 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 stocks by 166.7% annually (11.3% vs. 4.2% respectively). This is a healthy change from traditional Wall Street Brokerage firms who rarely give stocks Sell ratings even as the share price and earnings forecast tumble. Thus, the Zacks Rank system can truly be used to effectively manage the trading in your portfolio.

For continuous coverage of Zacks #1 Ranked stocks, then get your free subscription to "Profit from the Pros" e-mail newsletter where we highlight #1 Ranked stocks poised to outperform the market. http://www.zacksrank2bw.zacks.com/

The Zacks Rank, and all of its recommendations, is created by Zacks & Co., member NASD. Zacks.com displays the Zacks Rank with permission from Zacks & Co. on its web site for individual investors.

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