Zacks Issues Buy Recommendations on the Following 6 Stocks: C.H. Robinson, Leapfrog Enterprises, Rent-A-Center, P.F. Chang's, Sigma-Aldrich, and Stericycle.

Business Editors

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 7, 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 C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. (NASDAQ:CHRW), Leapfrog Enterprises, Inc. (NYSE:LF), and Rent-A-Center, Inc. (NASDAQ:RCII). Further they announced #2 Rankings (Buy) on two other widely held stocks: P.F. Chang's China Bistro, Inc. (NASDAQ:PFCB), Sigma-Aldrich Corporation (NASDAQ:SIAL) and Stericycle, Inc. (NASDAQ:SRCL). 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:

C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. (NASDAQ:CHRW) is one of the largest third-party logistics companies in North America. CHRW started 2003 on a strong note, with diluted net income per share advancing by more than +29% to 31 cents. That result was also enough to exceed Wall Street's expectations. CHRW saw solid volume growth across all modes, including its North American truckload business, and the company continues to aggressively manage its expenses during this volatile time in the marketplace. Over the past month, estimates for this year and next have improved by about 7 cents and 6 cents respectively. Looking forward, CHRW said it's confident in its long-term growth strategy and its ability to get things done. CHRW may be able to help transport your portfolio from the red to the black.

Leapfrog Enterprises, Inc. (NYSE:LF) is a leading designer, developer and marketer of innovative, technology-based educational products and related proprietary content, dedicated to making learning effective and engaging. The company narrowed its year-ago loss by leaps and bounds in the first quarter, with a net loss of only 2 cents per share compared to a loss of 15 cents last year. The result was also significantly better than what Wall Street was expecting. LF said net sales jumped by +32% to $76.7 million, with the U.S. Consumer segment rising by +32%, the International segment improving by +21%, and the Education and Training segment advancing by +67%. Analysts have bumped up this year's earnings estimates by about 12 cents over the past month, while next year's estimates have moved forward by approximately 8 cents. The company said that everything it does is aimed at making learning fun and engaging for children, which isn't likely to go out of style anytime soon. With innovative new products and a strong quarterly performance providing a stable foundation, LF may be able to teach investors a thing or two about profits.

Rent-A-Center, Inc. (NASDAQ:RCII) operates company owned rent-to-own stores which offer high-quality, durable goods such as consumer electronics, appliances, furniture and accessories to consumers under flexible rental purchase arrangements that allow the customer to obtain ownership of the merchandise at the conclusion of an agreed-upon rental period. RCII experienced a strong rise in its earnings estimates over the past several days, as the company reported record revenues and net earnings in its first quarter 2003 results. The company reported total revenues of $566.4 million, or +13.6% better than last year's $498.6 million, largely due to better than expected same-store sales growth of +6.2%. Net earnings advanced by +17% to $1.42 per diluted share. RCII said it is strategically positioned to enhance its presence through new store development and opportunistic acquisitions. Even if you're a renter, it may be worth your while to consider a purchase of RCII.

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:

P.F. Chang's China Bistro, Inc. (NASDAQ:PFCB) owns and operates full service restaurants that feature traditional Chinese cuisine and American hospitality in a contemporary bistro setting. Americans can't stop eating their Chinese food, and that's good news for PFCB and its shareholders. In late April, the company reported first quarter earnings of 26 cents per share, which was slightly ahead of the consensus and 6 cents better than last year. Revenues in the quarter improved to $131.6 million from $97.5 million last year. With dozens of new stores expected to open in 2003, the company expects consolidated revenues of $550 million for the year, which would mark a +30% increase over fiscal 2002. Furthermore, PFCB anticipates net income of $1.06, which was more than what the consensus expected at the time. PFCB may be able to serve starved investors with a helping of profit.

Sigma-Aldrich Corporation (NASDAQ:SIAL) develops, manufactures and distributes the broadest range of high quality biochemicals, organic chemicals, chromatography products and diagnostic reagents available in the world. For the first quarter of 2003, diluted net income per share came in at 68 cents, which was better than the consensus while marking a +17.2% rise from last year. First quarter sales rose to $334.7 million from $301.6 million last year, as the company's Scientific Research, Biotechnology and Fine Chemicals businesses put together a combined sales rise of +11% in the quarter. Furthermore, SIAL raised its 2003 diluted earnings per share estimate to a range of $2.60 and $2.65, as new sales and marketing initiatives are expected to boost currency adjusted sales growth in the upcoming quarters of 2003. While the company still operates in challenging conditions, SIAL will run its business on what it can control. Analysts have raised the company's estimates over the past month, which could mean that SIAL could be a useful ingredient for the chemical equation of strong returns.

Stericycle, Inc. (NASDAQ:SRCL) is a multi-regional integrated company employing proprietary technology to provide environmentally-responsible management of regulated medical waste for the health care industry. SRCL put together across-the-board growth and record results in the first quarter, as the company reported earnings of 32 cents per diluted share on revenues of $112.3 million. The earnings result was slightly ahead of the consensus and +33.3% better last year's 24-cent result, while revenues improved by +15.7% from $97.1 million. Its most recent earnings estimate revisions have been to the upside, which has raised its earnings estimates slightly for this year and next over the past seven trading days. In the first quarter, SRCL also continued to improve on its balance sheet position. With record results like these and an excellent track record of surpassing Wall Street over the past several quarters, SRCL could clean the waste in your portfolio and get you better positioned for profit.

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.

About Zacks

Zacks.com is a property of Zacks Investment Research, Inc., which was formed in 1981 to compile, analyze, and distribute investment research to both institutional and individual investors. The guiding principle behind our work is the belief that investment experts, such as brokerage analysts and investment newsletter writers, have superior knowledge about how to invest successfully. Our goal is to unlock their profitable insights for our customers. And there is no better way to enjoy this investment success, than with a FREE subscription to "Profit from the Pros" weekly e-mail newsletter. For your free newsletter, visit http://www.freeprofit1bw.zacks.com

Zacks Investment Research is under common control with affiliated entities (including a broker-dealer and an investment adviser), which may engage in transactions involving the foregoing securities for the clients of such affiliates.

(a)The S&P 500 Index ("S&P 500") is a well-known, unmanaged index of the prices of 500 large-company common stocks selected by Standard & Poor's. The S&P 500 includes the reinvestment of all dividends, no transaction costs, and represents the gross returns before management fees.

Disclaimer: Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investors should always research companies and securities before making any investments. Nothing herein should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any security.