Zacks Sell List Highlights Performance Food Group, SFBC International, AtheroGenics, and Sun Microsystems.

CHICAGO -- Zacks.com releases details on a group of stocks that are currently members of the exclusive Zacks #5 Rank List - Stocks to Sell Now. These stocks are currently rated as a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell): Performance Food Group (Nasdaq:PFGC) and SFBC International (Nasdaq:SFCC). Further, Zacks announced #4 Rankings (Sell) on two other widely held stocks: AtheroGenics, Inc. (Nasdaq:AGIX) and Sun Microsystems, Inc. (Nasdaq:SUNW). To see the full Zacks #5 Rank List - Stocks to Sell Now visit: http://at.zacks.com/?id=92

Since inception in 1988, the S&P 500 has outperformed the Zacks #5 Rank List -- Stocks to Sell Now by 155.5% annually (11.8% vs. 4.6% respectively). While the rest of Wall Street continued to tout stocks during the market declines of the last few years, Zacks told investors which stocks to sell or avoid.

Here is a synopsis of why PFGC and SFCC have a Zacks Rank of 5 (Strong Sell) and should most likely be sold or avoided for the next one to three months. Note that a #5 Strong Sell rating is applied to 5% of all the Zacks ranked stocks:

Performance Food Group (Nasdaq:PFGC) has missed earnings expectations for four consecutive quarters. Last week, the company issued guidance for 2006. PFGC expects to generate profits of $1.20-$1.30 per share versus the former consensus estimate of $1.34 per share. Four of the six covering analysts cut their forecasts in response, causing the consensus estimate to drop by eight cents to $1.26 per share.

SFBC International (Nasdaq:SFCC) recently issued new guidance for 2005 profits. The company anticipates having generated earnings of $1.71-$1.76 per share on a non-GAAP basis. The revised guidance was below the consensus estimate of $1.80 per share. Analysts have since cut their forecasts for 2005 and 2006. The new estimates are $1.65 (a 15-cent reduction) and $1.67 (an eight-cent reduction).

Here is a synopsis of why AGIX and SUNW have a Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) and should also most likely be sold or avoided for the next one to three months. Note that a #4 Sell rating is applied to 15% of all the stocks ranked by Zacks:

AtheroGenics, Inc. (Nasdaq:AGIX) has missed earnings expectations twice during the past five quarters. Over the past three months, analysts have been cutting their forecasts for 2005 results. The current consensus estimate for a loss of $2.34 per share compares to the 90-day old estimate for a loss of $2.29.

Sun Microsystems, Inc. (Nasdaq:SUNW) has missed earnings expectations for two consecutive quarters. Over the past 90 days, analysts have been significantly lowering their forecasts for fiscal 2006. The current consensus estimate for a loss of four cents per share compares to the three-month old estimate for a profit of three cents per share.

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" is available to provide this insightful background. Download a free copy now to prosper in the years to come at 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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