WFMI Whole Foods Market, Inc. (MM)

CHICAGO, Feb. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Four free stock picks are being made available today on Zacks.com. The industry's leading independent research firm highlights one Zacks #1 Rank Strong Buy or a Zacks #2 Rank Buy stock for each of the four main styles of investing: Aggressive Growth, Growth & Income, Momentum, and Value.

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101027/ZIRLOGO)

The four highlighted picks are: The Cooper Companies, Inc. (NYSE: COO), Tupperware Brands Corporation (Nasdaq: TUP), Whole Foods Market, Inc.  (Nasdaq: WFMI) and Gulfport Energy Corporation (Nasdaq: GPOR).

Today, Zacks is promoting its ''Buy'' stock recommendations. Four daily picks are offered free at http://at.zacks.com/?id=88

Zacks #1 Rank Stocks have nearly tripled the S&P 500 since 1988, producing an average annual return of +26%. Performance has been notable even during volatile and down times. For example, during the last bear market, 2000-2002, the market tumbled

-37.6% – but Zacks #1 Rank stocks gained +43.8%.

Here is a summary of today's selected stocks that are now highly rated by Zacks:          

Aggressive Growth – The Cooper Companies, Inc. (NYSE: COO)

The Cooper Companies, Inc. is on a roll. Shares are surging but thanks to the influx of upward earnings estimate revisions, the valuations are still in check. If you are looking to get into a company ahead of its earnings report, this Zacks #2 Rank (Buy) is worth a look.

Zacks Guide to Aggressive Growth Investing (free!): http://at.zacks.com/?id=4309

Growth & Income – Tupperware Brands Corporation (Nasdaq: TUP)

Tupperware Brands Corporation recently reported its second consecutive positive earnings surprise on strong sales in North America and the emerging markets of Asia Pacific.

Zacks Guide to Growth & Income Investing (free!): http://at.zacks.com/?id=4310

Momentum – Whole Foods Market, Inc.   (Nasdaq: WFMI)

Whole Foods Market, Inc. recently spiked to a new multi-year high after reporting strong Q4 results that included a 13% earnings surprise. With an average earnings surprise of 14% over the last four quarters and bullish growth projection, this Zacks #2 rank stock offers a healthy take on momentum.

Zacks Guide to Momentum Investing (free!): http://at.zacks.com/?id=4311

Value – Gulfport Energy Corporation (Nasdaq: GPOR)

In a flashback to 2008, the small exploration energy companies are seeing rising earnings as crude prices jump. Gulfport Energy Corporation still has value even though its shares have soared off the March 2009 low. It is trading at 14.7x forward estimates.

Zacks Guide to Value Investing (free!): http://at.zacks.com/?id=4312

How to Regularly Access Top Zacks Rank Picks for Free:  http://at.zacks.com/?id=7154

Underlying the four free stock picks is a simple truth that first appeared in a Financial Analysts Journal article published in 1979. Leonard Zacks, a Ph.D. in Mathematics from M.I.T. found that "earnings estimate revisions are the most powerful force impacting stock prices."  Zacks #1 Rank is awarded to a stock when analysts sharply upgrade their estimates of what the company will earn.

Today, Zacks is promoting its stock recommendations by offering four daily picks free to those who register at http://at.zacks.com/?id=7155  

About Zacks

Zacks.com is a property of Zacks Investment Research, Inc., which was formed in 1978 by Len Zacks. The company continually processes stock reports issued by 3,000 analysts from 150 brokerage firms.  It monitors more than 200,000 earnings estimates, looking for changes.

Then, when changes are discovered, they're applied to help assign more than 4,400 stocks into five Zacks Rank categories: #1 Strong Buy, #2 Buy, #3 Hold, #4 Sell, and #5 Strong Sell. This proprietary stock-picking system continues to outperform the market by a nearly 3-to-1 margin.

More Free Stock Picks

Each weekday, new Zacks #1 Rank or Zacks #2 Rank stock picks are released on the free email newsletter, Profit from the Pros. Investors are invited to register for their free subscription at http://at.zacks.com/?id=91

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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.

Visit http://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.

SOURCE Zacks Investment Research, Inc.