CHICAGO, Jan. 4, 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.

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

The four highlighted picks are: International Rectifier Corp (NYSE: IRF), Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corp (Nasdaq: GLDD), Oil States International, Inc. (NYSE: OIS) and Cloud Peak Energy Inc.(Nasdaq: CLD).

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 -International Rectifier Corp (NYSE: IRF)

International Rectifier Corp continues to see strong growth in several key industries. After its latest earnings surprise, estimates soared pushing growth rates sky-high.

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

Growth & Income - Great Lakes Dredge & Dock (Nasdaq: GLDD)

Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corp recently reported its third consecutive earnings surprise driven by strong sales growth and an expanding gross margin.

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

Momentum -Oil States International, Inc. (NYSE: OIS)

Oil States International, Inc. recently hit a new all-time high at $65.98 as crude jumps above $90 on a bullish outlook for 2011.

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

Value -Cloud Peak Energy Inc. (Nasdaq: CLD)

With all the publicity given to the surge in oil prices lately, many might not have noticed that coal prices have been hot as well. Cloud Peak Energy Inc. is hitting new 52-week highs. The stock is still a value play, trading at just 12x 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

Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/zacksresearch

Join us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Zacks-Investment-Research/57553657748?ref=ts

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.

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.

Zacks.com



    Aggressive Growth Stocks:
    Contact: Bill Wilton
    Phone: 312-265-9277

    or

    Growth & Income Stocks:
    Contact: Rob Plaza
    Phone: 312-265-9442

    or

    Momentum Stocks:
    Contact: Michael Vodicka
    Phone: 312-265-9226

    or

    Value Stocks:
    Contact: Tracey Ryniec
    Phone: 312-265-9232

    Email: pr@zacks.com
    Visit: www.zacks.com

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

SOURCE Zacks Investment Research, Inc.