Zacks Sell List Highlights: Felcor Lodging Trust Inc., Avis Budget Group, Inc., Popular,...

Zacks Sell List Highlights: Felcor Lodging Trust Inc., Avis Budget Group, Inc., Popular, Inc., Rite Aid Corporation

CHICAGO--(Business Wire)--
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):
Felcor Lodging Trust Inc. (NYSE: FCH) and Avis Budget Group, Inc.
(NYSE: CAR). Further, Zacks announced #4 Rankings (Sell) on two other
widely held stocks: Popular, Inc. (NASDAQ: BPOP) and Rite Aid
Corporation (NYSE: RAD). 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 129% annually (+5.3% vs. +12.1%).
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 FCH and CAR 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 stocks in the Zacks Rank universe:

Felcor Lodging Trust Inc. (NYSE: FCH) is currently trading at
$8.03, near its 52 week low of $6.95. Ongoing economic weakness
continues to effect consumer demand. Marriott International and Host
Hotels & Resorts recently lowered their 2008 second-half guidance,
indicating further weakness in consumer spending and a difficult
business environment for Felcor.

Avis Budget Group, Inc. (NYSE: CAR) has had its earnings estimates
slashed by analysts. The current-quarter estimate currently stands at
12 cents per share, down from 21 cents per share last month. The
company's earnings will remain under pressure due to weaker-than
expected business travel and airline capacity reduction because of
high fuel prices. Avis Budget Group, a leading provider of vehicle
rental services, also needs to reduce its fleet after September when
seasonal demand slows.

Here is a synopsis of why BPOP and RAD 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;

Popular, Inc. (NASDAQ: BPOP) recently reported second-quarter
earnings of 6 cents, short of analyst expectations of 9 cents. The
company continues to feel the pressure of uncertainties in the
financial markets and a weakened economic environment. Popular, the
largest bank in Puerto Rico, is exploring the sale of some of its
lower profitable operations in the U.S. This need for liquidity could
force the company to come to the market to raise capital again and
puts the dividend at risk.

Rite Aid Corporation (NYSE: RAD) projected a wider net loss
forecast between 39 cents and 52 cents a share for fiscal 2009 due to
interest expense charges for its just-completed refinancing of senior
notes. The company had previously forecast a loss between 34 and 48
cents. Rite Aid, one of the largest drug-store chains in the US is in
the process of integrating Brooks / Eckerd in order to cut costs.
Moving forward, heavy discounting within the industry is expected to
pressure earnings.

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

Since 1988, 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 +32.2%. 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 129% annually (+5.3%
vs. +12.1%). Thus, the Zacks Rank system allows investors to truly
manage portfolio trading effectively.

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

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Zacks.com is a property of Zacks Investment Research, Inc., which
was formed in 1978 by Leonard Zacks. As a PhD in mathematics Len knew
he could find patterns in stock market data that would lead to
superior investment results. Amongst his many accomplishments was the
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which continues to outperform the market by nearly a 3 to 1 margin.
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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.

Zacks.com
Michael Vodicka
312-265-9226
pr@zacks.com
www.Zacks.com

Copyright Business Wire 2008