Zacks Releases Four Powerful ''Buy'' Stocks: Visa, Occidental Petroleum Corporation,...

Zacks Releases Four Powerful ''Buy'' Stocks: Visa, Occidental Petroleum Corporation, Axsys Technologies and Murphy Oil Corporation

CHICAGO--(Business Wire)--
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.

The four highlighted picks are: Visa, Inc. (NYSE: V), Occidental
Petroleum Corporation (NYSE: OXY), Axsys Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:
AXYS) and Murphy Oil Corporation (NYSE: MUR).

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 +30%. 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 - Visa, Inc. (NYSE: V)

Visa, Inc. has positioned itself to benefit from strong
international growth opportunities in areas such as Asia and Europe.
The company reported 38% growth rate in volumes from these markets,
helping to temper the effect of the weakened domestic consumer
environment.

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

Growth & Income - Occidental Petroleum Corporation (NYSE: OXY)

Occidental Petroleum Corporation recently announced a record
second quarter. Earnings per share of $2.79 exceeded the consensus
estimate by 3% and more than doubled the year-prior result. Revenue of
$7.12 billion climbed from last year's $4.41 billion.

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

Momentum - Axsys Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: AXYS)

Axsys Technologies, Inc. share price is up after the company
reported strong second-quarter results on July 22 in which income grew
more than 60% from last year. Estimates are on the rise and this stock
continues to pressure a key, short-term level of resistance.

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

Value - Murphy Oil Corporation (NYSE: MUR)

Murphy Oil saw its earnings nearly triple from a year ago as
income from its exploration segment soared and more than made up for
the decline in refining. The company has surprised on estimates 4
consecutive quarters by an average of 18.74%. Murphy Oil has a forward
P/E of only 7.52.

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

How to Regularly Access Picks from the Zacks Rank Discovery for
Free: http://at.zacks.com/?id=88

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=88

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

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.

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

Zacks.com
Aggressive Growth Stocks:
Bill Wilton, 312-265-9277
or
Growth & Income Stocks:
Alex Kolb, 312-265-9149
or
Momentum Stocks:
Michael Vodicka, 312-265-9226
or
Value Stocks:
Tracey Ryniec, 312-265-9232
Email: pr@zacks.com
Visit: www.zacks.com

Copyright Business Wire 2008