Zacks #1 Rank Top Performers: Innophos Holdings, Alpha Natural Resources, CF Industries...

Zacks #1 Rank Top Performers: Innophos Holdings, Alpha Natural Resources, CF Industries Holdings, The Andersons and McMoRan Exploration

CHICAGO--(Business Wire)--
Zacks.com announces the latest list of top performing Zacks #1
Rank ("strong buy") stocks. The stocks on the prestigious list with
the highest returns last week were Innophos Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:
IPHS), Alpha Natural Resources, Inc. (NYSE: ANR), CF Industries
Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CF), The Andersons, Inc. (NASDAQ: ANDE) and
McMoRan Exploration (NYSE: MMR). Each of these stocks easily
outperformed the S&P 500.

Stocks ranked #1 (Strong Buy) by Zacks have produced an average
annual return of +32% since inception in 1988. During the 2000-2002
bear market, Zacks #1 Rank stocks gained 43.8% while the S&P 500
tumbled 37.6%. To learn more about the Zacks Rank, go to
http://at.zacks.com/?id=3172.

Here is a synopsis of the last week's best performing Zacks #1
Rank stocks.

Innophos Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: IPHS) was the top-performing
Zacks #1 Rank company last week as shares surged almost 50%. The
specialty phosphate producer announced second-quarter earnings of
$2.74 per share, which trounced the consensus estimate by almost 215%
while reversing a year-ago loss. Net sales moved higher by 73.8% year
over year to $264 million from $112.1 million. IPHS stated that
selling price increases had a positive impact on revenue across all
product lines.

Earnings estimates for this year are currently about 32% higher
than levels from two months ago. The company stated that it
anticipating and rapidly responding to the dynamic rate of change in
its markets.

Alpha Natural Resources, Inc. (NYSE: ANR) announced strong results
for its second quarter on Jul 29, as the company achieved it's
highest-ever shipments and pricing for metallurgical coal. Excluding
items, earnings reached 88 cents per share. That result beat the
consensus by almost 63% while improving upon the year-earlier result
of 7 cents. Total revenues reached $732.2 million, or 68% better than
the prior year's $435.3 million. Coal revenues advanced 63%.

In mid-July, Alpha agreed to be acquired by Cleveland-Cliffs,
though recent news reports have indicated that ArcelorMittal is
considering a counterbid. In just the past seven trading days,
earnings estimates for this year have jumped approximately 13.5% on
ANR. The company was a top-performing Zacks #1 Rank for the week ended
Aug 1 as shares advanced almost 18.1%.

CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CF) benefited from high
selling prices for nitrogen and phosphate fertilizer during the second
quarter, helping the company put together year-over-year revenue
growth of 37% to a record $1.16 billion. Excluding items, earnings per
share of $4.10 eclipsed the consensus by almost 15.2%. It also marked
a solid improvement from the previous year. Earnings estimates for
this year are up 25% over the past two months, including a gain of
12.9% in the past seven trading days.

For the week ended Aug 1, shares of CF advanced 13.1%, which made
it one of the best-performing Zacks #1 Rank companies. Looking
forward, CF stated that tight global supply/demand balance, along with
robust prices for major crops, suggest strong fertilizer demand for
fall 2008 and spring 2009 application. Furthermore, analysts currently
expect next year's earnings to be about 28% better than this year's.

The Andersons, Inc. (NASDAQ: ANDE), which is scheduled to report
second-quarter results later this week, announced on Jul 30 that it
now expects full-year earnings per share to beat its previous
guidance. As a result, its earnings estimate for this year has moved
sharply higher in the past seven trading days.

ANDE became one of the top-performing Zacks #1 Rank companies last
week as shares gained almost 12.7%. The company now expects between $5
and $5.40 for the year, versus the previous estimate of $4.40 to
$4.80. The increase was attributed to the continuing performance trend
of its Plant Nutrient Group.

Shares of McMoRan Exploration (NYSE: MMR) moved ahead a little
more than 9.7% last week, which was enough to make the company one of
the top performing Zacks #1 Rank stocks. On Jul 17, MMR announced
second-quarter earnings per share that reversed a year-ago loss while
beating the consensus. Oil and gas revenues reached $372.3 million,
compared to $45 million a year earlier. Daily production in the
quarter averaged 294 million cubic feet of natural gas equivalents per
day (MMcfe/d) net to the company, compared to 54 MMcfe/d a year
earlier.

Earnings estimates for this year have advanced by approximately
19.8% over the past month. Analysts currently expect estimates in 2009
to be about 15.5% better than estimates in 2008. MMR stated that it's
positive about the outlook for its business, and is encouraged by
results from its drilling activities as it works to build significant
asset values through its focused exploration program.

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%. 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 % vs.
+12%). Thus, the Zacks Rank system allows investors to truly manage
portfolio trading effectively.

To view the current Zacks #1 Rank List and to see additional Zacks
Rank resources, go to http://at.zacks.com/?id=3173.

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

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
Jim Giaquinto, 312-265-9268
Email: pr@zacks.com
Visit: www.Zacks.com

Copyright Business Wire 2008