Stocks ranked #1 (Strong Buy) by Zacks have produced an average annual return of +33% 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 see the full Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) List, or the rank for any other stock, visit: http://at.zacks.com/?id=88

Here is a synopsis of today's Zacks Rank Buy Stocks:

Aggressive Growth - Avici Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq:AVCI)

Avici Systems, Inc. has a well-established relationship with AT&T and has landed several new customers over the past year, including IP Only, in Sweden. On April 20th, Avici announced results for the first quarter of 2006, ended Mar 31, 2006. Revenue of $21.4 million was well ahead of expectations and up significantly over the $10.7 million reported in the year-ago period. The company posted revenues of $6.1 million in the previous quarter.

Growth & Income - Illinois Tool Works, Inc. (NYSE:ITW)

Illinois Tool Works, Inc. recently reported strong results for the first quarter of 2006. Earnings per share grew 17.4% over the past five years. Analysts have been revising their estimates upwards for this Zacks #1 Rank stock. ITW has a current and five-year average dividend yield of 1.3%.

Momentum - Robbins & Myers, Inc. (NYSE:RBN)

Since a positive earnings report on March 29, savvy investors have noted that not only is the price of Robbins & Myers, Inc. continuing to go up (now at a six-month high) but that it is doing so on noticeably heavier volume. Clearly this stock appears to be attracting new buying interest. With the stock now trading around the $24 level, it is easily within striking distance of the 52-week high of $24.89 set last June 21.

Value - Universal Stainless & Alloy Products, Inc. (Nasdaq:USAP)

Universal Stainless & Alloy Products, Inc., a Zacks #1 Rank stock, has topped analysts' earnings estimates in nine consecutive quarters by an average margin of 20.2%. The company recently released record profits and revenues for the first quarter of 2006. The consensus earnings estimates for this quarter and for the full year of 2006 have been on the rise. The company has a price-to-book (P/B) multiple of 2.5.

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," provides an insightful background about this wealth-building tool. Download your free copy of the report now to prosper in the years to come by visiting http://at.zacks.com/?id=93.

About the Zacks Rank

For over 17 years, 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 +33%. 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 155.5% annually (+4.6% vs. +11.8%). Thus, the Zacks Rank system allows investors to truly manage portfolio trading effectively.

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(a) The S&P 500 Index ("S&P 500") is a well-known, unmanaged index of the prices of 500 large-company common stocks selected by Standard & Poor's. The S&P 500 includes the reinvestment of all dividends, no transaction costs, and represents the gross returns before management fees.

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