CHICAGO, Sep 09, 2008 (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 Hanger Orthopedic Group,
Inc. (NYSE: HGR), The9 Limited (NASDAQ: NCTY), Big Lots,
Inc. (NYSE: BIG), Knoll, Inc. (NYSE: KNL) and Urban
Outfitters, Inc. (NASDAQ: URBN). Each of these stocks easily
outperformed the S&P 500.

Stocks ranked #1 (Strong Buy) by Zacks have produced an average annual
return of +30% 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.

Hanger Orthopedic Group, Inc. (NYSE: HGR) was a Zacks #1 Rank Top
Performer for the week ended Sep 5 as shares gained 6.3%. Earnings
estimates for this year and next are up 6.5% and 6.8%, respectively,
over the past 2 months. Furthermore, analysts currently expect next year's
earnings to improve approximately 14.6% from this year, which is an
encouraging sign for the future.

HGR, which provides orthotic and prosthetic patient care services, has a
habit of meeting or beating Wall Street's
quarterly earnings expectations. Over the past 4 quarters, the company
has put together an average surprise of 15%. Most recently, HGR reported
an earnings surprise of 25% in its second quarter, as EPS of 25 cents
topped the consensus by a nickel. The result also eclipsed the year-ago
result of 17 cents. Net sales increased 13% year over year to $181.2
million from $160.4 million.

Shares of The9 Limited (NASDAQ: NCTY), an online game operator
and developer in China, gained 5.9% last week. Earnings estimates for
this top-performing Zacks #1 Rank company have been trending higher for
a while, gaining 10.9% in 2 months and 4.3% in 30 days for this year.
Next year's expectations are also on the rise
and have increased 2.6% and 7% for this year and next, respectively.

NCTY has now beaten Wall Street's quarterly
earnings estimates for 3 consecutive quarters. In early August, the
company announced that it surprised by more than 27% in the second
quarter as EPS reached 61 cents. Meanwhile, net revenues soared 69% year
over year to US$66.3 million. Its revenues and net income were both
records. NCTY attributed its results to the continuing growth of
Blizzard Entertainment(R)'s
World of Warcraft(R) and Soul of The Ultimate
Nation.

Big Lots, Inc. (NYSE: BIG) reported solid fiscal second-quarter
numbers in late August. The closeout retailer also raised its EPS
guidance for the full year. Earnings per share from continuing
operations reached 32 cents, exceeding the consensus by a little more
than 18.5%. BIG has now amassed an average surprise of 17.5% over the
past 4 quarters. Net sales advanced 1.9% to approximately $1.1 billion.

Thanks to its solid fiscal second-quarter numbers, BIG raised its 2008
earnings guidance to between $1.90 and $2. Over the past month, earnings
estimates are up 5.3% for this fiscal year and 6.5% for next fiscal
year. Analysts also expect an EPS improvement of about 8.1% next year
over this year. Shares improved by 4.5% last week, which was enough to
make the Zacks #1 Rank Top Performers List.

Earnings estimates for Knoll, Inc. (NYSE: KNL) remain above
levels from 2 months ago by 10.5% for this year and 5.6% for next year.
The furniture maker made the Zacks #1 Rank Top Performers List last week
as shares improved 3.7%. The company has a good record of meeting or
beating analysts' earnings expectations, and
has marked a surprise of 11.2% over the past 4 quarters.

The company's second-quarter report from July
included adjusted earnings per share of 49 cents on net sales of $292.5
million. The earnings result topped the consensus by 22.5% while easily
improving upon the year-earlier result of 37 cents. Net sales moved
higher by 7.5%. KNL attributed results to its diversification strategy
that focused on high design content businesses and away from dependence
on North American systems sales.

Urban Outfitters, Inc. (NASDAQ: URBN) is a Zacks #1 Rank Top
Performer as shares gained 2.6% last week. Over the past month, earnings
estimates for the fiscal years ending January 2009 and January 2010 are
up 8% and 5.9%, respectively. In addition, analysts currently expect
next fiscal year's profit to advance by more
than 20% over this fiscal year.

URBN is performing better than most retailers, and enjoyed a boost last
week after an analyst offered a favorable view of the fiscal third
quarter. The company has put together a solid streak of
better-than-expected earnings, and enjoys an average surprise of 12.6%
over the past 4 quarters. In its second quarter, URBN reported earnings
of 33 cents per share, which topped the consensus by almost 14%. It also
marked a solid year-over-year advance from 19 cents. Sales advanced
approximately 30% to $454.3 million. Same-store sales were up 13%.

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 +30%.
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 81% annually (+2 % vs. +11%). 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.

SOURCE: Zacks.com

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

Copyright Business Wire 2008