CHICAGO, Sep 04, 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 CNOOC Limited (NYSE:
CEO), UTi Worldwide Inc. (NASDAQ: UTIW), True Religion
Apparel, Inc. (NASDAQ: TRLG), Comfort Systems USA, Inc. (NYSE:
FIX) and Innophos Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: IPHS). 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.

CNOOC Limited (NYSE: CEO) made the Zacks #1 Rank Top Performers
List for the week ended Aug 29 as shares advanced 10.2%. Earnings
estimates for this year are moving in the right direction, gaining
approximately 22.6% in 2 months and 7.5% in 7 days. Furthermore,
analysts currently expect a more than 23% improvement in earnings next
year, compared to this year.

The Chinese oil company enjoyed a strong first half of 2008 as it
capitalized on high oil prices. Net profit for the period grew by more
than 89% over the same period a year earlier. Oil and gas sales advanced
63.9%. In addition, its average realized oil price jumped 74.3% to
US$102.49.

UTi Worldwide Inc. (NASDAQ: UTIW) gained more than 10.1% in the
week prior to its fiscal second-quarter report, which is scheduled for
today. The supply chain services and solutions company has put together
several consecutive quarters of better-than-expected EPS; amassing an
average surprise of approximately 8.4% over the past four quarters. At
the moment, analysts expect earnings estimates for next year, ending
January 2010, to advance about 18% from this year, ending January 2009.

For its fiscal first quarter, UTIW announced earnings per share of 18
cents, excluding items, which topped the consensus by 12.5%. Revenues
jumped 26% to almost $1.19 billion from $944.7 million last year. The
company stated that revenues continued to outpace the market due mainly
to solid organic growth. UTIW was able to gain market share during a
difficult environment and expects this trend to continue in fiscal 2009,
though the soft economy could pose problems. For its fiscal second
quarter, analysts are expecting 27 cents.

Despite a difficult economic environment, True Religion Apparel, Inc. (NASDAQ:
TRLG) is expanding, while reporting record-breaking revenue and earnings
growth. Shares of the premium jeans maker advanced 7.5% last week.
Earnings estimates for this year are up 5.7% over the past month, and
analysts currently expect next year's earnings
to improve approximately 21.7% from this year.

In its second-quarter report from early August, TRLG raised its 2008 EPS
guidance to between $1.61 and $1.65, compared to its previous guidance
of $1.52 to $1.56. The company stated that its first-half performance,
along with increased visibility into the second half, led to the raised
outlook. Earnings per share in the quarter advanced to 39 cents, which
bettered the consensus estimate by almost 18.2%. Net sales increased
nearly 79% to $64.2 million from last year's
$35.9 million. Furthermore, TRLG opened 12 new stores during the
quarter, and raised its targeted 2008 store count to 39 by the end of
2008.

Comfort Systems USA, Inc. (NYSE: FIX) shares gained almost 6.9%
last week. On Aug 18, the company announced that it acquired Delcard
Associates, Inc., a full-service commercial industrial and institutional
heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) company. In addition,
FIX's Board authorized increases in its stock
repurchase program. FIX was also featured as a Growth & Income Buy Stock
of the Day at Zacks.com on Sept 2.

In the second quarter, FIX reported earnings per share of 38 cents,
compared to 25 cents in the previous year. The result also eclipsed the
consensus by more than 15%. Revenues of approximately $355 million (or
$318.7 million on a same-store basis) advanced from $280.5 million in
2007. Over the past month, earnings estimates for this year advanced
6.8%.

Innophos Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: IPHS) is a phosphate producer
with a solid earnings trend. Expectations for this year are up 172% over
the past 2 months, including a gain of 26% in just the past 7 days. IPHS
made the Zacks #1 Rank Top Performers List for last week as shares
gained 6.7%.

In late July, IPHS reported a second-quarter earnings per share surprise
of almost 215%, as its result of $2.74 easily exceeded the consensus of
87 cents. It also reversed a year-ago loss. The company has been able to
successfully increase prices, which helped revenue to grow by almost 74%
to $264 million.

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

Copyright Business Wire 2008