CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 25, 2004--Zacks.com releases details on a group of stocks that are part of their exclusive list of Stocks to Sell Now. These stocks are currently rated as a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell). Since inception in 1988 the S&P 500 has outperformed the Zacks #5 Ranked Strong Sells by 96.9% annually (12.0% vs. 6.1% respectively). While the rest of Wall Street continued to tout stocks during the market declines of the last few years, we were telling our customers which stocks to sell in order to save themselves the misery of unrelenting losses. Among the #5 ranked stocks today we highlight the following companies:Kopin Corporation (NASDAQ:KOPN) and Wilson Greatbatch Technologies (NYSE:GB). Further they announced #4 Rankings (Sell) on two other widely held stocks: Dean Foods Company (NYSE:DF) and Internet Security Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:ISSX). To see the full Zacks #5 Ranked list of Stocks to Sell Now then visit: http://at.zacks.com/?id=92

Here is a synopsis of why these stocks have a Zacks Rank of 5 (Strong Sell) and should most likely be sold or avoided for the next 1 to 3 months. Note that a #5/Strong Sell rating is applied to 5% of all the stocks we rank:

Kopin Corporation (NASDAQ:KOPN) is pioneering the use of nanotechnology to manufacture nanosemiconcuctor products that make mobile electronic devices small, fast, bright, lightweight and power efficient. Earnings estimates for the year ending December 2004 remain below levels from two months ago, as analysts have moved expectations from a profit to a loss. Mid-April saw the company report a first quarter net loss of (5 cents) per share, which was steeper than the consensus at the time. The company said the loss primarily reflects lower initial yields associated with the transition from its legacy monochrome microdisplays to new color filter CyberDisplay products, along with additional marketing and technical support associated with increased color display activities. However, Kopin also reported that robust demand from wireless and consumer electronics customers helped first quarter revenue to grow +24% year-over-year. Kopin also expects continued revenue growth for the second quarter, but investors may want to stay cautious at the moment and delay a position in this innovative company for a little while longer, until analysts give its earnings estimates a lift.

Wilson Greatbatch Technologies (NYSE:GB) is a leading developer and manufacturer of batteries, capacitors, precision components, and enclosures for implantable medical devices. Earlier this month, Wilson Greatbatch announced that it expects sales revenue for the full year 2004 to range between $220 million and $230 million, compared to its previous guidance of between $240 million and $245 million. The company said it received notification from a major customer to stop shipments of certain medical components for a period of time within the second quarter. Those medical components include feedthroughs and enclosures. Earnings estimates for the year ending December 2004 moved lower by 12 cents, or about -10% over the past seven trading days. Nevertheless, a few days earlier, Wilson Greatbatch had reported solid first quarter numbers, including earnings per share that topped the consensus and year-ago performance, and the company expects results will reflect industry growth rates by the fourth quarter. The company is situated in a growing field, but for now investors may want to wait on opening or deepening a position until its earnings estimates get back on track.
Below is a synopsis of why these two stocks have a Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) and should also most likely be sold or avoided for the next 1 to 3 months. Note that a #4/Sell rating is applied to 15% of all the stocks we rank:

Dean Foods Company (NYSE:DF) is the nation's leading processor and distributor of fresh milk and other dairy products, and a leader in the specialty foods industry. For its first quarter, Dean Foods reported adjusted earnings of 45 cents per diluted share early this month, which matched the consensus and topped the year-ago performance, as net sales advanced +14%. However, the company said 2004 will be a challenging year as it faces one of the most difficult commodity environments it has ever seen, and that the brunt of such high commodity costs will impact the second quarter. Dean Foods forecasted second quarter adjusted earnings of between 47 cents and 50 cents per share, which was beneath the consensus at the time, due to the high costs of raw milk and other commodities along with heavy brand marketing spending in the quarter. The company has experienced some downward revisions from analysts, and its earnings estimates for the year ending December 2004 moved lower 7 cents, or approximately -3%, from levels achieved one month ago. Dean Foods is working to manage through these commodity cost increases, and remains confident in its long-term goal of +8% to +10% earnings per share growth. However, for the time being, the best move may be to stay patient and wait for its earnings estimates to gain more upward momentum.
Internet Security Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:ISSX) is a leading global provider of security management solutions for protecting e-business. Earnings estimates for the year ending December 2004 remain below levels from two months ago for Internet Security Systems by 3 cents, or about -5%. In its first quarter report, announced in late April, the company posted non-GAAP net income of 13 cents per share. That result matched the year-ago performance, but came in a penny, or more than -7%, below the consensus at the time. But Internet Security Systems still reported revenues that advanced by +13% in the quarter, and the company continues to deliver new products and services that offer preemptive protection to organizations of all sizes. Internet Security Systems is a leading presence in its space thanks to innovative products such as its Proventia(TM) product line, but investors may want to hold off on allocating funds to ISSX until analysts push the company's earnings estimates upward.

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For over 15 years the Zacks Rank has proven that "Earnings estimate revisions are the most powerful force impacting stock prices." Since inception in 1988 the #1 Ranked stocks have generated an average annual return of +34.2% compared to the (a)S&P 500 return of only +12.0%. Plus this exclusive stock list has generated total gains of +139.7% total return since 2000 vs. the worst bear market in over 60 years. Also note that the Zacks Rank system has just as many Strong Sell recommendations (Rank #5) as Strong Buy recommendations (Rank #1). And since 1988 the S&P 500 has outperformed the Zacks #5 Ranked Strong Sells by 96.9% annually (12.0% vs. 6.1% respectively). Thus, the Zacks Rank system can truly be used to effectively manage the trading in your portfolio.

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