Zacks Releases New Stock Picks from the +21.7% Value Strategy: Stoneridge, Ruby Tuesday, Gulfport Energy Corp., Silicon Image and Gray Television

Stock picks from the Value Method (VM1) strategy are being spotlighted today by Zacks, the nation’s largest independent stock research firm. This strategy surged +21.7% during the first half 2008, while the S&P 500 dropped by nearly -12%. In fact, from 2001 through 2007, the strategy has averaged +41.9% yearly.

The firm is now providing investors with all that's needed to pick their own stocks using the VM1 system. This opportunity may be reached at http://at.zacks.com/?id=4775.

Value Method focuses on companies marked by analysts for sharply higher earnings. It starts with companies that have been awarded Zacks #1 Rank “Strong Buy” or Zacks #2 Rank "Buy" and then limits its picks to stocks that are trading at significantly lower valuation multiples than others in their industry. Wall Street is just beginning to recognize their true worth. Stocks that recently met the criteria for the Value Method (VM1) strategy include: Stoneridge Inc. (NYSE: SRI), Ruby Tuesday Inc. (NYSE: RT), Gulfport Energy Corp. (NASDAQ: GPOR), Silicon Image Inc. (NASDAQ: SIMG) and Gray Television Inc. (NYSE: GTN).

Here are details about 5 featured Value stock picks . . .

Stoneridge Inc. (NYSE: SRI) reported fourth-quarter earnings of 13 cents per share, beating the consensus estimate by 26 cents. The company has now topped the consensus estimate in each of the last 4 quarters with an average surprise of 99.77%, or 11 cents per share. The Zacks #2 Rank (“Buy”) stock is trading below its peers with a P/E of 2.95X and P/S of 0.08X.

Ruby Tuesday’s (NYSE: RT) third-quarter earnings came in at 26 cents per share, topping analysts’ expectations by 15 cents. The Zacks #2 Rank (“Buy”) stock has topped the average forecast in 3 out of the last 4 quarters with an average surprise of 40.57%, or 5 cents per share. Ruby Tuesday trades at a low valuation with a P/E of 12.7X and P/S of 0.28X.

Gulfport Energy Corp. (NASDAQ: GPOR) reported fourth-quarter earnings of $1.12 per share, beating the consensus by 82 cents. Revenues during the quarter recorded a growth of 23.3% year-on-year to $37.6 million. Gulfport has topped the consensus estimate in each of the last 4 quarters with an average surprise of 88.56%, or 25 cents per share. The Zacks #2 Rank (“Buy”) stock has a low valuation with a P/E of 1.6X and P/S of 0.8X.

Silicon Image (NASDAQ: SIMG) earnings came in at 14 cents a share for the fourth quarter, topping the consensus estimate by 21 cents. The company has either topped or met the consensus forecasts in each of the last 4 quarters. The Zacks #2 Rank (“Buy”) stock has a low valuation with a P/E of 14X and P/S of 0.8X.

Gray Television’s (NYSE: GTN) fourth-quarter earnings easily beat analysts’ expectations. Analysts now project a narrower loss of 22 cents per share for 2009, compared to last month’s forecast of a 30-cent loss. The Zacks #1 Rank (“Strong Buy”) stock remains undervalued with a P/E of 1.5X and P/S of 0.1X.

Investors can find new Value Method picks by themselves without classes or seminars.

The strategy may now be accessed and used through the new Zacks Method for Trading which helps investors "do it themselves" in their own homes, at their own paces. Rather than waiting for someone to send them picks from winning strategies, these people are using their computers to get to them first.

The Zacks Method, in fact, gives individuals a unique advantage over slower-moving stock fund managers. It allows them to apply the full force of the Zacks Rank stock-picking system that has beaten the market for 19 of the past 20 years. For more information, click here: http://at.zacks.com/?id=4714

About Zacks

Zacks Investment Research, Inc. was formed in 1978. Its founder, Len Zacks, a mathematics Ph.D., discovered that revisions to earnings estimates are the most powerful forces that influence stock prices. Today, his company continually processes stock reports issued by 3,000 analysts from 150 brokerage firms. It monitors more than 200,000 earnings estimates, looking for changes.

Then, when changes are discovered, they’re used to assign more than 4,400 stocks into five Zacks Rank categories: #1 Strong Buy, #2 Buy, #3 Hold, #4 Sell, and #5 Strong Sell. This proprietary stock-picking system continues to outperform the market by a nearly 3-to-1 margin.

Click here for facts about the Zacks Method for Trading and its latest picks . . . http://at.zacks.com/?id=4715

Zacks Investment Research is under common control with affiliated entities (including a broker-dealer and an investment adviser), which may engage in transactions involving the foregoing securities for the clients of such affiliates.

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.