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Zacks Sell List Highlights: AllianceBernstein Holding LP, Hercules Offshore Inc, Bed Bath & Beyond Inc, Limited Brands Inc.

Zacks.com releases details on a group of stocks that are currently members of the exclusive Zacks #5 Rank List – Stocks to Sell Now. These stocks are currently rated as a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell): AllianceBernstein Holding LP (NYSE: AB) and Hercules Offshore Inc (NASDAQ: HERO). Further, Zacks announced #4 Rankings (Sell) on two other widely held stocks: Bed Bath & Beyond Inc (NASDAQ: BBBY) and Limited Brands Inc (NYSE: LTD). To see the full Zacks #5 Rank List - Stocks to Sell Now visit: http://at.zacks.com/?id=92

Since inception in 1988, the S&P 500 has outperformed the Zacks #5 Rank List — Stocks to Sell Now by 81% annually (+2% versus +11%). While the rest of Wall Street continued to tout stocks during the market declines of the last few years, Zacks told investors which stocks to sell or avoid.

Here is a synopsis of why AB and HERO have a Zacks Rank of #5 (Strong Sell) and should most likely be sold or avoided for the next one to three months. Note that a #5 Strong Sell rating is applied to 5% of all the stocks in the Zacks Rank universe:

AllianceBernstein Holding LP (NYSE: AB) reported a 39% fall in third-quarter profit as the credit crisis affected group assets under management. Quarterly net income was $64.6 million, or 73 cents per unit, significantly below market expectations. The company is distributing only 60 cents per unit from net income to holders and retaining 13 cents for insurance recoveries. For 2008, consensus estimate is now pegged at $3.03 per unit, down from $3.32 a month ago.

Hercules Offshore Inc (NASDAQ: HERO) reported a 32% fall in third-quarter profit, hurt by business disruptions caused during hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico. Quarterly net income was $33 million, or 37 cents per share. The company expects the global economic crisis and lower commodity prices to result in reduction of capital spending by a number of its customers in 2009. Analysts have lowered their estimates for 2008 profit by 18 cents to $1.04 per share.

Here is a synopsis of why BBBY and LTD have a Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) and should also most likely be sold or avoided for the next one to three months. Note that a #4 Sell rating is applied to 15% of all the stocks ranked by Zacks;

Bed Bath & Beyond Inc (NASDAQ: BBBY) shares have fallen more than 20% over the last month alone as rising fears of a recession weigh on consumer spending and company margins. The retailer expects full-year earnings to be down sharply from the $2.10 a share it reported last year. Consensus estimates for 2009 have fallen consistently to stand at $1.74 per share, down 4 cents from a month ago. Analysts do not see the trend of slowing sales rebounding soon.

Limited Brands Inc (NYSE: LTD) saw October comparable-store sales falling 9% in a tough operating environment. In the last two months, market estimates for the owner of the Victoria's Secret and Bath and Body Works stores have been slashed by 16 cents to $1.41 per share. The company said it plans to be defensive as it enters the holiday season, lowering its capital expenditure budget to $300 million to $400 million for next year, down from a projected $500 million for 2008.

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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% versus +11%). Thus, the Zacks Rank system allows investors to truly manage portfolio trading effectively.

Visit http://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.

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Zacks.com is a property of Zacks Investment Research, Inc., which was formed in 1978 by Leonard Zacks. As a PhD in mathematics Len knew he could find patterns in stock market data that would lead to superior investment results. Amongst his many accomplishments was the formation of his proprietary stock picking system; the Zacks Rank, which continues to outperform the market by nearly a 3 to 1 margin. The best way to unlock the profitable stock recommendations and market insights of Zacks Investment Research is through our free daily email newsletter; Profit from the Pros. In short, it's your steady flow of Profitable ideas GUARANTEED to be worth your time! Register for your free subscription to Profit from the Pros at http://at.zacks.com/?id=95

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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.

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