For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – September 17, 2009 – Three mutual funds rose to the highest level of a new ranking system and are being highlighted today on Zacks.com.

These free “Strong Buy” picks are being made available to promote the new Mutual Fund Rank of the investment world’s leading independent research firm.

Highlighted Today: Short Equity Funds

PIMCO StocksPLUS TR Short Strategy A (PSSAX) seeks total return through the implementation of short investment positions on the S&P 500. The fund is non-diversified. It may invest up to 15% of total assets in securities and instruments that are economically tied to emerging markets. Shareholders have to make a minimum initial investment of $5,000 to enter this Zacks#1 Rank (“Strong Buy”) fund. It distributes dividends and capital gains, if any, annually.

Federated Prudent Bear (BEARX) was incepted in December 1995. The investment seeks capital appreciation. The fund tries to attain its objective primarily through short sales of domestically traded equity securities. It is expected to hold more short positions than long positions on securities and/or the overall market. Doug Noland has been lead manager at the fund since December 1999. It has topped total returns of its benchmark index in the last 1-, 3- and 5-year periods.

As part of this promotion, investors are invited to instantly find the rating of nearly 19,000 funds – evaluating, comparing, and tracking them. It’s also simple to pinpoint top-rated funds in 42 categories and for 500+ fund families.

Many Funds Are Ranked for Their Future Potential

This is the first new ranking system in many years. Unlike others that are based entirely on past performance, the new Zacks Mutual Fund Rank looks for future potential. In fact, U.S. funds are ranked on the earnings-based Zacks Rank of the individual stocks they hold.

Arrange for a 30-day free trial at http://at.zacks.com/?id=5855

About Zacks

Zacks.com is a property of Zacks Investment Research, Inc., which was formed in 1978 by Len Zacks. The company established that earnings estimate revisions are the most powerful force impacting stock prices. It 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 applied to help assign more than 4,400 stocks into five Zacks Rank categories: #1 Strong Buy, #2 Buy, #3 Hold, #4 Sell, and #5 Strong Sell.

Since 1988, this proprietary stock-picking system continues has more than tripled the market with an average yearly gain of +26%. 

Zacks’ future-based Mutual Fund Rank is the latest breakthrough. Find out how to take advantage of it through a 30-day free trial of Zacks Premium: http://at.zacks.com/?id=5855
  
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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.

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.

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

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Zacks Mutual Fund Rank
Contact: Alex Kolb
Phone: 312-265-9149

 
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