For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – January 18, 2010 – Zacks.com releases the list of companies likely to issue earnings surprises. This week’s list includes Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), Intel (INTC), General Electric (GE) and Freeport McMoRan (FCX). To see more earnings analysis, visit http://at.zacks.com/?id=3207.

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Earnings Take Center Stage

Historically, the best indicators of firms likely to report positive surprises have a recent history of positive surprises and rising estimates going into the report. The Zacks Rank is also a good indicator of potential surprises. Some of the companies that have these characteristics include:

Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) is expected to report a loss of $0.15, down from a $0.69 per share loss a year ago. The big beat from its main competitor Intel (INTC) raises the odds that AMD will also have a positive surprise. Last time out AMD posted a positive surprise of 36.6% and over the last month the mean estimate for its fourth quarter earnings is up 6.3%. AMD has a Zacks Rank of 2.

General Electric (GE) is expected to report EPS before non-recurring items of $0.25, down from $0.37 a year ago In the 2Q, GE posted a positive surprise of 35.0% and over the last month; the consensus estimate for its 4Q earnings is up 1.6%. GE is a Zacks Rank #2 stock.

Freeport McMoRan (FCX) is expected to earn $15.30 per share this year, after losing $0.85 a year ago. In the third quarter, they blew the estimates out of the water with a massive 75.4% positive surprise. Over the last month the mean estimate for the 4Q is up 5.9%. FCX holds a coveted Zacks Rank #1.

Dirk Van Dijk, CFA, is the Chief Equity Strategist for Zacks.com.

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 +26%. 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 111% annually (-0.8% versus +8%). Thus, the Zacks Rank system allows investors to truly manage portfolio trading effectively.

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Contact: Dirk Van Dijk, CFA
Company: Zacks.com
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