Zacks #1 Rank Top Performers: ENGlobal, Aftermarket Technology, Manpower, NutriSystem and Magna Int'l

Zacks.com announces the latest list of top performing Zacks #1 Rank (strong buy) stocks. The stocks on the prestigious list with the highest returns last week were ENGlobal Corporation (AMEX: ENG), Aftermarket Technology Corporation (NASDAQ: ATAC), Manpower Inc. (NYSE: MAN), NutriSystem, Inc. (NASDAQ: NTRI) and Magna International Inc. (NYSE: MGA). Each of these stocks easily outperformed the S&P 500.

Stocks ranked #1 (Strong Buy) by Zacks have produced an average annual return of +31.9% since inception in 1988. During the 2000-2002 bear market, Zacks #1 Rank stocks gained 43.8% while the S&P 500 tumbled 37.6%. To learn more about the Zacks Rank, go to http://at.zacks.com/?id=3172.

Here is a synopsis of the last weeks best performing Zacks #1 Rank stocks.

ENGlobal Corporation (AMEX: ENG), which provides engineering services to the oil industry, gained 11.5% last week to become the top-performing Zacks #1 Rank company. Over the past month, earnings estimates for this year improved 7.5%.

For its first quarter, earnings per share improved to 12 cents from five cents in the same quarter of 2006. The result marked a positive surprise of 50% above the consensus. Revenue jumped 23% to $81.7 million, compared to $66.6 million. ENGlobal said the solid quarterly results were driven by strong energy-related project activity and better execution on the part of its entire management team.

Aftermarket Technology Corporation (NASDAQ: ATAC) provides engineered solutions and supply chain logistics services to the light and medium/heavy-duty vehicle aftermarket and consumer electronics industries. The company was one of the better-performing Zacks #1 Rank companies last week with an advance that neared 7%. Earnings estimates for this year are currently at $1.63, marking an improvement of approximately 10% over the past 30 days.

For its first quarter, Aftermarket Technology announced earnings per share from continuing operations of 44 cents on net sales of $131.8 million. EPS advanced from the previous year while eclipsing the consensus by 37.5%. Sales increased 10.4% from $119.4 million. Highlights in the quarter included the logistics and drivetrain segments, where net sales advanced 10.9% and 9.9% respectively. The company stated that the quarters performance sets the stage for further growth and diversification as it continues the investments needed to achieve its 2007 guidance and its longer-term strategic plan goals.

Despite an expectedly soft U.S. market, Manpower Inc. (NYSE: MAN) announced a good first quarter report last month thanks in part to the strength of its European geography. Earnings per share of 69 cents bettered the consensus by more than 13%, and also improved from a year earlier. Revenues advanced 17% to $4.5 billion, compared to $3.9 billion. Manpower stated that profitability at its Other EMEA segment, which is Europe excluding France and Italy, jumped 144%. Meanwhile, Manpower France profitability moved forward 33%.

Manpower is a world leader in the employment services industry. The company was a top-performing Zacks #1 Rank company last week as shares increased 6.7%. Analysts earnings per share for this year are currently at $4.66, marking an improvement of 6.6% over the past two months and 1% over the past 30 days.

NutriSystem, Inc. (NASDAQ: NTRI) raised its full year 2007 earnings per share guidance during its first-quarter announcement last month. The weight loss company now expects between $3.34 and $3.46 for the year. Furthermore, it anticipates between 82 cents and 86 cents for the second quarter, ending in June. Both outlooks were above analyst expectations at the time. As a result, earnings estimates for this year improved 13.2% over the past month to $3.43, while expectations for the second quarter moved forward 33% in the same time frame to 85 cents. NutriSystem was a top-performing Zacks #1 Rank company last week with a rise of 6.4%.

Solid growth of its core womens market and continued strength of the mens market led to impressive results for the first quarter. Earnings per share reached $1.04, compared to 60 cents in the first quarter of 2006. That was good enough for a positive earnings surprise of approximately 14.3% atop the consensus. Revenues increased 62% to $238.4 million, versus $146.8 million.

Magna International Inc. (NYSE: MGA) announced earlier this month that first quarter sales reached $6.4 billion, or 7% better than a year earlier. Earnings per share of $1.96 topped the consensus by as much as 47%. Separately, Magna, along with Basic Element, announced a major strategic investment in Magna by Russian Machines, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Basic Element. The investment will accelerate Magnas strategic efforts to capitalize on the growth opportunities within the Russian and other automotive markets.

Magna is a diversified automotive supplier. Shares of the company gained 6.2% last week. Analysts earnings estimates for this year are at $6.49, marking a rise over the past month of approximately 8.3%.

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 +31.9%. 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 131.8% annually (+5.2% vs. +11.9%). Thus, the Zacks Rank system allows investors to truly manage portfolio trading effectively.

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Zacks Rank performance is the total return (price changes + dividends) of equal weighted portfolios, consisting of those stocks with the indicated Zacks Rank, assuming zero transaction costs. These returns are not the result of a backtest; these are actual returns since 1988. The stocks in the Zacks Rank portfolios were available to Zacks clients before the beginning of each month (monthly rebalancing). Performance results from 1988 through September 2006 are based on a subset of all Zacks Rank stocks that excludes stocks covered by only one analyst and ADRs.

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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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