CHICAGO, Nov. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- 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): Guess?, Inc. (NYSE:GES) and Helen of Troy Limited (NASDAQ:HELE). Further, Zacks announced #4 Rankings (Sell) on two other widely held stocks: Arcos Dorados Holding Inc (NYSE:ARCO) and Regis Corporation (NYSE:RGS).

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101027/ZIRLOGO)

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 of Stocks to Sell Now by 80% annually (+2% vs. +10%). 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 GES and HELE 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:

Guess?, Inc. (NYSE:GES) announced second -quarter profit of 49 cents per share on August 24 which came behind the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1 cent. The diluted earnings per share also fell by 41.67% on a year-over-year basis. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year slipped 2 cents per share to $2.17 in the last 30 days. Next year's estimate also dipped 4 cents per share to $2.50 per share in that time span.

Helen of Troy Limited (NASDAQ:HELE) posted a second -quarter profit of 72 cents per share on October 11, which came in 13 cents wider than the average forecast. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2012 fell to a profit of $3.55 cents per share from $3.75 over the past month with 2 out of 3 covering analysts slashed forecasts. Next year's forecasts slipped 22 cents to $3.80 per share in the same time span.

Here is a synopsis of why ARCO and RGS 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;

Arcos Dorados Holding Inc (NYSE:ARCO) second-quarter profit of 6 cents per share, posted on November 2, lagged analysts projections by nearly 25.0%. For 2012, the Zacks Consensus Estimate moved down 4 cent in the last 30 days as 4 out of the 4 covering analysts cut back on forecasts. The forecast for next year slid 4 cents to 66 cents per share in the same time span.

Regis Corporation (NYSE:RGS) reported a first-quarter profit of 8 cents per share on October 25, that fell 68.0% short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate. The full-year average forecast is currently pegged at 73 cents per share, compared with the last 30 days projection of $1.17. Next year's forecast dropped 45 cents per share in the same period.

Truly taking advantage of the Zacks Rank requires the understanding of how it works.  The free special report; "Zacks Rank Guide: Harnessing the Power of Earnings Estimate Revisions" is available to provide this insightful background. Download a free copy now to prosper in the years to come at http://at.zacks.com/?id=93

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 +28%. 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 significantly underperformed the S&P 500 (2.8% versus +9.7%). 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.

Zacks "Profit from the Pros" e-mail newsletter offers continuous coverage of Zacks Rank Buy stocks and highlights those stocks poised to outperform the market. Subscribe to this free newsletter today by visiting http://at.zacks.com/?id=94

About Zacks

Zacks.com is a property of Zacks Investment Research, Inc., which was formed in 1978 by Len Zacks. As a PhD from MIT 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

Follow us on Twitter:  http://twitter.com/zacksresearch

Join us on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/ZacksInvestmentResearch

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.

Media Contact

Zacks Investment Research

800-767-3771 ext. 9339

support@zacks.com

http://www.zacks.com

SOURCE Zacks Investment Research, Inc.