CHICAGO, Nov 17, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) ----Combining strong underlying fundamentals with low valuations can lower risk and increase portfolio returns. Zacks' Discounted Fundamental Strength Profit Track strategy has generated double-digit returns for six consecutive years, including a 34% gain in 2006. For the first month of 2007, this Profit Track returned 7.3%. Four stocks that currently have both fundamental strength and discounted valuations are: Hill International, Inc. (NYSE: HIL), Sport Supply Group, Inc (NASDAQ: RBI), Health Fitness Corp. (AMEX: FIT), NBTY, Inc. (NYSE: NTY). View the entire list of stocks for the Discounted Fundamental Strength Profit Track at http://at.zacks.com/?id=2142.

Here are details about four companies currently identified by the Discounted Fundamental Strength Profit Track:

Hill International, Inc. (NYSE: HIL) qualifies for this profit track with a current ratio of 2.25 and a price/sales ratio of .64, bettering this screen's parameters of greater than 1.5 and less than 1, respectively. In addition, the company has an average Return on Assets of 7.38% over the past five years and a PEG ratio of .65. The company reported third quarter results, with net earnings of 15 cents per share and delivered a 25.00% surprise. HIL provides program management, project management, construction management and construction claims and consulting services to clients worldwide

Sport Supply Group, Inc (NASDAQ: RBI) on Nov 4, delivered an 8.82% surprise in the third quarter, with earnings 37 cents per share. Over the past five years, the company has averaged a Return on Assets of 4.59%. However, this fundamentally-solid company still trades at a discount, as evidenced by its PEG ratio of .79. The Zacks #2 rank company is in the mail order marketing of sports equipment business.

Health Fitness Corp. (AMEX: FIT) earned its place on the Discounted Fundamental Strength profit track with a PEG ratio of .81 and a current ratio 2.60. Moreover, FIT enjoys a price/sales ratio of .85 and a five-year average Return on Assets of 8.01. HIL finished the third quarter with earnings of 9 cents per share, and delivered a 28.57% surprise. FIT acquires, markets and manages physical therapy clinics.

NBTY, Inc. (NYSE: NTY) reported year-over-year fourth quarter earnings of 93 cents per share, compared to 28 cents per share and exceeded the analysts' expectation of 83 cents. The Zacks #1 Rank company also enjoys a price/sales ratio of .99 and a current ratio of 3.08. Moreover, a PEG ratio of .86 and a five-year average Return on Assets of 9.35% suggest that the company trades at a discount despite being fundamentally solid. NTY is a manufacturer and marketer of nutritional supplements in the United States.

Discover all the stocks currently on the Discounted Fundamental Strength Profit Track at: http://at.zacks.com/?id=2143.

About Profit Tracks

What is a "Profit Track"? Each Profit Track is a successful stock picking strategy with proven results through the Bear Market of 2001-2002 and the Bull run started in 2003. On Zacks.com we have created these nine unique screens to offer investors great strategies to potentially outperform the market in the years ahead. In 2006, the Low Price Stocks strategy was the top performing Profit Track with a return of +56.5% followed by the Discounted Fundamental screen with a +34% return. To see all nine strategies along with philosophy, past performance and current stocks, go to http://at.zacks.com/?id=1838.

All the Profit Track strategies were created and backtested using the Research Wizard software from Zacks Investment Research. If you like this screening strategy, but want to narrow down the list of stocks and even improve the performance, then you should start a free trial to this powerful stock picking tool. Learn more about the Research Wizard free trial offer and our new special report "Top 10 Stock Screening Strategies" at http://at.zacks.com/?id=4630

About Zacks

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=4631.

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

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.

SOURCE: Zacks.com

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