Stocks: Alliance Data, Asta Funding Inc. and Caterpillar Inc.

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--November 03, 2006 Joseph Parnes, editor of the Shortex newsletter, provides a technical outlook on market trends. Benefit from his insight and receive stock updates on Alliance Data (NYSE:ADS), Asta Funding Inc. (Nasdaq:ASFI) and Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT). Click here for the full story exclusively on Zacks.com: http://at.zacks.com/?id=84

Highlights from the October 25 Featured Expert column by Joseph Parnes include:

A Sampling of Long Positions:

Alliance Data (NYSE:ADS), the provider of transaction services/credit and marketing services, reported 3rd Qtr earnings netted 81cents per share. Up 36% more than a year ago. Aided by 50% growth in air miles and domestic marketing businesses.

Asta Funding Inc. (Nasdaq:ASFI) acquires, collects, and services of charged-off receivables. Sellers of receivables are MasterCard, Visa, and private label credit card accounts. Earnings growth: 49% to 36% with sales growth @ 39% to 49% in past 3 Qtrs.

Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT), the maker of bulldozer/construction mining Co., has fallen with a steep slide in 19 years, after announcing its tepid outlook for 2006. Slowing U.S. housing market, may be overshadowed by CAT's bottleneck in supply chain and its ability to produce its machinery fast enough to meet global demand.

Read Joseph Parnes' commentary on market trends and discover more stocks by clicking: http://at.zacks.com/?id=85

About Zacks Featured Experts

Successful investing requires professional advice from knowledgeable experts who can help investors achieve their financial goals in good markets and improve their portfolios, especially in bad ones. That is why Zacks Investment Research has assembled the best investment experts in the business to offer their powerful advisory newsletters on all the major investment topics: Stocks, Mutual Funds, Bonds, Options, Futures etc.

Additional recommendations from Zacks.com Featured Experts are highlighted in the free investment newsletter, Profit from the Pros. Each issue highlights several Featured Experts in this free e-mail newsletter. Register for a free subscription to "Profit from the Pros" at: http://at.zacks.com/?id=86

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=87

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.

CONTACT: Zacks.com Alex Kolb, 312-630-9880 x149 pr@zacks.com www.zacks.com

Last Updated: November 3, 2006 13:05 EST