CHICAGO, Aug. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Stocks in this week's article include: Forward Air Corporation (NASDAQ: FWRD), Lithia Motors Inc. (NYSE: LAD), Polaris Industries Inc. (NYSE: PII), Saia, Inc. (NASDAQ: SAIA) and Wabtec Corporation (NYSE: WAB). Kevin Matras gives you his checklist for finding winning stocks.

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

Screen of the Week written by Kevin Matras of Zacks Investment Research:

I'm regularly asked how I go about picking winning stocks, especially now with the market's recent pullback.

Since there are over 10,000 stocks out there, you need a way to find the good ones. And by focusing on what works vs. guesswork (or worse), you'll not only be able to pick winning stocks, but you'll be able to do so consistently.

And that's really the key to success: having a repeatable way to find profitable stocks, again and again and again.

I run a lot of individual strategies. But I will often go thru a checklist on all of my candidates before I get in.

By sticking with a basic set of proven criteria, I know I have a high probability of success in picking winning stocks. And if it doesn't work out, I don't have to panic and wonder if my system works or scurry to change these up. That's the kiss of death.

Picking winning stocks consistently comes down to a set of rules. And these are my basic building blocks. I look at plenty of others as well. But this is my basic checklist…

For the rest of this Screen of the Week article, including Kevin's checklist, please visit Zacks.com at: http://www.zacks.com/commentary/22562/

Sign up now for your free trial today and start picking better stocks immediately. And with the backtesting feature, you can test your ideas to see how you can improve your trading in both up markets and down markets. Don't wait for the market to get better before you decide to do better. Start learning how to be a better trader today: http://at.zacks.com/?id=111

Disclosure: Officers, directors and/or employees of Zacks Investment Research may own or have sold short securities and/or hold long and/or short positions in options that are mentioned in this material. An affiliated investment advisory firm may own or have sold short securities and/or hold long and/or short positions in options that are mentioned in this material.

About Screen of the Week

Zacks.com created the first and best screening system on the web earning the distinction as the "#1 site for screening stocks" by Money Magazine.  But powerful screening tools is just the start. That is why Zacks created the Screen of the Week to highlight profitable stock picking strategies that investors can actively use. Each week, Zacks Profit from the Pros free email newsletter shares a new screening strategy. Learn more about it here http://at.zacks.com/?id=112

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 http://at.zacks.com/?id=113

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.

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.

Contact: Jim Giaquinto
Company: Zacks.com
Phone: 312-265-9268
Email: pr@zacks.com

Visit: www.Zacks.com

SOURCE Zacks Investment Research, Inc.