Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Rudolph Technologies, KLATencor, Veeco and Ctrip.com.

CHICAGO -- Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: Rudolph Technologies (Nasdaq: RTEC), KLATencor

See the latest posts to the Analyst Blog by visiting: http://at.zacks.com/?id=2673

Here are highlights from Wednesday's Analyst Blog:

RTEC Nearly Doubles in Size

Rudolph Technologies (Nasdaq: RTEC) is an OEM [original equipment manufacturer] of process diagnostics and control (PDC) equipment used within the semiconductor manufacturing equipment industry. December quarter results were mixed, as top-line results missed slightly and bottom-line results were in-line with consensus estimates.

"The company recently closed the acquisition of August Technology, nearly doubling the size of the firm. The acquisition is strategically appealing and appears to be working out just as management predicted. Weakness in the back-end appears to be easing as January bookings have picked up. We continue to rate RTEC as a Buy.

"The percentage of revenue spent on PDC equipment has been increasing at a greater rate than overall semiconductor production equipment expenditures, driven by the demand from larger wafer (300mm) fabs employing smaller design (90nm to 130nm) geometries, or nodes. Rudolph is estimated to be the second largest supplier, behind KLATencor (Nasdaq: KLAC) and ahead of Veeco (Nasdaq: VECO) in the overall thin film metrology market, and is the monopoly supplier in the opaque market."

Still Bullish on Ctrip.com Shares

Although its operating margin continued to decline because the air ticket business has lower margins than the hotel business, Ctrip.com (Nasdaq: CTRP) reported strong financial results for the fourth quarter of 2006 and met consensus estimates. Ctrip's results were driven by strong growth in its air ticket booking business. We think Ctrip's recent results demonstrate that the company's long-term growth story remains intact. Therefore, we maintain our Buy rating on Ctrip.

A big reason for the company's success comes from its smart business model. Ctrip has established supplier relationships with over 4,000 hotels around the world, and most of them are in China. Ctrip also has the largest air ticket sales network in China, and customers can get their air tickets for free through Ctrip's extensive and effective distribution system. This strategy enables the company to offer a broad range of travel choices.

See the latest posts to the Analyst Blog by visiting http://at.zacks.com/?id=2645

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