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Top Stock Picks '09: Teck Cominco (TCK)

This post is part of a special annual report -- Top Stock Picks '09 -- in which TheStockAdvisors.com asked 75 leading newsletter advisors to select their favorite investment for the new year.

"We own several stocks in our portfolio that are selling for less than their book value and with a P/E ratio of less than 5 -- but the prize among bargains is Teck Cominco (NYSE: TCK), our most promising stock for 2009," says Neil Macneale.

In his 2 for 1 newsletter -- which initially buys stocks when they announce 2-for-1 splits, he says, "It would be hard to argue this company is not literally being given away."

Macneale explains, "I bought this stock for the 2-for-1 portfolio over a year and half ago and its stock price has declined by about 90% since then.

"The Canadian mining company produces copper, zinc, gold, and metallurgical coal. All assets are in North America except for most of its copper operations, located in Peru.

"With a PE ratio bouncing between 1 and 2, and a Price-to-Book ratio at around 0.3, you are getting a well-established (1906), well-run asset play for less than its book value, even if existing plant and reserve values are slashed by over 50%.

Continue reading Top Stock Picks '09: Teck Cominco (TCK)

Top Stock Picks '09: Zimmer Holdings (ZMH)

This post is part of a special annual report -- Top Stock Picks '09 -- in which TheStockAdvisors.com asked 75 leading newsletter advisors to select their favorite investment for the new year.

For his top stock pick for 2009, market timing expert Sy Harding looks to medical products company, Zimmer Holdings (NYSE: ZMH).

In his Street Smart Report, the advisor looks at the maker of orthopedic implants, noting, "Currently trading at just 1.6 times books value, 2.3 times sales, and at 9.5 times earnings, the stock is a bargain."

Harding explains, "Zimmer designs and manufactures orthopedic implants, including joint, dental, and spinal replacements, as well as surgical instruments designed to aid in orthopedic surgery and post-operation rehabilitation.

"The company has been growing steadily from both rising sales of its own products, and from acquisitions. Its most recent acquisition was Abbott Spine, acquired from Abbott Labs for $360 million.

"The acquisition was funded from cash on hand and its already existing credit line, worth noting given how the credit crunch is causing problems for many companies. Zimmer's ratio of long-term debt to equity is only about 20% of its industry's average, and it maintains a high level of cash.

Continue reading Top Stock Picks '09: Zimmer Holdings (ZMH)

Top Stock Picks '09: Graham (GHM)

This post is part of a special annual report -- Top Stock Picks '09 -- in which TheStockAdvisors.com asked 75 leading newsletter advisors to select their favorite investment for the new year.

"Graham (AMEX: GHM), our top pick for 2009, is perfectly positioned to provide high tech equipment to the coming green tech revolution," says technology specialist Tom Vass in Wall Street Window.

"Graham is a global designer and manufacturer of custom-engineered ejectors, liquid ring pump packages, condensers, and heat exchangers.

"Its equipment is for applications in the petrochemical, oil refinery and electric power generation industries, including cogeneration and geothermal plants.

"Their products are the essential building blocks to the production of every other form of 'green' energy. International sales accounted for 37% and 33% of total sales for the second quarters of fiscal 2009 and fiscal 2008, respectively.

"Our patented technology stock selection method tracks what technology companies are doing with their free cash flow. Total cash flow from operating activities for GHM increased to $19,702,000 in 2008 compared to a year end of $5,193,000 for 2007.

Continue reading Top Stock Picks '09: Graham (GHM)

Top Stock Picks '09: Eni (E)

This post is part of a special annual report -- Top Stock Picks '09 -- in which TheStockAdvisors.com asked 75 leading newsletter advisors to select their favorite investment for the new year.

Italy's Eni SPA ADR (NYSE: E) has one of the most successful and fastest-growing E&P operations of any major integrated energy firm," says energy expert Elliott Gue.

In his The Energy Strategist, he notes, "And despite its defensive characteristics, Eni offers an impressive 8.5%, the highest of the large integrated oils."

"ENI derives close to three-quarters of its operating income from exploration and production (E&P) and just 3.8% from refining and marketing.

"Thus, Eni has more leverage to E&P than most large integrated energy firms and less exposure to refining margins. The company's other main business is gas and power, accounting for close to 22% of operating income.

"Eni has one of the most successful and fastest-growing E&P operations of any major integrated energy firm. In the third quarter, Eni's production grew to 1.764 million barrels of oil equivalent per day (boe/d), up 6.3% over the same quarter a year ago, the fastest growth of any integrated firm in my coverage universe.

"And Eni has a large number of new projects scheduled to come onstream over the next three years that are poised to power further production growth.

Continue reading Top Stock Picks '09: Eni (E)

Top Stock Picks '09: ProShares Short Financials (SEF)

This post is part of a special annual report -- Top Stock Picks '09 -- in which TheStockAdvisors.com asked 75 leading newsletter advisors to select their favorite investment for the new year.

For those comfortable with a short position, Mike Larson looks to ProShares Trust Short Financials (NYSE: SEF) as his top 2009 pick. In Money and Markets, he looks at the inverse ETF.

"ProShares Trust Short Financials is an inverse exchange-traded fund. The ETF is designed to rise in value when the underlying index it references, the Dow Jones U.S. Financials Index, declines.

"As of September 30, the Dow index was weighted 42.5% in banks. General financial firms were the next highest weighting at 23.4%, followed by Real Estate Investment Trusts at 13.4%, non-life insurers at 13.1%, and life insurers at 6.9%.

"The top companies in the index were JPMorgan Chase (8.1%), Bank of America (8.1%), and Wells Fargo (5.9%).

Continue reading Top Stock Picks '09: ProShares Short Financials (SEF)

Top Stock Picks '09: PowerShares Value Line Industry Rotation (PYH)

This post is part of a special annual report -- Top Stock Picks '09 -- in which TheStockAdvisors.com asked 75 leading newsletter advisors to select their favorite investment for the new year.

"An excellent idea for 2009 is PowerShares Value Line Industry Rotation (NYSE: PYH), says growth stock expert Tom Bishop.

In his BI Research newsletter, the advisor explains, "The fund only buys stocks that earn Value Line's top rating. For years, I have sought an easy way to invest in the Value Line stocks ranked 1, and now, here it is.

"If you look at the top 10 worst declines in the stock market back to the depression, these averaged 43%, with a median of 40% and makes the current bear market the second worst on record.

"And the average rebound in the 12 months following the low point? A whopping 55.6%. We may have hit that low point on November 20th. Only time will tell, but I have noticed that while the bad news keeps pouring in, the market is now up about 20% since then despite it. This is a possible sign that we have hit bottom.

"I am recommending PowerShares Value Line Industry Rotation, which is comprised of 75 stocks ranked 1 by Value Line, restricted to its top 50 ranked industries, with two in each of the top 25 industries.

Continue reading Top Stock Picks '09: PowerShares Value Line Industry Rotation (PYH)

Top Stock Picks '09: Virginia Mines (VGQ)

This post is part of a special annual report -- Top Stock Picks '09 -- in which TheStockAdvisors.com asked 75 leading newsletter advisors to select their favorite investment for the new year.

"Virginia Mines (TSE: VGQ) is an old favorite that is ready to shine again," says Adrian Day. In The Global Analyst, he looks at the firm holding interests in mining entities.

"In the long-odds resource exploration business, Virginia has a better model: it generates prospects which it farms out to partners at an early stage.

"The partners earn in to the properties by spending the exploration dollars. This is the highest-risk part of the exploration process.

"By this model, Virginia is able to maintain its balance sheet and avoid the dilution that bedevils exploration companies. It can then build a portfolio of minority interests in multiple projects which increases its odds of eventual success.

Continue reading Top Stock Picks '09: Virginia Mines (VGQ)

Top Stock Picks '09: Intuit (INTU)

This post is part of a special annual report -- Top Stock Picks '09 -- in which TheStockAdvisors.com asked 75 leading newsletter advisors to select their favorite investment for the new year.

As his top pick for 2009, leading value investor Charles Mizrahi looks to Intuit (NASDAQ: INTU), the maker of QuickBooks, Quicken, and TurboTax. Here's the latest from Hidden Values Alert.

"Intuit is s a leading provider of business and financial management solutions for small and medium sized businesses, financial institutions, consumers, and accounting professionals.

"Their flagship products and services, including QuickBooks, Quicken, and TurboTax, simplify small business management and payroll processing, personal finance, and tax preparation and filing.

"ProSeries and Lacerte are Intuit's leading tax preparation offerings for professional accountants. Its Digital Insight, provides on-demand banking services that help banks and credit unions serve businesses and consumers with innovative solutions.

Continue reading Top Stock Picks '09: Intuit (INTU)

Top Stock Picks '09: EZCorp (EZPW)

This post is part of a special annual report -- Top Stock Picks '09 -- in which TheStockAdvisors.com asked 75 leading newsletter advisors to select their favorite investment for the new year.

"EZCORP (NASDAQ: EZPW) -- our top pick for 2009 -- is poised to benefit from an economy that will probably see more tough times before improving," says Alex Kolb.

The editor of Zacks Breakout Letter explains, "The company operates pawnshops that provide the type of lending and credit services many turn to during rough economic conditions."

"EZCORP is expanding through acquisitions. It recently acquired the assets of 11 pawnshops located in Las Vegas and Henderson, Nevada. The opening of more stores in U.S. and Mexico is on the horizon for 2009.

"Furthermore, the company's earnings per share are expected to grow 18% over the next 3 to 5 years, which is also ahead of the industry average.

"The pawnshop play has a solid record of matching or beating analyst estimates. Dating back to 2004, EZPW missed consensus forecasts only 2 times, was in-line with estimates 4 times and was ahead of projections during the other quarters.

Continue reading Top Stock Picks '09: EZCorp (EZPW)

Top Stock Picks '09: AeroVironment (AVAV)

This post is part of a special annual report -- Top Stock Picks '09 -- in which TheStockAdvisors.com asked 75 leading newsletter advisors to select their favorite investment for the new year.

Gregg Early focuses on finding long-term growth opportunities among companies that specialize in niche, advanced technologies.

In his The New Tech Investor, he looks to AeroVironment (NASDAQ: AVAV) -- which is involved in innovative ventures in both wind power and unmanned vehicles -- as his favorite investment idea for the coming year.

"Two things make AeroVironment a unique company: its story and its stock price during the past year.

"The company has four divisions that by themselves seem very incongruous for moving the whole forward. It has a division that makes some of the most highly lauded and in-demand micro-unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in service today.

"It also has a clean energy systems division that's best known for its 'architectural wind' turbines for urban settings, that are installed on manufacturing plants as well as office and apartment buildings.

"Its latter two division are the congruent in direction: one builds electric vehicle (EV) supply systems and the other supplies EV test systems.

Continue reading Top Stock Picks '09: AeroVironment (AVAV)

Top Stock Picks '09: World Fuel Services (INT)

This post is part of a special annual report -- Top Stock Picks '09 -- in which TheStockAdvisors.com asked 75 leading newsletter advisors to select their favorite investment for the new year.

"Technically speaking, World Fuel Services (NYSE: INT) is a stock that has shown incredible strength by outperforming the broad market," says Bernie Schaeffer, who chooses the issue as his top pick for 2009.

In his top-notch trading and investing service, Schaeffer's Investment Research, he looks at the company, which provides fueling services to marine vessels in some 1,000 seaports.

"The company estimates it holds more than 10% of the global marine fuels market. It also provides 24-hour fueling service to aircraft at 1,500 airports in more than 160 countries.

"Its aviation fueling business focuses on serving small to medium-sized air carriers, cargo and charter carriers, and private aircraft. World Fuel Services also markets fuel and related services to petroleum distributors operating in the land transportation market.

Continue reading Top Stock Picks '09: World Fuel Services (INT)

Top Stock Picks '09: McDonald's (MCD)

This post is part of a special annual report -- Top Stock Picks '09 -- in which TheStockAdvisors.com asked 75 leading newsletter advisors to select their favorite investment for the new year.

"Trading near its all-time high, McDonald's (NYSE: MCD) -- my top idea for 2009 -- is a true relative-strength leader," says Ryan Detrick.

The technical analyst with Schaeffer's Investment Research, explains, "With the shares near their all-time high, MCD is a true relative-strength leader. Technically, the stock continues to find support from its rising 20-month moving average, as this trendline has provided support since mid-2003.

"McDonalds is the world's largest fast-food chain, with more than 31,000 restaurants worldwide. Given the record job losses and deteriorating worldwide economy, MCD should continue to do well as consumers will downgrade to more affordable dining options.

"Or as CEO Jim Skinner put it, 'McDonald's seems well positioned for recession. In bad times, people think twice about where to spend money when going out for food.'

Continue reading Top Stock Picks '09: McDonald's (MCD)

Top Stock Picks '09: Energy Conversion (ENER)

This post is part of a special annual report -- Top Stock Picks '09 -- in which TheStockAdvisors.com asked 75 leading newsletter advisors to select their favorite investment for the new year.

"For the best risk-adjusted results we're looking at corporate bonds," says BizRadio host Daniel Frishberg, whose favorite pick for 2009 is the Energy Conversion Devices 3% convertible bond due 6/15/2013.

In The MoneyMan Report, he suggests. "These securities -- which are convertible into shares of the solar power stock Energy Conversion Devices (NASDAQ: ENER) -- could generate a major score, since the company is right in the Obama sweet spot."

"We are following the government as it moves its market manipulation up the risk curve.

"We have seen the government first buying commercial paper and short term bonds to move the Fed Funds Rate, then moving investors up the ladder to long-term Treasuries, then on to agency and high-grade corporate bonds.

"Each time, these moves have produced stock-like capital gains for investors with the knowledge to participate in these markets.

Continue reading Top Stock Picks '09: Energy Conversion (ENER)

Top Stock Picks '09: Allegiant Travel (ALGT)

This post is part of a special annual report -- Top Stock Picks '09 -- in which TheStockAdvisors.com asked 75 leading newsletter advisors to select their favorite investment for the new year.

"Airline stocks are looking good now; the airlines should benefit greatly from the big drop in crude oil, as lower crude means lower fuel costs for their operations," notes breakout specialist Leo Fasciocco.

In his Ticker Tape Digest, he looks at Allegiant Travel Co. (NASDAQ: ALGT), a "niche travel airline providing nonstop flights from 53 small cities to large vacation destinations such as Las Vegas and Orlando."

The advisor explains, "The Las Vegas-based company has annual revenues of $483 million. The company also has fixed-fee deals with Harrah's Entertainment to fly certain prespecified routes. The firm's fleet is composed solely of McDonnell Douglas MD-80 aircraft.

"ALGT recently broke clear of a seven-week flat base. Its price pattern of the past few weeks has been a zig-zag with a bias to the upside. The current base is a bit choppy. However, the technicals are extremely bullish. ALGT's push to a new high is very bullish and could bring in more buying.

Continue reading Top Stock Picks '09: Allegiant Travel (ALGT)

Top Stock Picks '09: Harmonic (HLIT)

This post is part of a special annual report -- Top Stock Picks '09 -- in which TheStockAdvisors.com asked 75 leading newsletter advisors to select their favorite investment for the new year.

"Harmonic (NASDAQ: HLIT) is the largest pure play in the critical video head-end infrastructure market," says tech guru Marcie Martin.

In Next Inning advisory service, she looks at his top pick for 2009, with "a solid balance sheet, excellent prospects for continued profitability and an attractive valuation."

The advisor explains, "Harmonic leads the world in HD encoding technology as well as a number of software-centric head-end technologies.

"It is also leading the world in the emerging Universal EDGE QAM markets with a new product that provides not only traditional EDGE QAM functions, but also adds Modular CMTS (M-CMTS) for DOCSIS 3.0 and SDV (Switched Digital Video).

"Following its leadership change in late 2005, HLIT has produced a record nine straight profitable quarters and boosted its gross profit margin from 35% in Q4 2005 to over 50% in its last reported quarter.

Continue reading Top Stock Picks '09: Harmonic (HLIT)

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Symbol Lookup
IndexesChangePrice
DJIA-143.288,599.18
NASDAQ-45.421,571.59
S&P 500-19.38890.35

Last updated: January 09, 2009: 11:24 PM

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