TheStockAdvisors.com

RSS Feed Homepage

Articles: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

Comfort food: PepsiCo (PEP) & Heinz (HNZ)
2008-12-04 06:00:00
"The silver lining to the recent decline is that it has created tremendous buying opportunities," says Gregory Dorsey (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/ccount/c lick.php?id=2607).The contributing editor to Stephen Leeb's Income Performance Report (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/ccount/c lick.php?id=2607) adds, "Consumer staples are set to sail through a tough economy." Here, he takes a look at PepsiCo (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/quote.ht m?sym=pep) (NYSE: PEP (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/quote.ht m?sym=pep)) and Heinz (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/quote.ht m?sym=hnz) (NYSE: HNZ (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/quote.ht m?sym=hnz))."From Gatorade and Tropicana to Frito-Lay and Quaker Food s, PepsiCo has built a $42 billion global empire marketing drinks and snacks that consumers are likely to buy through thick and thin making PepsiCo the classic consumer staples company."Over the next several years, we expect PepsiCo's earnings to grow at an average annual rate of 10% or...
More About: Comfort food , Comfort

Powershares Agriculture (DBF): Power play on grains
2008-12-03 06:00:00
"It’s time for commodities to start rallying again – especially those agriculture sectors that are increasingly coming under pressure amid declining supplies," says commodity expert Eric Roseman (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/ccount/c lick.php?id=2602). In his industry-leading The Commodity Trend Alert (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/ccount/c lick.php?id=2602), he looks to an ETF -- the Power Shares DB Agriculture (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/quote.ht m?sym=) (NYSE: DBA (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/quote.ht m?sym=dba)) -- noting, "It’s now time to buy a diversified basket of grains." Here's his review."Despite the best crop yields in years for 2008, farmers are now coming under pressure as the credit crisis delays planting, financing of important fertilizer and machinery. "This implies supplies will tighten markedly next year as more farmers go out of business following a crash in prices since July. "It’s possible that we’re at the cusp of yet a...
More About: Play , Grains

Soaring yields for energy trusts
2008-12-03 06:00:00
"While oil prices have tumbled, the dividend yields at several energy trusts have soared," says resource expert Larry Edelson (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/ccount/c lick.php?id=2605) in Real Wealth (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/ccount/c lick.php?id=2605) newsletter. Here he looks at two favorites."Remember, however, that the higher the yield, the greater the risk. And with profits under siege, there is always the possibility of payout cuts."In fact, I am positive more financial companies will cut or suspend their dividend payouts in the months ahead. But in my opinion, select energy trusts are worth playing here."Pioneer Southwest Energy Partners L.P. (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/quote.ht m?sym=pse) (NYSE: PSE (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/quote.ht m?sym=pse)) was formed by Pioneer Natural Resources Co. in May of this year and owns oil and gas assets in Texas and eight counties in the southeast region of New Mexico."Assets include a 78% average working interest in about 1,1...
More About: Soaring , Trusts

Chunghwa (CHT): Taiwan's telecom
2008-12-03 06:00:00
"Asia will be the first region out of the gates once the global economy starts functioning again," says Yiannis Mostrous (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/ccount/c lick.php?id=2601). In The Silk Road Investor (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/ccount/c lick.php?id=2601), he eyes Chunghwa Telecom (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/quote.ht m?sym=cht) (NYSE CHT (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/quote.ht m?sym=cht))."Asia cannot and will not save the world, but I stuill expect that Asia will lead the new economic era for the simple reason that this is the region with substantial savings and dynamic growth potential. "China remains the best positioned economy in this scary environment, and its stock market does offers opportunities at these levels. "Chunghwa Telecom, the leading integrated telecom service provider in Taiwan, is being added to the Silk Road model portfolio, as it offers great value at current levels combined with a 7% sustainable yield. "With 12.9 million lines in service it&rsquo...

A trio of 'Dividend Aristocrats'
2008-12-03 06:00:00
"Dividend investing has been a minefield this year; according to Standard & Poor’s, there were 138 dividend cuts or suspensions in the third quarter of this year -- up 557% from the year-earlier quarter," reports Chuck Carlson (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/ccount/c lick.php?id=2604).In his The DRIP Investor (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/ccount/c lick.php?id=2604), he asks, "Enter the Dividend Aristocrats. So named by S&P, Dividend Aristocrats are those companies in the S&P 500 that have boosted their dividends annually for at least the last 25 years.""Not surprisingly, roughly two-thirds of the dividend cuts in the third quarter were in the financial sector. The dividend destruction in the quarter took more than $22 billion out of the pockets of investors, according to S&P."Interestingly, despite the negative press on dividends, there were 346 companies that boosted their dividends in the quarter."Looking forward, it is difficult to see the dividend numbers improving...
More About: Trio

Aceto (ACET): Tortoise or hare?
2008-12-02 06:00:00
"Aceto (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/quote.ht m?sym=acet) (Nasdaq: ACET (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/quote.ht m?sym=acet)) is able to combine the best aspects of the tortoise and the hare: it has a long history of earnings with limited financial risk," says Ian Wyatt (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/ccount/c lick.php?id=2612 ) in Rising Star Stocks (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/ccount/c lick.php?id=2612 )."The company is a global leader in distributing more than 1,000 chemically derived pharmaceuticals, biopharmaceuticals, specialty chemicals and agrochemicals worldwide."Its largest segment, health sciences, includes active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), pharmaceutical intermediates, nutraceuticals and biopharmaceuticals. APIs for generic drugs offer the greatest potential."Meanwhile, we expect continued global economic growth will drive higher demand for many specialty chemicals, especially in China and other emerging regions of the world. With supply growth limited in th...
More About: Tortoise

Terex (TRX): Insiders step up to infrastructure play
2008-12-02 06:00:00
"Some of the most aggressive buying we've seen from insiders has come from Terex (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/quote.ht m?sym=tex) (NYSE: TEX (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/quote.ht m?sym=tex)), where seven have bought since October 24th," says Bill Martin (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/ccount/c lick.php?id=2611).In his BullMarket.com (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/ccount/c lick.php?id=2611), he explains, "The Westport, Conn.-based company manufactures capital equipment for construction, infrastructure, quarrying, mining, shipping, transportation, refining, and utility industries worldwide." Here's his review of the stock."The shares recently traded at $9.33, down -86% year to date. The stock hit a 52-week high of $76.25 in May and is currently trading at multi-year lows."The company announced Q3 results on October 22nd that fell well short of analyst earnings estimates. "For the quarter, Terex reported its profit fell year over year to $93.8 million, or 96 cents per sh...
More About: Play , Infrastructure , Insiders , Step , Step Up

Diamond Foods (DMND): Nuts!
2008-12-02 06:00:00
"If this market is making you go nuts, I have just the stock for you: Diamond Foods (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/quote.ht m?sym=dmnd) (NASDAQ: DMND (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/quote.ht m?sym=dmnd)), the premier processor and marketer of culinary, inshell, and snack nuts," says growth expert Tom Bishop (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/ccount/c lick.php?id=2603).In his BI Research (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/ccount/c lick.php?id=2603), the advisor explains, "Diamond is a solidly growing, low PEG, fairly recession-resistant stock that should continue to be in style over the uncertain year ahead." Here's his review."The company, headquartered in Stockton, California, hs distribution in over 80% of U.S. supermarkets. The recent acquisition of Pop Secret now adds popcorn to the line-up."As the industry leader, the Diamond brand enjoys a market share in North American markets four times larger than the next largest competitor. Diamond is also the nation’s top exporter o...
More About: Nuts

Improving government efficiency
2008-12-02 06:00:00
Small cap growth expert Jim Oberweis Jr. (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/ccount/c lick.php?id=2610) eyes two firms that help government agencies reduce costs -- one in health care, one in defense. Here's the latest from The Oberweis Report (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/ccount/c lick.php?id=2610)."HMS Holdings Corp. (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/quote.ht m?sym=hmsy) (NASDAQ: HMSY (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/quote.ht m?sym=hmsy)) provides a variety of cost management services for government-sponsored health and human services programs."These services help customers recover amounts due from third parties, avoid and reduce costs, and ensure regulatory compliance."HMS’s customers are State Medicaid agencies, government-sponsored managed care plans, child support agencies, the Veterans Health Administration, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and other public programs."The company helps these programs contain healthcare costs by identifying third party i...
More About: Government , Efficiency

Financials: 'Emerging from chaos'
2008-12-02 06:00:00
"It looks as if a handful of banks will emerge from the chaos and end up dominating their industry; that’s a recipe for future profits," says Jim Powell (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/ccount/c lick.php?id=2609) in Global Changes & Opportunities (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/ccount/c lick.php?id=2609)."Thanks to the credit crisis and the multi-billion dollar federal rescue program, the financial service industry is being changed much faster than anyone expected."But rather than use the federal largess to make loans, as the public had been led to expect, the banks are using much of the money to buy up their rivals."I believe that you can take a broad position in the banking giants and see good returns. However, I think the best way for most investors to proceed is with a fund that will focus in on the strongest companies as the situation unfolds."In my opinion, the fund to buy is Fidelity Select Financial Services (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/quote.ht m?sym=fid...
More About: Chaos

Costco (COST): 'Weathering the storm'
2008-12-01 06:00:00
"While many firms are struggling to survive, a lucky few are built to weather the storm better," says Karim Rahemtulla (http://www.smartprofitsreport.com). In Xcelerated Profits Report (http://www.smartprofitsreport.com), he eyes Cost co (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/quote.ht m?sym=cost) (NASDAQ: COST (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/quote.ht m?sym=cost))."Thanks to rising inflation and unemployment, coupled with a beaten-up economy, many retailers are braced for a harsh new reality this holiday season."Consumers have much tighter budgets and are cutting back on whatever they can. And that's where some 'one-stop' retailers like Costco can really take advantage."Although customers are more likely to avoid the electronics and other non-necessity stocking sections of the store these days, they still need to eat."So while other non-food departments are seeing a sales slowdown, Goldman Sachs recently reported that Costco is likely to enjoy strong food sales, which offset that...
More About: Storm

Myriad Genetics (MYGN): Profits in predictive medicine
2008-12-01 06:00:00
"Predictive medicine is now a possibility because a person’s genetic predisposition for certain diseases can be uncovered through molecular diagnostics," explains growth stock expert Dave Dyer (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/ccount/c lick.php?id=2591).In the Dave Dyer Newsletter (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/ccount/c lick.php?id=2591), he looks at one leading player in the field, Myriad Genetics (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/quote.ht m?sym=mygn) (NASDAQ: MYGN (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/quote.ht m?sym=mygn)), adding, "Genetically-based, personalized medicine may be one of the most important developments in decades.""Not all diseases have a genetic component, but some serious cancers certainly do. MYGN has tests for a predisposition for breast cancer, ovarian cancer, melanoma, and colorectal cancer."Using the specific genetic characteristics of an individual to predict diseases, diagnose conditions, and determine the most effective treatment will vastly improve medical ...
More About: Medicine , Profits

McMillan: Technician stays cautious
2008-12-01 06:00:00
In The Option Strategist (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/ccount/c lick.php?id=2600) technical expert Larry McMillan (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/ccount/c lick.php?id=2600) cautions, "We view the current rally merely as a short-term oversold rally; true intermediate-term buy signals are not yet in place.""Despite the absolute euphoria pouring out of your TV set, it is important to keep in mind that the strong rally this week is – so far – nothing more than an oversold rally." It is very similar to many other such rallies in the past, including the one at the end of October. In fact, there is a great deal of suspicion that month-end window dressing heavily accounted for the end-of-October rally, and perhaps it’s the same for this one. "The chart of the S&P 500 shows that at last week’s lows, the index was nearly 150 points below its 20-day moving average. At the same time, there were heavy oversold conditions in breadth, put-call ratios, volatility, and so f...
More About: Stays , Technician

Happy Thanksgiving!
2008-11-27 06:00:00
Happy Thanksgiving to all of our readers at TheStockAdvisors.com. Enjoy your holiday weekend. We will return with new articles on Monday, December 1st.
More About: Happy

Strong gains from hard assets
2008-11-26 06:00:00
"Market Vectors RVE Hard Assets (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/quote.ht m?sym=hap) (ASE: HAP (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/quote.ht m?sym=hap)) is designed for one-stop shopping, with a portfolio spanning more than 320 companies from 40 different countries," notes Paul Tracy (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/ccount/c lick.php?id=2596). In The ETF Authority (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/ccount/c lick.php?id=2596), he adds "The fund was launched in June, in the middle of a brutal sell-off in commodities. However, this pullback has created an attractive entry point, as I believe these sectors are still in the early stages of a secular, global bull market.""Top billing in the ETF goes to the energy group, which represents just over 40% of assets. Most of that goes to integrated oil giants like Chevron, but shareholders will also have a stake in oil/gas drillers, producers, refiners, and equipment providers. "The agriculture sector is also heavily weighted at 30%. Here, we have expo...
More About: Strong

Plains All-American (PAA) Pipeline pick
2008-11-26 06:00:00
"We’re adding a new midstream master limited partnership to our portfolio," says Neil George (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/ccount/c lick.php?id=2595) In The Partnership (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/ccount/c lick.php?id=2595). Here, the income expert looks at Plains All-American Pipeline (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/quote.ht m?sym=paa) (NYSE: PAA (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/quote.ht m?sym=paa))."Plains All-American owns a network of crude oil and refined products pipelines as well as 23 million barrels of crude oil and refined products storage capacity. "These are classic midstream assets backed up by fee-based revenues that depend solely on the volumes transported and stored."Crude oil storage is a particularly attractive market right now. The reason has to do with what’s known as contango. "Contango is a futures market term that refers to the difference between near-month and long-term futures prices. In other words, the current cost of crude oil is far lowe...
More About: Pick

A 'Money Map' to safe returns
2008-11-26 06:00:00
"Investors should not forget that we tend to have the worst news at or near market bottoms; that means that a rising tide of bad news is an important part of the bottoming process," explains Keith Fitz-Gerald (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/ccount/c lick.php?id=2599).Emphasizing the need for patience, the editor of The Money Map Report (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/ccount/c lick.php?id=2599) is maintaining a diversified portfolio including several quality income-oriented positions from Nuveen, PIMCO ad Vanguard. Here's a trio funds for safety and income."Nuveen Quality Income Municipal Fund (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/quote.ht m?sym=nqu) (NYSE: NQU (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/quote.ht m?sym=nqu)) seeks current income exempt from regular federal income tax. A lot of folks are fleeing munis right now because they’re fearful of the credit crisis and an anticipated wave of municipal defaults."What makes NQU appealing is that it concentrates substantially all of its a...
More About: Safe

General Electric (GE): Blue chip sale
2008-11-26 06:00:00
"The nation's biggest blue chip stock is on sale," says Mark Skousen (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/ccount/c lick.php?id=2594 ), referring to General Electric (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/quote.ht m?sym=ge) (NYSE: GE (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/quote.ht m?sym=ge)). Here's the latest from his top-notch specialty service, High Income Alert (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/ccount/c lick.php?id=2594 )."At the stock's low in 1982, the average stock in the Dow Jones Industrial Average sold for just eight times earnings and yielded 6%. Market historians look back and call it perhaps the single, greatest buying opportunity of the 20th century."Today, General Electric , the bellwether stock for the U.S. market, is selling at eight times earnings and yielding almost 8%."GE is a global titan, with strong businesses in appliances, aviation, healthcare, transportation, energy, water technologies, cable, film, consumer electronics, lighting, and electrical distribution."Business...
More About: Sale , Blue

Block traders find opportunities in oil sector
2008-11-25 06:00:00
"Prices back above $100 a barrel for crude oil are quite likely in 2009, and a return to this year’s high is possible," suggests Peter Way (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/ccount/c lick.php?id=2598), who monitors the buying and selling activity of "million dollar market makers."In his always-fascinating Block Traders ' Oil & Gas Monitor (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/ccount/c lick.php?id=2598), he explains, "At a $100 billion scale, bets are being made that crude's price path to come is up." Here, he reviews the forecasts being made by "big block traders" as well as the specific stocks attracting their interest."Why are the big players in crude, energy industry and investment participants alike, so optimistic about its price in coming months? Don’t they know that there’s a worldwide credit freeze on?"Don’t they see the plunge in auto sales with GM and Ford, hats in hand, begging in the beltway? Don’t they hear about China’s post-Olympics sl...
More About: Find , Opportunities

Seasonal gains due for gold
2008-11-25 06:00:00
"Gold is now looking stronger; it is time that investors have gold in their portfolios," says Curtis Hesler (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/ccount/c lick.php?id=2590). In the The Professional Timing Service (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/ccount/c lick.php?id=2590), he looks at gold's seasonal patterns."Fundamentally, the dollar rally is unsustainable, and the Fed’s attempts to 'rescue' the economy from the credit crisis is already creating unheard of quantities of dollars. This trend will continue until the tipping point is reached and the next 'crisis' begins."Next time, it will be a dollar and federal debt financing crisis as U.S. Treasuries become suddenly so difficult to sell that the Fed will have to step in and act as the buyer of last resort."Once the dollar begins to crack, the long dollar folks are parked in T-bills at less than 1% are going to panic. "I think they will rush to commodity-based assets because of the serious underinvestment phase t...
More About: Seasonal

WiMax gains with Alvarion (ALVR)
2008-11-24 06:00:00
Paul Williams (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/ccount/c lick.php?id=2584), a noted technology expert and editor of Next Inning Technology Report (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/ccount/c lick.php?id=2584), looks at his position in WiMax player, Alvarion (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/quote.ht m?sym=alvr) (NASDAQ: ALVR (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/quote.ht m?sym=avlr)). Here's his bullish review."When looking at ALVR, one metric that stands out is its low forward price to sales ratio."If based on the consensus for 2009 revenues, ARRS is sporting a forward price to sales ratio of 0.65 to 1."Of course that is based on the vision of fairly good revenue growth in 2009. If we pull back and use the 2008 consensus, it is a bit less attractive at 0.84 to 1, but still awfully low when we consider other available metrics."ALVR reported a net cash balance at the end of September of $145.5M, which covers 61% of its market capitalization (represents $2.25 per share). "While its very difficu...
More About: Wimax

Inverse ETFs: Downside gains
2008-11-24 06:00:00
Though bearish on the markets, Martin Weiss (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/ccount/c lick.php?id=2569) says, "We don't recommend short positions." Rather, in Safe Money Report (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/ccount/c lick.php?id=2569), he suggests using inverse exchange-traded funds."You can buy inverse ETFs for some of the same reasons as going short. They can be used as protective hedges to protect your long positions or as a speculation on the next decline."The Short Dow30 ProShares (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/quote.ht m?sym=dog) (NYSE: DOG (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/quote.ht m?sym=dog)) moves in the opposite direction of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, rising 10% for every 10% decline in the Dow. "And the Dow’s name-brand companies — IBM, Exxon Mobil, Wal-Mart, and Caterpillar — are not turning in name-brand performance."Disappointing earnings and a global economic slowdown are hammering each and every one."The Short Financials ProShares (http://...

Bernie's bets: Long & short
2008-11-24 06:00:00
Contrarian investor Bernie Schaeffer (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/ccount/c lick.php?id=2589) uses a combination of technical, fundamental and sentiment indicators to find his stock trading positions.In his Schaeffer's Investment Research (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/ccount/c lick.php?id=2589), the advisor looks to contrarary calls on insurance, housing and healthcare for the latest three additions to his "Master Trading Portfolio.""I initiated a long position in Aflac (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/quote.ht m?sym=afl) (NYSE: AFL (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/quote.ht m?sym=afl)), which had reported earnings on October 23 that had surpassed analysts' estimates by 2 cents per share."AFL is currently trading near the 33 level, which acted as support during October. Further support may come from the stock's 200-month exponential moving average."Option speculators are pessimistic toward AFL, as nearly 10 puts have been purchased (to open) for every call for AFL on th...
More About: Long , Short , Bets

Bank on Canada for safety and yield
2008-11-24 06:00:00
"It may surprise investors that Canada 's banks were rated the strongest in the world last month by the prestigious World Economic Forum," says income expert Carla Pasternak (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/ccount/c lick.php?id=2597).In her High Yield Investing (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/ccount/c lick.php?id=2597), she explains, "Despite getting top marks as the world's soundest financial institutions, Canadian banks are being punished along with their peers in the U.S. and Europe." Here, she reviews to favorite Canadian banking stocks."Canadian lenders score top marks as the most solvent among 134 countries. The banks are also rated fifth in the world for investor protection and sixth for financial market sophistication."The country has a healthy housing sector, where subprime mortgages are far less common than in the U.S. "This spells opportunity. Since price and yield move in opposite directions, as share prices have fallen, yields on Canadian bank stocks have risen to...
More About: Safety , Bank

New Oriental (EDU): Educated gains in China
2008-11-24 06:00:00
"China places high value on education, making New Oriental Education & Technology Group (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/quote.ht m?sym=edu) (NYSE: EDU (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/quote.ht m?sym=edu)) somewhat defensive in a growth-stunted economy," says Chris Rowe (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/ccount/c lick.php?id=2579).In the The Tycoon Report (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/ccount/c lick.php?id=2579), he explains, "We believe a slowing global economy will have minimal impact on the education sector in China." Here's his review of this firm, which operates English language schools."New Oriental Education is a rapidly growing company that provides private educational services to over 1.3 million students via 207 school centers, primarily in the People's Republic of China."They help privately prepare Chinese for admission tests to foreign universities emphasizing English."It offers its program, service, and products in six areas: language training; test preparation; pri...

Mosaic (MOS): Growth in fertilizers
2008-11-24 06:00:00
"Agricultural commodities have been hurt in the recent turmoil," says growth stock expert Stephen Leeb (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/ccount/c lick.php?id=2588). In The Complete Investor (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/ccount/c lick.php?id=2588) he looks at Mosaic (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/quote.ht m?sym=mos) (NYSE: MOS (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/quote.ht m?sym=mos)). a world leader in fertilizers."Mosaic has been decimated in price despite reporting record earnings. The company is the world’s second-biggest producer of fertilizer components and the leading producer of potash."It’s also the largest maker of processed phosphates, which gives it a lot of leverage to the rapidly growing markets of China and Brazil, and is an exclusive marketer of 1.2 million metric tons of nitrogen products."Since its high in June, the stock has lost three-fourths of its value and now trades at just 3 times next year’s earnings. The sell-off came despite Mosaic’s hi...
More About: Growth

Chevron (CVX) 'All weather strength'
2008-11-21 06:00:00
"I’m now taking a very aggressive stance," says Roger Conrad (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/ccount/c lick.php?id=2575); in his Utility Forecaster (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/ccount/c lick.php?id=2575), he sees the "underpinnings of a powerful rebound." Here, he eyes Chevron (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/quote.ht m?sym=cvx) (NYSE: CVX (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/quote.ht m?sym=cvx))."Super oils such as Chevron no longer have a hammerlock on global supplies of oil and natural gas. But they do have more powerful balance sheets than most countries and solid positions in all areas of the energy business."That makes them virtually recession proof and the surest bets on long-term growth in global energy demand and shrinking supplies. Those are facts investors forgot when selling off Chevron shares."But those who are light on the stock can now buy in for less than 1.6 times book value, six times the lowest Wall Street estimate for 2009 earnings and a yield of more than 4%."...
More About: Weather

Apple (AAPL) 'A rare opportunity'
2008-11-20 06:00:00
"Apple (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/quote.ht m?sym=aapl) (NASDAQ: AAPL (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/quote.ht m?sym=aapl)) is offering a rare opportunity and is now one of our favorite ideas for investors with a multi-year time horizon," says Bill Martin (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/ccount/c lick.php?id=2576) In his BullMarket.com (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/ccount/c lick.php?id=2576), the trading and investing expert explains, "Our bullish thesis on Apple revolves around cash; both the cash on its balance sheet and the cash it is able to generate.""With approximately $24.5 billion in cash and no debt, about $27.50 of Apple's share price is cash. Meanwhile, the company generated $9.1 billion in cash the past fiscal year."Given the way revenue with the iPhone is reported (it's recognized over the life of a contract, not upfront), the cash Apple generates is actually a lot higher than what its earnings indicate. "Combined, this makes common metrics like P/E ratios ...
More About: Opportunity , Rare

US Bancorp (USB): Bank with Buffett
2008-11-20 06:00:00
Jack Adamo (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/ccount/c lick.php?id=2580) has been a bull on U.S. Bancorp (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/quote.ht m?sym=) (NYSE: USB (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/quote.ht m?sym=usb)) and is now recommending doubling the position that he holds in his model portfolio. Here's the latest from Insiders Plus (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/ccount/c lick.php?id=2580)."US Bancorp is accepting $6.6 billion in new capital from the TARP program. Tier One capital will rise from 8.5% to 11.4% as a result of the new deal. "The company will issue preferred stock to the U.S. Treasury at an annual rate of 5% for five years, increasing to 9% per year thereafter if the company has not redeemed the shares. I doubt they’ll go unredeemed."The Treasury Department would also receive 10-year warrants entitling it to buy common stock of U.S. Bancorp with a value equal to 15% of the amount of the preferred stock issuance."With Tier One capital already at 8.5%, USB obv...
More About: Buffett , Bank

New buys among drug stocks
2008-11-20 06:00:00
"Investors should keep a defensive posture," says Richard Moroney (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/ccount/c lick.php?id=2571). However, the editor of the blue chip Dow Theory Forecasts (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/ccount/c lick.php?id=2571) see opportunity in two drug stocks just added to his buy list."In general, we prefer to let the market’s action signal that the point of maximum pessimism has passed before deploying our cash reserves. But we intend to remain engaged, looking for stocks capable of bucking the bearish trend."Biogen Idec (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/quote.ht m?sym=biib) (NASDAQ: BIIB (http://www.thestockadvisors.com/quote.ht m?sym=biib)) produces biotechnology drugs that treat non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and multiple sclerosis. Per-share profits jumped 69% and operating cash flow surged 71% in the September quarter."Wall Street expects per-share-profit growth of 9% in 2009 and 7% in 2010, but good news on Biogen’s most-promising drug could render t...
More About: Stocks , Drug