Each year Steven Halpern, editor of TheStockAdvisors.com, surveys the leading financial newsletter advisors asking for their favorite stocks for the coming year. This article is part of his 24th annual Top Picks Report.

The BASF Group (NYSE: BF) is the top conservative idea for 2007 from Gregg Early, editor of The Real Nanotech Investor: A Small World of Big Profits. He notes, "BASF is one of the premier chemicals companies in the world and it's well positioned to be the most dominant and influential chemical company of the 21st century.

"Nanotech is to this century what chemistry was to the 20th century -- one of the most pervasive advancements in every aspect of our lives.

"Like penicillin or the transistor, it will take society decades to fully realize the implications. BASF is already well on its way to applying the lessons it has long been learning on this front.

"What's more, it's the leading patent holder in the nanotech realm and has a very innovative approach to expanding its business as well as its product lines.

"While it's been left unnoticed by many on Wall Street, the resurgence of the euro and the welcoming arms of many Asian and Middle Eastern countries to this German company's expansion means these markets bode very well for the globally dominant position BASF is establishing. It will be hard to ignore this firm much longer. BASF is buy up to $97."