Top Picks 2007: Todd Salamone chips in with Amkor

Posted Jan 1st 2007 8:30AM by Steven Halpern
Filed under: Newsletters, ETF Investing

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.

Amkor Technology (NASDAQ: AMKR), a semiconductor packaging and test services firm, is the top speculative idea for 2007 from Todd Salamone. The editor of Equity WealthBuilder notes, "Amkor shares have been on a tear, more than doubling as of mid-December.

"The rally began when Amkor restated its 2005 and first-quarter 2006 earnings reports with the SEC, which resolved a potential conflict with bondholders. A second bullish catalyst was record third-quarter sales and a third-quarter profit -- after reporting a loss in the third quarter the prior year.

"On the technical front, the stock had consolidated since July 2004 at its lowest levels this decade. Now, a combination of positive earnings surprises and strong technical momentum in the shares could attract momentum players, while its P/E of 10 may attract valuation players.

"With positive catalysts in place, strong price action during recent weeks, and the potential for valuation players to take notice, there is a very good possibility that the unwinding of negative sentiment surrounding these shares could drive a sustained trend higher.

"Further, the security is far from loved by Wall Street analysts. For example, according to Thomson/First Call, of the 11 analysts that follow AMKR, only one rates it a 'buy' while two have tagged AMKR with a 'sell' rating. This analyst configuration sets the stage for potential upgrades in the future, which could give the shares an additional boost."

To see Todd's favorite conservative stock for 2007, click here.