For 25 years, Steven Halpern, editor of TheStockAdvisors.com, has surveyed the leading financial newsletter advisors asking for their favorite stocks for the coming year. This article is one of 100+ ideas in the Best Stocks for 2008 report.

"My top conservative play for 2008 is a repeat of my top pick from last year, StreetTracks Gold Trust (NYSE: GLD)," says Mark Leibovit, editor of VRYTrader and last year's #1 rated market timer by Timer Digest.

"StreetTracks Gold seeks to reflect the performance of the price of gold bullion, less the trust's expenses. The trust holds gold, and is expected to issue baskets in exchange for deposits of gold, and to distribute gold in connection with redemption of baskets.

"The gold held by the trust will only be sold on an as-needed basis to pay trust expenses, in the event the trust terminates and liquidates its assets, or as otherwise required by law or regulation. The trust is not managed like an active investment vehicle, and it's not registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

"As for gold itself, we expect continued strength in gold prices. Long-term investors should hold regardless of near-term price action. On the downside, next support is at $750 should the $776 in the futures or $774.50 in the spot market be broken.

"The high for the move in spot gold was $846.60 ($847.50 in the December futures on November 8). Next an upside move to $875 is now possible, followed by $900+, followed by $1200. We're in a 20-year up-cycle into 2020, folks.

"Although we have been in a near-term correction, it is clear that with the infusion of funds into the banking system, inflationary pressures will ensue, not to mention Mideast concerns, but we're now in a correction. Meanwhile, my upside target for GLD is $89 to $91."