Best Stocks for 2008: Navigating gains at Tsakos Energy Navigation (TNP)

Macneale explains, "Tsakos is a tanker company based in Greece with a fleet of 53 vessels. Most ships are double hulled and relatively modern. Tsakos is a relatively young company, formed in 1993, with a senior management averaging just 49 years old.

"Other things to like about TNP include its strong fundamentals, strong profit margins, and the fact that it is well situated to exploit the ever-growing global economy.

"Regarding the fundamentals, TNP has price to earning, price to book, and price to cash flow ratios (7.1, 1.8, 5.2) that are all well below its peers in both its industry and sector. Its 4.5% dividend (26% payout ratio) seems secure and will pay you while you wait for the economy to decide which way it's going to go in 2008.

"With any commodity, as the value of the product being shipped increases, the incremental cost of transportation becomes less significant. Energy prices show no sign of weakness and, in my opinion, will remain strong for 2008.

"This gives shippers pricing flexibility and should allow TNP to maintain its very strong 36% profit margin. All of the above make Tsakos Energy Navigation my top conservative pick for 2008."