"Oil prices have made the headlines recently," says Martin Hutchinson in The Money Map Reporter. "But the miracle fuel of the 19th Century is coal, the forgotten fossil fuel."

"Coal is located primarily in politically stable, friendly countries - most notably the U.S. market itself. Coal prices have zoomed northward during the past year. The current spot price is around $135 per metric ton, more than double the level of a year ago. Meanwhile, coal production is running way ahead of forecasts.

"In 2005, the World Coal Institute reported production of 4,970 million metric tons, up 78% over 25 years. The main reason for coal's growth is that 80% of China's power needs and 65% of India's come from coal-fired stations.

"Since both India and China are expected to quadruple their power consumption by 2030, most of that increase must come from coal-fired stations. What are the best buys in the sector?

"St. Louis-based Peabody Energy (NYSE: BTU) is the world's largest producer of pure coal, with reserves of 9,000 million metric tons [which have a sale value of $1.3 trillion at today's inflated prices]. At 16 times 2008 earnings, it's not overly expensive; indeed, given its reserves, its market capitalization of $14 billion makes it look like a bargain.

"China-based Yanzhou (NYSE: YZC) is alluring, in part, because the company is headquartered where the market is. This stock is a little more reasonably priced - at 40 times trailing earnings and 14 times prospective earnings - and has a market capitalization of $9 billion.

"The bottom line: Who needs oil companies, with all their political risk and the accompanying market volatility? The real 'black gold' is coal."

Each day, Steven Halpern's TheStockAdvisors.com offers the latest market commentary and favorite investment ideas from the nation's leading financial newsletter advisors.