This post is part of a special annual report -- Top Stock Picks '09 -- in which TheStockAdvisors.com asked 75 leading newsletter advisors to select their favorite investment for the new year.
Top-rated market timer Mark Leibovit says, "Gold has been our top pick for the last two years and we are staying with it." In his VR Survey he looks at PowerShares DB Gold Double Long (NYSE: DGP).
The advisor explains, "We set a new low of 680.30 on October 24, the lowest low since the 1020 record high from March 17, 2008 and down from the October 10 recovery high of 933.65.
"Though unfulfilled technical measurements still exist as low as 620 in Gold, it appears a short-term bottom is now in place. Support is the low at 680.
"We broke through resistance of 830-850 on December 16. Strength in the US Dollar Index had put the brakes on the gold rally, but we've now seen that gold and the dollar can rally together. It is possible gold is anticipating a top in the dollar, which is inevitable.
"Indeed, you could come in some morning and find gold up $500 an ounce and blow the lid off all the bearish sentiment and doubters. Gold will never go to zero and is the ultimate hedge.
"We've learned that the top names in corporate America are not sacred and nothing is safe. There is a risk, albeit a small one at this moment, that our own U.S. Treasury could default on debt, but that risk grows in time.
"Recently, the Treasury had to borrow money just to pay interest on the debt. Our Treasury is essentially bankrupt. Skeptics says that is nonsense as they can always print more money.
"It is clear this cannot go on for long without paying the consequences for such irresponsibility. Once central governments (ours included) realize that running the printing press 24/7 debases currency and ultimately leads to significant if not 'hyper' inflation -- the only solution is a gold standard.
"We are currently in a deflationary environment, but that will change in the next year or so. Meanwhile, I would continue to accumulate the physical metal where possible for the long-term. Hoarding is now taking place and for good reason.
"Recent selling in gold has been a result of hedge fund de-leveraging, margin calls, outright liquidation as a flight to cash resulted in the baby being thrown out with the bath water and, unfortunately, manipulation at the highest levels.
"Based on this general long-term forecast, I recommend positions in PowerShares DB Gold Double Long ETN -- an exchange-traded note that moves twice the amount of the movement in gold. For 2009, my target for gold is a move to between $1,200 and $1,400. We would not recommending using a stop with this position."
Steven Halpern's TheStockAdvisors.com offers a daily look at the latest market commentary and favorite stock picks and investment ideas from the nation's leading financial newsletter advisors.










