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NRG Energy (NRG): 'Wholesale' power play

"The uncertain market has changed our risk appetite and shifted our focus to stocks deemed safe enough for even the most conservative investors," says Jonas Elmerraji.

The editor of The Rhino Stock Report suggests, "Among them are regulated utilities, including our latest recommendation -- NRG Energy (NRG), which is involved in wholesale power generation.

"Investors have long favored utilities for a few very good reasons: predictable, recession-resistant revenues; steady streams of dividends; and government-sanctioned monopolies. They're a safe haven for stressed investors in the midst of a recession.

Continue reading NRG Energy (NRG): 'Wholesale' power play

Parnassus: Favorite funds for socially responsible investors

"Being socially responsible means different things to different people; however, in the mutual-fund world, it refers to funds that combine progressive 'social' mandates with investment criteria," explains fund expert Mark Salzinger.

In The No-Load Fund Investor, he suggests, "We have no problem with the concept of socially responsible funds for an investor who wants his investments to reflect his values, provided that the funds have also provided good risk-adjusted returns." Here, he looks at two favorites.

"Funds that call themselves socially responsible usually avoid stocks that don't meet progressive, or politically liberal, standards of environment impact, workplace environment, and diversity/tolerance and community involvement.

Continue reading Parnassus: Favorite funds for socially responsible investors

HMS Holdings (HSMY): Breakout in health care

In his Ticker Tape Digest, technician Leo Fasciocco looks for "breakout" stocks; his latest feature is HMS Holdings (HMSY), which coordinates benefits for government healthcare programs.

"With annual revenues of $185 million, HMSY helps ensure that healthcare claims are paid correctly and by the responsible party.

"As a result of the company's services, government healthcare programs recover over $1 billion annually and avoid billions of dollars more in erroneous payments.

Continue reading HMS Holdings (HSMY): Breakout in health care

Quanta Services (PWR): Infrastructure power play

"I'm excited about Quanta Services (PWR), a contracting company that specializes in building utility transmission and distribution infrastructure," says Ian Wyatt.

In his Top Stock Insights, he explains, "The current focus in the U.S. of projects that improve energy conservation, utilize renewable resources, and improve air quality make Quanta an excellent long-term growth opportunity.

"Its customers are in the electric power, gas, telecommunications, and cable television industries. These are stimulus spending customers; i.e., big government organizations and utilities companies.

Continue reading Quanta Services (PWR): Infrastructure power play

Praxair (PX): The 'race' for carbon capture

"The U.S. Energy Department is sponsoring a race to develop an obscure industrial process -- carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) -- and the winners of the race will receive $1.4 billion -- yes, billion, with a B," says Andy Obermueller.

In Government-Driven Investing, he says, "My pick to profit from among the 12 companies selected to compete in this scientific 'Olympiad' is Praxair (NYSE: PX)."

"This industrial-gas company owns hundreds of CCS patents, technology that could turn a coal-fired power plant -- about the dirtiest thing in the world, emissions-wise -- into one of the cleanest.

Continue reading Praxair (PX): The 'race' for carbon capture

Clean water profits

"Water, one of the most precious of resources, continues to be the most mispriced," says Neil George.

In his Profits Hidden in the News advisory, he explains, "Millions of Americans are drinking dangerous water from the tap." Here, he looks at two ways to profit as this situation gains attention.

"The US Environmental Protection Agency has recently updated its data on US municipal water and, as with previous surveys and reports - the news is not good. In fact, for wide swaths of the US population - including those in the nation's capital - its flat out scary.

Continue reading Clean water profits

Teva (TEVA): Baby-boomers give boost to generics

"The health care picks in our growth portfolio should prosper whatever the outcome of the raging health care debate," suggests growth stock specialist Stephen Leeb.

In The Complete Investor, he explains, "That's because they're leveraged to demographic realities, and in particular to the tide of aging baby boomers," Here, he reviews on portfolio holding -- Teva Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: TEVA).

Leeb says, "Israel-based Teva Pharmaceutical is the world's largest manufacturer of generic drugs. Capitalized at $49 billion, Teva pulled in some $11 billion in revenues in 2008, with generic drugs contributing more than two-thirds of those sales.

Continue reading Teva (TEVA): Baby-boomers give boost to generics

Echelon (ELON): Smart play on smart grid

"A smart grid is one of the holy grails of 'green' technology, enabling utilities to deliver resources when and where they're needed and reduce resources when they're not," says Brendan Coffey.

In The Cabot Green Investor, he explains, "There are larger companies in the smart metering arena, but Echelon (NASDAQ: ELON) has posted some significant wins in the marketplace recently and appears primed to generate more."

"Right now, grids are set up to provide as much power as needed at peak times, all the time. Studies show that when customers are part of a smart grid, and have more information to reduce energy usage, demand is slashed by up to 50%, particularly in areas where rates are discounted depending on the time of day.

Continue reading Echelon (ELON): Smart play on smart grid

Fired up over coal ETF

"Coal accounts for more than 70% of China's electricity," says Tony Sagami. In Uncommon Wisdom, he looks to an ETF poised to benefit from long-term rising coal demand.

The advisor explains, "China's coal consumption is growing, and it is building coal-powered power plants at a breakneck pace.

"Why? Because they are much cheaper to build and operate than any other power-producing option. China is power starved, and coal is the main resource used for generating electricity in the country.

Continue reading Fired up over coal ETF

Teva: A 'Ben Graham' selection

The Cabot Benjamin Graham Value Letter focuses on stocks that meet the strict value criteria of the legendary investor. Here, J. Royden Ward looks to Teva Pharmaceutical (NASDAQ: TEVA), noting, "Teva is based in Israel and develops, makes and sells generic and proprietary-branded (store brand) drugs."

The advisor explains, "The company is one of the largest generic drug-producing companies in the world and, in addition, sells active ingredients to other pharmaceutical companies.

"Teva's aggressive acquisition and product development programs are driving strong sales growth. The company recently purchased U.S.-based Barr Pharmaceuticals for $7.5 billion. Barr will increase Teva's generic drug sales significantly in the U.S. and parts of Europe.

Continue reading Teva: A 'Ben Graham' selection

Chesapeake (CHK): A natural in natural gas

"If there was ever a stock we can hold for a few years, natural gas company Chesapeake Energy (NYSE: CHK) is it," says Ian Wyatt. Here's the latest from his Top Stock Insights.

"Chesapeake Energy is the largest independent natural gas company and most active driller of wells in the US. Its operating activities include the onshore exploration and production of natural gas.

"The Obama administration is keen on achieving energy independence for the US. Natural gas is a good option for energy, since it is inexpensive, clean and domestic. I believe the administration will continue to push natural gas as an alternative to oil, and create incentives for the industry.

Continue reading Chesapeake (CHK): A natural in natural gas

Praxair (PX): Clean coal play on cap-and-trade

Andy Obermueller is the chief investment strategist of an intriguing new service that focuses on developing government legislation to find investment opportunities.

In his Government-Driven Investing the advisor looks at Praxair (NYSE: PX) as a play on clean coal technology, more-technically known as carbon capture and sequestration. Here, he explains the opportunity:

"U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu recently announced an $8.4 million project to ensure that the nation's innovators are up to speed on the latest carbon-capture and sequestration technology.

Continue reading Praxair (PX): Clean coal play on cap-and-trade

CVS (CVS): An 'exceptional company'

"CVS Caremark (NYSE: CVS), the nation's largest U.S. drugstore chain, remains a buy in our model growth portfolio," says Stephen Leeb.

In his The Complete Investor, he explains, "Business at CVS has been resilient. In the second quarter, revenue growth was up 22% for its pharmacy benefits management (PBM) business and 17% for retail operations.

"Total sales, almost evenly divided between the two segments, rose 18% to $24.9 billion. Earnings of $886.5 million, or 60 cents a share, were 13% higher than in the year-earlier period and beat consensus estimates by a penny.

Continue reading CVS (CVS): An 'exceptional company'

Which companies get extra credit in Obama's school address?

Given the recent controversy over Obama's address to school children Tuesday, I was interested to see the speech released on the White House web site. While not all schools will be showing the speech, it is still likely to have a huge audience of many students across the nation. I looked to see which companies might benefit from this exposure.

Overall, Obama encourages kids to study hard, be responsible and overcome the many obstacles they face, while relating his own difficulties from school.

Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) gets a positive mention as an example of the kind of company to strive to build.

The iPhone also makes it into the speech, to the benefit of Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL).

J. K. Rowling -- author of the Harry Potter series -- gets included, a plus for her publisher, Scholastic Corp. (NASDAQ: SCHL), and Time Warner (NYSE: TWX), which has released the movies based on the books.

Continue reading Which companies get extra credit in Obama's school address?

Pharmacy benefits management benefit CVS (CVS)

"Regardless of how you analyze the company, CVS Caremark (NYSE: CVS) stands out," says Chuck Carlson.

In The DRIP Investor, he explains, "Our Quadrix stock-rating system ranks more than 4,000 stocks based on more than 100 different variables. CVS scores better than 90% of the stocks in the Quadrix universe."

"CVS's Sector score -- that is, a score devised by evaluating the metrics that have the most influence over performance in that particular sector -- is also impressive at 95 out of a possible 100.

Continue reading Pharmacy benefits management benefit CVS (CVS)

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Symbol Lookup
IndexesChangePrice
DJIA-14.2810,318.16
NASDAQ-10.782,146.04
S&P 500-3.521,091.38

Last updated: November 21, 2009: 07:43 PM

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