Posted Jun 14th 2009 1:00PM by Jamie Dlugosch
Filed under: Consumer experience, Obama Picks
What about President Obama? Can following his tastes result in shareholder profits?
As Leader of the Free World, President Obama must be careful not to seem too commercial, so it's unlikely that he will overtly endorse any product. And so we have to dig a little deeper and learn from his actions.
In a recent interview, Obama was seen at the burger shop, a favorite on the menu for the president. Will we see him at Red Robin Gourmet Burger (NASDAQ: RRGB)? His mere presence there would be an implied endorsement and could send fans flocking to their own Red Robin Gourmet Burger restaurant.
Continue reading Obama stock #5: Red Robin Gourmet Burgers (RRGB)
Posted Jun 13th 2009 11:00AM by Jamie Dlugosch
Filed under: Consumer experience, Obama Picks
If ever a brand could use a boost it's Talbots (NYSE: TLB).
This week the company announced that profits plummeted 68% to $1.6 million in the quarter ended May 3.
This conservative women's clothing store has lacked the pizzazz to capture a larger market share. Michelle Obama wearing TLB injects some much needed life into the brand.
After the election, when it was known that Mrs. Obama wore Talbots, shares bounced significantly. Previously, the stock was threatening to broach the $1 mark. Today, you can buy shares for around $5.
Continue reading Obama stock #1: Talbots (TLB)
Posted Jun 13th 2009 9:00AM by Jamie Dlugosch
Filed under: Whole Foods Market (WFMI), Nordstrom, Inc (JWN), Obama Picks
We all know the impact that celebrities have on businesses. One of the most obvious instances of this phenomenon comes from the Oprah Winfrey Show. For example, when a title makes it into her book club, millions of loyal followers immediately take action, and sales follow.
These days, Michelle Obama is giving Oprah a run for her money. The First Lady is being closely watched by millions, and she too has a loyal following. She also appears to have a fashion sense that resonates with consumers around the globe. We all saw the number of stories and speculation about her gown during the inauguration.
Continue reading Move over Oprah -- Michelle Obama's got the touch
Posted Jun 9th 2009 10:50AM by Steven Halpern
Filed under: Newsletters, Commodities, Oil, Stocks to Buy, Green Stocks, Obama Picks
"Itron (NASDAQ: ITRI), which is involved in the build-out of smart grids -- has been our radar screen for awhile," says growth stock expert Toby Smith.
In his ChangeWave Investing, he suggests, "As the top supplier of smart meters and meter infrastructure for the electricity industry, Itron is by far the best-positioned company for the smart grid build-out."
"The build-out of smart grids employs technologies that deployed across an energy grid which allow greater efficiency and flexibility during energy distribution and transmission.
"The cool thing about smart grids is that they are capable of isolating and better managing power outages and disruptions, integrating local power generating equipment, and avoiding electricity congestion or bottlenecks.
Continue reading Itron (ITRI): Smart grids, smart meters
Posted May 27th 2009 12:00PM by Steven Halpern
Filed under: International markets, Newsletters, Teva Pharm Indus ADR (TEVA), Stocks to Buy, Obama Picks
"Generic drug mak Teva Pharmaceutical, Ltd. (NASDAQ: TEVA) delivered respectable earnings results," says Jack Adamo, who added the stock his Insiders Plus model portfolio.
"The company's earnings were up 4% on a proforma non-GAAP basis. In this case, that's the correct measurement. Net GAAP earnings were up tremendously, but aren't really representative of normal business factors.
"Although Teva gets much of its earnings from its proprietary multiple sclerosis drug, Copaxone, its primary business is generic drugs. That segment is inherently lumpy because profitability is greatly affected by which generic drugs it brings to market before any other generic company.
Continue reading Teva (TEVA): Generic profits
Posted May 20th 2009 12:00PM by Steven Halpern
Filed under: India, China, Newsletters, Commodities, Oil, Eastern Europe, Stocks to Buy, Green Stocks, Obama Picks
Brendan Coffey is a specialist on "green" investing; in his The Cabot Green Investor, he looks to alternative energy firm American Superconductor (NASDAQ: AMSC).
Here's his review of the company, which is a player both in wind power and energy efficient wiring that can play a role in improved power grid systems.
"Long an R&D company, focusing on highly conductive wiring, American Superconductor made a game-changing purchase of an Austrian wind company, Windtec, in early 2007.
Continue reading American Superconductor (AMSC): Green gains in wind and wires
Posted May 18th 2009 2:00PM by Steven Halpern
Filed under: Newsletters, Stocks to Buy, Obama Picks
"Genomics may be the 'next big thing' after the Internet and biotech. Finding those who can make money early onwill likely pay dividends to investors," expla]in small cap growth stock specialist Jim Oberweis, Jr.
In his The Oberweis Report, he explains the "politics" behind this bullish scenario as well as his top pick for log-term investors seeking exposure to the developing healthcare technologies if genomics and personalized medicine.
"We believe that the biotech boom was a direct consequence of rising National Health Institute (NIH) funding, cheap equity capital, and the ability to patent NIH-funded discoveries. And we see that happening again.
Continue reading Genomics: The next big thing?
Posted May 18th 2009 12:30PM by Steven Halpern
Filed under: Newsletters, Stocks to Buy, Obama Picks
"Few industries seem as well positioned for future growth as the generic drug industry," says small-cap growth stock specialist Tom Bishop.
In his BI Research newsletter, he explains, "With demographic pointing to an increasingly aging population, and healthcare costs spiraling out of control, low cost generic drugs are clearly part of the solution." Here's a look at generic drug maker Mylan (NYSE: MYL).
"High on the agenda of the Obama administration is to bring health care coverage to some 40 million Americans who are currently not covered.
Continue reading Generic gains from Mylan (MYL)
Posted May 14th 2009 5:00PM by Sheldon Liber
Filed under: Competitive strategy, Home Depot (HD), Lowe's Cos (LOW), Serious Money, Stocks to Buy, Obama Picks, Best Stocks for 2009

Hopefully all the people who thought the world was coming to an end have found good counseling while the rest of us get on with our business. This is not to make light of those that are struggling to find employment, or trying to rebuild their retirement portfolios -- this is a brutal economy indeed.
The most important thing, though, is that the stock market has improved recently, "bear rally" or not, because it has allowed investors to see that the market can go up as well as down. The most reliable prediction for the future of the stock market has always been "it will fluctuate".
My favorite motto comes from my time as a Cub Scout: be prepared. If you do not have a watchlist then you are not prepared. Yesterday I started this conversation with
Serious Money: Keep your eyes on UPS and FDX.Continue reading Serious Money: Home Depot & Lowe's belong on your watchlist
Posted Apr 28th 2009 1:30PM by Steven Halpern
Filed under: International markets, Newsletters, Commodities, Oil, Stocks to Buy, Green Stocks, Obama Picks
"Zero greenhouse gas emissions, 90% average availability as a power source, minimal land requirements and competitive costs: those are just a few of the advantages of geothermal power," explains Roger Conrad.
In his leading-edge New World advisory, he looks at one favorite play on the sector: Ormat Technologies (NYSE: ORA), which operates a dozen geothermal plants worldwide.
"Geothermal's chief disadvantage is geographical limitations to large-scale applications. Geothermal plants are mainly economic in areas of subsurface or volcanic activity.
Continue reading Ormat (ORA): Investing in geothermal power
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