"Founded in 1958, ASA Ltd. (NYSE: ASA) is a boutique investment management firm that specializes in precious metals stocks," notes Nathan Slaughter.

The editor of The ETF Authority explains, "Among actively-managed funds in this niche, ASA has earned a best-in-class reputation." Here's his review.

"The portfolio only holds about 20 stocks, but shareholders will have a stake in most of the industry's heaviest hitters. The list represents major players from South Africa to Latin America.

"Gold is now looking stronger; it is time that investors have gold in their portfolios," says Curtis Hesler. In the The Professional Timing Service, he looks at gold's seasonal patterns.

"I think they will rush to commodity-based assets because of the serious underinvestment phase the commodity sector is involved in now. This will lead to shortages and very high prices down the road in all commodities.

"Once the dollar begins to roll over, gold will be an instant benefactor. It is already looking stronger in my technical work, and it is time that investors should have gold in their portfolios. I still recommend that you put new money into the major gold miners only.

"We are approaching an interesting seasonal period for gold. Years ago, the Stock Trader's Almanac used to specify a seasonal trade in gold.

"Their study showed that if you bought ASA Ltd. (NYSE: ASA) at its low in November and sold it at its high in the first quarter of the next year, you would have averaged a gain of 87.8%.

This article is part of a 20 article special report on "Metals, miners and money".

In his Commodity Trend Alert, Eric Roseman believes a short-term correction is "highly likely." But the resource expert still considers ASA Limited (NYSE: ASA) a "terrific bargain."

He explains, "For value investors, a great buying opportunity in commodities looms this fall. The fundamentals for commodities remain extremely bullish as we progress into 2008. A weaker U.S. dollar, lower interest rates, and supply deficits across a spectrum of raw materials promises to snowball into another formidable rally for commodities."

However, he cautions, this buying opportunity will come after a "period of digestion." He observes, "Commodities indices have come a long way over the last two months following the mid-August market low. Heavy investor speculation in many raw materials -- namely oil, gold, and wheat -- implies a short-term correction is highly likely."

The advisor notes, "Banks, hedge funds, individual investors, and sovereign wealth funds are all on the same side of the dollar bear market ship; historically, too many bears on the same side of a trade means someone will lose their shirt -- and soon."

Each year Steven Halpern, editor of TheStockAdvisors.com, surveys the leading financial newsletter advisors asking for their favorite stocks for the coming year. This article is part of his 24th annual Top Picks Report.

ASA Bermuda Ltd. (NYSE: ASA), a precious metals closed-end investment company, is the favorite speculation for 2007 from Sy Harding. The editor of StreetSmart Reports explains, "Its by-laws require that it have at least 80% of its investments in the stocks of gold, silver, platinum, or diamond mining companies.

"Its holdings at year-end 2006 were approximately 70% in gold mining companies, with its largest holdings including Gold Fields Ltd., AngloGold Ashanti, and Barrick Gold. The balance of its assets are in other natural resource stocks including Anglo Platinum, Anglo American PLC, and Impala Platinum.

"We expect the bull market in gold and precious metals, which began in 2001, will continue in 2007. Gold tends to move opposite to the U.S. dollar, and in the same direction as the price of crude oil and inflation in general. Many analysts believe the U.S. dollar will be in a continuing downtrend in 2007. Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve says it is still concerned about rising inflation.