This post is one in a series in which more than 60 newsletter advisors share their Top Stock Picks for 2011. This special report is courtesy of TheStockAdvisors.com.

"A stock that should do well in 2011 is Ameriprise Financial (AMP); the company offers financial planning, asset management, and insurance products," says dividend reinvestment specialist Chuck Carlson.

The editor of The DRIP Investor explains, "The company's product focus on meeting the retirement needs of 'mass affluent individuals.'

"Spun-off from American Express in 2005, Ameriprise Financial (AMP) is in the midst of a transformation from an insurer to a full-blown money management firm," notes long-term value investor John Buckingham.

The editor of The Prudent Speculator explains, "Eyeing an opportunity to gather assets on the cheap, the company spent close to $2 billion during the financial crisis.

"The company purchased Columbia Asset Management, J&W Seligman and H&R Block Financial. In total, it acquired $224 billion in new assets, bringing total assets under management to over $445 billion.

MAJOR PAPERS:

• According to sources, the Wall Street Journal reported that Countrywide Financial Corporation (NYSE: CFC) is under investigation for possible securities fraud. People close to the situation say the inquiry is in its early stages but it involves an inquiry into alleged misrepresentations of the company's financial position and the quality of its mortgage loans.
• The Financial Times reported that Credit Suisse Group (NYSE: CS) has teamed up with three leading academics to create products that will deal with the potentially lucrative hedge fund replication industry. The upcoming suite of products will attempt to mechanically replicate the returns of the major hedge fund strategies.

• Rio Tinto Plc (NYSE: RTP) is expected to announce this week that its aluminum business is worth up to $20B more than current estimates, after a rise in aluminum prices; the UK Times reported that the statement could raise pressure on BHP Billiton Limited (NYSE: BHP) to increase its takeover bid for Rio.
• Asset manager Ameriprise Financial Inc (NYSE: AMP) is pairing up with MasterCard Incorporated (NYSE: MA), the Associated Press reported, to become a credit card lender for the first time, the two companies reportedly plan to announce today.