Amkor Technology (NASDAQ: AMKR) is a leading provider of semiconductor assembly and test services. The firm offers semiconductor companies and electronics manufacturers a complete set of microelectronics manufacturing services, including die bonding, wire bonding, chip encapsulation, and verification of function, current, timing, and voltage. Clients include IBM (NYSE: IBM), Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) and Texas Instruments (NYSE: TXN).

The company surprised the Street last week, when it reported Q1 EPS of 36 cents and revenues of $699.5 million. Analysts had been looking for 26 cents and $684.3 million. The CEO attributed success to customer demand for wireless communications and networking applications. Management also guided Q2 EPS to 32-36 cents (28 cent consensus) and Q2 revenues to about $706-$720 million ($700.6M consensus).

Amkor Technology (NASDAQ: AMKR) is a leading provider of semiconductor assembly and test services. The firm offers semiconductor companies and electronics manufacturers a complete set of microelectronics manufacturing services, including die bonding, wire bonding, chip encapsulation, and verification of function, current, timing, and voltage. Clients include IBM (NYSE: IBM), Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) and Texas Instruments (NYSE: TXN).

The company surprised the Street last week, when it reported Q4 EPS of 46 cents and revenues of $747 million. Analysts had been looking for 28 cents and $700 million. Management also guided Q1 EPS to 25-29 cents (23 cent consensus) and Q1 revenues to about $680-$695 million ($676.10M consensus). Lehman Brothers subsequently reiterated its overweight rating.

Last December, over 100 stocks were featured in our Top Picks for 2007 report. Now, at mid-year, we turn to the 20 advisors whose picks showed the strongest gains to get an update on their previous picks, as well as a new favorite stock for the second half of the year.

Todd Salamone, editor with Schaeffer's Investment Research, chose Amkor Technology (NASDAQ: AMKR) as his top pick for 2007. Despite rising 55% as of June 1, 2007, he continues to recommend this stock as his ongoing favorite for the second half of the year.

The advisor explains, "Since the start of the year, the shares of Amkor have put in a stellar performance. The equity has enjoyed a monster uptrend since the start of year, pushing it up to levels not seen since April 2004. The stock has succeeded in bouncing off support at its ascending 10-week moving average and has since continued its rally along this trendline.

"During this time frame, the stock has tacked on more than 50%. Despite their gains, the shares could still be attractive to valuation players. The stock's price-to-earnings ratio comes in at 16, which is still well below the industry average of 30.

"Aiding the security's ascent has been a strong fundamental backdrop. On February 7, the company reported earnings of 30 cents per share, crushing its year-ago profit of 24 cents per share and the consensus analyst estimate of 23 cents per share, according to Reuters.