What is happening in the oil patch? Oil had its strongest monthly gain in 10 years following OPEC's upbeat assessment of demand.

On the NYMEX, July West Texas Intermediate hit a seven month high of $66.47 per barrel. US crude has risen 29% in May, the best monthly gain since 1999. On the ICE exchange Brent crude rose 78 cents to $64.15 per barrel, up 7.2% for the week.

Wow! Did you know that the the Nasdaq has moved up to or beyond its 200-day moving average? If there's one number that turns traders on it is the 200-day moving average. It creates a new confidence that all is well and it's safe to jump back into the stock market.

We've had two months of steady gains, and now investors who didn't have the courage of buy at the low are in panic mode. They want on board. They want a piece of the action. This is causing more sustained buying. We are just about finishing the mess of bank "stress tests" and this is adding a sigh of relief for the banking sector.

This post is part of a special annual report -- Top Stock Picks '09 -- in which TheStockAdvisors.com asked 75 leading newsletter advisors to select their favorite investment for the new year.

"My pick for the best potential gainer for 2009 is Seaspan Corporation (NYSE: SSW), a company that leases container ships to international shipping companies," says Jack Adamo.

In his Insiders Plus newsletter, he offers an in-depth analysis of what he consider the perceived risks and the real risks that have "pummeled" the stock. The advisor explains, "The stock has been pummeled for five reasons, only one of which is valid:

• The whole market is down.
• The Baltic Dry Shipping Index dropped to its lowest level in years.
• Analysts fear shipping companies may default on their leases in a weak economy.
• Analysts are afraid ship lessors will have their ships repossessed by lenders on the basis of falling market values of their ships. Some debt covenants permit that.
• The company has reported horrible earnings the last two quarters.

"Five pretty scare reasons. Why would I consider such a stock? Here's why: