"The railroad sector is one of the few reliable groups in today's market; with solid pricing power, these companies have a solid future moving forward," says contrarian Chris Johnson.

"We are adding CSX Corp. (NYSE: CSX) as a long position to the Insightful Investor portfolio. Here's his look at the stock, and an options play for those seeking leverage.

"Last week, our Earnings Tip Sheet highlighted CSX as a bullish pick ahead of earnings. The stock was positioned for a jump according to our Behavioral Valuation approach. One week and a positive earnings report later, we're looking to increase our exposure to the company.

"CSX has now reported earnings results that handily beat both the analyst forecast and the whisper number. The company overcame softness in some sectors through increased shipments in ethanol and grain as well as increased foreign demand for coal.

"Rail companies appear strong moving forward, given that rising crude oil prices are forcing companies to use more cost-efficient means to ship their goods.

"What's more, CSX was the first of the 'big four' rail companies to report earnings. The company should thus benefit from positive reports when its competitors enter the earnings confessional.

"Finding its way onto the short-term bullish list is discount retailer Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ: COST), our 'focus stock of the week'," says Chris Johnson in his contrarian advisor service, Insightful Investor.

"The warehouse giant is currently seeing a positive mix of technical strength along with growing pessimism that makes it a potential outperformer. Costco is one company that has maintained a level of demand not seen throughout the bulk of the retailing sector.

"COST's core business, which caters to small businesses and households willing to buy in bulk, has maintained strength despite the slowing economy. In fact, the company's latest earnings report, released March 5, beat analyst expectations by 23%.

"Reflective of its fundamental strength, COST's stock price has remained a relative strength leader by trading above its 50-day moving average. The equity has outperformed not only most of its peers in the retail group, but the overall market as well.

"We're adding a position in one of our favorite ETFs for 2008: the PowerShares DB Agriculture Fund (NYSE: DBA), which provides investors with an alternative way to invest in the agricultural sector," says technical analyst and contrarian investor Chris Johnson.

The money manager and editor of Insightful Investor explains, "We feel a long-term position in DBA is appropriate for any investor's portfolio." Here is his review.

"One of the areas of the economy that we have been outwardly bullish on is the agricultural group. From a fundamental perspective, the 'ag play' is in full force, as demand and supply remain imbalanced. This has been a fantastic catalyst for a number of stocks that have to do with the agriculture sector, as we have heard in the news quite a bit lately.

"While we like the environment that this creates for a number of stocks, there is one agricultural investment that we do not hear trumpeted in the media as much as one might expect. We're referring to an investment in agricultural products, not the companies that help to produce the products.

"For our latest Focus Stock we look to the consumer staples chain, add Proctor & Gamble (NYSE: PG) to our portfolio," says Chris Johnson.

In The Insightful Investor, the advisor explains, "Consumer staples stocks continue to provide a bullish alternative within this potentially slowing economic environment." Here is his review.

"Proctor & Gamble is attractive for a number of reasons. First, the obvious: in the consumer staples universe, it's hard to get bigger than P&G. The Cincinnati-based company produces everything from Ivory soap to Pampers diapers to various snack foods.

"In other words, P&G has a heavy presence in most every household, something that probably won't change too much should the economy slow down.

"Second, PG has an incredible international presence, which provides a few valuable fundamentals. Demand for their products continues to grow with the strength in overseas economies. And a weakening dollar won't hurt P&G's balance sheet as it may other domestic companies.