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.

"Apollo Group (NASDAQ: APOL), my top pick for 2009, has been an education provider for over 30 years," says Kevin Kennedy, a specialist in quantitative and momentum analysis.

The editor of The Coolcat Report explains, "The company's revenues and earnings have been steady despite the negative economy."

The advisor continues, "Apollo Group provides academic access and opportunity to more than 350,000 students through its subsidiaries, which include University of Phoenix.

"Other divisions include the Institute for Professional Development, College for Financial Planning, Western International University, Meritus University, Insight Schools and Apollo Global. It also owns Aptimus, a provider of innovative digital media solutions.

"The company's educational programs and services are provided at the high school, undergraduate and graduate levels in 40 states and the District of Columbia; Puerto Rico; Alberta and British Columbia, Canada; Mexico; Chile; and the Netherlands, as well as online throughout the world.

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.

CDC Corp. (NASDAQ: CHINA) is a favorite speculative idea for 2007 from momentum trading expert, Kevin Kennedy. The editor of The Coolcat Report notes, "CDC operates companies focused on enterprise software applications and services, mobile applications, online games, and the Chinese portal China.com.

"The company's software solutions are used by more than 5,000 customers worldwide within the manufacturing, financial services, health care, home building, real estate, and wholesale and retail distribution industries.

"Its China.com unit is a leading Mobile Value Added Services (MVAS) provider and Internet services company operating principally in China. CDC Mobile is focused on providing MVAS products to subscribers in China. CDC Games Limited is one of the market leaders of online and mobile games in China with more than 37 million registered users.

"CDC reported blowout third-quarter results in November. Total revenue was $78.2 million, an increase of 26%. Earnings per share tripled to $0.09 per share. Future plans include an initial public offering of either CDC Software or CDC Games and a continued emphasis on acquisitions. The stock is on a five-month win streak, including a 41% surge in November."