This post is part of a series in which TheStockAdvisors.com asked financial experts to name their top stock pick if McCain or if Obama wins the election.

"If John McCain becomes president, look to Elbit Systems (NASDAQ: ESLT); this company is one of Israel's top defense companies," explains high-technology and science-focused sector stock specialist Gregg Early in his The Real Nanotech Investor.

"Elbit is well respected throughout the world for its skilled work in a variety of defense sectors. It has significant operations in North America, Europe and, of course, the Middle East and the sub-continent of Asia.

"Its big growth sectors now are UAVs for defense/intelligence work and hardware and software upgrades for aircraft and helicopters, the latter being a core to the company's business for years.

"With the global economy slowing down, many nations prefer to hang on to their aging equipment rather than buy new, expensive fleets, train pilots and retrain all the service and maintenance workers.

"This company is already growing but a President McCain, who's a former military man and who sees the strategic value of our close ties with Israel as a fulcrum in the Middle East, would likely find key companies in the region to reward as an example of what cooperation with the U.S. can do. And defense is the best place to start."

Steven Halpern's TheStockAdvisors.com offers a daily look at the latest market commentary and favorite stock picks and investment ideas from the nation's leading financial newsletter advisors.

McCain stock: Israel's Elbit (ESLT) aids in defense originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 04 Oct 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Analyst downgrades: CSCO, VM and RL originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 07 Feb 2008 10:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

With former Miami Dolphins coach Don Shula, re-visiting the New England Patriots spying scandal and bringing up the issue whether an asterisk should be added if they successfully run the table and go undefeated, I found it interesting that a very successful Israeli defense company's subsidiary was also found guilty of espionage.The Patriots were guilty of spying against the NY Jets and having seen the Jets play, I can't imagine that the spying made any difference whatsoever. The same can't be said of Elbit Systems (NASDAQ: ESLT) subsidiary Kollsman Inc.

Kollsman Inc., was found guilty of misappropriation of trade secrets relating to commercial air data computers. The jury ruled in favor of the plaintiff Innovative Solutions & Support Inc. (NASDAQ: ISSC) and found that IS&S had suffered damages of just over $4.4 million in lost profits and $1.6 million in defendants' net profits, for a total of over $6 million. The verdict also opens up the possibility of imposition of exemplary damages and other costs against the defendants based on willful conduct.

Continue reading Elbit Systems and Bill Belichick: Both guilty of espionage

Elbit Systems and Bill Belichick: Both guilty of espionage originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 09 Nov 2007 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Defense companies are in a growth market of the highest order," says Gregg Early in Personal Finance. But rather than buy industry giants, he suggest looking at lower-tier companies that are "either primed for the big leagues or will be acquired by a first- or second-tier company for a big premium in coming years."

One such play is Harris Corp. (NYSE: HRS), which Early notes represents the globalization of the defense industry. According to the advisor, "Special forces in Afghanistan, army units in Iraq and astronauts rely on Harris equipment."

Now, he says, Harris is making a move into Eastern Europe. He explains, "Because these nations are small and need to be unified on a communications level, the company will have myriad contracts with new nations for years to come. Harris Corp is a buy below 56."

Also a global play, the advisor looks to Israel-based Elbit Systems (NASDAQ: ESLT). He notes, "It's difficult to overstate the breadth of the company's client list. From India to the US to Saudi Arabia, everyone has a contract with this diversified defense conglomerate."

Continue reading Triple play in high tech defense stocks

Triple play in high tech defense stocks originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 30 Jul 2007 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.