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.

Mark Skousen, editor of Forecasts & Strategies and host of the July 4th investor think tank FreedomFest, chose Aluminum Corp. of China (NYSE: ACH), which rose 45% as of 6/1/07. Here is his original recommendation for ACH and his new favorite stock for the rest of 2007.

Updating his earlier selection, the advisor asks, "What's the future of a stock that has doubled in the past year, and up over 40% this year? I am tempted to take my profits and go elsewhere.

"But demand for alumina and aluminum remains strong. Aluminum prices have been flat for the year, but have more than doubled in five years. The company, commonly known as Chalco, is the world's number two alumina maker, and it beat forecasts with a 44% rise in second half earnings.

"The giant producer intends to enhance its global competitiveness and focus on expanding capacity and further acquisitions this year, aiding the nation's hunt for raw materials to feed a rapidly growing economy (8-9% GDP annual growth). Chalco is also China's largest aluminum maker.

"It reported a net profit of 5.0 billion yuan (US$645.7 million) for the six months ended December, bringing yearly profit to 11.745 billion yuan last year versus 7.02 billion yuan in 2005. Overall, I think Chalco can increase in price, but just in case we are wrong, let's set a protective stop of $30 a share, and sell if it hits this level on the downside."

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.

Mark Skousen, editor of Forecasts & Strategies and host of the July 4th investor think tank FreedomFest, chose Aluminum Corp. of China (NYSE: ACH) as his favorite stock for 2007, which rose 45% as of 6/1/07. Here is his original recommendation on ACH and his current opinion on the stock.

For his new top pick, the advisor recommends Volcano Corp. (NASDAQ: VOLC). The advisor explains, "This is a medical technology company that is currently experiencing blockbuster revenue growth.

"Volcano provides a unique service in the burgeoning health care industry: an intravascular ultrasound and functional measurement product that visualizes the heart, brain, arteries, and other parts of the body to diagnose and treat heart disease, strokes, and other ailments.

"According to scientists and technicians worldwide, Volcano has the far superior technology than other competitors. I suspect that means a takeover in the future. Sales, which have raced past $100 million over the last twelve months, are growing at 48% per quarter. Earnings, too, have blown past analysts' estimates.

"I think this trend will continue for this stock. It could even become a buyout candidate. The stock has already started to move up. I recommend you buy Volcano now, before it erupts."

I've just returned from the World Money Show in Orlando where more than 10,000 investors gathered to learn about global investing. I had a chance to meet with many of the U.S. and foreign financial experts featured at the show, and over the next week I will share some of their top investment ideas. To view all of the stocks featured in this special global report, click here.

In his search for high growth and income, Mark Skousen searches worldwide, and indeed, his latest trio of dividend plays reach from Australia and China to Peru.

The editor of the Skousen High Income Alert and host of the annual investor think tank, Freedomfest, explains, "We hold two foreign commodity stocks in our high-yield portfolio that have achieved double-digit percentage gains, while paying double-digit percentage dividend yields. And both stocks look like winners for 2007 as commodity prices climb.

"Southern Copper Corp. (NYSE:PCU) is the world's fifth largest copper producer and it is only one of a select few commodity plays that pays a large dividend.

"Southern Copper now is up 19% since the first of the year and up 39% since we initially recommended it in early October. Despite lower copper and gold prices in the past six months, Southern Copper is minting money by maintaining low costs and increasing production.

"Plus, the stock pays an incredible 11% dividend. It should pay a $1-plus dividend in the next week or two weeks. What's not to like? Keep on buying. Southern Copper is part of our incredible high-income portfolio.

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.

Citigroup (NYSE: C) is the favorite conservative idea for 2007 from Dr. Mark Skousen, editor of Forecasts & Strategies and the host of the annual FreedomFest investor think tank.

"Citigroup is the most dominant banking institution in the history of the world. As the world's largest bank, it has over 200 million customers, and branches in over 100 countries. During the 1980s and 1990s, Japanese banks dominated the world. But Citibank has returned to its glory.

"What about the Citigroup, the stock? In addition to Citibank, Citigroup owns Salomon Brothers, Smith Barney, Traveler's, Primerica, and other financial services.

"And business is good. Profit margins at Citigroup are an outstanding 29%, and the bank has had a policy of paying a rising dividend for years, with a current quarterly dividend of 49 cents, or a 3.5% yield, one of the highest among Dow stocks.

"The stock is up 12% for the year, but continues to languish behind other financial institutions, such as Goldman Sachs, which has doubled in the past year. According to the technicals, Citigroup is in a clear investment uptrend. And despite being downgraded by several Wall Street analysts lately, Citigroup appears poised to move higher."

To see Mark's speculative favorite for 2007, click here.

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.

Aluminum Corp. of China ADS (NYSE: ACH) is the favorite speculative investment idea for 2007 from Dr. Mark Skousen, editor of Forecasts & Strategies and the host of the annual FreedomFest investor think tank.

He explains, "The company, commonly known as Chalco, is the world's second-largest aluminum maker. Lighter than steel and resistant to corrosion, and high in electrical conductivity, alumina is widely used in applications such as construction, power, packaging, and autos.

"However, commodity prices have cooled off lately and alumina has been no exception. Prices have fallen during the past year -- and that retreat has begun to affect the company's profitability. But Chalco is mitigating the negative impact of declining prices by snapping up smelters in China to expand its aluminum output.

"The company has also just announced a restructuring of its assets after buying two Chinese aluminum firms. Chalco announced that it plans to offer a stock swap involving Shandong Aluminium Industry Co. and Lanzhou Aluminium Co. Most analysts I've talked to think that this move is positive. Chalco's CFO told investors that the company would hold a shareholder meeting around January 15 to vote on the share swap.