"Goldcorp (GG) recently posted very solid results; but even more important, is the powerful pipeline of major projects," notes resource expert Adrian Day.

The editor of The Global Analyst continues, "Indeed, a major expansion at a planned mine development will benefit not only Goldcorp, but another one of our recommended holdings, Canada's Virginia Mines (VGQ).

"At Goldcorp, the expansion of its major projects will, in aggregate, boost the company's output about 70% by 2015. In addition to the successful ramp-up at Penasquito, and ongoing construction at Pueblo Viejo in the Dominican Republican, the company announced significant improvements at a major project.

Analyst Upgrades

• Wells Fargo (WFC) to conviction buy from neutral at Goldman.
• Adobe (ADBE) to buy from neutral at UBS.
• Fifth Third Bancorp (FITB) to outperform from market perform at FBR Capital.
• Vail Resorts (MTN) and Goldcorp (GG) to buy from hold at Deutsche Bank.
• OmniVision (OVTI) to overweight from neutral at JPMorgan.
• Penn Virginia (PVA) to hold from sell at Canaccord.
• Hub Group (HUBG) to outperform from market perform at Morgan Keegan.

This post is one in a series in which more than 60 newsletter advisors share their Top Stock Picks for 2011. This special report is courtesy of TheStockAdvisors.com.

"Gold was the hot topic in 2010. Since the underlying factors that pushed prices to new highs have not changed, I expect my long held target of $1,600 gold will be realized in 2011," says resource stock specialist Curtis Hesler.

The editor of The Professional Timing Service explains, "In fact, I expect that upside target of $1,600 will be woefully short of the mark. And my favorite gold stock for 2011 is Goldcorp (GG).

"China, India, and Russia have been overt in their desire to accumulate significant quantities of gold as an alternate currency reserve," says resource specialist Curtis Hesler.

The editor of The Professional Timing Service explains, "I do believe we are seeing this process in effect, and it is acting to put a floor on the downside price of bullion.

"From a purely technical point of view, we should see gold decline back to at least the June highs of $1,260. An outside target would be $1,150, but I don't think our foreign friends will wait that long to jump in and counter sellers.

"Gold has most likely put in its lows for the current correction. We are now well-positioned to profit from the anticipated move and will look to be fully allocated on a move above $1,220," says metals sector specialist Jason Hamlin.

The editor of Gold Stock Bull explains, "Gold stocks are on sale at the moment and have explosive potential if this year ends as expected. As such, I've made a new addition to our portfolio, Goldcorp (GG), a company that I believe to be best-in-breed among major producers.

Analyst Upgrades

• Deutsche Bank upgraded Barrick Gold (ABX) to buy from hold and reiterates a buy rating on Newmont Mining (NEM) after upping its 2011 gold forecast to $1,450 per ounce and 2012 forecast to $1,600 per ounce. The firm upped its target for Barrick shares to $53 from $45, for Newmont shares to $74 from $72, and on hold-rated Goldcorp (GG) and Kinross Gold (KGC) to $40 and $20, respectively.
• Citigroup upgraded General Dynamics (GD) to hold from sell following the recent pullback in shares. The firm keeps a $67 price target for the stock.
• UBS upgraded Public Service (PEG) to buy from neutral and has a $34 price target on the stock. The firm cites the company's solid balance sheet, earnings profile, and valuation for the upgrade.
• News Corp. (NWS) was upgraded to buy from hold at Soleil.
• AK Steel (AKS) was upgraded to neutral from underperform.
• Progress Energy (PGN) was upgraded to buy from neutral at BofA/Merrill.
• PNC Financial (PNC) was upgraded to outperform from market perform at Keefe Bruyette.

Where should you invest in 2010?" asks resources sector expert Curtis Hesler, who suggests, "Preferably, you should stick to the heart of the matter and focus on crude oil and gold.".

In his top-ranked The Professional Timing Service, he explains, "Invest in assets that promise to increase in price as the dollar falls; this will insulate your portfolio from the damage that the ongoing deleveraging process will bring to the stock market and to other paper assets."

This post is part of a special report, Top Picks for 2010, the 27th annual survey in which TheStockAdvisors.com asks the nation's leading advisors for their single favorite stock for the new year. See all 80 stocks listed here.

Curtis Hesler has accurately forecast both the longer-term uptrend in metals as well as the more recent pullback in gold. But he believes the setback will be temporary.

In his The Professional Timing Service, he suggests, "It is time to focus on upcoming buying opportunities in precious metals." Here, he looks at Goldcorp (GG) as his top pick for 2010.

Analyst upgrades:

• JPMorgan upgraded Barrick Gold (NYSE: ABX) and Goldcorp (NYSE: GG) to Overweight from Neutral following its gold valuation analysis. The firm set a $54 price target on Barrick shares and a $47 price target on Goldcorp shares.
• Thomas Weisel upgraded EMC Corp. (NYSE: EMC) to Overweight from Market Weight and raised its target to $24 from $15, citing the company's improving end market demand, competitive position, and valuation.
• Barclays upgraded AMR Corp. (NYSE: AMR) to Overweight from Equal Weight, citing the company's improved liquidity position and what they believe to be the beginning of a multi-year profit cycle for the sector. Despite the upgrade, the firm lowered its target to $14 from $20.
• Harley-Davidson (NYSE: HOG) was upgraded to Outperform from Market Perform at Wells Fargo.
• Toshiba (OTC: TOSBF) was upgraded to Overweight from Neutral at JPMorgan.
• Sanofi-Aventis (NYSE: SNY) was upgraded to Neutral from Sell at UBS.

We had a lot of big names trading up to new 52 week highs again today. The overall markets were pretty flat, with the DOW closing the day down 0.14%, the NASDAQ closing the day's trading up 0.04%, and the S&P ending the day a bit lower to finish today's trading down 0.28%.

Here are a few of the names that moved higher during the day to set new 52 week highs.

Imagine what happens to gold mining stocks if gold were to trade for less than $500 per ounce? It would not be pretty. These stocks are priced to perfection and beyond. That is why they should be sold.

Add Goldcorp Inc. (NYSE: GG) to the list of overvalued gold miners. At $40 per share, GG now trades within spitting distance of previous highs.

Those highs were attained at the end of an expansionary period, not at the beginning.

Gold at $1,000. Better buy now or you will miss the greatest invention since tulips in the 1800s.

Or so they say. I say, what a bunch of baloney. Why on earth would I want to put hard-earned cash on something that may look pretty but has no real tangible value?

That's right, gold has no tangible value. Well, that's not entirely true since there is a vast cult of worshipers out there that say gold is the only thing with value. As a result of their die-hard belief, gold actually does have value, as we now see with AU trading for $1,000 per ounce.

"Gold has yet to take off in true bull market fashion, but its chart suggests that it's coming," says Mary Anne and Pamela Aden.

In their top-notch The Aden Forecast, the resource experts discuss the outlook for gold as well as some of their favorite mining stocks for investors to consider.

"Considering that the Summer months tend to be slow months, we could still see some short-term weakness.

"More important, however, is the bigger picture as gold is poised to rise during the second half of the year." Here, they discuss their outlook and some favorite ming stocks.

Goldcorp Inc. (NYSE: GG) shares turned lower this morning after the company announced a $750 million offering of convertible senior notes due 2014. The commodity issue said that proceeds from the offering will be used to repay outstanding debt under its revolving term credit facility, with any remaining funds to be applied toward general corporate purposes.

Despite today's drop, GG shares have blazed an impressive path higher during the past month. Since finding a floor near the $27 level in late April, the stock has added 48.7%.

Mary Anne and Pamela Aden are among the advisory world's top authorities on metals and resources.

In a recent Q&A session, the editors of The Aden Forecast answer the most common questions that they are asked by readers as to the current state and future outlook for the precious metals markets.

In addition, the sisters answer what they say is the most frequent question they receive: "What is the best way to buy gold." Here, they offer a review of five strategies for investing in gold, including their top picks among stocks, closed-end funds and ETFs.