"To invest in the growing personal protection industry, Brinks Home Security Holdings (NYSE: CFL) looks particularly attractive," says Jim Powell in Global Changes & Opportunities Report.

"Brinks Holdings is an October 2008 spin-off from Brinks Company; as its name suggests, Brinks Home Security has a tighter focus than its parent organization that offers security services to banks and other high value businesses.

"I think the emphasis on protecting families from burglary and home invasions is a plus in today's economy.

Continue reading Security from Brinks (CFL)

Security from Brinks (CFL) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 26 May 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"A smart grid makes use of coded signals that travel along power lines, much like DSL broadband messages move through the phone telephone," explains growth stock expert Jim Powell.

In Global Changes & Opportunities Report, he looks at two favorite plays on the development of a smart grid: Esco Technologies (NYSE: ESE) and Quanta Services (NYSE: PWR).

"In a smart grid, the signals allow electric meters to report power consumption automatically to suppliers. At the same time, signals can be sent to customer's appliances such as freezers and refrigerators to prevent them from cycling on and off at the same time.

Continue reading Power plays: Investing in a smart grid

Power plays: Investing in a smart grid originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 21 Apr 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"American Superconductor (NASDAQ: AMSC) should benefit from an update of the nation's power grid," says Jim Powell.

Here, the editor of Global Changes & Opportunities Report reviews this leading manufacturer of more efficient high temperature superconductor-based wires and cables.

"I've been writing about infrastructure stocks ever since it became apparent that big federal spending programs were on the way. I believe American Superconductor will perform very well. In fact, its price has already started to rise.

"American Superconductor is not yet profitable. However, the company is well past the development stage. AMSC makes high temperature superconductor (HTS) wires and cables that carry as much as 150 times the current as conventional products of the same weight and diameter.

Continue reading Power grid play: American Superconductor (AMSC)

Power grid play: American Superconductor (AMSC) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 19 Feb 2009 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Defense stocks never looked more attractive than they do now," says Jim Powell, who looks at two favorite ways to play the defense sector.

In Global Changes & Opportunities Report, he says, "The drop in defense stocks has more to do with the overall bear market in stocks than to any problems within the sector itself."

"Recent quarterly earnings from many defense companies are up, with signi?cant gains in revenues and earnings.

"Defense stocks have also been pushed down due to worries that the presidential election might go to Senator Obama, who is not expected to be a strong a supporter of the military. Historically, however, Republican and Democratic spending on defense has been about the same.

"Some investors may also be nervous about buying defense stocks if the U.S. is likely to reduce its presence in Iraq over the next few years.

Continue reading Favorite funds for defense & aerospace

Favorite funds for defense & aerospace originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 26 Sep 2008 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Even with the poor outlook for the economy, there are many investment opportunities being created by high energy prices and the low dollar," notes Jim Powell. In his Global Changes & Opportunities Report, he explains, "American 'rust belt companies' look especially good."

"Surprisingly, rising fuel prices are making some American manufacturers more competitive and I could not be happier about the improved outlook for many efficient U.S. producers.

"U.S. machine tool makers are starting to take back some of the business they lost to Japan 20 years ago. U.S. imports of Chinese steel are declining dramatically, while domestic production is rising at rates not seen in years.

"The list of U.S. businesses that are benefiting from the new trade relationships will lengthen, but it won't happen overnight. It's not just a matter of being loyal to the home team. America will benefit from creating more real wealth instead of the flim-flam financial products that led to the phony boom.

Continue reading American favorites: Rust-belt resurgence?

American favorites: Rust-belt resurgence? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 14 Jul 2008 11:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"African investments will be volatile and they may take years to mature," cautions Jim Powell, editor of Global Changes & Opportunities Report.

Nevertheless, the advisor explains, "I believe the emergence of Africa is an important development that should be represented in your portfolio." Here he looks at two opportunities in the resource-rich region.

"The richest remaining deposits of natural resources on earth are in Africa. And a resource race is starting as America and China are in a quiet struggle in Africa to secure the resources they must have to keep their industrial economies running.

"Many African resources are untapped because most developers have been unwilling to sink billions of dollars into the region's many unstable countries.

"But with natural resource prices soaring, however, Africa's risks are now worth taking. Since 2006, publicly-listed oil companies have tripled their spending in the region.

"And few investors have yet to realize Africa's potential. However, if mainstream investors discover the region, prices could go up very quickly. Either way, I believe Africa will deliver excellent profits for at least a decade, and probably far longer.

Continue reading Africa: 'Emerging hot spot' for resources

Africa: 'Emerging hot spot' for resources originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 02 Jun 2008 10:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.