"During times such as these, I like to focus on big companies with clean balance sheets that pay decent dividends," says Glenn Rogers.

Here, the contributing editor to Internet Wealth Builder reviews his current stock holdings for a trio of global favorites offering upside potential while still allowing investors to "sleep well at night."

"Diageo Plc (NYSE: DEO) is well down from my original recommended price but compared to the overall market they have performed respectably.

"Meanwhile, the company recently issued a statement confirming its previous guidance of profit growth of between 7% and 9% in 2008.

"The company reported that organic net sales grew 6% in the three months to Sept. 30 and that there has been no material change in the financial position of the group during the period. Buy, with a target of $90.

"I have owned Knightsbridge Tankers (NASDAQ: VLCCF) longer than any other in my portfolio and it has never failed to pay a hefty dividend. The stock is currently trading at $17.40, thus yielding an incredible 17.2% based on a quarterly dividend of 75c a share.

"Luxembourg-based ArcelorMittal (NYSE: MT) is the only truly global steel manufacturer, operating in 60 countries on five continents," says Gordon Pape.

In his Internet Wealth Builder, he explains, "Like all steel companies, ArcelorMittal would be temporarily affected by a world recession but as a long-term international growth stock for your portfolio, it should be a winner."

"When you read through MT's 2007 annual report, you are left with the impression of a company with an insatiable appetite for growth. In just one year, MT entered into a joint venture deal for a steel mill in Saudi Arabia and built a new steel service centre in Poland.

"It also completed the acquisition of Sicarsta in Mexico, thereby creating that country's largest steel producer; received mining concessions in Senegal and purchased a 77% stake in a German gas distribution company to add to its regional energy network.

"It also bought a 51% stake in one of Turkey's largest steel companies and a 70% position in an Italian steel distributor; bought 100% of an Estonian steel galvanizing line.

For 25 years, Steven Halpern, editor of TheStockAdvisors.com, has surveyed the leading financial newsletter advisors asking for their favorite stocks for the coming year. This article is one of 100+ ideas in the Best Stocks for 2008 report.

"My favorite stock for 2008 for conservative investors is Yellow Pages Income Fund (Toronto: YLO.UN)," says Gordon Pape, editor of Internet Wealth Builder.

"In mid-2003, I recommended the purchase of Yellow Pages Income Fund to readers of my Internet Wealth Builder newsletter at C$10.

"Since then, we've received capital gain of $3.48 a share plus cash distributions of $4.33 per unit for a total return of 78%. This return occurred even given the Canadian government's decision to tax trusts starting in 2011.

"Looking ahead, we may not see as much movement in the share price, but the distributions should stay steady or rise marginally. For anyone seeking steady income, that makes this trust very attractive. At the current price the shares are yielding 8.4%, making them very good value.

"Management says that action will be taken to ensure Yellow Pages is not subject to the income trust tax but has not released specifics. Indications are, however, that it will be transformed into a high-dividend corporation.

"The combination of stability, yield, and a dominant position in the Canadian market make this a low-risk choice for conservative investors."

For 25 years, Steven Halpern, editor of TheStockAdvisors.com, has surveyed the leading financial newsletter advisors asking for their favorite stocks for the coming year. This article is one of 100+ ideas in the Best Stocks for 2008 report.

"My favorite speculative idea for 2008 is Washington Mutual (NYSE: WM)," says Gordon Pape, editor of Internet Wealth Builder.

"Washington Mutual has been absolutely clobbered by the subprime meltdown. For investors who believe in buying when there is blood in the streets, this looks like a great, if aggressive, opportunity.

"This Seattle-based savings and loan has been in business for more than a century. It has a market cap of $16.7 billion and is a member of the S&P 500. It has cash reserves of $18 billion ($20.89 per share), so it appears to be in good financial shape.

"Despite this, WM's stock price has tumbled 60% over the past 12 months, with most of the decline taking place since the first of October. At current levels, the stock is trading below its most recently stated book value, so the company could be a takeover target.

In recent posts, I have reviewed the newsletter advisors' Top Picks from 2007, first highlighting stocks that were in the healthcare, tech, and telecom sectors and then highlighting favorites in the out-of-favor metals and energy areas.

To conclude this review, I'm turning now to the most popular sector in this year's annual Top Picks report -- financial stocks. Of particular note this year is the type of financial stocks that rose to the top of the advisors' buy lists.

In past years, it was routine to see brokerage firms and large cap consumer banks among the Top Picks. This year, only one such company was chosen; Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C) was selected as the favorite stock of both Mark Skousen and Kelley Wright.

Outside of Citi, the advisory community looked to an area that has rarely been cited in previous Top Picks reports --specialty finance companies. For example, Gordon Pape selected Brookfield Asset Management, which provides financing to real estate ventures.

Neil George chose a pair of companies spun off from Australia's Macquarie Bank. Both the Macquarie Infrastructure Trust (NYSE:MIC) and the Macquarie Infrastructure Group (OTC:MCORF) provide financing to global road, bridge, and airport development projects.

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.

Brookfield Asset Management Inc. (NYSE: BAM) is the favorite conservative stock from Gordon Pape, editor of Internet Wealth Builder. He explains, "Brookfield is an international conglomerate with interests in real estate, power generation, and infrastructure.

"Although its headquarters are in Toronto, its major holdings are in the U.S. and include such blue-ribbon office properties as the World Financial Center in New York and the Bank of America Plaza in Los Angeles. All told, the office portfolio holds 65 premier properties in North America and Europe. The company also owns some $1 billion in residential assets.

"On the power generation side, Brookfield has 137 hydro-electric stations in North America and Brazil with almost 3,700 megawatts of installed capacity. The company is also involved in the development of several wind power projects in Canada.

"I first recommended Brookfield's predecessor company, Brascan, back in 1997, and since the share price has increased more than five times. That's a great history, but there is much more to come from this well-managed company. Currently the stock pays a quarterly dividend of $0.16 a share. Buy this one for income and long-term growth."

To see Gordon's top speculative idea 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.

Canadian Oil Sands Trust (TSX: COS) is the favorite speculative idea from from Gordon Pape, editor of Internet Wealth Builder.

The advisor notes, "It may seem strange to select a company that owns more than 36% of the Syncrude Oil Sands Project in Alberta as a speculative pick but that's where we are with Canadian energy trusts as a result of the government's October 31 announcement that they would be subject to a 31.5% tax starting in 2011.

"Most of the trusts have seen their market prices clobbered as a result, but not this one. It's actually trading above where it closed on the afternoon prior to the announcement. There are three reasons for this. First, the price of oil has risen recently. Second, there is general expectation that the trust will raise its distributions next year (the current rate is C$0.30 a quarter).

"Finally, there is the asset value. Whatever happens to COS in terms of its corporate structure in the future, it will remain one of the preeminent players in the Oil Sands. Unless you think America is going to stop running on oil sometime soon, this is a stock you want to own for both income and growth."

To see Gordon's top conservative investment idea for 2007, click here.