In Gordon Pape's The Internet Wealth Builder, he reviews four defense plays -- L-3 Communications (LLL), Cogent Systems (COGT), American Scientific & Engineering (ASEI) and OSI Systems (OSIS).

Continue reading Defensive Four-pack: Investing in Airport Security

Defensive Four-pack: Investing in Airport Security originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 29 Jan 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"It's time to take some profits and play defense for a while," says Glenn Rogers, adding, "Fortunately, we can hedge our bets by taking some profits and building cash reserves and reinvesting in more defensive securities."

In The Internet Wealh Builder, the advisor suggests, a trio of conservative dividend-focused exchange-traded funds.

He explains, "Everybody I talk to these days is nervous, although for different reasons. Some are nervous because they feel left behind. They sat on the sidelines and missed the incredible rally we've had since March. Now they're afraid they won't have a chance to participate because the market has been refusing to correct.

"Others are nervous because they made a pot of money in the rebound and they're afraid they could lose it all in a replay of last year's meltdown. Meanwhile, there some relatively low-risk ETFs where you could park some money while we see how all this plays out.

Continue reading Defensive bets: A trio of dividend funds

Defensive bets: A trio of dividend funds originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 16 Oct 2009 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Some companies are managing very well now and quietly laying a foundation for solid earnings growth when the recovery gets underway," says Tom Slee.

The contributing editor to The Internet Wealth Builder adds, "A few even offer a good yield while we wait." One such company, he believes is Thomson Reuters Corp. (NYSE: TRI).

"I particularly like Thomson Reuters. It's low key and not terribly exciting, but by paying a $1.12 dividend to yield 4.1% the stock should provide investors with an excellent long-term return. Here's some background:

Continue reading Good 'news' for Thomson Reuters (TRI)

Good 'news' for Thomson Reuters (TRI) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 28 Apr 2009 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This post is part of a special report, Global advisors look to China.

"In my view, there is no sign of a sustainable rally in the US stock market on the horizon," says Glenn Rogers, asking, "So, against that gloomy backdrop, what's an investor to do?"

The contributing editor to Gordon Pape's Internet Wealth Builder suggests, "One area that looks interesting to me right now is China." Here, he highlights a trio of exchange-traded funds invested in the China market.

"The Chinese government is unencumbered by highly-paid bankers and fractious two-party politics so they have been able to move quickly to stimulate their economy and are generally well-positioned to come out of this downturn in good shape.

Continue reading Three favorite ETFs for investing in China

Three favorite ETFs for investing in China originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 30 Mar 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This post is part of a special report, A Dozen Ways to Play an Obama Building Boom.

"I think we have bottomed in some sectors, including commodities and materials," explains Glenn Rogers. In Internet Wealth Builder, he explains, "President-elect Obama has said he will pour hundreds of billions into projects.

"The Chinese and the Europeans have also committed to huge amounts to infrastructure spending." Here, he looks at one play on this trend -- Cemex (NYSE: CX).

"If you want to venture back into the stock market at this point and you're a long-term investor, my advice is to buy high-quality names with low P/E ratios, no debt coming due next year, and the sustainable ability to pay a dividend.

"Late last month, this Mexican cement giant traded as low as $4.01. Then President-elect Obama announced his plan to spend billions on infrastructure projects and guess what happened?

"The share price shot up on the expectation that infrastructure spending will translate into a growing demand for cement.

"Cemex shares traded as high as $11.35 before pulling back to close the week at $8.16. That's still more than double the November low but this is a stock that was trading at over $30 last June so it still looks like good value at this level.

Continue reading Cemex (CMX): 'Solid' play on infrastructure

Cemex (CMX): 'Solid' play on infrastructure originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 20 Dec 2008 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Agriculture-related stocks have been hammered; as a result, we are now buyers of Monsanto (NYSE: MON)," says Glenn Rogers in Gordon Pape's The Internet Wealth Builder.

"Monsanto just recently released solid earnings and raised guidance for the year. They are now looking for earnings of $3.58 to $3.60 a share, up from $3.37 previously.

"The company said the change reflected higher-than-expected sales and gross profit in its seeds and traits business and its Roundup and other glyphosate-based herbicide business.

"The stock is down almost 20% from its all-time high of $145.80 reached in mid-June, but has lately been showing signs of renewed strength. Farmers may defer the purchase of a tractor but seed is likely to be the last place they will scrimp.

"There aren't many stocks that I am actively buying in the current market conditions but Monsanto is an exception. We rate the stock a buy."

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.

Monsanto (MON): Planting the seeds of growth originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 22 Oct 2008 13:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Philip Morris International (NYSE: PMI) remains a buy, despite these difficult markets," says Tom Slee in Gordon Pape's Internet Wealth Builder. Here he reviews the global tobacco firm.

"Spun off from the Altria Group earlier this year, Philip Morris International is off to a flying start.

"The company posted strong second-quarter earnings. After a special charge for its Rothmans acquisition, earnings came in at 81 cents a share, up from 69 cents a share the year before.

"The company had been reporting as a clearly defined division of Altria so it's possible to make comparisons and plot progress.

"Gross revenues rose 17.6% to $15.6 billion with double-digit growth in all business segments, helped to some extent by currency benefits. Sales were particularly strong in Egypt, Russia, and Argentina.

"At the same time, the company is engaged in an extensive cost reduction program. It's a positive picture and PM rewarded investors with a 17% dividend increase from $1.84 to $2.16 a year.

"This is what I had been hoping for. Management is willing to share the wealth with investors and this could become one of the few defensive income stocks with growth potential, as long as you don't mind investing in a cigarette manufacturer.

Continue reading Smokin' gains at Philip Morris Int'l (PM)

Smokin' gains at Philip Morris Int'l (PM) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 21 Oct 2008 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This post is part of a report entitled "Six-pack of technology favorites." You can read about the other top tech stock picks here.

"It's time to watch for buying opportunities -- and one of the companies on my personal list is Broadcom Corp. (NASDAQ: BRCM), whose shares are in buying range right now," says analyst Glenn Rogers.

The contributing editor to Gordon Pape's Internet Wealth Builder explains, "This semiconductor maker is a good choice for investors who would like to add to their information technology position with shares of a first-class company."

"Broadcom, located in Irvine, California, designs semiconductors for the wired and wireless communications industry. It is a major supplier to Apple's iPhone, which has taken the world by storm this past year.

"Specifically, it powers the brilliant display screen that has captivated users since the launch of the iPhone last year. (Full disclosure: I've just picked up my new 3G iPhone.)

"It also provides the chip that delivers the GPS navigation in the new iPhone. The company holds over 2,000 U.S. and foreign patents and has more than 7,400 pending patent applications.

"But Broadcom is not just an iPhone supplier. It also powers the Motorola TV set top boxes, Netgear wireless routers, Bluetooth and Blu-ray applications, digital television, VOIP, etc. There are lots of chipmakers out there but Broadcom operates in the areas that offer the highest growth potential and the least commoditization in this sector.

Continue reading Broadcom (BRCM): Behind the iPhone display, and more

Broadcom (BRCM): Behind the iPhone display, and more originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 29 Aug 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Having spent a lot of time recently studying the North American transportation industry, my conclusion is that trucking is on the decline while the railroads are poised to increase market share," notes Tom Slee.

The contributing editor to Gordon Pape's Internet Wealth Builder states, "The logical conclusion: buy rail stocks now." Here he looks at Kansas City Southern (NYSE: KSU) and Burlington Northern Santa Fe (NYSE: BNI).

"Who would have thought it? Railways are having a good year. They were supposed to be hunkered down, riding out the recession. Instead, the old iron horse is thriving.

"Surging demand for commodities is more than offsetting a slump in building materials shipments. Even higher energy costs are proving a plus for the railroads. Each jump in oil prices gives them a bigger edge over their gas guzzling competitors: trucks.

"Most important, the rails are able to raise rates despite the economic downturn. Their surcharges are sticking. Yet the stocks are out of favour.

Continue reading KSU & BNI: Riding the rails to profits

KSU & BNI: Riding the rails to profits originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 29 May 2008 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Like many, I'm concerned about global warming and my latest stock recommendation is a company that is actually trying to do something about it," notes Yola Edwards, a technical analyst with Internet Wealth Builder, in her review of E.I. DuPont De Nemours & Co. (NYSE:DD) --- which she calls a "pioneer in embracing its social responsibilities."

Edwards notes, "The company -- which offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets that include agriculture and food, building and construction, communications, and transportation -- exemplifies the fact that environmentally-friendly alternatives have their benefits for global preservation and contribute to a company's bottom line."

In the mid-1980s, she recalls, DuPont studied data which indicated that CFC refrigerants were destroying the Earth's protective ozone layer and company officials proceeded to create successful businesses by selling substitutes.

She explains, "In 1994, company officials committed to cutting gas emissions by 40% by the year 2000 from its 1990 levels. Meeting its 2000 target, DuPont went on to set a 65% reduction goal by 2010, but has already met that target and now uses 7% less energy than in 1990 despite producing 30% more goods.

"DuPont has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by more than 70% since 1991, while realizing more than $3 billion through energy conservation. Additionally, DuPont has for the most part replaced natural gas with methane from landfills in its industrial boilers."

She also points to the company's involvement in a biomass program to produce a chemical from corn called Bio-PDO which, to quote a press release, "consumes 40% less energy and reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 20% versus petroleum based PDO." The resulting emission reductions, she notes, can be viewed as the equivalent of removing 22,000 cars from the road. DuPont is also working with BP PLC to develop other forms of biofuel.

She adds, "In a further effort to reach its goal of generating 10% of its total energy needs from renewable resources by 2010, DuPont Canada is assessing turbines as a renewable energy source. Analysts say that the solar energy market is growing by about 30% per year and DuPont is there, supplying the industry with eight out of ten primary materials needed to manufacture photovoltaics modules which convert sunlight to electricity."

Importantly, she favors the stock not only because of its social responsibility, but because of its financial performance, She says, "DuPont's productivity improvements continue to add to the bottom line. Company officials announced recently that 2006 earnings grew 23% to $2.88 per share from the prior year and they expect 2007 earnings growth to continue with an earnings outlook of $3.15 per share."

Technically, she adds, over the past six years the stock has been range-bound with an average price of about $45 with $5 - $6 spikes on either side of that level. And while a technical pullback to $49 "may be in order", she suggests, the longer-term consolidation may be nearing an end and any pullback should be viewed as a buying opporutnity.

The technician notes, "Since September 2006, the stock's monthly chart indicates higher highs and higher lows, with progressively higher monthly closes. "Since March 2005, the stock has been forming a saucer bottom and a monthly close above $54 would indicate an upside breakout. Once the breakout occurs the pattern's technical measurement suggests a potential target of about $69.50 over the ensuing year."

Steven Halpern's TheStockAdvisors.com provides a free, daily overview of the latest stock ideas from the nation's leading financial newsletters.

DuPont: Taking a lead on global warming originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 21 Feb 2007 11:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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.

Top Picks 2007: Pape picks Brookfield Asset for growth & income originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 30 Dec 2006 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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.

Top Picks 2007: Gordon Pape sees opportunity in oil sands originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 22 Dec 2006 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.