MAJOR PAPERS:

• The Wall Street Journal (subscription required) reported that Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ: MSFT) has been ordered to pay $1.52B to Alcatel-Lucent (NYSE: ALU) for infringing patents on a fundamental technology for digital music.
• According to the Wall Street Journal's "Heard on the Street" column, shares of India's two largest private sector banking companies, Icici Bank Ltd. (NYSE: IBN) and HDFC Bank (NYSE: HDB), have tripled over the past three years. However, some investors are getting cautious on the stocks as India's central bank has taken tougher steps to rein in lending growth and stanch inflation.
• Barron's Online's (subscription required) "Weekday Trader" suggested investing in companies with modest dividend yields, but a strong cash position and business model, such as outsourcing player Paychex, Inc. (NASDAQ: PAYX), fast-food giant McDonald's Corp. (NYSE: MCD) and insurer Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU).

• According to German website Heise Online, Apple Inc (NASDAQ: AAPL) will exhibit at CeBIT, the European version of the CES expo, from March 15 through the 21. Apple will be exhibiting the iPhone, said the site. However, according to German website Computerwoche, Apple has denied that it is participating in CeBIT. (Both links in German)
  
• Business Week's "Inside Wall Street" column mentioned UnitedHealth (NYSE: UNH), Epix (NASDAQ: EPIX) and LJ International (NASDAQ: JADE) positively.
  
• Warren Buffet has stirred up interest in UnitedHealth by reportedly buying one million shares in the company.
• Small biotech Epix, which recently signed a deal with GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE: GSK), could double within a year, believe some experts.
• LJ International, which has already risen from slightly over $4 to over $11 since December, may still have room to rise, according to Albert Lee of Maxim Group, who has a $12 price target on the stock.
• Investor's Business Daily's "New America" column highlighted Spartan Stores (NASDAQ: SPTN), the 10th largest grocery distributor in the U.S., which has seen earnings growth in double and triple digits for nine of the past ten quarters.

Newspaper wrap-up 2-23-07: Apple at CeBIT? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 23 Feb 2007 09:45:00 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.

LJ International, Inc. (NASDAQ: JADE) is the favorite speculative play from Ian Wyatt, editor of Rising Star Stocks. The small cap advisor explains, "JADE is a fast growing, vertically integrated jewelry company that employs a 'mine to market' business strategy.

"LJ International is a pure play in the superlative growth of China's domestic jewelry sector estimated at over $20 billion and growing at 18% to 20% per year. Its has also established a presence as a growing wholesaler in the massive $45 billion U.S. jewelry market.

"Equally exciting has been the company's successful venture into the retail jewelry business vis-à-vis its ENZO retail chain in China, which currently comprises 35 stores and is expected to grow to 100 stores just in time for the start of the Beijing Olympics in June of 2008.

Continue reading Top Picks 2007: Ian Wyatt thinks JADE is a jewel

Top Picks 2007: Ian Wyatt thinks JADE is a jewel originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 31 Dec 2006 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.