"The ETFS Physical Precious metals Basket (GLTR) is the first physical-bullion ETF to own more than one metal. GLTR's all-in-one convenience and relatively low expense ratio make it an attractive option," notes exchange traded fund specialist Mark Salzinger.

The editor of The Investor's ETF Report explains, "We like this ETF for investors who want to complement exposure to gold bullion with extensive exposure to silver and modest exposures to platinum and palladium.

"Income-starved investors have flocked this year to master limited partnerships (MLPs); however these securities involve tax and bookkeeping hassles," notes fund specialist Mark Salzinger.

The editor of The Investor's ETF Report explains, "As a result, investing in MLP through an exchange-traded fund -- such as The Alerian MLP ETF (AMLP) -- has numerous advantages.

"Indeed, by holding a single ETF that aggregates income and returns, tax reporting is streamlined (typically on Form 1099, just like corporate dividends).

Janus Flexible Bond (JAFIX) is a so-called multi-sector bond fund whose consistently good year-to-year performance has resulted in a sterling long-term record," says fund expert Mark Salzinger.

The editor of the No-Load Fund Investor explains, "For all of 2008 and 2009, Flexible Bond produced a cumulative total return of 18.9%, vs. only 6.9% for the multi-sector funds tracked by Morningstar. Over the past five years, Flexible Income's annualized return of 6.6% places it among the top 7% of all the fixed-income funds we cover.

"Over the past two years, the fund was the 10th best performer of every fund we track. In 2008, when most funds with significant holdings of corporate bonds produced major losses, Flexible Bond produced a gain of 5.6%.

"The Canadian economy has rebounded from global recession faster than the U.S. economy, owing to its substantial natural-resource reserves, relatively stronger banks and milder and faster-recovering unemployment," says fund expert Mark Salzinger.

The editor of The ETF Report explains, "We are adding iShares MSCI Canada (EWC) to our ETF Foreign Picks speculative grouping this month, and detail that nation's strong economic and market fundamentals below.

"Canada's economy is expected to see faster real GDP growth in 2010 compared to most developed nations, including the U.S., Western Europe and Japan.

"High payouts from high-quality securities are relatively scarce today; yields are so low on short-term bond funds that holders will actually lose money on most of them after inflation; and real yields aren't much better on longer-term bond funds," says fund specialist Mark Salzinger.

The editor of The No-Load Fund Investor asks, "So, what's an income-oriented investor to do? One types of investments that offers attractive yields and reasonable risk in the current environment is utility stocks; indeed, utilities are today's most unloved sector of the U.S. equity market."

"Technology is an attractive sector in which to invest in the current environment; though the sector is diverse in terms of investment characteristics, it generally offers superior growth opportunities and financial strength as compared with the overall market," says fund expert Mark Salzinger.

The editor of No-Load Fund Investor explains, "Over time, we have become more impressed with Baron iOpportunity (BIOPX), a multi-cap, no-load fund focused on technology stocks. The fund gained 61.8% in 2009, vs. 43.9% for the NASDAQ Composite."

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.

"iShares MSCI Germany (EWG) has bounced back in 2009 from an especially rotten 2008," says exchange-traded fund specialist Mark Salzinger.

In his The ETF Investor's Report, he explains, "We think Germany's major export-oriented stocks are poised to perform well again in 2010, despite concerns about domestic spending."

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.

"Though most investors do not associate Pacific-Rim investments with high-dividend yields, Matthews Asia Dividend (MAPIX) could change their perception," says Mark Salzinger.

In his No-Load Fund Investor, he looks to this fund, which he notes recently offered a dividend yield of approximately 4%.

"We include Price Small Cap Value (PRSVX) in all five of our Master portfolios as well as our Best Buy model portfolios," says Mark Salzinger.

In his The No-Load Fund Investor, the fund expert suggests, "Overall, we consider this fund to be an excellent core holding for small-cap exposure." Here's his bullish overview.

"The fund lost just 28.6% in 2008, vs. anearly 37% loss for the average small-cap-value fund. In 2009, though, that has reversed a bit: Price Small Cap Value has gained 19.6% to its average peer's 22.7% gain. Two reasons for the sluggish performance this year are rooted in the fund's basic composition.

"Being socially responsible means different things to different people; however, in the mutual-fund world, it refers to funds that combine progressive 'social' mandates with investment criteria," explains fund expert Mark Salzinger.

In The No-Load Fund Investor, he suggests, "We have no problem with the concept of socially responsible funds for an investor who wants his investments to reflect his values, provided that the funds have also provided good risk-adjusted returns." Here, he looks at two favorites.

"Funds that call themselves socially responsible usually avoid stocks that don't meet progressive, or politically liberal, standards of environment impact, workplace environment, and diversity/tolerance and community involvement.

"Reflecting the stability and maturity of its economy and financial markets, Israel was recently upgraded to developed-market status," says fund expert Mark Salzinger.

In The Investor's ETF Report, he looks at iShares MSCI Israel Capped Investable Market ETF (NYSE: EIS), noting, "For a nation of just more than seven million people, Israel generates exceptional economic productivity."

"GDP per capita was recently $28,200, good for 49th in the world, very close to established developed markets like New Zealand and Italy.

"Preferred stock has been much in the news over the past 18 months, primarily as the favorite way for cash-strapped banks to raise new capital," explains Mark Salzinger.

In The Investor's ETF Report, he says, "These unusual securities are popular because they offer high yields and have a higher position in corporate credit structure than common stock." Here, he offers a pair of favored ETFs that invest in preferred shares.

"We caution that preferred stocks also have significant drawbacks that dampen their appeal. Apreferred stock is really more like a fixed-income instrument than an equity security.

"Matthews Asia Small Companies Fund (MSMLX) was among the top-performing funds of the first half of 2009, with a return of more than 47%," says Mark Salzinger.

In his No-Load Fund Investor, he suggests, "Though volatile, it wouldn't surprise us in the least if Matthews Asia Small Cap turned out to be one of the top-performing funds we cover over the next decade." Here is the fund's expert's review.

"The fund has benefited so far this year from its focus on China and India, two of the year's best-performing stock markets. However, the fund's mandate to invest in developing Asia's small companies also has been a boon.

"We are adding Artisan Opportunistic Growth (ARTRX), which we consider a 'new opportunity,' for long-term ivvestors, to our Best Buys portfolios," explains Mark Salzinger.

The mutual fund specialist and editor of The No-Load Fund Investor explains, "Launched lst September, the fund fits neatly into one of our key strategies for maximizing risk-adjusted returns: It's a new, small and flexible fund from experienced, highly successful managers.

"This new fund is managed by Andrew Stephens, James Hamel and Shayne John-the same trio of managers who guide Artisan Mid Cap to excellent long-term results.

"Resource-rich, politically stable and increasingly prosperous, Chile is an attractive play on commodities and growing wealth in emerging markets," explains Mark Salzinger, editor of The Investor's ETF Report.

Chile is also a favorite investment position of Nicholas Vardy, editor of The Global Bull Market Alert, who notes, "Thanks to its fiscal prudence, its lack of a domestic housing bubble, and its sizeable wealth reserves, Chile has weathered the current global economic meltdown better than most countries."

Here, the two advisors assess the longer-term opportunity in iShares MSCI Chile (NYSE: ECH), an exchange-traded fund.