This post is one in a series in which more than 60 newsletter advisors share their Top Stock Picks for 2011. This special report is courtesy of TheStockAdvisors.com.

"Marvell Technology Group (MRVL) clearly fits the bill of a stock that is currently unloved by Wall Street." says tech guru Paul McWilliams.

The editor of Next Inning explains, "As a matter of a fact, there's not much at all that Wall Street likes about the company. Nevertheless, I would choose this as one of my favorite stocks for the coming year.

Marvell Technology Group (MRVL) is scheduled to take the earnings stage after the closing bell. Ahead of the tech company's fiscal third-quarter report, analysts are anticipating a profit of 27 cents per share, up from its year-ago net income of 23 cents per share. Sales for the quarter are expected to total $770 million.

If history is any guide, Marvell could very well exceed these consensus estimates. During the past four reporting periods, the company has consistently met or surpassed analysts' earnings expectations.

Marvell Technology Group (NASDAQ: MRVL) is up $0.72 to $17.69. Marvel Technologies provides microprocessor integrated circuits competing against companies like Texas Instruments (NYSE: TXN). Yesterday in options, there were 84,483 contracts traded; of them 16,170 contracts were puts while 68,313 contracts were calls. For all months and all strikes of puts, there are 154,000 contracts open, while for calls, there are 555,000 contracts open. This means that the put/call open interest ratio for MRVL is 0.28.

Call option activity is generally an indicator of bullish speculation on a stock. Call options give the buyer the right to purchase the stock at a set price. Put options are typically bearish bets and give the buyer the right to sell the stock at a designated price.

Since calls outnumber puts so much, it may indicate expectation that the earnings numbers could be good for Marvell. The two most active call contacts yesterday were right at the money. Marvell Tech. Group moved 46,900 contracts on the September 17.50 calls. Marvell Tech. Group traded 6,500 contracts on the November 17.50 calls.

Some of the most interesting metrics for the company show a high growth in sales, but a low profit margin. The company's operating margin is at 3.5% compared to 16.7% for the industry and its profit margin is at -0.5% compared to 19.6% for the industry. Revenue growth is at 50.6% compared to 14.63% for the industry. The stock has moved from $15.25 to $21.85 over the last year and is now trading in the middle of that range. A look at the fundamentals show some great potential for the stock. The company reports earnings after the close today.

Kevin Kersten is an Options Analyst with InvestorsObserver.com. Disclosure note: Mr. Kersten owns and or controls a diversified portfolio of long and short positions that may include holdings in companies he writes about.

Marvell Technology Group Ltd. (NASDAQ: MRVL) opened at $20.33. So far today the stock has hit a low of $20.21 and a high of $21.20. As of 11:55 this morning, MRVL is trading at 20.88, up 1.02 (5.1%).

After hitting a one year high of 33.13 in March, the stock dipped over the next five months to flatten out around the 18 level. Yesterday after the bell, MRVL reported Q4 earnings that were up 27% year over year. MRVL also received an upgrade this morning in the wake of the good quarter. The technical indicators for MRVL have been neutral but improving recently, while S&P gives the stock a neutral 3 STAR hold rating.

For a bullish hedged play on this stock, I would consider a May bull-put credit spread below the $17.50 range. MRVL hasn't been below 17.50 since October and has shown support around 17.80. This trade could be risky if the tech sector gains negative momentum, but even if MRVL pulls back some, this position could be protected by the strong levels of support around 18.

Brent Archer is an analyst on the move at Investors Observer. (Free Subscription)

DISCLOSURE: Mr. Archer owns and/or controls diversified portfolios of long and short stock and option positions that may include holdings in companies he writes about.