MOST NOTEWORTHY: StoneMor Partners, Suntech Power and Tesoro were today's noteworthy initiations:

• Morgan Keegan initiated StoneMor Partners (NASDAQ: STON) with a Market Perform rating. The firm has a low level of confidence in STON's financial projections given its vulnerability to changes in state and local regulations, and financial reporting complexities.
  
• Jesup & Lamont initiated Suntech Power (NYSE: STP) with a Buy based on the company's leading position in solar PV, industry growth and polysilicon supply agreements in place.
  
• Tesoro (NYSE: TSO) was assumed with an Underweight rating at JP Morgan. The firm expects the West Coast margins to remain weak given the decline in the gasoline demand and capacity increases of the majors.

OTHER INITIATIONS:

• RBC Capital initiated Agrium (NYSE: AGU) with an Outperform rating and $115 target.
  
• Merrill initiated Kohlberg Capital (NASDAQ: KCAP) with a Neutral rating.
  
• Caris started Newell Rubbermaid (NYSE: NWL) with an Average rating and $24 target.

A choppy, indecisive market requires a defensive play or two as a safety net, and a defensive stock worthy of consideration is Newell Rubbermaid (NYSE: NWL).

Newell Rubbermaid doesn't strictly fit the definition of a defensive stock, but its signature product, combined with its overall diversity in the consumer product space, make the stock a worthy consideration.

Newell Rubbermaid's signature product is the food storage container. At first glance, one could argue that U.S. shoppers will buy fewer of these containers as the U.S. economy slows, as it is, strictly speaking, a discretionary purchase. Still, we know from previous belt-tightening periods Americans tend to cut back on dining out. Undoubtedly that means more home prepared meals, and leftovers, which need containers -- a positive trend for Rubbermaid.

More infant deaths, this time not from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), but rather, badly-designed cribs.

According to today's reports: "About 1 million Simplicity and Graco Inc (GGG) cribs are being recalled after three children became entrapped in their cribs and died of suffocation, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said Friday. Two infants, a 6-month-old and a 9-month-old, died in the recalled cribs, which were sold through May 2007. A 1-year-old child died in a newer model of the cribs, which has not been recalled but is being investigated by the safety agency, CPSC officials said. In all three deaths, the consumer had installed the drop-rail side of the crib upside down, the CPSC said. This creates a gap in the crib that children can slide into and suffocate. Seven other infants have been entrapped in the cribs, according to the CPSC. There have been 55 reports of the cribs' drop sides detaching or the hardware failing to hold the side to the crib."

How does this happen? Why does this happen? The companies in question are not novices. Guess what...Simplicity Inc., of Reading, Pa., is listed as manufacturer of all the cribs, which were made in China. I think this is another example of an American company losing control of the process and forgetting that our product safety standards are not universal and that developing countries with rapidly expanding industrialization just don't get it.

Getting and keeping brand recognition is a critical part of any business endeavor. There is an outfit in Atlanta that ranks among the best in achieving those goals. The company's product list is one of the best recognized anywhere.

Newell Rubbermaid (NYSE: NWL) manufactures and distributes a wide variety of consumer and commercial products. Offerings include a long list of well-known home and office brands, including Levolor blinds, Lenox hand tools, Sharpie pens, Rolodex record holders, Amerock cabinet hardware, DYMO label makers, Graco children's products and Rubbermaid items. Competitors include Avery Dennison (NYSE: AVY) and Fortune Brands (NYSE: FO).

The firm pleased investors earlier in the week, when it raised Q3 guidance. Management now sees EPS of 48-50 cents (45 cent consensus) and revenue growth near the high end of the previously estimated 5-7% range. Strength in the Home & Family and Tools & Hardware segments were cited in support of the adjustment. The company also boosted Y07 EPS guidance to $1.74-1.78 ($1.76 consensus).

Newell Rubbermaid (NYSE: NWL), which is trading near multi-year highs, has caught the attention of contrarian and technician Chris Johnson, money manager and editor of Insightful Investor.

In addition to its Rubbermaid brand, the consumer products firm makes consumer products under names such as Sharpie, Paper Mate, and Lenox.

The advisor is impressed with the stock's relative strength, noting that the shares are up 7.4% for 2007, while the S&P 500 is down slightly. As a contrarian, he notes, "Despite this strong performance, there is a healthy amount of negative sentiment toward the stock, according to a number of indicators."

One sign that the stock is out of favor notes Johnson is its put/call ratio, which he says indicates that the options crowd is extremely pessimistic. In adition, he notes that only 55% of Wall Street analysts who follow the stock rate it a buy. He notes, "That leaves plenty of room for upgrades to move the stock higher."

He expects the stock to continue outperforming the overall market and has added the issue to his portfolio. For those comfortable with the higher risks involved with options, he recommends the June 25 call – with a recent asking price of $6.40.

He explains, "This option provides a sufficient amount of both time and intrinsic value to help weather the market's current volatility. This should help to avoid being shaken out of the position due to the short-term volatility that it may incur."

For more stock picks from the leading financial newsletter advisors, visit Steven Halpern's free daily website, TheStockAdvisors.com.