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.

International Coal Group, Inc. (NYSE: ICO) is the top speculation for 2007 from Ivan Martchev, editor of Vital Resources and contributing editor for Personal Finance.

He explains, "The company came to market through an initial public offering at $11 and shortly thereafter had a high-profile accident at one of its mines that was probably the result of a lightning strike causing a methane explosion. Some bad operational news further pressured the stock, which reached $4 in the fall.

"As a result, International Coal is a lot cheaper based on book value and price-to-sales measures compared to major coal stocks. My interest here stems from the fact that Wilbur Ross -- a man with a proven record -- has a lot of money at stake in the company.

"If Ross can put together a bunch of bankrupt steel producers like Bethlehem Steel and make a go of them - and ultimately sell them very profitably- he'll try to make a go of International Coal. This is a suggestion only for the patient; it may take a couple of years for International Coal to dig out of its current hole (no pun intended). Buy under $6.50."

To see Ivan's top conservative investment for 2007, click here.

Top Picks 2007: Ivan Martchev fires up the Coal Group originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 29 Dec 2006 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.