For 25 years, Steven Halpern, editor of TheStockAdvisors.com, has surveyed the leading financial newsletter advisors asking for their favorite stocks for the coming year. This article is one of 100+ ideas in the Best Stocks for 2008 report.

"Everyone knows about the economic boom in China, but US investors may not be aware that several of its Southeast Asian neighbors are also growing by leaps and bounds," explains Sean Broderick, resources expert for Money and Markets.

"Take the iShares MSCI Malaysia Index Fund (ASE: EWM), our top speculation for 2008. The country's economy surged 6.7% in the third quarter, the fastest pace in three years. Exports are rocketing -- up 14.3% in October alone.

"Domestic inflation is under control. And its currency, the ringgit, is climbing. Malaysia's economy is expected to grow by more than 5% both this year and next. That's a heck of a lot better than the US is doing, and it's being fueled by strong demand for Malaysian exports.

"EWM, an exchange-traded fund, holds 56 of the top financials, utilities, and other companies operating in Malaysia, including Bumiputra-Commerce Holdings, Malaysia's second-largest commercial bank, IOI Corp., the world's largest producer of palm oil, and Genting, the largest casino and hotel operator in Asia.

"Malaysia's benchmark Kuala Lumpur Composite Index was up more than 30% year-to-date as of early December. We expect another year of double-digit gains in 2008."

Best Stocks for 2008: Emerging growth with Malaysia ETF (EWM) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 25 Dec 2007 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

For 25 years, Steven Halpern, editor of TheStockAdvisors.com, has surveyed the leading financial newsletter advisors asking for their favorite stocks for the coming year. This article is one of 100+ ideas in the Best Stocks for 2008 report.

"The commodity bull market has a long way to run," says Martin Weiss, editor of Money & Markets. "And while individual stocks are inherently more risky than funds, they also have more potential upside. And one area with a lot of upside potential is silver. As such, my top speculative pick for 2008 is Silver Wheaton (NYSE: SLW).

"Silver should ride a tidal wave of fundamentals higher in 2008. Above-ground stockpiles are getting very low, new mine production is lagging, industrial demand is surging and jewelry demand is growing in both China and India.

"And then there's the demand from silver exchange-traded funds, such as iShares Silver Trust (NYSE: SLV), which held over 161 million ounces of silver as of December 7, and keeps growing. India doesn't have a silver ETF yet but should have one in 2008 -- that will bring more demand to bear on the market.

"Silver Wheaton gets 100% of its revenue from silver, and has outperformed both gold and silver this year. It purchases silver from operating mines at a set rate, less than $4 per ounce, insulating it from rising costs. Its production should come in at 13 million ounces in 2007 and rise to 25 million ounces by 2010. Finally, Silver Wheaton has 362.2 million ounces in proven and probable silver reserves.

"The stock isn't cheap, but it is outperforming both gold and silver. And I expect precious metals to head much higher in 2008. Overall, I consider this a red-hot silver play."

Best Stocks for 2008: Silver Wheaton (SLW) sees 'surging' demand originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 23 Dec 2007 16:45:00 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.

Kinross Gold (NYSE: KGC) is the favorite speculative idea for 2007 from Martin Weiss. The editor of Safe Money Report explains, "All the money pumping by central banks around the world is driving investors into the one true currency that's stood the test of time -- gold.

"Once above the July high, around $676, it has a clear path to $700 and beyond. Speculators should consider Kinross, the third-largest gold mining company based in Canada, with mines not only in Canada, but also Brazil and Chile.

"Kinross has also just agreed to take over Bema Gold for around $2.55 billion, which, as with most acquisitions, temporarily depressed the shares of the buyer. Meanwhile, Kinross swung from a loss of $44.4 million in the third quarter of 2005 to a profit of $50.3 million in the same period this year. Revenue jumped 23% to $223.6 million. Cash flow from operations rose nicely -- to $86 million from $53 million a year earlier.

"The best news: The Bema takeover boosts Kinross's reserves by a whopping 68% to 41.6 million ounces and will boost annual production toward the 1.8 million ounce mark. Plus, Kinross is gaining a 49% stake in the $2 billion Cerro Casale gold and copper project in Chile, and a 75% stake in Bema's Kupol project in Russia."

To see Martin's favorite conservative investment for 2007, click here.

Top Picks 2007: Weiss sees Bema boosting Kinross originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 23 Dec 2006 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.