Last December, over 100 stocks were featured in our Top Picks for 2007 report. Now, at mid-year, we turn to the 20 advisors whose picks showed the strongest gains to get an update on their previous picks, as well as a new favorite stock for the second half of the year.

Mark Skousen, editor of Forecasts & Strategies and host of the July 4th investor think tank FreedomFest, chose Aluminum Corp. of China (NYSE: ACH) as his favorite stock for 2007, which rose 45% as of 6/1/07. Here is his original recommendation on ACH and his current opinion on the stock.

For his new top pick, the advisor recommends Volcano Corp. (NASDAQ: VOLC). The advisor explains, "This is a medical technology company that is currently experiencing blockbuster revenue growth.

"Volcano provides a unique service in the burgeoning health care industry: an intravascular ultrasound and functional measurement product that visualizes the heart, brain, arteries, and other parts of the body to diagnose and treat heart disease, strokes, and other ailments.

"According to scientists and technicians worldwide, Volcano has the far superior technology than other competitors. I suspect that means a takeover in the future. Sales, which have raced past $100 million over the last twelve months, are growing at 48% per quarter. Earnings, too, have blown past analysts' estimates.

"I think this trend will continue for this stock. It could even become a buyout candidate. The stock has already started to move up. I recommend you buy Volcano now, before it erupts."

Top 20 advisors: Mark Skousen sees Volcano erupting originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 19 Jun 2007 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

I've just returned from the World Money Show in Orlando where more than 10,000 investors gathered to learn about global investing. I had a chance to meet with many of the U.S. and foreign financial experts featured at the show, and over the next week I will share some of their top investment ideas. To view all of the stocks featured in this special global report, click here.

In his search for high growth and income, Mark Skousen searches worldwide, and indeed, his latest trio of dividend plays reach from Australia and China to Peru.

The editor of the Skousen High Income Alert and host of the annual investor think tank, Freedomfest, explains, "We hold two foreign commodity stocks in our high-yield portfolio that have achieved double-digit percentage gains, while paying double-digit percentage dividend yields. And both stocks look like winners for 2007 as commodity prices climb.

"Southern Copper Corp. (NYSE:PCU) is the world's fifth largest copper producer and it is only one of a select few commodity plays that pays a large dividend.

"Southern Copper now is up 19% since the first of the year and up 39% since we initially recommended it in early October. Despite lower copper and gold prices in the past six months, Southern Copper is minting money by maintaining low costs and increasing production.

"Plus, the stock pays an incredible 11% dividend. It should pay a $1-plus dividend in the next week or two weeks. What's not to like? Keep on buying. Southern Copper is part of our incredible high-income portfolio.

Continue reading Global gains: Double digit dividends in commodities

Global gains: Double digit dividends in commodities originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 16 Feb 2007 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.