"BHP Billiton Ltd. ADR (NYSE: BHP) is well placed in coal, oil, gas, and uranium markets, making it a solid play in any investment environment," says global specialist Yiannis Mostrous.

In The New World 3.0, the advisor explains, "BHP Billiton is the only major listed company to that boasts such a diversified energy portfolio.

"Recently, analysts have unleashed an avalanche of upgrades for companies in the mining sector, coinciding with higher price forecasts for a wide range of metals.

"The main reasons for the recent upsurge in optimism regarding miners are strong economic growth in China and an anticipated restocking of materials in developed nations.

This post is part of a special annual report -- Top Stock Picks '09 -- in which TheStockAdvisors.com asked 75 leading newsletter advisors to select their favorite investment for the new year.

"Computershare Ltd. (OTC: CMSQY), an Australian stock, is a powerhouse in global share operations," says Vivian Lewis in Global Investing Pro, a service for savvy investors comfortable buying shares on global markets.

"You may have run into the Computershare name if you get dividend checks, receive proxies to vote, invest in DRIPs, benefit from rights offerings, or are contacted as a shareholder for some reason.

"The company is the leading global specialist in administration, trusteeship, and owner registry activities for companies with traded stock and bonds, not just Down Under, but all over the world.

"Computershare also is the administrator of employee stock option plans worldwide and also trustee for many bond issues.

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.

"My favorite speculation for 2008 is Australia-based Starpharma (OTC: SPHRY), a 'home run' pick," says Gregg Early in The Real Nanotech Investor.

"The drug delivery sector has been revolutionized by the application of nanotechnologies. And one of the fastest up-and-coming countries in this sector is Australia.

"Starpharma has landed a few significant co-development and assessment deals with some major firms in recent months as it awaits FDA approval for its VivaGel, dendrimer-based topical cream that can prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, specifically Herpes and HIV.

"VivaGel also has spermicidal qualities that are so compelling, one of Starpharma's recent co-development deals was with Durex, one of the world's top condom manufacturers. Durex is considering replacing the near-ubiquitous Non-oxynol 9 spermicidal coating with VivaGel, which is proving to be safe and more effective than N-9.

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.

"Aluminum is one of our favorite commodities for 2008 and the best leveraged play on aluminum is Australia-based Alumina (NYSE: AWC)," explain co-editors Roger Conrad and Yiannis Mostrous in Vital Resource Investor.

"The company, our top conservative pick for 2008, owns 40% of Alcoa World Alumina and Chemicals, which, in turn, holds the world's largest, low-cost portfolio of quality bauxite and alumina assets.

"Having the world's largest integrated bauxite mining and alumina refining system (it provides approximately 13% of the world's alumina supply) in one place is the company's main attraction.

"As energy, raw materials and freight costs continue to increase, Alumina's setup makes its operations increasingly competitive and low cost versus those of rivals.