After finding three stocks yesterday that were a good bet to beat the the S&P 500 index going forward, I decided to pursue this notion further. Each of yesterday's stocks was in a different industry that will have strong recurring revenue and pays a dividend; energy, food and booze.

Today's three stocks are in diversified mining, electric power utilities and high-tech defense. Going back ten years, they have all trounced the index and I'm betting they will continue to do so.

This is a continuation of a theme I have been writing about this year involving stock options referred to as naked puts.

This allows investors to take a position in a stock, most often below its current price, but depending on market sentiment. That sentiment remains relatively negative so the spreads are attractive.

I have been following BHP Billiton Ltd ADR (NYSE: BHP) the largest mining company in the world, with headquarters in Australia, for a while but I do not own the stock today. I view all mining companies as an opportunity because I think the diversified raw materials they control are the best hedge against inflation. I do not think inflation is imminent, but with the extreme increases in money supply and debt being created I do not think it will be avoidable a few years out.

MAJOR PAPERS:

• Future crude oil supplies may be a lot tighter than thought. That is what the International Energy Agency in Paris is expected to find when it releases its assessment of the world's 400 major oil fields in November, according to the Wall Street Journal, a reversal from previous reports and is based on a lack of investment and aging oil fields.
• The Institute for Safe Medication Practices, a nonprofit safety organization, found serious side effects linked to Pfizer Inc's (NYSE: PFE) Chantix, a smoking cessation drug. Chantix, which has been banned by the FAA for use by pilots and air-traffic controllers, is already tied to psychiatric issues, including depression and suicide, according to the Wall Street Journal, and the report also points to heart trouble, seizures and diabetes.

OTHER PAPERS:

• The New York Times reported that the Jacksonville Police and Fire Pension Fund has accused American International Group Inc (NYSE: AIG), along with several of its executives, of inflating its stock price artificially by understating the company's exposure to the subprime mortgage crisis. According to the lawsuit, AIG's Q1 loss of $7.8B shocked investors because the insurance giant assured them that any losses on credit insurance "would be limited".
• Following speculation a Chinese entity would look to take a stake in Australian miner BHP Billiton Limited (NYSE: BHP), Huang Tianwen, the president of Sinosteel Corp, said the company has not formed a bid for the firm. The Australian reported that Chinese steel mills may look to buy into iron ore miner Fortescue Metals Group.

MAJOR PAPERS:

• The Wall Street Journal reported that Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) CEO Alan Mulally isn't done cost-cutting. According to people close to the situation, Mulally is considering more job cuts, selling its Volvo brand and closing the troubled Mercury brand.
• BHP Billiton Limited (NYSE: BHP) CEO Marius Kloppers strongly criticized Rio Tinto Plc (NYSE: RTP) and its CEO yesterday, the Financial Times reported. BHP Billiton has outperformed Rio Tinto in several areas, including share price appreciation and EPS growth, said Kloppers, adding, "On every metric I can envisage they [Rio] have been beaten."

OTHER PAPERS:

• According to the Economic Times, AT&T Inc (NYSE: T) is reportedly in preliminary talks with Malaysia's Maxis Communications about buying its 74% stake in Indian cellular phone company Aircel, sources said.
• The United Auto Workers union has rejected several "generous" benefit and wage proposals, according to American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings Inc (NYSE: AXL). In a statement yesterday, the Detroit News reported that American Axle said while tentative agreements had been reached on several issues, the UAW "repeatedly rejected" other proposals that were "considerably higher than the market rate."

MAJOR PAPERS:

• To help stabilize the housing market, the Wall Street Journal reported that the Bush Administration is planning to help create fresh funding for mortgages. The plan, which still requires final approval, is said to ease an excess-capital requirement for government sponsored organizations Federal National Mortgage Association (NYSE: FNM), or Fannie Mae, Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (NYSE: FRE), or Freddie Mac, and the Federal Housing Administration.
• The Wall Street Journal also reported that a merger between Northwest Airlines Corporation (NYSE: NWA) and Delta Air Lines Inc (NYSE: DAL) may be derailed after Delta pilots notified executives they remain unable to reach an agreement with Northwest pilots on how to integrate pilot ranks should the two combine.
• The Financial Times reported that BAE Systems Plc (OTC: BAESY) won a $715M order to supply nearly 1,500 mine-resistant vehicles from the U.S. government.

OTHER PAPERS:

• The Chinese government has locked out Australian mining giants BHP Billiton Limited (NYSE: BHP) and Rio Tinto Plc (NYSE: RTP) from selling iron ore into its daily spot market, the Sydney Morning Herald reported. Mining sources said that the decision may have already cost Australia up to $300M in export profits.

Monday, February 4

• Archer Daniels Midland Company (NYSE: ADM) is reporting Q2 earnings; conference call at 9:00am.
• Pioneer Drilling Company (AMEX: PDC) to hold conference call at 11:00am to discuss WEDGE Well Companies acquisition.
• Tyler Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: TYL) to hold conference call at 11:00am to give 2008 guidance.

Tuesday, February 5

• State Street Corporation (NYSE: STT) to hold business update conference call at 12:30pm.
• The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS) to report Q1 earnings; conference call at 4:30pm.