blue chip stocks posts
Posted Jun 18th 2009 10:30AM by Steven Halpern
Filed under: International markets, Newsletters, International Business Machines (IBM), DJIA, Stocks to Buy
"Overall, we believe quality technology stocks offer above-average growth potential and attractive valuations," says Gregory Dorsey.
In Stephen Leeb's The Complete Investor, he explains, "International Business Machines(NYSE: IBM) has plowed ahead despite a daunting economic and business environment; we are adding the stock to our Growth & Income Portfolio."
"For prudent investors in this challenging economy, most of the major technology companies are financially solid, often with little or no debt and lots of cash on their books. This makes them good long-term vehicles even if the economy remains off the rails for a prolonged period.
Continue reading IBM (IBM): Growth and value
Posted May 15th 2009 3:00PM by Steven Halpern
Filed under: Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A), Newsletters, Stocks to Buy
Long-term growth stock expert Alexander Green sees long-term upside potential for conservative investors willing to invest along side of Warren Buffett.
Here, the investment director of The Oxford Club reviews Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.B), a holding in his model portfolio.
"The market surprised investors with the magnitude of its drop over the last year and a half. Then it surprised them again with a furious rally that began in early March.
"What lies just ahead? No one knows for sure, of course. But we do know several investments that are attractively priced at current levels, such as Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B), a conservative choice, run by investment great Warren Buffett.
Continue reading Oxford Club bets on Buffett
Posted May 5th 2009 1:30PM by Steven Halpern
Filed under: Newsletters, Stocks to Buy
"Our confidence in this market is growing... albeit slowly; the fundamental blocks are already in place for a market bottom, and the technical blocks seem to be following," says Jim Stack, well known for having accurately forecast the market. housing and economic downturn.
In InvesTech Market Analyst, he suggests, "We are now stepping up our allocation. The newest addition to our Model Portfolio is VF Corp. (NYSE: VFC)."
"VF Corporation is the world's largest publicly held apparel manufacturer and distributor. It owns an incredibly diverse line of brands; including such well known names as Wrangler, Lee, North Face, Vans, and Nautica.
Continue reading VF Corp. (VFC): Dressed for success
Posted Apr 26th 2009 12:00PM by Louis Navellier
Filed under: Stocks to Buy
It is not only the retail businesses that can make money online. Those businesses that cater to businesses selling goods electronically can do just as well. One of the names in that space is GSI Commerce (NASDAQ: GSIC). The company provides e-commerce and interactive marketing services for business-to-consumer customers.
In short, GSIC is the nuts and bolts behind the online store. GSIC makes online businesses more efficient.
With more companies attempting to carve out a space on the internet, especially given the weakness in brick and mortar, GSIC can be expected to enjoy healthy growth, irrespective of the economy.
Continue reading Online stock #3: GSI Commerce (GSIC)
Posted Apr 7th 2009 11:50AM by Steven Halpern
Filed under: Newsletters, International Business Machines (IBM), Stocks to Buy
"Earnings prospects for companies in the information technology (IT) sector are surprisingly resilient, and one of the best-placed and most recession-resistant IT stocks is IBM (NYSE: IBM)," notes Elliott Gue.
In Personal Finance, he adds, "In the recession of 2001, tech stocks were among the hardest hit groups in the S&P 500, but that was mainly a hangover from the technology bubble of the late 1990s that saw many big-cap tech firms soar to unprecedented valuation levels.
"The tech sector today bears no resemblance to what it was in the early part of this decade. The S&P 500 IT sector now trades at a slight valuation premium to the S&P 500 as a whole, and many of the largest names have impressive, cash-heavy balance sheets.
Continue reading IBM: For tech gains, bets on Big Blue
Posted Feb 26th 2009 1:35PM by Steven Halpern
Filed under: International markets, PepsiCo (PEP), Newsletters, Agriculture, Stocks to Buy, Recession
"PepsiCo (NYSE: PEP) Pepsi is about as dependable a company as there is and the stock would be an excellent anchor for most portfolios," says value investor Nathan Slaughter.
In his Half-Priced Stocks, he says, "All told, PepsiCo has built an impressive lineup of 18 brands that each generate more than $1 billion in annual sales."
"Long ago, management realized that carbonated drink sales would fizzle out and per-capita consumption would become sluggish. In their place, bottled water and sports drinks became two of the fastest-growing categories. And Pepsi is the dominant player in both, with its Aquafina and Gatorade brands.
"Meanwhile, energy drinks have emerged as the industry's hottest segment -- with sales soaring from $1.2 billion in 2002 to more than $6.6 billion last year. Again, Pepsi is well-represented with Amp.
Continue reading PepsiCo (PEP): A portfolio anchor
Posted Jan 7th 2009 10:25AM by Steven Halpern
Filed under: Newsletters, Johnson and Johnson (JNJ), Stocks to Buy, Best Stocks for 2009
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.
"Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) is an a typically defensive industry and has held up much better than most stocks during the past year," says John Reese, who selects the issue has his favorite stock for 2009.
In his Validea -- a newsletter that screens stocks based on the criteria used by legendary investors -- he assesses Johnson & Johnson based on his Warren Buffett and Peter Lynch models.
"The health care and pharmaceutical giant has dipped about 10% over the past year compared to the broader market's 40% plunge.
"In addition, the company has the size ($163 billion market cap) and breadth (250 operating companies and big brand names like Tylenol, Band-Aid, and Neutrogena) to withstand continuing trouble in the economy.
"Johnson & Johnson's price dip this year has only made it more of a bargain according to two of my Guru Strategy computer models, each of which is based on the approach of a different Wall Street great.
Continue reading Top Stock Picks '09: Johnson & Johnson (JNJ)
Posted Jan 5th 2009 5:30PM by Steven Halpern
Filed under: Newsletters, Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY), Stocks to Buy, Best Stocks for 2009
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.
"My selection for 2009 is Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY)," says Chuck Carlson, the leading advisor in the area of dividend reinvestment plans.
In his The DRIP Investor, he explains, "This pharmaceutical company has a lot to offer investors, including a high yield, a rising profit stream, and a speculative kicker in the way of takeover appeal." Here's his review.
"Bristol-Myers Squibb has a number of popular brands, including Plavix, the company's leading cardiovascular product; HIV treatments Reyataz and Sustiva; and oncology product Erbitux. Its stable of products has helped drive decent sales growth.
"Bristol-Myers Squibb has done a nice job of ?rming up its balance sheet. The company's cash coffers were boosted by the sale of its ConvaTec medical-device and wound-care business for $4.1 billion.
"At the end of the third quarter, the ?rm had more than $7 billion in cash and securities, a 'signi?cant majority' of which was invested in Treasury Bills and Treasury-backed securities.
Continue reading Top Stock Picks '09: Bristol-Myers (BMY)
Posted Jan 4th 2009 5:00PM by Steven Halpern
Filed under: Newsletters, Sara Lee Corp (SLE), Stocks to Buy, Best Stocks for 2009
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.
"To paraphrase its marketing slogan: 'Nobody shouldn't like Sara Lee (NYSE: SLE),'" says Steve Ralston, consumer products sector expert at Zacks Investment Research.
"From the sales of staple products, consumer non-durable companies generate solid cash flow, with which management can enhance shareholder value through share repurchases and dividend increases.
"Recently restructured consumer non-durable companies are especially attractive, particularly if they are well-managed, trade at a single-digit P/E, and yield more than 4%.
"My favorite stock for 2009 is Sara Lee. Sara Lee announced a 5-year restructuring plan (the Transformation Plan) 3-1/2 years ago. The company has been right-sized, having divested unprofitable and low margin businesses.
Continue reading Top Stock Picks '09: Sara Lee (SLE)
Posted Nov 11th 2008 1:36PM by Steven Halpern
Filed under: International markets, General Electric (GE), Pfizer (PFE), Newsletters, Huaneng Power Intl ADS (HNP), Commodities, Oil, Stocks to Buy
"We are seeing quality names at fire-sale prices, and I think you must take advantage of that," says income expert Nilus Mattive in Dividend Superstars. Here's a trio of favorites.
"Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) recently reported great third-quarter results. The company tripled its profits from the same period a year ago. While last year's results were hurt by a one-time charge, Pfizer is obviously seeing continued demand for most of its drugs.
"I consider the stock dirt cheap, and while there is a slim chance of a dividend reduction, the shares absolutely belong in your long-term income portfolio at this level.
"I feel the same way about General Electric (NYSE: GE). While profits were down 22% this quarter, the company still boasts a AAA credit rating and a very attractive yield. It is a solid long-term income holding.
"Huaneng Power (NYSE: HNP) has been punished along with the rest of China's stocks. But things are going well on the fundamental front. The company increased its power generation 12.7% in the first three quarters of 2008, and revenues gained 36.8% over the same period a year earlier.
"It may post a loss because coal prices remain elevated, but I remain bullish on the company's long-term prospects, and consider it the best dividend-paying Chinese stock to own."
Steven Halpern's TheStockAdvisors.com offers a daily look at the latest market commentary and favorite stock picks and investment ideas from the nation's leading financial newsletter advisors.
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