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 aggressive speculation for 2008 is Enerplus Resources (NYSE: ERF)," says Roger Conrad, editor of Canadian Edge.

"Over the past 18 months, Canadian oil and gas producer trust has endured a trial by fire. First natural gas prices started tumbling.

"Then the Conservative party government announced it would begin taxing trusts as corporations starting in 2011, and restricted the number of shares trust can issue. Finally, this fall investors have bailed out of everything remotely economically sensitive.

"Through it all, however, the Enerplus has remained rock-solid as a business. For starters, the yield of nearly 13% -- paid monthly -- is backed by a modest 70% payout ratio. And that ratio was achieved by selling oil in the third quarter at less than $70 a barrel.

Continue reading Best Stocks for 2008: Enerplus Resources (ERF) offers 'trusted' income

Best Stocks for 2008: Enerplus Resources (ERF) offers 'trusted' income originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 31 Dec 2007 08:00:00 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.

"My favorite stock for 2008 for conservative investors is Yellow Pages Income Fund (Toronto: YLO.UN)," says Gordon Pape, editor of Internet Wealth Builder.

"In mid-2003, I recommended the purchase of Yellow Pages Income Fund to readers of my Internet Wealth Builder newsletter at C$10.

"Since then, we've received capital gain of $3.48 a share plus cash distributions of $4.33 per unit for a total return of 78%. This return occurred even given the Canadian government's decision to tax trusts starting in 2011.

"Looking ahead, we may not see as much movement in the share price, but the distributions should stay steady or rise marginally. For anyone seeking steady income, that makes this trust very attractive. At the current price the shares are yielding 8.4%, making them very good value.

"Management says that action will be taken to ensure Yellow Pages is not subject to the income trust tax but has not released specifics. Indications are, however, that it will be transformed into a high-dividend corporation.

"The combination of stability, yield, and a dominant position in the Canadian market make this a low-risk choice for conservative investors."

Best Stocks for 2008: Look up income at Yellow Pages (YLO.UN) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 30 Dec 2007 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Provident Energy Trust (NYSE: PVX) is one of the 'best in class' income investments within the energy sector," says Bryan Perry in his The 25% Cash Machine.

"Provident had third-quarter results that illustrate the value of its diversified-energy portfolio, as it increased production and maintained stable distributions in the face of persistently weak natural gas prices and a rising Canadian dollar.

"Total funds flow from operations of $105 million (43 cents per unit) for the quarter underpinned stable distributions. The negative impact of weak natural gas prices and the rising Canadian dollar in the third quarter were partially offset by strong oil prices, higher production and midstream crack spreads.

"Consolidated oil and gas production in the third quarter increased by 26% over 2006 to 38,800 boe per day, which includes the results of acquisition and drilling success in Canada and acquisitions in the United States.

Continue reading Provident Energy (PVX): 'Best in class' income play

Provident Energy (PVX): 'Best in class' income play originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 30 Nov 2007 13:40:00 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.

Canadian Oil Sands Trust (TSX: COS.UN) is the top conservative buy for 2007 from international investing expert Vivian Lewis. The editor of Global Investing notes, "Canada recently slapped surprise taxes on income trusts. Nevertheless, we think oil sands will also be a good idea even if not exempt from taxes on dividends.

"The main reason is that the dividends are pretty meager. COS pays 2.7%. This is not going to cause a sell-off in the share, even if the dividend is cut in 2011. The trust, however, dropped 10% in what I consider a mistaken reaction to the tax news.

"Meanwhile, Canadian Oil Sands Trust saw third quarter volumes and sales prices rise, which partly offset higher royalties paid, while net fell 27%. The dividend is 30 cents per unit. The stock is up 41%, including dividends, over the past year.

Continue reading Top Picks 2007: Vivian Lewis trusts in tars sands

Top Picks 2007: Vivian Lewis trusts in tars sands originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 23 Dec 2006 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.