This post is part of Japan: A Special Report for Investors.

"Japan's tsunami has struck worldwide," says Richard Moroney, the editor of Dow Theory Forecasts, which has maintained a model portfolio of blue chip stocks for over 50 years.

Here, he reviews a number of the top buy recommendations in the newsletter's portfolios to determine the potential risk posed by the recent tragic developments in Japan.

Stocks cited as "Focus List Buys" are are those issues that the service expect to significantly outperform the market over the next 12 months.

Continue reading Japan: Dow Theory's Blue Chip Portfolio Review

Japan: Dow Theory's Blue Chip Portfolio Review originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 23 Mar 2011 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Buoyed by strong operating momentum, the technology sector earns high marks in our Quadrix(R) stock- rating system," says Richard Moroney.

The editor of Dow Theory Forecasts explains, "Our favorite picks in the tech sector -Altera (ALTR), Apple (AAPL), IBM (IBM) and Texas Instruments (TXN) - share some favorable qualities.

➤ December-quarter results: All four topped consensus estimates, producing double-digit growth in per- share profits. Revenue also exceeded expectations.

Continue reading Top Techs: Dow Theory's 4 Favorites

Top Techs: Dow Theory's 4 Favorites originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 02 Mar 2011 10:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"On our proprietary Quadrix(R) rating system, ExxonMobil (XOM) has steadily advanced over the past year," says Richard Moroney.

The editor of Dow Theory Forecasts explains, "Out of a possible 100, the oil giant earns an Overall score of 96 -- compared to just 51 in January 2010. As such, we rate the stock a long-term buy.

"Meanwhile, the shares recently rallied to their highest level since January 2009 after Exxon said it earned $1.85 excluding special items in the December quarter, up 46% and $0.22 above the consensus estimate.

Continue reading Quantitative System Picks ExxonMobil (XOM)

Quantitative System Picks ExxonMobil (XOM) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 10 Feb 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"About 3,600 companies trade on exchanges operated by NASDAQ OMX Group (NDAQ), where an average of 8.8 billion shares changes hands each day," says Richard Moroney.

The editor of Dow Theory Forecasts explains, "The company controls about two-thirds of trades involving NASDAQ securities and half of NYSE securities. It also holds about one-third of the U.S. options-trading market.

"Over the last five years, NASDAQ's revenue rose at an annualized rate of 32%, with operating cash flow up 43%.

Continue reading NASDAQ OMX Group (NDAQ): Exchange Gains

NASDAQ OMX Group (NDAQ): Exchange Gains originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This post is one in a series in which more than 60 newsletter advisors share their Top Stock Picks for 2011. This special report is courtesy of TheStockAdvisors.com.

"Aflac (AFL) represents a top year-ahead pick based on its solid operating momentum and modest valuation," says Richard Moroney.

The editor of Dow Theory Forecasts explains, "In our proprietary ranking system (known as Quadrix), the stock earns an Overall score of 99.

Continue reading Top Picks 2011: Aflac (AFL)

Top Picks 2011: Aflac (AFL) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 01 Jan 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Research firm Gartner recently projected PC shipments would rise 14% this year and 16% next year, down from a September forecast of 18% growth in both periods," notes Richard Moroney.

The editor of Dow Theory Forecasts explains, "Intel (INTC), which provides microprocessors for 81% of PCs, is highly dependent on computer sales. However, the semiconductor giant's share price already reflects plenty of pessimism.

Continue reading Intel (INTC): Priced for Pessimism

Intel (INTC): Priced for Pessimism originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 15 Dec 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The editor of Dow Theory Forecasts explains, "One exception is Abbott Laboratories (ABT); Wall Street expects to increase earnings at a 10% annual rate over the next five years.

"Yet the market appears to discount that outlook, and the stock's price/earnings-to-growth ratio (PEG) of 1.2 is well below its peers.

Continue reading Abbott Labs (ABT): A Rich Pipeline in Pharma

Abbott Labs (ABT): A Rich Pipeline in Pharma originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 01 Dec 2010 10:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"While gold prices have surged 90% since year-end 2006, shares of Newmont Mining (NEM) still trade below their 2006 high of nearly $63 per share," observes Richard Moroney.

The editor of Dow Theory Forecasts, a blue-chip focused newsletter that has been published since 1946, explains, "Newmont generates more than 80% of its revenue from the sale \of gold, and the metal's recent strength has pushed earnings and cash flow sharply higher. As a result, the stock has seldom looked better under our "growth-at-a-good-price" approach.

Continue reading Newmont Mining (NEM): 'Growth at a Good Price'

Newmont Mining (NEM): 'Growth at a Good Price' originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 03 Jun 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Under the direction of the swashbuckling CEO Larry Ellison, Oracle (ORCL) has grown into the biggest player in the $19 billion database market," says Richard Moroney.

The editor of Dow Theory Forecasts -- a newsletter that has been published for over 50 years -- he explains, "Ellison enjoys baiting his competition. In March, he mocked SAP. for its recent turnover at CEO; and last fall he issued a direct challenge to IBM in a full-page ad in The Wall Street Journal.

Continue reading Oracle (ORCL): Harnessing the 'Sun'

Oracle (ORCL): Harnessing the 'Sun' originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 06 May 2010 10:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Guru Strategy: Don't Rush into Junk Stocks

Guru Strategy: Don't Rush into Junk Stocks originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 27 Apr 2010 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This post is part of a special report, Top Picks for 2010, the 27th annual survey in which TheStockAdvisors.com asks the nation's leading advisors for their single favorite stock for the new year. See all 80 stocks listed here.

Dow Theory Forecasts is one of the most venerable players in the financial newsletter community; the service has been published continuously for well over five decades.

Editor Richard Moroney looks to BMC Software (BMC) as his top pick for 2010. He explains, "BMC develops products that run corporate data centers, which house critical computer systems."

Continue reading Top Picks for 2010: BMC Software (BMC)

Top Picks for 2010: BMC Software (BMC) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 10 Jan 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Baxter International (BAX) benefits from a robust balance sheet, solid operating momentum, and rising earnings estimates," says blue chip advisor Richard Moroney in Dow Theory Forecasts.

The advisor explains, "The first company to commercially prepare intravenous treatments, Baxter has manufactured and distributed medical products since 1931. It primarily works with blood and plasma, a business with recession-resistant tendencies.

"Its BioScience unit produces clotting agents for hemophilia and biotech drugs that treat both immune deficiencies and cancer.

Continue reading Baxter (BAX): Bank on blood products

Baxter (BAX): Bank on blood products originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Oracle (NASDAQ: ORCL) has fattened itself up by swallowing more than 50 companies in the past five years," says Richard Moroney.

In Dow Theory Forecasts, he suggests, "Oracle has proved itself capable of delivering predictable earnings even during tough times by squeezing higher returns out of its assets, including those inherited via $35 billion worth of acquisitions over the past half-decade."

"While some fear the software giant is choking on its latest meal (Sun Microsystems), the deal makes sense operationally.

Continue reading Oracle (ORCL) foresees bright future with Sun

Oracle (ORCL) foresees bright future with Sun originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 20 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"At 12 times trailing earnings, Hewlett-Packard (NYSE: HPQ) trades at a 21% discount to its three-year average valuation and looks cheaper than other U.S. computer giants," says blue chip advisor Richard Moroney.

In Dow Theory Forecast -- a newsletter that has been published for over 5 decades -- he looks at the firm's diversified position and the reasons behind his "long-term buy" rating on the shares.

"For a company that chose its name via a coin toss, Hewlett-Packard takes a deliberate approach to dealing with trouble; its founders designed their first factory so it could be turned into a grocery store if the technology business failed to grow.

Continue reading Hewlett-Packard (HPQ): 'Pragmatic' strategy

Hewlett-Packard (HPQ): 'Pragmatic' strategy originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 29 Sep 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Investors considering high-yield stocks should consider financial strength; in our quantitative model, Quadrix, we assess profit margins, interest coverage, and debt levels," says Richard Moroney.

In Dow Theory Forecasts, a newsletter that has been published for over 5 decades -- he looks at two stocks that score high in this area: drug manufacturer, AstraZeneca (NYSE: AZN) and defense industry player, General Dynamics (NYSE: GD). Here, the advisor reviews the two companies.

"AstraZeneca's operating cash flow jumped 24% in the first half of 2009, allowing the company to retire $3 billion in debt since the end of 2008.

Continue reading AstraZeneca & General Dynamics: Financial strength

AstraZeneca & General Dynamics: Financial strength originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 09 Sep 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) has vast holdings, but its strategy is simple: Support a deep pipeline of new drugs and medical devices with an aggressive acquisition strategy and cost controls," notes blue chip investor Richard Moroney.

In his Dow Theory Forecasts, he adds, "And despite the recession, J&J has kept its financial footing, remaining one of the few companies with the top credit rating of AAA." Here's his long term outlook.

"This year the U.S. pharmaceutical market is expected to contract for the first time in 50 years as fewer people visit doctors or start new therapies for chronic conditions.

"Beyond 2009, an economic recovery should reinvigorate J&J, though it is too early to determine whether health-care reform will help or harm the company.

Continue reading Johnson & Johnson (JNJ): A triple A play

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ): A triple A play originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 29 Jul 2009 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Stocks are up this year but not everyone is profiting. One reason is that many investors, stung by the market collapse, have been looking for safety by investing in dividend paying stocks. But Richard Moroney, editor of Dow Theory Forecasts, says that investing for yield is a flawed strategy.

Moroney, a chartered financial analyst, points out that while the S&P 1500 Index is up about 16% so far this year, investors in high-yielding stocks (with yields of 4% or more) have a year-to-date return of just 4%. And he says that stocks that do not pay dividends are up an average of 29%.

We spoke with Richard Moroney to find out why this is the case -- and what income investors should do.

Continue reading Guru Strategy: Don't look to high yield stocks for high returns

Guru Strategy: Don't look to high yield stocks for high returns originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 18 Jun 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"In recent months, DirecTV (NASDAQ: DTV) has shown that pay television is recession-resistant; indeed, the company has been dishing up subscriber growth," says Richard Moroney.

In his Dow Theory Forecasts, the advisor explains why the satellite-TV system operator is among those select stocks consider to be "Focus List" buys -- the top long-term buy rating in their model portfolio.

"In the nearly 15 years since DirecTV sold its first satellite-television system, the company has grown to serve more than 18 million U.S. subscribers, or 16% of the country's households. DirecTV also operates in Latin America, where it generates 12% of revenue.

Continue reading Tune in to DirecTV (DTV)

Tune in to DirecTV (DTV) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 21 May 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This post is part of a 12-article feature on the best bets for investing in China. To see all the other recommendations in this special report, click here.

"The rollout of China's 3-G cell-phone network offers huge potential for Qualcomm (NASDAQ: QCOM)," suggests Richard Moroney in the blue chip advisory, Dow Theory Forecasts.

"Third-generation networks offer higher download speeds for phones that browse the Internet and download songs and movies.

Continue reading China 3G boosts Qualcomm (QCOM)

China 3G boosts Qualcomm (QCOM) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 10 May 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"We see smooth seas ahead for deepsea driller Oceaneering International (NYSE: OII)," says Richard Moroney.

The editor of the blue chip advisory, Dow Theory Forecasts, explains, "Most of the world's untapped oil reserves lie under the ocean floor, and oil producers are spending an increasing portion of their capital budgets on deepwater drilling."

"While oil prices don't directly affect Oceaneering International's profits and cash flows, they do move the stock. Oil prices fell by two-thirds in the second half of 2008, pushing Oceaneering shares under $20 for the first time since July 2005.

Continue reading Smooth seas for Oceaneering International (OII)

Smooth seas for Oceaneering International (OII) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 31 Mar 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.