"Income-starved investors have flocked this year to master limited partnerships (MLPs); however these securities involve tax and bookkeeping hassles," notes fund specialist Mark Salzinger.

The editor of The Investor's ETF Report explains, "As a result, investing in MLP through an exchange-traded fund -- such as The Alerian MLP ETF (AMLP) -- has numerous advantages.

"Indeed, by holding a single ETF that aggregates income and returns, tax reporting is streamlined (typically on Form 1099, just like corporate dividends).

Continue reading Alerian MLP (AMLP): High Yield and Tax Benefits

Alerian MLP (AMLP): High Yield and Tax Benefits originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 15 Nov 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading First Trust ISE-Reserve Natural Gas (FCG): 30 Picks in One

First Trust ISE-Reserve Natural Gas (FCG): 30 Picks in One originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 07 Jul 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Despite a 46% gain since adding iShares MSCI Brazil (NYSE: EWZ) to his portfolio, global expert Keith Fitz-Gerald still sees upside potential. Here's the latest from Money Map Reporter.

"History tells us that the best gains come to those who have the courage to buy undervalued companies in the face of extreme pessimism - and that sounds a lot like right now. So while we may not be at the very bottom, we are nonetheless pretty darn close.

Continue reading Money Map points to Brazil

Money Map points to Brazil originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 03 Jun 2009 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"After enduring one of the worst slumps on record, we're beginning to see a rebound in all major commodities market," says Lee Lowell, adding "But one commodity stands out in particular -- natural gas."

In Xcelerated Profits Report, he explains, "This could represent the best buying opportunity in several years." Here's his review of the United States Natural Gas Fund (NYSE: UNG).

"As it so often does, it's no surprise to see the energy market leading commodities higher over the past few weeks -- specifically, crude oil and natural gas.

Continue reading US Natural Gas (UNG): For 'Xcelerated Profits'

US Natural Gas (UNG): For 'Xcelerated Profits' originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 02 Jun 2009 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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.

"ProShares Ultra Oil and Gas (NYSE: DIG), my top idea for 2009, is an exchange-traded fund that positions itself with the performance of the United States' top oil and gas companies," says growth stock specialist Paul Tracy.

In his StreetAuthority Market Advisor, he explains, "The 'ultra' part of its name means that the fund uses leverage, which magnifies returns by a factor of two relative to the Dow Jones U.S. Oil & Gas Index."

The advisor continues, "DIG is a leveraged ETF. In short, for every 1% the U.S. Oil & Gas Index rises, DIG should rise 2%. That means the performance of DIG is dictated by the moves of the largest industry heavyweights like ExxonMobil, ConocoPhillips, and Chevron.

"In addition to integrated oil companies, DIG is also exposed to major oilfield service companies like Schlumberger and Halliburton and gas-industry leaders like Apache.

"The world simply cannot, in its current form, live without fossil fuels. Global demand for petroleum is roughly 85 million barrels of oil a day, which means the activity in the oilfields simply never stops.

Continue reading Top Stock Picks '09: ProShares Ultra Oil & Gas (DIG)

Top Stock Picks '09: ProShares Ultra Oil & Gas (DIG) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The need for oil drilling services will continue even if the price of oil declines, according to Richard Lehmann. Here, in his The ETF Investor, he looks at a favorite way for investors to play this trend.

"Oil prices have a triple or quadruple price boost associated with them. The first is supply/demand dynamics, the second is the weak dollar, the third is speculative fervor and the fourth inflation fears.

"A pundit said that last year it took 65 Euros to buy a barrel of oil and today it still takes 65 Euros to buy a barrel of oil. This illustrates the effect the weak dollar is having on U.S. prices and the international price of oil.

"Inflation protection used to be the province of gold, but now it seems oil is serving a similar function. We think the current oil bubble has not run its course.

"One of our past recommendations, the Oil Service Holders Trust (NYSE: OIH), was first suggested in February 2006 at a price of $101.50. We recommended it again in December 2007 at a price of $179.83.

Continue reading 'Persistent profits' from oil services

'Persistent profits' from oil services originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 24 Jun 2008 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"We're continuing to emphasize conventional energy, solar, shipping, agriculture, and commodities," says Harry Domash, who adds, "But one industry we've overlooked so far is coal."

In his Winning Investing, he explains, "This month, we're adding two coal industry picks. One, a short-term play to capture the action in hot coal mining stocks, and the other, a long-term dividend-paying investment."

"We've avoided coal primarily because environmentally speaking, coal is bad news. Coal is mostly used to generate electricity and to power steel plants. Crude oil prices are so high because supply can barely meet demand.

"Think about what would happen to oil prices if coal wasn't available. Due to increasing global demand, coal prices are moving up dramatically and it doesn't make sense for us to ignore that.

"For longer-term investors, we recommend Natural Resource Partners (NYSE: NRP), a master limited parternship. The MLP owns coal properties in the Appalachia, Illinois Basin, and the Western U.S. NRP leases its properties to mine operators.

Continue reading Double play on coal: For investors and speculators

Double play on coal: For investors and speculators originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 23 Jun 2008 11:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Jim Farrish, founder of Money Strategies, is a leading expert on sector investing; his approach combines technical and fundamental analysis within the framework of investor psychology.

In the latest from his SectorExchange.com, he says, "This week's spotlight is the energy sector with a focus on the current trend, what the outlook is and what strategy to take looking forward." Here's his latest, along with some ETFs to play this trend.

"Over the last six weeks, the financial media has warned that 'consumption will decline as a result of the US recession.' But so far we have not seen any slowdown in consumption and may not based on recent studies.

"In fact, we have seen China and India absorb any lack of consumption by the US. The key here is not so much who is right and who is wrong, but how you manage your own positions within the energy sector.

Continue reading Sector expert focuses on oil & gas ETFs

Sector expert focuses on oil & gas ETFs originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 19 Feb 2008 14:48:00 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.

"The commodity markets have been rising strongly in recent years, propelled by growing demand," says Mary Anne Aden, editor of The Aden Forecast.

"The ongoing boom in China and other emerging markets has been driving these markets higher and there's no sign this will end any time soon. This has consistently placed commodity-related stocks like energy, natural resource and precious metals into the top performing stock category. The same will likely apply in 2008.

"My favorite conservative idea for 2008 for investors to take advantage of the rise in precious metals is by buying the StreetTracks Gold Trust (NYSE: GLD), an exchange-traded fund. Since gold's rise still appears to be in its early phase, it should do well in the year ahead based on demand alone.

"The same is also true of energy. China's demand has been a primary factor driving the oil price higher. With the Olympics coming to China this Summer, this demand is unlikely to diminish. A good way to benefit is to buy the Energy Select SPDR (ASE: XLE), my favorite speculative ideas for 2008."

Best Stocks for 2008: China boosts StreetTracks Gold (GLD) and Energy ETF (XLE) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 21 Dec 2007 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.