"The ETFS Physical Precious metals Basket (GLTR) is the first physical-bullion ETF to own more than one metal. GLTR's all-in-one convenience and relatively low expense ratio make it an attractive option," notes exchange traded fund specialist Mark Salzinger.

The editor of The Investor's ETF Report explains, "We like this ETF for investors who want to complement exposure to gold bullion with extensive exposure to silver and modest exposures to platinum and palladium.

"In keeping with our ongoing strategy of buying stocks that have announced splits, I am now zeroing in on ASA Limited (ASA)," says Neil Macneale.

The editor of 2-for-1 Stock Split Newsletter explains, "I originally passed over this stock when it announced its split last April. I now think things have changed enough to warrant a second look.

"What has changed since I first reviewed this issue is my perception of the world's demand for precious metals. Gold is near an all time high and, for the time being, the gold bugs may have it right.

"Important market bottoms are often very sharp and quick; long term tops, on the other hand, are typically more muted," says Curtis Hesler. "They usually roll over. As prices weaken, the Street - not yet bearish - will buy into initial weakness. This can cause volatile choppy action not unlike what we have seen over the last few weeks."

The editor of the Professional Timing Service continues, "The averages are sporting oversold readings, which you can see from the McClellan Oscillator chart below. However, bear markets tend to get oversold and stay there.

"Upside rallies will be brief and muted. Bottom line, we may see more erratic trading, but all the evidence points toward the next sustained trend being lower for financial/paper assets.

"I want to profit from a weak dollar," says Jack Adamo. In Insider Plus newsletter, he adds, "We will do it by adding two newly-launched ETFs -- one for silver, one for gold."

"The huge creation of money in the last year must go somewhere. The Fed is creating yet another bubble to offset the deflation in demand.

"Meanwhile, the U.S. dollar has weakened in almost exact proportion to the rise in stock and commodity prices. By keeping interest rates near zero, Central Bankers force investors to participate in the asset inflation unless they're willing to accept zero return on their money.

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.

Pamela Aden, in her industry-leading The Aden Forecast expects a rebound for gold-mining stocks. What's her favorite way to play this sector? Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF (NYSE: GDX).

"Most markets fell sharply in 2008 as the financial crisis intensified. Gold shares were especially hard hit as gold and the stock market both declined, increasing the downward pressure on these stocks.

"Currently, all of these markets are bombed out and extremely oversold. This means that stocks and gold are poised to move higher, and gold stocks will indeed benefit on both counts.

"Demand for physical gold has been incredibly strong in the last quarter as prices fell during the credit crisis squeeze. You'll remember that gold, like most assets, was sold during the deleveraging when selling was rampant.

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.

Top-rated market timer Mark Leibovit says, "Gold has been our top pick for the last two years and we are staying with it." In his VR Survey he looks at PowerShares DB Gold Double Long (NYSE: DGP).

The advisor explains, "We set a new low of 680.30 on October 24, the lowest low since the 1020 record high from March 17, 2008 and down from the October 10 recovery high of 933.65.

"Though unfulfilled technical measurements still exist as low as 620 in Gold, it appears a short-term bottom is now in place. Support is the low at 680.

"We broke through resistance of 830-850 on December 16. Strength in the US Dollar Index had put the brakes on the gold rally, but we've now seen that gold and the dollar can rally together. It is possible gold is anticipating a top in the dollar, which is inevitable.

"Indeed, you could come in some morning and find gold up $500 an ounce and blow the lid off all the bearish sentiment and doubters. Gold will never go to zero and is the ultimate hedge.

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.

"Fear or war or nuclear conflagration is not the main reason for owning gold; rather, investors should buy gold to protect against inflation," explains Vivian Lewis, editor of Global Investing Pro, and the top stock picker in last year's Best Stocks report, with her selection of DryShips.

"This is not advice only for US investors. All central banks face a dilemma: On one hand, they can cut interest rates and print money to deflect subprime and credit crunch dangers while letting inflation rip. On the other, they can insist on discipline and inflation fighting, letting the economy's chips fall where they may.

"My top conservative investment idea for 2008 is StreetTracks Gold Trust (NYSE: GLD), which is an exchange-traded fund. In fact, the amount of gold held by StreetTracks now exceeds the gold reserves of China. It holds 602.37 tonnes of the yellow metal, whereas China only holds 600 tonnes. (A tonne is a metric measure equal to about 3,520 ounces.)

"US investors can also consider iShares Comex Gold (ASE: IAU). Both are ETFs that own physical gold bullion. However, they track different gold market prices.

"GLD tracks the London fixing and Comex ETF tracks the Chicago commodity price. You can buy whichever one is cheaper at the moment you decide on going for the gold."

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."