"2011 will be about growth stocks that are growing because they have unique products or services driven by customer demand," says small cap specialist Jim Oberweis, Jr.

The money manager and editor of The Oberweis Report explains, "Indeed, we think that investors will pay an increasing premium for growth when year-over-year increases become more difficult to find. Here our favorite issues that fit this bill.

"Our research indicates P/Es for small-cap growth stocks remain modestly below-average, but substantially higher than 2008 crisis levels and well within the "normal" range.

"Procter & Gamble (PG), a long-time growth stock, is now in value territory based on its above-average dividend yield," says Marvin Appel.

The editor of Systems & Forecasts explains, "The stock is -- which has become a high dividend payer -- is recommended as a long-term holding in a conservative equity portfolio.

"Procter & Gamble, historically an expensive stock in terms of its dividend yield, has developed into a high dividend payer by the standards of the U.S. market.

Are folks afraid to invest in EZCORP (EZPW)? Perhaps they are, because the stock has not moved even though the metrics improve every time I check. On July 23, EZCORP reported a year-over-year net income rise of 39%. That is, after reporting similar gains the year before.

The metrics are so strong I can't imagine why the company has not made the front page of every investment journal -- but it hasn't. EZCORP has a market-beating P/E of 10.75 (forward 8.55) and very little debt. It's earning a ROE of 19.55%, ROA of 18.75%, and a ROIC of 19.18%. Is there something evil going on here I that I've missed?

It has been a long time since I have suggested investors dabble in tech stocks, unless, like me, you consider Intuitive Surgical (ISRG) a tech stock. Today, that changes as I direct your attention to the rapidly growing small cap stock Ebix (EBIX), a software company that specializes in the needs of the insurance industry.

This Atlanta, GA-based company is up 113.30% in the last year, 450.72% over three years, and an incredible 1,092.74% in five years through March 2010.

Many investors need income, especially as they reach retirement. They look for ancillary cash flow to supplement their Social Security payments and any retirement benefits from a company for which they've worked. But those aren't the only investors who should be interested in income.

That's because studies show that dividends are a significant contributor to overall performance of a stock. When held for years, a stock's dividend can help diminish the volatility of a stock's price and keep returns reasonable, especially in down markets. Here are five stocks that have decent income as well as potential capital gains. All are exceptionally financially strong.

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.

"Investors who can find the diamonds in the rough stand to profit handsomely," says small cap growth stock expert and money manager Jim Oberweis, Jr.

In his The Oberweis Report, he suggests Green Mountain Coffee Roasters (NASDAQ: GMCR) is one stock that fits the bill. As his top pick for 2009, he looks to the maker of specialty coffees and single-cup home brewing systems.

"There is no question that any company whose growth depends on selling goods to the U.S. consumer, especially non-essential goods, would seem risky at the present moment. But stock prices for most retail companies are already down in the dumps and reflect significantly reduced expectations.

"We've been looking for growth companies that won't be as badly affected as many folks believe. Green Mountain Coffee Roasters is one stock that fits the bill.

Over 32 years, the portfolio in The Oberweis Report has returned an average gain of 21.2% a year vs. 7.9% for the S&P 500. Here, money manager and newsletter advisor Jim Oberweis, Jr. looks at Suntech Power Holdings Ltd. (NYSE: STP).

"Long-term results notwithstanding, 2008 has been humbling, to say the least. No other year in our history has been as challenging.

"But in our experience, the most favorable buying opportunities tend to fall after a period in which the market has not performed well.

"Although year-by-year results can be volatile, disciplined investors who remain fully invested in a portfolio of high-growth equities selected using our methodology have historically achieved an exceptional average rate of return over long periods of time.

"Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd is one of the leading solar energy companies in the world as measured by production output of photovoltaic, or PV, cells, with leading positions in key solar markets such as Germany and Spain.

Readers of this space know that the investment bias is toward large-cap companies with demonstrated business models and a competitive advantage in established markets, preferably with a favorable global trend as a support. With this in mind, Intel is worth an evaluation.

Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) is the world's largest semiconductor maker, as measured by revenue and unit shipments, and is the dominant microprocessor manufacturer for personal computers.

In general, analysts expect F2008 revenue to increase 5-7%, after an 8% increase in F2007. The conventional wisdom in semiconductor analysis land now suggests that smaller/more-portable computer forms and media-rich PDAs will drive strong PC and PDA microprocessor sales.

Further, Intel remains the leader in next-generation chip technology, and its product mix remains superior. Gross margins should increase, as a result of lower unit costs and improved plant utilization. Also, high-performance chip prices should increase noticeably.

Readers of this space know that one of my preferred sectors has been in oil and oil services.

Further, with oil now well above $110 per barrel, one may think that all of the attractive oil plays have been bid up. Indeed, most have, but one that may represent an opportunity, for high-risk investors only, is TXCO Resources.

TXCO Resources (NASDAQ: TXCO) acquires, explores, develops, and produces oil and gas properties. The company's primary focus is on developing oil and gas reserves on properties located in Texas. The company's reserve mix is 54% oil and 46% natural gas.

In general, analysts expect TXCO's revenue to increase by better than 20% in F2008 after an impressive 30% gain in F2007.

Further, analysts also like the fact that TXCO's proved reserves increased substantially, via drilling and acquisition, to 91.8 billion CFE at the end of F2007, from 41.4 billion CFE at the end of F2006. The Reuters F2008/F2009 EPS consensus estimates for TXCO are 57 cents / 75 cents.

The choppy/consolidating (or perhaps worse) market conditions sometimes give the impression that growth plays do not exist, but that is not the case, and one growth company worth reviewing is Western Digital Corp.

Western Digital Corp. (NYSE: WDC) is one of largest, independent hard drive manufacturers in the world.

In general, analysts see 35%-45% revenue growth in FY 2008, reflecting the Komag acquisition, and solid PC hard drive and DVD hard drive demand.

The choppy/consolidating (or perhaps worse) market conditions sometimes give the impression that growth plays do not exist, but that is not the case, and one growth company worth reviewing is Texas Instruments.

Texas Instruments (NYSE: TXN) is the world's third largest semiconductor company, with operations in more than 25 countries.

In general, analysts see TXN's revenue increasing 5-8% in 2008, with the company likely to increase its leading market share in the analog segment; a smaller annual revenue increase is expected in the handset digital segment.
Further, analysts say TXN is well positioned to benefit from increasing use of higher-end analog products. Meanwhile, higher plant utilization and a recent restructuring should aid TXN's bottom line. The Reuters F2008/F2009 EPS consensus estimates for TXN are $2.09/$2.31.

The market's choppy/consolidating pattern characterized much of the last 5 months of 2007. However, with the start of 2008 and the entrance of new-year money flows, it's prudent to add a growth play or two, to be well-positioned for improving economic conditions, should they occur, and a growth stock worth a review is Synchronoss Tech.

Synchronoss Technologies, Inc. Tech (Nasdaq: SNCR) provides software and services that communications service providers use to manage tasks such as service activation and customer transactions, including additions, subtractions, and changes to service plans.

Analysts see 2008 revenue advancing 40-50% following a likely 60-70% revenue gain in 2007. Subscriber growth should be strong, with solid margins.

For long-term plays, the preferred investment is a company with a demonstrated business model (10 years), in an established market, with an average total annual return on equity of 20% during that span.

To be sure, First Solar (NYSE: FSLR) does not fit that profile, but it's worth a review, given both macro fundamentals and the company's outlook. Note: Underscoring, this is a high-risk stock.

First Solar uses an advanced, thin-film technology that uses cadmium telluride semiconductor material to convert sunlight into electricity. With a global polycrystalline silicon shortage holding back some producers of solar cells, First Solar's glass as substrate, coated with cadmium telluride can march ahead, while others await their raw materials.

Way back in the 20th century, rails were hardly considered a growth play. But with consistent demand for commodities and raw materials, along with the (seemingly) continual rise in truck transport costs, the rails are becoming a primary shipment mode, which means good things -- long-term -- for rail companies.

Among the rails, CSX Corp (NYSE: CSX) is a company worth a review. CSX operates the largest rail network in the eastern United States, with a 22,000-mile network in 23 states and two Canadian provinces.

In general, analysts see CSX's revenue growth slowing somewhat in 2007, offset by better margins, pricing power (including expired contracts repricing) and improved asset utilization.

Further, coal traffic may slow heading into 2008, but intermodal traffic is expected to remain solid. Numerous infrastructure improvements and capacity increases should improve CSX's delivery times and reduce dwell times. In addition, trading around $42 with a p/e of 16, CSX currently is somewhat of a bargain, as Wall Street has discounted CSX's share for a U.S. economic slowdown, taking the stock down about 20% from a $52-high reached this summer.

Normally, when a company reports a quarter with numbers as impressive as Crocs (NASDAQ: CROX) did, you expect the share price to rise. On September 30, Crocs reported third quarter earnings per share of $0.66 versus expectations of $0.63 and revenue of $256.3 million, in-line with expectations. The death knell was the dreaded words "in-line."

The company had been on a run of exceeding Street expectations by quite a bit. The shares were hit very hard on Thursday coming down from $74 to $47, exacerbated by a 360-point decline in the Dow.

The numbers that Crocs reported were actually quite impressive as revenue were up 130% over last year's 3rd quarter and earnings were up 144% for the same period. The gross margins expanded from 58% to 60.4%, while the ever-important operating margin actually hit above 30%. Young growth companies are not supposed to hit operating margins of 30%. It is virtually unheard of.

The other important piece of news was the company raising its 2008 guidance for earnings in the $2.65-2.70 range. With 2007 looking to be at $1.96, the growth for 2008 would be 35-40%. The stock market reaction was a tremendous overreaction, and the shares are now selling at quite a discount to its growth rate and operating margin level.

Typically, the market is comfortable assigning one P/E point to one point of growth or one point of operating margin. With the growth rate and the operating margins north of 30%, Crocs could support a 30 PE of its 2008 earnings expectations or $81 per share. Assigning a premium over the 30 PE would lift the shares even higher.