"Revlon (REV) promises a better look for both consumers and investors," says Ian Wyatt. In his The SmallCap Investor, he says, "The company is firing on all cylinders."

The advisor explains, "Revlon, a $770 million market cap consumer goods company, has seen its shares surge 220% since October 1. The company makes, markets, and sells a range of women's cosmetics, hair-care, beauty-care, and skin-care products.

"We're not talking about a high margin business here -- Revlon has a paltry 3.7% profit margin over the last twelve months. "But the company is firing on all cylinders -- it generated free cash flow for the first time since its IPO in 1996 and has grabbed 22.3% market share in lip makeup -- good enough to put it back at number one.

"I'm excited about Quanta Services (PWR), a contracting company that specializes in building utility transmission and distribution infrastructure," says Ian Wyatt.

In his Top Stock Insights, he explains, "The current focus in the U.S. of projects that improve energy conservation, utilize renewable resources, and improve air quality make Quanta an excellent long-term growth opportunity.

"Its customers are in the electric power, gas, telecommunications, and cable television industries. These are stimulus spending customers; i.e., big government organizations and utilities companies.

"I am recommending Celgene (NASDAQ: CELG) as part of an 'offense-defense' thesis," says Ian Wyatt. In Top Stock Insights, he reviews the leading biotechnology company.

Wyatt explains, "Celgene engages in the discovery of therapies designed to treat cancer and immune inflammatory related diseases. They have a number of products at the commercial stage including REVLIMID, THALOMID and VIDAZA.

"Celgene is also researching stem cells derived from the human placenta as well as from the umbilical cord, thus tapping into a promising new technology while avoiding the political and ethical questions dogging others involved in stem cell research.

"International Business Machines (NYSE: IBM) has transformed itself into a dynamic consulting and computer services company that's leading the charge to help companies streamline efficiency and cut costs," says Ian Wyatt.

In his Top Stock Insights he explains, "And most investors are unaware of the change. In our opinion, that's why IBM trades with such an attractive valuation."

"The transformation of IBM means there should be some solid profits for investors who understand the changing face of business. It started in 2002. IBM bought out PricewaterhouseCoopers Consulting for $3.5 billion.

"We are at the early stages of witnessing a transformation of wireless activities away from voice and towards data for both personal and business customers," says says Ian Wyatt.

In his The Recovery Portfolio, he explains, "This portends great things Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ), which has the best wireless network in the U.S. (For more on Verizon, see my recent post, The Safest Dividend in the Dow.)

"Verizon provides wireline service to 35 million access lines and 87 million wireless customers. It recently picked up 13 million of these wireless subscribers upon completion of its $28 billion purchase of privately held Alltel in January.

"My investment thesis for Verizon is all about growth in its wireless operating segment. Smartphone penetration, which is more profitable for Verizon, is still small and growing very rapidly.

"Biotech company Celgene Corp. (NASDAQ: CELG) is a prime example of a stock that plays both offense and defense," says Ian Wyatt.

In his Top Stock Insights, he explains, "The valuation is low and growth is attractive. With the pipeline of products in development, Celegene offers investors a huge upside potential."

"Celgene offers investors a steady product base, a variety of drug treatments in development and a cash pile ready to purchase existing technologies.

"Celgene engages in the discovery of therapies designed to treat cancer and immune-inflammatory related diseases. They have a number of products at the commercial stage.

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.

"Mindray Medical International (NYSE: MR), based in Shenzhen, China and run by entrepreneurs, is a great defensive growth play," says Ian Wyatt in Top Stock Insights.Here's his review.

"This maker of medical devices boasts a strong brand and sales network with heavy investments in R&D and a smorgasbord of products.

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.

"Situated well within a niche that appears to be an oasis in the desert is gaming machine maker WMS Industries (NYSE: WMS)," says growth stock specialist Ian Wyatt.

The editor of Top Stock Insights explains, "Gaming technology has not struggled as much as casino operators as there is still a need for new equipment to drive traffic to casinos."

The advisor continues, "WMS is engaged in the design, manufacture, and distribution of gaming machines and video lottery terminals (VLTs) for customers in gaming jurisdictions worldwide. Its offering consists of video gaming machines, mechanical reel gaming machines, and video poker gaming machines.

"While gaming certainly has taken a hit in the wake of the economic downturn, slot machine makers operate in a unique space that may be one of the few that has the ability to weather economic volatility, as states look to slots as a way to boost tax receipts.

"Rivals may be creating a buzz in the market for navigational technologies, but Garmin Ltd. (Nasdaq: GRMN) will fight off its rivals as it always has, with product breadth and innovation," says Ian Wyatt in Top Stock Insights.

"Garmin, which first started selling products in 1991, has been on a run. Since 2001, the company has compound annual revenue growth of 30%; net income has grown 29% compounded annually.

"Through sound financial execution, Garmin has become a worldwide leader in providing navigation, communication and information devices, many of which carry global positioning system (GPS) technology.

"The automotive and mobile division, which represents the company's portable navigation devices (PNDs), dominates the company's business. PNDs are the fastest growing, most competitive and most consequential market for Garmin and accounted for 71.2% of revenue in third quarter of fiscal 2007.

"In the North American PND market Garmin's share is more than 50%, and its PND share in Europe is 20%. Itss market share is greater than 60% in aviation and higher than 30% in marine electronics. The company's main geographic market is North America, followed by Europe, and then - to a much smaller extent - Asia.

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 more conservative idea for 2008 is Cynosure (NASDAQ: CYNO)," says Ian Wyatt, editor of The Growth Report. "The firm's non-invasive systems are used worldwide by physicians and other practitioners for applications that include the treating of pigmented lesions, acne, wrinkles and the removal of unwanted hair.

"Currently, it has over 15 product lines catering to a market that is evolving from 60,000 dermatologists and plastic surgeons to over 800,000 physicians worldwide.

"A distinguishing characteristic of Cynosure in this dynamic and competitive market is that the firm offers multi-wavelength laser systems that can be used for multiple applications versus single applications associated with single-wavelength systems.

"Demand for non-invasive aesthetic treatment procedures can be seen quite clearly in the impressive financial results. For the nine months ended September 30, 2007, Cynosure reported revenues of $87.7 million, a 63% increase over the same period of 2006. Net income was $9.2 million versus a year-earlier loss of $2.2 million.

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 speculative idea for 2008 is China Natural Gas (NASDAQ: CHNG)," says Ian Wyatt, editor of Rising Star Stocks. "The Delaware-registered public company owns and operates natural gas-related businesses in China.

"Its core business is the distribution of compressed natural gas as a vehicular fuel to retail end users and as a natural gas utility supplying over 71,000 residential customers in Lantian County, Lintong and Baqiao Districts in the City (jurisdiction) of Xian.

"Natural gas is one of the cleanest energy sources and one of China's most abundant natural resources. For this reason, the Chinese government sees compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered vehicles as part of the solution to its national environmental woes.

"For 2007 analysts estimate earnings of 38 cents per share on revenues of $33.9 million, an increase of 80% from revenues of $18.8 million in 2006. In 2008 analysts see China Natural Gas growing its earnings to 58 cents on revenues of $55.4 million, a 63% increase from the 2007 estimate of $33.9 million.

A trio of emerging growth advisors see large potential gains from the "smallest" of ideas – nanotechnology. This broad field involves the study and manipulation of matter at an atomic level.

In The Forbes/Wolfe Emerging Tech Report, Josh Wolfe says, "One way for individual investors to gain exposure to nanotech is to invest in publicly traded investment firms making private VC-like investments such as Harris & Harris (NASDAQ: TINY) and Arrowhead Research (NASDAQ: ARWR)."

Wolfe explains, "Arrowhead and Harris & Harris have both grown about 46% annually since 2002 and both market caps are around $250 million. Arrowhead tends to invest in really early stage companies and TINY tends to invest in syndicates of other top venture capital funds."

The advisor continues, "TINY offers a neat way to slip into its private industry deals. I know these guys first hand and the kinds of bets they're making are heavily skewed to the upside. They might lose 100% of any investment on the downside - but they're swinging for 500% or more on the upside."

"Usually investing in mining companies means having to choose between a junior company that is working to get a mine up and running, and a more stable, mature miner that is already in production," say Ian Wyatt and Tony Martin in Small Cap Investor.

They continue, "But then there's Northern Orion Resources Inc. (ASE: NTO), which allows you to put money into both types of play with one stock."

With a junior miner, they admit, you get more risk, at least until the final permit is received, the mining plan finalized, equipment in place, and ore being processed.

Of course, they counter, that can often mean greater leverage to metal prices. With the mature miner, they explain, ou know what you're getting in terms of output from the mine, but that typically limits any blue-sky financial upside for investors.

Northern Orion, they explain, has a 12.5% ownership position in the Alumbrera project, with Goldcorp (NYSE: GG) having a 37.5% position, and London's Xstrata PLC the remaining 50%. Located some 700 miles northwest of Buenos Aires, they point out, Alumbrera is a massive mine, with the project covering almost 13,000 acres.

Last December, over 100 stocks were featured in our Top Picks for 2007 report. Now, at mid-year, we turn to the 20 advisors whose picks showed the strongest gains to get an update on their previous picks, as well as a new favorite stock for the second half of the year.

Ian Wyatt, editor of The Growth Report, chose LJ International Inc. (NASDAQ: JADE) as his favorite stock for 2007. Its 173% gain as of 6/1/07 has made it the number one performer among all stocks in our Top Picks for 2007 report. Here is Ian's original recommendation for JADE and his current favorite stock for the rest of 2007.

Updating his recommendation, the advisor now says, "LJ International continues to capitalize on China's extraordinary growth and accompanying demand for luxury goods -- specifically high-end jewelry -- by expanding its network of ENZO branded jewelry stores.

"Since 2004, when LJI began opening retail jewelry stores in China, it has opened more than 45 stores, established a presence in all of China's major cities, including Hong Kong and Macau, and established itself as China's #1 foreign branded jewelry retailer (Hong Kong and U.S. based), ahead of Tiffany & Co.

"The company has plans to more than double its network to 100 stores by year-end 2007, ahead of the Beijing Olympics. These stores generate robust sales, and, more impressive, nearly half of the existing stores are already profitable. Continued growth of its retail operations will enhance LJI's profitability since ENZO gross margins are twice those of the wholesale business.

Last December, over 100 stocks were featured in our Top Picks for 2007 report. Now, at mid-year, we turn to the 20 advisors whose picks showed the strongest gains to get an update on their previous picks, as well as a new favorite stock for the second half of the year.

Ian Wyatt, editor of Growth Report, chose LJ International (NASDAQ: JADE) as his favorite for 2007, which rose an exceptional 173% and put Wyatt in the top spot among all advisors in the annual report. Here is his original recommendation and his current opinion on the stock.

For his favorite for the balance of 2007, he continues to look toward China, with his selection of Harbin Electric Inc. (NASDAQ: HRBN). The advisor explains, "Harbin is a growing manufacturer of linear motors in China. Revenues are currently derived in China, but the company has its sights on international markets.

"Strong demand for industrial applications in China will drive the market for linear motors, including factory automation, airport applications, packaging and the oil service industries. Low-cost manufacturing facilities in a modern, 200,000-square-foot manufacturing facility, coupled with cheaper labor costs in China, give Harbin an added competitive advantage.

"A linear motor is an electric motor that produces linear force, in contrast to the rotary torque produced by conventional motors. More important, linear technology is clean, efficient, and generates high speeds. Other advantages include quietness, lower long-term maintenance costs, small size, easy control and installation, and the ability to be used in adverse conditions.