In my recent posts, I have been reviewing the most popular sectors for the coming year, according the the newsletter advisors who participated in the Top Picks from 2007 report. In my last post, I highlighted stocks in healthcare, tech, and telecom. Today, I want to review the resource sectors -- energy and metals -- that remain very popular among advisors, despite being out-of-favor in recent trading.

First, let's look at the metals, where gold remains a popular choice. Sy Harding chose ASA Bermuda, a closed-end gold fund, Curtis Hesler selected Yamana, and Martin Weiss opted for Kinross.

Pamela Aden selected the bullion tracking exchange-traded fund, the streetTracks Gold Trust; Mark Leibovit also chose streettracks Gold. Meanwhile, Mary Anne Aden chose the iShares Silver Trust.

Outside of the precious metals, Tom Bishop chose copper play, Taseko Mines, while Neil Macneale selected steel stocks.

Equally as volatile as metals -- and currently out-of-favor -- has been energy. The energy sector has been high on the list of Top Picks for the past 4 years. This year, however, there is a noticeable shift.

Each year Steven Halpern, editor of TheStockAdvisors.com, surveys the leading financial newsletter advisors asking for their favorite stocks for the coming year. This article is part of his 24th annual Top Picks Report.

International Coal Group, Inc. (NYSE: ICO) is the top speculation for 2007 from Ivan Martchev, editor of Vital Resources and contributing editor for Personal Finance.

He explains, "The company came to market through an initial public offering at $11 and shortly thereafter had a high-profile accident at one of its mines that was probably the result of a lightning strike causing a methane explosion. Some bad operational news further pressured the stock, which reached $4 in the fall.

"As a result, International Coal is a lot cheaper based on book value and price-to-sales measures compared to major coal stocks. My interest here stems from the fact that Wilbur Ross -- a man with a proven record -- has a lot of money at stake in the company.

"If Ross can put together a bunch of bankrupt steel producers like Bethlehem Steel and make a go of them - and ultimately sell them very profitably- he'll try to make a go of International Coal. This is a suggestion only for the patient; it may take a couple of years for International Coal to dig out of its current hole (no pun intended). Buy under $6.50."

To see Ivan's top conservative investment for 2007, click here.