"We're always ready to shift to an individual stock when we see an attractive investment opportunity like Equifax (NYSE: EFX)," says money manager and advisor Jim Stack, who incidentally, accurately called both the 2008 market top and the March bottom.

In his InvesTech Market Analyst, he explains, "The stock is attractively valued based on revenue, cash flow, and earnings power of the company." Here's his review of the credit reporting agency.

"Equifax is in the business of supplying clients with the power of information and is most commonly known as a credit reporting agency. The 'credit score' your banker looks at when you apply for a loan is derived from information supplied by Equifax and its competitors.

Continue reading Equifax (EFX): A good credit

Equifax (EFX): A good credit originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Any company that can consistently create revenue out of air is worth a look," says Jim Stack, referring to Air Products & Chemicals (NYSE: APD).

In his InvesTech Market Analyst, the advisor and money manager explains, "We especially like a company that can create over $10 billion a year in sales ... from air (actually industrial gases)." Here, he explains the reasons he rates the shares a 'buy' in his model portfolio.

"For APD, much of that 'air' revenue comes from the sale of tonnage gases. Tonnage gas delivery involves the on-site or pipeline delivery of hydrogen and other chemicals to oil refineries.

Continue reading Air Products (APD): More than hot air

Air Products (APD): More than hot air originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 24 Jul 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Our confidence in this market is growing... albeit slowly; the fundamental blocks are already in place for a market bottom, and the technical blocks seem to be following," says Jim Stack, well known for having accurately forecast the market. housing and economic downturn.

In InvesTech Market Analyst, he suggests, "We are now stepping up our allocation. The newest addition to our Model Portfolio is VF Corp. (NYSE: VFC)."

"VF Corporation is the world's largest publicly held apparel manufacturer and distributor. It owns an incredibly diverse line of brands; including such well known names as Wrangler, Lee, North Face, Vans, and Nautica.

Continue reading VF Corp. (VFC): Dressed for success

VF Corp. (VFC): Dressed for success originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 05 May 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"We are selectively taking advantage of deep values such as Waste Management (NTSE: WMI), which is selling at a compelling valuation," says Jim Stack, a safety-first money manager.

In his InvesTech Market Analyst he adds, "Waste Management displays the characteristics we search for in new investments including a distinct competitive advantage and solid financials.

"It is a giant in its industry; Waste Management is the largest solid waste management company in North America. Founded in 1894, it serves nearly 20 million customers.

"With the nation's largest network of landfills, Waste Management has significant pricing power and can charge fees to competitive waste haulers who don't own, or have access to, their own landfills.

Continue reading Waste Management (WMI): 'Deep value' in waste

Waste Management (WMI): 'Deep value' in waste originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 11 Feb 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Market historian, money manager and newsletter editor, Jim Stack avoids short-term forecasting but has an uncanny record of being properly positioned for major market turns (gaining 81% since 12/99 versus a gain of 13.9% for the S&P over the same period).

Here, the editor of InvesTech Market Analyst assesses the odds for a bear market and/or a recession, looking at various metrics from housing and consumer confidence to interest rates and the Presidential cycle.

"Consumer Confidence, as measured by the Conference Board, has fallen over 24 points in just 4 months - a precipitous decline matched only by past recessions, or in the first year coming out of recession. Housing and automobile sales are clearly in a recession, but other sectors of the economy still seem very resilient .

"Unemployment is now running at 5%, up 0.6% pts. from a 5-year low of 4.4% early last year. It doesn't take an economics major to look back on 60 years of unemployment history and recognize this is not good news for the U.S. economy.

"We have review all periods when the Unemployment Rate has risen 0.6% pts. from a 2-year low. In 6 out of 9 instances, the economy was already in recession. In the remaining 3, a recession wasn't far off. Are these the kind of odds you want to bet against, as an investor?

Continue reading Bear markets and recessions: An historical perspective

Bear markets and recessions: An historical perspective originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 05 Feb 2008 09:31:00 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.

"If investors are looking for value in this market, it's hard to pass up the nation's largest drugstore chain -- Walgreen Co. (NYSE: WAG), my favorite more speculative idea for 2008," says Jim Stack, money manager and editor of InvesTech Market Analyst.

"Over the past 10 years, Walgreen's revenue and earnings-per-share have grown steadily at an average annual rate of 15% and 16%, respectively. Moreover, the company has competitive advantages that should help it maintain this enviable growth record.

"In particular the firm is noted for its customer-oriented philosophy and real estate acumen. It is adept at locating freestanding stores on prime corners, with each site required to meet multiple criteria based on traffic flow, demographics and other factors.

"In addition, Walgreen is innovative. The firm pioneered the concepts of a drive-thru pharmacy and keeping selected stores open 24 hours. It was also the first drugstore chain to offer prescription drugs in multiple languages.

Continue reading Best Stocks for 2008: Innovation and quality at Walgreen Co. (WAG)

Best Stocks for 2008: Innovation and quality at Walgreen Co. (WAG) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 24 Dec 2007 09:15:00 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.

"My favorite conservative idea for 2008, Abbott Laboratories (NYSE: ABT), is a leading player in several growing health care markets, offering a wide range of prescription pharmaceuticals, nutritional and diagnostic products, and medical devices," says Jim Stack, money manager and editor of InvesTech Market Analyst.

"The company has a long history of stable sales and earnings growth fostered by its strong research and development program, acquisitions and global expansion. As a defensive health care play, we particularly like the diversification this company provides.

"It derives nearly 30% of profits from overseas markets, while pharmaceuticals account for 44% of sales, hospital products 20%, nutritional products 18% and diagnostics 15%.

"Currently, Abbott is enjoying double-digit sales growth in three of these four major divisions, and we expect this strength to continue at least through 2008. The company is a bright spot in the drug industry, which has been plagued in recent years by patent expirations and meager product pipelines.

Continue reading Best Stocks for 2008: Abbott Laboratories (ABT)

Best Stocks for 2008: Abbott Laboratories (ABT) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 18 Dec 2007 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.