With gold trading down sharply from its highs, Keith-Fitzerald offers a special report on gold stocks in Money Morning, highlighting three companies that he consider to be the "very best of the best."

"Gold remains a key profit opportunity -- especially if inflation, or even stagflation, is taking hold. It should also help that economic uncertainty is escalating. However, since the economic outlook has grown more uncertain, we've decided to our recommended list down to just three picks:

"The StreetTracks Gold Trust (NYSE: GLD) is an ETF that tracks the price of gold directly, making it the simplest way to invest in the yellow metal via an ETF. And with a market cap approaching $17 billion, this fund has ample liquidity.

"Barrick Gold Corp. (NYSE: ABX) is a Toronto-based company with mostly North American production, as well as properties in South America and Africa, and some copper and zinc add-ons. It has a $38 billion market capitalization, so there's plenty of liquidity.

"A new era could be dawning in Taiwan," says Asia region expert Keith Fitz-Gerald. Here, the editor of The New China Trader looks at an ETF and a mutual fund favorite to benefit from this forecast.

"While there were many reasons we recommended investing in Taiwan, perhaps the single most important was the potential for Taiwan to assume its role as 'China's real beneficiary.'

"We have been reasoning that President-elect Ma Ying-jeou would be far more interested in working with China than antagonizing it, as his predecessor did. We have also suggested that he would 'get on it' sooner rather than later by making relations with China a top priority.

"Indeed, Vice President-elect, Vincent Siew has already 'unofficially' met with Chinese President Hu Jintao on the sidelines at the Boao Forum for Asia. While it's too early to pass judgment, it could set the stage for a new era based on the friendly nature of the meeting according to observers.

"It could also set the stage for a longer-term pan-Asian economic boom. That would be great for the region but especially China and Taiwan, which have had bone-chillingly cold relations for years.

"For China, a fresh start is important because it would allow Beijing to demonstrate peaceful intentions at a time when Tibet and the Summer Olympics have become a lightning rod for all things Chinese.

"For Taiwan, a thawing would lead to new economic development and, we think, previously unheard of levels of business interaction. It would also potentially carry huge trade volumes and stability into the surrounding countries.

"And that's why we reiterate that you buy iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF (ASE: EWT) as well as U.S. Investors China Regional Opportunity Fund (USCOX)."

Each day, Steven Halpern's TheStockAdvisors.com offers the latest market commentary and favorite investment ideas from the nation's leading financial newsletter advisors.

"We are looking for companies that are expanding rapidly in international markets, sporting respectable yields, and offer solid management and a history of big results," says Keith Fitz-Gerald.

In his Money Map Reporter, he says, "There are a few gems out there. And one such company is Celanese Corp. (NYSE: CE).

"Celanese is the world's largest supplier of acetyl products, including acetic acid and vinyl acetate. What's important to understand is that CE makes 'building block' chemicals based on acetate.

"These chemicals are in almost every household in the world. It specializes in making acid products that others use to create things like plastics, cigarette filters, emulsions, alcohols, acetate products and even food ingredients.

"Not only is CE the world's largest supplier of this specialized material; it also enjoys a huge competitive advantage, based on lower production costs and economies of scale. In fact, 95% of CE's products are number one or number two in their respective markets.

"Longer term, history suggests that Citigroup (NYSE: C) will be one of the best turnaround plays out there -- if we have the intestinal fortitude to stick it out," says Keith Fitz-Gerald in The Money Map Reporter.

"Based on Travelers alone, Citi's breakup value is roughly 30% higher than where it is trading today. Other business lines suggest even more money on the table.

"That is why we want to be net buyers at these levels just like some of the smartest money on the planet, including companies like PIMCO and even investors such as Wilber Ross who are legendary for buying on the cheap.

"That doesn't mean there won't be more down days to come or that we won't hate every day we own Citi, but the financial sector is essential to the economy and being able to buy in for 25 cents on the dollar makes sense for any savvy investor looking to the longer term.

"Harvest Energy Trust (NYSE: HTE) is exactly what we love – a company with incredible upside and hefty 'dividends' that's being ignored byWall Street," says Keith Fitz-Gerald.

The editor of Money Morning explains, "But the stock is not being ignored by the company's executives. In fact, insiders are buying like crazy. And while this by itself doesn't guarantee higher prices, it's an important indicator of things to come, especially when oil prices are destined to increase in the coming years.

"Harvest Energy is located in Calgary and functions as a Canadian royalty trust, which means its profits are funneled back to investors in the form of 'distributions.' Harvest engages in the exploration, development, production, and sale of petroleum, natural gas, and natural gas liquids in western Canada.

"And the best part is, it's been tamped down in the last two quarters. You see, management has reduced its distribution by 21%, citing volatile energy prices and the new tax rules set to take effect in Canada in 2012. It also carries a lot of debt after having consolidated purchases of other oil and gas trusts and large private producers over the last two years. The company also purchased a refinery complex – and that didn't come cheap.

"Now here's where things get really good: Plain and simple, Harvest is sitting on oil – a lot of it. Large multi-million barrel reserves, with an estimated 9.3 years of proven and probable reserves using conventional extraction techniques. It's also sitting on over 1 billion barrels of untapped oil sands.

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.

"For more conservative investors, my favorite idea for 2008 is First Horizon National Corp. (NYSE: FHN), the Tennessee-based holding company for First Tennessee Bank," says Keith Fitz-Gerald, editor of Money Morning.

"Its banks feature all the offerings you might expect from a good regional bank: Savings, checking, mortgages, investment banking, and brokerage services. It's not exactly an innovative idea -- minimize risks and maximize profits.

"But let's face it, it's a tried-and-true strategy that most US banks have abandoned as they chase after the (allegedly) big profits that subprime-backed debt, leveraged buyouts and other similarly esoteric investments appeared to promise.

"Yes, FHN really over-extended itself in the credit markets and recently announced a loss of $14.2 million. More losses may be coming. And its ultra-high dividend yield off 7.93% may be in jeopardy. Nonetheless, we think the stock's beating was overdone.

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.

"In a perverse twist of irony, more adventurous investors could choose Citigroup (NYSE: C), which is my speculative favorite for 2008," says Keith Fitz-Gerald, editor of Money Morning.

"I recognize that you might be thinking that I've completely lost my mind. But I believe this is an opportunity to buy into one of the world's fastest growing and best run financial companies at a bargain basement price.

"First, what's causing Citi's current angst is related to a breakdown of risk management -- not the deterioration of operations. The company remains globally diversified, and many portions of its business still reflect double-digit growth rates, particularly when it comes to China and Eastern Europe.

"In my view, Citi is now trading for a pittance. In fact, it's just barely seven times earnings and eight times 2008 earnings. Yet if you add up the growth prospects and current valuations, the company reflects a value that could be as high as $60 or more a share.

To limit risks when investing in alternative energy, Keith Fitz-Gerald notes, "We look for companies that have an actionable business model, a strong financial position, and an actual revenue stream."

The contributing editor to Monday Morning, a daily global news service, says, "One company that meets all these objectives is U.S. Geothermal (NASDAQ: UGTH). The firm has been in start-up mode for a few years now, but it's now set for the big time.

"Since I started following this tiny dynamo, the stock price has risen 278%. Even so, we're just starting to experience this company's true power -- pun absolutely intended.

"As its name implies, U.S. Geothermal is a renewable energy company focused on the production of electricity using geothermal energy. To break this down very quickly, geothermal power utilizes naturally heated underground water springs to turn turbines above ground by injecting water into the ground and pulling out steam.

"The company is sitting on two geothermal sites. There's the Raft River site (8.2 square miles), which is about 200 miles south of Boise, Idaho (formerly a geothermal test site for the Carter administration), and the Neal Hot Springs site in eastern Oregon (8.5 square miles).

I've just returned from the World Money Show in Orlando where more than 10,000 investors gathered to learn about global investing. I had a chance to meet with many of the U.S. and foreign financial experts featured at the show, and I will share some of their top investment ideas. To view all of the stocks featured in this special global report, click here.

Money manager and newsletter advisor, Keith Fitz-Gerald focuses on maximizing growth while minimizing risks. And one move he is making to reduce the overall risk to his portfolio is to diversify by currency.

In his The Skeptical Investor, he explains, "China really doesn't want or need any more dollars, so it's looking to other currencies to diversify its mountain of money and lessen risks associated with the U.S. dollar.

"The sheer volume of assets that must be moved creates a large disparity in how currency markets are likely to move this year. It also creates an equally large opportunity for us. So we've going on the offensive with PowerShares-DB G10 Currency Harvest Fund (AMEX:DBV). Even though it's a new fund introduced in October 2006, I feel very comfortable recommending it for a variety of reasons.

"First, it's an ETF, so you can buy and sell it easily. Second, it's run in conjunction with Deutsche Bank, which is a currency-trading powerhouse. They are well known to me in my capacity as a licensed CTA specializing in currencies.

"Third, the strategy DBV uses has produced a 12.5% compounded annual growth rate in testing that dates back to 1994, so the time horizon is long enough to cover a variety of trading scenarios and global events that would derail lesser quality funds under similar conditions.

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.

Rentech (ASE: RTK) is the favorite speculative idea from Keith Fitz-Gerald, editor of The Skeptical Investor.

The advisor and money manager explains, "Rentech, a $600 million company, offers a fair shot at decreasing our dependence on foreign oil in a time frame that makes it almost immediately relevant. This is significant because it represents the first widely applicable technology I've seen work at price points that make it practical.

"Rentech, however, has a patented technology that can convert coal to oil, gasoline, or even aviation fuel at a paltry $35 a barrel. Not only is this far cheaper, but with oil now settling in the $50 to $60 range, it's going to be a lot more profitable, too. It's also an area that is being largely ignored, which, of course, makes it appealing to me.

"Most people think coal is dirty, stinky, and causes cancer. And they're right! But, there's also enough of it here in the U.S. to supply our anticipated energy needs for the next 250 years. This makes it more appealing, usable, and even convertible than all other alternative energy sources combined when viewed in the context of our energy continuum.

While tensions in Iraq grab most of the military headlines, the geopolitical threat posed by North Korea remains ever-present. And with its dominant role in missile systems, no company comes to mind more readily than Raytheon (NYSE: RTN) as advisors and analysts assess these risks.

Indeed, Keith Fitz-Gerald, editor of The Skeptical Investor, sees this leader in missile defense as a "stellar choice" to protect one's long-term portfolio. Although involved in everything from "military radios to aircraft and satellite communications systems", the advisor is most attracted to the stock due to the firm's Phalanx weapons system, which he describes as a "super-high-speed close-in weapons defense system used aboard our naval vessels."

He says, "the Phalanx basically throws up a wall of lead and can track hundreds of targets simultaneously while prioritizing their threat level automatically." Fitz-Gerald notes that its Phalanx system is so quick and efficient that it could "actually shoot down an outbound missile if it had to."

These systems, he believes, are increasingly important due to North Korea. He says, "Raytheon has particular expertise in target identification, tracking and destruction-particularly when it comes to missiles and other weapons that some nut job like Kim Jong-Il or other rogue nations could try to rain down on our troops and allies in the future."

Meanwhile, the advisor views Raytheon as a conservative large cap stock, well suited to the current market and a worthy addition to his "Compound Growth Monsters" portfolio. And while he generally prefers a dividend higher than Raytheon's 1.9% yield, he concludes, "Given the extraordinary role this company is playing in our defense and the size of the defense contracts that are likely to come its way, I'm willing to make an exception."