"Ford Motor Co. (NYSE: F) recently surprised Wall Street by posting its first profit in ages," notes Mark Skousen in The Turnaround Trader. Here's the advisor's bullish outlook on the auto maker.

"Ford announced a $100 million profit in the quarter, even though sales lagged General Motors and Toyota. I see Ford as a deeply undervalued company that finally is producing good quality cars, both here and abroad, and I don't think higher gasoline prices will have much effect on the turnaround.

"Ford must be seen as a global producer. And foreign sales are booming for Ford and GM. Moreover, now that Ford has decided to include Microsoft's Nuance-powered Sync voice control system in some of its 2008 models, it could help improve sales dramatically here in U.S. showrooms.

"If the profitable quarter continues, Ford now is selling for only 14 times next year's earnings. With revenues of close to $40 billion in the quarter, a smart business person certainly could cut the fat from that and turn a profit, and that is exactly what turnaround specialist CEO Alan Mulally is doing.

"Under his guidance, Ford saved $1.7 billion from cost reductions in the quarter and agreed to sell Jaguar and Land Rover. Wall Street likes what Mulally is doing, and so does billionaire investor Kirk Kerkorian, who is buying its stock. Let's join him by buying Ford."

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

There's also the bearish case: Ford (F): No short seller faith in turnaround

"I still think this rally has further to run, particularly for financial stocks that will thrive in a lower interest-rate environment," says Mark Skousen in The Hedge Fund Trader Alert. "A prime example is Wachovia (NYSE: WB)."

"Based in Charlotte, N.C., Wachovia is one of the nation's leading money center banks. It offers personal banking, insurance, retail brokerage services, and asset management. The bank has more than 13 million customers and assets that top $754 billion.

"Like most banks, Wachovia's profit outlook has been damaged by the credit crunch. Its mortgage business is in the tank. And the true value of the subprime mortgages on its books has taken a haircut.

"As a result, Wachovia's shares have lost a third of their value since mid-April. This is true even though operating margins are 34% and the dividend yield is now a mouthwatering 6.7%.

"There will be more fallout in the banking sector, but Wachovia already is a terrific value. At current levels, it sells for book value and just nine times prospective earnings.

"The company's top executives also find this stock attractive. Insiders have purchased nearly a million shares during the last six months. They have sold precisely none. Clearly, they believe the stock is oversold at current levels.

"If the stock does nothing more than return to its April high, we'll see a 50% gain from here -- plus dividends. Not a bad return for such a conservative choice."

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

"My top speculative choice for 2008 is E-Trade Financial (NASDAQ: ETFC), a great turnaround story," says Mark Skousen, editor of Forecasts & Strategies and author of the just-published best seller, Investing in One Lesson.

"E-Trade is one of the nation's largest, deep-discount stock brokerages. It provides order placement and execution for stocks, bonds, options, futures, and mutual funds to millions of customers in more than 40 countries worldwide.

"The company has more than $176 billion in customer funds and has won recognition for service, reliability and security.

"Unfortunately, the company recently was caught in the credit crunch, causing its share price to drop 80%. It held billions of dollars worth of risky securities. On November 29, the firm received a $2.5 billion cash infusion from Citadel Investment Group, a hedge fund. (E-Trade CEO Mitch Caplan lost his job as part of the deal.)

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.

"Beijing-based biotech firm China Medical Technologies (NASDAQ: CMED) offers a unique product in a booming area -- non-invasive medical devices. CMED sells the High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) therapy system," says Mark Skousen, editor of Forecasts & Strategies and author of the just-released best seller, Investing in One Lesson.

"This system uses an ultrasound-guided ablation technique that is used for the non-invasive treatment of liver, breast, and kidney tumors; solid tumors in the pelvic cavity or bone; and tumors in the four limbs or superficial tissues. The HIFU system has been wildly successful in China, and now is expanding elsewhere.

"Countries such as Japan and Korea have approved its high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) tumor therapy systems for the treatment of liver, pancreatic, and uterine cancer.

"China Medical is really taking off with rising earnings growth projected to occur in 2008, 2009 and 2010, amid further acceptance of the HIFU technology worldwide. Acceptance of that technology will drive international revenues, starting in Korea, Europe, Japan, and the United States.

Two of the savviest advisors around are Mark Skousen and Richard Lehmann. Both are noted experts in income investing and both have recently issued buy recommendations for the same stock.

Skousen, in his High-Income Alert, and Lehmann, in his Forbes/Lehmann Income Securities Investor, both look at Penn West Energy Energy Trust (NYSE: PWE).

Skousen explains, "The dollar continues to slide. Oil is approaching $100 a barrel, and gold, a sign of global instability, now is above $800. And the mortgage credit market continues to soften.

"All of these conditions make it difficult to profit, even in our high dividend-paying stocks. Fortunately, history is on our side. Studies show that a well-diversified portfolio of dividend-paying stocks tend to be more stable during difficult times.

"Our safest position is in oil stocks, so we are going to add another oil & gas stock to our portfolio: Penn West Energy. The trust bought out Canetic recently to create the largest oil and gas trust in North America.

"The combined trust is worth more than $15 billion and has the equivalent production of more than 200,000 barrels of oil a day. Penn West holds interests in western Canadian oil and natural gas pools, along with opportunities in oil sands, coal-bed methane, shale gas, and enhanced oil recovery.

"Penn West is paying an incredible dividend that now is about 35 cents a month, compared to 30 cents a year ago. The company's current dividend yield exceeds 13%."

This article is part of a 20 article special report on "Metals, miners and money".

"The Fed's bailout of the mortgage markets has reignited fears of inflation and of a slow-motion meltdown of the dollar," says Mark Skousen, editor of Forecasts & Strategies.

"That makes now a good time to own mining stocks, particularly Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold (NYSE: FCX), which made a very smart move in March when it bought Phelps Dodge for $26 billion. The purchase made Freeport the world's largest publicly-traded copper company.

"It now has a huge, long-lived, geographically diverse portfolio of mining assets. And the acquisition of Phelps is producing tens of millions of dollars in unexpected savings. The buy will result in an immediate 30% spike in Freeport's annual sales.

"With Freeport opening a new copper mine in Arizona ahead of schedule this year -- one that will produce at least 240 million pounds of copper per annum -- and the new company enjoying huge new economies of scale, expect this stock to continue its rapid run."

What are the best speculations and investments among metals, miners, and other resource plays? To find out, I turned to 20 of the nation's leading newsletter editors, as well as speakers from the recent New Orleans Conference, a leading forum for resource advisors.

Their current top ideas cover a wide diversity of ideas, from gold and silver, from alumina and copper, to platinum and palladium. These picks cover markets from Chile to China and from Canada to Russia. These ideas also range from large cap, well-established, and diversified companies to small cap, development-stage junior speculations.

Readers should only consider these ideas as a starting place for their own research and should keep in mind the caveat that any stock you buy should only be considered within the framework of your own time horizon and risk parameters. Meanwhile, here are 20 different advisors assessing various aspects of the metals, mining, and resources sectors:

"Oil is moving back up, and energy stocks look strong as we head into the final months of 2007," says Mark Skousen, who sees opportunities in the energy sector for both growth investors and income investors.

In his The Turnaround Trader, he looks at Patterson-UTI Energy Inc. (NASDAQ: PTEN), an independent oil and natural gas operator that provides pumping services and remedial work on existing wells in North America. He says, "Patterson-UTI Energy has been in a two-year bear market.

"Two years ago, the stock topped out at $38 a share. This year, it reached a high of $28. In the most recent quarter, its revenues and earnings fell unexpectedly by 18%. But Patterson-UTI Energy is sporting a 25% profit margin and now is selling at only six times current earnings.

"The stock is deeply undervalued and easily could move back up to $28 a share or higher. Zacks Investment Research predicts the stock will reach $29 this year, 'well within historical trading range.' Let's buy Patterson-UTI Energy and set a protective stop of $18 a share. For those willing to take a gamble, consider buying the January $30 calls."

Investors interested in natural resources or emerging global markets can consider one of the top performing funds run by U.S. Global Investor. Or, suggests, Mark Skousen, they can buy shares in the fund management company.

The advisor has added shares of U.S. Global Investors (NASDAQ: GROW) to the buy list of his Turnaround Trader. He notes that last year, the stock was in his portfolio and after doubling, the position was stopped out.

Skousen now explains, "When earnings slowed, the stock fell out of bed, declining more than 40% from its high. Is it time to get back in? The evidence is growing that U.S. Global is back on its fast track mode."

The company, he notes, recently reported strong earnings. Revenues increased 30% to $58.6 million, and profits jumped 32.7% to $13.8 million for the year ended June 30.

Assets under management, he points out, grew 34% to $4.6 billion, and outside fees rose 60%. He states, "In every financial matrix, GROW is growing faster than its competitors. It even doubled its dividend to 2 cents a month, or 1.2% per year."

Skousen asks, "What's not to like? Amazingly, the momentum players and manipulators decided to dump the stock, and GROW declined after the news." He continues, "I talked to CEO Frank Holmes, who said there's nothing fundamentally wrong. With gold moving higher and Asian stocks booming again, U.S. Global is attracting investor interest again."

Each day, Steven Halpern's TheStockAdvisors.com features the latest stock picks and investment ideas from the nation's leading financial newsletter advisors.

"Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) should be a primary beneficiary of the government's 'bailout'," says Mark Skousen. The editor of The High Income Alert notes, "The credit crunch in real estate has taken its toll on Wall Street, but it is clear to me that the Fed and central banks are making a concerted effort to bail out the major financial players."

He explains, "Bank of America is one of the largest banks in the U.S. BAC has more than $360 billion in cash right now, as well as plenty of funds to continue its expansion plans in banking, credit cards, and mortgages. Its profit margins exceed 30%, its revenues are rising at a 15% rate and its earnings were up in the most recent quarter by 5% to $21 billion."

In addition, Skousen notes, BAC has a rising dividend strategy and currently pays a 5.4% dividend yield -- one of the highest among the premier banks. He suggests, "BAC also is cheap, since it now is selling at only nine times next year's earnings. The stock is off 11% this year, making it a bargain."

If that isn't enough, he adds, Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway is buying more shares of Bank of America, and for good reason. He concludes, "Let's do the same. Buy BAC and set a protective stop of $40. For those willing to take greater risks, consider buying the January $55 calls."

Each day, Steven Halpern's TheStockAdvisors.com features the latest investment ideas and market commentary from the financial newsletter community.

"Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ: SBUX) is poised to make a comeback," says Mark Skousen in his premium trading service, The Turnaround Trader.

The stock is also a technical buy recommendation from Melvin Pasternak in his Swing Trader newsletter, which forecasts that a new uptrend is emerging for the stock.

Mark Skousen explains, "Starbucks, the world's largest coffee chain, is starting to grow again after a lackluster year of slow sales and earnings gains. The stock had been trading as high as $40 a share at one point before its pull back.

"Now, the company is controlling costs, while expanding its services and products. For example, new breakfast sandwiches are expected to add an estimated $200 million a year to company revenues.

For a defensive play that offers exposure to commodities but is not considered vulnerable to the economy, both Mark Skousen and Nick Vardy have added fertilizer producer Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan (NYSE: POT) to their buy lists.

"Steadily increasing demand for ethanol has lead to a 15% increase in U.S. corn plantings, according to the Department of Agriculture," explains Mark Skousen, who points out that crops such as wheat and rice are experiencing high demand as well.

In his Hedge Fund Trader, the advisor says, "As a result, global selling prices for major crops are at their highest level in more than a decade. Farms are pulling out all the stops to maximize production. And the first order of business, of course, is making full use of agricultural fertilizers, chiefly potash."

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.

Mark Skousen, editor of Forecasts & Strategies and host of the July 4th investor think tank FreedomFest, chose Aluminum Corp. of China (NYSE: ACH), which rose 45% as of 6/1/07. Here is his original recommendation for ACH and his new favorite stock for the rest of 2007.

Updating his earlier selection, the advisor asks, "What's the future of a stock that has doubled in the past year, and up over 40% this year? I am tempted to take my profits and go elsewhere.

"But demand for alumina and aluminum remains strong. Aluminum prices have been flat for the year, but have more than doubled in five years. The company, commonly known as Chalco, is the world's number two alumina maker, and it beat forecasts with a 44% rise in second half earnings.

"The giant producer intends to enhance its global competitiveness and focus on expanding capacity and further acquisitions this year, aiding the nation's hunt for raw materials to feed a rapidly growing economy (8-9% GDP annual growth). Chalco is also China's largest aluminum maker.

"It reported a net profit of 5.0 billion yuan (US$645.7 million) for the six months ended December, bringing yearly profit to 11.745 billion yuan last year versus 7.02 billion yuan in 2005. Overall, I think Chalco can increase in price, but just in case we are wrong, let's set a protective stop of $30 a share, and sell if it hits this level on the downside."

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.

Mark Skousen, editor of Forecasts & Strategies and host of the July 4th investor think tank FreedomFest, chose Aluminum Corp. of China (NYSE: ACH) as his favorite stock for 2007, which rose 45% as of 6/1/07. Here is his original recommendation on ACH and his current opinion on the stock.

For his new top pick, the advisor recommends Volcano Corp. (NASDAQ: VOLC). The advisor explains, "This is a medical technology company that is currently experiencing blockbuster revenue growth.

"Volcano provides a unique service in the burgeoning health care industry: an intravascular ultrasound and functional measurement product that visualizes the heart, brain, arteries, and other parts of the body to diagnose and treat heart disease, strokes, and other ailments.

"According to scientists and technicians worldwide, Volcano has the far superior technology than other competitors. I suspect that means a takeover in the future. Sales, which have raced past $100 million over the last twelve months, are growing at 48% per quarter. Earnings, too, have blown past analysts' estimates.

"I think this trend will continue for this stock. It could even become a buyout candidate. The stock has already started to move up. I recommend you buy Volcano now, before it erupts."

A number of leading financial newsletter advisors -- including Mark Skousen, Bryan Perry, Daniel Frishberg, and Neil George -- have recently taken positions in specialty finance and mortgage lending stocks, sectors that had suffered from the "meltdown" in the subprime mortgage market.

Mark Skousen, in his The Hedge Fund Trader, notes, "Mortgage lenders are making a comeback." The recent price recovery, he notes, has been broad ranged, covering most thrifts and mortgage trusts. He notes, "It appears that investors have concluded that the subprime lending scandal was limited."

iStar Financial (NYSE: SFI), he states, is his favorite commercial REIT. In fact, it was a recent announcement from iStar that acted as a catalyst for an improvement in the overall sector.

He explains, "California savings & loan Fremont General Corp. (NYSE: FMT) announced that it would sell its commercial real estate lending business to iStar Financial for about $1.9 billion. With Fremont expecting now to survive its subprime mortgage woes, many now consider the real estate industry recovery to be real."

Skousen also points to strong insider buying of shares in thrifts and mortgage banks.