"For a pure play in automated and remotely controlled vehicles, consider iRobot (NASDAQ: IRBT)," says Jim Powell. Here's the latest from his Global Changes & Opportunities Report.

"The company is best known for its Roomba vacuum cleaners that wander around the house bumping into everything and setting off security alarms.

"A similar product cleans the surface of swimming pools. iRobot also makes automated mail and product delivery carts for businesses.

"Investors considering high-yield stocks should consider financial strength; in our quantitative model, Quadrix, we assess profit margins, interest coverage, and debt levels," says Richard Moroney.

In Dow Theory Forecasts, a newsletter that has been published for over 5 decades -- he looks at two stocks that score high in this area: drug manufacturer, AstraZeneca (NYSE: AZN) and defense industry player, General Dynamics (NYSE: GD). Here, the advisor reviews the two companies.

"AstraZeneca's operating cash flow jumped 24% in the first half of 2009, allowing the company to retire $3 billion in debt since the end of 2008.

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.

Gregg Early focuses on finding long-term growth opportunities among companies that specialize in niche, advanced technologies.

In his The New Tech Investor, he looks to AeroVironment (NASDAQ: AVAV) -- which is involved in innovative ventures in both wind power and unmanned vehicles -- as his favorite investment idea for the coming year.

"Two things make AeroVironment a unique company: its story and its stock price during the past year.

"The company has four divisions that by themselves seem very incongruous for moving the whole forward. It has a division that makes some of the most highly lauded and in-demand micro-unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in service today.

"It also has a clean energy systems division that's best known for its 'architectural wind' turbines for urban settings, that are installed on manufacturing plants as well as office and apartment buildings.

"Its latter two division are the congruent in direction: one builds electric vehicle (EV) supply systems and the other supplies EV test systems.

"Investors should be well rewarded in the coming years by buying with major U.S. defense companies at current prices," says Gregory Dorsey.

The contributing editor to Stephen Leeb's Income Performance Letter explains, "The U.S. has more than doubled our sales of armaments to foreign nations over the past three years. And regardless of who wins the election, we expect this to continue."

"We're adding one for growth and income to our portfolio now. Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) is a premier defense contractor. It's best known for its fighter jets.

"For example, Lockheed is now developing the F-35, also known as the Joint Strike Fighter, the replacement for the current generation of front-line fighters.

"But the company is actually engaged in four broad business areas, each of which should enjoy strong growth for years to come.

"As my high school football coach always quipped, 'Offense may win fans, but defense wins games,'" says leading growth stock expert Louis Basenese.

Here, the Oxford Club associate investment director takes a look at his three favorite defense stocks, noting, "When it comes to investing in the current environment, I'm convinced that you can't go wrong with this trio of companies."

"In my view, this sector willl never fall out of favor. The recent development with Russia serves to underscore another point I've been making for years. We always have to be prepared.

"Or, put another way, there will never be a good time for defense cuts, lest we want to leave our country vulnerable.Add it all up, and we can expect defense companies to enjoy steady demand. Even in the face of a recession.

"As the CEO of Rockwell notes, there has been absolutely no fallout in the defense industry as a result of the worldwide credit meltdown or other economic woes. So here's a quick run-down on the three defense companies we prefer for investors.

"Flir Systems Inc. (NASDAQ: FLIR) provides thermal-imaging and infrared camera equipment for military, law enforcement, and commercial applications," notes Leo Fasciocco.

In his Ticker Tape Digest, which focuses on stocks showing technical breakouts, he explains, "FLIR has convincingly broken out from a five-week base; the move was boosted by the win of a $359 million contract from the Army."

"FLIR, with annual revenues of $855 million, has been a sensational winner since 2001. It is a beneficiary of the war on terror and the need for equipment to combat it via military and security needs.

"Short-term, the daily chart shows the stock crossing its resistance line at 35.54. The move sends the stock over not only near-term resistance but also over the peak made back in early November. The action indicated very astute institutional buying.

"The recent fits and spasms of the stock market predict tough times ahead; and ironically, that's good news for Raytheon (NYSE: RTN)," says Louis Basenese, Oxford Club Associate Investment Director.

In The Oxford Insight, he notes, "When stocks are anticipating a recession, the best offense is often defense stocks -- and there's plenty of reason to expect this defense contractor to shine, even if a recession is confirmed."

"Defense will likely remain one of the largest budget items for the United States, regardless of which political party wins the fall election. And, according to JP Morgan Securities, the defense outlays of the United States actually increase, by an average of 6.5% during recession years since 1945.

"So in the end, recession or not, as the world's fifth largest defense contractor, Raytheon's sure to enjoy steady demand.

"I'm sure you've recently read, all about the large spy satellite that became disabled and was poised to re-enter earth's atmosphere with a dangerous load of toxic fuel. What few know is that Raytheon's Standard Missile-3 was specially modified to intercept the target 153 miles over the Pacific Ocean.

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.

"The market is looking increasingly fragile -- and our top pick for 2008 is a stellar investment that has all the makings of a bear-market killer: The Vice Fund (VICEX)," says Eric Roseman, editor of Commodity Trend Alert.

"This fund will do well as long as people continue to drink, smoke and gamble. The fund might not be the most wholesome investment in your portfolio, but it sure earns a big score for making bundles of dough from many industries currently shunned by investors and portfolio managers.

"And best of all, as the economy contracts, stocks in its highly concentrated and aggressive portfolio usually grow their corporate earnings while the broader market corrects. Bull or bear, it doesn't matter. The Vice Fund can generate profits in any economic environment -- provided people continue to gamble, drink and smoke.

"Launched in 2002, the Vice Fund is advised by Mutual Advisors, Inc, a small outfit with $177 million under management. But its size is actually highly advantageous to investors because of its ability to quickly enter and close trades and buy some companies that might be thinly traded.

"Defense companies are in a growth market of the highest order," says Gregg Early in Personal Finance. But rather than buy industry giants, he suggest looking at lower-tier companies that are "either primed for the big leagues or will be acquired by a first- or second-tier company for a big premium in coming years."

One such play is Harris Corp. (NYSE: HRS), which Early notes represents the globalization of the defense industry. According to the advisor, "Special forces in Afghanistan, army units in Iraq and astronauts rely on Harris equipment."

Now, he says, Harris is making a move into Eastern Europe. He explains, "Because these nations are small and need to be unified on a communications level, the company will have myriad contracts with new nations for years to come. Harris Corp is a buy below 56."

Also a global play, the advisor looks to Israel-based Elbit Systems (NASDAQ: ESLT). He notes, "It's difficult to overstate the breadth of the company's client list. From India to the US to Saudi Arabia, everyone has a contract with this diversified defense conglomerate."

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.

Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT), the world's largest military weapons manufacturer, is the favorite conservative stock of Rich Moroney, editor of Dow Theory Forecasts. The advisor notes,"Lockheed generates about 80% of sales to the U.S. government. Lockheed is the prime contractor for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, a large and well-funded defense program -- and one of the company's most significant development projects.

"Lockheed has been working to diversify its defense and intelligence work, as well as non-defense government work. Its information-systems and technology-services businesses have been growing nicely, as the government is increasingly outsourcing.

"In August, Lockheed was chosen as the prime contractor for NASA's successor to the space shuttle -- an award with an initial contract value of $4.2 billion.

"At 16 times estimated year-ahead earnings of $5.55 per share, the stock trades at a discount to its five-year average forward P/E of 17 and its peer-group average of 21. Lockheed is a Focus List Buy and a Long-Term Buy."

To see Rich's favorite speculative idea for 2007, click here.