"If you're looking for a trend-defying, against-the-grain stock pick, consider the oil drilling industry," says contrarian investor David Fessler.

The contributing editor to Investment U suggests, "If you're looking to get into the oil and gas sector without worrying about the next Gulf disaster, take a closer look at Rosetta Resources (ROSE), an independent oil and gas exploration, development and acquisition company that drills in the dirt instead of the ocean.

"Seasoned industry executives put together a plan build a profitable, land-based oil and gas exploration company from the ground up; this is now paying off big-time.

"Stocks, by just about every long-term valuation measure, are undervalued," says John Reese, who continues to recommend putting money to work in undervalued stocks.

In his Validea newsletter, he selects "undervalued" issues by using screens based on the investment strategies of leading investors such as Peter Lynch, Ben Graham and Warren Buffett. Here's a a look at four current buys in the oil sector.

Reese explains, "If you think you can predict investors' emotional states, or how an unprecedented economic crisis will play out, then go ahead and wait for the bottom. I suffer no such delusions, however.

"Rather than playing the risky game of bottom-calling -- which more often than not leads to investors missing the big initial push of a new bull run -- I'll continue to put money into undervalued stocks.

"We sense a turn for the better coming in the oil sector," says Peter Way who tracks 'big money' investors for his Block Trader Oil & Gas Report. Here's his look at the "big block" traders.

"When we use the hedging analysis employed in our stock price forecasts, there are significant differences between some adjacent futures expirations. Here's the current picture:

"Front month (November) hedging suggests likely near-term higher prices. But the December contracts are likely to continue the past 3-month price decline – briefly.

"After that we could see crude rise over a few months into the $115-125 area or even higher, providing a bullish backdrop for most energy stocks. We sense a turn for the better coming in this sector.

"Several issues are selling at attractive prices now. Among major integrated producers, the standout prospect among the big oils is Petrochina (NYSE: PTR).

Resource expert Curtis Hesler suggests Baker Hughes (NYSE: BHI) is an "excellent company that is on a strong growth path." In his Professional Timing Service he explains, "Everyone in the world is going to be scrambling to drill for oil, regardless of the U.S. economy.

"My futures work on crude is interesting here as we are about to leave the seasonal weak period and enter seasonal strength. My futures model has been on the sidelines in crude; but on February 11, it issued a buy at 92.72, March basis.

"It is all but impossible to drill for oil without Baker Hughes. Regardless of whether you think a recession has begun in the U.S., the truth is, there is a whole lot of drilling going on around the world. That trend will continue.

"Most recently, Kuwait announced they will be spending $51 billion over the next five years to upgrade their energy sector. They are going to be drilling a lot of wells. All of the other producing nations are going to do the same, and for one essential reason. They are all seeing their production levels beginning to decline.

"Due to a weak overall stock market and a 'disappointing fourth quarter earnings report,' Baker Hughes' price had been pushed back to solid long term support just under $65.00.

"This time, Baker reported $1.26 a share for the quarter while the analysts were looking for $1.28. Personally, I was not disappointed at all. The quarter's earnings were up a hefty 23%. If they do that every quarter, I am not going to worry about a two-cent disagreement between a bunch of pencil pushers.

"The stock's RSI and MACD patterns are deeply oversold now, and there have been very nice moves following readings in this area in the past. Come next fall, I think you will rue not having put a few bucks in Baker when the time was right. Today's bargains are in energy."

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

Technician Michael Ashbaugh notes that many investors are showing a "fear of heights" that is increasingly evident on any signs of market weakness. The editor of The Marketwatch Technical Indicator feels these concerns are "understandable" given the market rise in recent months.

Futher, on a near-term basis, he agrees that the U.S. markets are "showing signs of tiring" and technical price action suggests a corrective phase is "more likely than not."

However, he states, "Setting aside the day-to-day price action, the longer-term backdrop remains distinctly bullish. With recent gains, the U.S. markets have staged a valid break to multiyear highs, and randomly calling market tops - or even raising near-term caution flags - has been counterproductive." He continues, "Market weakness will mark an opportunity, not a threat." Meanwhile the advisor is sees the oil service sector as particularly favorable.

He observes, "Several oil & gas equipment stocks remain technically well-positioned." Four issues that he suggests deserve attention are Universal Compression Holdings (NYSE: UCO), Dawson Geophysical (NASDAQ: DWSN), Omni Energy Services (NASDAQ: OMNI) and Bolt Technology (NYSE: BTJ).

He notes, "These companies aren't oil drillers, but instead, provide the equipment or services to facilitate oil and gas exploration. Technically speaking, each has a somewhat different backdrop."

Ashbaugh continues, "However, the one common trait is that each has recently touched multiyear highs on strong volume, while the subsequent consolidation has come on lighter volume. That means the group remains well positioned for further gains."

For more stock picks from the leading financial newsletter advisors, visit Steven Halpern's free daily website, TheStockAdvisors.com.

If you don't yet own oil-services stocks, commodity and resource expert Eric Roseman says "You better. I'm expecting big returns for everything energy-related in 2007."

In his Commodity Trend Alert, he states, "Whatever you do, hang on to your energy investments. By the end of this year, you'll be lighting firecrackers on New Year's Eve. I'm that sure." Here, he looks at some of his favorites, which he consider "must own" oil service plays.

The advisor notes that corrections for the energy complex occur in every bull market, and that the most recent one is no different. However, he notes, "What's incredible is how bearish sentiment had become for oil since earlier this month; just six months ago, analysts and traders were forecasting $100 per barrel by spring. They then began to forecast $40!"

Roseman, however, has remained bullish through the correction and notes, "In addition to tight supplies, still at 86 million barrels of oil per day against 84.5 million barrels consumed."