"Rising demand and constrained supplies are a recipe for higher agricultural prices," notes Elliott Gue.

The contributing editor to Personal Finance explains, "The big winners are commercial farmers and companies whose products enhance crop yields. And one company equipped for growth in this market is Deere & Co. (DE), a new addition to the our model Growth Portfolio.

"For nearly 175 years, Deere has manufactured a wide range agricultural equipment, including tractors, combines, harvesters and sprayers.

Continue reading Deere & Co. (DE): 'Equipped for Growth'

Deere & Co. (DE): 'Equipped for Growth' originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 05 Apr 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Compelling valuations and improving fundamentals mean that 2011 could be a strong year for shares of the biggest U.S. banks," suggests Elliott Gue.

The editor of Personal Finance explains, "To benefit from this outlook, Bank of America (BAC) is a new addition to the model Growth Portfolio.

"Bank of America suffered mightily during the financial crisis of 2007-09. Not only were the bank's legacy loan portfolios hit hard by delinquencies and charge-offs, but the company also assumed additional liabilities and credit risk when it acquired Countrywide Financial and Merrill Lynch.

Continue reading Bank of America Corp. (BAC): Bank on It

Bank of America Corp. (BAC): Bank on It originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 21 Feb 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

We are being bombarded with data from a host of sources, including mobile devices, broadband and cloud computing. Bringing all of this data together will create a new business opportunity.

Ericsson (ERIC), the Swedish network equipment maker, has already foreseen the potential for bringing data together on its fourth generation Long Term Evolution Network (LTE).

Continue reading Ericsson's Crystal Ball Foresees Data Surge

Ericsson's Crystal Ball Foresees Data Surge originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 14 Feb 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Over the past few years, no amount of Don Draper's charm would have won new business for any ad firm; ad spending declined by more than 12 percent in 2009," notes Benjamin Shepherd.

The contributing editor to Personal Finance newsletter explains, "However, thus far in 2010, spending on advertising has rebounded by almost 3 percent, and digital ad buys have eclipsed traditional print media purchases.

"Two two top plays on this theme are Scripps Networks Interactive (SNI) and Discovery Communications (DISCA).

Continue reading Mad Men: Investing in Advertising

Mad Men: Investing in Advertising originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 16 Dec 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Low Valuations Boost South Korea ETF (EWY)

Low Valuations Boost South Korea ETF (EWY) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 10 Nov 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Last March, we featured some counterintuitive advice to buy REITs; that basket of stocks has since doubled in value," notes income specialist Roger Conrad.

The contributing editor to Personal Finance explains, "And while our favorite REITs may not be as cheap as they were 18 months ago, they do offer generous payouts that won't be affected if the Bush tax cuts sunset.

"Not only did our favorite REITs pass the toughest stress test in decades, but they also operate in attractive localities and are flush with cash thanks to recovering equity values and attractive borrowing rates.

Continue reading The Right REITs: A Conservative Trio

The Right REITs: A Conservative Trio originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 12 Oct 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"For years the health care sector had a well-deserved reputation for consistent returns and profitability regardless of broader economic conditions," observes Elliott Gue.

The contributing editor to Personal Finance explains, "But the past two years have challenged this reputation, and these stocks are out of favor. Some favorites, such as Novartis (NVS) are trading at their most attractive valuation in years.

"Although the sector faces undeniable challenges, markets often overreact to new regulation, providing attractive entry points for savvy investors and a low bar of expectations.

Continue reading Novartis (NVS): Pharma Favorite with Solid Pipeline

Novartis (NVS): Pharma Favorite with Solid Pipeline originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 26 Aug 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"In this low-rate environment, master limited partnerships (MLP) have attracted a great deal of investor attention which, in turn, piques the interest of asset managers," says Benjamin Shepard.

The contributing editor to Personal Finance explains, "Three new MLP-focused funds have launched this year, and several more are in the works that will track specific segments of the market.

"Here, we look at the JPMorgan Alerian MLP Index ETN (AMJ), the UBS E-TRACS Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index (MLPI) and the UBS E-TRACS 2x Leveraged Long Alerian MLP nfrastructure Index (MLPL).

Continue reading Investing in Energy MLP funds

Investing in Energy MLP funds originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 03 Aug 2010 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Agribusiness Favorites: Monsanto (MON) & Bunge (BG)

Agribusiness Favorites: Monsanto (MON) & Bunge (BG) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 10 Jun 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Communications to Cyber-Security: Four Favorites in Defense

Communications to Cyber-Security: Four Favorites in Defense originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 08 Apr 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Industrials stocks focus on the manufacturing, transport and construction of physical goods and heavy infrastructure," says Elliott Gue.

The contributing editor to Personal Finance explains, "The best in the sector share one key trait: powerful leverage to a global economic recovery led by growth in the emerging markets and renewed spending on basic infrastructure across the developed world. The S&P 500 Industrials has outperformed the broader market by 20% during the past year."

Continue reading ABB (ABB) and Shaw (SHAW): Industrial Gains

ABB (ABB) and Shaw (SHAW): Industrial Gains originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 18 Mar 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"It's time for income investors to come back to what's historically been a mainstay of diversified portfolios: big pharmaceutical companies. We're adding one of the sector's most durable members to the Income Portfolio, Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY)," says Roger Conrad.

In Personal Finance newsletter, he explains, "The stock has been a lackluster performer since the 1990s, when it was last a Portfolio recommendation. The company's underlying business, however, has become ever-more valuable.

Continue reading Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY): Time to Buy Pharma

Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY): Time to Buy Pharma originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 25 Feb 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Many of us seem to be able to spend money very quickly. We like to get out the credit cards and head to the mall. Financially, this is about as healthy for us as eating an entire gallon of Ben & Jerry's ice cream.

Contrary to what most people think it is not necessary to eat every day and good portion of the world fasts on a regular basis. In fasting people abstain from eating solid food and drink only water or juice for a period of time. Some religious and health advocates recommend regular fasting for daylight hours, one day, three days or even up to weeks at a time. Contrary to what you might think you will survive and you will not be as hungry as you think...

Continue reading Do You Have Enough Fiscal Discipline for a Spending Freeze?

Do You Have Enough Fiscal Discipline for a Spending Freeze? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 22 Jan 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Do You Know Where Your Money Goes?

Do You Know Where Your Money Goes? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 21 Jan 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This post is part of a special report, Top Picks for 2010, the 27th annual survey in which TheStockAdvisors.com asks the nation's leading advisors for their single favorite stock for the new year. See all 80 stocks listed here.

"Peabody Energy (BTU), the world's largest coal producer, is my top pick for the coming year," says Hannah Choe.

The contributing analyst with Personal Finance explains, "Demand for coal, particularly from the Pacific Rim, China and India, is rebounding as the global economy recovers."

Continue reading Top Picks for 2010: Peabody Energy (BTU)

Top Picks for 2010: Peabody Energy (BTU) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 10 Jan 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Many Americans, after a near decade of unsustainable overconsumption, often fueled by cash-out refis and HELOCs (home equity lines of credit), will spend the next five years (or perhaps longer) repairing their balance sheets.

And the repair of those balance sheets is something that's applauded by the bulk of economists: enticed by, among other factors, low interest rates and, in some cases, by false promises of a 'perpetually-increasing value of their home,' Americans borrowed too much, with predictable results.

Continue reading The chic-ness of excessive debt has faded (finally)

The chic-ness of excessive debt has faded (finally) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 30 Nov 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ: GILD) develops treatments for life-threatening diseases and specializes in drugs for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS," notes Hannah Choe.

The contributing editor to Personal Finance explains, "Already the market leader in HIV antivirals, Gilead is in the beginning stages of developing Quad, the first-ever, four-in-one AIDS pill.

"The manufacture of HIV drugs, which accounts for more than three-quarters of revenue, is Gilead's highest-grossing business. This segment has held up through the recession; in the second quarter product sales for the antiviral franchise grew 26% from a year ago to $1.41 billion.

Continue reading Gilead (GILD): New potential in 4-in-1 HIV drug

Gilead (GILD): New potential in 4-in-1 HIV drug originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Highly leveraged casinos were among the first to be locked out of credit markets last year," says Elliott Gue, noting that one company that suffered greatly from credit conditions was Las Vegas Sands (NYSE: LVS).

Now, however, he see "strong propsects" for a recovery in the casino operator's future; he is particularly optimistic on the firm's Asian projects. Here's his review from Personal Finance.

"The economic downturn meant consumers reined in spending on leisure travel and gambling. Meanwhile, declining real estate prices near Las Vegas hit the local economy hard. Gaming revenues declined, and occupancy at Sin City's massive hotels plummeted.

Continue reading Gamble on Las Vegas Sands (LVS)

Gamble on Las Vegas Sands (LVS) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"The term cloud computing is nothing particularly new or complicated; it simply means that instead of having software on your home, office or notebook computer, you run applications over the Internet," explains Gregg Early.

In Personal Finance says, "It's the way of the future as computing becomes increasingly mobile." Here, he looks at a trio of plays on this trend: Amazon.com (NASDAQ: AMZN), Salesforce.com (NYSE: CRM), and Rackspace Hosting (NYSE: RAX).

"I would point out that I'm writing this article on Google Docs. This document is stored on a Google server farm, not on my office computer.

Continue reading Cloud computing: Amazon, Salesforce.com and Rackspace

Cloud computing: Amazon, Salesforce.com and Rackspace originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 01 Sep 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

One of the most valuable commodities in the world is water -- without it, mankind can't survive. While more than 70% of the Earth's surface is covered by water, but 97% of it is saltwater and only 1% of the remaining 3% is readily available for consumption. Water is becoming scarce, and upcoming water shortages are emerging as the population of the world increases, particularly in emerging markets like China, India, and Mexico.

A great way to include water as part of your portfolio's commodity allocation is by buying an exchange-traded fund (ETF). An ETF is a basket of stocks that allow you to invest in a single asset class, sector, country, or theme with one stock. In one ETF, you'll own not only water utility companies but also related businesses, like those that help build the infrastructure for making water suitable for drinking. You won't have to pick a single stock, rather you can own the most important stocks in the water industry -- worldwide. ETFs are perfect building blocks for building a diversified portfolio using an asset allocation strategy.

Continue reading Global water shortages? Buy PHO, a commodity ETF

Global water shortages? Buy PHO, a commodity ETF originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 24 Aug 2009 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.