"For much of the market's rally since March 2009, the best-performing stocks were those that tilted toward the risky side. That is about to change," says Chuck Carlson.

The editor of The DRIP Investor explains, "Quality stocks -- larger companies with consistent track records, strong finances, industry leadership positions, and stable and growing dividends -- should lead the market going forward.

"Quality stocks now offer good relative value versus more aggressive stocks, and I suspect investors will be more focused on a value over the next 12 to 24 months.

Continue reading Quant's Top Quality Picks: Aflac (AFL), IBM (IBM), Intel (INTC), and 3M (MMM)

Quant's Top Quality Picks: Aflac (AFL), IBM (IBM), Intel (INTC), and 3M (MMM) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 28 Jun 2010 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Long-term growth stock expert Alexander Green sees long-term upside potential for conservative investors willing to invest along side of Warren Buffett.

Here, the investment director of The Oxford Club reviews Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.B), a holding in his model portfolio.

"The market surprised investors with the magnitude of its drop over the last year and a half. Then it surprised them again with a furious rally that began in early March.

"What lies just ahead? No one knows for sure, of course. But we do know several investments that are attractively priced at current levels, such as Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B), a conservative choice, run by investment great Warren Buffett.

Continue reading Oxford Club bets on Buffett

Oxford Club bets on Buffett originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 15 May 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Our confidence in this market is growing... albeit slowly; the fundamental blocks are already in place for a market bottom, and the technical blocks seem to be following," says Jim Stack, well known for having accurately forecast the market. housing and economic downturn.

In InvesTech Market Analyst, he suggests, "We are now stepping up our allocation. The newest addition to our Model Portfolio is VF Corp. (NYSE: VFC)."

"VF Corporation is the world's largest publicly held apparel manufacturer and distributor. It owns an incredibly diverse line of brands; including such well known names as Wrangler, Lee, North Face, Vans, and Nautica.

Continue reading VF Corp. (VFC): Dressed for success

VF Corp. (VFC): Dressed for success originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 05 May 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Investor fear puts me 'naked' on Wall Street

Investor fear puts me 'naked' on Wall Street originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 17 Feb 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"'Easy hold' stocks have strong finances, consistent sales and earnings and moderate volatility; one such stock is Wal-Mart Stores (NYSE: WMT)," says Chuck Carlson in The DRIP Investor.

"Easy hold stocks are 'easy holds' for good reason -- their price action generally does not force you to make too many decisions about selling. And one that has held up quite well of late is Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer.

"The firm's discount focus has been especially popular with consumers in recent months in light of the sluggish economy and job markets. The firm has beaten earnings estimates in each of the last four quarters. Record profits of $3.50 per share are expected for the current fiscal year ending January 2009.

"Long term, I expect Wal-Mart to provide the sort of steady sales and profit growth that will keep its stock trending higher.

"While I would not expect Wal-Mart to keep pace during the next big upward move in the market, I think the consistency of returns the stock will show over the next several years should be rewarding for investors looking for acceptable returns at moderate risk levels.

"Wal-Mart also offers a direct-purchase plan whereby any investor may buy shares directly, the first share and every share. Minimum initial investment is $250. However, Wal-Mart will waive the minimum if an investor agrees to automatic monthly investment via electronic debit of a bank account of at least $25."

Steven Halpern's TheStockAdvisors.com offers a daily look at the latest market commentary and favorite stock picks and investment ideas from the nation's leading financial newsletter advisors.

Wal-Mart: An 'easy hold' stock originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 09 Oct 2008 16:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

In the latest annual survey in Barron's of professional investors Johnson and Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) was rated the world's most respected company," reports Ron Rowland and Brandon Clay.

In Invest With an Edge, the advisors look at the 123-company, which he selects as " a solid healthcare pick in a strong long-term uptrend."

"This New Jersey-based company has come a long way since corner drugstores sold their baby powder. Beginning as a pioneer in sterile medical supplies, they expanded into pharmaceuticals and related consumer products.

"Over the years, they've released ubiquitous brands such as Band-Aid, Rogaine, Listerine, Tylenol, even Splenda. Johnson and Johnson has become a household name.

"However, Johnson & Johnson is a healthcare company with deeper product lines; it is ivided into three segments: Consumer, Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices & Diagnostics.

Continue reading Johnson & Johnson (JNJ): The most 'respected' company

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ): The most 'respected' company originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 24 Sep 2008 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Despite negative analyst commentary, General Electric (NYSE: GE) is one of the biggest and best blue-chip stocks," says Karim Rahemtulla. The contributing editor to The Oxford Club looks at the "global juggernaut."

"It's now more crucial than ever that your portfolio holdings are well-diversified, and GE is arguably the most diversified company in the world, with exposure to a plethora of sectors.

"Its GE's media businesses are performing well and will receive a boost from the Olympic Games this summer. And with oil prices soaring, GE's alternative energy businesses (wind turbines) are showing excellent growth and will benefit from the shift to alternative fuels and power generation.

"GE's aviation division is enjoying a boom from global growth in travel. And its medical division continues to benefit from strong growth, as the sector breaks out innovative new technology for a variety of ailments.From consumer products, to alternative energy, to aircraft engines and medical technology.

Continue reading General Electric (GE): A 'global juggernaut'

General Electric (GE): A 'global juggernaut' originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 20 Jun 2008 10:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Investment Quality Trends -- one of the most respected newsletters in the advisory field -- uses a proprietary strategy that assesses historic level of stock price to yield; it's goal is to buy those stocks offering the best potential for downside protection and upside appreciation.

Here, editor Kelley Wright explains his methodology and highlights his current "Timely Ten" stocks that best match his time-tested criteria.

"Investors who wished to hold every stock in that we currently rank in the 'Undervalued and Rising Trend' categories, would need to hold one hundred twenty six stocks as of March; clearly too many positions to be practical.

"Our Timely Ten, therefore, is our reasoned expectation based on our methodology and experience for what we believe will perform best over the next five years.

"Do we believe that all 10 will go up simultaneously or immediately? Of course not. Our four decades of research and experience, however, leads us to believe that these stocks, purchased at current Undervalued levels, are well positioned for appreciation.

Continue reading The Timely Ten: Best stocks for quality and yield

The Timely Ten: Best stocks for quality and yield originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 11 Apr 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"The companies that will fare the best when the next credit crunch hits are those that have large amounts of cash," says turnaround expert George Putnam. "With that in mind," he adds, " we looked for companies with lots of cash, little debt and good businesses in some form of a turnaround."

Here, the editor of The Turnaround Letter looks at Corning (NYSE: GLW), Motorola (NYSE: MOT), Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) and Pfizer (NYSE: PFE).

Putnam explains, "Corning has transformed itself from a marketer of housewares into a leading provider of optical fiber as well as precision glass used in liquid-crystal displays. It also has a presence in the environmental and life sciences industries.

Continue reading Top cash-rich turnarounds: Microsoft, Motorola, Corning & Pfizer

Top cash-rich turnarounds: Microsoft, Motorola, Corning & Pfizer originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 21 Nov 2007 12:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"In volatile times, keep it simple," instructs Richard Moroney. "For us, simple is stocks with strong fundamentals and solid growth prospects that trade at attractive valuations."

In his Dow Theory Forecasts, the advisor profiles IBM (NYSE: IBM) and PepsiCo (NYSE: PEP), each of which is involved in large share buybacks.

Moroney explains, "IBM competes in mature industries but continues to drive double-digit profit growth, developing software products and targeting fast-growing niches in the services business." In addition, he adds, IBM is expanding in such emerging markets as Brazil, China, India, and Russia.

Moroney states, "Reflecting the strength of its software and services businesses, IBM recorded 16% growth in per-share earnings for the first nine months of 2007. Services contract signings, a key indicator of IBM's future growth, jumped to $11.8 billion in the September quarter, up 12% from year-ago levels.

"Cost-cutting efforts have boosted profitability in recent quarters, a trend likely to continue. Share repurchases are also boosting results. IBM completed a $12.5 billion accelerated share-repurchase agreement in May, reducing the share count by 8%.

Continue reading IBM & PepsiCo: 'Simple stocks' for volatile times

IBM & PepsiCo: 'Simple stocks' for volatile times originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 02 Nov 2007 14:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"The big decline in stocks begs the question, is this the beginning of a bear market?" says Chuck Carlson, the editor of The DRIP Investor. His answer: "I don't think so."

For blue chip exposure, quality management, and diversification across many industries it's hard to beat General Electric (NYSE: GE). Unfortunately, despite the fundamental accolades earned by the company, its stock has been a rather lackluster performer in recent years.

Carlson explains, "Indeed, the issue has been extremely sluggish over the last six years and trades well below its 2000 high of more than $60. Decent earnings, a massive stock buyback, and the prospects for portfolio restructurings are driving these shares.

"With an above-market yield and reasonable valuation, these shares should outperform the broad market over the next 24 to 48 months. The stock represents a quality selection among Dow stocks.

Continue reading Volatile Markets: Stick with General Electric (GE)

Volatile Markets: Stick with General Electric (GE) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 16 Aug 2007 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

While many advisors buy and sell based on the outlook for the next few weeks or months, the legendary advisor Charles Allmon takes a decidedly long-term approach to investing. Indeed, the editor of Growth Stock Outlook is recommending a buy on Altria Group (NYSE: MO) for those looking to buy and hold a stock for the next five years.

Allmon, featured in The Bull & Bear Financial Digest, explains, "Altria, and its Phillip Morris operation, hardly needs introduction as the world's largest tobacco company. Marlboro, their famous and leading brand, continues to grow, particularly in international markets. Revenues in 2007 might approach $70 billion, after the Kraft spin-off."

He continues, "Altria's foreign cigarette business in recent years has grown nicely, well ahead of Phillip Morris USA. This could continue for the foreseeable future, even though foreign brands continue to offer stiff competition." Allmon adds, "Do keep in mind that Altria pays a hefty cash dividend which has been raised substantially each year."

He also speculates, that there is the prospect that Altria will split into two companies, Phillip Morris USA and Phillip Morris International. In that event he says, "I would expect to hold shares of both, which most likely will continue to lay those golden eggs - cash!" His conclusion? "I would buy MO today for a five-year hold."

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

Altria Group (MO): A 5-year buy-and-hold originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 07 Aug 2007 11:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.