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.

Osaka, Japan-based Chris Loew -- who covers Japanese stocks for Global Investing -- picks both his speculative and conservative favorites for 2007 from the same consumer trend. He explains, "In the apparel sector, fur is huge this year. The must-have item in Japan this winter is a down coat with real raccoon or tanuki (raccoon-dog, fox family) fur trim on the hood (priced about $250).

"Sanei International Co., Ltd. (JP:3605) (Other OTC SNEIF) -- my conservative pick for 2007 -- owns a multitude of apparel brands, mainly for women, and operates 1,088 stores and is well positioned to profit from this frenzy.

"The stock is reasonably priced at a P/E around 15 to17, barely reflecting improved consumer demand this year. In '07, the real-fur trend and looser consumer spending should give Sanei shareholders a warm feeling.

Continue reading Top Picks 2007: Chris Loew sees fur frenzy in Japan

Top Picks 2007: Chris Loew sees fur frenzy in Japan originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 28 Dec 2006 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.