"If you've visited a mall - or if you've ever bought clothing for toddlers - you might already be familiar with our latest Undiscovered Gem: Children's Place Retail Stores (NASDAQ: PLCE)," says Elizabeth Harrow.

In Schaeffer's Research, the technical and contrarian advisor explains, "The stock is on the ascent, but Wall Street isn't taking much notice."

"The company was founded in 1969, and is based out of Seacaucus, New Jersey. The retailing chain boasts a market cap of just under $1 billion. It is is a member of the S&P SmallCap 600 Index, as well as the S&P SuperComp 1500, which lends the shares a bit of Street cred.

"The firm recently pleasantly surprised investors with its same-store sales figures. During May, sales at stores open for at least 1 year rose by 10%, compared to analysts' expectations for a gain of 4.3%. Total sales for the month galloped 19% higher for the 4-week period ended May 31.

Continue reading Contrarian shops at Children's Place (PLCE): No kidding!

Contrarian shops at Children's Place (PLCE): No kidding! originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 01 Jul 2008 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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.

Amkor Technology (NASDAQ: AMKR), a semiconductor packaging and test services firm, is the top speculative idea for 2007 from Todd Salamone. The editor of Equity WealthBuilder notes, "Amkor shares have been on a tear, more than doubling as of mid-December.

"The rally began when Amkor restated its 2005 and first-quarter 2006 earnings reports with the SEC, which resolved a potential conflict with bondholders. A second bullish catalyst was record third-quarter sales and a third-quarter profit -- after reporting a loss in the third quarter the prior year.

"On the technical front, the stock had consolidated since July 2004 at its lowest levels this decade. Now, a combination of positive earnings surprises and strong technical momentum in the shares could attract momentum players, while its P/E of 10 may attract valuation players.

"With positive catalysts in place, strong price action during recent weeks, and the potential for valuation players to take notice, there is a very good possibility that the unwinding of negative sentiment surrounding these shares could drive a sustained trend higher.

Continue reading Top Picks 2007: Todd Salamone chips in with Amkor

Top Picks 2007: Todd Salamone chips in with Amkor originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 01 Jan 2007 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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.

Millennium Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: MLNM) is the top speculative idea for 2007 from Ryan Detrick, editor of Players Performer. He says, "Millennium is one of the top performing stocks in the biotechnology field, as the equity has gained more than 44% since May 2006.

"The Cambridge, Massachusetts-based firm focuses on treatments for cancer and inflammatory diseases. The company also has drugs in the pipeline for multiple sclerosis, Crohn's disease, and various cancers. The biotech sector as a whole is positioned very nicely for a move higher.

"The overwhelming sentiment from investors toward this technical outperformer is one of doubt and skepticism, which parlays perfectly into a contrarian outlook. Specifically, heavy skepticism levied against a stock that is attractive from a technical perspective, not to mention a security from a solidly performing sector as a whole, suggests that there is ample sideline money to help usher the shares even higher.

Continue reading Top Picks 2007: Ryan Detrick bets on the Millennium

Top Picks 2007: Ryan Detrick bets on the Millennium originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 31 Dec 2006 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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.

Homebuilder KB Home (NYSE: KBH) is the top conservative idea for 2007 from Ryan Detrick, editor of Players Performer. He explains, "The stock has been a very strong technical performer since the housing sector bottomed in July.

"At the time, the media was flooded with bearish claims that the housing bubble was about to burst and that the sector as a whole had nowhere to go but down. During the final few months of 2006, housing stocks have been able to advance amid this wealth of skepticism -- a very positive development that could lead to additional gains throughout 2007.

"This strength amid negative data indicates that there is a good deal of sideline cash that could begin to flow into the housing sector should the companies begin to display any signs of leveling out on the fundamental side.

"It's clear that the investing public is betting against KBH. From a contrarian perspective, this skepticism toward an outperforming equity is a bullish indicator. Looking at a quick rundown, we have bearish media sentiment, bearish analysts on Wall Street, and bearish quantified sentiment -- all of this despite positive price action.

Continue reading Top Picks 2007: Detrick sees value building in KB Homes

Top Picks 2007: Detrick sees value building in KB Homes originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 26 Dec 2006 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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.

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK) is the top conservative investment for 2007 from Todd Salamone, editor of Equity WealthBuilder. He observes, "With the Dow utility average trading at all-time highs amid a low interest rate environment, it is amazing that utility stocks have received little attention.

"Meanwhile, Duke is a strong name in the sector. Not only does it offer strong capital appreciation potential, but the 3.87% yield rates among the top dividend yields in the group.

"In January 2007, the company plans on spinning off its natural gas operations into a new, publicly traded company called Spectra Energy. The move is designed to unlock value in both the natural-gas operation and the electric utility, with the streamlined businesses expected to operate more efficiently. This spin-off, therefore, is a positive catalyst for the upcoming year.

"From a technical perspective, DUK has become a relative-strength leader, outperforming the Dow Jones Utility Average since October 2005. Turning to DUK's sentiment backdrop, an earnings miss in early November 2006 did little to derail the shares.

Continue reading Top Picks 2007: Wealthbuilder energized over Duke

Top Picks 2007: Wealthbuilder energized over Duke originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 22 Dec 2006 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.