Last December, over 100 stocks were featured in our Top Picks for 2007 report. Now, at mid-year, we turn to the 20 advisors whose picks showed the strongest gains to get an update on their previous picks, as well as a new favorite stock for the second half of the year.

Jon Markman, editor of Strategic Advantage, chose banking software company FundTech Ltd. (NASDAQ: FNDT), which rose 41% as of June 1, 2007. The advisor has just sold the stock from his model portfolio.

For his new favorite idea for the balance of 2007, the advisor looks to Hercules Offshore Inc. (NASDAQ: HERO). He explains, "Energy companies' shares might seem high to you now, but you ain't seen nothin' yet. When investors collectively decide that the new 'band' for oil prices is $50 to $65 rather than $35 to $50, then virtually all energy stocks are in for a major upward move.

"In this scenario, every subsector of the energy industry will move higher: Oil and gas drillers, services providers, explorers, refiners, pipeline owners, and the major integrators. We are just in the third inning of the game now, and it should continue to surprise people.

"All this is good news for the energy companies, but not such great news for the average consumer. We know how gasoline prices are breaking budgets.

"So in order to put some of the cash you're shelling out at the pump each week back into your pockets, I've been suggesting a couple of other energy companies that are set to profit from higher oil and natural gas prices as well as drilling rates.

Continue reading Top 20 advisors: Jon Markman sees strength in Hercules

Top 20 advisors: Jon Markman sees strength in Hercules originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 21 Jun 2007 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.