"We live in a networked world. And much of the backbone of that wired and increasingly wireless data/voice/video network is built on equipment produced by Cisco Systems (CSCO)," says Stephen Leeb.

The editor of Leeb's Income Performance Letter explains, "A colossus of the technology sector, it's the market leader in each of its business segments, including area networks, routing, switching, wireless LANs, web conferencing and digital video.

Continue reading Cisco Systems (CSCO): A 'Colossus' in Technology

Cisco Systems (CSCO): A 'Colossus' in Technology originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 17 Mar 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Suntech Power (STP): Shining Opportunity?

Suntech Power (STP): Shining Opportunity? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 03 Mar 2011 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Oil had a good year in 2010, rising 15 percent, and 2011 looks to be even better, as a stronger global economy pushes demand for resources higher," says Stephen Leeb.

The editor of The Complete Investor explains, "Oil service and equipment companies are the most leveraged way to play rising oil prices. Here's a look a Schlumberger (SLB) and National Oilwell Varco (NOV).

"First is Schlumberger, operating in more than 80 countries. The company is the world's leading supplier of energy technology, project management, and information solutions.

Continue reading Oil Services Favorites: Schlumberger, National Oilwell Varco

Oil Services Favorites: Schlumberger, National Oilwell Varco originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 09 Feb 2011 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This post is one in a series in which more than 60 newsletter advisors share their Top Stock Picks for 2011. This special report is courtesy of TheStockAdvisors.com.

"NovaGold Resources (NG) -- my top pick for 2011 -- is an up-and-coming mining outfit that owns a pair of world-class deposits," says Stephen Leeb.

The editor of The Complete Investor explains, "It has partnered with a couple of industry heavyweights to develop these projects, and it has the backing of some of the savviest investors around, giving it the wherewithal that will enable the company to transition from junior explorer to mid-tier producer in a few short years.

Continue reading Top Picks 2011: NovaGold Resources (NG)

Top Picks 2011: NovaGold Resources (NG) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 27 Dec 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"While the past decade has been tough on investors, some stocks have stood out and managed to soar," notes growth stock specialist Stephen Leeb, adding "Indeed, both Amazon (AMZN) and Apple (AAPL) -- which are both holdings in our growth portfolio -- recently hit all-time highs."

The editor of The Complete Investor explains, "These two stocks don't say much about tech itself, which, is a slow-growth area. Rather they demonstrate the power of a franchise.

"Further, these are not just any franchises, they're ones that uniquely affect consumer productivity and enjoyment.

Continue reading Amazon (AMZN) and Apple (AAPL): Stand Out Franchises

Amazon (AMZN) and Apple (AAPL): Stand Out Franchises originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 13 Dec 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"As consumers continue to upgrade to high-end smartphones, they are paying more and more for each device," says Stephen Leeb.

The editor of The Complete Investor explains, "In turn, this is helping Qualcomm (QCOM), which receives licensing royalty for the average price of the phones running its chips.

"Recently reported earnings were quite impressive. Company sales rose 9.7 percent year over year to $2.95 billion, outpacing consensus estimates of $2.85 billion.

Continue reading High-End Smartphones Boost Qualcomm (QCOM)

High-End Smartphones Boost Qualcomm (QCOM) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 01 Dec 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"It's been tough going for Lockheed Martin (LMT) in 2009-10, as well as for defense stocks overall," notes Stephen Leeb.

The editor of Leeb's Income Performance Letter explains, "Investors are concerned about the impact cutbacks in defense spending will have on profits. Still, the company arguably is the best positioned of the major defense contractors to weather a smaller defense budget.

"The company is bracing for leaner times and has taken cost-savings measures, such as offering early retirement incentives to executives. And its share price appears to have more than discounted any cuts that may come down the pike.

Continue reading Lockheed Martin (LMT): Defensive Value

Lockheed Martin (LMT): Defensive Value originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 18 Nov 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Some information technology areas have more dynamic growth prospects than others; a prime example is the emerging field of cloud computing," says growth stock specialist Stephen Leeb.

The editor of The Complete Investor explains, "One company in the forefront of this cutting-edge approach to information storage and management is EMC (EMC), a leader in digital data storage.

"Cloud computing refers to the storing of digital information -- documents, spreadsheets, software, etc. -- not on a company's or individual's own hard drive but in remote data centers, from which it can be accessed via the Internet.

Continue reading In the Clouds: Computing with EMC (EMC)

In the Clouds: Computing with EMC (EMC) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 08 Nov 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"With the new school year underway, we're adding an attractive REIT to our portfolio that specializes in campus housing: American Campus Communities (ACC)," says Stephen Leeb.

The growth & income specialist and editor of The Complete Investor explains, "The real estate investment trust, which went public in 2004, has been providing housing for college students since 1993, and is now one of the nation's largest developers, owners, and managers of high-quality student housing communities.

"The REIT has grown both through internal development and via acquisitions, most notably its 2008 purchase of the student housing division of GMH Communities Trust for around $1.4 billion.

Continue reading American Campus Communities (ACC): Graduating Gains

American Campus Communities (ACC): Graduating Gains originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 21 Oct 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Qualcomm (QCOM) is benefiting from consumers' continued love affair with mobile phones," notes growth stock specialist Stephen Leeb.

The editor of The Complete Investor explains, "The San Diego-based company licenses mobile technologies to cell phone manufacturers; its royalties rise as phone prices go up.

"In the latest quarter the company beat expectations, and going forward it forecasts strong unit sales and higher average prices as well.

Continue reading Qualcomm (QCOM): Smartphone Royalties

Qualcomm (QCOM): Smartphone Royalties originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 04 Oct 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"With many stocks so clearly undervalued, we set ourselves the goal of finding some with the potential to double or better over the next 18 to 24 months," says Stephen Leeb.

The editor of The Complete Investor adds, "Two such gems are metals plays -- Silver Wheaton (SLW), a more conservative play in our growth portfolio, and NovaGold Resources (NG), a more speculative holding in our small-cap value portfolio.

"These two metal picks are both leveraged to precious metals, one to silver and one to gold.

Continue reading Silver Wheaton (SLW) and NovaGold (NR): 'Mining Gems'

Silver Wheaton (SLW) and NovaGold (NR): 'Mining Gems' originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 13 Sep 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Wal-Mart (WMT), a buy recommendation in our model growth portfolio and the largest retailer in the world, recently reports its second-quarter earnings," notes Stephen Leeb.

The growth stock specialist and editor of The Complete Investor explains, "Earnings per share were up 9 percent -- and, more important, the company increased its EPS guidance for the full year; the company is now expecting to make from $3.95 to $4.05, exceeds its earlier forecast of $4 profit for the year.

Continue reading Walmart (WMT): An 'Essential Investment'

Walmart (WMT): An 'Essential Investment' originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 30 Aug 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Managing waste is about as far from glamorous as you can get. But it's essential, and offers relatively reliable growth and defensive qualities that should appeal to conservative investors," says growth stock expert Stephen Leeb.

The editor of The Complete Investor explains, "Waste Management (WM) is the largest waste-management operator in the U.S. and Canada, with about a 25 percent market share.

Continue reading Waste Management (WM): No Glamor, but Reliability

Waste Management (WM): No Glamor, but Reliability originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 18 Aug 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) are the main distributors of drugs to retail pharmacies and directly to consumers; in our view, the PBM sector is a must-have health care area for investors," says Stephen Leeb.

The editor of The Complete Investor explains, "Express Scripts (ESRX) is a leading and fast-growing pure-play PBM that has been generating impressive results and is undervalued relative to the industry.

"One striking health care trend in recent years has been a dramatic rise in prescriptions. For the 10 years ended in 2009, according to a government study, the number of prescription drugs dispensed in the U.S. rose 39 percent, while U.S. population growth was just 9 percent.

Continue reading Express Scripts (ESRX): Prescription for Profits

Express Scripts (ESRX): Prescription for Profits originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 09 Aug 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"When it comes to banking, many people never encounter a human teller anymore; instead, banking is often done using ATMs, the internet and via smart phones; with a presence in 90-plus countries, Diebold (DBD) likely plays a role in those financial self-service transactions," observes growth and income specialist Stephen Leeb.

The editor of Leeb's Income Performance Letter explains, "The 151-year old company, a new recommendation in our Growth & Income Portfolio, holds a commanding position in the market for ATMs.

Continue reading Diebold (DBD): Bank on ATM Maker

Diebold (DBD): Bank on ATM Maker originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 09 Jul 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"This month we are beefing up our Northern exposure with a Canadian bank: Toronto-Dominion (TD)," says growth and income specialist Stephen Leeb.

The editor of The Complete Investor explains, "Financial institutions offer leveraged exposure to the entire economic system. With Canada's upside greater than most, adding another bank makes good sense. By total assets, market cap, and adjusted net income, Toronto-Dominion is Canada's second-largest bank.

"And it's not only a force to reckon with in Canada, it has a large and growing presence in the U.S., where it ranks among the top 15 banking companies. It also has the distinction of being one of only three Aaa-rated banks on the NYSE and was the rare bank to not cut its dividend during the financial crisis.

Continue reading Toronto-Dominion (TD): Northern Exposure

Toronto-Dominion (TD): Northern Exposure originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 25 Jun 2010 13:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Health Care REIT (HCN): Defensive Play for Growth and Income

Health Care REIT (HCN): Defensive Play for Growth and Income originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 31 May 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Teva (TEVA): Generic Gains from Health Care Reform

Teva (TEVA): Generic Gains from Health Care Reform originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 13 May 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Qualcomm (QCOM): 'True Tech Franchise'

Qualcomm (QCOM): 'True Tech Franchise' originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading In the 'Vanguard' with Wellington Fund (VWELX)

In the 'Vanguard' with Wellington Fund (VWELX) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 26 Feb 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.