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steven halpern posts

Step up to Nike (NKE): A 'great company'

"The conditions are in place for a 'Best Buy' opportunity," says Jim Stack, whose buy signal should receive special attention give the accuracy of his sells signals which side-stepped the bear market.

In addition, the money manager and editor of Investech Market Analyst is beginning to increase his equity positions, such as Nike (NYSE: NKE). He states, "With a portfolio of iconic brands, an identified growth strategy, recognized innovation, and sound financial footing, Nike fits the bill of being a great company."

"Very rarely do we have all these conditions in place – that's only occurred five times in the last 45 years. Historically, this means we should give the growing evidence of a new bull market every benefit of doubt.

Continue reading Step up to Nike (NKE): A 'great company'

NovaGold (NG): 'Exceptional bet' in mining

"In the 2000s, as we've alternated between deflationary and inflationary worries, gold has been the only major investment to rise every year," says Stephen Leeb.

In his The Complete Investor, he explains, "We think that many miners are exceptional bets today. And among our favorite gold investments is one that we hold in our small cap value model portfolio: NovaGold Resources (AMEX: NG)."

"The case for mining stocks is that the price of gold rises faster than miners' costs, allowing margins to increase.

Continue reading NovaGold (NG): 'Exceptional bet' in mining

Toby Smith: In the chips with Sandisk

"For two years chips stocks have unequivocally stunk; the industry has been mired in a host of problems, including massive overcapacity and shrinking demand," says Toby Smith, adding, "But that's changing."

In his ChangeWave Investing, he suggests, "One recommendation in this sector is SanDisk (NASDAQ: SNDK), the leader in flash memory -- one of the strongest segments in semis today."

"For the second quarter in a row the semiconductor sector is showing major signs of momentum that are so good that the industry ranked at the top of the nearly 20 industries we track each quarter.

"The bottom line is that these results clearly indicate that it is time to be invested in the semis, and the best way to do this is with two short-term plays.

Continue reading Toby Smith: In the chips with Sandisk

Utility expert taps into water stocks

"Investors have given up on the water industry -- the sector has fallen 60% -- but the best firms have hardly missed a beat," says utility sector specialist Roger Conrad.

In Personal Finance, the advisor reviews the outlook for the sector and two of his favorite stocks -- American Water Works (NYSE: AWK) and Aqua America (NYSE: WTR).

"The EPA stimates the US will have to spend $335 billion over the next decade to keep the taps turned on, given aging infrastructure and supply degradation.

Continue reading Utility expert taps into water stocks

Bank on India: HDFC (HBN)

For those seeking exposure to the India markets, Paul Goodwin looks to HDFC Bank (NYSE: HDB), the leading private-sector bank in India.

In his The Cabot China & Emerging Markets the advisor explains, "The company puts itself at the top of its class with its relentless revenue growth, which has averaged over 42% a year." Here's his review.

"The bank became an independent company as part of the liberalization of the Indian banking industry that began in 1994.

Continue reading Bank on India: HDFC (HBN)

Microsoft (MSFT): Bet on Bing?

"Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT), already a holding on our buy list, was added to Goldman Sachs' Conviction Buy List," says Bill Martin. In BullMarket.com, he offers the reasoning for his continued buy rating.

"Analyst Sarah Friar at Goldman recently raised her price target on the name to $29 from $25 saying, 'We are adding Microsoft to our Conviction List as we think the combination of better revenue drivers, improved expense management, and sizable cash balances provides more opportunities for bottom-line beats.'

"'Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, Bing, Xbox 360 and new Halo content, Office 2010, and the Azure Cloud provide renewed innovation beyond anything we have seen in multiple years,' Friar wrote.

Continue reading Microsoft (MSFT): Bet on Bing?

Urban Outfitters (URBN): Dressed for success?

"Stocks have struggled lately after their huge recovery; still, I continue to see opportunities, and I especially like Urban Outfitters (NASDAQ: URBN)," says Mark Skousen in The Turnaround Alert.

"Urban Outfitters, the apparel retailer, after it beat Wall Street analysts' estimates. Two years ago, the stock was selling for $37 a share.

"But today, it's selling for nearly half that. During the deep recession, retailers have seen sales drop as consumers cut back on spending for clothing and other discretionary purchases. As a result, retail apparel stocks fell sharply.

Continue reading Urban Outfitters (URBN): Dressed for success?

Mid-year favorites from Dow Theory: BIIB, CMCSA, OII

"Midyear is as good a time as any to pause and reflect," says Richard Moroney in Dow Theory Forecasts -- a newsletter with the distinction of having been published for more than 50 years.

Here, he reviews the state of the market and offers a look at trio of favorite stocks which he considers "fundamentally superior" companies: Biogen Idec (NASDAQ: BIIB), Comcast (NASDAQ: CMCSA), and Oceaneering International (NYSE: OII).

Continue reading Mid-year favorites from Dow Theory: BIIB, CMCSA, OII

Inside the iPhone: A look at component makers

Technology sector expert Paul McWilliams offers an intriguing look at the new iPhone from Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) to uncover what tech companies are supplying components.

In his Next Inning -- a newsletter that focuses solely on high tech stocks -- the advisors offers a look at the players inside the iPhone.

McWilliams explains, "A few interesting notes have come from the folks busily tearing down the new Apple iPhone 3G S since its launch.

Continue reading Inside the iPhone: A look at component makers

Tech talk from MarketWatch

"Stocks are likely in a new downtrend," says Michael Ashbaugh. In Marketwatch's The Technical Indicator, he looks at the S&P's prospects and some drug stocks set to buck the trend.

"The S&P 500 has violated its major moving averages in the closely tracked 900 area. The recent downturn was convincingly bearish, placing the burden on market bulls to reassert the uptrend.

"After finding resistance in the 923 area, the S&P sold off sharply, edging back under its 200-day moving average, which currently holds at 900 and now marks resistance. This is bearish price action.

Continue reading Tech talk from MarketWatch

Income ideas: Winners from financial regulation

"Most of the government 's proposed changes for the financial markets aren't new or needed; but what will happen will be a boost for some and a bane for others," says Neil George.

Long-known in the newsletter community for his expertise in income investing, the advisor has just launched a new blog service, Stocks that Pay You. Here, he looks at some winners and losers from the current proposals for financial regulation.

George says, "In my view, these supposedly massive changes amount to window dressing. Banks and other related firms can continue to do what they've always done: cherry pick regulators and play off one regulator against another.

"So, unless we get the government actually empowering the guys down the line inside all of these agencies and departments, don't look for any big changes, because - while the players and the names might be changing - the contest is staying the same.

Continue reading Income ideas: Winners from financial regulation

Celgene (CELG): Play offense and defense with biotech

"Biotech company Celgene Corp. (NASDAQ: CELG) is a prime example of a stock that plays both offense and defense," says Ian Wyatt.

In his Top Stock Insights, he explains, "The valuation is low and growth is attractive. With the pipeline of products in development, Celegene offers investors a huge upside potential."

"Celgene offers investors a steady product base, a variety of drug treatments in development and a cash pile ready to purchase existing technologies.

"Celgene engages in the discovery of therapies designed to treat cancer and immune-inflammatory related diseases. They have a number of products at the commercial stage.

Continue reading Celgene (CELG): Play offense and defense with biotech

'Royal' income: A look at non-cumulative preferreds

In her top-performing Global Investing advisory, Vivian Lewis looks at a lesser-known area of the income market -- non-cumulative preferreds -- explaining these vehicles and offering some favorites.

"Over 20 years ago, Barclays Bank, which is British, invented a new vehicle for raising money in the U.S. market to enhance its capital ratios and finance its growing dollar business.

"They were called non-cumulative preferred shares and were issued at $25/share to pay dividends four times a year just as normal U.S. stocks do. The clear target for these vehicles was U.S. retail investors.

Continue reading 'Royal' income: A look at non-cumulative preferreds

Nuance (NUAN): Invest in speech recognition

"For investors with a more aggressive bent, one stock on our radar is Nuance Communications (NASDAQ: NUAN)," says trading and investing expert Bill Martin.

In BullMarket.com, he explains, "The firm's core niche is producing speech-based voice-recognition and synthesis software for use in corporate customer-care operations, mobile applications including the new iPhone and to automate health records."

"Nuance creates those automated voices you have to listen to when what you really need is a human being to tell you why your cable modem isn't delivering the Internet.

Continue reading Nuance (NUAN): Invest in speech recognition

IBM (IBM): Growth and value

"Overall, we believe quality technology stocks offer above-average growth potential and attractive valuations," says Gregory Dorsey.

In Stephen Leeb's The Complete Investor, he explains, "International Business Machines(NYSE: IBM) has plowed ahead despite a daunting economic and business environment; we are adding the stock to our Growth & Income Portfolio."

"For prudent investors in this challenging economy, most of the major technology companies are financially solid, often with little or no debt and lots of cash on their books. This makes them good long-term vehicles even if the economy remains off the rails for a prolonged period.

Continue reading IBM (IBM): Growth and value

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Symbol Lookup
IndexesChangePrice
DJIA-32.058,248.69
NASDAQ-23.721,772.80
S&P 500-5.63890.79

Last updated: July 06, 2009: 12:19 PM

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