This post is part of a special annual report -- Top Stock Picks '09 -- in which TheStockAdvisors.com asked 75 leading newsletter advisors to select their favorite investment for the new year.

"As the government and corporations look to get more environmentally sound, they'll be turning to Tetra Tech (NASDAQ: TTEK), an environmental consulting company," suggests 'green technology' specialist Brendan Coffey.

The editor of The Cabot Green Investor explains, "Tetra Tech is the expert people turn to the figure out the nitty gritty of getting eco-projects done." Here's his review of the stock, which he selects as his favorite investment idea for the coming year.

"President-elect Obama looking to resuscitate the economy, wants to do two things at once: immediate stimulate job growth with an aid package of perhaps $700 billion while laying the groundwork for the country's long-term economy health.

"He's identified the core of that dual strategy as going green -- to wean us off oil, counteract the eventual dire effects of global warming and make the country the technological leader in alternative energy, creating five million or more jobs in the process.

MOST NOTEWORTHY: Norfolk Southern and Abercrombie & Fitch were today's most notable upgrades.

• Citigroup upgraded shares of Norfolk Southern (NYSE: NSC) on valuation as they believe the recent weakness has brought shares to an attractive level.

• Merrill Lynch upgraded shares of Abercrombie & Fitch Co 'A' (NYSE: ANF), as the firm does not believe the stock's current valuation reflects the company's growth opportunities; additionally, the firm sees significant growth opportunities at the Hollister brand and expects free cash flow growth in 2007.

OTHER UPGRADES:

• Goldman Sachs upgraded Wellpoint Inc (NYSE: WLP) to Buy from Neutral, believing the company is better positioned in comparison to their peers to weather increasing price competition.

• Matrix USA upgraded TETRA Technologies (NYSE: TTI) to Buy from Hold, as Tetra continues to invest in expanding its well abandonment and decommissioning services in order to meet growing long-term demand forecasts, and its fluid division continues to benefit from higher bromine selling prices.

• JP Morgan added Outperform rated DivX Inc (NASDAQ: DIVX) to their Focus List.

• UBS upgraded Ingersoll-Rand (NYSE: IR) to Buy from Neutral.

Analyst summaries provided by TheFlyOnTheWall.com (subscription required).