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.

"Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) is an a typically defensive industry and has held up much better than most stocks during the past year," says John Reese, who selects the issue has his favorite stock for 2009.

In his Validea -- a newsletter that screens stocks based on the criteria used by legendary investors -- he assesses Johnson & Johnson based on his Warren Buffett and Peter Lynch models.

"The health care and pharmaceutical giant has dipped about 10% over the past year compared to the broader market's 40% plunge.

"In addition, the company has the size ($163 billion market cap) and breadth (250 operating companies and big brand names like Tylenol, Band-Aid, and Neutrogena) to withstand continuing trouble in the economy.

"Johnson & Johnson's price dip this year has only made it more of a bargain according to two of my Guru Strategy computer models, each of which is based on the approach of a different Wall Street great.

Continue reading Top Stock Picks '09: Johnson & Johnson (JNJ)

Top Stock Picks '09: Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 07 Jan 2009 10:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Those pundits who think guru investor Warren Buffett's time has come and his magic faded away are bolstered by a Bloomberg report that says shares in Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A) slumped some 19% since mid-December. Buffett has been hurt by large investments in both insurance and banks, industries that have suffered tremendously.

Lest you think this short-term lack of performance has swayed investors into looking elsewhere to park their money, many investors are looking at the fall in Berkshire stock as a buying opportunity.

According to Bloomberg, Frank Betz, a partner at Warren, New Jersey-based Carret Zane Capital Management said he'd "put a new client in Berkshire right now. [...] It's probably the highest-quality collection of individual companies that's ever been assembled. Long slides are not in the Berkshire Hathaway lexicon."

With the stock market drop, many contrarian investors think that stocks have hit bottom and are very cheap. Buffett, who is sitting on such a large cash position, may be able to take large stakes in solidly profitable yet beaten up companies.

If he decides to put his cash to work, he has the ability to get deals that happen only once or twice in a lifetime. He may end up providing returns that make his previous track record look just average. For the Buffett investors, the best may is yet come.

Aaron Katsman is the lead Portfolio Manager and Managing Director of America Israel Investment Associates, LLC. and Senior Editor of IsraelNewsletter.com. DISCLOSURE: Writer's fund has no position in any stock mentioned, as of 7/1/08.

Buffett suffers worst first half in 18 years originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

For 25 years, Steven Halpern, editor of TheStockAdvisors.com, has surveyed the leading financial newsletter advisors asking for their favorite stocks for the coming year. This article is one of 100+ ideas in the Best Stocks for 2008 report.

"Don't get scared off by the name at Credicorp (NYSE: BAP), my favorite 'home run' pick for 2008," explains John Reese, of Validea, a quantitative advisor service based on following the strategies of leading market gurus such as Peter Lynch and Warren Buffett.

"While US banks have been floundering amid the credit and subprime crises, this Peruvian upstart has sparkled, gaining 30% since mid-August.

"The holding company's businesses are involved in commercial banking, insurance, and investment banking, and, if subprime's got you down, consider this: Credicorp's main subsidiary, Banco de Credito del Peru, actually grew its mortgage business 8.2% in the third quarter as Peruvians' purchasing power continued to increase.

"What's more, Credicorp's fundamentals are so strong that it's one of just three stocks currently getting strong interest from three or more of my 'Guru Strategy' computer models -- those that I base on the writings of Peter Lynch, Martin Zweig, and The Motley Fool's David and Tom Gardner.

Continue reading Best Stocks for 2008: Credicorp (BAP) 'sparkles' through credit crisis

Best Stocks for 2008: Credicorp (BAP) 'sparkles' through credit crisis originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 25 Dec 2007 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

For 25 years, Steven Halpern, editor of TheStockAdvisors.com, has surveyed the leading financial newsletter advisors asking for their favorite stocks for the coming year. This article is one of 100+ ideas in the Best Stocks for 2008 report.

"My top conservative stock idea for 2008 is CarMax (NYSE: KMX)," says Paul Tracy, editor of StreetAuthority Market Advisor.

Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway has recently disclosed that is has taken a 6.4% stake in the used-car retailer. It's impossible to know for sure if Berkshire's stake is the result of Buffett's own buying or that of one of Berkshire's subsidiary companies, but either way it's a vote of confidence for CarMax.

"KMX has been sliding in recent months due to fears that a consumer slump would impact sales of used cars. But we continue to believe those concerns are overblown.

"The company offers a unique shopping experience that is unrivaled by traditional used-car dealerships -- the firm's superstores are well-stocked, offer haggle-free pricing, and provide painless trade-ins and vehicle financing.

Continue reading Best Stocks for 2008: A Buffett bet with CarMax (KMX)

Best Stocks for 2008: A Buffett bet with CarMax (KMX) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 21 Dec 2007 09:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.