2008 ~ Stock Picks

 
 

Home
Up
About Us
Performance
Free Views
Login / Logout
Subscribe
Disclaimer
Glossary
Investor Resources
Home

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           

  • September 2008 (1)
  • October 2008 (0)
  • November 2008 (0)
  • December 2008 (1)
  • May 2008 (5)
  • June 2008 (4)
  • July 2008 (3)  
  • August 2008 (2) 
  • January 2008 (4)
  • February 2008 (5)
  • March 2008 (2)
  • April 2008 (4)
  •  




    January 2008 Stock Picks
    Stock Name SYM Exch. Sector Industry Date Picked Pick Price
    (per share)
    ASG
    Denbury Resources Inc.    DNR     NYSE     Energy   Oil & Gas Operations   01/04/08 $31.16   48.20 (Good)  
    Arena Resources Inc    ARD     NYSE     Energy   Oil & Gas Operations   01/11/08 $42.12   48.96 (Good)  
    The Mosaic Co.    MOS     NYSE     Basic Materials   Chemical Manufacturing   01/18/08 $80.02   42.84 (Good)  
    Meridian Bioscience Inc.    VIVO     NASD     Healthcare   Biotechnology & Drugs   01/25/08 $32.60   52.02 (Very Good)  

          Denbury Resources Inc. (NYSE: DNR) is engaged in the acquisition, development, operation and exploration of oil and natural gas properties in the Gulf Coast region of the United States, primarily in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Texas. DNR's tertiary operations are its principal focus and core assets. To date, DNR does not have any industry competition in its region of operation. Generally, from the Texas Gulf Coast to Florida, there are no known significant natural sources of carbon dioxide (CO2) except those of DNR's, and these large volumes of CO2 are the foundation for DNR's entire tertiary program.

    The stock's price gained 29.6% over the past 3 months (vs. the Industry's 30.1%); 56.7% over the past 6 months (vs. the  Industry's58.8%); and 139.1% over the past 12 months (vs. the Industry's 158.5%).
    DNR is classified as a mid-cap growth company (with a market cap of $7.61B) that is rated to outperform the market over the next six months with a Risk Level of 3 (Average). DNR was originally incorporated in Canada in 1951. In 1992, DNR acquired all of the shares of a United States operating company, Denbury Management, Inc. (DMI), and subsequent to the merger,  all of DNR's Canadian assets were sold. Since that time, all of DNR's operations have been in the United States. DNR's principal executive offices are at Plana, Texas. DNR  has 629 employees.

    Sector: Energy; Industry: Oil & Gas Operations; Ticker:DNR;  Exch: NYSE;  01/04/08 Closing Price: $31.16

     STOCK GRADE (ASG):  48.20  ( GOOD)               

    BUSINESS & FINANCIAL SUMMARY; KEY STATS (Yahoo)
    EXPANDED BUSINESS DESCRIPTION (Reuters)
    STOCK INFO/RESEARCH (MSN)
    COMPETITORS
    (CNN Money)
    OWNERSHIP (MSN)
    KEY DEVELOPMENTS (MSN), RECENT NEWS (MSN) & HEADLINES  (Yahoo)
    HISTORICAL PRICES (Yahoo) & PRICE CHART (IQChart)
    RISK LEVEL: 2 (Less than average) (MSN)
    COMPANY'S WEB SITE

    Management's Effectiveness (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Return on Equity:        17.33%
    Profitability (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Profit Margin:        24.94%
    Stock's Growth Record (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Revenue:        30.54%
    . . . EPS:        17.55%
    . . . Price:      139.14%
    . . . Dividend:          NA
    PE & EPS (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Price/Earnings:        38.66
    . . . Earnings/Share:          0.61
    Price / Share (Pick Date, Closing Price) . . . Pick Date 01/04/2007:     $31.16

    COMMENT: The stock's pick price (of $31.16) is over the 13- and 50-day EMA price range; i.e., higher than
     the 13-day EMA price (of $29.86) and over the 50-day EMA (of $27.67) by 4.35% and 12.61% respectively. This suggests that the pick price is presently NOT timely NOR advantageous buy price for the stock.  (Note: A stock's EMA price changes with time).

    . . .    
    Price / Share (13-day EMA) . . . 01/04/2008:      $29.86
    Price / Share (50-day EMA) . . . 01/04/2008:      $27.67
    Price / Share (13-day EMA) . . .         Current:
    Price / Share (50-day EMA) . . .         Current:
    Price / Share (Current) . . . Current Price       Quote
    Price / Share (Historical) . . . Historical Price       Quote

    SPECIAL NOTE:

    1. Denbury posts record or near record production, cash flow and earnings figures for 3rd quarter of 2007. (Business Wire, November 1, 2007).
    2. Denbury reports total proved oil and natural gas reserves as of December 31, 2006 which replaces 260% ot the company's 2006 production
    (SmartBrief; February 6, 2007). 3. Denbury partners with Rentech Inc. for the use of all captured carbon dioxide from Rentechs proposed synthetic fuels plant to be built in Mississippi.(SmartBrief; June 25, 2007)
    4. OPEC, crude oil prices and Denbury's stock price.
    (Reuters; November 12, 2007).
    5. "Energy Stocks on the Cheap". Denbury is among these stocks.
    (Forbes; December 15, 2007)

    ^Top page


        

          Arena Resources Inc. (NYSE: ARD) is engaged in oil and natural gas acquisition, exploration, development and production, with activities currently in Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico and Kansas. ARD focus is on developing its existing properties, while continuing to pursue acquisitions of oil and gas properties with upside potential. Since its inception in August 2000, ARD have built its asset base and achieved growth primarily through property acquisitions. ARD have a portfolio of oil and natural gas reserves, with approximately 84% of its proved reserves consisting of oil and approximately 16% consisting of natural gas. Of those reserves approximately 28% of the proved reserves are classified as proved developed producing, or “PDP,” approximately 5% of the proved reserves are classified as proved developed non-producing, or “PDNP,” approximately 5% are classified as proved developed behind pipe “PDBP,” and approximately 62% are classified as proved undeveloped, or “PUD.”

    The stock's price gained 21.0% over the past 3 months (vs. the Industry's 41.9%); 40.6% over the past 6 months (vs. the  Industry's 88.6%); and 125.5% over the past 12 months (vs. the Industry's 246.3%).
    ARD is classified as a mid-cap growth company (with a market cap of $1.44B) that is rated to outperform the market over the next six months with a Risk Level of 2 (Less than average). ARD was incorporated in 2000 and its principal executive offices are located at Tulsa, Oklahoma. ARD has 52 employees.

    Sector: Energy; Industry: Oil & Gas Operations; Ticker:ARD;  Exch: NYSE;  01/11/08 Closing Price: $42.12

     STOCK GRADE (ASG):  48.96  (GOOD)               

    BUSINESS & FINANCIAL SUMMARY; KEY STATS (Yahoo)
    EXPANDED BUSINESS DESCRIPTION (Reuters)
    STOCK INFO/RESEARCH (MSN)
    COMPETITORS
    (CNN Money)
    OWNERSHIP (MSN)
    KEY DEVELOPMENTS (MSN), RECENT NEWS (MSN) & HEADLINES  (Yahoo)
    HISTORICAL PRICES (Yahoo) & PRICE CHART (IQChart)
    RISK LEVEL: 2 (Less than average) (MSN)
    COMPANY'S WEB SITE

    Management's Effectiveness (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Return on Equity:        16.70%
    Profitability (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Profit Margin:        37.11%
    Stock's Growth Record (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Revenue:      131.24%
    . . . EPS:      106.29%
    . . . Price:      125.54%
    . . . Dividend:          NA
    PE & EPS (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Price/Earnings:        45.29
    . . . Earnings/Share:          0.93
    Price / Share (Pick Date, Closing Price) . . . Pick Date 01/11/2008:     $42.12

    COMMENT: The stock's pick price (of $42.12) is over the 13- and 50-day EMA price range; i.e., higher than
     the 13-day EMA price (of $41.70) and 50-day EMA (of $38.91) by 1.00% and 8.24% respectively. This suggests that the pick price is presently NOT timely NOR advantageous buy price for the stock.  (Note: A stock's EMA price changes with time).

    . . .    
    Price / Share (13-day EMA) . . . 01/11/2008:      $41.70
    Price / Share (50-day EMA) . . . 01/11/2008:      $38.91
    Price / Share (13-day EMA) . . .         Current:
    Price / Share (50-day EMA) . . .         Current:
    Price / Share (Current) . . . Current Price       Quote
    Price / Share (Historical) . . . Historical Price       Quote

    SPECIAL NOTE:

    1. Arena Resources had record third quarter financial and operating results. (Business Wire, November 9, 2007).
    2. Arena Resources
    adds an estimated 8 million barrels of oil equivalent of proved reserves in West Texas. (Business Wire; December 12, 2007).

    ^Top page


      The Mosaic Co. (NYSE: MOS) is a producer and marketer of concentrated phosphate and potash crop nutrients for the global agriculture industry. MOS is a single source supplier of phosphate-, potash- and nitrogen-based crop nutrients and animal feed ingredients. MOS serve customers in approximately 45 countries; have phosphate mining operations in Florida and phosphate production facilities in Florida and Louisiana; potash mines and production facilities in Saskatchewan, Canada, New Mexico and Michigan; strategic equity investments in phosphate and nitrogen production facilities in Brazil and Canada; and other production, blending or distribution operations or equity investments in nearly a dozen countries, including the top four nutrient consuming countries in the world.

    The stock's price gained 28.0% over the past 3 months (vs. the Industry's 35.7%); 106.3% over the past 6 months (vs. the  Industry's 120.7%); and 264.7% over the past 12 months (vs. the Industry's 298.4%). MOS is classified as a large-cap growth company (with a market cap of $35.46B) that is rated to outperform the market over the next six months with a Risk Level of 3 (Average). MOS was incorporated in 2004 and its principal executive offices are located at Plymouth, Minnesota. MOS has 7,100 employees.

    Sector: Basic Materials; Industry: Chemical Manufacturing; Ticker:MOS;  Exch: NYSE;  01/18/08 Closing Price: $80.02

     STOCK GRADE (ASG):  42.84  (GOOD)               

    BUSINESS & FINANCIAL SUMMARY; KEY STATS (Yahoo)
    EXPANDED BUSINESS DESCRIPTION (Reuters)
    STOCK INFO/RESEARCH (MSN)
    COMPETITORS
    (CNN Money)
    OWNERSHIP (MSN)
    KEY DEVELOPMENTS (MSN), RECENT NEWS (MSN) & HEADLINES  (Yahoo)
    HISTORICAL PRICES (Yahoo) & PRICE CHART (IQChart)
    RISK LEVEL: 3 (Average) (MSN)
    COMPANY'S WEB SITE

    Management's Effectiveness (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Return on Equity:        21.37%
    Profitability (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Profit Margin:        13.19%
    Stock's Growth Record (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Revenue:          8.82%
    . . . EPS:     374.95%
    . . . Price:     377.43%
    . . . Dividend:          NA
    PE & EPS (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Price/Earnings:       48.26
    . . . Earnings/Share:          2.13
    Price / Share (Pick Date, Closing Price) . . . Pick Date 01/18/2008:     $80.02

    COMMENT: The stock's pick price (of $80.02) is under the 13- and 50-day EMA price range; i.e., lower than
     the 13-day EMA price (of $91.33) and 50-day EMA (of $82.19) by -12.38% and -2.65% respectively. This suggests that the pick price IS presently timely AND advantageous buy price for the stock.  (Note: A stock's EMA price changes with time).

    . . .    
    Price / Share (13-day EMA) . . . 01/18/2008:      $91.33
    Price / Share (50-day EMA) . . . 01/18/2008:      $82.19
    Price / Share (13-day EMA) . . .         Current:
    Price / Share (50-day EMA) . . .         Current:
    Price / Share (Current) . . . Current Price       Quote
    Price / Share (Historical) . . . Historical Price       Quote

    SPECIAL NOTE:

    1. Mosaic beats the Street's earning estimates. (Forbes.com; January 9, 2008)
    2. Mosaic's 6-fold increase in profit propels 3-fold increase in share price. (The Motley Fool; January 11, 2008).
    3. Mosaic thriving on fertile ground.
    (Forbes.com; December 20, 2007)
    4. Mosaic is best-managed company in the Chemicals industry.
    ("America's Best Big Companies"; Forbes.com; December 20, 2007)
    5. Crops & Ag sector pulling back; a buy opportunity or just let the good times go? (MarketWatch; January 15, 2008).

    ^Top page



        Meridian Bioscience Inc. (NASD: VIVO)
    is an integrated life science company whose principal businesses are the development, manufacture, sale and distribution of diagnostic test kits, primarily for certain respiratory, gastrointestinal, viral and parasitic infectious diseases; the manufacture and distribution of bulk antigens, antibodies, and reagents used by researchers and other diagnostic manufacturers; and the contract manufacture of proteins and other biologicals for use by biopharmaceutical and biotechnology companies engaged in research for new drugs and vaccines. VIVO's diagnostic test kits utilize immunodiagnostic technologies, which test samples of blood, urine, stool, and other body fluids or tissue for the presence of antigens and antibodies of specific infectious diseases.

    The stock's price gained 0.9% over the past 3 months (vs. the Industry's -11.6%); 42.9% over the past 6 months (vs. the  Industry's 6.3%); and 67.9% over the past 12 months (vs. the Industry's 18.9%). VIVO is classified as a small-cap growth company (with a market cap of $1.30B) that is rated to outperform the market over the next six months with a Risk Level of 2 (Less than average). Meridian was founded in 1976 and its principal executive offices are located at Cincinnati, Ohio. VIVO has 396 employees.

    Sector: Healthcare; Industry: Biotechnology & Drug; Ticker: VIVO;  Exch: NASD;  01/25/08 Closing Price: $32.60

     STOCK GRADE (ASG):  52.02  (VERY GOOD)               

    BUSINESS & FINANCIAL SUMMARY; KEY STATS (Yahoo)
    EXPANDED BUSINESS DESCRIPTION (Reuters)
    STOCK INFO/RESEARCH (MSN)
    COMPETITORS
    (CNN Money)
    OWNERSHIP (MSN)
    KEY DEVELOPMENTS (MSN), RECENT NEWS (MSN) & HEADLINES  (Yahoo)
    HISTORICAL PRICES (Yahoo) & PRICE CHART (IQChart)
    RISK LEVEL: 2 (Less than average) (MSN)
    COMPANY'S WEB SITE

    Management's Effectiveness (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Return on Equity:       25.78%
    Profitability (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Profit Margin:       21.10%
    Stock's Growth Record (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Revenue:       13.42%
    . . . EPS:       43.70%
    . . . Price:       67.92%
    . . . Dividend:       42.86%
    PE & EPS (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Price/Earnings:       46.64
    . . . Earnings/Share:          0.70
    Price / Share (Pick Date, Closing Price) . . . Pick Date 01/25/2008:     $32.60

    COMMENT: The stock's pick price (of $32.60) is under the 13- and over the 50-day EMA price range; i.e., lower than
     the 13-day EMA price (of $33.20) and higher than the 50-day EMA (of $31.78) by -1.81% and 2.58% respectively. This suggests that the pick price IS presently timely AND advantageous buy price for the stock.  (Note: A stock's EMA price changes with time).

    . . .    
    Price / Share (13-day EMA) . . . 01/25/2008:      $33.20
    Price / Share (50-day EMA) . . . 01/25/2008:      $31.78
    Price / Share (13-day EMA) . . .         Current:
    Price / Share (50-day EMA) . . .         Current:
    Price / Share (Current) . . . Current Price       Quote
    Price / Share (Historical) . . . Historical Price       Quote

    SPECIAL NOTE:

    1. Meridian reports record fiscal 2007 operating results. (Business Wire; November 14, 2007)
    2. Meridian provides sales and earnings guidance for fiscal 2008. (SmartBrief August 14, 2007).
    3. Meridian's profits surge in 1Q 2008.
    (Cincinnati Enquirer; January 22, 2008)
    4. Discipline, R&D Boost Meridian
    (CNN Money; January 25 2008).
    5. Top stocks of the next 50 yrs. Meridian's among the stocks.
    (Motley Fool; November 24, 2007)

    ^Top page




    February 2008 Stock Picks
    Stock Name SYM Exch. Sector Industry Date Picked Pick Price
    (per share)
    ASG
    Randgold Resources Ltd. ADR    GOLD     NASD     Basic Material   Gold & Silver   02/04/08 $44.19   49.73 (Good)  
    Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers Inc.    RBA     NYSE     Services   Retail (Specialty)   02/08/08 $84.19   52.79 (Very Good)  
    Comp Siderurgica Nacional ADS.    SID     NYSE     Basic Materials   Iron & Steel   02/15/08 $35.33   45.90 (Good)  
    CF Industries Inc.    CF     NYSE     Basic Materials   Chemical Manufacturing   02/22/08 $125.86   48.20 (Good)  
    Compass Minerals International Inc.    CMP     NYSE     Basic Materials   Non-Metallic Mining   02/29/08 $56.92   48.96 (Good)  

         Randgold Resources Ltd. ADR (NASD: GOLD) is engaged in gold mining and exploration that are focused on West and East Africa.  RANDGOLD seeks to discover bulk tonnage gold deposits, either from phased exploration programs or the acquisition of early stage to mature exploration programs. In Mali, RANDGOLD holds interests in the Morila mine. In October 2005 the first gold was poured at RANDGOLD's new Loulo mine, in which RANDGOLD owns an 80% controlling interest, and work has commenced on the development of two underground mines, Yalea and Gara. In addition, RANDGOLD have a feasibility stage project in the neighboring country of Côte d’Ivoire, as well as exploration permits covering additional areas in Mali, Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Ghana and Senegal and exploration licenses in Tanzania.

    The stock's price gained 25.5% over the past 3 months (vs. the Industry's 1.1%); 104.2% over the past 6 months (vs. the  Industry's 66.4%); and 98.2% over the past 12 months (vs. the Industry's 69.8%).
    RANDGOLD is classified as a mi-cap company (with a market cap of $3.08B) that is rated to outperform the market over the next six months with a Risk Level of 3 (Average). RANDGOLD was founded in 1985 and its principal executive offices are located at St. Helier, Jersey, Channel Islands. RANDGOLD has 1,440 employees.

    Sector: Basic Materials; Industry: Gold & Silver; Ticker: GOLD;  Exch: NASD;  02/04/08 Closing Price: $44.19

     STOCK GRADE (ASG):  49.73  (GOOD)               

    BUSINESS & FINANCIAL SUMMARY; KEY STATS (Yahoo)
    EXPANDED BUSINESS DESCRIPTION (Reuters)
    STOCK INFO/RESEARCH (MSN)
    COMPETITORS
    (CNN Money)
    OWNERSHIP (MSN)
    KEY DEVELOPMENTS (MSN), RECENT NEWS (MSN) & HEADLINES  (Yahoo)
    HISTORICAL PRICES (Yahoo) & PRICE CHART (IQChart)
    RISK LEVEL: 3 (Average) (MSN)
    COMPANY'S WEB SITE

    Management's Effectiveness (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Return on Equity:       11.20%
    Profitability (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Profit Margin:       13.30%
    Stock's Growth Record (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Revenue:       81.45%
    . . . EPS:         4.12%
    . . . Price:       98.17%
    . . . Dividend:         NA
    PE & EPS (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Price/Earnings:       79.23
    . . . Earnings/Share:         0.56
    Price / Share (Pick Date, Closing Price) . . . Pick Date 02/04/2008:     $44.`19

    COMMENT: The stock's pick price (of $44.19) is under the 13- and over the 50-day EMA price range; i.e., lower than
     the 13-day EMA price (of $45.38) and higher than the 50-day EMA (of $40.55) by -2.61% and 8.99% respectively. This suggests that the pick price IS presently timely AND advantageous buy price for the stock.  (Note: A stock's EMA price changes with time).

    . . .    
    Price / Share (13-day EMA) . . . 02/02/2008:      $45.38
    Price / Share (50-day EMA) . . . 02/02/2008:      $40.55
    Price / Share (13-day EMA) . . .         Current:
    Price / Share (50-day EMA) . . .         Current:
    Price / Share (Current) . . . Current Price       Quote
    Price / Share (Historical) . . . Historical Price       Quote

    SPECIAL NOTE:

    1. Stocks you wish you'd bought. Randgold is one of those stocks. (Motley Fool; January 18, 2008)
    2. Randgold profits dip, gold to boost 2008 earnings. (Mail&Guardian; February 4, 2008).
    3. Market forces - why investors turns to gold. (The Observer; November 4, 2007).
    4. In overdrive to $1,000 Gold. Randgold is one of the stock's recommended in this environment.
    (Barron's; October 1, 2007)
    5. 
    Gold, platinum leads commodities jump as investors shun stocks. (Bloomberg.com; January 9, 2008)

    ^Top page


      Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers Inc. (NYSE: RBA) is an auctioneer of industrial equipment operating from over 110 locations, including 29 auction sites, in 25 countries around the world. RBA sell, through unreserved public auctions, a broad range of assets, including trucks and equipment used in the construction, transportation, mining, forestry, petroleum, material handling, marine and agricultural industries. RBA customers are primarily end users of equipment (retail buyers), such as contractors, and they also include equipment manufacturers, dealers, brokers and finance companies (wholesale buyers).

    The stock's price gained 11.4% over the past 3 months (vs. the Industry's -24.4%); 34.2% over the past 6 months (vs. the  Industry's 2.6%); and 44.6% over the past 12 months (vs. the Industry's 12.7%).
    RBA is classified as a mid-cap growth company (with a market cap of $2.93B) that is rated to outperform the market over the next six months with a Risk Level of 2 (Less than average). RBA was incorporated in Canada in 1963 and its principal executive offices are located at Richmond, British Columbia. RBA has 907 employees.

    Sector: Services; Industry: Retail (Specialty); Ticker:RBA;  Exch: NYSE;  02/08/08 Closing Price: $84.19

    STOCK GRADE (ASG):  52.79  ( VERY GOOD)               

    BUSINESS & FINANCIAL SUMMARY; KEY STATS (Yahoo)
    EXPANDED BUSINESS DESCRIPTION (Reuters)
    STOCK INFO/RESEARCH (MSN)
    COMPETITORS
    (CNN Money)
    OWNERSHIP (MSN)
    KEY DEVELOPMENTS (MSN), RECENT NEWS (MSN) & HEADLINES  (Yahoo)
    HISTORICAL PRICES (Yahoo) & PRICE CHART (IQChart)
    RISK LEVEL: 2 (Less than average) (MSN)
    COMPANY'S WEB SITE

    Management's Effectiveness (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Return on Equity:        17.47%
    Profitability (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Profit Margin:        22.73%
    Stock's Growth Record (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Revenue:        22.77%
    . . . EPS:          6.42%
    . . . Price:        44.58%
    . . . Dividend:          NA
    PE & EPS (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Price/Earnings:        42.82
    . . . Earnings/Share:          1.97
    Price / Share (Pick Date, Closing Price) . . . Pick Date 02/08/2008:     $84.19

    COMMENT: The stock's pick price (of $84.19) is over the 13- and 50-day EMA price range; i.e., higher than
     the 13-day EMA price (of $81.25) and 50-day EMA (of $78.28) by3.62% and 7.56 respectively. This suggests that the pick price is presently NOT timely NOR advantageous buy price for the stock.  (Note: A stock's EMA price changes with time).

    . . .    
    Price / Share (13-day EMA) . . . 02/08/2008:      $81.25
    Price / Share (50-day EMA) . . . 02/08/2008:      $78.28
    Price / Share (13-day EMA) . . .         Current:
    Price / Share (50-day EMA) . . .         Current:
    Price / Share (Current) . . . Current Price       Quote
    Price / Share (Historical) . . . Historical Price       Quote

    SPECIAL NOTE:

    1. Ritchie Bros. announces record-breaking $3.18B 2007 gross auction proceeds.(Business Wire, December 20, 2007).
    2. Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers results show continued strength with record 9-month performance of $59 million.
    (SmartBrief; October 30, 2007).
    3. Analysts boosts Ritchie Bros. 12-month share target to $80 from $72.
    (Seeking Alpha; November 1, 2007).
    4. Analysts still bullish on Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers.
    (Seeking Alpha; January 6, 2008)
    5. Report names Ritchie Bros. among key investment opportunities in Canada's infrastructure and construction boom. (CNW Group; January 8, 2008).

    ^Top page



           Companhia Siderurgica Nacional ADS (NYSE: SID) is the second largest fully integrated steel producer in Brazil and one of the largest in Latin America in terms of crude steel production. SID's current annual crude steel capacity and rolled product capacity is 5.6 million and 5.1 million tons, respectively. Production of crude steel and rolled steel products decreased in 2006 to 3.5 million and 4.2 million tons, respectively. SID's fully-integrated manufacturing facilities produce a broad line of steel products, including slabs, hot- and cold-rolled, galvanized and tin mill products for the distribution, packaging, automotive, home appliance and construction industries. In 2006, SID accounted for approximately 42.0% of the galvanized steel products sold in Brazil. SID is also one of the world’s leading producers of tin mill products for packaging containers. In 2006, SID accounted for approximately 98% of the tin mill products sold in Brazil.

    The stock's price gained 40.4% over the past 3 months (vs. the Industry's 1.1%); 127.7% over the past 6 months (vs. the  Industry's 171.2%); and 181.4% over the past 12 months (vs. the Industry's 235.9%). SID
    is classified as a large-cap company (with a market cap of $27.19B) that is rated to outperform the market over the next six months with a Risk Level of 3 (Average). SID was incorporated in Brazil in 1941 and its principal executive offices are located at Sao Paulo, Brazil.. SID has 13,659 employees.

    Sector: Basic Material; Industry: Iron & Steel; Ticker:SID;  Exch: NYSE;  02/15/08 Closing Price: $35.33

    STOCK GRADE (ASG):  45.90  (GOOD)               

    BUSINESS & FINANCIAL SUMMARY; KEY STATS (Yahoo)
    EXPANDED BUSINESS DESCRIPTION (Reuters)
    STOCK INFO/RESEARCH (MSN)
    COMPETITORS
    (CNN Money)
    OWNERSHIP (MSN)
    KEY DEVELOPMENTS (MSN), RECENT NEWS (MSN) & HEADLINES  (Yahoo)
    HISTORICAL PRICES (Yahoo) & PRICE CHART (IQChart)
    RISK LEVEL: 3 (Average) (MSN)
    COMPANY'S WEB SITE

    Management's Effectiveness (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Return on Equity:        31.94%
    Profitability (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Profit Margin:        22.70%
    Stock's Growth Record (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Revenue:        50.94%
    . . . EPS:        61.56%
    . . . Price:      181.44%
    . . . Dividend:         -1.11
    PE & EPS (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Price/Earnings:        19.10
    . . . Earnings/Share:          1.85
    Price / Share (Pick Date, Closing Price) . . . Pick Date 02/15/2008:     $35.33

    COMMENT: The stock's pick price (of $35.33) is over the 13- and 50-day EMA price range; i.e., higher than
     the 13-day EMA price (of $32.83) and 50-day EMA (of $29.71) by 7.63% and18.92% respectively. This suggests that the pick price is presently NOT timely NOR advantageous buy price for the stock.  (Note: A stock's EMA price changes with time).

    . . .    
    Price / Share (13-day EMA) . . . 02/15/2008:      $32.83
    Price / Share (50-day EMA) . . . 02/15/2008:      $29.71
    Price / Share (13-day EMA) . . .       Current:
    Price / Share (50-day EMA) . . .       Current:
    Price / Share (Current) . . . Current Price       Quote
    Price / Share (Historical) . . . Historical Price       Quote

    SPECIAL NOTE:

    1. Steel makers bend, but did not break as demand drives prices higher.(Investors Business Daily; February 6, 2008).
    2. Brazil's 7 chemical energy and mining stocks.
    (Seeking Alpha; January 8, 2008).
    3. South America's best stocks.
    (Motley Fool; January 2, 2008).
    4. Brazil's booming mining industry.
    (Forbes; October 11, 2007)

    ^Top page



          CF Industries Inc. (NYSE: CF) is one of the largest manufacturers and distributors of nitrogen and phosphate fertilizer products in North America. CF's operations are organized into two business segments: the nitrogen fertilizer business and the phosphate fertilizer business. CF's principal products in the nitrogen fertilizer business are ammonia, urea and urea ammonium nitrate solution (UAN). CF's principal products in the phosphate fertilizer business are diammonium phosphate (DAP) and monoammonium phosphate (MAP). For the twelve months ended June 30, 2005, CF supplied approximately 24% of the nitrogen and approximately 12% of the phosphate used in agricultural fertilizer applications in the United States. CF's core market and distribution facilities are concentrated in the mid-western U.S. grain-producing states.

    The stock's price gained 53.0% over the past 3 months (vs. the Industry's 103.9%); 99.2% over the past 6 months (vs. the  Industry's 218.2%); and 224.7% over the past 12 months (vs. the Industry's 372.3%). CF
    is classified as a mid-cap growth company (with a market cap of $7.04B) that is rated to outperform the market over the next six months with a Risk Level of 2 (Less than average). CF was founded in 1946 as a fertilizer brokerage operation by a group of regional agricultural cooperatives seeking to pool their purchasing power. CF's principal executive offices are located at Long Grove, Illinois. CF has 1,400 employees.

    Sector: Basic Material; Industry: Chemical Manufacturing; Ticker: CF;  Exch: NYSE;  02/22/08 Closing Price: $125.86

    STOCK GRADE (ASG):  48.20  (GOOD)               

    BUSINESS & FINANCIAL SUMMARY; KEY STATS (Yahoo)
    EXPANDED BUSINESS DESCRIPTION (Reuters)
    STOCK INFO/RESEARCH (MSN)
    COMPETITORS
    (CNN Money)
    OWNERSHIP (MSN)
    KEY DEVELOPMENTS (MSN), RECENT NEWS (MSN) & HEADLINES  (Yahoo)
    HISTORICAL PRICES (Yahoo) & PRICE CHART (IQChart)
    RISK LEVEL: 3 (Average) (MSN)
    COMPANY'S WEB SITE

    Management's Effectiveness (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Return on Equity:        38.15%
    Profitability (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Profit Margin:        13.52%
    Stock's Growth Record (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Revenue:        35.60%
    . . . EPS:      987.63%
    . . . Price:      224.72%
    . . . Dividend:      100.00%
    PE & EPS (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Price/Earnings:        19.15
    . . . Earnings/Share:          6.57
    Price / Share (Pick Date, Closing Price) . . . Pick Date 02/22/2008:     $125.86

    COMMENT: The stock's pick price (of $125.86) is over the 13- and 50-day EMA price range; i.e., higher than
     the 13-day EMA price (of $117.69) and 50-day EMA (of $107.13) by 6.94% and 17.49% respectively. This suggests that the pick price is presently NOT timely NOR advantageous buy price for the stock.  (Note: A stock's EMA price changes with time).

    . . .    
    Price / Share (13-day EMA) . . . 02/22/2008:      $117.69
    Price / Share (50-day EMA) . . . 02/22/2008:      $107.13
    Price / Share (13-day EMA) . . .         Current:
    Price / Share (50-day EMA) . . .         Current:
    Price / Share (Current) . . . Current Price       Quote
    Price / Share (Historical) . . . Historical Price       Quote

    SPECIAL NOTE:

    1. Growth areas: Seeds and fertilizers. (U.S. News & World Report; January 24, 2008).
    2. CF Industries reports best-ever net income for 4th quarter 2007. (Business Wire; February 7, 2008).
    3. Four sectors that defied the February sell-off, should outperform the market.
    (The Street.com; February 11, 2008).
    4. Agri suppliers - 2008's standout high growth industries. (Zacks.com; February 19 2008).
    5.
    Potash CEO says "crop boom just beginning", fertilizer makers gain. (Bloomberg.com; February 24, 2008).

    ^Top page



         Compass Minerals International Inc. (NYSE: CMP) is the second-leading salt producer in North America and the largest in the United Kingdom. CMP currently operate 10 production and packaging facilities, including the largest rock salt mine in the world in Ontario and the largest salt mine in the United Kingdom. Our product lines include salt, consisting of sodium chloride and magnesium chloride, which is used for highway deicing, dust control, consumer deicing, water conditioning, consumer and industrial food preparation, agriculture and industrial applications. In addition, CMP is North America’s leading producer of sulfate of potash "SOP"), which is used in the production of specialty fertilizers for high-value crops and turf. CMP's North American salt mines and SOP production facility are near either water or rail transport systems, which reduces our shipping and handling costs. 

    The stock's price gained 55.0% over the past 3 months (vs. the Industry's 98.4%); 67.1% over the past 6 months (vs. the  Industry's 287.0%); and 74.5% over the past 12 months (vs. the Industry's 555.6%).
    CMP is classified as a mid-cap growth company (with a market cap of $1.84B) that is rated to outperform the market over the next six months with a Risk Level of 2 (Less than average). CMP became a standalone entity on 2001 through a leveraged recapitalization through which Apollo Management V, L.P. acquired control of the Company.  CMP principal executive offices are located at Overland Park, Kansas. CMP has 1,588 employees.

    Sector: Basic Material; Industry: Non-Metallic Mining; Ticker: CMP;  Exch: NYSE;  02/29/08 Closing Price: $56.92

    STOCK GRADE (ASG):  48.96  (GOOD)               

    BUSINESS & FINANCIAL SUMMARY; KEY STATS (Yahoo)
    EXPANDED BUSINESS DESCRIPTION (Reuters)
    STOCK INFO/RESEARCH (MSN)
    COMPETITORS
    (CNN Money)
    OWNERSHIP (MSN)
    KEY DEVELOPMENTS (MSN), RECENT NEWS (MSN) & HEADLINES  (Yahoo)
    HISTORICAL PRICES (Yahoo) & PRICE CHART (IQChart)
    RISK LEVEL: 2 (Less than average) (MSN)
    COMPANY'S WEB SITE

    Management's Effectiveness (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Return on Equity:          NA
    Profitability (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Profit Margin:          9.33%
    Stock's Growth Record (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Revenue:        29.76%
    . . . EPS:        43.96%
    . . . Price:        74.49%
    . . . Dividend:          4.92%
    PE & EPS (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Price/Earnings:        23.43
    . . . Earnings/Share:          2.43
    Price / Share (Pick Date, Closing Price) . . . Pick Date 02/29/2008:     $56.92

    COMMENT: The stock's pick price (of $56.92) is over the 13- and 50-day EMA price range; i.e., higher than
     the 13-day EMA price (of $54.65) and 50-day EMA (of $46.80) by 4.14% and 22.14% respectively. This suggests that the pick price is presently NOT timely NOR advantageous buy price for the stock.  (Note: A stock's EMA price changes with time).

    . . .    
    Price / Share (13-day EMA) . . . 02/29/2008:      $54.65
    Price / Share (50-day EMA) . . . 02/29/2008:      $46.60
    Price / Share (13-day EMA) . . .         Current:
    Price / Share (50-day EMA) . . .         Current:
    Price / Share (Current) . . . Current Price       Quote
    Price / Share (Historical) . . . Historical Price       Quote

    SPECIAL NOTE:

    1. Compass Minerals reports record full-year sales, earnings and cash flow (MSN Money; February 11, 2008).
    2. A stock for all season. (Motley Fool; February 13, 2008).
    3. A cold, icy winter translates into a hot year for salt miner's profits.
    (Investors Business Daily; February 23, 2008).

    ^Top page



    March 2008 Stock Picks
    Stock Name SYM Exch. Sector Industry Date Picked Pick Price
    (per share)
    ASG
    Comp De Minas Buenaventura S.A. Ads    BVN     NYSE     Basic Materials   Gold & Silver   03/07/08 $75.77   47.43 (Good)  
    Mechel Steel Group OAO    MTL     NYSE     Basic Materials   Iron & Steel   03/14/08 $137.24   48.20 (Good)  

        Comp De Minas Buenaventura S.A. Ads (NYSE: BVN) is Peru's largest publicly-traded precious metals company, and is engaged in the exploration, mining and processing of gold, silver and, to a lesser extent, other metals, in Peru. BVN currently operate the Julcani, Recuperada, Orcopampa, Uchucchacua, Antapite and Ishihuinca mines and have controlling interests in two other mining companies which operate the Colquijirca, and Shila-Paula mines. BVN also own an electric power transmission company and an engineering services consulting company and have minority interests in several other mining companies, including a significant ownership interest in Yanacocha, a Peruvian partnership that operates South America's largest gold mine, and Cerro Verde, a Peruvian company that operates a copper mine located in the south of Peru.

    The stock's price gained 37.3% over the past 3 months (vs. the Industry's 45.6%); 78.7% over the past 6 months (vs. the  Industry's 94.2%); and 178.0% over the past 12 months (vs. the Industry's 137.3%). BVN is classified as a mid-cap growth company (with a market cap of $14.45B) that is rated to outperform the market over the next six months with a Risk Level of 2 (Less than average). BVN was originally established in 1953.  BVN's registered office is located at Lima Peru.
    BVN has 2,487 employees.

    Sector: Basic Material; Industry: Gold & Silver; Ticker: BVN;  Exch: NYSE;  03/07/08 Closing Price: $75.77

    STOCK GRADE (ASG):  47.43  (GOOD)               

    BUSINESS & FINANCIAL SUMMARY; KEY STATS (Yahoo)
    EXPANDED BUSINESS DESCRIPTION (Reuters)
    STOCK INFO/RESEARCH (MSN)
    COMPETITORS
    (CNN Money)
    OWNERSHIP (MSN)
    KEY DEVELOPMENTS (MSN), RECENT NEWS (MSN) & HEADLINES  (Yahoo)
    HISTORICAL PRICES (Yahoo) & PRICE CHART (IQChart)
    RISK LEVEL: 2 (Less than average) (MSN)
    COMPANY'S WEB SITE

    Management's Effectiveness (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Return on Equity:        28.45%
    Profitability (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Profit Margin:        13.77%
    Stock's Growth Record (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Revenue:        77.80%
    . . . EPS:        44.73%
    . . . Price:      177.95%
    . . . Dividend:       68.45%
    PE & EPS (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Price/Earnings:       15.94
    . . . Earnings/Share:         6.53
    Price / Share (Pick Date, Closing Price) . . . Pick Date 03/07/2008:     $75.77

    COMMENT: The stock's pick price (of $75.77) is over the 13- and 50-day EMA price range; i.e., higher than  the 13-day EMA price (of $74.73) and 50-day EMA (of $67.81) by 1.40% and 11.75% respectively. This suggests that the pick price is presently NOT timely NOR advantageous buy price for the stock.  (Note: A stock's EMA price changes with time).

    . . .    
    Price / Share (13-day EMA) . . . 03/07/2008:      $74.73
    Price / Share (50-day EMA) . . . 03/07/2008:      $67.81
    Price / Share (13-day EMA) . . .         Current:
    Price / Share (50-day EMA) . . .         Current:
    Price / Share (Current) . . . Current Price       Quote
    Price / Share (Historical) . . . Historical Price       Quote

    SPECIAL NOTE:



        Mechel Steel Group OAO (NYSE: MTL) is a low-cost integrated mining and steel group with revenues of $4.4 billion in 2006. MTL's steel business comprises the production and sale of semi-finished steel products, carbon and specialty long products, carbon and stainless flat products and value-added downstream metal products including hardware, stampings and forgings. It also produces significant amounts of coke, both for internal use and for sales to third parties. MTL is the largest and most comprehensive producer of specialty steels and alloys in Russia, producing 39% of total Russian specialty steel output in 2006. MTL is also the third largest producer in Russia of long products.

    The stock's price gained 47.7% over the past 3 months (vs. the Industry's 35.8%); 190.6% over the past 6 months (vs. the  Industry's 143.5%); and 344.7% over the past 12 months (vs. the Industry's 372.5%).
    MTL is classified as a large-cap growth company (with a market cap of $19.04B) that is rated to outperform the market over the next six months with a Risk Level of 3 (Average). MTL was incorporated on 2003, under the laws of the Russian Federation. MTL's principal executive offices are located at Moscow, Russian Federation. MTL has 76,566 employees.

    Sector: Basic Material; Industry: Iron & Steel; Ticker: MTL;  Exch: NYSE;  03/14/08 Closing Price: $137.24

    STOCK GRADE (ASG):  48.20  (GOOD)               

    BUSINESS & FINANCIAL SUMMARY; KEY STATS (Yahoo)
    EXPANDED BUSINESS DESCRIPTION (Reuters)
    STOCK INFO/RESEARCH (MSN)
    COMPETITORS
    (CNN Money)
    OWNERSHIP (MSN)
    KEY DEVELOPMENTS (MSN), RECENT NEWS (MSN) & HEADLINES  (Yahoo)
    HISTORICAL PRICES (Yahoo) & PRICE CHART (IQChart)
    RISK LEVEL: 3 (Average) (MSN)
    COMPANY'S WEB SITE

    Management's Effectiveness (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Return on Equity:        31.76%
    Profitability (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Profit Margin:        15.88%
    Stock's Growth Record (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Revenue:        15.58%
    . . . EPS:        55.38%
    . . . Price:      326.02%
    . . . Dividend:        -4.17%
    PE & EPS (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Price/Earnings:       20.32
    . . . Earnings/Share:         6.75
    Price / Share (Pick Date, Closing Price) . . . Pick Date 03/14/2008:     $137.24

    COMMENT: The stock's pick price (of $137.24) is over the 13- and 50-day EMA price range; i.e., higher than
     the 13-day EMA price (of $132.21) and 50-day EMA (of $114.02) by 3.80% and 20.36% respectively. This suggests that the pick price is presently NOT timely NOR advantageous buy price for the stock.  (Note: A stock's EMA price changes with time).

    . . .    
    Price / Share (13-day EMA) . . . 03/14/2008:      $132.21
    Price / Share (50-day EMA) . . . 03/14/2008:      $114.02
    Price / Share (13-day EMA) . . .         Current:
    Price / Share (50-day EMA) . . .         Current:
    Price / Share (Current) . . . Current Price       Quote
    Price / Share (Historical) . . . Historical Price       Quote

    SPECIAL NOTE:

    1. Mechel 9-months net rises 89.7%, revenue up 47.9%. (Forbes; December 11, 2007)
    2. From Russia with love and plenty of pit. (Seeking Alpha; Decmber 26, 2007)
    3. Best Stocks for 2008: Mining for value at Russia's Mechel.
    (BloggingStocks; December 28, 2007)
    4. Compelling opportunities for investors in Emerging Markets. (Barrons; March 10, 2008).

    ^Top page




    April 2008 Stock Picks
    Stock Name SYM Exch. Sector Industry Date Picked Pick Price
    (per share)
    ASG
    Perrigo Co   PRGO     NASD     Healthcare   Biotechnology & Drugs  04/04/08 $39.48   45.90 (Good)  
    Consol Energy Inc   CNX     NYSE     Energy   Coal 04/11/08 $75.63   47.43 (Good)  
    Apache Corp  APA     NYSE     Energy   Oil & Gas Operations 04/18/08 $142.51   55.08 (Very Good)  
    Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.   CLF     NYSE     Basic Materials   Metal Mining 04/25/08 $162.32   48.96 (Good)  

      Perrigo Co. (NASD: PRGO) is a global healthcare supplier that develops, manufactures and distributes over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription pharmaceuticals, nutritional products, active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) and consumer products. The Company is the world's largest manufacturer of OTC pharmaceutical products for the store brand market. The Company's primary markets and locations of manufacturing and logistics operations are the United States, Israel, Mexico and the United Kingdom. Company has three reportable segments, aligned primarily by product: Consumer Healthcare, Prescription (Rx) Pharmaceuticals and API.

    The stock's price gained 19.5% over the past 3 months (vs. the Industry's 37.2%); 84.4% over the past 6 months (vs. the  Industry's 13.8%); and 116.7% over the past 12 months (vs. the Industry's 14.2%). The Company is classified as a mid-cap growth company (with a market cap of $3.67B) that is rated to outperform the market over the next six months with a Risk Level of 2 (Less than average). The Company was established on 1887, and its principal executive offices are located at Allegan, Michigan.
    The Company has 6,200 employees.

    Sector: Healthcare; Industry: Biotechnology & Drugs; Ticker: PRGO;  Exch: NASD;  04/04/08 Closing Price: $39.48

    STOCK GRADE (ASG):  45.90  (GOOD)               

    BUSINESS & FINANCIAL SUMMARY; KEY STATS (Yahoo)
    EXPANDED BUSINESS DESCRIPTION (Reuters)
    STOCK INFO/RESEARCH (MSN)
    COMPETITORS
    (CNN Money)
    OWNERSHIP (MSN)
    KEY DEVELOPMENTS (MSN), RECENT NEWS (MSN) & HEADLINES  (Yahoo)
    HISTORICAL PRICES (Yahoo) & PRICE CHART (IQChart)
    RISK LEVEL: 2 (Less than average) (MSN)
    COMPANY'S WEB SITE

    Management's Effectiveness (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Return on Equity:        13.81%
    Profitability (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Profit Margin:          6.70%
    Stock's Growth Record (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Revenue:          5.90%
    . . . EPS:          3.69%
    . . . Price:      116.68%
    . . . Dividend:          5.95%
    PE & EPS (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Price/Earnings:       35.86
    . . . Earnings/Share:         1.10
    Price / Share (Pick Date, Closing Price) . . . Pick Date 04/04/2008:     $39.48

    COMMENT: The stock's pick price (of $39.48) is over the 13- and 50-day EMA price range; i.e., higher than
     the 13-day EMA price (of $37.88) and 50-day EMA (of $35.37) by 4.22% and 11.63% respectively. This suggests that the pick price is presently NOT timely NOR advantageous buy price for the stock.  (Note: A stock's EMA price changes with time).

    . . .    
    Price / Share (13-day EMA) . . . 04/04/2008:      $37.88
    Price / Share (50-day EMA) . . . 04/04/2008:      $35.37
    Price / Share (13-day EMA) . . .         Current:
    Price / Share (50-day EMA) . . .         Current:
    Price / Share (Current) . . . Current Price       Quote
    Price / Share (Historical) . . . Historical Price       Quote

    SPECIAL NOTE:

    1. Perrigo's second quarter profits jumps 63% to $34M. (Business Review; March 13, 2008)
    2. Perrigo catching a ride on a new $15B generic RX market. (Detroit News; February 8 2008)

    ^Top page



      Consol Energy Inc. (NYSE: CNX)
    is a multi-fuel energy producer and energy services provider primarily serving the electric power generation industry in the United States. That industry generates approximately two-thirds of its output by burning coal or gas, the two fuels produced by Consol. Consol has two principal business units: Coal and Gas. The principal activities of the Coal unit are mining, preparation and marketing of steam coal, sold primarily to power generators, and metallurgical coal, sold to metal and coke producers. During the year ended December 31, 2006, Consol produced high-Btu bituminous coal from 17 mining complexes in the United States. Coal produced from Consol's mines has a high-Btu content which creates more energy per unit when burned compared to coals with lower Btu content. As a result, coals with greater Btu content can be more efficient to use. Consol is the majority shareholder (81.5%) of CNX Gas Corporation. CNX Gas produces pipeline-quality coalbed methane gas from its coal properties in Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia and oil and gas from properties in Tennessee and Virginia. Consol projects that the use of coal and gas to generate electricity will grow as demand for power increases.

    The stock's price gained 15.9% over the past 3 months (vs. the Industry's 53.5%); 50.2% over the past 6 months (vs. the  Industry's -19.1%); and 7.8% over the past 12 months (vs. the Industry's 162.5%). The Company is classified as a large-cap growth company (with a market cap of $14.22B) that is rated to outperform the market over the next six months with a Risk Level of 2 (Less than average). The Company was organized on 1991, and its principal executive offices are located at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.
    The Company has 7,728 employees.

    Sector: Energy; Industry: Coal; Ticker: CNX;  Exch: NYSE;  04/11/08 Closing Price: $75.63

    STOCK GRADE (ASG):  47.43  (GOOD)               

    BUSINESS & FINANCIAL SUMMARY; KEY STATS (Yahoo)
    EXPANDED BUSINESS DESCRIPTION (Reuters)
    STOCK INFO/RESEARCH (MSN)
    COMPETITORS
    (CNN Money)
    OWNERSHIP (MSN)
    KEY DEVELOPMENTS (MSN), RECENT NEWS (MSN) & HEADLINES  (Yahoo)
    HISTORICAL PRICES (Yahoo) & PRICE CHART (IQChart)
    RISK LEVEL: 2 (Less than average) (MSN)
    COMPANY'S WEB SITE

    Management's Effectiveness (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Return on Equity:        23.48%
    Profitability (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Profit Margin:          7.51%
    Stock's Growth Record (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Revenue:          1.27%
    . . . EPS:      -33.98%
    . . . Price:       77.83%
    . . . Dividend:       10.71%
    PE & EPS (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Price/Earnings:       53.60
    . . . Earnings/Share:         1.45
    Price / Share (Pick Date, Closing Price) . . . Pick Date 04/11/2008:     $75.63

    COMMENT: The stock's pick price (of $75.63) is over the 13- and 50-day EMA price range; i.e., higher than
     the 13-day EMA price (of $73.93) and 50-day EMA (of $71.86) by 5.59% and 8.63% respectively. This suggests that the pick price is presently NOT timely NOR advantageous buy price for the stock.  (Note: A stock's EMA price changes with time).

    . . .    
    Price / Share (13-day EMA) . . . 04/11/2008:      $73.93
    Price / Share (50-day EMA) . . . 04/11/2008:      $71.86
    Price / Share (13-day EMA) . . .         Current:
    Price / Share (50-day EMA) . . .         Current:
    Price / Share (Current) . . . Current Price       Quote
    Price / Share (Historical) . . . Historical Price       Quote

    SPECIAL NOTE:

    1. Coal miners' rating upgraded. (Seeking Alpha; March 28, 2008)
    2. Standout stocks in mining and metals. (Forbes; March 15, 2008)
    3. Large-cap winners and losers in 2007. (Forbes; January 3, 2008)
    4. Coal: More than a black rock.. (Seeking Alpha; May 22,2007)
    5. Consul Energy is an ACE'S re-pick: It was one of ACE'S picks for July 2005.

    ^Top page


       Apache Corp. (NYSE: APA) is an independent energy company that explores for, develops and produces natural gas, crude oil and natural gas liquids. In North America, Apache's exploration and production interests are focused in the Gulf of Mexico, the Gulf Coast, East Texas, the Permian basin, the Anadarko basin and the Western Sedimentary basin of Canada. Outside of North America, Apache have exploration and production interests onshore Egypt, offshore Western Australia, offshore the United Kingdom in the North Sea, and onshore Argentina. Apache's  future growth in the United States is more likely to be achieved through a combination of drilling and acquisitions, rather than through drilling activity alone.

    The stock's price gained 48.7% over the past 3 months (vs. the Industry's 102.4%); 52.7% over the past 6 months (vs. the  Industry's 77.6%); and 92.5% over the past 12 months (vs. the Industry's 208.9%). The Company is classified as a large-cap growth company (with a market cap of $47.45) that is rated to outperform the market over the next six months with a Risk Level of 3 (average). The Company was formed on 1954, and its principal executive offices are located at Houston, Texas. The Company has 3,521 employees.

    Sector: Energy; Industry: Oil & Gas Operations; Ticker: APA;  Exch: NYSE;  04/18/08 Closing Price: $142.51

    STOCK GRADE (ASG):  55.08  (VERY GOOD)               

    BUSINESS & FINANCIAL SUMMARY; KEY STATS (Yahoo)
    EXPANDED BUSINESS DESCRIPTION (Reuters)
    STOCK INFO/RESEARCH (MSN)
    COMPETITORS
    (CNN Money)
    OWNERSHIP (MSN)
    KEY DEVELOPMENTS (MSN), RECENT NEWS (MSN) & HEADLINES  (Yahoo)
    HISTORICAL PRICES (Yahoo) & PRICE CHART (IQChart)
    RISK LEVEL: 3 (Average) (MSN)
    COMPANY'S WEB SITE

    Management's Effectiveness (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Return on Equity:        19.69%
    Profitability (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Profit Margin:        28.21%
    Stock's Growth Record (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Revenue:        20.38%
    . . . EPS:          9.75%
    . . . Price:       92.50%
    . . . Dividend:       20.00%
    PE & EPS (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Price/Earnings:       16.99
    . . . Earnings/Share:         8.39
    Price / Share (Pick Date, Closing Price) . . . Pick Date 04/18/2008:     $142.51

    COMMENT: The stock's pick price (of $142.51) is over the 13- and 50-day EMA price range; i.e., higher than
     the 13-day EMA price (of $133.35) and 50-day EMA (of $120.25) by 6.81% and 18.51% respectively. This suggests that the pick price is presently NOT timely NOR advantageous buy price for the stock.  (Note: A stock's EMA price changes with time).

    . . .    
    Price / Share (13-day EMA) . . . 04/18/2008:      $133.35
    Price / Share (50-day EMA) . . . 04/18/2008:      $120.25
    Price / Share (13-day EMA) . . .         Current:
    Price / Share (50-day EMA) . . .         Current:
    Price / Share (Current) . . . Current Price       Quote
    Price / Share (Historical) . . . Historical Price       Quote

    SPECIAL NOTE:

    1. The energy sector's gains outpace broad market. (MarketWatch; April 7, 2008)
    2. Thriving on the crude's surge. (Forbes; April 1, 2008)
    3. Top five large-cap stocks. (TheStreet.com; March 19, 2008)
    4. Apache doubles its 2007 4th quarter earnings. (SmartBriefs; February 8, 2008)

    ^Top page


        Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. (NYSE: CLF) is the largest producer of iron ore pellets in North America. The Company sell substantially all of its pellets to integrated steel companies in the United States and Canada. Through a majority acquisition of Portman, an iron ore mining company in Australia, the Company increased its customer base in China and Japan and established a presence in the Australian mining industry. The  Company is organized into two operating and reporting segments: North America and Australia. The North America segment is comprised of the mining operations in the United States and Canada. The Australia segment is comprised of our 80.4 percent Portman interest in Western Australia.

    The stock's price gained 70.5% over the past 3 months (vs. the Industry's 146.3%); 65.3% over the past 6 months (vs. the  Industry's 80.6%); and 135.3% over the past 12 months (vs. the Industry's 362.4). The Company is classified as a mid-cap growth company (with a market cap of $7.38B) that is rated to outperform the market over the next six months with a Risk Level of 3 (average). The Company was founded on 18.47, and its principal executive offices are located at Cleveland, Ohio.
    The Company has 5,298 employees.

    Sector: Basic Materials; Industry: Metal Mining; Ticker: CLF;  Exch: NYSE;  04/25/08 Closing Price: $163.32

    STOCK GRADE (ASG):  48.96  (GOOD)               

    BUSINESS & FINANCIAL SUMMARY; KEY STATS (Yahoo)
    EXPANDED BUSINESS DESCRIPTION (Reuters)
    STOCK INFO/RESEARCH (MSN)
    COMPETITORS
    (CNN Money)
    OWNERSHIP (MSN)
    KEY DEVELOPMENTS (MSN), RECENT NEWS (MSN) & HEADLINES  (Yahoo)
    HISTORICAL PRICES (Yahoo) & PRICE CHART (IQChart)
    RISK LEVEL: 3 (Average) (MSN)
    COMPANY'S WEB SITE

     
    Management's Effectiveness (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Return on Equity:        24.35%
    Profitability (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Profit Margin:        11.87%
    Stock's Growth Record (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Revenue:        18.40%
    . . . EPS:          5.14%
    . . . Price:      135.30%
    . . . Dividend:          5.26%
    PE & EPS (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Price/Earnings:       16.99
    . . . Earnings/Share:       31.76
    Price / Share (Pick Date, Closing Price) . . . Pick Date 04/25/2008:     $163.32

    COMMENT: The stock's pick price (of $163.32) is over the 13- and 50-day EMA price range; i.e., higher than
     the 13-day EMA price (of $153.64) and 50-day EMA (of $132.59) by 6.30% and 23.17% respectively. This suggests that the pick price is presently NOT timely NOR advantageous buy price for the stock.  (Note: A stock's EMA price changes with time).

    . . .    
    Price / Share (13-day EMA) . . . 04/25/2008:      $153.64
    Price / Share (50-day EMA) . . . 04/25/2008:      $132.59
    Price / Share (13-day EMA) . . .         Current:
    Price / Share (50-day EMA) . . .         Current:
    Price / Share (Current) . . . Current Price       Quote
    Price / Share (Historical) . . . Historical Price       Quote

    SPECIAL NOTE:

    1. Cleveland Cliffs rocks. (Schaeffer's Research; April 23, 2008)
    2. Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. reports 4th-quarter and full-year 2007 results. (Business Wire; February 21, 2008)
    3. Cleveland-Cliffs' mining is shining. (SeekingAlpha; October 19, 2007)

    ^Top page


    May 2008 Stock Picks
    Stock Name SYM Exch. Sector Industry Date Picked Pick Price
    (per share)
    ASG
    EOG Resources Inc.    EOG     NYSE     Energy   Oil & Gas Operations   05/02/08 $127.75   54.32 (Very Good)  
    Darling International Inc.    DAR     AMEX     Consumer/Non-Cyclical   Food Processing   05/09/08 $16.18   45.90 (Good)  
    Agrium Inc.    AGU     NYSE     Basic Materials   Chemical Manufacturing   05/16/08 $16.18   50.49 (Very Good)  
    Bucyrus International Inc.    BUCY     NASD     Capital Goods   Construction & Agricultural Machinery   05/23/08 $132.16   51.26 (Very Good)  
    Southwestern Energy Co.    SWN     NYSE    Energy   Oil & Gas Operations  05/30/08 $44.34   48.20 (Good)  

           EOG Resources Inc. (NYSE: EOG)  is one of the largest independent (non-integrated) oil and natural gas companies in the United States.  EOG  explores for, develops, produces and markets natural gas and crude oil in major producing basins in the United States, Canada, offshore Trinidad, the United Kingdom North Sea and select other international areas. As of December 31, 2006, EOG's total estimated net proved reserves were 6,802 billion cubic feet equivalent (Bcfe), of which 6,095 billion cubic feet (Bcf) were natural gas reserves and 118 million barrels (MMBbl), or 707 Bcfe, were crude oil, condensate and natural gas liquids reserves. On the same latter date, approximately 60% of  EOG's reserves (on a natural gas equivalent basis) were located in the United States, 20% in Canada and 20% in Trinidad.

     The stock's price gained 51.0% over the past 3 months (vs. the Industry's 93.7%); 49.3% over the past 6 months (vs. the  Industry's 50.5%); and 74.8% over the past 12 months (vs. the Industry's 198.6%). The Company is classified as a large-cap growth company (with a market cap of $31.71B) that is rated to outperform the market over the next six months with a Risk Level of 2 (Less than average). The Company was organized on 1985, and its principal executive offices are located at Houston texas.
    The Company has 1800 employees.

    Sector: Energy; Industry: Oil & Gas OPerations; Ticker: EOG;  Exch: NYSE;  05/02/08 Closing Price: $127.75

    STOCK GRADE (ASG):  54.32  (VERY GOOD)               

    BUSINESS & FINANCIAL SUMMARY; KEY STATS (Yahoo)
    EXPANDED BUSINESS DESCRIPTION (Reuters)
    STOCK INFO/RESEARCH (MSN)
    COMPETITORS
    (CNN Money)
    OWNERSHIP (MSN)
    KEY DEVELOPMENTS (MSN), RECENT NEWS (MSN) & HEADLINES  (Yahoo)
    HISTORICAL PRICES (Yahoo) & PRICE CHART (IQChart)
    RISK LEVEL: 2 (Less than average) (MSN)
    COMPANY'S WEB SITE

    Management's Effectiveness (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Return on Equity:        17.31%
    Profitability (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Profit Margin:        26.99%
    Stock's Growth Record (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Revenue:         7.11%
    . . . EPS:      -16.48%
    . . . Price:       82.21%
    . . . Dividend:       50.00%
    PE & EPS (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Price/Earnings:       29.35
    . . . Earnings/Share:         4.37
    Price / Share (Pick Date, Closing Price) . . . Pick Date 05/02/2008:     $127.75

    COMMENT: The stock's pick price (of $127.75) is under the 13- and over the 50-day EMA price range; i.e., lower than
     the 13-day EMA price (of $130.55) and higher than the  50-day EMA (of $121.78) by -2.14% and 4.90% respectively. This suggests that the pick price IS presently timely AND advantageous buy price for the stock.  (Note: A stock's EMA price changes with time).

    . . .    
    Price / Share (13-day EMA) . . . 05/02/2008:      $130.55
    Price / Share (50-day EMA) . . . 05/02/2008:      $121.78
    Price / Share (13-day EMA) . . .         Current:
    Price / Share (50-day EMA) . . .         Current:
    Price / Share (Current) . . . Current Price       Quote
    Price / Share (Historical) . . . Historical Price       Quote

    SPECIAL NOTE:

    1. Amex Natural Gas Index hits all-time high. (MarketWatch; February 28, 2008)
    2. EOG expects 36% production growth in North Dakota. (SmartBrief; February 21, 2008)
    3. EOG strikes oil.
    (Forbes; February 2, 2008)
    4. EOG Resources  is an ACE'S re-pick: EOG was one of ACE'S picks for December 2000. As of May 2, 2008, the stock had a 7.33-year gain of 425% (or about 57.99% annually). NOTE: Stocks historical prices were based on Yahoo Finance's price table.

    ^Top page



        Darling International Inc. (AMEX: DAR)  is a leading provider of rendering, recycling and recovery solutions to the nation’s food industry. The Company collects and recycles animal by-products and used cooking oil from food service establishments and provides grease trap cleaning services to many of the same establishments. The Company processes raw materials at 39 facilities located throughout the United States into finished products such as protein (primarily meat and bone meal), tallow (primarily bleachable fancy tallow), yellow grease and hides. The Company sells these products nationally and internationally, primarily to producers of oleo-chemicals, bio-fuels, soaps, pet foods, leather goods and livestock feed for use as ingredients in their products or for further processing.

    The stock's price gained 32.8% over the past 3 months (vs. the Industry's -4.4%); 62.3% over the past 6 months (vs. the  Industry's -2.1%); and 95.9% over the past 12 months (vs. the Industry's 21.6%). The Company is classified as a mid-cap growth company (with a market cap of $1.32B) that is rated to outperform the market over the next six months with a Risk Level of 3 (Average). The Company was incorporated in Delaware in 1962 under the name “Darling-Delaware Company, Inc.”. The Company's principal executive offices are located at Irving, Texas.
    The Company has 1880 employees.

    Sector: Consumer/Non-Cyclical; Industry: Food Processing; Ticker: DAR;  Exch: AMEX;  05/09/08 Closing Price: $16.18

    STOCK GRADE (ASG):  45.90  (GOOD)               

    BUSINESS & FINANCIAL SUMMARY; KEY STATS (Yahoo)
    EXPANDED BUSINESS DESCRIPTION (Reuters)
    STOCK INFO/RESEARCH (MSN)
    COMPETITORS
    (CNN Money)
    OWNERSHIP (MSN)
    KEY DEVELOPMENTS (MSN), RECENT NEWS (MSN) & HEADLINES  (Yahoo)
    HISTORICAL PRICES (Yahoo) & PRICE CHART (IQChart)
    RISK LEVEL: 3 (Average) (MSN)
    COMPANY'S WEB SITE

    Management's Effectiveness (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Return on Equity:       25.85%
    Profitability (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Profit Margin:         7.06%
    Stock's Growth Record (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Revenue:       58.56%
    . . . EPS:     719.32%
    . . . Price:     101.96%
    . . . Dividend:         NA
    PE & EPS (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Price/Earnings:       29.10
    . . . Earnings/Share:         0.56
    Price / Share (Pick Date, Closing Price) . . . Pick Date 05/09/2008:     $16.18

    COMMENT: The stock's pick price (of $16.18) is over 13- and over the 50-day EMA price range; i.e., higher than
     the 13-day EMA price (of $15.51) and higher than the  50-day EMA (of $14.22) by 15.52% and 14.22% respectively. This suggests that the pick price is presently NOT timely NOR advantageous buy price for the stock.  (Note: A stock's EMA price changes with time).

    . . .    
    Price / Share (13-day EMA) . . . 05/09/2008:      $15.51
    Price / Share (50-day EMA) . . . 05/09/2008:      $14.22
    Price / Share (13-day EMA) . . .         Current:
    Price / Share (50-day EMA) . . .         Current:
    Price / Share (Current) . . . Current Price       Quote
    Price / Share (Historical) . . . Historical Price       Quote

    SPECIAL NOTE:

    1. Darling International Inc. have record results in Fiscal Year 2007. (Smartbrief; February 27, 2008)
    2. Technical trading alert: Darling International Inc. (StockProfit.com; February 4, 2008)

    ^Top page



        Agrium Inc. (NYSE: AGU)  
    is a global producer and marketer of agricultural nutrients and industrial products and a major retail supplier of agriculture products and services in both North America and Argentina. The Company is one of the top two nitrogen producers in the world with approximately three percent of the nitrogen market. The Company produces a full range of fertilizers. Nitrogen-based fertilizers are produced in Alberta, Canada at five plants. Sulphur and phosphate-based fertilizers are also produced which utilizes phosphate ore from Agrium’s phosphate mine located at Ontario. In the United States, the Company owns and operates five nitrogen-based fertilizer production plants at Nebraska, Texas, Alaska, Washington and California and one phosphate-based fertilizer production facility at Idaho.

    The stock's price gained 37.3% over the past 3 months (vs. the Industry's 91.5%); 60.7% over the past 6 months (vs. the  Industry's255.6%); and 134.4% over the past 12 months (vs. the Industry's 705.4%). The Company is classified as a large-cap growth company (with a market cap of $14.16B) that is rated to outperform the market over the next six months with a Risk Level of 3 (Average). The Company was formed in 1993 from the reorganization of the fertilizer division of Cominco Ltd. and the acquisition of the fertilizer assets of Alberta Energy Company Ltd. The Company's principal executive offices are located at Alberta, Calgary.
    The Company has 6,618 employees.

    Sector: Basic Materials; Industry: Chemical Manufacturing; Ticker: AGU;  Exch: NYSE;  05/16/08 Closing Price: $89.64

    STOCK GRADE (ASG):  50.49  (VERY GOOD)               

    BUSINESS & FINANCIAL SUMMARY; KEY STATS (Yahoo)
    EXPANDED BUSINESS DESCRIPTION (Reuters)
    STOCK INFO/RESEARCH (MSN)
    COMPETITORS
    (CNN Money)
    OWNERSHIP (MSN)
    KEY DEVELOPMENTS (MSN), RECENT NEWS (MSN) & HEADLINES  (Yahoo)
    HISTORICAL PRICES (Yahoo) & PRICE CHART (IQChart)
    RISK LEVEL: 3 (Average) (MSN)
    COMPANY'S WEB SITE

    Management's Effectiveness (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Return on Equity:       28.53%
    Profitability (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Profit Margin:       11.65%
    Stock's Growth Record (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Revenue:       25.69%
    . . . EPS:     891.91%
    . . . Price:     134.41%
    . . . Dividend:         NA
    PE & EPS (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Price/Earnings:       19.61
    . . . Earnings/Share:         4.54
    Price / Share (Pick Date, Closing Price) . . . Pick Date 05/16/2008:     $89.64

    COMMENT: The stock's pick price (of $89.64 is over 13- and the 50-day EMA price range; i.e., higher than
     the 13-day EMA price (of $86.09) and higher than the  50-day EMA (of $78.09) by 4.13% and 13.77% respectively. This suggests that the pick price is presently NOT timely NOR advantageous buy price for the stock.  (Note: A stock's EMA price changes with time).

    . . .    
    Price / Share (13-day EMA) . . . 05/16/2008:      $86.09
    Price / Share (50-day EMA) . . . 05/16/2008:      $78.79
    Price / Share (13-day EMA) . . .         Current:
    Price / Share (50-day EMA) . . .         Current:
    Price / Share (Current) . . . Current Price       Quote
    Price / Share (Historical) . . . Historical Price       Quote

    SPECIAL NOTE:

    1. Fertilizer prices doubled in the last few months. (Tennessean.com; May 7 2008)
    2. Agrium had record 2008 1st quarter earnings. (SmartBrief; May 2 2008)
    3. Agrium hits paydirt. (Forbes; My 2, 2008)
    4. Major fertilizer producers reaps huge profits. (International Business Times; April 4, 2008)
    5. Agri stock leaders on bullish uptrends. (SeekingAlpha; March 17, 2008)
    6. A new "golden age" of agriculture. (TheStar.com; March 2, 2008)

    ^Top page


         Bucyrus International Inc. (NASD: BUCY) design, manufacture and market draglines, electric mining shovels and rotary blasthole drills used for surface mining and provide the aftermarket replacement parts and service for these machines. The Company have a large worldwide installed base of the latter equipment and are the leading market provider of draglines and large rotary blasthole drills. The Company's products are sold to customers throughout the world. Growth in the industry is driven by increased demand for surface mined commodities such as copper (especially in South America), oil sands (Canada) and coal (China, the United States, India, Australia, South African and Russia).

    The stock's price gained 29.6% over the past 3 months (vs. the Industry's 25.2%); 59.4% over the past 6 months (vs. the  Industry's 55.5%); and 107.7% over the past 12 months (vs. the Industry's 108.5%). The Company is classified as a mid-cap growth company (with a market cap of $4.91B) that is rated to outperform the market over the next six months with a Risk Level of 3 (Average). The Company was incorporated in 1927 as the successor to a business that began producing excavation machines in 1880. The Company's principal executive offices are located at South Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Company has 6,050 employees.

    Sector: Capital Goods; Industry: Construction & Agricultural Machinery; Ticker: BUCY;  Exch: NASD;  05/23/08 Closing Price: $132.16

    STOCK GRADE (ASG):  51.26  (VERY GOOD)               

    BUSINESS & FINANCIAL SUMMARY; KEY STATS (Yahoo)
    EXPANDED BUSINESS DESCRIPTION (Reuters)
    STOCK INFO/RESEARCH (MSN)
    COMPETITORS
    (CNN Money)
    OWNERSHIP (MSN)
    KEY DEVELOPMENTS (MSN), RECENT NEWS (MSN) & HEADLINES  (Yahoo)
    HISTORICAL PRICES (Yahoo) & PRICE CHART (IQChart)
    RISK LEVEL: 3 (Average) (MSN)
    COMPANY'S WEB SITE

    Management's Effectiveness (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Return on Equity:       27.33%
    Profitability (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Profit Margin:         8.21%
    Stock's Growth Record (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Revenue:    118.60%
    . . . EPS:      72.63%
    . . . Price:   108.27%
    . . . Dividend:         NA
    PE & EPS (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Price/Earnings:      32.69
    . . . Earnings/Share:         4.32
    Price / Share (Pick Date, Closing Price) . . . Pick Date 05/23/2008:     $132.16

    COMMENT: The stock's pick price (of $132.16 is under the 13-day EMA and over 50-day EMA price range; i.e., lower than
     the 13-day EMA price (of $133.23) and higher than the  50-day EMA (of $122.41) by -0.80% and 7.96% respectively. This suggests that the pick price IS presently timely AND advantageous buy price for the stock.  (Note: A stock's EMA price changes with time. SEE also: ACE'S research report "ACE'S "Timely" & "Untimely" Stocks - How to Use and How They Perform" ).

    . . .    
    Price / Share (13-day EMA) . . . 05/23/2008:      $133.23
    Price / Share (50-day EMA) . . . 05/23/2008:      $122.41
    Price / Share (13-day EMA) . . .         Current:
    Price / Share (50-day EMA) . . .         Current:
    Price / Share (Current) . . . Current Price       Quote
    Price / Share (Historical) . . . Historical Price       Quote

    SPECIAL NOTE:

    1. 50 best manufacturing companies. (Industry Week; May 23, 2008)
    2. Excavating Bucyrus. (RTT News; May 14, 2008)
    3. Bucyrus poised to take advantage of growing commodities demand. (Forbes; May 5, 2008)
    4. Bucyrus mining for profits. (JSOnline; April 25 2008)
    5. Strong sales growth nearly doubles Bucyrus  1st quarter 2008 profit. (RTT News; April 24, 2008)

    ^Top page



          Southwestern Energy Co. NYSE: SWN) is an independent energy company primarily engaged in the exploration for and production of natural gas within the United States. The Company operate principally in three segments – Exploration and Production, or E&P, Midstream Services and Natural Gas Distribution. Exploration and Production - the Company's primary business whose operations are primarily conducted through its wholly-owned subsidiaries. Midstream Services -  generates revenue from gathering fees associated with the transportation of natural gas to market and through the marketing of its gas production and some third-party natural gas. Natural Gas Distribution - operates integrated natural gas distribution systems in northern Arkansas serving approximately 152,000 retail customers.

    The stock's price gained 36.0% over the past 3 months (vs. the Industry's 69.7%); 78.2% over the past 6 months (vs. the  Industry's 112.1%); and 86.3% over the past 12 months (vs. the Industry's 189.9%). The Company is classified as a large-cap growth company (with a market cap of $15.16B) that is rated to outperform the market over the next six months with a Risk Level of 3 (Average). The Company was founded in 1929. The Company's principal executive offices are located at Houston, Texas.
    The Company has 1,521 employees.

    Sector: Energy; Industry: Oil & Gas Operations; Ticker: SWN;  Exch: NYSE;  05/30/08 Closing Price: $44.34

    STOCK GRADE (ASG):  48.20  (GOOD)               

    BUSINESS & FINANCIAL SUMMARY; KEY STATS (Yahoo)
    EXPANDED BUSINESS DESCRIPTION (Reuters)
    STOCK INFO/RESEARCH (MSN)
    COMPETITORS
    (CNN Money)
    OWNERSHIP (MSN)
    KEY DEVELOPMENTS (MSN), RECENT NEWS (MSN) & HEADLINES  (Yahoo)
    HISTORICAL PRICES (Yahoo) & PRICE CHART (IQChart)
    RISK LEVEL: 3 (Average) (MSN)
    COMPANY'S WEB SITE

    Management's Effectiveness (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Return on Equity:         9.84%
    Profitability (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Profit Margin:       13.75%
    Stock's Growth Record (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Revenue:      64.48%
    . . . EPS:      34.09%
    . . . Price:      99.38%
    . . . Dividend:         NA
    PE & EPS (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Price/Earnings:      65.23
    . . . Earnings/Share:         0.65
    Price / Share (Pick Date, Closing Price) . . . Pick Date 05/30/2008:     $44.34

    COMMENT: The stock's pick price (of $44.34 is under the 13-day EMA and over 50-day EMA price range; i.e., lower than
     the 13-day EMA price (of $44.63) and higher than the  50-day EMA (of $40.87) by -0.65% and 8.50% respectively. This suggests that the pick price IS presently timely AND advantageous buy price for the stock.  (Note: A stock's EMA price changes with time. SEE also: ACE'S research report "ACE'S "Timely" & "Untimely" Stocks - How to Use and How They Perform" ).

    . . .    
    Price / Share (13-day EMA) . . . 05/30/2008:      $44.63
    Price / Share (50-day EMA) . . . 05/30/2008:      $40.87
    Price / Share (13-day EMA) . . .         Current:
    Price / Share (50-day EMA) . . .         Current:
    Price / Share (Current) . . . Current Price       Quote
    Price / Share (Historical) . . . Historical Price       Quote

    SPECIAL NOTE:

    1. Block Traders' favorite energy stocks. (Forbes; May 30, 2008)
    2. Southwestern Energy's valuation downgraded. (RTT News; May 30, 2008)
    3. Grabbing a piece of the action on energy stocks. (Business Week; May 27, 2008)
    4. Southwestern Energy's record financial and operating results for 1Q of 2008. (MarketWatch; April 25, 2008)
    5. Southwestern Energy  is an  ACE'S re-pick. SWN was one of ACE'S picks for April 2004 and June 2005. April 2004's SWN had a 12-month gain of 149.83%, and June 2005's SWN had a 12-month gain of 61.80%.  From April 1, 2004 to April 1, 2008, SWN had a 4-year gain of 1,033.22% (or an averaged annual gain of 258.31%. (NOTE: Stocks historical prices were extracted from Yahoo Finance's price table.

    ^Top page

     




    June 2008 Stock Picks
    Stock Name SYM Exch. Sector Industry Date Picked Pick Price
    (per share)
    ASG
    Hess Corp.    HES     NYSE    Energy   Oil & Gas - Integrated  06/06/08 $123.92   52.02 (Very Good)  
    Sociedad Quimica Y Minera AD    SQM     NYSE    Basic Materials   Chemical Manufacturing  06/13/08 $45.45   49.73 (Good)  
    Cabot Oil & Gas Corp.    COG     NYSE   Energy   Oil & Gas Operations  06/20/08 $65.40   51.26 (Very Good)  
    Gerdau S.A. ADR    GGB     NYSE   Basic Materials   Iron & Steel  06/27/08 $23.12   44.37 (Good)  


           Hess Corp. (NYSE: HES) and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as “Hess”) is a global integrated energy company that operates in two segments, Exploration and Production (E&P) and Marketing and Refining (M&R). The E&P segment explores for, develops, produces, purchases, transports and sells crude oil and natural gas. These exploration and production activities take place principally in Algeria, Australia, Azerbaijan, Brazil, Denmark, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Indonesia, Libya, Malaysia, Norway, Russia, Thailand, the United Kingdom and the United States. The M&R segment manufactures, purchases, transports, trades and markets refined petroleum products, natural gas and electricity. Hess owns a refining facility, terminals and retail gasoline stations, most of which include convenience stores, located on the East Coast of the United States.

    The stock's price gained 35.2% over the past 3 months (vs. the Industry's 42.5%); 57.6% over the past 6 months (vs. the  Industry's 43.5%); and 110.0% over the past 12 months (vs. the Industry's 111.9%). The Company is classified as a large-cap value company (with a market cap of $40.02B) that is rated to outperform the market over the next six months with a Risk Level of 3 (Average). The Company was founded in 1920. The Company's principal executive offices are located at New York, New York. The Company has 13,300 employees.

    Sector: Energy; Industry: Oil & Gas - Integrated; Ticker: HES;  Exch: NYSE;  06/06/08 Closing Price: $123.92

    STOCK GRADE (ASG):  52.02  (VERY GOOD)               

    BUSINESS & FINANCIAL SUMMARY; KEY STATS (Yahoo)
    EXPANDED BUSINESS DESCRIPTION (Reuters)
    STOCK INFO/RESEARCH (MSN)
    COMPETITORS
    (CNN Money)
    OWNERSHIP (MSN)
    KEY DEVELOPMENTS (MSN), RECENT NEWS (MSN) & HEADLINES  (Yahoo)
    HISTORICAL PRICES (Yahoo) & PRICE CHART (IQChart)
    RISK LEVEL: 3 (Average) (MSN)
    COMPANY'S WEB SITE

    Management's Effectiveness (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Return on Equity:       22.94%
    Profitability (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Profit Margin:         6.35%
    Stock's Growth Record (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Revenue:       11.16%
    . . . EPS:        -5.87%
    . . . Price:    110.03%
    . . . Dividend:         NA
    PE & EPS (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Price/Earnings:      17.91
    . . . Earnings/Share:        6.92
    Price / Share (Pick Date, Closing Price) . . . Pick Date 06/06/2008:     $123.92

    COMMENT: The stock's pick price (of $123.92 is over the 13-day EMA and over 50-day EMA price range; i.e., higher than
     the 13-day EMA price (of $122.88) and higher than the  50-day EMA (of $113.56) by 0.85% and 9.12% respectively. This suggests that the pick price is presently NOT timely NOR advantageous buy price for the stock.  (Note: A stock's EMA price changes with time. SEE also: ACE'S research report "ACE'S "Timely" & "Untimely" Stocks - How to Use and How They Perform" ).

    . . .    
    Price / Share (13-day EMA) . . . 06/06/2008:      $122.88
    Price / Share (50-day EMA) . . . 06/06/2008:      $113.56
    Price / Share (13-day EMA) . . .         Current:
    Price / Share (50-day EMA) . . .         Current:
    Price / Share (Current) . . . Current Price       Quote
    Price / Share (Historical) . . . Historical Price       Quote

    SPECIAL NOTE:

    1. Hess' new Pony oil find estimated to hold 200M barrels. (Emii.com; June 6 2008)
    2. Hess among Street's Top 5 large caps. (Street.com; June 4, 2008)
    3. Hess' reserves may double on Brazil offshore stake. (Bloomberg.com; May 19, 2008)
    4. Hess' 1Q net income doubled with increased production and record high oil prices. (MarketWatch; April 30, 2008)
    5. 2008 Outlook for the S&P 500's 2007 top 10 performing stocks.  (Forbes; December 28, 2007)

    ^Top page



           Sociedad Quimica Y Minera de Chile ADS or Chemical & Mining Co. of Chile(NYSE: SQM) is an integrated producer of potassium nitrate, iodine and lithium carbonate. The Company also produce other specialty plant nutrition products, iodine and lithium derivatives, and certain industrial chemicals, including industrial nitrates. The Company's products are sold in over 100 countries and generates approximately 84% of its revenues from countries outside Chile. The Company's products are mainly derived from mineral deposits found in two regions of Chile, where caliche ore and brine deposits are mined and processed. The caliche ore in northern Chile contains the largest known nitrate and iodine deposits in the world and is the world’s only commercially exploited source of natural nitrates.

    The stock's price gained 111.4% over the past 3 months (vs. the Industry's 93.5%); 172.0% over the past 6 months (vs. the  Industry's 95.5%); and 175.1% over the past 12 months (vs. the Industry's 139.2%). The Company is classified as a mid-cap growth company (with a market cap of $11.96B) that is rated to outperform the market over the next six months with a Risk Level of 3 (Average). The Company was founded in 1968. The Company's principal executive offices are located at Santiago, Chile. The Company has 3,745 employees.

    Sector: Basic Materials; Industry: Chemical Manufacturing; Ticker: SQM;  Exch: NYSE;  06/13/08 Closing Price: $45.45

    STOCK GRADE (ASG):  49.73  (GOOD)               

    BUSINESS & FINANCIAL SUMMARY; KEY STATS (Yahoo)
    EXPANDED BUSINESS DESCRIPTION (Reuters)
    STOCK INFO/RESEARCH (MSN)
    COMPETITORS
    (CNN Money)
    OWNERSHIP (MSN)
    KEY DEVELOPMENTS (MSN), RECENT NEWS (MSN) & HEADLINES  (Yahoo)
    HISTORICAL PRICES (Yahoo) & PRICE CHART (IQChart)
    RISK LEVEL: 3 (Average) (MSN)
    COMPANY'S WEB SITE

    Management's Effectiveness (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Return on Equity:       16.99%
    Profitability (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Profit Margin:       15.81%
    Stock's Growth Record (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Revenue:       16.40%
    . . . EPS:       23.21%
    . . . Price:    175.09%
    . . . Dividend:      44.14
    PE & EPS (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Price/Earnings:      59.10
    . . . Earnings/Share:        0.77
    Price / Share (Pick Date, Closing Price) . . . Pick Date 06/13/2008:     $45.45

    COMMENT: The stock's pick price (of $45.45 is over the 13-day EMA and over 50-day EMA price range; i.e., higher than
     the 13-day EMA price (of $41.74) and higher than the  50-day EMA (of $33.49) by 8.88% and 35.71% respectively. This suggests that the pick price is presently NOT timely NOR advantageous buy price for the stock.  (Note: A stock's EMA price changes with time. SEE also: ACE'S report "ACE'S "Timely" & "Untimely" Stocks - How to Use and How They Perform" ).

    . . .    
    Price / Share (13-day EMA) . . . 06/13/2008:      $41.74
    Price / Share (50-day EMA) . . . 06/13/2008:      $33.49
    Price / Share (13-day EMA) . . .         Current:
    Price / Share (50-day EMA) . . .         Current:
    Price / Share (Current) . . . Current Price       Quote
    Price / Share (Historical) . . . Historical Price       Quote

    SPECIAL NOTE:

    1. Companies with more than momentum for their stocks' rise. (Motley Fool; JUne 10, 2008)
    2. SQM's 2008 first quarter earnings up 50% plus. (SmartBrief; April 29, 2008)
    3. SQM in joint venture to produce and distribute potassium nitrate in China. (RTT News; May 29, 2008)

    ^Top page


        Cabot Oil & Gas Corp.  (NYSE: COG) is an independent oil and gas company engaged in the development, exploitation and exploration of oil and gas properties located in North America. Cabot's five principal areas of operation are the Appalachian Basin, onshore Gulf Coast, including south and east Texas and north Louisiana, the Rocky Mountains, the Anadarko Basin and the deep gas basin of Western Canada. The principal areas are run under four operating regions: the East Region, Gulf Coast Region, West Region and Canadian Region. The East region activities are concentrated primarily in West Virginia. This region includes a large acreage position, a high concentration of wells, natural gas gathering and pipeline systems, and storage capacity.

    The stock's price gained 43.3% over the past 3 months (vs. the Industry's 126.7%); 65.8% over the past 6 months (vs. the  Industry's 94.8%); and 58.4% over the past 12 months (vs. the Industry's 160.5%). The Company is classified as a mid-cap growth company (with a market cap of $6.50B) that is rated to outperform the market over the next six months with a Risk Level of 3 (Average). The Company was founded in 1989. The Company's principal executive offices are located at Houston, Texas.
    The Company has 404 employees.

    Sector: Energy; Industry: Oil & Gas Operations; Ticker: COG;  Exch: NYSE;  06/20/08 Closing Price: $65.40

    STOCK GRADE (ASG):  51.26  (VERY GOOD)               

    BUSINESS & FINANCIAL SUMMARY; KEY STATS (Yahoo)
    EXPANDED BUSINESS DESCRIPTION (Reuters)
    STOCK INFO/RESEARCH (MSN)
    COMPETITORS
    (CNN Money)
    OWNERSHIP (MSN)
    KEY DEVELOPMENTS (MSN), RECENT NEWS (MSN) & HEADLINES  (Yahoo)
    HISTORICAL PRICES (Yahoo) & PRICE CHART (IQChart)
    RISK LEVEL: 3 (Average) (MSN)
    COMPANY'S WEB SITE

    Management's Effectiveness (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Return on Equity:       16.24%
    Profitability (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Profit Margin:       21.68%
    Stock's Growth Record (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Revenue:       -3.91%
    . . . EPS:     -52.41%
    . . . Price:      58.39%
    . . . Dividend:      37.50
    PE & EPS (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Price/Earnings:      39.56
    . . . Earnings/Share:        1.68
    Price / Share (Pick Date, Closing Price) . . . Pick Date 06/20/2008:     $65.40

    COMMENT: The stock's pick price (of $65.40 is under the 13-day EMA and over 50-day EMA price range; i.e., lower than
     the 13-day EMA price (of $66.56) and higher than the  50-day EMA (of $61.57) by -0.72% and 7.32% respectively. This suggests that the pick price IS presently timely AND advantageous buy price for the stock.  (Note: A stock's EMA price changes with time. SEE also: ACE'S report "ACE'S "Timely" & "Untimely" Stocks - How to Use and How They Perform" ).

    . . .    
    Price / Share (13-day EMA) . . . 06/20/2008:      $66.56
    Price / Share (50-day EMA) . . . 06/20/2008:      $61.57
    Price / Share (13-day EMA) . . .         Current:
    Price / Share (50-day EMA) . . .         Current:
    Price / Share (Current) . . . Current Price       Quote
    Price / Share (Historical) . . . Historical Price       Quote

    SPECIAL NOTE:

    1. Where energy stock players put their money. (Forbes; May 27, 2008)
    2. Cabot Oil's first quarter 2008 financial results. (BNet; April 30 2008)
    3. Cabot Oil provides operations update. (BNet; April 3, 2008)
    4. Best oil stock picks for 2008.
    (CNN Money; January 15, 2008)

    ^Top page



         Gerdau S.A. ADR  (NYSE: GGB)
    is a leading producer of long steel products in Brazil and Latin America, producing about 7 million tons of long steel a year, in the form of billets, bars, wire rods, rebar, drawn products, nails, structural shapes, beams, and more. Gerdau also manufactures a variety of finished products, including nails--the company's original product--wire, wire mesh, and wire fencing. The Company also produces crude steel, flat steel products, and a range of specialty steels, principally for the automotive industry. Much of Gerdau's growth lies in domestic and international acquisitions which had enabled it to build an international network of manufacturing facilities.

    The stock's price gained 51.3% over the past 3 months (vs. the Industry's 74.3%); 57.3% over the past 6 months (vs. the  Industry's 92.5%); and 80.5% over the past 12 months (vs. the Industry's 277.3%). The Company is classified as a large-cap growth company (with a market cap of $30.64B) that is rated to outperform the market over the next six months with a Risk Level of 3 (Average). The Company started operation in 1901 with the establishment of Pontas de Paris Nail Factory. The Company's principal executive offices are located at Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
    The Company has 36,925 employees.

    Sector: Basic Materials; Industry: Iron & Steel; Ticker: GGB;  Exch: NYSE;  06/27/08 Closing Price: $23.12

    STOCK GRADE (ASG):  44.37  (GOOD)               

    BUSINESS & FINANCIAL SUMMARY; KEY STATS (Yahoo)
    EXPANDED BUSINESS DESCRIPTION (Reuters)
    STOCK INFO/RESEARCH (MSN)
    COMPETITORS
    (CNN Money)
    OWNERSHIP (MSN)
    KEY DEVELOPMENTS (MSN), RECENT NEWS (MSN) & HEADLINES  (Yahoo)
    HISTORICAL PRICES (Yahoo) & PRICE CHART (IQChart)
    RISK LEVEL: 3 (Average) (MSN)
    COMPANY'S WEB SITE

    Management's Effectiveness (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Return on Equity:       30.44%
    Profitability (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Profit Margin:       21.61%
    Stock's Growth Record (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Revenue:      33.52%
    . . . EPS:        5.85%
    . . . Price:      80.48%
    . . . Dividend:    -52.84
    PE & EPS (Trailing 12 Mo.) . . . Price/Earnings:     13.93
    . . . Earnings/Share:       1.66
    Price / Share (Pick Date, Closing Price) . . . Pick Date 06/27/2008:    $23.12

    COMMENT: The stock's pick price (of $23.12 is under the 13-day EMA and over 50-day EMA price range; i.e., lower than
     the 13-day EMA price (of $24.06) and higher than the  50-day EMA (of $22.76) by -3.89% and 1.58% respectively. This suggests that the pick price IS presently timely AND advantageous buy price for the stock.  (Note: A stock's EMA price changes with time. SEE also: ACE'S report "ACE'S "Timely" & "Untimely" Stocks - How to Use and How They Perform" ).

    . . .    
    Price / Share (13-day EMA) . . . 06/27/2008:      $24.06
    Price / Share (50-day EMA) . . . 06/27/2008:      $22.76
    Price / Share (13-day EMA) . . .         Current:
    Price / Share (50-day EMA) . . .         Current:
    Price / Share (Current) . . . Current Price       Quote
    Price / Share (Historical) . . . Historical Price       Quote

    SPECIAL NOTE:

    1. Gerdau is in Top 25 list of world's most respected companies. (Reputation Institute; June 5, 2008)
    2. Gerdau is one of South America's best stocks. (Motley Fool; June 3, 2008)
    3. A booming Brazil. (MSN Money; May 15, 2008)
    4. Gerdau reports increased production and revenues for 1st quarter of 2008. (MSN Money; May 12 2008)
     

    ^Top page


     


     

      Last modified: 10/12/14