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.

CO2 is one of the most efficient tertiary recovery mechanisms for crude oil. The CO2 acts somewhat like a solvent for the oil, removing it from the oil bearing formation as the CO2 passes through the rock. CO2 tertiary floods are unique because they require large volumes of CO2 , which is limited to a few geological basins, one of which is DNR's source near Jackson, Mississippi. Further, the most efficient way to transport CO2 is via dedicated pipelines, which are also in limited supply. Because the sources and methods of transportation of CO2 are limited, only 3% or 250,000 Bbls/d of the United States domestic oil production is derived from tertiary recovery projects. While enhanced oil recovery (EOR) projects utilizing CO2 may not be considered a new technology, DNR applies several additional technologies to the fields: well evaluations, new completion or stimulation techniques, operating equipment and seismic interpretations. DNR began its CO2 operations in August 1999 and have since embarked upon a strategic program to improve its knowledge of CO2 production and tertiary recovery to build a dominant position in this niche play. Proved undeveloped reserves associated with DNR's CO2 tertiary operations in Mississippi account for approximately 82% of its proved undeveloped oil reserves. DNR's proved undeveloped natural gas reserves account for approximately 96% of its proved undeveloped natural gas reserves. All of DNR's operations are in the United States.

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

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 Rentech’s 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.”

ARD principally sell its oil and natural gas production to end users, marketers and other purchasers that have access to nearby pipeline facilities. In areas where there is no practical access to pipelines, oil is trucked to storage facilities. For fiscal year 2006, sales to one customer, Navajo Refining Company, represented 82% of oil and gas revenues. At December 31, 2006, this customer represented 80% of ARD's accounts receivable. Approximately thirty-nine percent (39%) of ARD's reserves for the year ended December 31, 2006 are associated with secondary recovery projects that are either in the initial stage of implementation or are scheduled for implementation. ARD anticipate that secondary recovery will be attempted by the use of waterflood of these reserves, and the exact project initiation dates and, by the very nature of waterflood operations, the exact completion dates of such projects, are undetermined.

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

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).

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  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.

MOS is organized into four business segments: Phosphates, Potash, Offshore and Nitrogen. The Phosphates Segment is the largest producer of phosphate fertilizer in the world and the largest producer of phosphate-based animal feed ingredients in the United States. MOS sell phosphate-based crop nutrients and animal feed ingredients throughout North America and internationally. The Potash Segment is the third-largest producer of potash in the world. MOS sell potash throughout North America and internationally, principally as fertilizer, but also for use in industrial applications and, to a lesser degree, as animal feed ingredients. The Offshore Segment consists of sales offices, fertilizer blending and bagging facilities, port terminals and warehouses in several key international countries. The Nitrogen Segment includes the distribution of nitrogen-based fertilizer in North America.

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

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).

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    Meridian Bioscience Inc. (NASD: VIVO)

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

     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.

As of March 31, 2007, GOLD had declared proven and probable reserves of approximately 6.29 million ounces attributable to the company's percentage ownership interests. Outside of Morila SA, RANDGOLD hold exploration permits covering 3,000 square kilometers in the Morila region. The Loulo mine, in its first full year of production, produced 241,575 ounces of gold. Work on the underground development at the Yalea mine commenced and the first hard rock was blasted in December 2006. It is expected that the first ore will be accessed towards the end of the year and full production is scheduled for 2009. It is anticipated that Loulo’s second underground mine, Gara, will start in the beginning of 2009 and first ore will be delivered to the plant at the end of that year. The focus of exploration at Loulo is to continue to explore and discover additional mineralized material from the 372 square kilometer permit and to date success has lead to the identification of two additional targets, Faraba and Boboto, which are subject to further exploration.

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

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). Consignment volumes at RBA auctions are affected by a number of factors, including regular fleet upgrades and realignments, financial pressure, mergers and acquisitions, retirements, inventory reductions and the completion of major construction and other projects.

RBA's primary target markets within the global industrial equipment market are the used truck and equipment sectors. Industry analysts estimate that there is approximately $1 trillion of used industrial equipment of the type RBA sell in circulation worldwide, and that around $100 billion of that equipment changes ownership each year. Of this total, only a fraction is currently traded through auctions, with the majority being sold directly by the owner or through dealers and brokers. Much of the equipment that RBA sell can be used in multiple industries and in diverse geographic locations. RBA gross auction sales were $1.79 billion for the year ended December 31, 2004, which is 15% higher than in 2003, and represents less than 2% of the total market. RBA held its first major industrial auction in 1963, selling over $600,000 worth of construction equipment in Radium, British Columbia. By 1970, RBA had established operations in the United States and held its first U.S. sale in Beaverton, Oregon. In 1987, RBA held its first European auctions in Liverpool, U.K. and Rotterdam, The Netherlands and its first Australian auction in 1990. This was followed by expansion into Asia and subsequent sales in countries including Japan, the Philippines and Singapore. RBA's first Mexican auction was held in 1995 and its first Middle Eastern auction in Dubai, U.A.E. in 1997. In 2003, RBA held its first African auction in Durban, in the Republic of South Africa, and its first Greek auction, in Athens. RBA also established a presence in Brazil, Istanbul (Turkey), Beijing (China), Jakarta (Indonesia), Tehran (Iran), and New Delhi (India). 

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

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.

SID produce carbon steel, which is the world’s most widely produced type of steel, representing the vast bulk of global steel consumption. From
carbon steel, SID sell a variety of steel products, both domestically and abroad, to manufacturers in several industries. SID have captive iron ore reserves, which differentiates the company from their main competitors in Brazil that purchase their iron ore requirements from mining companies. In addition to its iron ore reserves, SID have captive dolomite and limestone mines that supply its Presidente Vargas steelworks. SID's operations are strongly integrated as a result of its captive sources of raw materials, such as iron ore and cole, and its access to owned infrastructure, such as railroads and deep- sea water port facilities. 

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

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

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.

CF's principal assets include: the largest nitrogen fertilizer complex in North America (Donaldsonville, Louisiana); a 66% economic interest in the largest nitrogen fertilizer complex in Canada; one of the largest integrated ammonium phosphate fertilizer complexes in the United States (Plant City, Florida); the most-recently constructed phosphate rock mine and associated beneficiation plant in the United States (Hardee County, Florida); and an extensive system of terminals, warehouses and associated transportation equipment located primarily in the mid-western United States. For the year ended December 31, 2006, CF sold 6.3 million tons of nitrogen fertilizers and 2.1 million tons of phosphate fertilizers, generating net sales of $1.9 billion. CF operate world-scale nitrogen fertilizer production facilities in Donaldsonville, Louisiana and Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada. The combined production capacity of these two facilities represents approximately 20% of North American ammonia capacity, 32% of North American dry urea capacity and 18% of North American UAN capacity in 2006.

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

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 salt industry is characterized by stable demand and steady price increases across various grades. Salt is one of the most common and widely consumed minerals in the world due to its low relative cost and its utility in a variety of applications, including highway deicing, food processing, water conditioning, industrial chemical processing, and nutritional supplements for animal stock. CMP estimate that the consumption of highway deicing salt in North America is 25 million tons per year (20 million tons per year in the markets we serve), while the consumer and industrial market totals 11 million tons per year. In the United Kingdom, CMP estimate that the size of the highway deicing market is 1.9 million tons per year. According to the latest available data from the U.S. Geological Survey, during the thirty-year period ending 2004, the production of salt used in highway deicing and for consumer and industrial products in the United States has increased at an historical average of approximately 1% per year.

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

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

    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.

BVN's equity share of production in 2006 was 1,546,000 ounces of gold, 17,027,000 ounces of silver, 33,000 short tons of metallic zinc and 20,509 short
tons of copper, including 1,140,000 ounces of gold and 1,596,000 ounces of silver for Yanacocha and 20,509 short tons of copper for Cerro Verde. For the
year ended December 31, 2006, BVN's net sales were US$548.1 million and its net income was US$428.1 million. 

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.

    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.

MTL's mining business is focused on mining products used in the production of steel, primarily coking coal, iron ore and nickel. MTL also produce a significant amount of steam coal. MTL have substantial coal, iron ore and nickel mining interests in Russia, with the flexibility to supply its own steel production or sell to third parties. MTL is capable of internally sourcing 80% of the coking coal, 40% of the iron ore and 67% of the nickel requirements of its steel segment. MTL is the third largest producer of coking coal in Russia in 2006, with a 13.8% market share, and Russia’s second largest exporter of coking coal and coal concentrate. MTL also control 20% of the coking coal washing capacity in Russia.

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 Consumer Healthcare segment includes the Company's  U.S., U.K. and Mexico operations supporting the sale of OTC pharmaceutical and nutritional products. This segment markets a broad line of products that are comparable in quality and effectiveness to national brand products. Major product categories include analgesic, cough/cold/allergy/sinus, gastrointestinal, smoking cessation, first aid, vitamin and nutritional supplement products Generally, the retailers' dollar profit per unit of store brand product sold is greater than the dollar profit per unit of the comparable national brand product. The consumer benefits by receiving a quality product at a price below a comparable national brand product. The Prescription (RX) Pharmaceuticals segment develops, manufactures and markets primarily topical generic prescription drug products, generally for the U.S. market. The API segment develops, manufactures and markets API used worldwide by the generic drug industry and branded pharmaceutical companies. The manufacturing of these API occurs primarily in Israel and Germany.

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

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)

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  Consol Energy Inc. (NYSE: CNX)

   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. In Canada, the Company  have almost seven million gross acres across the Provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories. In Egypt, the Qasr gas/condensate field, discovered in 2003, is the largest field ever found by Apache with more than 2 trillion cubic feet of gas and 60 million barrels of estimated recoverable reserves. In Australia, in the Gippsland basin Apache acquired almost 1.8 million acres over the past three years and have generated a 10-well inventory of high potential exploration prospects to be drilled in 2008. Apache entered the North Sea in 2003 with its acquisition of the Forties field, the largest field ever discovered in the United Kingdom. In Argentina, in 2006, Apache purchased interests in Neuquén, the Austral basins and in Tierra del Fuego. Apache have increased production on the acquired properties and have established Argentina as the Company's latest core area.

As of December 31, 2006, Apache had total estimated proved reserves of 1,061 MMbbls of crude oil, condensate and NGLs and 7.5 Tcf of natural gas.
Combined, these total estimated proved reserves are equivalent to 2.3 billion barrels of oil equivalent or 13.9 Tcf of natural gas. During 2006, the Company’s reserves grew nine percent. Proved oil and gas reserves are the estimated quantities of natural gas, crude oil, condensate and NGLs that geological and engineering data demonstrate with reasonable certainty to be recoverable in future years from known reservoirs under existing economic and operating conditions. Apache  has increased reserves in each of the last 21 years and production in 27 of the last 28 years.

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

    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 North America segment is comprised of six iron ore mining operations in Michigan, Minnesota and Eastern Canada that currently have a combined rated capacity of 37.0 million tons of iron ore pellet production annually, representing approximately 46 percent of total North American pellet production capacity. The  Company produce 13 grades of iron ore pellets, including standard, fluxed and high manganese, for use in its customers’ blast furnaces as part of the steelmaking process. More than 98 percent of the  Company's North American revenues are derived from sales of iron ore pellets to the North American integrated steel industry, consisting of eight customers. The Australian segment is comprised of two operations that supply a total of five direct shipping export products to Asia via the global seaborne trade market. A limited spot market exists for seaborne iron ore as most production is sold under long-term contracts with annual benchmark prices driven from negotiations between the major suppliers and Chinese, Japanese and other Asian steel mills. The three major iron ore producers, CVRD, Rio Tinto and BHP, dominate the seaborne iron ore trade and together account for approximately three-fourths of the global supply to the seaborne market. Portman has long-term supply agreements with steel producers in China and Japan that account for approximately 80 percent and 20 percent, respectively, of sales.

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

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)

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       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.

 EOG's operations are all related to natural gas and crude oil exploration and production. As of December 31, 2006, 88% of  EOG's net proved United States and Canada reserves (on a natural gas equivalent basis) were natural gas and 12% were crude oil, condensate and natural gas liquids.Substantial portions of these reserves are in long-lived fields with well-established production characteristics.  EOG believes that opportunities exist to increase production through continued development in and around many of these fields and through application of new processes and technologies. EOG also maintains an active exploration program designed to extend fields and add new trends to its broad portfolio.

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

    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.

Commencing in 1998, the Company's operations were organized into two segments; Rendering segment, the core business of turning inedible food by-products from meat and poultry processors into high quality feed ingredients and fats for other industrial applications; and Restaurant Services segment, a group focused on growing the grease collection business and grease collection equipment sales while expanding the line of services, which includes grease trap servicing, and the National Service Center (“NSC”), offered to food service establishments and food processors. The NSC schedules services such as fat and bone and used cooking oil collection as well as trap cleaning for contracted customers using the Company's resources or third party providers.

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

    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 Company is also a 50 percent participant in the Profertil joint venture that owns and operates a nitrogen-based fertilizer plant in Argentina.

The Company manage and report its business through four primary operating segments and a fifth non-operating segment. The four operating segments are: North America Wholesale, North America Retail, South America Wholesale and South America Retail. The primary operating segments act independently, serving customers in agricultural, industrial, international and specialty markets. The Company's North America Retail segment is one of the largest and most geographically diverse farm retailers in the United States. With 206 retail facilities in the United States as of December 31, 2003, the Company provides fertilizers, crop protection products, seeds and services to growers in 22 states, principally in the U.S. Northwest, Northeast, Midwest and California. The Company also owns and operates 18 retail farm centers  in Argentina.   

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