Helmerich & Payne Inc.  (NYSE: HP) is primarily engaged in the contracting of company-owned drilling equipment to major oil and gas exploration companies. Drilling rigs, equipment, personnel and camps are provided on a contract basis so that the Company's customers may explore for and develop oil and gas from onshore areas and from platforms in offshore areas. The Company is one of the largest land and offshore platform drilling contractors in the world. The Company has two operating segments: Contract drilling and Real estate. The contract drilling segment is composed of three segments: U.S. land drilling; U.S. offshore platform drilling; and international drilling. The Company's operating revenues are mostly generated from their contract drilling segment. The Real Estate segment owns, develops, and operates commercial real estate mainly in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

The stock's price gained 40.4% over the past 3 months (vs. the Industry's 73.3%); 68.0% over the past 6 months (vs. the  Industry's 79.1%); and 91.9% over the past 12 months (vs. the Industry's 253.2%). The Company is classified as a mid-cap growth company (with a market cap of $7.17B) that is rated to outperform the market over the next six months with a Risk Level of 3 (Average). The Company was incorporated on 1940. Its principal executive offices are located at Tulsa, Oklahoma. The Company has 6,444 employees.

Sector: Energy; Industry: Oil Well Services & Equipment; Ticker: HP;  Exch: NYSE;  07/03/08 Closing Price: $68.76

     Comstock Resources, Inc.  (NYSE: CRK) acquires, explores for and develops oil and gas deposits. Comstock's historic growth has come from acquisitions of producing oil and gas properties. The Company own interests in 1,766 producing wells which are primarily located in  East Texas/North Louisiana South Texas and Mississippi regions onshore and the offshore Gulf of Mexico. Comstock's reserve base at the end of 2006 was 851.4 bcfe. These reserves were 77% natural gas, 23% crude oil and were 66% developed. The Company's properties have an average reserve life of 12.7 years.

The stock's price gained 110.0% over the past 3 months (vs. the Industry's 57.3%); 149.7% over the past 6 months (vs. the  Industry's 96.6%); and 187.6% over the past 12 months (vs. the Industry's 179.8%). The Company is classified as a mid-cap growth company (with a market cap of $3.97B) that is rated to outperform the market over the next six months with a Risk Level of 3 (Average). The Company was incorporated on 1919. Its principal executive offices are located at Frisco, Texas. The Company has 138 employees.

Sector: Energy; Industry: Oil & Gas Operations; Ticker: CRK;  Exch: NYSE;  07/11/08 Closing Price: $85.43

      Clean Harbors, Inc.  (NASD: CLHB) , is one of the largest providers of environmental services and the largest operator of non-nuclear hazardous waste treatment facilities in North America based on a 2005 industry report. The Company services approximately 65% of North America's commercial hazardous incineration volume, 23% of North America's hazardous landfill volume, and is an industry leader in total hazardous waste disposal facilities. The Company perform environmental services for a diversified industry base with over 45,000 customers in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and Mexico. The Company perform its environmental services through a network of more than 100 service locations; and operates six incineration facilities, nine commercial landfills, six wastewater treatment operations, and 20 transportation, storage and disposal facilities, as well as six polychlorinated biphenyls ("PCB") management facilities and two oil and used oil products recycling facilities.

The wastes that the Company handle include materials that are classified as "hazardous" because of their unique properties, as well as other materials subject to federal and state environmental regulation. The Company provide final treatment and disposal services designed to manage hazardous and non-hazardous wastes which cannot be economically recycled or reused. The Company transport, treat and dispose of industrial wastes for commercial and industrial customers, health care providers, educational and research organizations, other environmental services companies and governmental entities.       

The stock's price gained 23.8% over the past 3 months (vs. the Industry's 7.9%); 48.3% over the past 6 months (vs. the  Industry's 60.4%); and 63.3% over the past 12 months (vs. the Industry's 9.6%). The Company is classified as a mid-cap growth company (with a market cap of $1.85B) that is rated to outperform the market over the next six months with a Risk Level of 2 (Less than average). The Company was incorporated on 1980 and its principal executive offices are located at  in Norwell, Massachusetts. The Company has 4,769 employees.

Sector: Services; Industry: Waste Management Services; Ticker: CLHB;  Exch: NASD;  07/25/08 Closing Price: $79.09

1. Clean Harbors is a "PowerRated" buy stock. (TradingMarkets; June 3, 2008)
2. Clean Harbors' record 2008 1Q financial results.  (SmartBrief; May 7, 2008)
3. Clean Harbors' strong 2007 4Q and year-end financial results. (Smartbrief; February 27, 2008)

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       Axsys Technologies Inc.  NASD: AXYS)  is a leading designer and manufacturer of precision optical solutions for defense, aerospace, homeland security and high-performance commercial applications. These sophisticated solutions are typically found in applications that demand the finest optical surfaces, highest accuracy and tightest motion control tolerances. Application examples include weapon systems, long-range surveillance cameras and highly precise imaging telescopes. Axsys  typically sell its products to government institutions such as the U.S. Border Patrol, Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard, or to large defense contractors for integration into larger platforms. All Axsys products leverage the company's fundamental strengths in precision optics and motion control.

The Company is organized into two segments: the Surveillance Systems Group and the Imaging Systems Group.  Surveillance and Targeting
represents one of the largest growth sectors in the U.S. Department of Defense budget. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, the Surveillance Systems Group generated $47.5 million, or approximately 28%, of total revenues. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, the Imaging Systems Group generated $124.2 million, or approximately 72%, of total revenues.

The stock's price gained 28.5% over the past 3 months (vs. the Industry's 19.7%); 88.4% over the past 6 months (vs. the  Industry's 41.6%); and 205.6% over the past 12 months (vs. the Industry's 66.8%). The Company is classified as a small-cap growth company (with a market cap of $817.21M) that is rated to outperform the market over the next six months with a Risk Level of 3 (Average). The Company was incorporated in 1959 and its principal executive offices are located in Rocky Hill, Connecticut. The Company has 822 employees.
 
Sector: Technology; Industry: Scientific & Technical Instruments; Ticker: AXYS;  Exch: NASD;  08/15/08 Closing Price: $73.47

    Robbins & Myers, Inc.  (NYSE: RBN)  is a leading supplier of highly engineered, critical equipment and systems for the global energy, chemical and industrial markets. The Company operates under three operating groups; Fluid Management Energy Systems, Process Solutions and Packaging. Fluid Management Systems provides systems solutions for the oil and gas exploration, production and pipeline markets; and fluid control devices, or industrial pumps and pumping equipment, serving the wastewater treatment, specialty chemicals, food & beverage, pulp & paper and oil & gas industries.

The Process Solutions Group (PSG) is a global provider of precision-engineered chemical processing industry solutions serving the specialized needs of its customers in the following markets: specialty and agri-chemicals, pharmaceuticals, wastewater & water treatment, semiconductor, biotechnology, flue gas desulfurization, biofuels and other industrial markets. The Packaging Group designs, manufactures and markets secondary processing and packaging equipment for the pharmaceutical, cosmetics and food industries.

The stock's price gained 17.2% over the past 3 months (vs. the Industry's -14.6%); 37.5% over the past 6 months (vs. the  Industry's 51.8%); and 73.4% over the past 12 months (vs. the Industry's 20.2%). The Company is classified as a mid-cap growth company (with a market cap of $1.58B) that is rated to outperform the market over the next six months with a Risk Level of 3 (Average). The Company was originally established in 1878 by Chandler Robbins and James Myers. and was incorporated in 1889 as the Robbins & Myers Co. The Company's  principal executive offices are located in Dayton, Ohio. The Company has 3,233 employees.
 
Sector: Capital Goods; Industry: Miscellaneous Capital Goods; Ticker: RBN;  Exch: NYSE;  08/22/08 Closing Price: $45.64

     Icon Plc Ads  (NASD: ICLR)  is a contract research organization (“CRO”), providing outsourced development services on a global basis to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries. The Company specialize in the strategic development, management and analysis of programs that support Clinical Development - from compound selection to Phase I-IV clinical studies. The Company is one of a small number of companies with the capability and expertise to conduct clinical trials in all major therapeutic areas on a global basis. As of December 31, 2007, Icon conducted its operations in 67 locations in 36 countries, providing Phase I - IV Clinical Trial Management, Drug Development Support Services, Data Management and Biostatistics and Central Laboratory and Imaging Services.

The CRO industry provides independent product development services for the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries. Companies in these industries outsource product development services to CROs in order to manage the drug development process more efficiently and to cost-effectively maximize the profit potential of both patent-protected and generic products. The CRO industry has evolved since the 1970s from a small number of companies that provided limited clinical services to a larger number of CROs that offer a range of services that encompass the entire research and development process, including pre-clinical development, clinical trials management, clinical data management, study design, biostatistical analysis, post marketing surveillance, central laboratory and regulatory affairs services. CROs are required to provide these services in accordance with good clinical and laboratory practices, as governed by the applicable regulatory authorities.

The stock's price gained 17.9% over the past 3 months (vs. the Industry's 43.4%); 20.3% over the past 6 months (vs. the  Industry's 38.0%); and 85.1% over the past 12 months (vs. the Industry's 86.3%). The Company is classified as a mid-cap growth company (with a market cap of $2.41B) that is rated to outperform the market over the next six months with a Risk Level of 2 (Less than average). The Company began its operations in 1990. The Company's  principal executive offices are located in Dublin, Ireland. The Company has 6.510 employees.
 
Sector: Healthcare; Industry: Biotechnology & Drugs; Ticker: ICLR;  Exch: NASD;  08/29/08 Closing Price: $40.73

  Almost Family, Inc.  (NASD: AFAM) and its subsidiaries is a leading, regionally-focused provider of home health services. The Company's service locations are (in the order of their revenue significance) in Florida, Kentucky, Ohio, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Alabama, Indiana, Illinois and Missouri . The Company has two reportable segments, Visiting Nurse (VN) and Personal Care (PC). The VN segment, operating primarily under the trade names "CaretendersTM" and "Mederi-Caretenders," provides a comprehensive range of Medicare-certified home health nursing services to patients in need of recuperative care, typically following a period of hospitalization or care in another type of inpatient facility. The VN services are often provided to patients in lieu of additional care in other settings, such as long term acute care hospitals, inpatient rehabilitation hospitals or skilled nursing facilities. The Company also offer specialty programs based on local needs, such as its Cardiocare Program, Orthopedic Program, Urology Program, Optimum Balance Program, and Telehealth Monitoring Program. Approximately 94% of the VN segment revenues are generated from the Medicare program while the balance is generated from Medicaid and private insurance programs.

The Company's PC segment, which operates under the trade name “Almost Family,” provides services in patients' homes on an as-needed, hourly, or live-in basis. These services include personal care, medication management, meal preparation, caregiver respite and homemaking. The PC services are often provided to patients who would otherwise be admitted to skilled nursing facilities for long term custodial care. Approximately 70% of the PC segment revenues are generated from Medicaid and other government programs while the balance is generated from insurance programs and private pay patients.

The stock's price gained 48.3% over the past 3 months (vs. the Industry's 44.6%); 98.0% over the past 6 months (vs. the  Industry's 49.5%); and 127.4% over the past 12 months (vs. the Industry's -8.4%). The Company is classified as a small-cap growth company (with a market cap of $318.86M) that is rated to outperform the market over the next six months with a Risk Level of 3 (Average). The Company was incorporated 1985. The Company's  principal executive offices are located in Louisville, Kentucky. The Company has 4,800 employees.
 
Sector: Healthcare; Industry: Healthcare Facilities; Ticker: AFAM;  Exch: NASD;  09/19/08 Closing Price: $39.22

  Questcor Pharmaceuticals, Inc.  (NASD: QCOR) developes and commercializes pharmaceutical drugs primarily in the United States. The Company currently owns two commercial products, H.P. Acthar ® Gel (“Acthar”) and Doral ® (quazepam). Acthar is a highly purified preparation of the adrenal corticotropin hormone. Acthar is specially formulated to provide prolonged release after intramuscular or subcutaneous injection. Acthar was approved by the FDA in 1952 and is used in a wide variety of conditions, including the treatment of periodic flares associated with MS, infantile spasm, opsoclonus myoclonus syndrome, and various forms of arthritis (collectively called joint pain).

Doral is a commercial product indicated for the treatment of insomnia, characterized by difficulty in falling asleep, frequent nocturnal awakenings, and/or early morning awakenings. Sleep disturbance and insomnia is a very common side effect of many diseases and disorders. The overall U.S. market for sleep medicines has seen significant growth over the past several years and is estimated to have generated over $3 billion in prescription drug sales in 2005.

The stock's price gained 17.8% over the past 3 months (vs. the Industry's -45.9%); 68.4% over the past 6 months (vs. the  Industry's 6.5%); and 45.5% over the past 12 months (vs. the Industry's 14.6%). The Company is classified as a small-cap growth company (with a market cap of $519.63M) that is rated to outperform the market over the next six months with a Risk Level of 3 (Average). The Company was founded 1990. The Company's  principal executive offices are located in Union City, California. The Company has 32 employees.

Sector: Healthcare; Industry: Biotechnology & Drugs; Ticker: QCOR;  Exch: NASD;  12/12/08 Closing Price: $8.00

STOCK GRADE (ASG): 39.02  (Average)               

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:	162.34%
Profitability (Trailing 12 Mo.)	. . .	Profit Margin:	61.60%
Stock's Growth Record (Trailing 12 Mo.)	. . .	Revenue:	289.18%
	. . .	EPS:	388.44%
	. . .	Price:	49.26%
	. . .	Dividend:	NA
PE & EPS (Trailing 12 Mo.)	. . .	Price/Earnings:	11.10
	. . .	Earnings/Share:	0.72
Price / Share (Pick Date, Closing Price)	. . .	Pick Date 12/12/2008:	$8.00
COMMENT: The stock's pick price (of $8.00) is under the 13-day EMA and the 50-day EMA price range; i.e., lower than  the 13-day EMA price (of $8.83) and the  50-day EMA (of $8.07) by -9.45% and -0.87% 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)	. . .	12/12/2008:	$8.83
Price / Share (50-day EMA)	. . .	12/12/2008:	$8.07
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. Bullish biotech stocks. (SmartBriefs; November 20, 2008)
2. Questor reports strong 3Q 2008 results. (Answers.com; October 30, 2008)

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  Last modified: 07/25/10