Dow Inc. (Formerly Dow Chemical) (DOW-N) (DOW)

(Top Pick Aug 22/12, Up 27.52%) Sold not too long after recommending it. Was concerned about global growth. Moved into Qualcom.

Recently broke above some important resistance levels. Chemicals have a tendency to peak right around now. You will have an opportunity to purchase late this year.

Chemical companies are benefiting from boom in oil and gas production. Benefit as industrial economy gets better. A spectrum of industrial exposure. 3.5% yield.

History shows that $29.29 is the ceiling on this stock. Would look elsewhere.

Is the same as it was last year at this time. There is seasonality. He would look to take some off the table. If you are a longer term believer then you might want to hold.

Chemical stocks like this usually do very, very well from around November until this time of year. This year, it did okay but recently has not been doing as well. Chart shows it has developed a slight downward trend. It’s below its 20 day moving average. If you own, it might be an opportunity to take money off the table.

In the global chemicals industry, there is too much capacity right now and the middle east is bringing on even more capacity at a frenetic rate. Dow has cheaper feedstock through cheap gas and oil. Very attractive dividend at almost 4%.

A pure play on global expansion. Sold his holdings a couple of months ago because he wanted to lessen his exposure to pure industrials and pure global plays. No real expansion probabilities with this one.

Nothing wrong with their business mix and how they function. You have to look at this in an environment where we are talking about relatively low global growth. There is no rush to get into a firm like this. This is one where you want to pick and choose your entry point.

(Top Pick Nov 23/11, Up 21.83%)

This is on her watch list as it is one of those companies that is benefiting from low natural gas prices. However, chemical stocks are being slowed by macro economic growth. She would rather wait and see more clarity and positive signposts that things are starting to improve.

Have come out with a new corn seed that will help with the worst US drought in a long time. They ran out and could not make enough. Their AG side is doing well but their chemical side is not doing as well. This is an entry point.

You buy cyclical companies when they are out of favour and sell them when they are in. Tied to the global growth economy. When things pick up, the leverage in this company will allow profits to grow at a very fast pace. Trading at 11X earnings. 4.2% dividend.