Latest Top Picks

Stock Opinions by David Abella

WATCH
General Electric
Big dividend cut along with a ratings downgrade hit them hard. Their trouble stems out of their financial services unit. Meeting tomorrow with analysts on their real estate holdings and could go a long way in how they are going to survive the credit crisis. If they survived, it is certainly undervalued on what their business would be in a more stable economy, which would be a good 3 to 5 years. Wait and see.
electrical / electronic
DON'T BUY
Bank of America
On a 5-year hold, if the global economy was better, this could turn out to be better also. Probably true, but not for sure because of the possibility that it is so badly damaged they may under perform the market. Would wait to see if things got a little brighter.
banks
DON'T BUY
Citigroup Inc.
On a 5-year hold, if the global economy was better, this could turn out to be better also. Probably true, but not for sure because of the possibility that it is so badly damaged they may under perform the market. Would wait to see if things got a little brighter.
banks
DON'T BUY
Freddie Mac
He prefers much steadier companies. This is effectively nationalized so it is no longer run in the best interest of the shareholders. With government not aggressively foreclosing and rewriting mortgages, it will be less profitable and could be permanently impaired.
Financial Services
BUY ON WEAKNESS
Visa Inc.
Solid name. There is definitely a driver that more and more people are using. Has been held back because of lower retail sales. Long-term steady story and a way to play the transactional volume without worrying about any particular retailer or taking credit risks.
other services
DON'T BUY
Pfizer Inc
A former glory growth stock. A lot of healthcare products and there is the issue of aging in America but that is offset by many of their expensive premier drugs going generic. Just cut their dividends. Would prefer other pharmaceutical stocks.
biotechnology / pharmaceutical
BUY
Johnson & Johnson
Have a very strong consumer product business and thinks they could weather pharmacy pipeline issues. 11 PE.
biotechnology / pharmaceutical
PAST TOP PICK
McDonalds
(A Top Pick Oct 22/08. Up 3.5%.)
food services
PAST TOP PICK
Walmart Inc
(A Top Pick Oct 22/08. Down 1.6%.)
department stores
PAST TOP PICK
Amerigas Partners
(A Top Pick Oct 22/08. Up 1.8%.)
integrated oils
TOP PICK
Exxon Mobil
Very defensive. Doesn't particularly like energy right now but if you are going to be in energy this is the way to go. Outstanding balance sheet. AAA rating. 3.2% dividend.
integrated oils
TOP PICK
A T & T US
6.38% dividend. Stock has been really beaten up and is down 40%. Blue-chip stock (fair amount of debt) on a distressed sale. Some people are cancelling landlines or not getting as much cell phone or add-ons as they used to but it is still a major company.
Telecommunications
TOP PICK
Hershey Foods Corp
Stock has been beaten up and company has been mismanaged with a horrible chart. But it has food defensive characteristics with not a lot of private label company competition. Expectations are low for unit volumes so all they have to do is beat a little bit.
food processing
COMMENT
Thinks the dividend is safe. Has growth in the international cigarette market without the same litigation issues as the US.
tobacco
HOLD
General Electric
A lot of great assets as well as some distressed assets. Great assets are somewhat recession prone but if economy improves they should do better. However GE capital side may have further problems. Risky stock at this point. Yield of 9.25%.
electrical / electronic
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