Good Stocks To Invest In 2012

With 2012 just around the corner, it’s time to take look at our favorite sector heading into the new year.

While there’s still plenty of uncertainty in the markets, particularly with Europe’s ongoing debt crisis, there’s also significant opportunity.  Remember, volatile markets can often lead to enormous upside potential.

Take the tech sector for example…

Some investors consider technology stocks risky because they often trade at higher multiples and don’t typically pay dividends.  And at times, the sector has had the tendency to underperform during sluggish economic periods.

Here’s the thing…

There are plenty of solid, growing tech companies out there if you know where to look.  And you can make a fortune on them even in a down market.

So why tech in 2012?

There are several reasons…

First off, we’re seeing a resurgence of the internet company.  Social media companies are redefining how people spend time and money online.  Of course, Facebook is leading the charge with over 800 million users.  And, the Facebook IPO is probably the most anticipated market event of 2012.

Speaking of IPOs, several new tech and internet IPOs hit the market in 2012.  Many of these IPOs saw huge gains right off the bat.  Clearly, many investors still get excited about the prospects of a tech IPO.

What’s more, the mainstream adoption of the smartphone and the tablet PC are leading to a wide range of tech opportunities.

You see, smartphones and tablets are selling like hot cakes.  And they’re driving growth in several related industries.  Think about it… processors, games, data storage, wireless technology… they all benefit directly from surging demand for these red hot mobile devices.

Good Stocks To Invest In 2012:DISH Network Corporation (DISH)

 DISH Network Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides direct broadcast satellite (DBS) subscription television services in the United States. It offers programming that includes approximately 280 basic video channels, 60 Sirius satellite radio music channels, 30 premium movie channels, 35 regional and specialty sports channels, 2,800 local channels, 250 Latino and international channels, and 55 channels of pay-per-view content. The company also offers local HD channels in approximately 160 markets and 215 national HD channels; and receiver systems, including a small satellite dish, digital set-top receivers, and remote controls. In addition, it provides DISHOnline.com, which enables DISH Network subscribers to watch 150,000 movies, television shows, clips, and trailers; DISH Remote Access that enables subscribers to remotely manage their DVRs using compatible mobile devices, such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops through their broadband-connected receiver; and Google TV that enables DISH Network subscribers to search the Internet, check email, interact with social media, and find additional online programming content while simultaneously watching television. As of March 31, 2011, the company had approximately 14.191 million customers. DISH Network provides receiver systems and programming through direct sales channels; and independent third parties, such as small satellite retailers, direct marketing groups, local and regional consumer electronics stores, nationwide retailers, and telecommunications companies. The company was founded in 1980 and is headquartered in Englewood, Colorado.

Good Stocks To Invest In 2012:Mercer International Inc. (MERC)

 Mercer International Inc., together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells pulp produced from wood chips and pulp logs. The company offers northern bleached softwood kraft (NBSK) pulp and market pulp. Mercer International sells its products primarily in Europe, Asia, and North America. The company was founded in 1968 and is based in Vancouver, Canada.

Good Stocks To Invest In 2012:California Water Service Group Holding (CWT)

 California Water Service Group, through its subsidiaries, provides water utility and other related services in California, Washington, New Mexico, and Hawaii. It engages in the production, purchase, storage, treatment, testing, distribution, and sale of water for domestic, industrial, public, and irrigation uses, as well as for fire protection. The company also provides non-regulated water-related services, including the operation of water and recycled water systems; leasing communication antenna sites on its properties; meter reading and billing services; sewer and refuse billing services; lab services for water quality testing; selling surplus property; and the marketing and billing of third party insurance programs to residential customers. As of December 31, 2009, it served approximately 467,100 customers in 83 communities in California; 15,600 customers in the Tacoma and Olympia areas in Washington; 7,800 water and wastewater customers in the Belen, Los Lunas, and Elephant Butte areas in New Mexico; and 4,200 water and wastewater customers on the islands of Maui and Hawaii. The company was founded in 1926 and is headquartered in San Jose, California.

Good Stocks To Invest In 2012:TotalFinaElf S.A. (TOT)

 TOTAL S.A., together with its subsidiaries, operates as an integrated oil and gas company worldwide. The company operates through three segments: Upstream, Downstream, and Chemicals. The Upstream segment engages in the exploration, development, and production of oil and natural gas. It also involves in the transportation, trade, and marketing of natural gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG), as well as in LNG re-gasification and natural gas storage operations. In addition, this segment engages in the shipping and trade of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG); power generation from gas-fired power plants, nuclear, or renewable energies; production, trade, and marketing of coal, as well as in solar power systems and technology operations. As of December 31, 2010, it had combined proved reserves of 10,695 Mboe of oil and gas. The Downstream segment involves in refining, marketing, trading, and shipping crude oil and petroleum products. It also produces a range of specialty products, such as lubricants, LPG, jet fuel, special fluids, bitumen, marine fuels, and petrochemical feedstock. This segment holds interests in 24 refineries located in Europe, the United States, the French West Indies, Africa, and China, as well as operates a network of 17,490 service stations. The Chemicals segment produces base chemicals, including petrochemicals and fertilizers, as well as engages in rubber processing, resins, adhesives, and electroplating activities. TOTAL S.A. was founded in 1924 and is based in Paris, France.

Advisors' Opinion:

• By Dave Friedman At 2011-9-23

  Institutional investors bought 15,892,820 shares and sold 13,997,360 shares, for a net of 1,895,460 shares. This net represents 0.08% of common shares outstanding. The number of shares outstanding is 2,234,829,040. The shares recently traded at $46.80 and the company’s market capitalization is $109,165,864,774.97. About the company: Total SA explores for, produces, refines, transports, and markets oil and natural! gas. Th e Company also operates a chemical division which produces polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, rubber, paint, ink, adhesives, and resins. Total operates gasoline filling stations in Europe, the United States, and Africa.

• By Glenn At 2011-8-26

   

  TOT has a market capitalization of $130 billion. Its dividend yield last year of 5% is among the best in the industry. Current P/E ratio of 9.2 seems very attractive compared to the industry average of 12. The stock prices did not participate much in the recent bull market. While smaller sized competitors such as ConocoPhillips (COP), Marathon Oil Corporation (MRO) and Statoil ASA (STO) offered spectacular returns (ranging from 30% to 50%), Total’s return in 2010 was only 2%. One may find that the price will catch up with profits.

Good Stocks To Invest In 2012:Luxottica Group S.p.A. (LUX)

 Luxottica Group S.p.A., together with its subsidiaries, provides luxury and sport/performance eyewear worldwide. It operates in two segments, Manufacturing and Wholesale Distribution, and Retail Distribution. The Manufacturing and Wholesale Distribution segment engages in the design, manufacture, wholesale distribution, and marketing of house and designer lines of prescription frames and sunglasses. It also offers performance optics products, including sun and prescription eyewear, ski goggles, and electronically-enabled eyewear, as well as branded apparel, footwear, watches, and accessories. This segment provides its products under house brands, such as Ray-Ban, Oakley, Arnette, Persol, Revo, Vogue, Oliver Peoples, K&L, Luxottica, Mosley Tribes, Sferoflex, and Eye Safety Systems; and licensed brands comprising Anne Klein, Brooks Brothers, Bvlgari, Burberry, Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, D&G, Donna Karan, DKNY, Fox, Miu Miu, Paul Smith, Polo Ralph Lauren, Prada, Salvatore Ferragamo, Stella McCartney, Tiffany & Co., Tory Burch, Versace, and Versus. It serves retailers of mid- to premium-priced eyewear, such as independent opticians, optical retail chains, specialty sun retailers, department stores, and duty-free shops, as well as independent optometrists and ophthalmologists. The Retail Distribution segment operates optical and sunglass stores under the brand names of LensCrafters, Sunglass Hut, Pearle Vision, ILORI, The Optical Shop of Aspen, OPSM, Laubman & Pank, Budget Eyewear, Bright Eyes, Oakley ?O? Stores and Vaults, and David Clulow, as well as under licensed brands, such as Sears Optical and Target Optical. As of May 11, 2011, this segment operated approximately 6,350 optical and sunglass retail stores. The company was founded in 1961 and is headquartered in Milan, Italy.

Good Stocks To Invest In 2012:H&R Block Inc. (HRB)

 H&R Block, Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides tax preparation, retail banking, and various business advisory and consulting services. It operates in three segments: Tax Services, Business Services, and Corporate. The Tax Services segment offers H&R Block At Home, an income tax preparation software, as well as a range of online tax services, including tax advice, professional and do-it-yourself tax return preparation, and electronic filing services through its Web site at hrblock.com primarily in the United States, Canada, and Australia. This segment also provides the H&R Block Prepaid Emerald MasterCard and Emerald Advance lines of credit through H&R Block Bank, as well as other retail banking services, including checking and savings accounts, individual retirement accounts, and certificates of deposit; and sells refund anticipation loans and refund anticipation checks offered by third-party lending institutions, as well as offers income tax return preparation courses to the public. The Business Services segment provides tax and consulting services, wealth management, and capital markets services to middle-market companies. The Corporate segment engages in various operations, which include interest income from the United States passive investments, interest expense on borrowings, net interest margin and gains or losses relating to mortgage loans held for investment, real estate owned, residual interests in securitizations and other corporate expenses principally related to finance, legal, and other support departments. The company was founded in 1946 and is headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri.

Good Stocks To Invest In 2012:China Kanghui Holdings (KH)

 China Kanghui Holdings develops, manufactures, and markets orthopedic implants and associated instruments. It offers approximately 30 product series of orthopedic implants and associated instruments for trauma, spine, cranial maxillofacial, and craniocerebral indications. The company?s trauma products include a range of nails, plates and screws, and cranial maxillofacial plate and screw systems used in the surgical treatment of bone fractures. Its spine products comprise screws, meshes, interbody cages, and fixation systems used in the surgical treatment of spine disorders. China Kanghui Holdings also manufactures products, including implants, implant components, and instruments for original equipment manufacturers. The company markets its products under Kanghui and Libeier brand names through third-party distributors to hospitals and surgeons. It sells its products in Asia, Europe, South America, and Africa. The company was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in Changzhou, the People?s Republic of China.

Advisors' Opinion:

• By Sherry Jim At 2011-8-28

  China Kanghui Holdings is a developer, manufacturer and marketer of orthopedic implants in China. China Kanghui Holdings has a market cap of $532.47 million; its shares were traded at around $23.35 with a P/E ratio of 56.95 and P/S ratio of 14.48.
  
  Soros bought 592,000 shares of China Kanghui Holdings at $18.52 and did not purchase more in the first quarter 2011.The stock has increased 28% year to date.
  
  First quarter 2011 net income increased by 23.6% to RMB22.0 from RMB17.8 million in the first quarter 2010. Net income per diluted ADS was RMB0.87 in the first quarter 2011, increased from a net loss per diluted share of RMB0.77 in the first quarter 2010. Domestic sales for its proprietary products increased 21.0% year over year to RMB50.1 million from RMB41.4 million, and international sales of proprietary products increased 246% from RMB11.1 million from RMB3.2 million. The company has cash and cash equivalents of $27.1 million on its balance sheet as of March 31, 2011.
  
  China Kanghui expects year-over-year revenue growth of 20 to 25% in 2011, making revenue for the year 2011 between RMB292 and RMB303.

Related Articles:

Financials Ignore Moody’s, Push Higher

ANTH, CRME, PPHM: Any Hope in These Oversold Biotech Firms?

Tags: 2012 Best Stocks ,BAC ,Best Japan Stocks ,Best Stocks 2012 ,Best Stocks To Hold For 2012 ,Japan Stocks ,JPM ,MS ,Best China Stocks 2012