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Stock Picking Competition for 2009 – My 4 Stock Picks
Happy New Year!
I know that I said that I wouldn’t be posting today, but a few fellow personal finance/investing bloggers contacted me to participate in a stock picking competition. What’s involved with the competition? Basically each blogger will pick 4 of their favorite stocks for 2009 and we’ll follow the performance (or lack there of) on a periodic basis throughout the year.
Note that the stock picks below are not recommendations to buy. Please do your own due diligence before purchasing any equities.
My 4 Stock Picks
- Hanfeng Evergreen (HF.TO) – This company creates high yielding fertilizer for the Chinese market. I’ve been watching this stock for a couple years now and it seems to be oversold relative to their (profitable) earnings. This stock has the possibility of making a comeback providing that the Chinese market makes a partial recovery. If the markets don’t cooperate in 2009, then this stock could go down even further. Price as of closing Dec 31, 2008: $5.63
- Johnson and Johnson (JNJ) – Now that I have my exciting stock out of the way, time to go to the boring large cap stuff. Johnson and Johnson manufactures ‘staple’ items like Tylenol, Johnson baby products, band aid, Listerine and other popular skin care products. Even in a recession, I believe that people will continue to buy these products. JNJ also offers a sustainable dividend at an attractive yield. Price as of closing Dec 31, 2008: $59.83
- Husky Energy (HSE.TO) – This is my pick for some energy sector exposure. Even though the potential global recession throughout 2009 could keep oil prices depressed, I like Husky Energy’s oil properties and their profitability. Their dividend doesn’t hurt either. Price as of closing Dec 31, 2008: $30.87
- Power Financial (PWF.TO) – This holding company has large positions in IGM Financial, Great West Life, Canada Life and London Life. It offers a generous sustainable dividend and I believe that this stock has been irrationally oversold. Hopefully PWF will recover in 2009. Price as of closing Dec 31, 2008: $23.90
There you have it, my 4 stock picks for 2009. Personally, I think a large cash position will be important in 2009 so that opportunities can seized when the time comes. Do you have any favorite stocks for 2009?
If you would like to test the waters in the stock market, but not ready to use real money, checkout Wall Street Survivor. It’s a free stock trading game that I’ve used to practice trading. They even offer real money as prizes for top performers.
Here are the stock picks from the other bloggers involved:
- Where Does My money Go
- Four Pillars
- ZachStocks
- The Wild Investor
- The Financial Blogger
- Intelligent Speculator
- My Trader’s Journal
- Dividend Growth Investor
15 Comments, Comment or Ping
1. RJ
Almost all your picks are on my top watch list/holdings but here are my 4 stock picks.
Rogers: One of Canada’s leading telecommunication companies, nr. 1 wireless provider and cable provider. It has attractive yield 2.9% currently and it is expected that they will increase their dividend again this year, like they have the several past years.
Manulife: Canada’s largest insurance company, has taken a big beating. Currently looking at purchasing some AIG assests, very strong position in the emerging market. Manulife is the worlds largest insurance company in terms of Market Cap. Very attractive yield over 5% currently.
Husky and JNJ my other two picks.
January 1st, 2009 at 2:43 pm
2. Four Pillars
Good luck with the competition. I think your picks should be sufficient for 2nd place! :)
January 1st, 2009 at 3:57 pm
3. Dividend Growth Investor
Nice list. Good luck in 2009:-)
January 1st, 2009 at 3:58 pm
4. Chiko
I think Apple Inc. (AAPL) will continue to be one of the most innovative companies in 2009. So I on board with Apple Inc.
January 1st, 2009 at 5:14 pm
5. Steve - Montreal
My 4 will be:
1. MRK
2. IMO
3. Shoppers drugmart
4. CAE
I do own both MRK and IMO.
January 1st, 2009 at 6:07 pm
6. John
Although those are great companies to have in any portfolio, I think your 4 choices are way to conservative to win any 1 year (short term) stock picking contests. I would encourage you to pick up something really beaten up and hope for a run in 2009. A pick in a sector like materials or energy should be solid going forward. Ask your readers for recomendations on their top flyer for 2009 and go for the gusto.
JMO.
Have a great 2009 and I wish your blog much success in the New Year.
Cheers
January 1st, 2009 at 6:59 pm
7. lenk519
my picks pfe gnbt adm lmt
January 3rd, 2009 at 9:56 am
8. Dan
Interesting picks. I think they’re very reasonable and commend you for not “swinging for the fences” just to win the competition!
January 5th, 2009 at 5:12 pm
9. nobleea
I would pick:
First Quantum (T.FM)
Weatherford (WFT)
Encana (T.ECA)
Harvest Energy (T.HTE.UN)
January 8th, 2009 at 12:42 pm
10. J-Vancouver
My picks:
Sino Forest Corp- TRE.TO
Migao – MGO.TO
Petrominerales – PMG.TO
Kingsway Financial – KFS.TO
January 13th, 2009 at 2:45 pm
11. paulines-stocks
My picks:
Ford Motor Company
Walmart
Canadian Western Bank
MicroSoft
January 18th, 2009 at 8:22 pm
12. paulines-stocks
And I would also include Research in Motion
January 19th, 2009 at 6:13 pm
13. Amit
Although late in the game as I read this post only recently, at the beginning of the year, my picks would have been:-
SQM – Chemicals
RYN – REIT Diversified (Timber related REIT – Timber has outperformed Small Cap Value stocks in last many decades)
NLY – Mortgage Investment
STON – Personal Services
In addition to being good companies, they pay good dividends and I own all of them in my permanent portfolio. Good luck with the competition.
August 7th, 2009 at 4:44 pm
14. mlgreen8753
One of my stock picks would be Mentor Capital (MNTR). Their capital investment in Quantum Immunologics could be good for the company’s stock prices.
September 27th, 2009 at 8:27 pm
15. ku chow
ATK
HLO
SUV
VER
January 17th, 2010 at 9:57 am
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