Top 5 Stocks for December

Top Stock #1 –
Amazon.com (AMZN[1])

Amazon.com (AMZN[2]) has surged nearly 40% in six weeks thanks in
large part to blowout earnings and strong sales of its Kindle e-book reader. The online retailer reported a 36.4% earnings surprise and a 7.7% sales
surprise. While some forms of consumer spending remain weak, spending on tech gear is still strong, and AMZN should continue to profit in the months
ahead.

NEXT – Top Stock #2

Top Stock #2 – Apple (AAPL[3])

Apple (AAPL[3]) is also going strong due in large part to a strong
earnings report in mid-October that indicated booming iPhone sales. Apple’s results topped forecasts of $1.42 per share on revenue of $9.2 billion
with a stunning 28% earnings surprise and a 25% sales surprise! The company is eyeing a big push into Asia with its iconic smartphone in 2010, and
I expect this could really boost profits for shareholders.

NEXT – Top Stock #3

Top Stock #3 – Cognizant Technology Solutions (CTSH[4])

Cognizant Tech Solutions (CTSH[4]) is a leading IT firm that provides
a wide array of data and software services to businesses around the world. The company enjoys big margins because most of Cognizant Tech’s software
development centers and employees are located in India, although it has other development facilities in Argentina, China, Hungary and even a small
operation in the U.S. The proof of this company’s strength is evident in its last earnings report. In the second quarter, Cognizant Tech’s profits
rose 34.3% and sales rose 13.3%. As more companies outsource positions to keep costs down, CTSH is poised for big profits.

NEXT – Top Stock #4

Top Stock #4 – AmBev (ABV[5])

Companhia de Bebidas Das Americas (ABV[5]), a Latin American beverage
giant, is going strong right now. Along with Brazil, AmBev sells its products in some 13 other countries, including the South and Central American
countries of Argentina, Peru, Ecuador, Uruguay and Venezuela. Sales volume for the company was up 4.7% in the third quarter, driven by 9.5% volume
growth in Brazil alone. This company is clearly cashing in on the booming Latin American marketplace right now.

NEXT – Top Stock #5

Top Stock #5 – GoldCorp (GG[6])

GoldCorp (GG[6]) has benefited nicely from the surge in gold prices.
As the precious metal moves past $1,100 an ounce, I expect even bigger profits and fatter margins to come from this Canada-based mining stock. But
don’t be fooled by the name — GoldCorp also owns 1.2 billion ounces of proved and probable silver reserves and 1.4 billion pounds of copper
reserves. Silver and copper prices have been on a tear lately, and the diverse mining operations of GoldCorp makes it a great investment right now.

Here now are 20 stocks to avoid. If you own these losers, sell them now.

NEXT – 20 Stocks to Sell Now

20 Stocks to Sell Now

The following stocks are rated F in my exclusive PortfolioGrader stock rating tool[7].
It’s a great way to rank your current or future investments, and it’s completely free!

Sell these stocks immediately.

1. Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. (ETH[8])
2. Penn Virginia Corp. (PVA[9])
3. Petroleum Development Corp. (PETD[10])
4. Valero Energy Corp. (VLO[11])
5. Approach Resources Inc. (AREX[12])
6. Basic Energy Services (BAS[13])
7. First Community Bancshares Inc. (FCBC[14])
8. Abington Bancorp Inc. (ABBC[15])
9. National Penn Bancshares Inc. (NPBC[16])
10. Green Bankshares Inc. (GRNB[17])
11. Frontier Financial Corp. (FTBKD[18])
12. First Busey Corp. (BUSE[19])
13. United Western Bancorp Inc. (UWBK[20])
14. First Security Group Inc. (FSGI[21])
15. City Bank (Washington) (CTBK[22])
16. Capital Trust Inc. (CT[23])
17. Cardiac Science Corp. (CSCX[24])
18. Energy Conversion Devices Inc. (ENER[25])
19. LECG Corp. (XPRT[26])
20. Silicon Image Inc. (SIMG[27])