So, what do I look for in a "never-sell" stock?

Well, I have a checklist of what I like to call "Big Picture" questions that relate the size of the industry, the company's market share, its unique selling proposition and the "moat" they've built around their business to protect it from the competition (often based on cutting-edge technology, clear distribution channels and its very on reputation.)

I also like to see a tenured management that keeps making money for stockholders even as the industry changes, products become outdated or the industry marketscape changes dramatically. These captains of commerce need to help the company evolve at the speed of business. If you don't you simply get left behind.

That's exactly what happened to Kodak over the past few years. They should have owned the digital camera and digital flash card market outright. But management missed out on massive market changes and tremendous profit-making opportunities.

So, as 2008 approaches, I picked out a few prime candidates from my own New World Investor portfolio that I wouldn't mind potentially holding onto for a lifetime. From robots to wave breakers…here are my top 3 contenders:

Keeper #1: Because of their world-class manufacturing capability, this company will be at the center of the semiconductor revolution as long as it runs. The only two competitors who even come close to rivaling this manufacturing leader's capability leader are possibly IBM and Taiwan Semiconductor.

The stock hit a 52-week high of $27.71 in early October but dropped sharply when a Morgan Stanley analyst warned of a possible price war because:

"Microprocessor unit shipments recently have outpaced PC shipments, raising the risk of double ordering and an inventory correction."

Yeah, right. July and August are not noted as strong months for computer sales, so no surprise there. August and September are big months for microprocessor shipments into the channel, to get ready for the holiday build-out. So every year, microprocessor unit shipments outpace PC shipments in August and September. But thank goodness for Wall Street, because his comments brought the LEAP options that I recommended in this stock, back below my buy limit for one last time, giving you a chance to get on board if you haven't already.

Keeper #2: Wave power is poised to become the next generation of alternative energy and this company is the industry leader, and in the perfect position to ride the wave. Off the Mendocino, California coast, Chevron popped up a few months ago and filed to install a test wave energy project. Then PG&E piled on with a series of information meetings, and it seems like much of the California coast will be allocated for wave power projects over the next few months. I haven't seen much about this in other than local media, but I will be attending meetings with the commercial fisherman and other stakeholders to watch the process. Wave power is a 50-year technology cycle at its very beginning. Don't miss it.

Keeper #3: I'm sure my third and final pick will bring on a few snickers—but I don't care. It's the leader in consumer robots. Maybe it's because I just bought a former B&B built in 1912 that has so many gutters to be cleaned that I was more than happy to pay the $149 for their new Looj gutter-cleaning robot. I have to admit the other robot that they recently introduced was also very cool. It doesn't do a specific job; it is a robot that combines two-way audio and one-way video, letting you visit with loved ones, relatives and even pets anytime you wish—seeing, hearing and interacting with them in their home as if you were there in person.

I'm sure David Letterman will think of numerous situations where an unexpected visit from the robot could entertain his studio audience. I also expect the hacker/tinker community to embrace the robots and come up with many nifty uses for it. It's $199 for the next few weeks if you are willing to fill out usage surveys, and then it will sell for just under $500 at list price. With the holiday season fast approaching, I'm expecting to see this stock really soar as consumers pick up these unique products for gifts.

Stocks with Stamina

So there you have it: my top 3 potential "never-sell" stocks for 2008. Now, I know what you're probably thinking: "Sounds great, Mike, but how do I know that you know what you're talking about? Can you really identify emerging clean energy companies and other cutting-edge technology companies that can make me wealthy over the long haul?"

Well, let me give you an empirical piece of evidence for your consideration:

The independent Hulbert Financial Digest has given one of my portfolios the top ranking for the last 12 month returns. This portfolio was up an incredible 263% in the last 12 months.  Those aren't my numbers, those are Hulbert's, and he's proud of his record and reputation as a watchdog of the investment advisory industry.

Of course, not every recommendation will work out so well as the ones in our recent winning streak. After all, many of my stocks are development-stage companies, many of them micro-caps, and some not even generating profits yet.

That's why you'll want to only play this game with an experienced guide, someone who knows the technology, the people and the risks involved. Someone like me. To get the names of these 3 potential "never-sell" stocks along with the remaining 20+ stocks on my list, click here for your RISK-FREE trial subscription to my New World Investor right now!

The drive to produce, innovate and cure is so strong in biotech, especially in the smaller drug companies, that knocking one out of the park is not only possible, but probable. My current recommendations focus on finding the next big winners and companies that will offer solid profits from effective drugs. Sign up for New World Investor and you'll not only find the names of these "never-sell" stocks, you'll also gain access to my complete buy list!