Stock Picks for 20-Somethings
The sinking stock market is enough to scare off most investors, let alone those in their 20s who are just starting their investment portfolio. So, CNBC asked four market watchers for stock picks -- given a five-year time horizon -- for 20-somethings. Check out their picks.
Archer Daniels Midland
The largest agricultural processor in the world, the company (ADM) processes crops to make food ingredients. The company also supplies corn for use in ethanol. Ralph Shive of First Source Investment Advisors picked the stock because the company does "a very good job of -- no pun intended -- squeezing the margin out of oil (and) corn."
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International Paper
Some may say paper is dead, but not Shive. International Paper (IP) is another of his picks. "Paper, pulp -- we need them, and it's a global market," he says. "We think the company is setting up for some very powerful earnings in the next two to three years."
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Verizon Communications
The company (VZ), headquartered in New York, offers everthing: Internet, TV and phone services. Shive likes the telecommunications company because of its wireless division and good pricing power.
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Apple
Romeo Dator, an analyst at U.S. Global Investors, recommends the stock because of the company's (AAPL) loyal customers and rotation of new products: "I think they'll be fairly loyal to Apple," says Dator. "I think they'll continue to introduce very good products that they want to use."
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GameStop
The company (GME) is the largest video game retailer in the world operating two store brands, GameStop and EB Games. It is also testing a third brand, this one for movies, called MovieStop. The demand for videogames is what caused Dator to pick the stock: "I think videogame sales will still be fairly strong," he says.
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True Religion
The premium denim company (TRLG), established in 2002, sells clothing in its own stores, as well as high-end department stores across the country. "Denim is still selling very well, in terms of sell-through at department stores at Bergdorf, Saks and as Nordstroms," says Dator.
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Smith Micro
The company (SMSI) creates software and hardware for cell phones (like the Samsung Instinct pictured) and computers. Sullivan sees a bright spot in the company's technology that "allows users to actually download music onto their phones." He says the company is certainly "a good long-term holding."
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Monster Worldwide
Besides its signature job search engine Web site, the company (MNST) also owns a couple of other sites like FastWeb.com and Military.com. Sullivan recommends the stock for 20-somethings because their generation will be utilizing the site: "The Gen Y folks, who are tech-savvy, they'll look to monster.com for the next job opportunity."
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Bare Escentuals
The cosmetic company (BARE) makes natural, mineral-based cosmetics. Sullivan likes the stock because it's a brand 20-somethings value: "As a consumer, these folks are going to be looking for those type of consumer products that are natural, are environmentally friendly [and] environmentally safe."
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Anglo-Irish Bank
The Ireland-based company (AGIBY) is on the 20-something list of James Moffett of Scout Investment Advisors. "They're a sound, old-fashioned bank, in the sense that their credit culture is good," he says. "They look for collateral and cash flow on their loans, and so far, their earnings have held up."
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Embraer
Headquartered in Brazil, the company (ERJ) builds smaller commercial, military and executive aircraft. "That's where the action is in the aircraft business -- the regional jets that are flying nonstop, point-to-point as opposed to the bigger jets doing hub-and-spoke," says Moffett.
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Nokia
Moffett’s last stock pick is the Finland based company (NOK). "That's your basic cell-phone company," he says. "They keep coming through with new products."
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