The firm's stock selections will likely soon be picking up a tailwind as the government said the U.S. labor marketgrew by 243,000 jobs in January, the most since last spring, and the jobless rate fell to 8.3 percent from 8.5 percent, the lowest since February 2009.
That caught Wall Street flat-footed as the consensus was for a slowdown in job growth since the start the year and that unemployment would remain at 8.5 percent.
JPMorgan's 10 top picks have potential upside of 22 percent to 58 percent, it says, and include a wide range of companies, from trash collectors to insurance sellers.
JPMorgan said it remains optimistic for the market this year, giving a year-end target of 1,430 for the Standard & Poor's 500, which represents an 8 percent upside to the current level. “We see many signs of a healthy market and likely further gains six and 12 months out,” it said.
The criteria used to select these stocks is that they should be in one of four sectors: energy, financials, industrials or materials; have a free cash flow yield of greater than 5 percent; be rated “overweight” by the firm; have a market value of at least $2 billion; and, finally, have at least a 15 percent potential upside to the firm's 12-month price target.
Here are JPMorgan's top 10 picks in inverse order of potential price upside based on the firm's 12-month price targets:
10. Waste Connections
Company profile: Waste Connections provides collection, transfer, disposal, and recycling services in 27 states. In addition to 45 landfills, 140 collection operations, and 57 transfer stations, it owns two intermodal facilities that operate waste-by-rail fleets. It is expected to earn $1.61 per share in 2012.
Investor takeaway: The $39.50 price target is a 22 percent premium to its current price. S&P likes it too, giving it a “buy” recommendation and a four out of a five-star rating.
9. Fluor
Company profile: Fluor is a global provider of engineering, procurement, construction, and maintenance services to a wide range of big customers, including oil and gas firms, manufacturers, power companies, and governments. It is expected to earn $3.77 per share in 2012.
Investor takeaway: It has a $70 price target on it, which is a 24 percent premium. S&P gives it a “buy” recommendation with a four-star rating.
8. MetLife
Company profile: MetLife offers insurance and financial services to individual and institutional customers. Its products include life insurance, annuities, and individual automobile and homeowners insurance, as well as group insurance, reinsurance, and retirement and savings products. Its 2012 earnings are estimated at $5.07 per share.
Investor takeaway: Its $45 price target is a 27 percent premium. S&P gives it a “buy” recommendation and a four-star rating.
7. Alcoa
Company profile: Alcoa is the largest producer, worldwide, of aluminum products. Its 2012 earnings are estimated at 53 cents per share.
Investor takeaway: It gets a $13 price target, a 28 percent premium. S&P gives it a “buy” recommendation and a four-star rating and has a $13 price target on it.
6. National Oilwell Varco
Company profile: National Oilwell Varco is one of the largest equipment suppliers in the drilling industry. It provides equipment for rigs and service products used in oil and gas production. Its 2012 earnings are estimated at $5.90 per share.
Investor takeaway: Its $100 price target is a 35 percent premium to its current price. S&P gives it a “buy” recommendation and a four-star rating and has a $99 price target on it.
5. Arch Coal
Company profile: Arch Coal is the second-largest coal producer in the U.S., providing coal for 6 percent of the nation's electricity generation. It's projected to earn $1.97 per share in 2012.
Investor takeaway: It gets a $20 price target, a 39 percent premium. S&P gives it a "buy" recommendation and a four-star rating and has a $25 price target on it.
4. Allstate
Company profile: Allstate is the second-largest U.S. personal lines, property-casualty insurer. It is expected to earn $3.65 per share in 2012.
Investor takeaway: It gets a $40 price target, a 39 percent premium. S&P has a “hold” recommendation on its shares and gives the company a three-star rating.
3. Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold
Company profile: Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold’s mines produce more copper and molybdenum than any other publicly traded company in the world. It also has sizeable gold-mining operations. It is expected to earn $4.28 per share in 2012.
Investor takeaway: It has a $65 price target, a 41 percent premium. S&P has a “hold” recommendation on its shares and gives the company a three-star rating and a $46 price target.
2. Embraer
Company profile: Embraer, based in Brazil, makes small commercial aircraft, including jets. It also produces aircraft for military and corporate aviation, as well as aircraft systems and structural components. It is expected to earn $2.44 per share in 2012.
Investor takeaway: It gets a $42 price target, a 53 percent premium. S&P has a “hold” recommendation on its shares and gives the company a three-star rating and a $30 price target.
1. Hess
Company profile: Hess is an integrated oil and gas company involved in exploration and production on several continents and refining and marketing primarily on the U.S. East Coast, where it has substantial retail operations. It is expected to earn $6.59 per share in 2012.
Investor takeaway: The price target of $89 is a 58 percent upside. S&P gives it a “buy” recommendation and a four-star rating and has a $76 price target on it.
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