Top 5 Blue-Chip Stocks To Buy for February in 2012

These top five stocks for February have the immediate growth potential and are seeing exceptional buying pressure. I want to make certain you’re not missing out on these wonderful opportunities.
Two of the top five stocks for February are returning veterans from January and other months, but I’ve added some new stocks as well. Let’s get started:

Alexion Pharmaceuticals

Top 5 Blue-Chip Stocks To Buy for February in 2012 - Alexion (NASDAQ:ALXN) remains the No. 1 stock on my buy list. This stock has been surging higher in recent weeks, and shares responded very positively to the news that the company is expanding its product portfolio through its $1 billion bid for Enobia Pharma, a developer of therapies for serious genetic bone disorders. The company currently is working to get its hypophosphatasia treatment, asfotase alfa, approved in the United States. To date, there is no approved treatment for this life-threatening disease. So, if approved, the company would have a tremendous first-mover advantage. Alexion, who will acquire full worldwide development and commercial rights to asfotase alfa, is confident the drug can obtain approval. Analysts currently expect Alexion to grow sales by 41.4% and earnings by 30.8% in the fourth quarter. ALXN reports Thursday, Feb. 9.
AutoZone
Top 5 Blue-Chip Stocks To Buy for February in 2012 - AutoZone (NYSE:AZO) has taken off on its next leg higher because it is the perfect stock for the current automobile market. Although consumers are buying new cars when necessary, they also are extending the lives of those vehicles and getting as much mileage as they can for their buck. And companies like AutoZone do this superbly by supplying the parts to keep well-worn cars in top condition. Looking forward to the company’s next quarterly earnings report, expected in late February, analysts currently estimate AutoZone will announce 7% growth in sales and 19.8% growth in earnings. The stock should be a solid performer in the coming weeks. AZO is a strong buy.

Dollar Tree

Top 5 Blue-Chip Stocks To Buy for February in 2012 - Dollar Tree (NASDAQ:DLTR) knows one of the best ways of coping with thinning wallets is to stretch each and every dollar. So, while lean times hit other retailers particularly hard, Dollar Tree stores flourished. The company is the largest and most successful single-price-point retailer in the U.S. — everything in its 4,000 locations is just $1. The company has continued its success even as the U.S. economy improves, and I don’t believe the desire of consumers to save money will be disappearing anytime in 2012. In fact, analysts currently expect the company to report 11.5% sales growth and 22.5% earnings growth in its Feb. 22 earnings announcement.

McDonald’s

Top 5 Blue-Chip Stocks To Buy for February in 2012 - McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD) is the world’s No. 1 fast-food company and a solid winner for this buy list. Analysts expected the company to report 9.1% sales growth and 11.2% earnings growth this week. McDonald’s answered back by beating earnings expectations for 14th time in the past 16 quarters. Although this did not push the stock higher, I still believe the positive earnings report will be a catalyst for further gains. McDonald’s plans to invest in store expansions around the globe in 2012, with two-thirds of its new stores to be located in Asia.
Ross Stores
Top 5 Blue-Chip Stocks To Buy for February in 2012 - Ross Stores (NASDAQ:ROST) is the nation’s largest off-price apparel and home fashion retailer and continues to benefit from value-focused customers. The stock has been a solid performer so far in the new year. In December, ROST reported that its same-store sales jumped 9.2%, over double the 4% estimate! I’m looking forward to the company’s Q4 earnings announcement and finding out how these exceptional sales affected the company’s earnings. Analysts are currently expect the company to report 10.9% sales growth and 20.3% earnings growth, and a solid surprise could be just the ticket to the stock’s next leg higher.

Top 5 Emerging Growth Stocks to Buy for January in 2012

If you have cash to invest this month, I highly recommend these five below. Here they are, in no particular order:
Taiwan-based Silicon Motion Technology (NASDAQ:SIMO) has its hand in lots of hot markets and is a big player in flash memory storage — flash memory cards, USB flash drives, card readers and solid-state hard drives. In fact, most of the NAND flash and next-generation flash products on the market — whether produced by Samsung (PINK:SSNLF), SanDisk (NASDAQ:SNDK), Toshiba, Micron (NASDAQ:MU) or Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) — are supported by Silicon Motion controllers. Silicon Motion also produces multimedia chips including embedded graphics processors, image processors and TV tuners. Lastly, it has been increasingly focused on controllers for smartphones, tablets and notebook PCs, as well as wireless transceivers for 4G LTE smartphones and tablets.
In the third quarter, Silicon Motion’s sales rose 25% to $63.2 million compared with $50.5 million in the second quarter. Looking forward, the analyst community is expecting annual fourth-quarter sales growth of 51% and 88.9% earnings growth. In the past three months, the analyst community has revised their consensus earnings estimate 32% higher — a phenomenon that typically precedes blowout earnings surprises.
Top 5 Emerging Growth Stocks to Buy for January in 2012 - Questor Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:QCOR) likes a challenge. As a specialist of difficult-to-treat central nervous system disorders, the company has been particularly successful with its multiple sclerosis treatment, H.P. Acthar Gel. The company also makes Doral, which is used for the treatment of insomnia. In the massive biotechnology industry, Questcor is top-notch in terms of earnings per share growth and return on equity.
For the fourth quarter, the analyst community is expecting 127.4% annual sales growth and 265.7% earnings growth of 38 cents per share. In the past three months, the analyst community has revised their consensus earnings estimate 32.6% higher. Typically, such positive analyst earnings revisions precede future earnings surprises.
Top 5 Emerging Growth Stocks to Buy for January in 2012 -Hansen Natural (NASDAQ:HANS) is the mastermind behind Monster, a dominant energy drink in the U.S. Looking at a can of Monster Energy drink, the flashy staple of sleep-deprived college students, one wouldn’t think that the company’s humble beginnings stem back to just one father and three sons working with a juicer in Southern California. In fact, although Hansen sells supercharged drinks like Monster and Java Monster, most of its drink roster is actually very wholesome. For example, it has 30 real fruit and spice soda flavors, a number of immune system-boosting drinks, vitamin waters and an array of teas and lemonades.
In recent quarters, Hansen Natural has reported “monster” sales and profit growth. Third-quarter sales jumped 24% from $381.5 million last year to $474.7 million this quarter. Over the same period, net income also rose 24% to $82.4 million, or 88 cents per share. Plus, speculation is heating up that Monster might be an acquisition target by Red Bull or one of the major soft drink companies. With Red Bull’s recent decision to pull out of NASCAR as a sponsor, a “monster” acquisition might be just what the energy drink maker needs to capture additional U.S. market share.
Top 5 Emerging Growth Stocks to Buy for January in 2012 - Spectrum Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:SPPI) is familiar pharmaceutical company I once discussed in the Top 5 Emerging Growth Stocks for December. Spectrum specializes in oncology — the treatment of cancer — and currently has two cancer treatments on the market: Fusilev, a treatment for advanced colon cancer, and Zevalin, a treatment for a type of lymphoma.
But what really excites me about this company is what it has in its pipeline: Spectrum has more than 10 drugs in either late-stage development or development! This includes Apaziquone, a treatment for bladder cancer, Belinostat, another lymphoma treatment and Ozarelix, a treatment of prostate cancer. This is a midsize biotechnology company already at the top of the industry — in terms of return on equity — and is about to experience blowout growth.
Top 5 Emerging Growth Stocks to Buy for January in 2012 - Jazz Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:JAZZ) has two flagship drugs — Xyrem, the only narcolepsy treatment approved by the World Anti-Doping Agency, and Luvox CR, its obsessive compulsive disorder treatment. But there are a number of exciting developments on the near horizon, including Jazz’s massive buyout of Dublin-based Azur Pharma Ltd., which should close within the next couple of weeks, and the company’s subsequent moving of its headquarters to Dublin. After the move, Jazz will be able to take advantage of Ireland’s competitive tax rate.
The company’s sales climbed 63.3% and earnings surged 115.6% in the third quarter, and for the fourth quarter, the analyst community is expecting 54% annual sales growth and 70.5% earnings growth. Jazz Pharmaceuticals is flush with cash and recently prepaid $33 million in long-term debt, and I’m excited to see how developments play out in the company’s next earnings release. Also, despite those who might think that Jazz Pharma’s bullish run looks tapped out, I remain optimistic.

Stocks to Buy 2012 - Best Stock Picks 2012

elow is a list of my latest stock picks for 2012. These 2012 Stock Picks are my favorite stocks to buy and some of the stocks I will be trading personally. Last year, one of my top stock picks was Best Stock Picks 2012 Apple (AAPL) which I recommended at $330 per share. Apple stock recently hit $400 per share. Another one of my hot stocks to buy in 2011 was Hyperdynamics (HDY). HDY stock provided a huge gain in January and several more good rallies.

I feel 2012 will be a sideways year for stocks and the overall stock market. As you know, 2012 is an election year. Stocks could get volatile late in the year as investors position their portfolios accordingly. Check out my 2012 best stocks to buy list below.

Latest 2012 Stock Picks


Top Stock Gainers - 2012
#1 Top Stock Pick 2012 - ( Small Cap Stocks ) - Direxion Daily Small Cap Bull 3X Shares (TNA) - Direxion Daily Small Cap Bull 3X Shares (TNA) is my top stock pick for 2012. As we head into December 2011, I am fine tuning my stocks to buy given the fluid conditions we are seeing with the overall stock market and Europe. TNA is one of the most volatile ETF's you can buy but it is a play on the direction of the stock market. TNA is currently trading around $33.50, down $13 per share in just six trading days as Wall St. stresses out about the problems in Europe. Earnings here in the U.S have been strong and some can argue that the jitters we are seeing are just fluff. However, as we head into 2012, we are seeing some great stocks to buy and TNA falls into that category. I feel TNA can rally back to $48-$50 at some point in 2012 with the chance to go to $60. TNA will be my top stock to trade in 2012 given It's volatility. TNA has huge swings almost daily so you can trade it all day long. And, if you want to go short the market, try Direxion Daily Small Cap Bear 3X Shares (TZA). However, TZA is not a good long term stock to buy.

What is Direxion Daily Small Cap Bull 3X Shares (TNA)? The investment seeks daily investment results, before fees and expenses, of 300% of the price performance of the Russell 2000® Index. The fund will invest at least 80% of assets in securities that comprise the index. It will also utilize financial instruments that, in combination, provide leveraged and unleveraged exposure to the index. The fund is non-diversified. TNA fund holds a basket of stocks and bonds with the highest percentage being technology, industrials, financials, and healthcare.
If the stock market crashes, TNA will get crushed. However, I am predictiing the S&P 500 to return to 1250-1300 at some point in 2012 so TNA will be a 35-45% gainer from here. Not a bad return on your money!

Stocks to Buy 2012 - ( Technology - Mobile Phone Stocks ) - Stocks to Buy 2012 - Apple Inc. (AAPL) - Apple Inc. (AAPL) is my top large cap stock pick in 2012. The iPad 3 in expected to launch early 2012 and the iPhone 5 will hopefully arrive at the end of 2012. The passing of Steve Jobs and a key earnings miss has caused AAPL stock to sell off back into the low $360's. AAPL hit a high of $424 in late 2011. I am giving AAPL a $450 price target in 2012 which represents a 25% gain from the current stock price. AAPL will be a monster stock in 2012 as iPhones and iPads sell like crazy. There is even talk of an iTV device coming in late 2012 or early 2013. With the current stock price around $360, you can't go wrong buying AAPL stock today!

#3 Best Stock Pick 2012 - ( Rare Earth Stocks - Metals ) - MolyCorp (MCP) - MolyCorp (MCP) stock recently dropped to $26 so I decided to add this stock to my Top 2012 Stocks to Buy list. Molycorp (MCP) is by far very risky but has been thrown out with the bath water. Rare Earth stocks are out of favor right now due to the huge drops in mineral prices. However, the Mountain Pass mine will come online by mid 2012 which will allow Molycorp to start earning big money. Look for rare earth prices to stablize in early 2012 and this stock to start going back up. This is by far my boldest stock pick of 2012 and if I am right, MCP will again see $40-$45 at some point during the year.

Best Stocks For 2012 - Place Your Bid on eBay Stock Now

Best Stocks For 2012 - eBay (NASDAQ:EBAY) — This online auctioneer is in reality a global commercial platform that is the largest of its kind. It owns Pay-Pal, Bill Me Later, Gmarket, GSI Commerce, Shopping .com and StubHub.
Its fourth-quarter 2011 earnings were considerably above analysts’ estimates. Currently,11 Wall Streetanalysts have a “strong buy” on Best Stocks For 2012 - EBAY, nine are a “buy,” and 13 are a “hold. There is only one who rates the stock “underperform.”
Yesterday, EBAY confirmed a major breakout through a compound top that has taken a full year to form. Heavy accumulation in the past month helped it flash a “golden cross,” a long-term buy signal. The breakout has a trading target of $41.

Best Stocks For 2012 - Don’t Put Any Stock in Denim

Jeans. Long ago, this word evoked the most pedestrian of images — blue, rugged, simple, cheap. But over the past few decades (and a few million acid washes and knee holes later), jeans became the stuff of high fashion, selling for exorbitant prices.
So it’s logical to think that the premier makers of high-end denim should be minting money, right? Well, not exactly. While jeans have demonstrated staying power as a fashion statement, some of the biggest names in denim are far from a long-term lock as an investment.

Best Stocks For 2012 - Guess

Of this group, Guess is the oldest and the largest. Guess was one of the premier jean brands of the 1980s, then fell by the wayside in the ’90s to Best Stocks For 2012 - Gap (NYSE:GPS), Calvin Klein and others. But since the aughts, Guess has been heading in the right direction in several areas.
Guess increased sex appeal in its ads to improve popularity. It diversified both its offerings, adding accessories and perfume, and its finances — Guess’ revenues outside the U.S. and Canada have gone from 20% of total revenues in 2005 to almost half last year. Earnings have increased an average of 28% annually in the past five years, debt is next to negligible and GES has been increasing its dividend since 2007, currently yielding 20 cents, or 2.5%.
However, Guess stock has fallen almost 30% since a November 2010 peak above $50. Its most recent quarterly earnings of 71 cents per share were down 5%, and analysts expect similar drops in earnings across the next couple quarters and FY 2012. The Street does expect GES earnings to grow 10% in FY13, but that still would far lag an industry-wide expectation of about 23%. Though it has a fair forward P/E of about 12, the growth concerns raise a red flag.

Best Stocks For 2012 - True Religion

True Religion, while still a bit diversified in its offerings, is a purer play on jeans. It’s also a worse one. True Religion is a much smaller operation than Guess, though similar in that it also sells its clothes through other retailers. Its jeans run in a range between $220 and $320, so it’s safe to call TRLG a luxury stock. And a look at its share price shows True Religion definitely is behaving like other luxury stocks — TRLG is up 70% in the past year.
What’s troubling is that True Religion’s stock movement doesn’t reflect the company’s performance. TRLG’s earnings growth on a quarterly basis has been extremely inconsistent during the past two years. Also, while its full-year 2011 adjusted earnings reported Thursday were up 1 cent per share from 2010, at $1.88, they’re still 4 cents shy of 2009 earnings. Q4 2011 adjusted earnings also were down 2 cents down from 2010 levels, and well short of Wall Street expectations — and True Religion stock was hammered for it Friday, losing 27% in a single day!
But even if you think of buying on the dip at around $28, TRLG still isn’t a that much of a bargain, trading around 12 times expected 2012 earnings. And with no dividend, there’s nothing convincing me to stick around and wait for better times.

Best Stocks For 2012 - Joe’s Jeans

I saved the worst for last. Joe’s Jeans is a tiny company that sells jeans in the $100-$200 range, as well as other clothes and accessories. And there’s not much good to say about it. Its fourth-quarter earnings were … whoops! We don’t know. JOEZ was tentatively slated to report on Thursday, but as of this writing, it didn’t show. What we do know is the company lost 3 cents per share in its previous quarter, and analysts expect Joe’s Jeans to break even for the year, then earn 3 cents per share in FY12.
But don’t bother. Joe’s Jeans is dangling off the Nasdaq cliff — JOEZ has traded below $1 since April, so the company was given a six-month delisting warning from the Nasdaq in June, then got a six-month extension in December. And at about 70 cents per share, the company is as close as it has been to a buck since August.
In other words? This stock is sunk. If you’re dead-set on playing Joe’s Jeans, be aware that it has very thin daily volume and has a microcap market size ($45 million). So even though it doesn’t trade on the pink sheets yet, it is for all intents and purposes a high-risk penny stock gamble — not an investment.