Our #1 pick for 2010

Article Excerpt

We’ve chosen IBM as our Stock of the Year for 2010. That’s no guarantee of gains, of course. But it does tell you we feel IBM seems to offer above-average if not great returns this year, but with below-average risk. In the past decade, IBM has transformed itself from a computer maker to a computer-services provider. That’s because selling its expertise generates higher profits than selling computer hardware. Its services help clients cut costs and improve productivity, so demand should rise now that the global economy is growing again. IBM’s strong brand and reputation are also helping it expand in fast-growing countries like China, India and Brazil. As well, the continuing growth of Internet banking and the online selling of goods should fuel its earnings for years to come. Moreover, the stock is particularly attractive because it trades at under 12 times the company’s expected 2010 earnings. INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORP. $126 (New York symbol IBM, Conservative Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector;…