DECEMBER 29, 2003
2004 INVESTMENT OUTLOOK -- STOCKS UP CLOSE
The Pros' Picks:
Joan E. Lappin |
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| COMPANY* | SYMBOL | PRICE** | P-E RATIO*** |
| CEPHALON | CEPH | 47.5 | 23 | | Earnings ramping with Provigil, sleep disorder drug. Stock could go to 60. |
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| GENERAL MOTORS | GM | 49.79 | 10 | | Yields 4%-plus. Pension pressures are abating. Economy and better advertising will help sell cars. |
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| NEXTEL | NXTL | 25.3 | 15 | | Stock has doubled but could climb another 50% as margins continue to improve. |
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| NOVELL | NOVL | 9.42 | 43 | | Software company is rebounding with focus on the Linux alternative to Microsoft computer systems. |
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| PROVIDIAN | PVN | 11.56 | 13 | | Loan company's turnaround and balance sheeting healing has another year to run. |
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| TESCO | TESOF | 8.58 | 21 | | New capital strength will help this oil-field services company market new drilling technology. |
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| UNIVISION | UVN | 38.1 | 56 | | Hispanic broadcast will enjoy an upturn in advertising from an improving economy and political campaigns. |
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* Panelists, or their firms, may have financial interests in these stocks.
** Dec. 12
*** Based on forecast earnings for fiscal 2004
Data: Bloomberg Financial Markets, I/B/E/S
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Copyright 2003, by The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc. All rights reserved.
