"The company recently announced that its second half profits were up 17% despite some exposure to subprime losses. Lending to emerging markets overcame U.S. subprime losses, increasing income to $8.24 billion or 69 cents a share.
"HSBC continues its expansion throughout the Chinese mainland and Southeast Asia. The company has received regulatory approval to join the first wave of foreign banks to incorporate in Vietnam.
"HSBC is already reaping billion dollar profits on the Chinese mainland, and it is poised to expand by opening private banking operations in Shanghai.
"We believe HSBC still represents exceptional value and opportunity in the depressed financial sector. HSBC has a P/E/ just below 10 compared to an industry standard of more than 15.
"With its excellent 5.4% dividend yield, we find this stock attractively priced and look forward to taking profits when shares reach $100."
Editor's note: Jim Trippon has just finalized plans for his next investor tour to China. Scheduled for October 8-21, 2008, the trip will feature exclusive access to top Chinese business and government officials. Jim is offering a $500 discount for everyone who registers and pays their deposit before May 15th. For more information, call (888) 853-1456.
Ken Kam follows 70,000+ stock pickers who run virtual portfolios on Marketocracy; he looks for stocks bought by the 'best' while being sold by the 'rest'. Here's his two latest ideas.
"We've recently seen a nice assortment of stock splits," says Neil Macneale, whose 2-for-1 portfolio only include stocks announcing splits. Here's his latest buy: Graham Corp. (NYSE: GHM).
In The China Trader, editor Keith Fitz-Gerald looks at two plays in Chinese online gaming, noting, "Each has spectacular numbers in recent months and stellar growth prospects."
"Despite the expected pullback in oil, we're as bullish as ever," notes Larry Edelson, editor of Real Wealth. Here, he looks at Canadian pipeline operator, Enbridge (NYSE: ENB).
Although not yet formally recommending the ETF, fund expert Doug Fabian takes a look at the a new ETF invested in dividend-paying Middle Eastern stocks in his Making Money Alert .
Mark Skousen's latest book, “EconoPower: How a New Generation of Economists is Transforming the World” (Wiley & Sons), is available for $16.47 (plus shipping) from Amazon.com (retail price is $24.95).
Included is a discussion of the new field of behavioral finance, with economists as Richard Thaler, Robert Shiller, and Jeremy Siegel.
Global ETF expert Carl Delfeld of Chartwell Advisors is hosting a investment tour from January 26th to February 2nd, 2009. The luxury tour visits Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand plus 3 days on the Orient Express. For information, call 877-202-4939.
Sy Harding, editor of Street Smart Report, has just published Beat the Market the Easy Way -- an in-depth review of seasonal market patterns and their application to long-term timing.
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