As we enter 2009, and leave the carnage that was 2008 behind us, I recently wrote that now was a fantastic time to buy shares of companies you have been watching and where the fundamentals present an excellent risk/reward scenario.

A fresh start to the new year gives us all a chance to catch our breath and reexamine the allocation of our portfolios.

Particularly of interest to me and readers of this blog, are what stocks we should be purchasing for the riskiest portion of our portfolio.

Namely, that devoted to small and micro-cap stocks that I specialize in.

In this report, I will be outlining 5 great stocks for the new year from highest to lowest allocation, and explaining my reasons for liking that company, as well as the biggest risk factors when it comes to investing in that stock.

I’ll also outline at what price I feel these stocks are great values and when you should buy more, or hold off untill a better price comes along.

Finally, I will detail the % of your portfolio specifically set aside for risky stocks, that you should be investing in these companies.

For instance, if you only have $5,000 to invest after maxing out RIA, 401(k) or other retirement savings accounts, etc., how much of your “play” money should be put towards each of these names.

Remember that these selections are only current as of right now, and aren’t all formal recommendations on my site.

For updates on my current model portfolio and the companies recommended in this report, please check back with PeakStocks.com.

OK, enough talk, let’s get right to it!

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WOO-DOGGY!

Would you like some volatility to go along with your morning coffee?

Since I last came out with my top 5 stocks for November,  the market’s gyrations have certainly put everyone on edge, and make buying stocks at this juncture definitely not for the faint of heart, or those with very short term investing time frames.

I recently wrote that now was a fantastic time to buy shares of companies you have been watching and where the fundamentals present an excellent risk/reward scenario.

My watch list is no different, and this month I have a broad range of stocks that I am looking at for possible inclusion into the PeakStocks.com portfolio.

These stocks enter and exit my Top 5 as constant fluctuations in both price, market conditions, and business fundamentals constantly alter the investment thesis.

Please note that my Top 5 Stocks for December aren’t yet formal recommendations.

I have more due diligence that I have to perform on them, but they are compelling enough with the research that I have done to be at the absolute top of my list, at least as of this writing.

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I wanted to update you on 2 of the companies in the PeakStocks.com portfolio that have had developments in the last few days that you should be aware of.

This includes:

• Rick’s Cabaret International, Inc. (NASDAQ: RICK), which had some bad news in the form of a lawsuit, and then some really good news in the form of higher than expected sales and same-club sales numbers which caused the stock to pop.
• eHealth, Inc. (NASDAQ: EHTH), which recently announced a share repurchase program to buy up to 10% of the company’s shares.

Let’s get right to it.

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eHealth (NASDAQ: EHTH), the leading provider of Internet-based insurance agency services to individuals, families, and small businesses primarily in the United States, recently announced their Q3/2008 earnings on October 30th.

While it appears eHealth is seeing some of the same headwinds that are affecting other businesses, they are weathering the storm much better, and in fact continue to grow and pursue growth aggressively, in an environment in which individuals and families are losing their jobs and health insurance and are in need of the services that eHealth provides.

eHealth continues to be profitable, generate huge amounts of free cash flow, and is aggressively marketing their products while times are tough, and actually increasing their market share and health care coverage to individuals.

I have been, and continue to be, impressed by eHealth’s value proposition, wide moat, and tenured management team, and this quarter’s earnings and outlook did nothing to dampen that confidence.

What follows is a summary of eHealth’s earnings announcement, conference call highlights, and my take on the company’s latest quarter and results, and what you should do if you do or don’t own eHealth’s shares.

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It’s been another incredible month for stocks, and especially for those on my watch list.

With rare exception, stocks of all shapes and sizes are getting pummeled and are presenting us with great buying opportunities for those with a long term investment horizon.

I recently wrote that now was a fantastic time to buy shares of companies you have been watching and where the fundamentals present an excellent risk/reward scenario.

My watch list is no different, and this month I have a broad range of stocks that I am looking at for possible inclusion into the PeakStocks.com portfolio.

These stocks enter and exit my Top 5 as constant fluctuations in both price, market conditions, and business fundamentals constantly alter the investment thesis.

Today I wanted to give you a heads up on some of the stocks that I was watching for possible inclusion into my portfolio, specifically ones that are high on my list, and most likely to be added as formal recommendations in the weeks to come as they reach desirable price points, and present wonderful opportunities for long term investors.

Please note that my Top 5 Stocks for November aren’t yet formal recommendations.

I have more due diligence that I have to perform on them, but they are compelling enough with the research that I have done to be at the absolute top of my list, at least as of this writing.

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It’s time to put some money to work immediately.

I don’t profess to know when the markets will turn, or how long it will take, but I do profess to know that there are quality companies out there that are begging to be purchased, if only in small increments at the present, and held on to for years to come.

The three companies that I have added to my portfolio are probably no secret to anyone who has been following my recommendations for some time.

They are:

• Rick’s Cabaret (NASDAQ: RICK)
• eHealth (NASDAQ: EHTH)
• PROS Holdings (NYSE: PRO)

I am advocating purchasing 1/4 position in each one.

I’ll be writing full company spotlights and the reasons for my purchases in much greater detail in upcoming posts, but with the decline in the overall market, dipping our toes in the water and purchasing these great companies at these levels was something that needed to be done now.

Below are brief explanations about what the companies do, my reasons for adding them to the portfolio, and some of the risk factors you should be aware of before purchasing shares.

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The tumultuous market has continued to beat down stocks of all shapes and sizes.

This is great news for those of us waiting on the sidelines to put new capital to work.

This month I have a broad range of stocks that I am looking at for possible inclusion into the PeakStocks.com portfolio.

These stocks enter and exit my Top 5 as constant fluctuations in both price, market conditions, and business fundamentals constantly alter the investment thesis.

Today I wanted to give you a heads up on some of the stocks that I was watching for possible inclusion into my portfolio, specifically ones that are high on my list, and most likely to be added as formal recommendations in the weeks to come as they reach desirable price points, and present wonderful opportunities for long term investors.

Please note that my Top 5 Stocks for October aren’t yet formal recommendations.

I have more due diligence that I have to perform on them, but they are compelling enough with the research that I have done to be at the absolute top of my list, at least as of this writing.

Read the rest of this entry »