Stock picks

After getting beaten down in early 2009, the lodging company's stock has rebounded smartly, thanks to a new focus on the resiliency of certain parts of its businesses. And several analysts think it still has plenty of upside.

The Travelers represents one of the few moderate-risk/decent growth opportunities around these days.Surprisingly, institutional investors still haven't bid-up The Travelers' share so its stock with PE of 10, looks cheap.

Several signs point to the global food giant Heinz's potential to become a target. For one, it's among the few major independent food companies left. Some savvy pros say the most logical and suitable buyer is Switzerland's Nestle.

Last April, Stanley A. Nabi, chief investment officer at Silvercrest Asset Management Group said he "absolutely felt like a kid in a candy store with so many values to pick at great bargains." While there may be fewer bargains around these days, one company Nabi says has lots of potential is PepsiCo.

As the U.S. and global economies start to recover, a rebound in construction and agricultural equipment will be good news for Caterpillar. Add to that a further weakening in the U.S. dollar and a possible second fiscal stimulus package and shares of CAT should rise.

Stiff competition and a lack of a flagship high-end phone have stymied Nokia's sales growth and sent its shares plummeting. One investor says that now makes shares of Nokia a buy.

Shares of Tyco International looked intriguing even before Tuesday's deal to buy Brink's Home Security. Now, with the business boosting its ADT unit, the stock appears too undervalued to ignore.

Many food companies have come out with wholesome products enhanced with vitamins and other nutrients that supposedly deliver health wonders. Smart Balance is among them. It's not the biggest by far, but it is the fastest-growing.

Just spun off by Bristol-Myers Squibb, Mead is attracting new attention not just because of its global dominance in infant formula and children's nutritional products. Nestle and Danone are rumored to be interested suitors.

If you are tired of spending at the pump, one way to lessen the hit is to invest in oil companies and profit from their rising revenue. BP should benefit. Its revenues are climbing, fundamentals are improving and technically,it's got a beautiful chart.