In the most recent edition of The Goldman Guide we reviewed P’s related to traits for today’s successful investor, Patience, Prudence, and Productivity.  We emphasized doing your homework as part of prudence.

Back in late January we highlighted Heckman Corporation (NYSE – HEK – $3.47) at $3.78 as sort of an ‘out of the box’ pick as more of a longer term play than our normal short term trade in mind.  We set a price target of $5.00 and the stock climbed to $4.36 on March 27^th, which would have been a 15% gain if you cashed out that day.  Since then the stock has been on the steady decline down to current levels.

Hello!  Our stock profile for today is Giant Interactive Group, Inc. (NYSE – GA- $7.92).  The growing Chinese company offers multiplayer online role playing games which includes 15 games to date.

Good Morning.  There has been an uptick in new home sales and construction in the U.S., and additionally an increase in home prices in the US.  The S&P/Case Schiller 20-city composite index rose 0.3% in February and was up 9.3% from the same period in the prior year.  This may not seem like huge growth, but it is the largest annual increase since May 2006.  If you believe that we may be in the midst of a homebuilders rebound, this stock is for you.

Good Morning.  Today’s automotive theme is part of our seasonal buying strategy from our Goldman Guide for early May in bio-tech, leisure stocks, automotive, and casual dining.  This may be particularly appropriate as there was good news related to U.S. Auto Sales last week amid a general price decrease in gas over the past month or so.  Today’s stock is an automotive supplier that is poised to see a boost in the stock due to this seasonality effect and the recent good news.

Those who know me well know that I am fairly superstitious character. Occasionally I take superstition to extremes. For example, when the Baltimore Ravens beat Indianapolis Colts and then the Denver Broncos in successive NFL playoff games in January, I was sitting in the exact same spot the entire time. What is crazier still is that I elected to go through the same routine and sit in the same spot for the AFC Championship Game and then the Super Bowl, instead of joining friends at various parties.