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This post is part of a report entitled "Six-pack of technology favorites." You can read about the other top tech stock picks here.

"It's time to watch for buying opportunities -- and one of the companies on my personal list is Broadcom Corp. (NASDAQ: BRCM), whose shares are in buying range right now," says analyst Glenn Rogers.

The contributing editor to Gordon Pape's Internet Wealth Builder explains, "This semiconductor maker is a good choice for investors who would like to add to their information technology position with shares of a first-class company."

"Broadcom, located in Irvine, California, designs semiconductors for the wired and wireless communications industry. It is a major supplier to Apple's iPhone, which has taken the world by storm this past year.

"Specifically, it powers the brilliant display screen that has captivated users since the launch of the iPhone last year. (Full disclosure: I've just picked up my new 3G iPhone.)

"It also provides the chip that delivers the GPS navigation in the new iPhone. The company holds over 2,000 U.S. and foreign patents and has more than 7,400 pending patent applications.

"But Broadcom is not just an iPhone supplier. It also powers the Motorola TV set top boxes, Netgear wireless routers, Bluetooth and Blu-ray applications, digital television, VOIP, etc. There are lots of chipmakers out there but Broadcom operates in the areas that offer the highest growth potential and the least commoditization in this sector.

The J. M. Smucker Company (NYSE: SJM) is a leading North American maker of fruit spreads, peanut butter, shortening and oils, ice cream toppings, sweetened condensed milk, and health and natural foods beverages. Company brand names include Smucker's, Jif, Crisco, Eagle Brand, Hungry Jack, Laura Scudder and Robin Hood. The firm also markets Pillsbury, Pillsbury Doughboy, Carnation, Borden, and Elsie brand products under license. ConAgra Foods (NYSE: CAG) is a major competitor.

Smucker pleased investors earlier in the month, when it reported fiscal Q1 EPS of 82 cents and revenues of $663.7 million. Analysts had been looking for 77 cents and $647.2 million. Management also guided FY09 EPS to $3.45-$3.50 ($3.44 consensus) and FY09 revenues to $3.8-$4.0 billion ($3.86B consensus). The outlook figures take into account the previously announced purchase of Procter & Gamble's (NYSE: PG) Folgers coffee business.

This post is part of a report entitled "Six-pack of technology favorites." You can read about the other top tech stock picks here.

"I think Wall Street has made a poor assessment of Analog Devices (NYSE: ADI)," says Paul McWilliams. Here's a look at the chip maker from his technology-focused newsletter, Next Inning.

"Analog Device's top line guidance came in a bit below Wall Street expectations. However, I think the problems are between the Hudson and East Rivers and not in Norwood, Massachusetts, the hometown of Analog.

"What Wall Street appears to be missing is that since ADI has sold off some of its lower profit business units, its seasonal sales patterns have changed. ADI is now again driven by industrial market sectors much more than it was even just last year.

"Therefore, its conservative guidance of flat to up 3% sequentially shouldn't have been a big surprise nor a cause for concern. As a matter of fact, with its minimal exposure to PC and consumer markets, I think flat to up 3% is pretty good.

"What Wall Street would be better to focus on are the operational improvements ADI has made. In its July quarter, ADI improved its pro forma operating margin to 26.5% from 26.2% last quarter and again reduced its inventory, which sits now at the lowest level we've seen since 2004.

This post is part of a report entitled "Six-pack of technology favorites." You can read about the other top tech stock picks here.

"The semiconductor industry has been under pressure now for sometime, but one of the fastest growing businesses within semiconductors has been in programmable logic devices (PLDs)," notes wireless sector specialist Nikhil Hutheesing.

In The Forbes Wireless Stock Watch, he explains, "One of the top companies in this business is San Jose, California-based Altera (NASDAQ: ALTR). Here's his bullish review.

"These PLDs are chips that allow software developers to use inexpensive software tools to quickly develop, simulate, and test their designs. Then, a design can be quickly programmed into the chip and immediately tested in a live circuit.

"Unlike other chips, PLDs are based on re-writable memory technology. That means that if a designer wants to change the design on the chip, the device can be easily reprogrammed.

"Once the design is final, customers can go into immediate production by simply programming as many PLDs as they need with the final software design file. The result is that a final design can be completed much faster and less expensively than that of a custom, fixed logic device.

"While Altera also manufacturers other kinds of chips, it's the PLD business that could really boost the company's business. Eventually, Altera plans to replace the ASIC business entirely with PLDs.

With concerns over recession, turmoil in the financial sector, fear of rising rates, high market volatility and a rising aversion to risk, many investors have been avoiding technology stocks.

Investors have feared that these economic headwinds will dampen both consumer spending for technology products and reduced capital expenditures for technology in the corporate sector.

Despite these concerns, some of the newsletter industry's leading advisors are looking beyond the current malaise and seeing longer-term value in some of the tech sector's leading players. They believe that much of the "bad news" is already reflected in the price of the shares, with little recognition being given to their longer-term potential.

For those willing to go against the crowd and buy, as they say, "while blood is running in the street," we offer a six-pack of technology stocks that the some top advisors considers to be among their favorite ideas.

The Democrats have nearly wrapped up their national convention making history by nominating Barack Obama the first African-American, or person of any color for that matter, to lead a major party in pursuit of the presidency. Tonight they put a big bow on the whole affair and start the next leg of the race.

Speaking of big bows it might be in order for Barack to be giving thank-you gifts to the women in his life, Michelle and Hillary -- a little blue box might be just the 'ticket'. In her daily Before the Bell post my colleague Melly Alazraki reported about Tiffany's super quarter:

• U.S. jeweler Tiffany & Co (NYSE: TIF) posted double the quarterly profit from a year ago on Thursday, benefiting from strong international sales and solid tourist spending at its New York flagship store. Net profit was $80.8 million, or 63 cents per share, in its fiscal second quarter, up from $40.5 million, or 29 cents per share a year earlier, and beating estimates of 55 cents per share. Revenue grew 11%. Tiffany also raised its 2008 profit outlook on strong sales in Europe and Asia and expected improvement in the U.S.
  

TIF has been up and down this year, like most stocks, since I wrote about it last February in Serious Money: Pondering: Home Depot, Tiffany & Wells Fargo. Shares have jumped this morning by almost 10%, trading as high as $44.45 after closing yesterday at $39.61.

VeriFone Holdings (NYSE: PAY) makes and services transaction automation systems that enable electronic payments between consumers, merchants and financial institutions. Products include point-of-sale software and terminals, smart card/check readers, receipt printers and Internet commerce software. The firm also makes gas station electronic payment systems that combine card processing and fuel dispensing. Further, it offers a range of client services and customized application development. About 60% of the firm's revenues are generated from customers outside the U.S.

The company pleased the Street last week, when it appointed an interim CFO to replace an officer who resigned following a probe into company accounting errors. VeriFone corrected its books the same day, by deleting $70 million in previously reported fiscal 2007 profits. Management also issued a favorable forecast, guiding Q308 EPS to 34-35 cents (28 cent consensus), Q3 revenues to $256-$258 million ($248.3M consensus), Q408 EPS to 36-39 cents (30 cent consensus), Q4 revenues to $260-$268 million ($255.2M consensus) and FY09 EPS to $1.35-$1.55 ($1.14 consensus). The CEO pointed out that the firm was seeing excellent growth internationally, particularly in emerging markets.

"We are moving headlong into oil," notes John Reese, who analyzes stocks based on the criteria used by "legendary" investors such as Buffett, Graham and Lynch.

In his Validea newsletter, he says, "My fundamental models indicate that the oil industry is where the best values in the market are." Here's a look at W&T Offshore (NYSE: WTI), which is based on the criteria used by contrarian David Dreman.

"The economy and stock market have gone through a legitimate crisis because of the credit woes, and it takes time for something like that to work itself out.

"But the important thing to remember is that we've been through financial crises before -- even bad-debt financial crises like this one -- and the market has always stabilized and then pushed higher.

"And history has shown that those who can stick with the stock market through down times like these will be rewarded.

"David Dreman -- one of the gurus I base my strategies on -- notes in his recent Forbes column, 'If you pack up now, chances are you'll miss a good part of the next bull market. A large part of the gains are always made in the first few months of one, when market-timing investors are still on the sidelines.'

"Home prices are becoming affordable again, so the decline in prices is likely more than half over," say Dr. Marvin Appel and Gerald Appel of Systems & Forecasts.

Meanwhile, the technical experts believe that long-term investors can now look to get back into the real estate investment market and recommend two ETFs that are based on rental REITs.

"Many analysts do not expect the financial markets to improve significantly until home prices stop falling. The pace of existing home sales remains low, and available inventory relatively high, both indicating that buyers are not yet able to step into the market at current prices.

"However, that could change within a year. Home prices are becoming affordable again, so the decline in prices is likely more than half over.

"The median home price is now more affordable to the median household than at any time since the start of 2004. My analysis suggests that housing prices will have to fall a bit more, but the housing market is not far from being reasonably valued for the first time in five years.

SkillSoft PLC (NASDAQ: SKIL) provides on-demand Internet-based training courses for professionals in business and information technology (IT). The company catalog includes more than 6,600 courses addressing such issues as project management, sales, business strategy, finance, regulatory compliance, operating systems, network technologies and Web design. SkillSoft also offers online coaching for more than 100 IT certification exams and provides access to some 19,000 engineering, IT, and business books online. Clients include IBM (NYSE: IBM), Merck (NYSE: MRK) and Yahoo! (NASDAQ: YHOO).

The firm pleased investors last week, when it reported Q2 EPS of ten cents and revenues of $83.3 million. Analysts had been expecting seven cents and $82.4 million. Management also guided Q3 EPS to 9-10 cents (nine cent consensus), Q3 revenues to $84.0-$85.5 million ($84.83M consensus), FY09 EPS to 35-38 cents (34 cent consensus) and FY09 revenues to $335-$338 million ($336.43M consensus).

I am the Global Editor at MoneyShow.com and each week I interview an investing expert. This week, I spoke with Paul Goodwin, Emerging Markets Specialist and Analyst, Cabot Heritage Corporation. Paul thinks there may be bargains in battered emerging markets.

Q. Emerging markets have been beaten up and the Russia/Georgia conflict, unfortunately, points out one of the problems with investing internationally -- uncertainty created by government and political actions. How can investors protect their portfolios?

A. Every investor should follow the usual advice -- diversify your portfolio among different asset classes, including bonds, value stocks, income stocks, and growth stocks. Avoid overexposure to any one sector or industry, no matter how hot.

But we follow two additional important rules: 1) Use a strict loss limit of 15% (in difficult markets) or 20% (in supportive markets); and 2) always be prepared to exit the equity markets and go to cash when the general trend of the market is against you.

URS Corporation (NYSE: URS) provides engineering, construction and technical services to public agencies and private sector companies around the world. The firm offers a full range of program management; planning, design and engineering; systems engineering and technical assistance; construction and construction management; operations and maintenance; and decommissioning and closure services. Most clients are involved with infrastructure, power, heavy industry and federal programs. URS employs about 50,000, in over 30 countries. Fluor Corporation (NYSE: FLR) and KBR (NYSE: KBR) are major competitors.

The company pleased investors earlier in the month, when it reported Q2 EPS of 72 cents and revenues of $2.53 billion. Analysts had been looking for 60 cents and $2.45 billion. In discussing the solid quarter, the CEO pointed to the firm's success in building capabilities across such growth areas as power and government work. Management also guided FY08 EPS to $2.36-$2.48 ($2.42) and FY08 revenues to $9.8 billion ($9.75B consensus). Morgan Joseph subsequently reiterated its "buy" rating on the shares and boosted its price target to $54.

"Recent valuations in financial stocks suggest either 'the world is coming to an end' or there are some great values," says Gregory Dorsey.

Here, the contributing editor to the top-notch Leeb's Income Performance Letter takes a look at one such "bargain" in the sector: U.S. Bancorp (NYSE: USB).

"So far, the financial sector has written off more than $300 million in assets. By some accounts the damage will rise to $1 trillion or more before all is said and done.

"The selloff, which at its nadir was marked by a 55% year-over-year decline in the KBW Index, pushed the constituent members down to a collective 0.64 times book value and a dividend yield of 9%.

"At those levels, either the world is coming to an end or there are tremendous bargains for investors with the courage of their convictions. Looking hard at the data, we can only conclude the latter is the case, provided you're careful with your investment choices.

TheStreet.com's Jim Cramer says that even in lousy markets -- and this is one of them -- you can find stocks to buy.

When nothing's working, something's working. I know sounds counterintuitive. but there is simply no reason to think, as bad as this market is -- and it is really, really bad -- that there isn't something to buy.

We are gripped by the fear of the remaining black holes -- Ford (NYSE: F) (Cramer's Take), GM (NYSE: GM) (Cramer's Take), Fannie (NYSE: FNM) (Cramer's Take) and Freddie (NYSE: FRE) (Cramer's Take), AIG (NYSE: AIG) (Cramer's Take), Lehman (NYSE: LEH) (Cramer's Take), WaMu (NYSE: WM) (Cramer's Take) and Citigroup (NYSE: C) (Cramer's Take) -- and we all know it. They are not convenient whipping boys. They are the Seven Deadly Stocks, and they aren't going away.

But are they really hurting General Mills (NYSE: GIS) (Cramer's Take)? Can I see selling Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG) (Cramer's Take) because of them? After we know the price increases are all baked in? And don't hit me with that strong-dollar stuff, because GIS doesn't have that much overseas exposure. Same with Pepsi (NYSE: PEP) (Cramer's Take): This is a national company with an international arm that is generating oodles of cash and doesn't have as much bad commodity exposure as it did a few months ago.

"We've looked at several ways to play anticipated growth in wind energy; we've also considered titanium makers for that industry's ties to the production of lightweight, modern aircraft," notes Bill Martin.

In his BullMarket.com, he explains, "While the two trends might not appear to have much in common at first glance, Hexcel Corp. (NYSE: HXL) offers a way to play both the aircraft and wind markets.

"The connection is the lightweight, composite materials Hexcel makes that are used by producers in both sectors. Hexcel develops and manufactures advanced structural materials.

"It is the largest U.S. producer of carbon fiber; the world's largest weaver of reinforcement fabrics; and the number-one producer of composite materials.

"Its product was initially developed for the aerospace industry, but is now used in a wide range of applications -- from golf clubs to satellite arrays, and from the rotor blades of wind turbines to life-saving monocoques for Formula 1 race cars.

"It's been a rollercoaster ride for Hexcel's stock in the past 12 months. The shares hit their one-year peak of $27.19 in December 2007; by January 22nd they had plummeted to $17.. The shares rebounded through May, only to fade again. Year to date, HXL is off about 15%.