(I posted this on January 1, 2009 and also wanted to make it a page so it is easier to find for anyone that is interested.  Happy investing!)

Have you ever heard the saying “the best defense is a good offense?”  I believe this saying holds more meaning now than I have ever seen in stock investing.  It is true that investing in 2008 was like a city in the middle of riots with burning automobiles and flying Molotov cocktails.  I don’t blame many of you for remaining in the fetal position but I have an optimistic message for you.  The worst really is over as far as the stock market is concerned.  The economy has a longer struggle ahead of it.  The stock market looks ahead 6-9 months and will move higher when visibility improves for the end of the recession.  Interest rates are zero.  Energy costs are at 5 year lows.  Mortgage rates are at historic lows.  A new administration is coming with ambitious plans to create jobs.

I know there are many opinions about the government intervention as of late but I think it was necessary and has done a solid job of protecting our system.  Without further delay here are the money making ideas for you as a reader of CurtFletcher.com.  They all should be held for a year.  I will update how they are doing quarterly and compare to the Dow, Nasdaq, and S&P 500.  It is time to go all in and get it all back.

1) BIO-key International (OTCBB:BKYI.OB) .0475

BIO-key Web Site

I have followed this stock for many years and it is at the doorstep of profitability which they announced they will achieve this year.  The company has some great biometric technology and has signed some promising contracts with big companies to deploy their solutions.  They also have software for police that allows much needed communication on Blackberry devices between the station and the field.  It used to trade above $1 and under a nickel seems like a real opportunity.

2) Metabolix (NASDAQ:MBLX) 12.72

Metabolix Web Site

This company has a 50/50 joint venture with ADM called Mirel that is one of the best bio-plastics being developed.  A plant being built to produce these products is scheduled to be online in 2009 in Iowa.  Countries and states should continue to move in a direction of requiring that plastics be biodegradable.  Some of the huge opportunities for this type of plastic includes cell phones, plastic grocery bags, and gift cards.  

3) ICx Technologies (NASDAQ:ICXT) 7.91

ICx Technologies Web Site

This company has a great niche and is scoring some nice military contracts.  The stock is down 50% from where it went public at 16 in 2007.  It is a leader in field sensor technologies, which includes detecting and identifying chemical, biological, and nuclear threats.  They have had awesome organic growth over the past few years and it should continue.  I also think that these little defense companies frequently get gobbled up by the big defense companies who want their technology.

4) Manitowoc (NYSE:MTW) 8.66

Manitowoc Web Site

This is a pure Obama infrastructure play.  The company makes cranes, ships, and food service equipment.  They are a major player when it comes to building bridges, roads, and airports.  The shares under 10 offer real upside as they used to trade above 40 a year ago.  

5) Ultra Financials ProShares ETF (NYSE:UYG) 6.03

Ultra Financials ProShares ETF Web Site

This ETF gives you twice the move of a basket of the largest financial companies.  If you think 2009 will be better than 2008 for financials, and how can it not be, this is the place for you.  This investment allows you to really participate in banks returning to some sort of normalcy while not carrying the risk of owning an individual stock like Lehman or Bear.  This investment should do very well as markets recover around the world.

You may notice that all of my stock picks are under $15 a share.  I believe these opportunities offer the best percentage gains going forward and these stocks offer real value.  Grab some low hanging fruit with me!

The above prices/changes will be updated vs. the Dow ending 2008 at 8,776.39, S&P 500 at 903.25, and Nasdaq at 1,577.03.

Here are a few classic movie trailers to get you in the investing spirit.  Happy 2009!