Kinetic Concepts has a unique wound care treatment which is patent protected. With a stable revenue base and increasing global footprint, the company should see its stock price rise rapidly in the coming months.

Markets are experiencing significant challenges including a reduction in Chinese stimulus, European debt concerns, and an unstable US economic recovery. Investors should employ defensive strategies to protect capital through this environment.

Salesforce.com (CRM) is issuing $500 million dollars in convertible notes. The dilution to shareholders could drive the stock down and with CRM's lofty multiple, the risk looks to be very high.

Health Care reform may not live up to expectations. There are winners and losers among health care stocks and Athenahealth (ATHN) could end up as a profitable short idea.

China announced its anticipated potash pricing at $350 per metric ton. Potash producers IPI and POT should benefit from pricing visibility

Chimera Investment Corp (CIM) is trading at a discount price and offering investors an attractive dividend yield. While the mortgage market could experience volatility, Chimera stands to benefit from its newly disciplined approach

Leveraged ETFs are an excellent tool for offsetting daily market exposure, but for longer-term investors the leveraged mutual funds may offer a better solution.

2010 should offer investors both opportunity and risk. Here are four investments which should generate healthy gains in the coming year.

An update on the four stocks recommended at the beginning of 2009. Stay tuned for 2010 recommendations.

Warner Music Group Corp. (WMG) has a negative book value and operates in a distressed industry. Significant risks make WMG an excellent short candidate for 2010

Clearinghouses like IntercontinentalExchange (ICE) and CME Group Inc. (CME) will likely see revenue and earnings grow due to political pressure driving derivative trading to cleared exchanges.

Happy Holidays from ZachStocks. As we gear up for 2010, please enjoy this sample of the ZachStocks Newsletter - a free email newsletter offering market commentary and insightful reading.

Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings (CCO) issued $2.5 billion in junk bonds paying 9.25%. The stock is higher on the capital raise, but proceeds will likely only benefit the parent company. There is significant risk to investors as CCO is operating unprofitably.

Talecris Biotherapeutics (TLCR) is trading above its IPO price and should gain more strength due to strong earnings. Debt levels are high but strong earnings should bolster the stock price.

Banking institutions are between a rock and a hard place. Lending to risky borrowers could lead to losses, but refraining will anger the current administration.

For-Profit Educators are seeing their students make up a larger portion of defaults than not-for-profits and public schools. Strayer Education (STRA) could be an attractive short opportunity.

Fortress Investment Group (FIG) is strong after positive remarks at a Goldman Sachs (GS) conference. The private equity firm could quickly see earnings increase resulting in a gain of 275% or more.

Archipelago Learning Inc. (ARCL) has traded down to the IPO price after a successful offering. Investors have an opportunity to buy close to the transaction price with the underwriters likely to support the deal.

Emergent Biosolutions (EBS) has traded lower due to weak revenue and delayed shipments. But the company's long-term contracts are still in place, and revenue trends as well as earnings trends are still intact.

First Cash Financial Services (FCFS) recently broke out of a long base. Earnings continue to be strong and the company has expanded it's presence in Mexico

Taleo Corp (TLEO) recently priced a secondary offering. The company may struggle to keep its growth rate healthy, and unemployment could challenge revenue. Consider shorting below the secondary offering price.

AsiaInfo Holdings (ASIA) will soon compete for investment dollars with Linkage Technologies (BOSS). The IPO will be issued December 9th and investors could do very well participating in the transaction.

Netsuite Inc. (N) has seen revenue growth trend significantly lower. The cloud computing technology firm is trading at an excessive price given its growth prospects and the aversion to risk we are seeing in the market.

Black Friday has traditionally referred to retail shoppers in the busiest shopping day of the year. However, this year the term could apply to equity markets which will open sharply lower.

Whole Foods Market Inc. (WFMI) continues to see weak sales. Watch for the stock to drop as investors realize the growth prospects are limited.

Gold has rallied to new highs, but many investors are missing the opportunity in silver. Silver is both a precious and industrial metal and has risen 118% from its low last year. Consider fighting inflation with this precious metal.

Intrepid Potash (IPI) and Potash Corp (POT) are sharply higher. Inflationary pressures, rising demand, and low inventory levels should push both stocks significantly higher.

Salesforce.com (CRM) announced strong earnings, but there are red flags in the details. The stock is off in early trading, and could decline significantly over the next two quarters.

Wuxi PharmaTech Inc. (WX) reported strong third quarter earnings. The China drug research and manufacturing company is investing heavily to drive future growth and should see significant earnings appreciation.

Suntech Power Holdings (STP) and Yingli Green Energy (YGE) have bolstered investor confidence in solar energy. Both companies have issued positive news and the sector is trading higher.