We are always keeping an eye on companies that offer potential, assessing possibilities and trying to bring you the best picks for your investment. 

With so much going on in the economy it is hard to ignore the assessments and predictions surrounding gold.  Whether it is a company like Yamana Gold (TSX: YGI)  with some development stage properties or one of the more senior traded companies, such as Barrick Gold (TSX: ABX) , with 26 gold mines worldwide, the investment potential of this commodity cannot be ignored.  Some others prominent on the stock market and actively trading include, Kinross (TSX: K), IAMGOLD (TSX: IMG), Goldcorp (TSX: G), Lake Shore Gold (TSX: LSG). 

Whatever the future may hold for gold or how profitable these companies may be we must take into account the value of this commodity.

Lets take China for example.  It is being reported that China now holds the world’s 5^th largest gold reserve with 1054 tonnes.  Considering there was a substantial amount of money printed into the U.S economy, in turn undervaluing the U.S. dollar, China could now be shifting their investment interests to gold.  It is being reported that the Chinese government is urging its citizens to go out and buy gold or silver bullions.  China’s state-owned television network ran a programme that informed people of how easy it is for them to invest in this commodity.  China’s largest bank, ICBC, offers a personal gold trading account to facilitate gold trading.  Unlike in the past, where investing in gold and silver was under strict control, the government has now loosened its grip and is urging its people to hold these investments.  The bars are available in measurements of 500g, 1 kg, 2kg, and 5 kg, with 99.99% purity.  China is shifting slowly from being the lowest per capita gold consumers in the world to being a significant investor in these precious metals.  There are reports indicating that China will exceed India, who for years held the world’s biggest gold market, in gold consumption.  Having a population of 1.3 billion, which is greater then 20% of the world’s total and with this new shift from the dollar to gold, this could easily become the case in the near future. 

What are the reasons behind this shift? Does China know something we don’t?  What does the future hold for gold?  If a nation like China shifts their reserve from the dollar to gold this will undoubtedly have an effect on the global price of gold and could prove detrimental to the dollar.   Gold is tangible, you can touch it, you can feel it, and there is only so much of it to go around, as for paper, well if we fall short we can print it and have more, making its real value more difficult to measure.   If all that is being said is true, one way or another, it has to be a strong indication of gold prices to come. 

So whether you think gold is the new green or all this hype will fade, it is important to stay informed through it all.  Every investor is different and we all have different needs, so whether you invest for a reason, or a season or a lifetime, let www.picksthatmove.com help you stay informed.

About Picksthatmove.com

PicksThatMove.com is an independent electronic publication that provides information on selected publicly traded companies. PicksThatMove.com is not a registered investment advisor or broker-dealer. PicksThatMove.com’s affiliates, offices, directors and employees may buy and sell shares in any company mentioned herein and may profit in the event those shares rise in value.  Please follow us on Twitter and Facebook for further investment updates.  We recommend you do your own Due Diligence before investing in any of the stocks mentioned above.

Augusta Resource Corp. (USA) (AMEX:AZC) jumped 18.06% up to $2.55 on news the company has signed a mining deal with Silver Wheaton for a cash payment of US$230 million and additional payments of US$3.90 per ounce of silver and US$450 per ounce of gold delivered during the mine life. Headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, Augusta Resource Corp is a mineral resource mining and exploration company.  It holds a 100% interest in the Rosemont property, a copper-molybdenum-silver deposit in Pima County, Arizona that covers unpatented and patented mining claims of approximately 15,000 acres.

Mercer International Inc. (NASDAQ:MERC) gained 12.36% up to $3.91 on news the company reported results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2009 late yesterday. Operating EBITDA in the fourth quarter of 2009 increased by over 80% to $34.7 million from $18.6 million in the third quarter of 2009. In the fourth quarter of 2008, Mercer had an operating EBITDA loss of $9.9 million. The company noted progress in the last quarter of 2009 was due chiefly to pricing improvements and strong demand from Chinese markets. Headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, Mercer International is one of the largest northern bleached softwood kraft pulp producers in the world by production capacity.  The company’s markets are primarily in Europe, Asia and North America, through three subsidiaries consisting of large-scale, modern pulp mills: one in British Columbia and two in eastern Germany.

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American Lithium Minerals Inc (OTC:AMLM) advanced 8.42% to close at $1.03 on news  the company has acquired three Exploration Lithium Brine Projects in Nevada and one Lithium Brine Project in Utah from Nevada Mining Co. Inc. The resource properties are located in a prolific rare earth mineral belt, boasting high lithium deposits discovered in samples.  The lithium market is driven by a worldwide surge in electric and hybrid vehicles which require the rare earth element as a component to long endurance batteries; the element also has significant applications in electronics and lap top batteries.  Lithium battery research and development is essential because the applications refer to supplying not only the electronics and transportation sectors, but also electrical power grids and renewable energy infrastructure.  Based in Henderson, Nevada, American Lithium Minerals Inc is an early stage lithium exploration company which acquires, evaluates, and develops resource properties for the recovery of lithium in the US, Canada and South America.   

Pan American Lithium Corp (CVE:PL) rose 10.61% to close at $0.73 on news the company has commenced sampling operations at its Cierro Prieto lithium project in Baja California Norte, Mexico. The company expects to deliver the results from study during the first quarter of 2010.  Headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, Pan American is a rare earth mineral exploration company focused on producing lithium from concessions in Mexico and Chile.   The company currently has market cap of about $23 million.

China Shen Zhou Mining & Resources Inc. (AMEX:SHZ) jumped 33.32% to close at $1.20 on no news; however China is the world’s leader in rare earth elements mining and strictly restricts the export of its metals.  China will establish a Rare Earth reserve in 2010. Based in Beijing, China, China Shen Zhou Mining & Resources Inc. acquires, explores, recovers and develops natural resource properties.  SHZ chiefly mines and processes lithium fluorite, zinc, lead, copper.  SHZ has gained 361% from a 52-week trading low in March, when the stock was moving at around $0.25.

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Lundin Mining Corporation (TSX: LUN), $4.16, +0.11, 2.72%, is trading in the range of 4.09 and 4.21 today, making gains of 2.72% with pretty heavy volume on the TSX.  This past January LUN hit its 52 week-high of 5.18.  Lundin Mining will release its report for the Full Year and the Fourth Quarter 2009 on February 25, 2010.  The company will also hold a conference call on the same day.  Lundin Mining is a diversified base metals mining company with operations in Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the DRC.

Aastrom Biosciences Inc. (NASDAQ: ASTM), $0.182, -0.029, -13.60%, did not manage to sustain itself above its 52 week-low of 0.20, which it hit in early February.   Aastrom has been trading in the 0.165 to 0.19 range.  Astrom announced that it has approved a one-for-eight reverse stock split of the company’s common stock which will come into effect on February 18, 2010.  After the split Aastrom expects to have around 28.3 million shares of common stock outstanding.  Aastrom is a regenerative medicine company which deals with clinical development of autologous cell products which occurs when cells are collected from a patient and returned to that same patient for the repair or regeneration of multiple human tissues.

China Tel Group Inc. (OTCBB: CHTL), $1.54, +0.345, 28.87%, has been trading in a range of 1.411 to 1.80 today which is not far off from its 52 week-high of 2.00 from the beginning of January.  The company is responsible for offering fixed telephony, conventional long distance, high-speed wireless broadband and telecommunications infrastructure engineering and construction services, focusing on networks in Asia and South America.  China Tel announced that it has received the first combined instalments of two stock purchase agreements which is a total investment of $640 million into the company. The combined investment represents 48% of the total outstanding shares, putting ChinaTel at a value in excess of $1.33 billion.

Northgate Minerals Corporation (AMEX: NXG), $2.632, +0.172, 6.98%, is a Canadian based gold and copper producer with projects in Canada and Australia.  Shares of NXG are reaching levels between 2.50 to 2.67 today.  Northgate is proceeding with the development of the Young-Davidson mine in Ontario.  Some of the mine highlights include 2.8 million ounces of proven and probable reserves, annual production of 180,000 ounces of gold, employment for 600 people during the two year construction period and direct employment for 275 people over the 15 year life of the mine.

Soho Resources Corp. (TSXV: SOH), $0.09, +0.015, 20.00%, is heavily traded on the TSX Venture today with gains of over 20%, trading at the day’s high of 0.09 touching down on a low of 0.07.  Soho Resources Corp. is a junior exploration and development company strategically focused on gold, silver and base metals in the prolific Sierra Madre Belt of Mexico.  The significant traffic in volume and share price increase is not attributable to any news release.

About Picksthatmove.com

PicksThatMove.com is an independent electronic publication that provides information on selected publicly traded companies. PicksThatMove.com is not a registered investment advisor or broker-dealer. PicksThatMove.com’s affiliates, offices, directors and employees may buy and sell shares in any company mentioned herein and may profit in the event those shares rise in value.  Please follow us on Twitter and Facebook for further investment updates.  We recommend you do your own Due Diligence before investing in any of the stocks mentioned above.

Pansoft Company Limited (NASDAQ:PSOF) advanced 21.09% up to $6.66 on news the energy technology company posted better than expected 2009 Q4 results this morning.  Highlights of the report include a jump of 47% for total revenues up to $4.9 million, from $3.3 million for the same quarter in 2008.  Gross profits increased 56% to $2.6 million, compared to $1.7 million for 2008 Q4. Diluted earnings per share were $0.36, up 64% compared to $0.22 for the fourth quarter 2008. Headquartered in Jinan, China, Pansoft Company Limited provides software solutions and services the petrol and gas industry in China. Its proprietary software provides support for business operations, including accounting; order processing; shipping; invoicing; inventory control; logistics and customer relationship management.

Hyperdynamics Corporation (AMEX:HDY) gained 7.58% up to $0.710 on no news; however last week the energy company extended terms of  a letter of intent  sent to Spanish energy company Repsol YPF. In addition, Repsol has agreed to pay Hyperdynamics $2.7 million for its share of work performed on the company’s ongoing 2-D seismic program. Repsol will also pay its share of the remaining work on the program, estimated to be valued at approximately $1.0 million, upon its completion. These funds can be repaid to Repsol at its option if the Production Sharing Agreement clarification has not been authorized by September 10, 2010.  Hyperdynamics recently closed their deal with Dana Petroleum in which Dana acquired exclusive rights to a 23% participating interest in Hyperdynamics’ concession offshore of the Republic of Guinea in exchange for US $19.6 million. Headquartered in Sugar Land, Texas, Hyperdynamics Corporation, through its subsidiaries, engages in the exploration and production of oil and gas offshore of the Republic of Guinea, West Africa and holds the largest exploration license in West Africa, covering 31,000 square.

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Home Diagnostics, Inc. (NASDAQ:HDIX) rocketed 89.26% up to $11.45 on news the diabetes testing supplier has signed a merger agreement with Nipro Corporation, a global manufacturer and distributor of medical devices, pharmaceutical products and medical and glass products in Japan. Nipro will acquire all outstanding shares of Home Diagnostics’ common stock for $11.50 per share worth approximately $215 million. The offer price represents an approximately 90% premium to the closing price of Home Diagnostics’ common stock on February 2, 2010, and an approximately 83% premium to Home Diagnostics’ average closing price for the preceding 90 days. Based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Home Diagnostics, Inc. develops, manufactures, and markets blood glucose monitoring systems and disposable supplies for people with diabetes worldwide. Home Diagnostics supplies to the rapidly growing $7 billion diabetes testing supplies market.

The diabetes testing market in Japan is the largest in Asia. The market potential of the Japanese diabetes diagnostics market in 2005 was estimated at $401.9 million and is forecast to grow at an annual compound rate of 7% through 2012. The ever-increasing occurrence of diabetes in Japan, and throughout Asia and the resulting higher volumes of diagnostic tests are driving strong growth.

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PicksThatMove.com is an independent electronic publication that provides information on selected publicly traded companies.  PicksThatMove.com is not a registered investment advisor or broker-dealer.  PicksThatMove.com affiliates, officers, directors and employees may buy and sell shares in any company mentioned herein and may profit in the event those shares rise in value.  We recommend Due Diligence before investing in any stock. 

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Neostem Inc. (AMEX:NBS) jumped 22.02% to close at $1.94 with volume surging on news the company was  advised its newly acquired subsidiary Erye Pharmaceutical received approval from the State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) in China to manufacture and sell its proprietary omeprazole in 20mg capsules. Omeprazole, is a proton pump inhibitor and the generic form of one of the most widely-prescribed drugs in the world for the treatment of peptic ulcer disease and gastroesophageal reflux disease.  The market is bolstered by the fact that China is estimated to have a 5% incidence rate of gastroesophageal reflux disease of among their general population of 1.3 billion people.  Neostem acquired its 51% interest in Erye through its acquisition of China Biopharmaceutical Holdings in October 2009.  Headquartered in New York, New York, NeoStem, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates a network of commercial adult stem cell banks in cities across the US. It provides adult stem cell processing, collection, cryopreservation, and banking services. Stem cells are used to treat various serious diseases and conditions, including cardiac disease, autoimmune disorders, lupus, and multiple sclerosis, peripheral vascular diseases, age related musculoskeletal disorders, diabetes, cancer, neurological disease, and wound healing.

Arcadia Resources, Inc. (AMEX:KAD) gained 8.00% to close at $0.540 on news the company will present at the Jefferies & Company, Inc. 2010 Global Healthcare Services Conference from January 25^th to 27^th at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in New York City. Based in Indianapolis, Indiana, Arcadia Resources, Inc., conducts with its subsidiaries, home care, medical staffing, and pharmacy services. The company’s services include home care services, medical staffing services, medication management, retail pharmacy management services and systems, including dispensing and billing software, ambulatory and mobility products, respiratory products, daily living aids, bathroom safety products, and bathroom/home modification products.

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PicksThatMove.com is an independent electronic publication that provides information on selected publicly traded companies.  PicksThatMove.com is not a registered investment advisor or broker-dealer.  PicksThatMove.com affiliates, officers, directors and employees may buy and sell shares in any company mentioned herein and may profit in the event those shares rise in value.  We recommend Due Diligence before investing in any stock. 

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Nautilus, Inc. (NYSE:NLS) gained 21.53% to close at $2.54 on no news since last week when the company announced executing the sale of certain assets and licensing rights, including the StairMaster and Schwinn commercial product lines. NLS will retain certain rights to the Schwinn brand and will continue to market the branded fitness products through its consumer channel.  The deal was valued at $7.9 million at closing which foresees an additional $2.0 million in cash payments within sixty days of coming to terms on January 5th; and another $1.0 million over the next three years. Nautilus’ ongoing divesture plan will allow the company to strategically focus on its branded consumer products through retail and direct business.  The company seeks to sell its commercial assets such as a manufacturing plant and three warehouses in Virginia. NLS will benefit from an expedited federal tax refund of about $12.1 million this month; which was expected to receive only by March 31^st.  Headquartered in Vancouver, Washington, Nautilus, Inc. is a fitness product manufacturer and distributor with trademarked sports brands including Nautilus, Bowflex, StairMaster, Schwinn Fitness, and Universal.  The company’s distribution network includes marketing through sporting goods stores, department stores, governmental agencies, specialty retailers, independent bicycle dealers, and internal reps. 

HSW International, Inc. (NASDAQ:HSWI) advanced 27.13% to close at $0.350 on news.  Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, HSW International is a multinational online publishing company specialized in consumer information based on electronic goods and services. The company’s leading brands BoWenWang (bowenwang.com.cn) and ComoTudoFunciona (hsw.com.br) supplies readers in China and Brazil with thousands of articles about how the world around them works, providing credible, easy-to-understand reference information. HSW International is the exclusive licensee in China and Brazil for the publication of translated content from HowStuffWorks.com, a subsidiary of Discovery Communication.

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Cell Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ : CTIC), $1.34, +0.17, 14.53%, traded in the range of 1.18 and 1.40 closing the day on gains of 14.53%.  Cell Therapeutics just announced that it has entered into an agreement to sell $30 million of shares of its Series 3 Preferred Stock and warrants to purchase shares of its common stock in a registered offering.  Each share of Series 3 Preferred Stock is convertible into approximately 823 shares of common stock at a conversion price of $1.21375 per share of common stock, for a total of approximately 24,690,000 common shares.  Cell Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical industry leader with a focus on oncology drugs.

Western Coal Corp. (TSX: WTN), $3.97, +0.22, 5.87%, traded today on double its average volume ranging between 3.61 and 3.98 managing to end the day a penny under the day’s high, on no news.  This past December the company announced that its issuer bid for 10 million common shares, being approximately 5.4% of Western’s public float has been accepted by the TSX.  WTN’s normal course issuer bid commenced on December 21, 2009 to December 20, 2010, unless terminated earlier by the Company.  Western Coal is producer of metallurgical and thermal coal from mines in northeast BC, Canada and  W.Virginia, USA.

Hemispherx BioPharma Inc. (AMEX: HEB), $0.67, +0.06, 9.84%, closed the day near its high of 0.68 on average volume.  Hemispherx is a biopharmaceutical company focusing on new drug therapies for the treatment of viral and immune based chronic disorders.  Earlier this week it was announced that there is an investigation into HEB for possible breaches of fiduciary duty regarding the status of its application for the marketing approval for Ampligen, an experimental drug for chronic fatigue syndrome.

Phoenix Energy Resource Corp. (OTCBB: PNXE), $0.015, +0.005, 51.52%, closed the day with an increase of over 51% in its share price with significantly higher volume than usual, on no news.  PNXE’s 52 week-high stands at 1.01 dating back from last February, and the stock traded today between 0.011 to 0.019.  Phoenix Energy is a natural gas and oil company. 

Majestic Gold Corp. (TSXV: MJS), $0.07, +0.015, 27.27%, closed on the day’s high today surpassing its 52 week-high of 0.06 which was set last November.  MJS traded steadily between 0.05 and 0.07 surging in volume, on no news.  Majestic Gold is a gold exploration and development company with a portfolio of projects in China.

About Picksthatmove.com

PicksThatMove.com is an independent electronic publication that provides information on selected publicly traded companies. PicksThatMove.com is not a registered investment advisor or broker-dealer. PicksThatMove.com’s affiliates, offices, directors and employees may buy and sell shares in any company mentioned herein and may profit in the event those shares rise in value.  Please follow us on Twitter and Facebook for further investment updates.  We recommend you do your own Due Diligence before investing in any of the stocks mentioned above.

China Direct Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ:CDII) jumped another 40.63% up to $2.25 with 8,070,717 shares moving actively this afternoon. This stock has gained more than 90% since we alerted you to the pick on Monday. Earlier this week CDII set benchmarks for 2010 revenue of up to $150 million. The company’s most recent third quarter results show a 44% increase in revenue from continuing operations, and noted growth in their magnesium segment.  CDII has a current market cap of about $61 million and a strong balance sheet.  Headquartered in Deerfield Beach, Florida, China Direct Industries, Inc produces and distributes magnesium, and basic materials in China.  CDII sells and distributes industrial grade synthetic chemicals consisting of glacial acetic acid and acetic acid derivatives, acrylic acid and acrylic ester, vinyl acetate-ethylene, and polyvinyl alcohol. The company also provides strategic investment planning, financing structures and arrangements, mergers, acquisitions.  Other business transactions include translation services, managing and coordinating various necessary government approvals and licenses in the PRC, marketing, and investor relations and consulting.

China Shen Zhou Mining & Resources Inc. (AMEX:SHZ) soared 23.94% up to $1.45 on no news since the company’s dismal last third quarter results which reported losses per share of $0.28 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.  China is the world’s most expansive leader in mineral and rare earth elements mining and strictly restricts the export of its metals.  The sector is boosted by China’s ever growing GDP and China will establish a Rare Earth reserve in 2010. Based in Beijing, China, China Shen Zhou Mining & Resources Inc. acquires, explores, recovers and develops natural resource properties.  SHZ chiefly mines and processes fluorite, zinc, lead, copper.

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