Oracle Investment Research Lists Its Best Picks for 2013 (AAPL) (BP) (CLF)

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Analysts at Oracle Investment Research released a report today listing what they call their 'Best Picks' for 2013. Granted, yearly forecasts are a dime a dozen. However, analysts at Oracle have what they believe is something of a silver bullet in their profit vs. price methodology, which they say points to opportunity in several beaten down names.

"Over time our analysis has shown that there is a high correlation between [profit and price]. When this correlation breaks down is where opportunity arises," said Laurence Isaac Balter, Chief Equity Strategist.

In the report, Balter highlighted seven stocks that present an opportunity for investors. Interestingly, these stocks include some of the worst performers of 2012.

Apple (NASDAQ: APPL) - In sum, Apple has had a decent year, but as most know, lately performance has been anything but stellar. 2013 could see Apple's fortunes improve. In fact, Oracle is predicting the stock will retake $670, which equals a 28 percent return from current levels. A major catalyst for Apple could be its January 24th earnings report, which may be one of the best in the company's history, say analysts.

BP (NYSE: BP) - Balter thinks shares of BP could rise 42 percent. Of note, the company will final put the Macondo disaster behind it when it heads to court on February 25th.

Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. (NYSE: CLF) - The analyst point out that performance at the mining company is, generally speaking, highly correlated with iron ore prices. With iron ore prices up 56 percent in three months, CLF should soon follow. Analysts are calling for a rise to $75 per share, a huge gain relative to
CLF’s current price of 37.60.

Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. (NYSE: FCX) - Oracle says FCX could reach $50 as it benefits from recent acquisitions of Plains Exploration & Production Company (NYSE: PXP) and McMoRan Exploration Co. (NYSE: MMR).

Molycorp, Inc. (NYSE: MCP) - MCP stock is down 61 percent, making it one of the top dogs of 2012. However, with a major Australian competitor facing legal difficulties, and with China clamping down on black market exports of rare earth minerals, MCP could be set to recover losses, and then some. Oracle is calling for a rise to $50 per share. MCP currently trades at just $9.21.

Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan, Inc. (NYSE: POT) - Today China's Sinofert reached an agreement to purchase 1,000,000 tonnes of potash in the first half of 2013. The agreement is with a marketing company owned by POT, Agrium (NYSE: AGU), and Masaic (NYSE: MOS). A similar agreement with India is expected later this year. Oracle sees 44 percent upside in 2013.

Weatherford International Ltd. (NYSE: WFT) – Considering that Weatherford's accounting problems are behind it, and analysts see upside and say WFT is vulnerable to a takeover.

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