Sanofi Aventis

I know from the email I receive, quite a few of you like drug stocks for long-term positions. I suppose that is primarily due to the fact that the financial press continues to keep speculating that Pfizer (PFE) & Merck (MRK) are attractive buys. But, just like my trading, I don't typically invest in stocks that everyone likes as much as these two well-known stocks.

In fact, the only drug stock I currently own for a long-term hold is Sanofi Aventis (SNY). While the fundamentals of SNY are strong, this French drug company is also working on a very key diet suppression drug due out next year. If it is successful, SNY holds a lot of upside potential. In addition, like trading, I always try to find stocks in which the stocks also look good on a technical basis. Compare SNY with MRK & PFE and you'll see what I mean. While Pfizer & Merck may be "good values," I'd rather put my money on a winner.