JBL: Fear Factor

Ok, enough puns, and I certainly don't mean to belittle the threat of actual terrorist bombs, I'm just getting in touch with my inner Hitchcock.

American Science and Engineering has seen annual growth of 112% over the last five years, and its stock price has been just over a nine-bagger. The company has a forward multiple of 12.6 based on consensus earning estimates of $4.50. With a growth rate right at 40% this year, this gives this technology and growth company a phenomenal PE-to-growth ratio of 0.32.

For those who went to public schools, like I did, this means buy this stock. No matter what these other "bombs" do to the economy, the bomb-detecting company is going to succeed because security will be a priority in any scenario.

American Science and Engineering makes the mobile X-ray van known as the Z Backsetter Van. This unit can see through a vehicle and detect if there is anything that shouldn't be there, from people to bombs to drugs. The U.S. government is the biggest buyer of these vans.

The negative is that the government can be a fickle buyer; the positive for investors is that, in this climate of border security, the government faces too much backlash and criticism to not be a buyer -- it has to prove to the public that it is doing all it can to prevent any attacks. In 2005, the U.S. government placed $80 million in orders, a total of 79 vans. American Science and Engineering is also selling the vans in Asia and the Middle East. Indeed, one of these units made possible a large heroin bust in Asia a few years ago.

American Science has also developed an X-ray machine for airport screening that will not work like the old X-ray glasses that help a pervert sneak a peak. These machines will guard private parts while showing if the person is concealing anything.