Five Spot: Aston's Zerhusen Bets on Akamai

CHICAGO (TheStreet) -- Thyra Zerhusen, co-manager of the Aston/Optimum Mid Cap Fund(ABMIX Quote), favors technology firms like Akamai Technologies(AKAM Quote) and Jabil Circuit(JBL Quote) as companies strive to become more efficient during the economic downturn.

The fund has risen 33% this year, better than almost 90% of its Morningstar(MORN Quote) peers. It has returned 1% annually in the past three years, outperforming 94% of rivals.

Welcome to TheStreet.com's Fund Manager Five Spot, where America's top mutual fund managers give their best stock picks in five fast and furious questions.

Are you a bull or bear?

Zerhusen: In the longer term, I am bullish as recent cost-cutting measures should lead to significant productivity gains in the future. Near term, I expect a pause after the significant moves we have experienced from the March lows.

What is your top stock pick?

Zerhusen: My top stock pick is Akamai, a leading provider of infrastructure and software solutions that accelerate high-volume Web site access and content delivery. The increasing use of streaming videos should drive future growth.

Among major clients are Apple(AAPL Quote), Microsoft(MSFT Quote) and CNN. Akamai has a strong balance sheet and is trading at the low end of its historical price-to-earnings ratio and relative price-to-earnings range.

What is your top "beneath the radar" or "sleeper" stock pick?

Zerhusen: Zebra Technologies(ZBRA Quote) produces solutions that identify, track and manage assets, transactions and people. We expect Zebra to produce stronger earnings in the near future as its solutions are used in medical applications, homeland security and complex supply-chain logistics.

Zebra's margins should benefit from outsourcing the production of their printers to Jabil Circuit, another current technology holding. Zebra has a very strong balance sheet and the stock looks attractive at the current price-to-cash flow and price-to-revenue ratios.