This Week's 'Barron's' Roundup

Editor's note: Welcome to "Barron's Roundup." Each weekend, Stockpickr presents portfolios related to articles in the latest issue of Barron's.

Risky Timber: This Barron's article contends that timber prices could be cut in half in coming years. That could spell trouble for real estate investment trusts focused on timber. Among the stocks mentioned are Plum Creek(PCL Quote), Potlatch(PCH Quote) and Weyerhaeuser(WY Quote).

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Hot Tech Growth: Barron's talks with Allison Thacker, managing director and co-portfolio manager of the RS Technology Fund (RSIFX). The fund has been red-hot in 2009, rising by 47.53% as of July 31. Among the stocks in her portfolio are Apple(AAPL Quote), GSI Commerce(GSIC Quote) and Digital River(DRIV Quote).

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Hands On Metal Managers: Barron's talks with Dan Denbow and Mark Johnson, co-managers of the $1.3 billion USAA Precious Metals and Minerals Fund (USAGX). The pair likes to do first-hand due diligence by visiting the mines they track and talking to workers. Among the stocks in their portfolio are Randgold Resources(GOLD Quote) and Gammon Gold(GRS Quote).

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Bullish and Bearish: Each week, Barron's publishes bullish and bearish stories on a variety of stocks. We present summaries of those stories in this portfolio. This week, there are bullish stories on Fred's(FRED Quote) and Citigroup(C Quote), plus a bearish piece on Allegiant Travel(ALGT Quote).

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Latest Activist Purchases: Which companies are the top hedge funds chasing? This week's list includes names like Immucor(BLUD Quote), Interactive Brokers Group(IBKR Quote) and Array BioPharma(ARRY Quote).

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Top Insider Purchases of the Week: Insider purchases are a lot more predictive than insider selling. Barron's lists companies where managers are buying stock, and we build a portfolio with those companies' shares. There has been interesting activity in Akamai Technologies(AKAM Quote), Costco Wholesale(COST Quote), Forward Air(FWRD Quote) and Oracle(ORCL Quote).

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Research Reports: The latest analyst research reports highlighted by Barron's, including reports this week on Dynamic Materials(BOOM Quote), MetLife(MET Quote) and Expedia(EXPE Quote).

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1 What would best describe your stance heading into the coming week of trading? Bullish Bearish Neutral 2 Which of these sectors do you think is set to move up in the coming week? --Choose One--Aerospace and DefenseAirlinesAutomobilesBeverages and Food ProductsBiotechnologyCommercial BanksComputers and PeripheralsConsumer NondurablesEnergy Equipment & ServicesHMOs and HospitalsHomebuildingInsuranceIntegrated OilInternet, Software ServicesInvestment Bankers and BrokersMediaMultiline RetailPharmaceuticalsPrecious MetalsSemis, Semi EquipmentTelecom EquipmentTobacco and AlcoholWireless CommunicationsUtilities 3 Which of these sectors do you think is set to move down in the coming week? --Choose One--Aerospace and DefenseAirlinesAutomobilesBeverages and Food ProductsBiotechnologyCommercial BanksComputers and PeripheralsConsumer NondurablesEnergy Equipment & ServicesHMOs and HospitalsHomebuildingInsuranceIntegrated OilInternet, Software ServicesInvestment Bankers and BrokersMediaMultiline RetailPharmaceuticalsPrecious MetalsSemis, Semi EquipmentTelecom EquipmentTobacco and AlcoholWireless CommunicationsUtilities View the results without voting