Evergreen Solar manufactures and markets solar panels. Revenues have more than tripled year over year due to acquisitions. Solar would seem to be a good place to be in the current political environment and current elevated energy prices. Short interest is a very high 14.3 million shares of the 66 million share float. Items to be aware of on the horizon - the recently filed $250 million shelf which will probably be equity issuances in the near future. In addition, there is talk of silicon shortages for the industry.

Lundin Mining is a $3.5 billion dollar copper & zinc mining company. The company recently completed their acquisition of EuroZinc Mining. The company has 5 mines in the stable countries of Portugal, Sweden, and Ireland with the acquisition of EZM. Profitable and at a comparaitive valuation advantage compared with the majors in the field, LMC looks like a decent value in a sector that has seen substantial consolidation. The company is sparsely covered by the major Wall Street analysts at this time having only recently begun trading on the AMEX. Coverage will be forthcoming and should be largely positive.

Calamos is an asset management company going through a problematic growth spurt that has effected portfolio returns. They have a great history of making money and their performance has already begun to recover. As a mangement company, assets are up 10% year over year and they make more money by managing more assets.

Nuts & bolts company in the optical space. The company is up for sale and will find a bidder at higher than the current price. $106 million cap, $80 million net of cash. Profitable, growing modestly and basically at 1x revenues here.

Minefinders Corp. is a precious metals exploration company on the cusp of beginning production at their Dolores Gold and Silver Mine in Mexico. Production is slated to begin in Q3 2007 and appears ahead of schedule and on budget at this time. The project is fully permitted & funded so no forthcoming debt or equity issuance is expected. The company has 47.8 million shares outstanding (51.4 million fully diluted) and a market cap of $408 million. It has been my experience that the best gains in precious metal mining shares occur as the company transitions from an explorer to an operating company. My favorite example of that would be GSS in 2003.

Payday lending is probably one of the best opportunities in the finance sector in terms of growth and profitability going forward.

Adding a beta name in the gold space. Royalty company so an increase in the price of gold directly translates to increased earnings. The most recent report showed several mines which they hold ownership interest or smelter rights increasing production. This has been very uncommon as of late throughout the sector.

Nevsun Resources, Ltd is a microcap mining company. Political risk is hanging over the shares as their operations are largely in Africa. The jewel of their portfolio is the Bisha mine in Eritrea with very promising potential. This is a high risk name that has potentially reached a price that reduces much of that risk.