Shares of the solar-panel makers First Solar and Energy Conversion Devices look vulnerable as silicon prices drop, narrowing their cost advantage versus silicon rivals.

Shares of the solar-panel makers First Solar and Energy Conversion Devices look vulnerable as silicon prices drop, narrowing their cost advantage versus silicon rivals.

One of the reasons Piper's Munster upgraded Amazon to a Buy in early March was a survey his firm conducted that showed 81% of Amazon's customers are satisfied with the retailer, compared to 71% for eBay. More important, 94% of the respondents said they would recommend the e-tailer to a friend. That score, he says, is reminiscent of Apple 's (AAPL) tally earlier this decade before the iPod, as well as Netflix 's (NFLX) rating prior to its breakthrough. In both cases the scores presaged big runs in the stocks to record highs. "It's a leading indicator," says Munster.

Visa went public a year ago at $44 a share, shot up to the $80s and now trades at about $55. If the company meets or beats forecasts, as expected, the shares could head for $70.

MasterCard is more modestly valued at 16 times calendar 2009 forecasts, and is attractive as an investment as well. The valuation discount is due to Visa's greater exposure to debit, and the continued overhang of some merchant-pricing litigation involving MasterCard. Visa has cut a deal that shifts this liability to the issuing banks. Also, MasterCard has been public since 2006, and is further along than Visa in transitioning to a profit-maximizing company from a member-bank-owned cooperative.

At about 20, the stock fetches 15.6 times 2009 profits -- well below peak multiples pushing 75. Shares may never return to the patent-protected-monopoly heyday but could rebound with announcements of contract renewals and new pacts. Martek has growing profits, no debt and more than $3 a share in cash. Cantor Fitzgerald analyst Pamela Bassett reckons that revenue can grow at a compound annual rate of 18% over the next five years in a market "that increasingly understands and looks for nutritionally enhanced foods." Her price target: 33.

Already, the betting is intensifying on survivors and failures. Goldman Sachs' bank analysts, for example, have identified eight firms they think can swiftly repay bailout money over the next year: Morgan Stanley (MS), Comerica (CMA), US Bancorp (USB), JPMorgan (JPM), Bank of New York Mellon (BK), First Horizon National (FHN), Northern Trust (NTRS), and City National (CYN).

Already, the betting is intensifying on survivors and failures. Goldman Sachs' bank analysts, for example, have identified eight firms they think can swiftly repay bailout money over the next year: Morgan Stanley (MS), Comerica (CMA), US Bancorp (USB), JPMorgan (JPM), Bank of New York Mellon (BK), First Horizon National (FHN), Northern Trust (NTRS), and City National (CYN).