Mechel OAO (ADR) (MTL)

Russian President Dmitri Medvedev warned CNBC viewers of "alarming figures" when talking about his economy on June 2. His alarming figures were rising unemployment and falling industrial production -- and those two figures are fairly alarming everywhere we look, not just in Russia.

In Russia, however, they've taken an especially large toll and put GDP on track for somewhere around 7.5% this year, a level not experienced since the fall of the Soviet Union twenty years ago. It fell almost 10% year-over-year in the first quarter alone. Foreign investment plunged 30% and that referenced unemployment figure is on its way to double-digits, as it is in the U.S. as well.

The near term, then, is far from rosy in Russia.

However, the Russia that emerges from this credit crisis will be in a far better position than the one that went in. The Kremlin has taken control of its currency, acquired the country's most savvy international business people, and has already used those new assets to begin managing the political connections it will need to get the most out of its natural resources in the coming energy crunch.

There's too much relief in the air, too much anticipation of recovery, and too many smart investors on to the new teamwork happening between private companies and the Kremlin.

good value, great dividend

It's Russia's biggest coal miner and is serving huge market in Russia and abroad. I don't see why it wouldn't double or more when demand starts picking up. Coal prices fallen 50% but the stock is falling 90+ %. One need to be a little patient with this one.

It's GEORGE SOROS to the Rescue! or at least that's the rumor... regardless.. this one's been undervalued for half of 2008. I outperformed this before and got my butt kicked.... Now entered at a much abusrdly cheaper price.

Time for the upward swing.

Only place for this guy to go is up, fresh off a 52 week low.

I have no doubt it will be OK, after all, if you can drink water instead of KO

You cannot build cars, and Bridges from water.

You will need steel, coal, and electricity.

Time to invest in Russia, It is not going anywhere, trust me.

And Russians have interesting ability to perform under pressure.

Andrey K

Although MTL appears to be a good company and has had a good run I suspect under performance starting soon, leading up to it's next eps report and after. Based on expected '07 earnings, the coming quarters are likely to show considerably less growth compared to yr ago quarters, possibly ranging from 65% to -20%. Also, even though it has had a nice 2-wk 25% runup, price-vol action looks like profit taking is setting in.

MTL recent stock split will do wonders for this company. Being in an atmosphere that historically is not capitalistic and with it's millions of citizens hungry for the good life will continue to be the driving force of solid gains for MTL.
With the stock split to approximately 53.00 per share, more volume will be attracted resulting in continued higher stock performance.as well. Avg daily volume up approximately 60%

Will have a slump soon. The growth over 2007 was huge. But with such strong demand for minerals, and their latest exclusive mining sites, this stock is poised for another very strong year.

This is a speculative pick, as all Russian companies carry tremendous political risk. However, I believe that at this price, this risk is discounted. The commodity bust remains another short-term negative, but again this is more than priced in at this point.

Russian steel and mining company. While it has doubled in the last year the P/E is still only 14. Should benefit from infrastructure and China. 5 star CAPS rocket.

I like the idea of playing low valued commodities going into the inauguration. With all the global infrastructure spending this stock should fair well. I expect a 50% move up by first of February.

Excellent pitch, Andrey. Super cheap growth. Buying.

The Oligarchy play, but with iron ore, nickel, and coking coal. Nice trifecta.

If you ask me why I picked this stock, I'll tell you that I like Coal. We have so much of it in the US but we stray from it because of air pollution...yet we love our dependence on foreign oil.

Its hit bottom. Nowhere to go but up. p/e under 1? Are you kidding me?

There is a huge metal demand in the world right now. Between the rebuilding of Iraq, yes that is still going on, the developmental boom in China and other factors. The price of metal has increased by 10% every month so far this year and it will keep increasing throughout the year. This means a greater demand than supply, which will help boost furter profits for this or really any other metal producing company. This stock has grown by 300% in 6 months, it will grow by another 200% over the next 6 months, at least I believe this. I would love to have real money right now to buy MTL, even at $138 per share I think it is a BUY.

Good time to buy this one, Pretty much a no brainer here. Steel and iron are used by everyone every day and we will always need more.