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Mark Bronzo of GroupAma Asset Management (Formerly Sorema Asset Management) provides the following stock ideas. Below is the write up.  Mr. Bronzo has produced impressive returns so far this year. As of July 24th his firm is up 24% year to date.


He like the home "do it yourselfers" Home Depot (HD 42 3/8) and Lowe's Corp. (LOW 37 3/4). Both companies just about dominate the retail market for home improvement. Both retailers are upgrading their stores so, they appeal more to the professionals such as plumbers and
carpenters. Home Depot has a market share of around 15% and Mark believes there is a
"tremendous amount of room left to grow for many years to come," while both companies
continue to drive out the mom and pop hardware stores.

He states that both companies will compete against one another but the "pie is big enough"
for them to have "substantial" growth rates over the next several years. Both companies
are in good shape, with a strong housing market and low interest rates. This in turn has
pushed up the demand for housing supplies at an all-time high. Mark thinks Home Depot
shares can hit $58 within the next year with Lowe's shares hitting $50 during the same
time period.

In the banking sector, Mark likes NationsBank (NB 79 3/8). "They are one of the few banks that can literally say they do business across the country," says Mark. He feels that there is a tremendous amount of room for them to cut costs and consolidate branches. He believes their shares can touch the $100 area sometime over the next year.

Omnicom Group (OMC 53 3/4) is one company he likes in the advertising sector.  Mark says that sector is dominated by a few big players, they are one of the largest in that field. Omnicom has posted 15 consecutive quarters of better than expected earnings.   "Their prospects look extremely good...Acquisitions will fuel their future growth to help them achieve and surpass their earnings targets," says Mark. He thinks their shares can trade in the low 60's by the end of this year.

In the technology area, Mark is high on Compaq (CPQ 31) and EMC Corp. (EMC 49 1/2).
He thinks that the merger between Digital and Compaq is "a good one" and their numbers will improve as the year progresses. As the personal computer market continues to move into the sub $1k PC area, he feels that they will be a leader in that market. With Compaq lowering their inventory, "earnings should be on target." He estimates their shares should go up to $45
within the next year.

EMC Corp., which is in the data storage business, is doing very well and "chugging right along." Mark notes that many competitors are moving into their field but, their focus in the data storage area will allow them to hold their lead from a market and technological standpoint. His 1 year target is $65 per share.

Lucent Technology (LU 89) is another one of his favorites. "We just love it... They are in
the right market... Telecom equipment is dynamite!" He has a target of $125 per share.

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