The best, and worst, Dow stocks for 2012

[Common Sense Party]

In order to identify the best and worst stocks in the Dow for 2012, we reviewed the DJIA stocks which had the most and least implied upside. Not surprisingly, the ones with the most upside potential in 2012 were among the worst performing in 2011. Similarly, the least attractive DJIA stocks are in many cases stocks which are now trading close to new highs. After looking at Thomson Reuters data, there are several stocks which may significantly outperform the market this year and several that will be disappointments.

These are the best and worst stocks in the Dow for 2012.

http://bottomline.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/01/12/9974941-the-best-and-worst-dow-stocks-for-2012

I'm not even going to post the rest of this nonsense; that's not my purpose in starting this thread.

My purpose is to rant against idiotic articles like this.

First of all, I'll reveal my bias in that I'm not a big fan of investing in individual stocks. I suppose it's fine if you know what you're doing and you take the time to really research and dig through annual reports and you truly understand the company. And it's fine if you have a broadly diversified portfolio of at least a couple dozen stocks, in different industries.

But how many people fit the above description? Very few.

It's much more likely that some near-novice investor who has rarely dabbled in stocks will think that reading one article on MSNBC.com or in Money magazine makes them well-informed, and they go out and invest a good chunk of their retirement savings in one company. Based on the recommendation from some web journalist you've never met who uses pablum phrases like "implied upside"? And then what? What if that stock tanks?

Why do stockbrokers and financial consultants have to jump through hoops, take grueling tests and abide by stringent compliance rules and they still aren't allowed to give financial advice or make predictions, yet journalists can make ridiculous predictions like "The Best Funds to Own Now!" or like this article?

Anyway, seeing titles like this makes my skin crawl and I just had to rant.

What do y'all think?