(Every week, Business Edge writer Gyle Konotopetz profiles the top three stock picks of some of Canada’s most successful investment pros).

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Jim Bartlett, specialist in energy, mining and utility stocks with Vancouver-based Odlum Brown.

Bartlett’s Current Strategy: “It’ll probably take a while for the economy to turn around, so we’re still holding interest-rate sensitive stocks. However, we’re looking at an exit strategy on them. We seem to think the bank stocks are fine. Of the stocks I cover, I remain very positive on the outlook for natural gas, both short- and long-term. I also think we’re going to have good oil prices under any scenario.”

First Star

* PanCanadian Energy (PCE-TSE) (formerly known as PanCanadian Petroleum)

* Recent Price: $43.20.

* Year Range: $34.30-$52.30.

* Bartlett’s Call: Buy (top rating).

* 12-month Target: $52 ($60 or more if taken over or merged).

* Snapshot: PanCanadian is involved in the acquisition, exploration and development of natural gas, crude oil and natural gas liquids with operations in North America and the U.K. sector of the North Sea.

* CEO: David OBrien.

* Head Office: Calgary.

* Vital Stats: Current Price/Earnings Ratio, 7.0; Revenue (last 12 mos), $10.6 billion; Earnings (last 12 mos) $1.6 billion; Market Cap, $11.0 billion; Shares Outstanding, 258 million; Dividend Yield, 1.0%.

* Bartlett’s Comment: “I think it’s the best investment in Canada. With the coal-bed methane they’re looking at now (coal-bed methane is natural gas derived from coal seams), they’ll be increasing their natural-gas production for 20 years. And I’m not concerned about the recent resignation (of CEO David Tuer). I also think they’re going to merge with Alberta Energy, which would give PanCanadian shareholders a bump upwards.”

* Bartlett’s Risk Rating: Low.

* Web watch: www.pancanadian.ca

Second Star

* Alberta Energy Company (AEC-TSE)

* Recent Price: $61.12.

* Year Range: $49.25-$78.45.

* Bartlett’s Call: Buy (top rating).

* 12-Month Target: $78.

* Snapshot: Participates in gas and oil exploration, production, storage, processing and pipeline transportation.

* CEO: Gwyn Morgan.

* Head Office: Calgary (1,598).

* Vital Stats: Current Price/Earnings Ratio, 7.3; Revenue (last 12 mos), $7.4 billion; 5-yr Revenue Growth, 43.8%; Earnings (last 12 mos), $1.3 billion; 5-yr Earnings Growth, 60.2%; Market Cap, $8.9 billion; Shares Outstanding, 147 million; Dividend Yield, 1.0%.

* Bartlett’s Comment: “This is a company that has increased gas production from 600 million cubic feet a day to 1.6 billion cubic feet a day since ’97 and they’re going to increase their oil production quite sharply from now to 2004. They’ve got lots of oil and they’ve proven they can improve their production.”

* Barlett’s Risk Rating: Low.

* Web watch: www.aec.ca

Third Star

* TransCanada Pipelines (TRP-TSE)

* Recent Price: $20.15.

* Year Range: $14.45-$21.13.

* Bartlett’s Call: Buy (top rating).

* 12-Month Target: $24.

* Snapshot: TransCanada is an energy company focused on natural gas transmission, power and gas marketing services.

* CEO: Hal Kvisle.

* Head Office: Calgary (4,300 employees).

* Vital Stats: Price/Earnings Ratio, 16.5; Revenue (last 12 mos), $22.6 billion; 5-Yr Revenue Growth, 14.9%; Earnings (last 12 mos), $732 million; Market Cap, $9.5 billion; Shares Outstanding, 476 million; Dividend Yield, 4.5%.

* Bartlett’s Comment: “I think they’re going to get bought out by the Americans, too. If not, the (proposed) pipeline from Alaska will be announced some time in the next 12 months and (Foothills Pipe Lines) will get it. Foothills is owned 50 per cent by TransCanada. And that’s a $17-billion development. That’ll be enough for TransCanada to fill up their pipelines, expand their rate base and expand their earnings, expand their dividend and on and on.”

* Barlett’s Risk Rating: Low.

* Web watch: www.transcanada.com

* Disclosure: Bartlett says he may hold positions in these stocks.