GUESSING GAME.

• Position: 2018 HOT STOCKS

News bulletin: Stock forecasting is a crapshoot: Bobby Edgerton, who has picked lots of winners over the years for Business North Carolina readers, last year called Charlotte-based retailer Cato Corp. "one of the cheapest stocks in the world." Since then, shares have declined about 45%. But there's always next year: Edgerton and five investment pros are sharing their favorite stock picks for 2018, plus one company to avoid, continuing a long BNC tradition. Eligible stocks must be based in the state or have significant employment and investment here. This year's picks range from international giants to two small-cap stocks. Oh, and Edgerton says Cato is really cheap now.

ANN ZURAW

President, Zuraw

Financial Advisors LLC, Greensboro

LABORATORY CORP. OF AMERICA (LH)

MARKET CAP: $16 BILLION

LabCorp, the second-largest independent U.S. clinical laboratory, benefits from an aging population and increased preventative care. Its contract-research organization, Covance, is achieving fast growth.

ALBEMARLE CORP. (alb)

MARKET CAP: $14.4 BILLION

Charlotte-based Albemarle is a leading producer of lithium, one of the fastest-growing markets in specialty chemicals. Lithium's use in electric vehicles and utility-scale storage should hasten growth.

FIRST BANCORP (FBNC)

MARKET CAP: $1.1 BILLION

The Southern Pines-based regional bank has strong management that has overseen acquisitions in Greensboro and Asheville. It now has almost $6 billion in assets. Cost savings from the deals should aid profit.

AVOID: SONIC AUTOMOTIVE (SAH)

The fourth-largest U.S. auto dealership has been hurt by declining sales of BMWs, which have made up 30% of profits. Spending to expand its EchoPark used-car business will lower near-term profits.

PATRICK RUSH Chief executive officer, Triad Financial Advisors, Greensboro

AMERICAN AIRLINES CROUP INC. (AAL)

MARKET CAP: $24.4 BILLION

American Airlines, which relies on Charlotte as it second-largest hub, benefits from rising disposable income and added revenue from convenience charges. Tax reform could crimp foreign competitors.

LOWE'S COS. (LOW)

MARKET CAP: $71.2 BILLION

Mooresville-based Lowe's should benefit from a strong economy and increasing consumer spending for home-improvement projects.

BB&T CORP. (BBT)

MARKET CAP: $39.4 BILLION

The Winston-Salem-based bank is a more conservative underwriter than its peers, while strategic acquisitions make it a solid stock to own.

AVOID: WELLS FARGO & CO. (WFC)

The San Francisco-based bank is...