Each year for more than three decades, our editorial team has surveyed the nation's leading newsletter advisors and investment experts each January asking for their favorite stocks for the year ahead. This year's report — Top Picks 2019 — featured over 100 investment ideas for the new year.

As of mid-year, the average gain — excluding dividends — was 22.4%. We've asked many of the participating advisors for updates on these favorite stocks and their latest opinions will be featured over the coming two weeks. You can also read these updates on MoneyShow.com as well as in our daily free newsletter, Top Pros Top Picks.

The top performer for the first half of 2019 was Todd Shaver. Congratulations on a spectacular performance. His pick of Roku (ROKU) was up 198%.

Innovative Industrial (IIPR), a cannabis-related REIT, was the favorite 2019 pick of three experts — Tony Daltorio, Timothy Lutts and Jason Williams. The stock rose 172% in the first half.

John McCamant's recommendation for Medicines Co. (MDCO) rose 90%, while Nate Pile's recommendation for Catasys (CATS) is up 105%. Gerardo del Real's speculative pick for Great Bear Resources (GTBDF) was up 65%. Jim Woods chose Match Group (MTCH); the online dating stock rose 67%. Jeffrey Hirsch chose Global Brass & Copper (BRSS), which rose 74% in the first half of 2019.

George Putnam and Jim Powell both recommended General Electric (GE), which has jumped 44%. Argus Research's David Coleman picked First Solar (FSLR), which gained 48%.

The most popular stock in this year's report was Twilio (TWLO), which was recommended by 4 different advisors — Mike Cintolo, Bryan Perry, Todd Shaver and Matthew Timpane. The stock rose 53%. We'll cover these and many more stocks over the coming two weeks.

The advisors who participate in these reports are among the nation's most respected and knowledgeable investment experts. Each has a time-tested reputation for in-depth research, integrity and a track record of long-term investment success.

Our goal at MoneyShow is to provide you with a well-rounded and diverse shopping list of investment ideas for you to consider as you build your personal long-term portfolios. Despite solid gains over the past 6 months, many advisors believe that their January picks continue to remain buys for those who own the shares and for those just now considering positions.

We caution that these recommendations should be viewed as a starting place for your own research. Any stock you buy should match your own investment strategy and time horizon — and fit your personal levels of risk tolerance. Thank you for being a part of the MoneyShow family. We wish you the very best for investment success and hope you enjoy our Top Picks mid-year update report.