Barron's Recap (6/2/12): The Top 100 Women Financial Advisors

This weekend in

online: the top 100 women financial advisors for 2012, and the prospects for Deckers Outdoor, master limited partnerships and Blue Nile.

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" by Christopher C. Williams. One of the hottest apparel brands over the past decade has been the UGG line of fleece-lined boots. And one of the hottest stocks has been their maker, Deckers Outdoor

, says the article. Over the past five years, Deckers' revenue compounded 35% annually, with earnings per share increasing at an even faster 44% rate. But this year, the company faced an unseasonably warm winter, a 40% spike year over year in sheepskin prices, and the crisis in Europe. Many investors have fled the stock. However, Deckers still has much going for it. Shares could rally 40% or more as sheepskin prices fall and the company expands. See the article for details.

Suzanne McGee's "New Imperatives" takes a look at the top 100 women financial advisors for 2012. The advisors on the list have an average of nearly 26 years' worth of experience, with many of them having entered the field about the time of the 1987 crash. The average member on

list is 55 years old and has spent 20 years with the firm she works for. In a world where change is rampant and swift, many clients find that kind of stability reassuring. The list was compiled from more than 400 candidates nominated by their firms. The rankings are based on assets under management, revenue generated for an advisor's firm and quality of practice. In "Are Women Better Financial Advisors?" Steve Garmhausen points out that though some studies have shown that women are better investors than men, top female advisors deny that they provide different investment advice than their male peers. When it comes to picking stocks or building a diversified portfolio, says the article, there is no gender gap. However, women may not interact with clients in the same way. They bring different perspectives, which may benefit certain clients. "Pipelines to Profits" by Andrew Bary suggests that robust operating profits, tax breaks and a booming U.S. energy sector have boosted demand for master limited partnerships (MLPs). MLPs mainly transport and store oil, natural gas, natural-gas liquids, gasoline, and other refined petroleum products. In the past decade, MLPs have generated an annualized total return of nearly 16%. That compares to returns in single digits for the Dow and the Standard & Poor's 500. Shares of online jeweler Blue Nile

could rally 25%, says Jacqueline Doherty in "Another Chance to Sparkle." This despite the soft economy and a spike in diamond prices. Industry experts expect diamond inflation to abate this year. And unlike other jewelers, Blue Nile carries little inventory; it mostly purchases diamonds only after receiving orders. Blue Nile has cut prices to boost sales, and it is also increasing its international presence. The company has repurchased shares as well. Other featured stories:

Columns in this weekend's

discuss:

This weekend's

online exclusives include: "Cheniere CEO's $3.4 Million Sale" by Grace L. Williams details the recent sales of 230,000 shares by chief executive, chairman and president Charif Souki of Cheniere Energy Partners

in the wake of a multiyear-high stock price. Souki's direct holdings now represent a stake of less than 1% of Cheniere.

"Sara Lee's Special Plans" by Teresa Rivas reviews the next step in Sara Lee's

planned split of the company. Its board of directors unanimously approved the spinoff of Sara Lee's international coffee and tea business. A one-for-five reverse stock split and a $3 special dividend will follow immediately after the spinoff.