Portfolio Update: Preparing for the Q4 surge.

Here is how the Global Bull Market Alert portfolio currently is positioned to take advantage of this exciting period:

AstraZeneca (AZN) has been a solid performer in the portfolio since mid-summer. With pharmaceutical stocks coming back into favor among some large U.S. value managers, look for AstraZeneca to accelerate its steady climb upward in the coming weeks. The stock is up just under 5% since our initial recommendation for an annualized gain of more than 19%.

Icon (ICLR), our Dublin-based biotech play, announced a 2-for-1 stock split last week. Each shareholder will receive one share for each one held on Oct. 13. Investment bank Lehman Brothers also recently initiated coverage of Icon, putting the stock on the screen of more Wall Street investors. The stock is up 7.7% since we recommended it to achieve an annualized gain above 53%.

Make no doubt about it: Sweden Inc. (iShare-EWD) is in play. Sweden’s new pro-business, tax-cutting, deregulating government was elected only two weeks ago. But investment bankers already have descended on Stockholm and are ready to assist the Swedish government in the sale of its remaining stakes in several large companies. The first companies on the auction block? A 19.5% stake in Nordea, the Nordic region’s largest bank; 45.3% of Telia Sonera, the telecommunications company; 6.7% of OMX, the stock market operator; and 21.4% in SAS, the airline. A flurry of activity should help to boost the market upward — and our iShares along with it — as we roll into the fourth quarter.

Embraer (ERJ), the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer, continues to stretch its wings. Two weeks ago, the company announced that Egypt Air had placed a firm order for six Embraer 170s, with options for another six aircraft. Sadly, an Embraer aircraft was involved in the crash of a GOL airline in Brazil during the weekend. This may put short-term pressure on Embraer’s stock. But look for the stock to recover strongly — along with the rest of the Brazilian market in the weeks ahead.

China Life (LFC) stock hit a speed bump last week as news of its proposed share listing of US$2.67 billion in Shanghai circulated in the markets. Not to fret. The fundamental bullish case for China Life could hardly be stronger. China Life has written 49% of all life insurance policies in China and 69% of all accident insurance. It’s also one of the largest asset managers in the country. The pullback in the stock offers a perfect time to pick up more shares. But you better hurry. The stock is already up 1.59% in pre-market trading today.