Every day, the sun rises on Wall Street, and a plethora of professional analysts wake to issue new opinions on stocks. Here at the Fool, we use our "This Just In" column to examine some of these picks -- and the track records of the firms behind them – so individuals can make better investing decisions.

In addition to following professional banks, anyone can use Motley Fool CAPS to monitor the collective opinions of more than 135,000 members, many of whom demonstrate better investing insight than published analysts do.

More top-performing CAPS members are bullish on Delta Petroleum (NASDAQ:DPTR) these days, enough to upgrade it from the two- and three-star rank it has bounced between for months to a more formidable four stars. A total of 285 members have given their opinion on the independent oil and gas firm, with many of them offering analysis and commentary explaining the recent optimism.

Like many other energy companies, Colorado-based Delta Petroleum has been forced to deal with lower commodity prices and has been working to adjust to the current environment. The company has cut costs, worked with its creditors to stave off certain actions, and joined others like Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO), Stone Energy (NYSE:SGY), and ATP Oil & Gas (NASDAQ:ATPG) in issuing more shares. It raised nearly $250 million a few months back to help with liquidity and get it back on track.

Despite the enormous dilution from the recent offering, many CAPS members think that a leadership change and some fresh influence on the board will also help. Kirk Kerkorian, who also has a major stake in MGM Mirage (NYSE:MGM), recently increased his stake in Delta through his Tracinda investment firm, nominated some board members, and has shown signs that he plans a more active role with the company.

Many CAPS members also have faith in the long-term outlook for natural gas and see a growing potential for its energy use. Delta Petroleum has undeveloped acreage positions in the Columbia River Basin and also the Haynesville shale in Texas, an area inhabited by the likes of Petrohawk Energy (NYSE:HK) and Chesapeake Energy (NYSE:CHK), which have the potential to be rewarding exploratory plays.

To see what the very best CAPS analysts are saying now about Delta Petroleum -- as well as other winning stocks they are picking -- head on over to CAPS and have a look.

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