Wednesday, December 31, 2014

7 Capital Markets Stocks to Buy Now

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This week, seven capital markets stocks are improving their overall ratings on Portfolio Grader. Each of these stocks is rated an “A” (“strong buy”) or “B” overall (“buy”).

THL Credit () is progressing from last week’s rating of B (“buy”) as the company improves to an A (“strong buy”) this week. THL Credit is a management investment company that invests mainly in private subordinated debt, also known as mezzanine debt. In Portfolio Grader’s specific subcategory of Sales Growth, TCRD also gets an A. .

Ares Capital Corporation () earns an A this week, jumping up from last week’s grade of B. Ares Capital is a specialty finance company that invests mainly in first- and second-lien senior loans and mezzanine debt, which in some cases includes equity components like warrants. Shares of the stock have been changing hands at an unusually rapid pace, twice the rate of the week prior. .

Garrison Capital, Inc. () is bumping up its rating from a C (“hold”) to a B (“buy”) this week. Shares of the stock have been trading at an exceptionally rapid pace, up twofold from the week prior. .

Cowen Group, Inc. Class A () shows solid improvement this week. The company’s rating rises from a C to a B. Cowen Group is a publicly owned asset management holding company. Shares of the stock have been changing hands at an unusually rapid pace, three times the rate of the week prior. .

BGC Partners, Inc. Class A () gets a higher grade this week, advancing from a B last week to an A. BGC Partners is a global inter-dealer broker that specializes in the brokering of OTC financial instruments and related derivative products. .

The rating of TD Ameritrade Holding Corporation () moves up this week, rising from a B to an A. TD Ameritrade provides securities brokerage services and technology-based financial services to retail investors, traders, financial planners, institutions and business partners. Shares of the stock have been changing hands at an unusually rapid pace, twice the rate of the week prior. .

LPL Financial Holdings Inc.’s () ratings are looking better this week, moving up to an A from last week’s B. LPL Financial Holdings offers technology, brokerage and investment advisory services through business relationships with all types of financial advisors. .

Louis Navellier’s proprietary Portfolio Grader stock ranking system assesses roughly 5,000 companies every week based on a number of fundamental and quantitative measures. Stocks are given a letter grade based on their results — with A being “strong buy,” and F being “strong sell.” Explore the tool here.

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Top 5 Safest Stocks To Watch For 2014

Spanish bonds have declined quite sharply since the past several days and the previous session was no exception either, as spread between the 10-year Spanish yields relative to benchmark German bunds widened the most since the Euro was created. The yield spread against 10-year German bunds widened to more than 500 basis points, a record high, as concerns grew that Spain�� lenders will need additional financial support to weather Europe�� debt crisis. Meanwhile, global risk aversion is pushing the German bunds to a record low, which in turn is adding more pressure on the yield spread to widen.

As long as the ongoing banking concerns in Spain persists, Spanish government securities are likely to continue weakening further while demand for the safest assets such as German bunds would pick up. This in turn could lead to further increase in spread between the securities of Euro zone�� largest and 4th largest economy.

The below graph shows the spread of Spanish 10-year bond over German bund for the last 3 months

10 Best New Stocks To Buy For 2015: Micron Technology Inc.(MU)

Micron Technology, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the manufacture and marketing of semiconductor devices worldwide. Its products include dynamic random access memory (DRAM) products that provide data storage and retrieval, which include DDR2 and DDR3; and other specialty DRAM memory products, including DDR, SDRAM, DDR and DDR2 mobile low power DRAM, pseudo-static RAM, and reduced latency DRAM. The company also offers NAND flash memory products, which are electrically re-writeable and non-volatile semiconductor devices that retain content when power is turned off. In addition, it provides NOR flash memory products that are electrically re-writeable and non-volatile semiconductor memory devices; phase change memory products; and image sensor products. Micron Technology?s products are used in a range of electronic applications, including personal computers, workstations, network servers, mobile phones, flash memory cards, USB storage devices, digital still c ameras, MP3/4 players, and in automotive applications. It sells its products to original equipment manufacturers and retailers through internal sales force, independent sales representatives, and distributors, as well as through a Web-based customer direct sales channel. The company was founded in 1978 and is headquartered in Boise, Idaho.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Jonas Elmerraji]

    As impressive as T-Mobile's rally has been in 2013, it doesn't hold a candle to the momentum in shares of Micron Technology (MU) this year: since the calendar flipped over to January, Micron's share price has exploded by 207%. And with the way this stock is positioned right now, it's not too late to take the reins in Micron.

    Micron is a computer memory maker that until recently was best known for manufacturing RAM for PCs. But the company has spent the last several years building its flash memory business, a switch that exposes Micron to a far more lucrative niche. Flash memory is a supply constrained business -- it's costly for newcomers to try to ramp up production, and the surge mobile device purchases has driven demand for NAND flash memory through the roof. That's helped Micron collect heftier prices and deeper margins for its efforts.

    Most of Micron's flash memory customers are original equipment manufacturers, not consumers. Those OEM connections are a big advantage because they keep sales efforts minimal. Instead, the firm just needs to keep creating flash technology that device makers want. The increasing use of flash memory in enterprise settings (such as servers) is another big trend that's helped to propel Micron's share price in 2013.

Top 5 Safest Stocks To Watch For 2014: Mine Safety Appliances Company (MSA)

Mine Safety Appliances Company develops, manufactures, and supplies health and safety products used by workers in the fire service, homeland security, construction, and other industries, as well as the military. It offers respiratory protection products, including self contained breathing apparatus, air-purifying respirators, gas masks, and escape hoods; and portable and permanent gas detection instruments, such as single-and multi-gas hand-held detectors, multi-point permanently installed gas detection systems, flame detectors, and open-path infrared gas detectors. The company also provides thermal imaging cameras; head, eye, face, and hearing protection products, such as industrial hard hats, fire helmets, and military helmets and communication systems; and body protection products comprising fall protection equipment and ballistic body armor. In addition, it offers consumer and contractor safety products through retail channels. The company?s products are used by first responders; general industry workers; military personnel; oil, gas, petrochemical, and chemical workers; hazmat and confined space workers; and construction workers and contractors. Mine Safety Appliances Company sells its products in North America, Europe, and internationally. The company was founded in 1914 and is based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Chuck Saletta]

    Speaking of results ...
    Right now, quarterly earnings season is well under way, which provides a perfect opportunity for one of those "check in from time to time" moments. While the iPIG portfolio did nothing last week, several of its picks did report, and those quarterly confessionals can help determine whether the companies are still worth owning. To summarize key results:

    United Technologies (NYSE: UTX  ) reported decent numbers, with net earnings ahead of expectations but growth driven more by acquisitions than by organic improvements in its existing businesses. Given the company's conglomerate setup, growth by bolt-on acquisitions isn't surprising, but over the long haul, it'd be better to see its businesses growing internally as well as through acquisitions. The news at Mine Safety Appliances (NYSE: MSA  ) wasn't quite as good, with both revenues and net earnings falling from year ago levels on a tough environment for the mining businesses it supports. That's a risk well known to the company and its shareholders, though, and while the weaker results did knock the company's stock down, the business has ridden through tough cycles before. It looks capable of riding through this one, too. Hasbro (NASDAQ: HAS  ) , on the other hand, reported earnings that beat expectations on an operating basis, before restructuring charges knocked it down to a net loss. Given that the company is in the very seasonal toy business, that loss in an off-peak quarter is much less of a concern than it would have been in the make-or-break holiday quarter. UPS (NYSE: UPS  ) kept on trucking, with a better-than-expected January and strength from eCommerce helping the company turn in an 8% growth in net reported earnings per share. Overall, UPS is operating efficiently, though its future success is tied to its ability to continue delivering more packages. As long as its e-commerce business continues to grow, though, UPS is wel
  • [By Chuck Saletta]

    Two of those companies, railroad tycoon CSX (NYSE: CSX  ) and safety equipment provider Mine Safety Appliances (NYSE: MSA  ) , paid out higher per-share amounts than they did last quarter. Both raised their payments by about 7% -- with CSX's moving from $0.14 to $0.15 per share and Mine Safety Appliances' rising from $0.28 to $0.30.

  • [By Rich Duprey]

    Occupational safety specialist�MSA� (NYSE: MSA  ) �has increased its�second-quarter dividend�to $0.30 per share, a 7% increase over the $0.28-per-share payout it made back in February.

Top 5 Safest Stocks To Watch For 2014: Whole Foods Market Inc.(WFM)

Whole Foods Market, Inc. engages in the ownership and operation of natural and organic food supermarkets. The company offers produce, seafood, grocery, meat and poultry, bakery, prepared foods and catering, coffee and tea, nutritional supplements, and vitamins. It also provides specialty products, such as beer, wine, and cheese; body care and educational products, such as books; and floral, pet, and household products. As of February 9, 2011, the company operated 302 stores in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Whole Foods Market, Inc. was founded in 1978 and is headquartered in Austin, Texas.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By WWW.DAILYFINANCE.COM]

    Patrick T. Fallon/Bloomberg/Getty Images Plenty of stocks go up and down in any given week. The gainers inspire us to keep investing. The decliners keep greed in check while reminding us about the risks of the equity markets. Let's go over some of last week's best and worst performers. King Digital Entertainment (KING) -- Up 20 percent last week We're not playing "Candy Crush Saga" the way we used to, but some of King Digital's other mobile games are starting to show signs of life. Shares of the casual-gaming leader moved higher after it posted quarterly results. King Digital is no longer a one-trick pony. Gross bookings for non-"Candy Crush" games have soared 167 percent over the past year and now make up nearly half of King Digital's total gross bookings. The diversification is paying off. King Digital referred to App Annie data showing that its market share of worldwide revenue generated from casual games in the top 100 titles is 49 percent on iOS and 44 percent on Android. Whole Foods Market (WFM) -- Up 19 percent last week The country's leading organic grocer moved higher after posting better-than-expected quarterly results. Sales climbed 9 percent to $3.3 billion, fueled by expansion and a 3.1 percent uptick in comparable sales. Whole Foods Market's profit of 35 cents a share exceeded analyst estimates for the second quarter in a row. Things aren't perfect. Margins contracted once again with net income failing to grow as quickly as sales. Whole Foods is facing competition as mainstream grocers and discount department store chains stock up on cheaper organic food. However, with shares trading 19 percent lower so far this year -- even after last week's pop -- it's easy to see Whole Foods come through with a big move up on a refreshing earnings beat. Kate Spade (KATE) -- Up 12 percent last week The market for premium handbags has proven challenging for Coach (COH) over the past two years, but the same can't be said about smaller rival Kate Spade.

  • [By Steve Symington]

    Following a brief uproar�less than�two weeks ago regarding its language policy, organic grocery specialist Whole Foods Market (NASDAQ: WFM  ) Friday officially softened the previous "English-only" stance outlined in its employee handbook.

Top 5 Safest Stocks To Watch For 2014: Host Hotels & Resorts Inc (HST)

Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc (Host Inc), incorporated on September 28, 1998 operates as a self-managed and self-administered REIT. Host Inc. owns properties and conducts operations through Host Hotels & Resorts, L.P. (Host L.P.) of which Host Inc. is the sole general partner and in which it holds approximately 98.6% of the partnership interests (OP units) as of December 31, 2012. As of February 25, 2013, the Company had 118 primarily luxury and upper-upscale hotels containing approximately 62,600 rooms, with the majority located in the United States of America, and 15 properties located outside of the United States of America, in Canada, New Zealand, Chile, Australia, Mexico and Brazil. In addition, the Company owns non-controlling interests in two international joint ventures: a joint venture in Europe, which owns 19 luxury and upper upscale hotels with approximately 6,100 rooms in France, Italy, Spain, The Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Poland and Germany; and a joint venture in Asia/Pacific, which owns one hotel in Australia and minority interests in two operating hotels in India and five additional hotels in India under development. In June 2013, the Company announced that it acquired the fee-simple interest in the 426-room Hyatt Place Waikiki Beach in Honolulu. In July 2013, the Company sold the 336-room Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco to an investment vehicle sponsored by Thayer Lodging Group. In January 2014, Host Hotels & Resorts Inc sold an 89% interest in the entity that owns the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown (the Hotel).

The Company's other real estate joint ventures include the development of a 225-room Hyatt Place in Nashville, Tennessee, and the development of a 131-unit vacation ownership project in Maui, Hawaii adjacent to the Company's Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa. The Company has 118 hotels in its portfolio, primarily consisting of luxury and upper upscale properties. These properties typically include meeting and banquet facilities, a variety of restaurants and! lounges, swimming pools, exercise facilities and spas, gift shops and parking facilities.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Diane Alter]

    Dividend Stocks That Increased Payout in September

    Accenture plc (NYSE: ACN) announced a 14.8%, or $0.12 per share, increase to its semiannual dividend. The management consulting firm will now pay a semiannual dividend of $0.93. Shares yield 2.53%. Agruim Inc. (NYSE: AGU) boosted its dividend by $1.00 per share to a total dividend of $3.00 on an annualized basis. Shares of the global retailer of agricultural products now sprout a 3.54% yield. Air Industries Group Inc. (NYSE: AIRI) doubled its dividend to $0.125 per share. The maker of airplane and helicopter parts now floats a lofty yield of 6.6%. Alexandria Real Estate Equities Inc. (NYSE: ARE) upped its dividend 4.6% to $0.68 per quarter for a yield of 4.21%. Banner Corp. (Nasdaq: BANR) boosted its quarterly dividend 25% to $0.15 per share. The parent company of Banner and Islander Bank serves the Pacific Northwest region. Brady Corp. (NYSE: BRC) lifted its quarterly dividend 2.6% to $0.78 per share. It was the 28th straight dividend increase from the identification solutions company. Shares yield 2.57%. Campbell Soup Co. (NSE: CPB) raised its quarterly dividend to $0.31 per share, up from $0.29. The company last raised its dividend in November 2010. Shares yield a hearty 3.06%. CLARCOR Inc. (NYSE: CLC) raised its quarterly dividend 26% to $0.17 per share. It's the largest percentage increase from the Tennessee-based diversified marketer of mobile filtration and packaging products in the last 20 years, and it continues the company's consecutive streak of increasing dividends for the last 30 years. Franklin Resources Inc. (NYSE: BEN) boosted its quarterly dividend 2.6% to $0.10 per share. Frisch's Restaurants Inc. (NYSE: FRS) increased its quarterly dividend 12.5% to $0.18. Shares yield 3.10% The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (NYSE: GT), in a move that suggests good times are ahead, reinstated its dividend at $0.05 per share. Good
  • [By Dimitra DeFotis]

    Apartment Invest & Management (AIV)
    Ameriprise (AMP)
    Edison International (EIX)
    Host Hotels & Resorts (HST)
    Kimco Realty (KIM)
    Kroger (KR)
    Lincoln National (LNC)
    Newfield Exploration (NFX)
    Republic Services (RSG)
    UnitedHealth (UNH)
    Verizon (VZ)
    Wells Fargo (WFC)
    WellPoint (WLP)
    Wyndham Worldwide (WYN)
    Xcel Energy Utilities (XEL)

Monday, December 29, 2014

Hot Communications Equipment Stocks To Watch Right Now

Hot Communications Equipment Stocks To Watch Right Now: Nokia Oyj (NOK)

Nokia Corporation (Nokia) has three operating segments: Devices & Services; NAVTEQ, and Nokia Siemens Networks. Devices & Services is responsible for developing and managing the Companys portfolio of mobile products, as well as designing and developing services, including applications and content. NAVTEQ is a provider of digital map information and related location-based content and services for mobile navigation devices, automotive navigation systems, Internet-based mapping applications, and government and business solutions. Nokia Siemens Networks provides mobile and fixed network infrastructure, communications and networks service platforms, as well as professional services and business solutions, to operators and service providers. In April 2010, the Company completed the acquisition of Novarra, Inc. and MetaCarta Inc. In September 2010, Nokia acquired Motally, Inc. In December 2010, Renesas Electronics Corporation acquired Nokias Wireless Modem business. In Augu st 2012, the Company sold a portfolio consisting of over 500 patents and patent applications worldwide to Vringo Inc.

Mobile Phones

Nokia produces a range of mobile phones based on the Series 30 and Series 40 operating systems. These products have voice capability, basic messaging and calendar features, and, increasingly, color displays, radios, basic cameras and Bluetooth functionality. Series 30-based mobile phones do not provide Internet connectivity, access to Ovi or offer opportunities for application development by third parties. During 2010, its portfolio of Series 30-based mobile phones included the Nokia 1616, equipped with a long-lasting anti-dust keypad, frequency modulation (FM) radio, a flashlight, and a display that makes viewing information on the small screen easier. Its Series 40 operating system powers the mobile phone models and supports more functionalities and applications, such as Internet connectivity and acc! ess to its service s.

Series 40 is open to third-party developers! to build Java and Adobe Flash Lite applications and content, which they can make available through the Ovi Store. It combines a touchscreen and a traditional phone keypad, is equipped with a five megapixel camera, quad-band for voice calling and third generation (3G), high speed packet access (HSPA) and wireless fidelity (WiFi) connectivity for data in a bushed aluminum finish. Other additions to the Companys portfolio included the Nokia C3 Touch & Type, a stainless steel device, which also combines the touch screen and traditional phone keypad, and the Nokia 2690, memory card slot, and which gives access to Ovi Mail and features an FM radio and video graphics array (VGA) camera. It is also incorporating some of the software features and related services popular in its smartphones into the Series 40-based mobile phones. These include the new Ovi Web browser, which is based on the browser technology. It also offers Ovi Mail, a free e-mail service designed for users in eme rging markets with Internet-enabled devices.

Smartphones

Nokias smartphones are based on the Symbian operating system, which supports an array of functionalities and provides opportunities for the development of applications and content by third parties. During 2010, Nokia also offered a product built on the Linux-based Maemo operating system. The Company makes smartphones for a range of consumer groups, offering Internet access, entertainment, location-based and other services, applications and content. With smartphones, its product categories include music players, cameras, pocketable computers, gaming consoles and navigation devices.

During 2010, the Company introduced a family of smartphones based on a new generation of the Symbian operating system. These were the Nokia N8, a smartphone crafted from anodized aluminum and available in a range of colors, and which offers imaging, video and entertainment capabil! ities; th! e Nokia C7 , a sleek, full-touch smartphone crafted from stainless stee! l and gla! ss that is designed to appeal to social networkers; the Nokia C6-01, a smaller, full-touch smartphone that features Nokia ClearBlack display technology for outdoor visibility; and the Nokia E7, a business smartphone equipped with a full keyboard and 4-inch touchscreen display also featuring Nokia ClearBlack technology.

During 2010, the Company introduced a number of models based on the Symbian operating system, including the Nokia C6-00, a messaging-optimized smartphone with a 3.2-inch high definition (HD) touchscreen display, a slide out four-row QWERTY keyboard and a five megapixel camera; and the Nokia E5, a messaging-optimized QWERTY smartphone that builds on the Nokia E71 and Nokia E72. The Company also manufactures and sells luxury mobile devices under the Vertu brand. Vertu has more than 600 points of sale globally, including more than 90 Vertu boutiques, in almost 70 countries worldwide.

NAVTEQ

NAVTEQ Corporation (NAVTEQ) offe rs context and geographical services through Ovi Maps to a range of location-based services, such as pedestrian navigation, traffic and public transport information, local services and city guides, integration with social networks and contextual advertising. In January 2010, Nokia introduced a new version of Ovi Maps for its smartphones, which includes navigation to the user, and it is using NAVTEQs digital map information and related location-based content in this offering. This new version of Ovi Maps includes car and pedestrian navigation features, such as turn-by-turn voice guidance. During 2010, the Companys NAVTEQ launched its new advanced mapping collection technology, NAVTEQ True. During 2010, its NAVTEQ launched Natural Guidance, a product to enable guidance in a human manner through the use of descriptive reference cues.

NAVTEQs map database enables the Companys customers to offer navigation, route planning, location-based! services! and oth er geographic information-based products and services to con! sumer and! commercial users. NAVTEQ provides its database to mobile device and handset manufacturers, automobile manufacturers and dealers, navigation systems manufacturers, software developers, Internet portals, parcel and overnight delivery services companies and governmental and quasi- governmental entities, among others. The products and services incorporating NAVTEQ map data include Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, Dynamic navigation, Route planning, Location-based services and Geographic information systems. Advanced Driver Assistance Systems are in-vehicle applications that require geographic data, such as curve, slope, speed limits and highly detailed geometry. Dynamic navigation is real-time, detailed turn-by-turn route guidance, which can be provided to end-users through vehicle navigation systems, as well as through Global Positioning System (GPS)-enabled handheld navigation devices, and other mobile devices.

Route planning consists of driving directions, ro ute optimization and map display through services provided by Internet portals and through computer software for personal and commercial use. Location-based services include location-specific information services, providing information about people and places that is tailored to the proximity of the specific user. The applications using NAVTEQs map database include points of interest locators, mobile directory assistance services, emergency response systems and vehicle-based telematics services. Geographic information systems render geographic representations of information and assets for management analysis and decision making. In addition, NAVTEQ has a traffic and logistics data collection network in which it processes traffic incident and event information, along with traffic flow data collected through its network of roadside sensors and from GPS data records from Nokia devices and other NAVTEQ customers, in order to provide detailed traffic in! formation! to radio and t elevision stations, in-vehicle and mobile navigation systems! , Interne! t sites and mobile device users.

NAVTEQs map database is a representation of road transportation networks in Europe, North America, Australia, Asia and other regions around the world. This database offers geographic coverage, including data at various levels of detail for 84 countries on six continents, covering more than 19 million miles of roadway worldwide. The most detailed coverage includes road, route and related travel information, including attributes collected by road segment that are essential for routing and navigation, such as road classifications, details regarding ramps, road barriers, sign information, street names and addresses and traffic rules and regulations. In addition, the database includes over 50 million points of interest, such as airports, hotels, restaurants, retailers, civic offices and cultural sites.

Nokia Siemens Networks

Nokia Siemens Networks has three business units: network systems; global service s; and business solutions. Nokia Siemens Networks is jointly owned by Nokia and Siemens. Nokia Siemens Networks is a provider of telecommunications infrastructure hardware, software and professional services globally. Nokia Siemens Networks customers include network operators, such as Bharti Airtel, Deutsche Telecom, France Telecom, Telefonica O2 and Vodafone, as well as service providers, such as Unitech and XO Communications. Nokia Siemens Networks has a products and services portfolio designed to address the needs of communication service providers. Nokia Siemens Networks provides its products and services to more than 600 communication service providers in over 150 countries and has systems serving in excess of 1.5 billion subscribers.

Network systems offers communication service providers both fixed and mobile network infrastructure, including Nokia Siemens Networks Flexi Multiradio base stations, a software defined radio sup! porting g! lobal system for mobile (GSM), 3G and LTE radio technologies, packet product! s, optica! l transport systems and broadband access equipment. For wireless networks, Network Systems develops and manufactures GSM/EDGE and WCDMA/HSPA radio access networks for network operators. It also develops products, such as I-HSPA and new technologies, such as LTE to support the uptake of mobile data services. For fixed line networks, Network Systems focuses on transport networks. Network Systems provides the fundamental elements for high-speed transmission through optical and microwave networks, including packet-oriented technologies, such as Carrier Ethernet and traditional protocols, such as time-division multiplexing (TDM).

Global services business unit offers network operators a range of professional services, including network planning and optimization, the management of network operations and the care and maintenance of software and hardware, and a range of network implementation and turnkey solutions. As of December 31, 2010, 180 million global subscribers were managed througt Nokia Siemens Networks global delivery hubs. Global services consists of three businesses, which include managed services, which offers network planning and optimization and the management of network operations, with the market share position in India, Latin America and the Middle East and Africa; care, which offers software and hardware maintenance, proactive and multi-vendor care and competence development services, dealing with one million global hardware service transactions, and network implementation, which offers project management and turnkey implementations and energy efficient sites, remotely activating a site every two minutes, 365 days per year.

Business solutions offers products to communication service providers for business and operations support systems and customer experience management, such as charging and billing software, service management software and subscriber database management, ! and produ! cts that enable enhance ment and delivery of services across multiple networks and d! evices an! d convergent service control and network security, together with services related to consulting, product implementation, support and care, systems integration and managed services. Business solutions offer products for five areas, as well as services relating to consulting, product implementation, support and care, systems integration and managed services includes business support systems; operations support systems; customer experience management; service enablement and delivery, and converged service control.

The Company competes with Google, HTC, LG, Motorola, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, Apple, Tele Atlas, CISCO, NEC and Motorola.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Chris Neiger]

    11. Aside from its mobile-phones business, Nokia (NYSE: NOK  ) has more than 10,000 wireless patents. Recently, BlackBerry agreed to pay an out-of-court settlement of $65 million to Nokia and undisclosed royalties to Nokia for use of its mobile WLAN patents.

  • [By Tim Melvin]

    Carl Icahn had the other side of the Herbalife trade and has also made big-time moves in Dell (DELL), Apple (AAPL) and Netflix (NFLX) over the past few months. AndDaniel Loeb of Third Point Partners just revealed a large stake in Nokia (NOK) this week.

  • [By Tim Brugger]

    After an often contentious annual shareholders' meeting last week, much of it due to Nokia's (NYSE: NOK  ) decision to hitch its wagon to Microsoft's (NASDAQ: MSFT  ) new Windows phone OS, the last thing shareholders needed was bad news. Unfortunately, that's just what they got when Gartnerissued its final Q1 2013 global phone sales results. A decline in overall mobile phone market share isn't surprising as Nokia makes the transition to Windows from its Symbian OS. What is surprising, and slightly depressing, is the direction Nokia is heading in worldwide smartphone market share.

  • !
  • [By Michael A. Robinson]

    Flush with cash, Microsoft recently said it's buying Nokia Corp's (ADR) (NYSE: NOK) devices and services business for $5.2 billion plus $2.2 billion in licensing fees.

  • source from Top Penny Stocks For 2015:http://www.topstocksforum.com/hot-communications-equipment-stocks-to-watch-right-now.html

Sunday, December 28, 2014

Top 5 High Dividend Companies To Watch For 2014

One of the best ways to make a lot of money in stocks is to invest in dividend-paying stocks. After all, a company that is able to commit to regularly rewarding its shareholders with a payout of cash is a company that's relatively stable, with a sufficiently predictable profit stream. There are pitfalls within the world of dividend investing, though. Here are some tips to help you avoid common blunders.

Don't overshoot
It's easy to be drawn to sky-high dividend yields. Who wouldn't favor a 10% yield over a 3% one, after all? Plenty of 10% yields are solid, but plenty are tied to companies on shaky ground. The best explanation for that is math: A dividend yield is simply a ratio, dividing a stock's annual dividend payout by its current stock price, and then expressing that result as a percentage. Thus, if the stock price falls sharply, you'll be dividing the dividend by a smaller number, and the yield will be bigger. Huge dividend yields are sometimes due to a company simply having a lot of excess cash to distribute, but sometimes they reflect a company in temporary or permanent trouble that has seen its price plunge.

Top 5 Airline Companies To Buy Right Now: Cardinal Health Inc. (CAH)

Cardinal Health, Inc. operates as a healthcare solutions company that provides health care products and services. The company operates in two segments, Pharmaceutical and Medical. The Pharmaceutical segment distributes branded and generic pharmaceutical, over-the-counter healthcare, specialty pharmaceutical, and consumer products to retail customers, hospitals, and alternate care providers in the United States and Puerto Rico. This segment also operates nuclear pharmacies and cyclotron facilities that prepare and deliver radiopharmaceuticals for use in nuclear imaging and other procedures in hospitals and clinics; offers third-party logistics support services; franchises retail pharmacies under the Medicine Shoppe and Medicap brands; and provides pharmacy and pharmaceutical repackaging services, as well as other services comprising distribution, inventory management, data/reporting, new product launch support, and contract and chargeback administration. The Medical segment distributes a range of medical, surgical, and laboratory products to hospitals, surgery centers, laboratories, physician offices, and other healthcare providers. This segment also develops, manufactures, and sources medical and surgical products, including sterile and non-sterile procedure kits; single-use surgical drapes, gowns, and apparel; exam and surgical gloves; and fluid suction and collection systems. Its medical and surgical products are sold directly or through third-party distributors in the United States, Canada, Europe, South America, and the Asia/Pacific region. The company was founded in 1979 and is headquartered in Dublin, Ohio.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Ben Levisohn]

    Overvalued companies include MWI Veterinary (MWIV) and�Stericycle (SRCL), while companies with attractive valuations include Cardinal Health (CAH), Selected Medical (SEM). He’s not a fan of Intrexon (XON) but calls�Aratana (PETX) a “hidden gem.”

Top 5 High Dividend Companies To Watch For 2014: Nevada Gold Corp (NVGC)

Nevada Gold Corp., incorporated on May 31, 2011, is an exploration-stage company. The Company is primarily engaged in the acquisition and exploration of mining properties.

The Company has an option to acquire certain claims located the Long Canyon Gold Trend of Northern Nevada State. As of February 28, 2013, the Company had no revenue.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By John Udovich]

    Small cap OTC stocks Sovereign Lithium Inc (OTCMKTS: SLCO), Life Stem Genetics Inc (OTCMKTS: LIFS), Nevada Gold Corp (OTCMKTS: NVGC), Guar Global Ltd (OTCMKTS: GGBL) and Makism 3D Corp (OTCMKTS: MDDD) all saw their trading halted late last year by the SEC, but now all of these stocks are trading again. So what's going on and why the sudden crackdown? First, here is a quick look at what happened to the following five small cap stocks:

Top 5 High Dividend Companies To Watch For 2014: Banco Bradesco SA (BBD)

Banco Bradesco S.A. (the Bank), incorporated on November 5, 1943, is commercial bank. The Bank offers a range of banking and financial products and services in Brazil and abroad to individuals, large, midsized and small companies and local and international corporations and institutions. It operates in two segments: the banking, and the insurance, pension and capitalization bonds. Its products and services encompass banking operations, such as loans and advances and deposittaking, credit card issuance, purchasing consortiums, insurance, leasing, payment collection and processing, pension plans, asset management and brokerage services. The main services it offers through Bradesco Expresso are receipt and submission of account applications; receipt and submission of account applications; Social Security National Service (INSS) benefit payments; checking and savings account deposits, and receipt of consumption bills, bank charges and taxes. In May, 2011, the Bank acquired Banco do Estado do Rio de Janeiro S.A. (BERJ).

Banking

The Banking segment includes deposit-taking with clients, including checking accounts, savings accounts and time deposits; loans and advances (individuals and companies, real estate financing, microcredit, onlending BNDES funds, rural credit, leasing, among others); credit cards, debit cards and pre-paid cards; management of receipts and payments; asset management; services related to capital markets and investment banking activities; intermediation and trading services; custody, depositary and controllership services; international banking services, and purchasing consortiums.

The Bank offers a variety of deposit products and services to our customers through its branches, including Non-interest bearing checking accounts, such as Easy Account, Click Account, Academic Account and Cell Phone Bonus Account; traditional savings accounts; time deposits, and deposits from financial institutions. As of December 31, 2011, it had 43.4 million savings a! ccounts. It offers its customers certain additional services, such as identified deposits and real-time banking transfers. Its loans and advances to customers, consumer credit, corporate and agricultural-sector loans, totaled R$263.5 billion as of December 31, 2011.

The Bank�� loan portfolio consists of short-term loans, vehicle financings and overdraft loans on checking accounts. It also provides revolving credit facilities and traditional term loans. As of December 31, 2011, it had outstanding advances, vehicle financings, consumer loans and revolving credit totaling R$58.0 billion, or 22.0% of its portfolio of loans and advances. Banco Bradesco Financiamentos (Bradesco Financiamentos) offers direct-to-consumer credit and leasing for the acquisition of vehicles and payroll-deductible loans to the public and private sectors 'in Brazil. Supported by BF Promotora de Vendas Ltda. (BF Promotora), and using the Bradesco Financiamentos brand, the Bank operates through its network of correspondents in Brazil, consisting of retailers and dealers selling light vehicles, trucks and motorcycles, to offer financing and/or leasing for vehicles. Through Bradesco Promotora brand, it offer payroll-deductible loans to social security retirees and pensioners, public-sector employees, military personnel and private-sector companies sponsoring plans, and other aggregated products (insurance, capitalization bonds, cards, purchasing consortiums, and others).

As of December 31, 2011, the Bank had 63,156 outstanding real estate loans. As of December 31, 2011, the aggregate outstanding amount of its real estate loans amounted to R$15.9 billion, representing 6% of its portfolio of loans and advances. As of December 31, 2011, it had 69,491 microcredit loans outstanding, totaling R$62.8 million. Its BNDES onlending portfolio totaled R$35.4 billion as of December 31, 2011.

The Bank provides traditional loans for the ongoing needs of its corporate customers. It had R$85.8 billion of outstand! ing other! local commercial loans, accounting for 32.5% of its portfolio of loans and advances as of December 31, 2011. It offers a range of loans to its Brazilian corporate customers, including short-term loans of 29 days or less; guaranteed checking accounts and corporate overdraft loans; discounting trade receivables, promissory notes, checks, credit card and supplier receivables, and a number of other receivables; financing for purchase and sale of goods and services; corporate real estate financing, and investment lines for acquisition of assets and machinery. As of December 31, 2011, the Bank had R$11 billion in outstanding rural loans, representing 4.2% of its portfolio of loans and advances. The Bank conducts its leasing operations through its primary leasing subsidiary, Bradesco Leasing and also through Bradesco Financiamentos.

The Bank offers electronic solutions for receipt and payment management solutions, which include collection and payment services and online resource management enabling its customers to pay suppliers, salaries, and taxes and other levies to governmental or public entities. The global cash management concept provides solutions for multinationals in Brazil and/or domestic companies operating abroad. It manages third-party assets through mutual funds; individual and corporate investment portfolios; pension funds, including assets guaranteeing the technical provisions of Bradesco Vida e Previdencia, and insurance companies, including assets guaranteeing the technical provisions of Bradesco Seguros.

The Bank�� subsidiaries Bradesco S.A. CTVM and Agora S.A. CTVM (or Bradesco Corretora and Agora Corretora, respectively) trade stocks, options, stock lending, public offerings and forwards. They also offer a range of products, such as Brazilian government securities (under the Tesouro Direto program), BM&F trading, investor clubs and investment funds.

The Bank offers a range of international services, such as foreign exchange transactions, foreign tr! ade finan! ce, lines of credit and banking. As of December 31, 2011, its international banking services included New York City, a branch and Bradesco Securities Inc., its subsidiary brokerage firm, or Bradesco Securities United States, and its subsidiary Bradesco North America LLC, or Bradesco North America; London, Bradesco Securities U.K., its subsidiary, or Bradesco Securities U.K.; Cayman Islands, two Bradesco branches and its subsidiary, Cidade Capital Markets Ltd., or Cidade Capital Markets; Argentina, Banco Bradesco Argentina S.A., its subsidiary, or Bradesco Argentina; Banco Bradesco Luxemburgo S.A. its subsidiary, or Bradesco Europe; Japan, Bradesco Services Co. Ltd., its subsidiary, or Bradesco Services Japan; in Hong Kong, its subsidiary Bradesco Trade Services Ltd, or Bradesco Trade, and in Mexico, its subsidiary Ibi Services, Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada, or Ibi Mexico.

The Bank�� Brazilian foreign-trade related business consists of export and import finance. In addition to import and export finance, its customers have access to a range of services and foreign exchange products, such as purchasing and selling travelers checks and foreign currency paper money; cross border money transfers; advance payment for exports; accounts abroad in foreign currency; cash holding in other countries; collecting import and export receivables; repaid cards with foreign currency (individual), and structured foreign currency transactions through its foreign units.

Insurance, pension plans and capitalization bonds

The Bank offers insurance products through a number of different entities, which it refers to collectively as Grupo Bradesco Seguros. It offers life, personal accident and random events insurance through its subsidiary Bradesco Vida e Previdencia. It offers health insurance policies through Bradesco Saude and its subsidiaries for small, medium or large companies. It provides automobile, property/casualty and liability products through its subsidiary Bradesco Auto! /RE. It a! lso offers certain automobile, health, and property/casualty insurance products directly through its Website.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Charles Sizemore]

    And speaking of top dividend stocks with high capital gains potential, next on the list of are Brazilian banking groups Banco Bradesco (BBD) and Banco Itau (ITUB) — two monthly dividend stocks you must consider.

  • [By Jon C. Ogg]

    Banco Bradesco S.A. (NYSE: BBD) is one of the key banks and financial services companies in Brazil. A Yahoo! Finance reference showed that the 2012 figures were as follows: 4,686 branches; 34,859 ATMs; 12,975 shared ATMs under the Banco24Horas brand; and 5,237 special points of banking services. At $11.65, the 52-week trading range is $11.29 to $17.79. This ADR is down 7% so far in 2014.

Top 5 High Dividend Companies To Watch For 2014: Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings(LH)

Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings operates as an independent clinical laboratory company in the United States. The company offers a range of testing services used by the medical profession in routine testing, patient diagnosis, and in the monitoring and treatment of disease, as well as specialty testing services. Its routine tests include blood chemistry analyses, urinalyses, blood cell counts, thyroid tests, Pap tests, HIV tests, microbiology cultures and procedures, and alcohol and other substance-abuse tests. The company?s specialty tests and related services comprise viral load measurements, genotyping and phenotyping, and host genetic factors for managing and treating HIV infections; cytogenetic, molecular cytogenetic, biochemical, and molecular genetic tests for diagnostic genetics; oncology tests for diagnosing and monitoring certain cancers and treatments; clinical trials testing for pharmaceutical companies, which conducts clinical research trials on diag nostic assays; forensic identity testing used in criminal proceedings and parentage evaluation services, as well as testing services in reconstruction cases; allergy testing; and occupational testing for the detection of drug and alcohol abuse. Its customers include independent physicians and physician groups, hospitals, managed care organizations, governmental agencies, employers, pharmaceutical companies, and other independent clinical laboratories. The company operates a network of 51 primary laboratories and approximately 1,700 patient service centers. In addition, it delivers a co-branded electronic health records Lite solution for physician practices. The company works with university, hospital, and academic institutions, such as Duke University, The Johns Hopkins University, the University of Minnesota, and Yale University to license and commercialize new diagnostic tests. Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings was founded in 1971 and is headquartered in Burlingto n, North Carolina.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Daniel Lauchheimer]

    EXAS began their pivotal DeeP-C trial earlier this year, with 10,000 patients enrolled around the USA. Success in this trial formed a pivotal fulcrum for EXAS -- success would mean commercialization, and revenue, but failure means, well failure. In April, EXAS submitted the final module of this trial, and it reported significantly worse results than expected causing the company to sink 40%. Additionally, as reported in a detailed five part series, Seeking Alpha Contributor Alpha Exposure reported on the inflated numbers both in terms of scientific research data and market projections -- yet another reason to give investors pause before they decide to invest in EXAS. Additionally, EXAS has not formed a meaningful partnership with other molecular diagnostic companies. True, it formed a partnership with LabCorp (LH), but this partnership doesn't focus on the heart of EXAS product (and thus provide it with a measure of validation), but on a commercialization post approval.

  • [By Monica Wolfe]

    Over the past week Chris Davis (Trades, Portfolio) of Davis Selected Advisers added to his holdings in Laboratory Corporation of America (LH).� The guru upped his stake 21.11% by purchasing 1,666,957 shares of the company�� stock.� He bought these shares at an average price of $91.37 per share, and since then the price per share is up about 1% to $92.57 per share.

  • [By Rich Smith]

    This series, brought to you by Yahoo! Finance, looks at which upgrades and downgrades make sense, and which ones investors should act on. Today, our headlines include upgrades for both AMC Networks (NASDAQ: AMCX  ) and Bankrate (NYSE: RATE  ) , but a downgrade for LabCorp Holdings (NYSE: LH  ) . Let's dive right in.

Saturday, December 27, 2014

Top 10 Mid Cap Stocks To Invest In Right Now

Small cap telecommunications and information services stock Neustar Inc (NYSE: NSR), who�� peers or performance benchmarks could include mid cap Verisign, Inc (NASDAQ: VRSN), First Trust ISE Cloud Computing ETF (NASDAQ: SKYY) and the PureFunds ISE Cyber Security ETF (NYSEARCA: HACK), is the eighth most shorted stock on the NYSE with short interest of 38.88% according to Highshortinterest.com. That level of short interest probably won�� change given some uncertainty about an important contract.

Why is Neustar Inc Being Shorted?

Small cap Neustar Inc�is a provider of cloud-based information services and data analytics�- enabling marketing and IT security professionals to promote and protect their businesses. The company�operates complex data registries and uses its expertise to deliver actionable, data-driven insights that help clients make high-value business decisions in real time.

5 Best Clean Energy Stocks To Own For 2015: First Security Group Inc.(FSGI)

First Security Group, Inc. operates as the holding company for FSGBank that provides banking and financial products and services to various communities in eastern and middle Tennessee and northern Georgia. The company offers various deposit services, such as checking, savings, and money market accounts, as well as certificates of deposit. It offers commercial loans, including loans to smaller business ventures, credit lines for working capital, short-term seasonal or inventory financing, and letters of credit; real estate?construction and development loans to residential and commercial contractors and developers; and consumer loans to individuals for personal, family, and household purposes, including secured and unsecured installment and term loans. The company also offers commercial mortgage loans to finance the purchase of real property; commercial leasing for new and used equipment, fixtures, and furnishings to owner-managed businesses; and leasing for forklifts, heavy equipment, and other machinery to owner-managed businesses primarily in the trucking and construction industries. It also provides trust and investment management, mortgage banking, financial planning, and electronic banking services, such as Internet banking, online bill payment, cash management, ACH originations, wire transfers, direct deposit, traveler?s checks, safe deposit boxes, United States savings bonds, and remote deposit capture, as well as equipment leasing. The company operates 38 full-service banking offices and 1 loan and lease production office. Its market areas include in Bradley, Hamilton, Jackson, Jefferson, Knox, Loudon, McMinn, Monroe, Putnam, and Union counties, Tennessee; and Catoosa and Whitfield counties, Georgia. First Security Group was founded in 1974 and is headquartered in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Roberto Pedone]

    First Security Group (FSGI) operates as the holding company for FSGBank, which provides banking products and services to various communities in Tennessee and Georgia. This stock closed up 6.5% to $2.29 in Tuesday's trading session.

    Tuesday's Range: $2.16-$2.30

    52-Week Range: $1.30-$7.45

    Tuesday's Volume: 80,000

    Three-Month Average Volume: 509,606

    From a technical perspective, FSGI ripped higher here right above some near-term support levels at $2.14 to $2.12 with lighter-than-average volume. This move is quickly pushing shares of FSGI within range of triggering a major breakout trade. That trade will hit if FSGI manages to take out some near-term overhead resistance levels at $2.38 to $2.52 and then once it clears its 200-day moving average at $2.80 with high volume.

    Traders should now look for long-biased trades in FSGI as long as it's trending above some key support levels at $2.14 to $2.12 and then once it sustains a move or close above those breakout levels with volume that hits near or above 509,606 shares. If that breakout triggers soon, then FSGI will set up to re-fill some of its previous gap down zone from June that started at $5.08.

  • [By Ning Jia]

    The case for First Security Group (FSGI) is interesting. It is bank holding company that is obscure, cheap and unloved. As the company completed the recapitalization earlier this year, I think the market has been under-appreciating its potential to return to growth and profitability as a result of the much-needed recapitalization.

Top 10 Mid Cap Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Coty Inc (COTY)

Coty Inc., incorporated on January 20, 1995, is engaged in manufacturing, marketing and distribution of women�� and men�� fragrances, color cosmetics and skin and body care related products globally. The Company operates in three segments: Fragrances, Color Cosmetics and Skin & Body Care. The Company�� power brands consist of adidas, Calvin Klein, Chloe, Davidoff, Marc Jacobs, OPI, philosophy, Playboy, Rimmel and Sally Hansen. The Company sells products in each of its segments through retailers, including hypermarkets, supermarkets, independent and chain drug stores and pharmacies, upscale perfumeries, upscale and mid-tier department stores, nail salons, specialty retailers, duty-free shops and traditional food, drug and mass retailers.

The Company�� Fragrance products include a range of men�� and women�� products, with brands associated with fashion designers, celebrities and lifestyle brands. Color Cosmetics products include nail, lip, eye and other facial color products. Skin & Body Care products include shower gels, deodorants, skin care and sun treatment products.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Sue Chang]

    Coty Inc. (COTY) �is forecast to post third-quarter earnings of 9 cents a share.

  • [By Anna Prior]

    Coty Inc.(COTY) unveiled a new organizational structure built around categories and regions, as the beauty-products maker looks to improve profitability.

  • [By Maria Armental var popups = dojo.query(".socialByline .popC"); popups.forEach]

    Coty Inc.(COTY) swung to a loss for the first three months of the year after the beauty-products maker posted a large write-down in its skin and body care segment. However, results beat expectations. Shares rose 1% to $15.60 premarket.

  • [By Jake L'Ecuyer]

    Coty (NYSE: COTY) was also up, gaining 7.36 percent to $14.73 after the company reported strong Q2 revenue and announced a $200 million share buyback program.

Top 10 Mid Cap Stocks To Invest In Right Now: American Apparel Inc (APP)

American Apparel, Inc. incorporated on July 22, 2005, is a vertically integrated manufacturer, distributor, and retailer of branded fashions basic apparel and accessories for women, men, children and babies. As of January 31, 2013, the Company had operated 251 retail stores in 20 countries. The Company also operates an e-commerce site that serves over 60 countries worldwide at www.americanapparel.com . In addition, American Apparel operates a business that supplies T-shirts and other casual wear to distributors and the imprintable industry. The Company operates in four business segment: U.S. Wholesale, U.S. Retail, Canada, and International.

The U.S. Wholesale segment consists of the Company's wholesale operations of sales of undecorated apparel products to distributors and third party screen printers in the United States, as well as its online consumer sales to United States customers. The U.S. Retail segment consists of the Company's retail store operations in the United States. The Canada segment consists of the Company's retail, wholesale and online consumer operations in Canada. As of December 31, 2012 , the retail operations in the Canada segment consisted of 35 retail stores. The International segment consists of the Company's retail, wholesale and online consumer operations outside of the United States, and Canada. As of December 31, 2012 , the retail operations in the International segment were consisted of 76 retail stores.

As of December 31, 2012 , the Company's retail operations consisted of 251 retail stores in 20 countries, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, United Kingdom, Ireland, Austria, Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Israel, Australia, Japan, South Korea and China. The Company's wholesale operations sell to over a dozen authorized distributors and approximately 10,000 screen printers and advertising specialty companies. The Company operates 12 online stores in the United States, Canada, the U! nited Kingdom, Continental Europe, Switzerland, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Mexico, Brazil, Singapore and Hong Kong.

The Company competes with The Gap, Urban Outfitters, H&M, Uniqlo, Forever 21, Gildan Activewear, HanesBrands, Russell Athletic and Fruit of the Loom.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Cristina Alesci]

    This week American Apparel (APP) announced a so-called shareholder rights plan that would limit an outsider's ability to gain control of the company. It also made changes to the board. American Apparel announced a new chairperson, Colleen B. Brown.

Top 10 Mid Cap Stocks To Invest In Right Now: InnerWorkings Inc (INWK)

InnerWorkings, Inc. (InnerWorkings), incorporated on September 26, 2001, is a provider of global print management and promotional solutions to corporate clients across a ranges of industries. The Company's software applications and database create a solution that stores, analyzes and tracks the production capabilities of the Company's supplier network, as well as quote and price data for print jobs. The Company offers a range of print, fulfillment and logistics services. The Company procures printed products for clients across a range of industries, such as retail, financial services, hospitality, non-profits, healthcare, food and beverage, broadcasting and cable, education, transportation and utilities. Utilizing the Company's technology and database, the Company provides its clients a global solution to procure and delivers printed products. In March 2013, InnerWorkings Inc acquired DB Studios. In August 2013, InnerWorkings Inc. acquired Professional Packaging Services Ltd. In July 2013, the Company announced that it has acquired EYELEVEL, a global provider of permanent retail displays and store fixtures.

The Company's network of more than 10,000 global suppliers offers a range of printed products and a full range of print, fulfillment and logistics services. The Company's technology is a solution that stores equipment profiles for the Company's supplier network and price data for jobs the Company quotes and executes. The Company's technology allows the Company to match print jobs with the suppliers in the Company's network that are optimally suited to produce a job. The Company's technology also allows the Company to efficiently manage the critical aspects of the print procurement process, including gathering job specifications, identifying suppliers, establishing pricing, managing print production and coordinating purchase and delivery of the finished product.

The Company's database stores the production capabilities of the Company's supplier network, as well as price and! quote data for bids the Company receives and transactions the Company executes. The Company's solution automatically generates customized data entry screens based on product type and guides the production manager to enter the required job specifications. The Company's solution reconciles supplier invoices to executed print orders to ensure the supplier adhered to the pricing and other terms contained in the print order. In addition, it includes checks and balances that allow the Company to monitor important financial indicators relating to a print order, such as projected gross margin and job alterations.

The Company's solution generates transaction reports that contain quote, supplier capability, price and customer service information regarding the print jobs the client has completed with the Company. The Company's solution creates a work order checklist that sends e-mail reminders to the Company's production managers regarding the time elapsed between certain milestones and the completion of specified deliverables. These automated notifications enable the Company's production managers to focus on more critical aspects of the print process and eliminate delays. Some of the Company's clients provided the Company with pricing data for print jobs they completed before they began to use its solution. The Company procures printed products for corporate clients across a range of industries, such as retail, publishing, financial services, hospitality, non-profits, healthcare, food and beverage, broadcasting and cable, education, transportation and utilities.

The Company offers a range of print, fulfillment and logistics services in more than 60 different print categories, which allows the Company to procure printed products on virtually any substrate. The printed products the Company procures for its clients may is printed with any of the eight types of printing, which include offset sheet-fed, Web offset, digital offset, letterpress, screen printing, waterless, flexography and grav! ure, as w! ell as several forms of specialty printing. The Company offers a range of fulfillment and logistics services, such as kitting and assembly, inventories management and pre-sorting postage. These services are often essential to the completion of the finished product. The Company also provides creative services, including copywriting, graphics and Website design, identity work and marketing collateral development, and pre-media services, such as image and print-ready page processing and proofing capabilities.

The Company's eStores empower the Company's clients with branded self-service ecommerce Websites that prompt quick and easy online ordering, fulfillment, tracking and reporting.The Company's network of more than 10,000 global suppliers includes printers, graphic designers, paper mills and merchants, digital imaging companies, specialty binders, finishing and engraving firms and fulfillment and distribution centers.

The Company competes with Williams Lea, Logisource, Cirqit and Noosh.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Roberto Pedone]

    Another stock that insiders are loading up on here is InnerWorkings (INWK), which is a provider of managed print and promotional procurement solutions to corporate clients across a range of industries. Insiders are buying this stock into significant weakness, since shares are off by 49% so far in 2013.

    InnerWorkings has a market cap of $357 million and an enterprise value of $425 million. This stock trades at a fair valuation, with a trailing price-to-earnings of 23.20 and a forward price-to-earnings of 23.20. Its estimated growth rate for this year is -75.6%, and for next year it's pegged at 200%. This is not a cash-rich company, since the total cash position on its balance sheet is $19.22 million and its total debt is $91.50 million.

    A beneficial owner just bought 32,000 shares, or about $214,000 worth of stock, at $6.69 to per share. That same beneficial owner also just bought 108,700 shares, or about $727,000 worth of stock, at $6.69 to $6.70 per share.

    From a technical perspective, INWK is currently trending below both its 50-day and 200-day moving averages, which is bearish. This stock gapped down sharply in November from $9.75 to $5.54 a share with heavy downside volume. Following that gap down, shares of INWK have reversed its bearish trend and entered an uptrend, with the stock moving higher from its low of $5.54 to $7.21 a share. That move has now pushed shares of INWK within range of triggering a major breakout trade.

    If you're bullish on INWK, then I would look for long-biased trades as long as this stock is trending above some key near-term support at $6.42 and then once it breaks out above some near-term overhead resistance levels at $7.07 to $7.21 a share with high volume. Look for a sustained move or close above those levels with volume that hits near or above its three-month average volume of 530,297 shares. If that breakout hits soon, then INWK will set up to re-fill some of its previous gap down zone from Novembe

Top 10 Mid Cap Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Safety Insurance Group Inc.(SAFT)

Safety Insurance Group, Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides private passenger automobile insurance products primarily in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. The company?s private passenger automobile policies offer coverage for bodily injury and property damage to others, no-fault personal injury coverage for the insured/insured?s car occupants, and physical damage coverage for an insured?s own vehicle for collision or other perils. It also provides commercial automobile policies that offer insurance for commercial vehicles used for business purposes, including private passenger-type vehicles, trucks, tractors and trailers, insure individual vehicles, and commercial fleets; and homeowners policies, which provide coverage for losses to a dwelling and its contents from various perils, and coverage for liability to others arising from ownership or occupancy. It writes policies on homes, condominiums, and apartments. In addition, the company offers business owners policie s that cover apartments and residential condominiums, limited cooking restaurants, office condominiums, processing and services businesses, special trade contractors, and wholesaling businesses. Further, it provides commercial package policies, which offer property, general liability, crime, and inland marine insurance for business enterprises; personal umbrella policies that provide personal excess liability coverage over and above the limits of individual automobile, watercraft, and homeowner?s insurance policies; and commercial umbrella policies to clients for whom the company underwrites commercial automobile and business owner policies. Additionally, the company underwrites dwelling fire insurance, inland marine coverage, and watercraft coverage. Safety Insurance Group, Inc. was founded in 1979 and is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By John Udovich]

    Auto sales are booming and that�� good news for large cap auto insurer�the Progressive Corporation (NYSE: PGR) along with small cap auto insurers Safety Insurance Group, Inc (NASDAQ: SAFT) and�Mercury General Corporation (NYSE: MCY) as they offer income to yield hungry investors as well as income in the form of dividends. Specifically, a Yahoo! Autos blog recently noted that last month, automakers sold 1.5 million new vehicles for the highest rate in years with�most industry forecasters expecting sales to�return to the level they hit before the 2008 recession of 16 million vehicles a year. The blog post then went on to note the three forces driving auto sales:

  • [By Selena Maranjian]

    Safety Insurance (NASDAQ: SAFT  ) , also impressive among high dividend stocks, is a rather boring company that's good at what it does�-- offering auto insurance, primarily in New England. Recently yielding 4.7%, its dividend has grown by 8.5% annually over the past five years and 24% annually over the past decade. (Its last hike, last year, was 20%.) Its payout ratio is 67%, which is not too worrisome. Its forward P/E ratio of 11 compares favorably with the five-year average near 18, and its PEG ratio is an appealing 0.70, as well.

Top 10 Mid Cap Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Blackrock Corporate High Yield Fund Inc (HYT)

BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund VI, Inc. is a diversified closed-end management investment company. The Fund seeks to provide current income by investing primarily in a diversified portfolio of fixed-income securities.

The investments are rated in the lower rating categories of the rating services (Ba or lower by Moody's Investors Service, Inc., or BB or lower by Standard & Poor's Corporation) or are unrated securities of comparable quality. BlackRock Advisors, LLC. is the manager of the Fund.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Aaron Levitt]

    MMT comes with a hefty 6.76% distribution yield and is currently trading for a nearly 12% discount to its underlying value. That�� well over the normal discount range for the fund. �Expenses for MMT run 1.00% — or $100 per $10,000 invested — per year.

    BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund (HYT)

    Discount to NAV: 7.11%
    Distribution Yield: 7.86%

Top 10 Mid Cap Stocks To Invest In Right Now: iShares PHLX SOX Semiconductor Sector Index Fund (SOXX)

iShares S&P North American Technology-Semiconductors Index Fund (the Fund), formerly iShares S&P GSTI Semiconductor Index Fund, seeks investment results that correspond to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, as represented by the S&P North American Technology-Semiconductors Index. The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index.

The Index has been developed as an equity benchmark for United States-traded semiconductor stocks. The Index includes companies that are producers of capital equipment or manufacturers of wafers and chips.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By John Udovich]

    On Thursday after the market closed, mid cap fabless semiconductor stock Marvell Technology Group Ltd (NASDAQ: MRVL) reported earnings and was slipping in after hours trading, meaning its worth taking a closer look at those earnings along with the performance of potential semiconductor benchmarks like the SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF (NYSEARCA: XSD), iShares PHLX SOX Semiconductor Sector (NASDAQ: SOXX) and Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X Shares (NYSEARCA: SOXL). In case you aren�� familiar with the term fabless semiconductor, it�� a�business�model that involves the�outsourcing the manufacturing of silicon wafers.�Most semiconductor companies are actually fabless because of the high cost of building�a facility and manufacturing fab. Therefore, fabless semiconductor companies can�concentrate on the design and marketing of chips while outsourcing the actual production to larger foundry companies.

  • [By John Udovich]

    There appears to be light at the end of the tunnel for mid cap fabless semiconductor stock Marvell Technology Group Ltd (NASDAQ: MRVL) despite the fact that the company has lost a patent infringement battle with Carnegie Mellon University that could cost it $1.54 billion, meaning its worth taking a closer look at the stock along with the performance of semiconductor ETF benchmarks like SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF (NYSEARCA: XSD), iShares PHLX SOX Semiconductor Sector (NASDAQ: SOXX) and Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X Shares (NYSEARCA: SOXL).

Best-Selling Cars and Light Trucks: August 2013

August was a very good month for U.S. sales of cars and light trucks. Industry research firm Kelley Blue Book (KBB) now estimates that seasonally adjusted annual sales in 2013 will reach 16.1 million units, up 11% over the 14.5 million units sold in 2012.

Looking at the various segments of the auto industry, KBB reports that the highest growth segment for the month of August was the luxury sports car group, with sales up 31.4% year-over-year. That is great for Porsche and Mercedes-Benz, but total sales in this segment number just 27,759 for the first eight months of the year. At an average sales price of $87,562, Porsche easily wins the prize for highest price, followed by Jaguar at about $66,000. Among luxury sport utility vehicle sales, Land Rover's average sales price is right around $65,000.

For most of us, however, the mid-size car, compact car, compact crossover and full-size pickup segments are the likeliest choices for a new car purchase. Fully 60% of all vehicles sold to date in 2013 are listed in one of these segments. General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM), Ford Motor Co. (NYSE: F), Toyota Motor Corp. (NYSE: TM), Honda Motor Co. Ltd. (NYSE: HMC), and Chrysler Group are the sales leaders, and every one of these offers a variety of vehicles in each of the four best-selling segments.

Market share leader GM, with 18.4% share in August, received an average sales price of $34,531 for the nearly 276,000 vehicles it sold last month. The average price is 0.7% higher than it was in August last year. The company's best-selling vehicle is the Silverado pickup.

Toyota claimed market share of 15.4% in August and an average sales price per vehicle of $29,188, up 0.8% over August 2012's average price. Toyota's Corolla is the second-best selling compact car, and the Camry is the best selling mid-size car. The family of Prius hybrids claimed a 70.3% market share in August, up nearly 30% year-over-year.

Ford's August market share came to 14.7% with an average sales price per vehicle of $34,463, up 1.5% from the August 2012 average. Ford's top sellers are its full-size F-series pickups, which sold more than 71,000 units in August, a year-over-year jump of 22.1% and a month-over-month gain of 17.6%.

Honda grabbed 11.1% market share in August and its average sales price per vehicle was $27,507, up 2.5% from its year-ago average. The Honda Civic is the best-selling compact car and the CR-V is the best-selling compact crossover. The Accord trails only Toyota's Camry in the mid-size segment.

Chrysler held 11% of the August market and its average sales price was $32,439, up 3.9% compared with August 2012. As with Ford and GM, Chrysler's Ram pickup trucks led the company's August sales. The Ram trucks average sales price in August was $40,125, up 4.7% year-over-year for the month.

Thursday, December 25, 2014

Top 10 Up And Coming Companies To Own For 2014

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, perhaps better known as Obamacare, is certainly one of the most controversial pieces of legislation to come out of the Obama administration. Designed to reform our current health-care system by mandating individuals carry health insurance, and capping insurers medical loss ratios at 80% to ensure patients get the quality of care they expect when they need it, Obamacare's favorable ratings fell in a Kaiser Family Foundation poll last month to their second-lowest level since the bill passed in 2010.

The bill is polarizing, without question. But, with its implementation less than seven months away, Obamacare received a big boost earlier this week with the release of a study on hospital costs by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, or CMS. In this study, the CMS looked at more than 3,000 hospitals nationwide that accept government-sponsored Medicare and examined the cost for the 100 most frequently billed treatments and procedures. The results of the study were downright frightening and would definitely support the need for accountability, transparency, and some form of regulation with regard to hospital costs.

Top Integrated Utility Stocks To Own For 2015: Polaris Industries Inc. (PII)

Polaris Industries Inc. designs, engineers, and manufactures off-road vehicles. It offers all terrain vehicles and side-by-side vehicles for recreational and utility use; snowmobiles; and on-road vehicles, including motorcycles and low emission vehicles. The company also provides replacement parts and accessories, including winches, bumper/brushguards, plows, racks, mowers, tires, pull-behinds, cabs, cargo box accessories, tracks, and oil for off-road vehicles; covers, traction products, reverse kits, electric starters, tracks, bags, windshields, oil, and lubricants for snowmobiles; and saddle bags, handlebars, backrests, exhaust, windshields, seats, oil, and various chrome accessories for motorcycles. Polaris Industries sells its products through dealers and distributors primarily under the RANGER, RANGER RZR, RANGER Crew, Victory Vision, Victory Cross Roads, Polaris RUSH, and Cross Country trade marks. In addition, it markets helmets, jackets, bibs and pants, leathers, a nd hats through dealers and distributors, as well as online under the Polaris brand name. The company principally operates in the United States and Canada. Polaris Industries Inc. was founded in 1987 and is headquartered in Medina, Minnesota.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Jonas Elmerraji]

    Shareholders in Polaris Industries (PII) are having a stellar year in 2013; shares of the $9 billion ATV manufacturer are up more than 55% since the calendar flipped over to January. But even if you missed the move, you shouldn't ignore this stock. PII looks like it's still got higher ground ahead of it.

    That's because Polaris is currently forming an ascending triangle pattern, a bullish price setup that's formed by a horizontal resistance level above shares at $137 and uptrending support to the downside. Basically, as PII bounces in between those two technical levels, it's getting squeezed closer and closer to a breakout above $137. When that happens, we've got a buy signal in shares.

    Berkshire is currently forming a descending triangle pattern, the bearish opposite of the ascending triangle in PII. The descending triangle is formed by downtrending resistance pushing down from above shares and horizontal support to the downside, in this case at $111. A breakdown through $111 is Berkshire's sell signal.

    A parabolic drop in relative strength since June indicates that Berkshire has been woefully underperforming the S&P 500 in recent months -- you can see it from the stock's inability to make new highs in November. Buyers look anemic here, but failure to catch a bid at $111 is the start of something bigger.

    Don't sell unless Warren Buffett's baby unless shares fall through that price floor.

  • [By Grace L. Williams]

    Shares of Winnebago have gained 4.4% to $28.47 today at 3pm. Thor Industries (THO), which also makes recreational vehicles, has ticked up 0.1% to $57.56, Drew Industries (DW) has risen 0.3% to $48.74, Arctic Cat (ACAT) has advanced 1% to $59.87 and Polaris Industries (PII) has fallen 0.3% to $132.08.

Top 10 Up And Coming Companies To Own For 2014: Lloyds Banking Group PLC (LLOY)

Lloyds Banking Group plc is a holding company. The Company is a financial services group providing a range of banking and financial services, primarily in the United Kingdom, to personal and corporate customers. It operates in four segments: Retail, Commercial Banking, Wealth, Asset Finance and International, and Insurance. Retail provides banking, mortgages and other financial services to personal customers in the United Kingdom. Commercial Banking provides banking and related services to business clients. Wealth, Asset Finance and International provides private banking and asset management and asset finance. Insurance provides long term savings, protection and investment products and provides general insurance to personal customers. In January 2014, Westpac Banking Corporation completed the acquisition of Lloyds Banking Group Plc�� Australian asset finance business, Capital Finance Australia Limited, and its Australian corporate loan portfolio, BOS International (Australia) Ltd. Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Sofia Horta e Costa]

    Lloyds Banking Group Plc (LLOY) climbed above the price at which the U.K. government has said it will break even on its 39 percent stake in the lender. European carmakers rose to their highest level since November 2007 as vehicle sales in the region increased for the first time in 19 months. FLSmidth & Co. A/S sank 9.7 percent after Europe�� biggest maker of cement-production lines said it signed fewer large orders.

  • [By Sofia Horta e Costa]

    European stocks declined from a five-year high as investors sold holdings in companies from Lloyds Banking Group Plc (LLOY) to Continental AG.

    Lloyds dropped 3.5 percent after the U.K. government sold a 3.2 billion-pound ($5.1 billion) stake in the lender. Continental and Galp Energia SGPS SA fell at least 2.5 percent as investors sold shares in the companies. Total SA (FP) retreated 1.3 percent following a report that Groupe Bruxelles Lambert SA may dispose of its 4 percent stake in the French oil producer.

Top 10 Up And Coming Companies To Own For 2014: Restoration Hardware Holdings Inc (RH)

Restoration Hardware Holdings, Inc. (Restoration Hardware Holdings), incorporated on August 18, 2011, is a holding company. The Company is merchants of home furnishings. Restoration Hardware Holdings offers merchandise assortments across a number of categories, including furniture, lighting, textiles, bath ware, decor, outdoor, garden, and baby and child products. The Company�� business is integrated across its multiple channels of distribution, consists of its stores, catalogs and Websites. As of July 28, 2012, the Company�� operated a total of 73 retail stores, consisted of 71 Galleries and two full line Design Galleries, and 10 outlet stores throughout the United States and Canada. RH is a brand in the home furnishings. During the fiscal year ended January 28, 2012 (fiscal 2011), the Company opened five stores and closed 22 stores. In fiscal 2011, the Company distributed approximately 26.1 million catalogs, and its Websites logged over 14.3 million visits.

Restoration Hardware Holdings operates a Website for its Baby & Child brand at www.rhbabyandchild.com. The Company opened its two full line Design Galleries in Los Angeles in, June 2011 and Houston in November 2011. In May 2011, the Company launched catalog applications for Apple�� iPad and iPhone that enable customers to view and purchase its product assortment. Restoration Hardware Holdings operates three store types: the Company's full line Design Gallery format, approximately between 22,000 and 28,000 gross square feet; its Gallery format of approximately 7,000-15,000 gross square feet, and its Baby & Child Gallery format of approximately 2,000-3,000 gross square feet.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Sue Chang]

    Restoration Hardware Holdings Inc. (RH) �late Thursday reported adjusted third-quarter profit of 32 cents a share, above the 28 cents a share forecast by analysts. Separately, the company said Co-Chief Executive Officer Carlos Alberini resigned, effective Jan. 31. Alberini has been named chairman of the board and CEO of Lucky Brand. The company will begin to search for his successor soon. Shares of Restoration Hardware skidded 13% in after-hours trading.

  • [By Brian O'Connell]

    Home furnishing companies are usually a good short-term play as spring starts to bloom.

    People are buying and selling homes, the nice weather has homeowners thinking about home improvements, and investment property owners ��both residential and commercial ��are looking to spruce up their investments.

    That�� all good news for home furnishing companies, which tend to see revenues rise as the ice melts and opening day beckons across U.S. ball fields.

    But there is one home furnishings provider that really stands out in the crowd this week, in the key first week of April.

    It�� Restoration Hardware Holdings (NYSE: RH), and not only are its short-term financial prospects looking as solid as a granite countertop, its long-term prospects look equally strong.

    That spells opportunity for investors, so let�� dig a little deeper and examine why.

    RH bills itself as a retailer of home furnishings, providing bedroom, dining, upholstery, home office, and media furniture products. It also offers cabinets; ceiling, table, floor, wall, and outdoor lighting products; textiles, such as bed linens, bath linens, drapery, rugs, and pillows and throws; and bath ware products comprising faucets, hardware, furniture, and sinks.

    That pretty much covers the home furnishings product line from A-to-Z.

    The firm has 71 retail stores, and 13 outlet stores across the U.S., but it also makes a lot of hay selling items through its catalog and web site outlets. The company�� chief competitors include Pier 1 Imports (NYSE: PIR) and Williams-Sonoma (NYSE: WSM).

    Financially, investors might have reservations about RH, at first blush. Q4 revenue figures came in slightly less than analysts had forecast ($471 million versus $491 million), but most investors evidently wrote-off the missed forecast due to the historically icy, frosty, snowy, and chilly months of December and January.

    But a look inside the numbers reveals why the

  • [By Sean Williams]

    Furnishing fantasies
    Home furnishings company Restoration Hardware (NYSE: RH  ) has certainly come a long way from where it was just a few years ago. Back then it was deep in the red, riding excess levels of inventory, and discounting everything in sight just to keep the hamster wheel turning. Now, with the company focused on a higher-end customer and better quality merchandise, Restoration Hardware is slowly trickling back into the black.

Top 10 Up And Coming Companies To Own For 2014: Triple-S Management Corporation (GTS)

Triple-S Management Corporation, through its subsidiaries, offers a portfolio of managed care and related products in the commercial and Medicare markets in Puerto Rico. The company operates in three segments: Managed Care, Life Insurance, and Property and Casualty Insurance. It provides managed care products, including health maintenance organization plans; preferred provider organization plans; Medicare Supplement products; Medicare Advantage products; Medicaid plans; and Medicare Part D, a prescription drug plan; and claims processing and other administrative services. The company offers its managed care products to employers, professional and trade associations, individuals, and government entities. It also provides various life, accident, disability, and health and annuity insurance products to individuals; and property and casualty insurance products, which include commercial multi-peril, commercial property mono-line, auto physical damage, auto liability, and dwelli ng policies to commercial customers. The company markets its products through a network of internal sales force, direct mail, independent brokers and agents, telemarketing staff, and the Internet. Triple-S Management Corporation was incorporated in 1997 and is based in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Brian Pacampara]

    What: Shares of Puerto Rican managed-care company Triple-S Management (NYSE: GTS  ) popped 11% today after its quarterly results topped Wall Street expectations.

Top 10 Up And Coming Companies To Own For 2014: Natural Grocers By Vitamin Cottage Inc (NGVC)

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc., incorporated on April 9, 2012, is a specialty retailer of natural and organic groceries and dietary supplements. The Company operates within the natural products retail industry. The Company offers products and brands, including a selection of natural and organic food, dietary supplements, body care products, pet care products and books.

The Company offers its customers an average of approximately 18,000 store-keeping units (SKUs) of natural and organic products per store, including an average of approximately 7,000 SKU of dietary supplements. As of June 30, 2012, the Company operated 55 stores in 11 states, including Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah and Wyoming, as well as a bulk food repackaging facility and distribution center in Colorado. The size of its stores varies from 5,000 selling square feet to 14,500 selling square feet, and a new store averages 9,500 selling square feet.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By John Udovich]

    Large cap natural and organic foods supermarket giant Whole Foods Market, Inc (NASDAQ: WFM), otherwise known as ��hole Wallet��r ��hole Paycheck,��is not the only player in the natural or organics supermarket space for consumers and investors alike as mid cap Sprouts Farmers Market Inc (NASDAQ: SFM) and small caps Fairway Group Holdings Corp (NASDAQ: FWM) and Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage Inc (NYSE: NGVC) are also players in the space. It should be mentioned that Whole Foods Market is down 15.7% since the start of the year and has a downward trending technical chart, but�shares are�still up 13% over the past year, up 426.3% over the past five years and up 3,108.6% since January 1992.

  • [By David Mamos]

    The Fresh Market Inc. (Nasdaq: TFM), Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage Inc. (NYSE: NGVC), and privately held Trader Joe's are others crowding into the field.

  • [By John Udovich]

    Small cap Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage (NYSE: NGVC) and mid cap Sprouts Farmers Market Inc (NASDAQ: SFM) are taking aim at natural and organic foods supermarket giant Whole Foods Market (NASDAQ: WFM), but do either of these stocks have what it takes to take on the the king of organic retailing? Whole Foods Market was founded in Austin way back in 1978 by a�twenty-five year old college dropout and a twenty-one year old�at a time when there were only a handful of natural or organic�supermarkets in the country. Today, Whole Foods Market�has 364 stores in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom���which are sometimes referred to as ��hole Wallet��r ��hole Paycheck��given how much it costs to shop there.

  • [By Brian Stoffel]

    Much has been made recently about new entrants into the organic/natural food space in America. While Sprouts Farmers Market� (NASDAQ: SFM  ) , The Fresh Market (NASDAQ: TFM  ) , and Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage� (NYSE: NGVC  ) attempt to use Whole Foods' blueprint, Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT  ) is teaming up with Wild Oats to offer more organic goods in its discount stores.

Top 10 Up And Coming Companies To Own For 2014: 1st NRG Corp (FNRC)

1st NRG Corp., incorporated on January 18, 1988, is an exploration and production company. The Company is engaged in the development of the Clabaugh Ranch Field, which is a project developing and producing coal bed methane reserves (CBM). This project includes a development of 6,025 gross acres in the Powder River Basin in northeast Wyoming. The Company is expanding its activities into unconventional shale through a participation agreement covering approximately 7,000 acres initially and subsequently acquired acreage covering an Area of Mutual Interest in South Eastern Ohio. Its production revenues are entirely from the natural gas produced at Clabaugh Ranch.

The targeted coal seams in the Powder River Basin are part of the Tongue River Member of the Fort Union formation and have been mapped as natural resource developments and exploration have occurred throughout the region. The Company has 42 drilled wells, which have encountered developed coal seams in the Werner, Upper and Lower Smith, Wyodak/Anderson Lower, Gates and Wall formations. In total the Company has identified 515 separate coals seams for development of which only 126 (42 wells X 3 seams) have been completed.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Peter Graham]

    What�� the Catch With Quantum Energy Inc? According to various disclosures, transactions of $2k and $3.5k have or will occur to mention Quantum Energy in various investment newsletters. On Friday, Quantum Energy released the pricing of its recently announced $5,000,000 BDC funding to be arranged by Data Capital Corp (DCC) where the latter has agreed to assist the former in the formation of a Business Development Company (BDC) by forming Quantum Funding, Inc. as a BDC to raise an initial $5,000,000. Upon receipt of the funding, Quantum Funding, Inc. will then be acquired as a subsidiary by QEGY in a share exchange where the $5,000,000 subsidiary will be acquired for 10,000,000 shares of newly issued restricted common stock for a valuation of $0.50 cents per share. Otherwise and early in the month, Quantum Energy announced it was shifting its focus from the West Texas Barnett Shale fields to North Dakota with the opening of an office in Williston, North Dakota. However, a quick look on Google Finance (as there are no up to date financials on Yahoo! Finance) reveals Quantum Energy has no revenues; a net loss of $0.01M (most recent reported quarter), net income of $2.01M and a net loss of $0.02M for the past three fiscal quarters; and $0.01M in cash to cover $0.34M in current liabilities at the end of last August. Then again, the recent financing deal could get things moving for Quantum Energy next year.

    1st NRG Corp (OTCMKTS: FNRC) Gives a Drilling and Production Update

    Small cap 1st NRG Corp is an exploration and production company currently developing and producing coal bed methane reserves (CBM) in Wyoming. On Friday, 1st NRG Corp fell 25% to $0.0003 for a market cap of $5.02 million plus FNRC is down 97.1% since the start of the year and down 99.8% since July 2010 according to Google Finance.

Top 10 Up And Coming Companies To Own For 2014: USG Corporation(USG)

USG Corporation, through its subsidiaries, engages in the manufacture and distribution of building materials worldwide. The company offers gypsum and related products, including gypsum wallboard, joint compounds used for finishing wallboard joints, cement boards, glass mat sheathing, gypsum fiber panels, poured gypsum underlayments, ultra light panels, and various construction plaster products. Its gypsum products are used in various building applications to finish the interior walls, ceilings, and floors in residential, commercial, and institutional constructions, and repair and remodel constructions. The company also produces gypsum-based products for agricultural and industrial customers to use in various applications, including soil conditioning, road repair, fireproofing, and ceramics. In addition, it manufactures ceiling grid and acoustical ceiling tile for electrical and mechanical systems, and air distribution and maintenance applications. USG Corporation distribut es its gypsum products through specialty wallboard distributors, building materials dealers, home improvement centers and other retailers, contractors, and a network of distributors. Further, it distributes other manufacturers? gypsum wallboard, joint compound and other gypsum products, as well as drywall metal, insulation, and roofing products and accessories. The company sells its products under SHEETROCK, DUROCK, FIBEROCK, SECUROCK, LEVELROCK, RED TOP, IMPERIAL, DIAMOND, SUPREMO, AURATONE, ACOUSTONE, DONN, DX, FINELINE, CENTRICITEE, CURVATURA, and COMPASSO brands. The company was founded in 1901 and is based in Chicago, Illinois.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Matt Jarzemsky]

    While economists attributed some of the downtick to cold and snowy weather, some are wondering if the Federal Reserve�� plan to dial back its stimulus program this year could lead to a rise in interest rates, putting the brakes on the housing recovery. The SPDR S&P Homebuilders exchange-traded fund��hich tracks a broad basket of housing-related stocks from builders to Sheetrock maker USG Corp.(USG)��s down about 3.6% year-to-date.

  • [By Holly LaFon]

    Pimco managing director Mark Kiesel mentions Whirlpool (WHR), Weyerhaeuser (WY), USG (USG), Toll Brothers (TOLL) and KB Home (KBH) as good plays on housing:�

  • [By Eric Volkman]

    She also serves as chairman of the United States Steel and Carnegie Pension Fund, and on that organization's investment committee. Outside of U.S. Steel, she sits on the board of directors of USG (NYSE: USG  ) and the Pennsylvania Business Council, among other entities.

  • [By Seth Jayson]

    USG (NYSE: USG  ) reported earnings on April 24. Here are the numbers you need to know.

    The 10-second takeaway
    For the quarter ended March 31 (Q1), USG missed estimates on revenues and missed estimates on earnings per share.