Friday, January 31, 2014

Neil Hennessy: Bullish on Market; on Washington, Not So Much

Neil Hennessy believes we are in a secular bull market, similar to the one that prevailed from 1982 to 2000, and that corporate profits will remain high.

However, that profitability won’t be sustained unless companies begin to hire to foster organic growth, and hiring won’t happen until “Washington” starts to “think out of the box,” just as corporate management has done over the past few years.

So does he believe that our endemically dysfunctional government — “there’s a lack of leadership in both the executive branch and Congress” — can actually start thinking out of the box to solve the three main problems (health care, taxes and regulation) that he says hinder economic growth?

“The real world has to kick in at some point,” he said optimistically at a Midtown Manhattan press conference on Wednesday. “Things won’t continue to stay the way they are” in Washington. “You’re seeing fractures in the House already.”

Hennessy is chairman, CIO and portfolio manager at the firm he founded, Hennessy Funds (HNNA), which crossed the $4 billion in assets mark this year (currently at $4.3 billion) in 16 different mutual funds, and which went public in 2002. In his remarks that accompanied the firm’s annual rebalancing announcement for its Cornerstone Mid Cap 30 Fund (HIMDX), Hennessy focused on the stubbornly high unemployment rate, which he blamed in large measure on his assertion that we’re still “no closer to clarity in Washington for four years” on addressing health care, high taxes and overregulation.

“Companies are still not hiring,” he said, bemoaning the fact that “20 to 25 million Americans who want full-time jobs with benefits are instead getting part-time jobs with no benefits.”

So what should the government do to bring down unemployment?

One thing is to “start treating business as a noble entity, not the enemy,” Hennessy said. Another is to reform the tax system, removing corporate subsidies, like those enjoyed by oil companies, which fail to help the individual consumer.

Always willing to speak his mind, Hennessy voiced approval of Steve Forbes’ flat tax scheme. Speaking of Obamacare, Hennessy said that the Affordable Care Act had "nothing to do with health care," but everything to do with "Democrats retaining the White House" by getting 18-20 million votes by passing the bill.

As for investors, he said they remain on the sidelines, “and who can blame them?” Only 52% of Americans own equities, and over the past two years they’ve pulled $209 billion out of U.S. equities and mutual funds. This year to date, he said, U.S. investors have plowed $94 billion into international investments and only $9 billion into U.S. equities; in the mutual fund space specifically, those numbers are $26 billion flowing to international equities and only $2 billion to U.S. equity funds.

Best Safest Companies To Invest In Right Now

However, he argued that “equities are a value right now,” pointing out that “yields on a great number of U.S. stocks are higher than Treasuries.” Specifically, he said the 30 stocks in the Dow Jones industrials are yielding 2.15%, compared with the 10-year Treasury yield of 2.50%.

“When you add in the tax benefits” and the appreciation of those stocks, equities look even more appealing, he said. As for investing opportunities overseas, he said the “euphoria” in Europe will end, though he believes Japan represents a strong opportunity, due in particular to the economic moves by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

“Japan wants businesses and individuals to succeed,” he said, adding that the fabled Japanese savers, who hold $8.5 trillion in cash, in bank deposits, will begin to “buy their own market because they see the potential.” Abe’s tax policies are meant to reward investors, and imposition of a VAT in the country will specifically be targeted to reducing the nation’s debt, Hennessy said (Hennessy Funds has two Japanese mutual funds, HJPIX and HJPSX).

“Hopefully the revolving” political leadership door in Japan has closed, he said, noting that Abe had run only on how he would fix Japan’s economy, and wistfully suggested how nice it would have been if Mitt Romney had solely focused on economic issues rather than social issues, leaving them to Congress and the states.

Moving back to U.S. investors and the equity market, he wondered: when rates rise, “where can investors put their investable capital?” Since emotions are “driving investors,” when rates rise, they’ll panic. He answered his own question by saying that the “only plausible place to put your money is in equities,” dismissing as implausible places money-market funds, real estate, fixed income and foreign markets. Answering a question from a reporter, who reminded him that a bull market in bonds existed during 1982-2000, he responded, "that's over."

Looking at the Cornerstone Mid Cap 30 Fund, a quant fund that follows a rigorous Hennessy process to come up with 30 undervalued stocks with above-average growth potential, he said that the “underlying theme” in 2013 has been “be in the market; the risk is not being in the market.”

Reflecting corporate America’s ability to not only maintain high profitability but to provide shareholder value, he reported that within the HIMDX portfolio, 63% of the companies are offering dividends, and 74% of those companies have increased them this year. Two other common reactions of profitable companies with high cash balances these days — stock buybacks and acquisitions — are also reflected in the fund: 40% are in sotck repurchase programs, while  60% have made an acquisition this year.

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Check out A Bullish Neil Hennessy Thinks Now Is the Time for Equities on ThinkAdvisor.

Thursday, January 30, 2014

How important are bonds in a portfolio?

A: Bond is a kind of product which is different from any other asset category, for instance investment in a real estate or in gold or in the share market. When the price goes down of any of these products, you never know when the price is going to come back. The beauty of the bond product is suppose you are holding a bond and if the price of the bond fall, it mean from tomorrow the yield will start going up. So, suppose you are holding a 10-year bond of 8 percent and tomorrow interest rate goes up to 9 percent, so immediately you will see depreciation in net asset value ( NAV ) but from that day onward yield instead of 8 percent it will start from 9 percent. So, in a bond if you hold till maturity then there is no way you are going to lose capital if you are invested in a good quality bond. So, when you look at investing in bond and I am not restricting myself to the bond but the whole fixed income space one need to invest.

Many people go on lend money to their friends and in the businesses extremely risky. People invest in company deposits - extremely risky. When people look at investing in the bond, I think what happens in bond that it has a coupon which keeps coming to you on regular basis. So, in a way it is a very good tool for customer to invest and it give a protection to the customer's portfolio, it provides regularity of income and in a way it is a very essential part of any customer's portfolio.

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Top Forestry Companies To Watch In Right Now

Mary Lacey Gibson, a financial planner and small-business coach for the Garrett Planning Network based in San Juan Batista, Calif., recalls a young man who came to her for guidance. At the age of 24, he was making $90,000 a month from a few websites he had created. "He had a motorcycle and a backpack and wanted to just travel from place to place until he was 30," she said. But he also wanted to save for retirement. "So we set him up with a relatively simple plan and let it go. He was very bright."

Gibson's young client was indeed smart to prepare for the future ��but it helped that he had plenty of cash to put aside. Diverting money to a retirement plan isn't always so easy to do if you work for yourself, unlike traditional wage earners whose contributions are automatically deducted from the paycheck. "For most of us who are working stiffs, the plan is handed to us," said Ric Edelman, chairman and CEO of Edelman Financial. But those who are their own employer? "They tend not to create a retirement plan in the first place."

Top Forestry Companies To Watch In Right Now: Big Yellow group(BYG.L)

Big Yellow Group PLC, a real estate investment trust, engages in the provision of self storage and related services in the United Kingdom. The company also offers property management, construction management, and general partner services. It has a portfolio of approximately 63 stores primarily located in London and the South East. Big Yellow Group PLC was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in Bagshot, the United Kingdom.

Top Forestry Companies To Watch In Right Now: American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings Inc. (AXL)

American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the manufacture, engineering, design, and validation of driveline and drivetrain systems, and related components and chassis modules for automotive industry in the United States. The company?s driveline and drivetrain systems comprise components that transfer power from the transmission and deliver it to the drive wheels. These products include axles, chassis modules, driveshafts, power transfer units, transfer cases, chassis and steering components, driving heads, crankshafts, transmission parts, and metal-formed products. It offers products for light trucks, sport utility vehicles, passenger cars, crossover vehicles, and commercial vehicles. The company was founded in 1994 and is headquartered in Detroit, Michigan.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Sue Chang]

    American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings Inc. (AXL) �is projected to report earnings of 56 cents a share in the third quarter.

  • [By Seth Jayson]

    American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings (NYSE: AXL  ) is expected to report Q1 earnings on May 3. Here's what Wall Street wants to see:

Top 5 Safest Stocks To Own Right Now: PeppinNini Minerals Ltd(PNN.AX)

Pepinnini Minerals Limited engages in the exploration and development of mineral resource properties in Australia. The company explores for nickel, copper, gold, lead, zinc, uranium, and other mineral commodities. It holds interests in 39 exploration tenements covering approximately 15,795 square kilometers in the Curnamona and Musgrave Provinces of South Australia; the Georgetown, Woolgar Goldfield, and Drummond Basin of north Queensland; and the Robinson Range area of Midwest Western Australia and Salta Province, Argentina. The company also holds an 83 hectare mining lease located in the Woolgar Goldfield of north Queensland. Pepinnini Minerals Limited was incorporated in 2002 and is based in Adelaide South Australia.

Top Forestry Companies To Watch In Right Now: Creative Edge Nutrition Inc (FITX)

Creative Edge Nutrition Inc. (CENergy), formerly Laufer Bridge Enterprises Inc, incorporated on January 10, 2008, is engaged in the development, marketing and sales of nutraceuticals and health supplements. The Company�� product categories include lean, energy, essentials, mass, vitamins and apparel. In July 2012, it acquired Innovative Fulfillment Corp. In August 2012, the Company acquired SCD Enterprises, LLC. In September 2012, the Company acquired A-Z-Nutrition.com. In September 2012, the Company acquired Sci-Fit and Nature's Science product brands. In March 2013, it announced its entrance into the Medical Marijuana Sector through Hemp Protein Powder, Naturals Line, Hemp-plex and Chia-plex. In May 2013, Creative Edge Nutrition Inc acquired Canadian Nutrition Super Stores.

Metabolic Xtreme utilizes the technology and advancement in weight loss technology. Cenergy�� Amino Acid Complex is the supplement for athletes, bodybuilders and anyone who's trying to live a healthy lifestyle.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Peter Graham]

    Small cap stocks CD International Enterprises Inc (OTCMKTS: CDII), Creative Edge Nutrition Inc (OTCMKTS: FITX) and Metrospaces Inc (OTCMKTS: MSPC) have all been the subject of recent as well as past paid for stock promotions. Of course, there is nothing wrong with properly disclosed stock promotions or investor awareness campaigns, but they can and do often backfire on unwary investors and traders alike. With that in mind, will investors and traders come out winners with these small caps or should they just be left to the promoters? Here is a quick reality check:

Top Forestry Companies To Watch In Right Now: Warren Resources Inc.(WRES)

Warren Resources, Inc., an independent energy company, engages in the exploration, development, and production of onshore crude oil and gas reserves in the United States. It primarily explores for oil reserves in the Wilmington field in California; and natural gas in the Washakie Basin in Wyoming. The company was founded in 1990 and is headquartered in New York, New York.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By gurujx]

    Warren Resources, Inc. (WRES): Vice President & CFO Stewart P Skelly Sold 54,000 Shares

    Vice President & CFO Stewart P Skelly sold 54,000 shares of WRES stock on 09/19/2013 at the average price of $2.91. Stewart P Skelly owns at least 116,545 shares after this. The price of the stock has increased by 1.37% since.

  • [By Rich Smith]

    New York City-based Warren Resources (NASDAQ: WRES  ) has a new CFO.

    On Monday, the independent oil and gas company announced that it has promoted current Chief Financial Officer Timothy A. Larkin to the position of executive vice president for mergers�and acquisitions, after 18 years' service in the former capacity. Taking his place will be Corporate Controller Stewart P. Skelly, now promoted to the CFO's post.

Top Forestry Companies To Watch In Right Now: Credit Acceptance Corporation(CACC)

Credit Acceptance Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides auto loans, and related products and services to consumers in the United States. Its loan programs include portfolio program, which advances money to dealer-partners in exchange for the right to service the underlying consumer loans; and purchase program that buys the consumer loans from the dealer-partners and keeps amounts collected from the consumers. The company markets its products through a network of approximately 55,000 independent and franchised automobile dealers. Credit Acceptance Corporation was founded in 1972 and is headquartered in Southfield, Michigan.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Richard Moroney]

    Credit Acceptance (CACC) provides financing for auto purchases through a national network of nearly 4,500 car dealers. Its programs help dealers sell cars by attracting credit-challenged consumers unable to get conventional loans.

Top Forestry Companies To Watch In Right Now: Cavan Ventures Inc (CVN.V)

Cavan Ventures Inc., a junior mining company, engages in the acquisition, development, and exploration of mineral properties in Canada and the United States. It focuses on exploration for gold, silver, iron ore, and rare earths deposits. The company holds an option agreements to acquire a 100% interests in the Kaslo Property and the Kisgegas (KM Claims) Property located in British Columbia. It also has option agreements to acquire a 65% interest in the Crown King Property in Arizona; and a 100% interest in the Pythonga Property in Maniwaki region in the province of Quebec. The company was incorporated in 2006 and is based in Vancouver, Canada.

Top Forestry Companies To Watch In Right Now: Credito Emiliano(EMBI.MI)

Credito Emiliano SpA, together with its subsidiaries, provides regional banking services primarily in Italy. It provides retail banking, corporate banking, wealth management, financing, and investment banking services. The company provides current and savings accounts, certificate of deposits, repurchase agreements, term deposits, demand deposits, loans, personal loans, credit cards, leasing, and factoring services. In addition, it offers domestic clearing services for payments and collections, and insurance services, as well as provides electronic documental storage services and document management services. The company is headquartered in Reggio Emilia, Italy. Credito Emiliano SpA operates as a subsidiary of Credito Emiliano Holding SpA.

Top Forestry Companies To Watch In Right Now: Inscape Corp (INQ.TO)

Inscape Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the design, manufacture, and distribution movable walls, office furniture systems, filing and storage products, and desks for commercial office interiors in North America. Its products include office furniture systems; office filing and storage products, such as lateral files, towers, lockers, pedestals, cabinets, bookcases, electrified storage products, desking systems, and casegoods; architectural interiors comprising seamless glass walls, movable walls, architectural post and beam structure; and fabrics and finishes. The company offers its products to government agencies and corporations through a network of dealers and independent representatives. Inscape Corporation was founded in 1888 and is headquartered in Holland Landing, Canada.

Top Forestry Companies To Watch In Right Now: 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 Rich Smith]

    Micron will get smaller�
    Shares of NAND flash and DRAM memory maker�Micron (NASDAQ: MU  ) are moving lower today, hurt in part by a downgrade from analysts at MKM Partners -- but not hurt too much.

  • [By Lauren Pollock]

    Micron Technology Inc.(MU) and Rambus Inc.(RMBS) said they have ended a series of court battles that stretched for 13 years, with Micron agreeing to pay up to $280 million to Rambus over seven years. The deal announced late Monday gives Micron, one of the biggest makers of memory chips, rights to use Rambus patents in certain products. Rambus shares surged 9.7% to $9.36 premarket, while Micron was inactive.

  • [By Russ Fischer]

    Since barely a week before the show, Samsung (SSNLF.PK) announced that it was "in production" on a new 3D NAND process. Since 3D NAND is considered the holy grail of NAND technology of the future, you would think that Samsung would be a shoe-in for the product of the year at the 2013 Flash Summit. And If you though that, you would have been wrong. The actual winner of the Best of Show award was Micron's (MU) new 16nm planar NAND memory made with the HKMG (High K Metal Gate) process. In order for Micron to have won this award, the new 16nm must be a more elegant process than we thought.

Top Forestry Companies To Watch In Right Now: Dynasty Gold Corp. (DYG.V)

Dynasty Gold Corp., an exploration stage company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of gold properties. The company has an option to acquire a 70% interest in Golden Repeat gold property that consists of 49 contiguous mining claims covering approximately 392 hectares in northwestern Elko County, Nevada. It also holds an option to acquire a 100% interest in Strike, a gold-silver-copper-lead-zinc property located in Stewart, British Columbia, Canada. Dynasty Gold Corp. was incorporated in 1985 and is based in Vancouver, Canada.

Top Forestry Companies To Watch In Right Now: Bodaclick SA (BDK.MC)

Top Forestry Companies To Watch In Right Now: Northwest Bancshares Inc.(NWBI)

Northwest Bancshares, Inc. operates as the holding company for Northwest Savings Bank that offers various banking and consumer finance services. The company offers consumer and commercial deposits, such as checking accounts, savings accounts, money market deposit accounts, term certificate accounts, and individual retirement accounts. Its loan portfolio comprises one- to four-family residential real estate loans, multifamily residential and commercial real estate loans, home equity loans and lines of credit, and commercial business loans, as well as consumer loans, including automobile loans, sales finance loans, unsecured personal loans, credit card loans, and loans secured by deposit accounts. It also offers trust, investment management, actuarial and benefit plan administration, brokerage services, title insurance, and municipal bonds, as well as involves in the ownership and operation of properties. As of December 31, 2009, the company operated 171 community-banking of fices in northwest, southwest, and central Pennsylvania; western New York; eastern Ohio; Maryland; and southeastern Florida. It also operated 51 consumer finance offices in Pennsylvania. The company was founded in 1896 and is headquartered in Warren, Pennsylvania.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Rich Duprey]

    Northwest Bancshares (NASDAQ: NWBI  ) announced today that it will be paying a special dividend of $0.12 per share in May to�supplement the regular dividend for the first quarter of 2013, which it prepaid back in December in a bid to�accelerate the distribution of cash�to help shareholders offset some of the risk of higher taxes.

Top Forestry Companies To Watch In Right Now: SemiLEDS Corporation(LEDS)

SemiLEDs Corporation engages in the development, manufacture, and sale of light emitting diode (LED) chips and LED components. Its products are used primarily for general lighting applications, including street lights and commercial, industrial, and residential lighting, as well as in backlighting, medical, automotive, and ultra violet (UV) applications. The company markets blue, green, and UV LED chips under the MvpLED brand name primarily to customers in China and Taiwan, as well as in Russia and North America. It sells LED chips to packagers and distributors, who in turn sell to packaging customers. SemiLEDs Corporation was founded in 2005 and is based in Miao-Li County, Taiwan.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Stock Investor]

    Next up I will look at SemiLEDs Corporation (LEDS). This company is based in China, typically a red flag from the start. In the last year LEDS posted almost $26m in revenue with a net cash balance of approximately $36m. The market cap here is a small $42m, much cheaper than RVLT. LEDS has an average quarterly cash burn of about $5m, leaving them ample funding for the next two years at current spend rates. So far the financials here suggest that LEDS is undervalued, especially when compared to RVLT. Usually, however where there is smoke there is fire. In 2012 LEDS lost a patent infringement suit against CREE Inc (CREE). The settlement prevents LEDS from selling it product in the US, a major red flag. This is also the likely reason for such a large drop in sales over the last year of almost 40%. Revenue for the second quarter of fiscal 2013 was $4.8 million, a 39% decrease compared to $7.9 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2012. It is disconcerting that a company in a sector that is supposedly experiencing record growth, is seeing its sales drop this much. A major red flag for investors. While the cash position is a positive, investors should note that this is a China based company. Accurate financials are not something Chinese companies are know for.

  • [By Victor Selva]

    On Nov. 21, Robert Karr bought Veeco Instruments Inc. (VECO), a company that designs, manufactures and markets equipment to make light emitting diodes (LEDs), solar panels, hard-disk drives and other devices.

Top Forestry Companies To Watch In Right Now: Providence Capital Corp(PV.V)

Providence Resources Corp., a junior mining exploration company, engages in the evaluation, acquisition, exploration, and development of precious and base mineral properties. The company focuses on exploring for copper, gold, silver, lead-zinc, and iron-oxide copper-gold metals. It holds an option to acquire a 60% interest in the Iron Range property located in south‐eastern British Columbia near the community of Creston. The company was formerly known as Providence Capital Corp. and changed its name to Providence Resources Corp. in January 2011. Providence Resources Corp. was incorporated in 2006 and is based in Vancouver, Canada.

Top Forestry Companies To Watch In Right Now: Capstead Mortgage Corporation (CMO)

Capstead Mortgage Corporation operates as a self-managed real estate investment trust. It invests in leveraged portfolio of residential mortgage pass-through securities consisting of adjustable-rate mortgage securities issued and guaranteed by government-sponsored enterprises or by an agency of the federal government. The company qualifies as a real estate investment trust for federal income tax purposes. It generally would not be subject to federal corporate income taxes if it distributes at least 90% of its taxable income to its stockholders. The company was founded in 1985 and is headquartered in Dallas, Texas.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Rich Duprey]

    Agency mortgage real estate investment trust�Capstead Mortgage (NYSE: CMO  ) announced this morning�its second-quarter dividend of $0.31�per share, the same rate it paid last quarter.

  • [By Alyssa Oursler]

    Of course, we have to start with a real estate investment trust (REIT). One of the best REITs right now looks to be�Capstead Mortgage Corp.�(CMO); it’s gained 9% so far this year as its similarly sized peers all sit in the red.

  • [By Zain Zafar]

    This is bad by any standard, but what makes it even worse is that Hatteras is known to have a relatively defensive portfolio when compared to its fixed-rate focused peers; at the end of the second quarter, ARMs comprised almost 89% of Hatteras' MBS portfolio. Capstead Mortgage (NYSE: CMO  ) , a mortgage REIT that follows a similar strategy of investing in ARMs, reported that its book value per share declined by just 3.8% because of market price movements.

  • [By Amanda Alix]

    In a show of bravado, several mREITs have declared dividends within the past week, with nary a decrease in sight. Capstead Mortgage (NYSE: CMO  ) just announced the continuation of its $0.31 per share�quarterly dividend, which was upped from $0.30 just this past March. CYS Investments (NYSE: CYS  ) revealed its intention to raise its own quarterly payout to $0.34�from $0.32 per share earlier this week, and Armour Residential (NYSE: ARR  ) has joined in, keeping its monthly $0.07 per share dividend firmly in place, even into the third quarter.

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Durable goods orders fall 4.3%

WASHINGTON — U.S. businesses cut back sharply on their orders for long-lasting manufactured goods in December with a key category that signals business investment plans falling by the biggest amount in five months.

Orders for durable goods fell 4.3% in December compared with November, when orders had risen 2.6%, the Commerce Department reported Tuesday. The weakness was led by a big 17.5% drop in the volatile category of commercial aircraft.

There was widespread weakness in a number of categories including a 1.3% decline in demand for non-defense capital goods excluding aircraft. This category is viewed as a proxy for business investment plans.

Some of the December weakness probably reflected a temporary dip following November's big jump which had been driven by businesses rushing to take advantage of expiring tax breaks.

The December decline came as a surprise to economists. The consensus view among economists was that orders would post a moderate rise reflecting what they believe is an improving outlook for U.S. manufacturers.

In addition to the big drop in orders for commercial aircraft, orders for motor vehicles and parts fell 5.8%. That was likely a temporary dip given the strong sales that automakers are enjoying.

Orders for primary metals such as steel fell 2.1% while demand for computers and other electronic products dropped 7.8%. Orders for machinery rose 0.8%.

A key gauge of manufacturing activity remained near a 2½ year high in December. The Institute for Supply Management said its manufacturing index registered 57 in December, only slightly down from a 57.3 reading in November. The December level was still the second-highest reading since April 2011. Any reading above 50 signals growth in manufacturing.

Consumers are buying more autos and houses, boosting demand for such items as steel, furniture and other manufactured goods.

The ISM's manufacturing index had increased for six straight months through November. In a good sign for the fut! ure, a measure of new orders in the ISM rose in December to the highest level since June 2011.

Economists are hoping that 2014 will mark a turning point for an economy that has performed at sub-par rates for much of the time since the recession ended in June 2009. Many analysts are forecasting the economy will grow by around 3% in 2014, up by a full percentage point from 2013.

Much of the hope for a better 2014 reflects a belief that the federal government will be less of a drag this year. In 2013, higher taxes and across-the-board spending cuts trimmed about 1.5 percentage points from growth.

U.S. manufacturers are also being helped by an improving outlook in many overseas markets. Europe's economy is picking up slightly after a long recession.

The rising economic strength is giving the Federal Reserve the leeway to scale back slightly on its support programs. The Fed in December announced it was trimming a monthly bond buying program from $85 billion to $75 billion and indicated it would make further cuts at upcoming meetings if the economy and labor market continue to improve. The bond purchases were aimed at pushing long-term interest rates lower as a way to stimulate greater economic activity.

The Fed is holding its first meeting of 2014 on Tuesday and Wednesday. It will be the last time Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke will preside. He is stepping down at the close of business on Friday and will be succeeded by Fed Vice Chair Janet Yellen.

Monday, January 27, 2014

5 Stocks With Awful Operating Margin Growth — CTEL TWGP TSRA NYNY SCHN

RSS Logo Portfolio Grader Popular Posts: 4 Pharmaceutical Stocks to Buy Now4 Biotechnology Stocks to Sell Now8 Oil and Gas Stocks to Buy Now Recent Posts: 5 Stocks With Awful Operating Margin Growth — CTEL TWGP TSRA NYNY SCHN 5 Stocks With Awful Sales Growth — HTS MITT MNKD UEC IDIX 10 Metals and Mining Stocks to Sell Now View All Posts

This week, these five stocks have the worst ratings in Operating Margin Growth, one of the eight Fundamental Categories on Portfolio Grader.

5 Best Performing Stocks To Invest In Right Now

City Telecom (H.K.) Ltd. () provides fixed telecommunications networks and international telecommunications services for residential and corporate customers. CTEL also gets F’s in Earnings Growth and Sales Growth. .

Tower Group International Ltd. () is a provider of property and casualty insurance products and services. TWGP also gets F’s in Earnings Momentum, Equity, Cash Flow and Sales Growth. The price of TWGP is down 3.7% since the first of the year. This is worse than the Nasdaq, which has remained flat. .

Tessera Technologies, Inc. () invests in, licenses and delivers miniaturization technologies for electronic devices. TSRA gets F’s in Earnings Growth, Earnings Momentum, Analyst Earnings Revisions, Equity, Cash Flow and Sales Growth as well. Since January 1, TSRA has fallen 4%. .

Empire Resorts, Inc. () is a gaming and resort management company. NYNY gets F’s in Earnings Growth and Equity as well. .

Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc. Class A () is a recycler of ferrous and nonferrous scrap metal, a recycler of used and salvaged vehicles and a manufacturer of finished steel products. SCHN gets F’s in Earnings Momentum, Analyst Earnings Revisions and Cash Flow as well. Shares of the stock have declined 5.4% since January 1. .

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.

Sunday, January 26, 2014

Top 10 Heal Care Stocks To Watch Right Now

The decision to lease solar panels to both the business and residential sectors has really paid off so far for SolarCity (NASDAQ: SCTY  ) . Market-conscious investors have had to notice the atmospheric rise of the company's stock over the past several months. With fresh, financial backing from Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS  ) , the company is set to provide a wider customer base with its free installations, and fees below typical utility bills.�

Now that deals are being signed with municipalities, as well, SolarCity is sure to continue impressing Mr. Market. The disruptive leasing model has also caught the eye of competitor, SunPower (NASDAQ: SPWR  ) , but it is getting to the party a bit later than the Elon Musk-inspired SolarCity. Only time will tell if it's fashionably late or detrimentally late.

With a bit of a different model, First Solar offers a different approach to the solar market
Investors and bystanders alike have been shocked by First Solar's precipitous drop over the past two years. The stakes have never been higher for the company: Is it done for good, or ready for a rebound? If you're looking for continuing updates and guidance on the company whenever news breaks, The Motley Fool has created a brand-new report that details every must-know side of this stock. To get started, simply click here now.

Top 10 Heal Care Stocks To Watch Right Now: Oasis Petroleum Inc.(OAS)

Oasis Petroleum Inc., an independent exploration and production company, engages in the acquisition and development of oil and natural gas resources in the Montana and North Dakota regions of the Williston Basin. The company?s primary project areas include West Williston, East Nesson, and Sanish. As of December 31, 2011, it had approximately 78.7 million barrels of oil equivalent of estimated net proved reserves. Oasis Petroleum Inc. was founded in 2007 and is based in Houston, Texas.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Bret Jensen]

    Regular readers of these columns know that I am a big bull on a good number of E&P concerns on the back of the huge domestic oil & gas production surge within the United States over the last 6-8 years. I own and have written extensively about a variety of smaller plays among these producers over the last two years. Bakken producer Oasis Petroleum (OAS) is a stock I have owned and written about since April of last year.

Top 10 Heal Care Stocks To Watch Right Now: Cementir(CEMI.MI)

Cementir Holding SpA, through its subsidiaries, manufactures and distributes cement, aggregates, and concrete products worldwide. The company offers various grey cement products, including traditional Portland cement, composite Portland cement, blast furnace cement, pozzolanic cement, and composite cement. It also provides white Portland cement that is used in dry white and colored mixtures as a binder in various types of mortar; and used in concrete for panels, balconies, cornices, ornaments, paving stones and flags, sculptures, and swimming pools, as well as used to produce road signs, tunnel linings and ramps, kerbs, road-markings, and medium barriers. In addition, the company offers ready-mix concrete; and pre-cast concrete products that are used in civil engineering projects and transport industries. Further, it extracts and distributes aggregates, such as sand, gravel, or crushed stones used as structural construction components. The company was incorporated in 1947 and is headquartered in Rome, Italy.

Hot Biotech Stocks To Own Right Now: UK MAIL GROUP PLC ORD GBP 0.10(UKM.L)

UK Mail Group plc, through its subsidiaries, operates as an independent parcel, mail, and logistics services company in the United Kingdom. The company provides express collection and delivery services for parcels, mail, and palletized goods. It operates through four divisions: Mail, Parcels, Courier, and Pallets. The Mail division provides postal services, two-day time-definite delivery services, and other value added services for its customers. The Parcel division offers next day business-to-business, business-to-consumer, and international collection and delivery services through a network of 55 sites and 2,500 vehicles. The Courier division offers fulfillment services, including ad hoc, contract, and international courier; logistics; and technical courier solutions, such as delivery swap-out and installation services. The Pallets division provides pallet delivery solutions through a network of approximately 70 independent distribution and logistics specialists with var ious next-day and three-day delivery options. The company was formerly known as Business Post Group plc and changed its name to UK Mail Group plc in October 2009. UK Mail Group plc was founded in 1974 and is based in Slough, the United Kingdom.

Top 10 Heal Care Stocks To Watch Right Now: MyEcheck Inc (MYEC)

MyECheck, Inc. (MyECheck), incorporated on May 18, 2005, is an electronic transaction data processor. The Company provides an alternative payment solution to paper checks, cards or ACH payments. MyECheck utilizes a method of clearing check data for payments. MyECheck offers implemented solutions that enable real-time payments by authorized electronic check. MyECheck�� electronic check service creates and clears checks using only customer account data without the hassle and delays of paper checks. MyECheck's system enables more payers - any authorized signor on any United States checking account, for any amount. MyECheck's transactions can even be payment guaranteed.

Electronic Check Service

Payer check data is collected by the Merchant either at customer registration, or on their Website, through a mobile device, or over the telephone, and is transmitted in real-time, or in batch to MyECheck for processing. MyECheck uses technology to generate electronic checks in accordance with the Federal Reserve Check 21 specification, and transmits the items to clear through the electronic check clearing system to the Merchant's account at one of its partner banks.

Check Authorization Service

MyECheck offers Check Authorization Service that enables merchants to verify consumer provided data, check the status of their customer�� bank account, provide evidence that the consumer has authorized the check and predict the likelihood of a check being returned unpaid. Transactions are immediately and automatically evaluated and approved or declined based upon the real time results of multiple fraud control tools. Businesses that accept MyECheck payments can use this service to provide an automated real time check authorization to mitigate returned items.

Check Guarantee Service

The check guarantee provider warranties all approved checks and reimburses the Payee (Merchant) for financial losses incurred as a result of returned checks. The C! heck Guarantee Provider buys the returned checks that have been warranted from merchants for the full face value of the returned checks. MyECheck merchants utilize Check Guarantee Service so that they can ship products or provide services immediately without having to wait to determine if the check will be returned unpaid. The Check Guarantee Service also eliminates the need for Merchants to collect on returned checks from their customers.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Peter Graham]

    Small cap stocks Rewards Nexus Inc (OTCMKTS: ERNI), MyEcheck Inc (OTCMKTS: MYEC) and ITonis Inc (OTCMKTS: ITNS) fell 29.6%, 18.92% and 9.09%, respectively, last Friday. Moreover, some of these small cap stocks are already making big moves again this morning - perhaps in part because they have all been the subject of recent paid promotions. So where are these small cap heading this week and for the long term? Here is a quick reality check:

Top 10 Heal Care Stocks To Watch Right Now: UniSource Energy Corporation(UNS)

UniSource Energy Corporation engages in the electric generation and energy delivery businesses. The company?s TEP segment generates, transmits, and distributes electricity to approximately 403,000 retail electric customers, including residential, commercial, industrial, and public sector customers in southeastern Arizona. It also sells electricity to other utilities and power marketing entities. As of December 31, 2010, this segment owned or leased 2,245 MW of net generating capacity, as well as owned or participated in electric transmission and distribution system consisting of 512 circuit-miles of 500-kV lines; 1,087 circuit-miles of 345-kV lines; 379 circuit-miles of 138-kV lines; 478 circuit-miles of 46-kV lines; and 2,621 circuit-miles of lower voltage primary lines. TEP segment generates electricity from coal, gas, oil, and solar sources. The company?s UNS Gas segment distributes gas to approximately 146,500 retail customers in Mohave, Yavapai, Coconino, and Navajo c ounties in northern Arizona, as well as Santa Cruz County in southeastern Arizona. As of December 31, 2010, this segment?s transmission and distribution system consisted of approximately 30 miles of steel transmission mains, 4,211 miles of steel and plastic distribution piping, and 136,439 customer service lines. The company?s UNS Electric segment transmits and distributes electricity to approximately 91,000 retail customers consisting of residential, commercial, and industrial customers in Mohave and Santa Cruz counties. As of December 31, 2010, UNS Electric?s transmission and distribution system consisted of approximately 56 circuit-miles of 115-kV transmission lines, 271 circuit-miles of 69-kV transmission lines, and 3,599 circuit-miles of underground and overhead distribution lines. This segment also owns the 65 MW Valencia plant, as well as 39 substations having an installed capacity of 1,788,050 kilovolt amperes. The company was founded in 1902 and is based in Tucson, Arizona.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By David Dittman]

    And with its December 2013 offer to buy Arizona-based UNS Energy Corp (NYSE: UNS) for $2.5 billion in cash St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador-based Fortis Inc (TSX: FTS, OTC: FRTSF), making its second foray in the US in two years, signaled its interest in regulated utility assets in states with favorable population and economic trends as a means of driving its growth going forward.

  • [By Jake L'Ecuyer]

    Equities Trading UP
    UNS Energy (NYSE: UNS) shot up 27.75 percent to $58.56 after the company agreed to be acquired by Fortis Utility Group for $60.25 per share in cash.

  • [By Lauren Pollock]

    Fortis Inc.(FTS.T) agreed to acquire UNS Energy Corp.(UNS) for about $2.5 billion, as the Canadian utility moves to boost exposure within the U.S. by acquiring a firm with a presence in the U.S. southwest. Shares of UNS jumped 30% to $59.02 premarket.

Top 10 Heal Care Stocks To Watch Right Now: Prominex Resource Corp(PXR.V)

Prominex Resource Corp. engages in the acquisition and exploration of mineral properties in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The company explores for base metals and gold. Its principal properties include the Tulks Hill Project and Reid Lot 50, Lake Bond project, located in central Newfoundland. The company was formerly known as Sino Pacific Development, Ltd. and changed its name to Prominex Resource Corp. in October 2005. Prominex Resource Corp. was founded in 1980 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.

Top 10 Heal Care Stocks To Watch Right Now: Danaher Corp (DHR)

Danaher Corporation (Danaher) designs, manufactures and markets professional, medical, industrial and commercial products and services. The Company�� research and development, manufacturing, sales, distribution, service and administrative facilities are located in more than 50 countries. It operates in five segments: Test & Measurement; Environmental; Life Sciences & Diagnostics; Dental; and Industrial Technologies. In April 2011, the Company sold its Pacific Scientific Aerospace (PSA) business. On June 30, 2011, the Company acquired Beckman Coulter, Inc. (Beckman Coulter). In January 2012, the Company sold its Accu-Sort businesses. In February 2012, the Company sold its Kollmorgen Electro-Optical (KEO) business. During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company acquired EskoArtwork, On February 6, 2012, L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc. acquired Kollmorgen Electro-Optical unit of the Company. In January 2013, the Company acquired Navman Wireless.

TEST & MEASUREMENT

The Company�� Test & Measurement segment is a provider of electronic measurement instruments and monitoring, management and optimization tools for communications and enterprise networks and related services. The segment�� products are used in the design, development, manufacture, installation, deployment and operation of electronics equipment and communications networks and services. Customers for these products and services include manufacturers of electronic instruments; service, installation and maintenance professionals; manufacturers who design, develop, manufacture and install network equipment, and service providers who implement, maintain and manage communications networks and services.

The Company�� business designs, manufactures, and markets a variety of compact professional test tools, thermal imaging and calibration equipment for electrical, industrial, electronic and calibration applications. These test products measure voltage, current, resistance, power quality, frequency, p! ressure, temperature and air quality. Typical users of these products include electrical engineers, electricians, electronic technicians, medical technicians, and industrial maintenance professionals. Its business also offers general purpose test products and video test, measurement and monitoring products used in electronic design, manufacturing and advanced technology development. The business��general purpose test products, including oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, signal sources and spectrum analyzers, are used to capture, display and analyze streams of electrical data. The Company sells these products into a variety of industries with electronic content, including the communications, computer, consumer electronics, education, military/aerospace and semiconductor industries.

Typical users include research and development engineers who use its general purpose test products to design, de-bug, monitor and validate the function and performance of electronic components, subassemblies and end-products. Its video test products include waveform monitors, video signal generators, compressed digital video test products and other test and measurement equipment used to enhance a viewer�� video experience. Typical users of these products include video equipment manufacturers, content developers and traditional television broadcasters. Products in this business are marketed under the FLUKE, TEKTRONIX, KEITHLEY, RAYTEK, FLUKE BIOMEDICAL, AMPROBE and MAXTEK brands.

The communications businesses offer network management solutions, handheld and fixed diagnostic equipment and security solutions, as well as related installation and maintenance services, for a range of private network applications, as well fixed and mobile communications systems. Typical users of the business��products include network engineers, installers, operators, and technicians. Its network management tools help network operators continuously manage network performance and optimize the utilization, uptime and servi! ce qualit! y of the network. Products in this business are marketed under the TEKTRONIX, FLUKE NETWORKS, ARBOR, VISUAL NETWORKS and AIRMAGNET brands.

Matco Tools manufactures and distributes professional tools, toolboxes and automotive equipment through independent mobile distributors, who sell primarily to professional mechanics under the MATCO brand. Hennessy Industries is a North American full-line wheel service equipment manufacturer, providing brake lathes, vehicle lifts, tire changers, wheel balancers, and wheel weights under the AMMCO, BADA and COATS brands. Typical users of these products are automotive tire and repair shops. Sales are generally made through its direct sales personnel, independent distributors, retailers, and original equipment manufacturers.

ENVIRONMENTAL

The Company�� Environmental segment provides products that help protect its water supply and air quality and serves two primary markets: water quality and retail/commercial petroleum. Danaher�� water quality business is engaged in water quality analysis and treatment, providing instrumentation and disinfection systems to help analyze and manage the quality of ultra pure, potable and waste water in residential, commercial, industrial and natural resource applications. Its water quality operations design, manufacture and market a range of analytical instruments, related consumables, and associated services that detect and measure chemical, physical, and microbiological parameters in ultra pure, potable and waste water as well as groundwater and ocean bodies; ultraviolet disinfection systems, which disinfect billions of gallons of municipal, industrial and consumer water every day in more than 35 countries, and industrial water treatment solutions, including chemical treatment solutions intended to address corrosion, scaling and biological growth problems in boiler, cooling water and industrial waste water applications, as well as associated analytical services. Typical users of its analytical in! struments! , ultraviolet disinfection systems, industrial water treatment solutions and related consumables and services include professionals in municipal drinking water and waste water treatment plants and industrial process water and waste water treatment facilities, third-party testing laboratories and environmental field operations. Its water quality business provides products under a variety of well-known brands, including HACH, HACH/LANGE, TROJAN TECHNOLOGIES and CHEMTREAT. Manufacturing facilities are located in North America, Europe, and Asia.

The Company has served the retail/commercial petroleum market through its Veeder-Root business. Gilbarco Veeder-Root is a provider of products and services for the retail/commercial petroleum market, including environmental monitoring and leak detection systems; vapor recovery equipment; fuel dispensers; point-of-sale and secure electronic payment technologies for retail petroleum stations; submersible turbine pumps, and remote monitoring and outsourced fuel management services, including compliance services, fuel system maintenance, and inventory planning and supply chain support. Typical users of these products include independent and Company-owned retail petroleum stations, high-volume retailers, convenience stores, and commercial vehicle fleets. The Company markets its retail/commercial petroleum products under a variety of brands, including GILBARCO, VEEDER-ROOT, and GILBARCO AUTOTANK. Manufacturing facilities are located in North America, Europe, Asia and Latin America. Sales are generally made through independent distributors and its direct sales personnel.

LIFE SCIENCES & DIAGNOSTICS

The Company�� diagnostics businesses offer a range of analytical instruments, reagents, consumables, software and services that hospitals, physician�� offices, reference laboratories and other critical care settings use to diagnose disease and make treatment decisions. Its life sciences businesses offer a range of research and clinical ! tools tha! t are used by scientists to study cells and cell components to gain a better understanding of complex biological matters. Pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, universities, medical schools and research institutions use these tools to study the causes of disease, identify new therapies and test new drugs and vaccines. The diagnostics business consists of its core lab, acute care and pathology diagnostics businesses.

The Company�� core lab diagnostics business is a manufacturer and marketer of biomedical testing instrument systems, tests and supplies that are used to evaluate and analyze samples made up of body fluids, cells and other substances. The information generated is used to diagnose disease, monitor and guide treatment and therapy, assist in managing chronic disease and assess patient status in the hospital, outpatient and physician office settings. Its chemistry systems use electrochemical detection and chemical reactions with patient samples to detect and quantify substances of diagnostic interest in blood and other body fluids. Commonly performed tests include glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, electrolytes, proteins and enzymes.

The Company�� immunoassay systems also detect and quantify chemical substances of diagnostic interest in body fluids, particularly in circumstances where more specialized diagnosis is required. Commonly performed immunoassay tests assess thyroid function, screen and monitor for cancer and cardiac risk and provide important information in fertility and reproductive testing. Its cellular analysis business includes hematology, flow cytometry and coagulation products. The business��hematology systems use principles of physics, optics, electronics and chemistry to separate cells of diagnostic interest and then quantify and characterize them, allowing clinicians to study formed elements in blood (such as red and white blood cells and platelets). The business also distributes coagulation products, which rely on clotting, chromogenic! and immu! nologic technologies to provide the detailed information that clinicians require to diagnose bleeding and clotting disorders and to monitor anticoagulant therapy. It also offer systems and workflow solutions that allow laboratories to automate a number of steps from the pre-analytical through post-analytical stages including sample barcoding/information tracking, centrifugation, aliquotting, storage and conveyance. These systems along with the analyzers above are controlled through laboratory level software that enables laboratory managers to monitor samples, results and lab efficiency.

The Company�� acute care diagnostics business is a provider of instruments and related consumables and services that are used in both laboratory and point-of-care environments to rapidly measure critical parameters, including blood gases, electrolytes, metabolites and cardiac markers. Typical users of these products include hospital central laboratories, intensive care units, hospital operating rooms and hospital emergency rooms. Its pathology diagnostics business is engaged in the anatomical pathology market, offering a suite of instrumentation and related consumables used across the entire workflow of a pathology laboratory. Its pathology diagnostics products include tissue embedding, processing and slicing (microtomes) instruments and related reagents and consumables; chemical and immuno-staining instruments, reagents, antibodies and consumables; slide coverslipping and slide/cassette marking instruments, and imaging instrumentation including slide scanners, microscopes, cameras and associated software. Typical users of these products include pathologists, lab managers and researchers. Its diagnostics business generally markets its products under the BECKMAN COULTER, LEICA BIOSYSTEMS, RADIOMETER and SURGIPATH brands. Manufacturing facilities are located in North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. The businesses sell to customers primarily through direct sales personnel and to a lesser extent through ! independe! nt distributors.

The Company�� microscopy business is a provider of professional microscopes designed to manipulate, preserve and capture images of, and enhance the user�� visualization of, microscopic structures. Its microscopy products include laser scanning (confocal) microscopes; compound microscopes and related equipment; surgical and other stereo microscopes; specimen preparation products for electron microscopy; and digital image capture and manipulation equipment. The Company also offers workflow instruments and consumables that help researchers analyze genomic, protein and cellular information. Key product areas include sample preparation equipment, such as centrifugation and capillary electrophoresis instrumentation and consumables; liquid handling automation instruments and associated consumables; flow cytometry instrumentation and associated antibodies and reagents; and particle characterization instrumentation. The business also offers genome profiling services. Researchers use the business��products to study biological function in the pursuit of basic research, therapeutic and diagnostic development. Typical users of these products include pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, universities, medical schools and research institutions and in some cases industrial manufacturers.

The Company�� mass spectrometry business is a provider of high-end mass spectrometers. Mass spectrometry is a technique for identifying, analyzing and quantifying elements, chemical compounds and biological molecules, individually or in complex mixtures. Its products utilize various combinations of quadrupole, time-of-flight and ion trap technologies, and are typically used in conjunction with a third party liquid chromatography instrument. Its mass spectrometer systems are used in numerous applications, such as drug discovery and clinical development of therapeutics as well as in basic research, clinical testing, food and beverage quality testing and environmental testing. To s! upport it! s installations around the world, it provides implementation, validation, training, maintenance and support from its global services network. Typical users of its mass spectrometry products include molecular biologists, bioanalytical chemists, toxicologists, and forensic scientists, as well as quality assurance and quality control technicians. It also provides high-performance bioanalytical measurement systems, including microplate readers, automated cellular screening products and associated reagents, and imaging software. Typical users of these products include biologists and chemists engaged in research and drug discovery, who use these products to determine electrical or chemical activity in cell samples. Its life sciences business generally markets its products under the LEICA MICROSYSTEMS, BECKMAN COULTER, AB SCIEX and MOLECULAR DEVICES brands. Manufacturing facilities are located in Europe, Australia, Asia and North America.

DENTAL

The Company�� Dental segment is a provider of a range of consumables, equipment and services for the dental market, which encompasses the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease and ailments of the teeth, gums and supporting bone. Its dental businesses develop, manufacture and market dental consumables and dental equipment orthodontic bracket systems and lab products; impression, bonding and restorative materials; endodontic systems and related consumables; infection prevention products, and diamond and carbide rotary instruments. Typical customers and users of these products include general dentists, dental specialists, dental hygienists, dental laboratories and other oral health professionals, as well as educational, medical and governmental entities. Its dental products are marketed primarily under the KAVO, GENDEX, iCAT, INSTRUMENTARIUM DENTAL, SOREDEX, PELTON & CRANE, DEXIS, ORMCO, KERR, PENTRON, SYBRON ENDO and TOTAL CARE brands.

INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES

The Company�� Industrial Technologies segment ! designs a! nd manufactures components and systems that are typically incorporated by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and systems integrators for sale into a diverse set of applications and end-markets. The businesses in this segment also provide service and support, including helping customers with integration and installation and providing services to ensure performance and up-time. Danaher�� product identification business is a global provider of equipment and consumables for variable printing, marking and coding on a variety of consumer and industrial products. Its businesses design, manufacture, and market a variety of equipment used to print bar codes, date codes, lot codes, and other information on primary and secondary packaging. Its equipment can apply alphanumeric codes, logos and graphics to a range of surfaces at a variety of line speeds, angles and locations on a product or package.

EskoArtwork, the business is a service solutions provider for the digital packaging design and production market. Typical users of the product identification business��products include food and beverage manufacturers, pharmaceutical manufacturers, retailers and commercial printing and mailing operations. Its product identification products are primarily marketed under the VIDEOJET, LINX, FOBA and ESKOARTWORK brands. Manufacturing facilities are located in North America, Europe, Latin America, and Asia. The Company is a provider of electromechanical motion control solutions for the industrial automation and packaging markets. Its businesses provide a range of products including standard and custom motors; drives; controls, and mechanical components, such as ball screws, linear bearings, clutches/brakes, and linear actuators.

The products are sold in various precision motion markets, such as the markets for packaging equipment, medical equipment, robotics, circuit board assembly equipment, elevators and electric vehicles (such as lift trucks). Its motion products are marketed under a vari! ety of br! ands, including KOLLMORGEN, THOMSON, DOVER and PORTESCAP. Manufacturing facilities are located in North America, Europe, Latin America, and Asia. Its sensors and controls products include instruments that monitor, sense and control discrete manufacturing variables such as temperature, position, quantity, level, flow and time. Users of these products span a wide variety of manufacturing markets. Certain businesses included in this group also make and sell instruments, controls and monitoring systems used by the electric utility industry to monitor their transmission and distribution systems, as well as automatic identification solutions. The products are marketed under a variety of brands, including DYNAPAR, HENGSTLER, IRIS POWER, WEST, GEMS SENSORS, SETRA and QUALITROL. Sales are generally made through our direct sales personnel and independent distributors.

The Company�� defense business designs, manufactures, and markets energetic material systems. Typical users of these products include defense systems integrators and prime contractors. defense products are typically marketed under the PACIFIC SCIENTIFIC ENERGETIC MATERIALS COMPANY brand. The KEO business designs, develops, manufactures and integrates highly engineered, stabilized electro-optical/ISR systems that integrate into submarines, surface ships and ground vehicles. Jacobs Vehicle Systems (JVS) is a supplier of supplemental braking systems for commercial vehicles, selling JAKE BRAKE brand engine retarders for class 6 through 8 vehicles and bleeder and exhaust brakes for class 2 through 7 vehicles. Customers are primarily manufacturers of class 2 through class 8 vehicles, and sales are typically made through its direct sales personnel. Manufacturing facilities of its sensors and controls, defense and JVS businesses are located in North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Ben Levisohn]

    Intuitive Surgical has fallen 4.4% to $381.39 today, but doesn’t seem to be having much of an impact on comparable companies. Hologic (HOLX) has ticked up 0.2% to $22.06, Danaher (DHR) has fallen -.4% to $72.05 and Varian Medical Systems (VAR) has gained 0.2% to $78.70.

  • [By Teresa Rivas]

    Danaher (DHR) and Waters Corporation (WAT) were mirror images of one another, with the former rising 1.3% at recent check and the latter falling by 1.3%.

    The disparate moves come as Goldman Sachs weighed in on both names, upgrading Danaher to Buy and downgrading Waters to Neutral.

    Analyst Isaac Ro and his team write that while Danaher has outperformed since the summer, they are confident it can continue to beat the broader market, given accelerating growth the potential for EPS accretion, based on the company�� possible capital allocation strategies.

    They see three main catalysts that could spur the stock next year:

    (1) Tailwinds in Healthcare are underestimated by the Street: We anticipate continued share gains in AB SCIEX and Beckman, buttressed by a new product cycle (DxN) in 2014/2015. In Dental, we are encouraged by 3Q commentary among peers along with improving consumer spending patterns. We look for updates at the Greater NY Dental Meeting (December 1-4).

    (2) Positive set-up in Industrial segments: We believe a positive 2014 outlook from Multi-Industry peers combined with easing 2014 comps in IT/T&M/Environmental present a favorable set-up.

    (3) Capital deployment likely near term: We believe a sizable transaction is a near-term possibility, as 76% of capital deployed for acquisitions over $500mn since 2000 has taken place when net debt/EBITDA was below 0.75x, and DHR should exit 2013 at 0.2x. Our M&A and share repurchase scenario analyses yield 2014E EPS accretion of 4-12%. We look for an update on capital deployment at the Investor Meeting on December 12.

    Ro and his team have an $88 price target on the stock.

    By contrast, they downgraded Waters, writing that their previous bullish thesis was based on improved demand for the company�� quality assurance and quality control products, recovery of market share through new product cycles and potential for M&A activity. However, while they s

  • [By David Sterman]

     

    3. Danaher (NYSE: DHR) This company is exposed to a rise in capital spending in a broad variety of industries. Its products include test, measurement and monitoring equipment; water disinfection systems; life sciences lab equipment; and sensor and control equipment used in a variety of manufacturing applications.

    A series of acquisitions have helped sales nearly double to a recent $18 billion since 2006, although organic growth has been much more muted. The deal spree means that "Danaher

Top 10 Heal Care Stocks To Watch Right Now: Telus Corporation Com Npv (T.TO)

TELUS Corporation provides telecommunications products and services primarily in Canada. Its telecommunications products and services include wireless, data, Internet protocol (IP), voice, and television. The company operates through two segments, Wireless and Wireline. The Wireless segment provides digital personal communications, equipment sales, and wireless Internet services. The Wireline segment offers voice local and voice long distance services; data services, which include television, and managed and legacy data services, as well as Internet, enhanced data, and hosting services; and other telecommunications services. As of December 4, 2012, it has 13 million customer connections, including 7.6 million wireless subscribers, 3.5 million wireline network access lines, 1.3 million Internet subscribers, and 635,000 TELUS TV customers. TELUS Corporation was founded in 1993 and is based in Burnaby, Canada.

Top 10 Heal Care Stocks To Watch Right Now: Enerplus Corporation (ERF)

Enerplus Corporation, together with subsidiaries, engages in the exploration and development of crude oil and natural gas in United States and Canada. As of December 31, 2011, it had 322 MMBOE of proved plus probable reserves. The company also held a portfolio of approximately 380,000 net acres of land comprised of 75,000 net acres at Fort Berthold targeting the Bakken and Three Forks; 65,000 net acres in the Duvernay; 33,000 net acres in the Montney; 67,000 net acres in the Stacked Mannville; 30,000 net acres in the Cardium and other emerging oil plays in Canada; and 110,000 net acres in the Marcellus. In addition, it had 120 gross producing wells. The company was founded in 1986 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Rich Duprey]

    Canadian oil and gas producer Enerplus (NYSE: ERF  ) announced today its August monthly dividend of $0.09 Canadian per share, which is equivalent to $0.09 U.S. per share at an exchange rate of 0.9674.

  • [By Dan Caplinger]

    Tomorrow, Enerplus (NYSE: ERF  ) will release its latest quarterly results. The key to making smart investment decisions on stocks reporting earnings is to anticipate how they'll do before they announce results, leaving you fully prepared to respond quickly to whatever inevitable surprises arise. That way, you'll be less likely to make an uninformed knee-jerk reaction to news that turns out to be exactly the wrong move.

  • [By Rich Duprey]

    Canadian oil and gas producer�Enerplus� (NYSE: ERF  ) �announced yesterday�its June monthly dividend of $0.09 Canadian per share, which is equivalent to $0.09 U.S. per share at an exchange rate of 0.9699.

  • [By Dan Caplinger]

    The biggest worry that some investors have about Pengrowth is that its dividend is large compared to its earnings. Similar issues forced Penn West Petroleum (NYSE: PWE  ) , also a former Canroy, to cut its dividend a couple months ago. Although extraordinary measures have helped Pengrowth and Enerplus (NYSE: ERF  ) sustain payouts at levels that were last reduced in the middle of 2012, both companies could eventually see further pressure on their payouts in future.

Top 10 Heal Care Stocks To Watch Right Now: Meru Networks Inc.(MERU)

Meru Networks, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides wireless local area network (LAN) solutions in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. It offers a virtualized wireless LAN solution based on its System Director Operating System, which runs on its controllers and access points to enable enterprises to deliver business-critical applications over wireless networks. The company?s System Director Operating System provides centralized coordination and control of various access points on the network; controllers synchronize access points to optimize the user experience and manage traffic on the network; and Wi-Fi certified access points to provide network connectivity for wireless devices. It also offers Meru Networks E(z)RF application suite comprising E(z)RF Network Manager, E(z)RF Service Assurance Manager, E(z)RF Location Manager, E(z)RF OnTheGo, Spectrum Manager, and wired and wireless management solutions, which enable enterprises to configure, monitor, troubleshoot, secure, and operate virtualized wireless LAN solution. In addition, the company provides Identity Manager that simplifies enterprise network access and identity management; Wireless Intrusion Prevention System to recognize and mitigate threats; Compliance Manager to reduce the risk of security breach by protecting customer and employee personal information by extending security to the wireless network; AirFirewall to intercept and block unwanted communications as they transmit over the air, stopping them before they reach the network; and Security Gateway SG1000 to meet the demands of the Federal Information Processing Standard, 140-2 Level 3 security required by federal government agencies and other security-conscious organizations. It serves the education, healthcare, hospitality, manufacturing, retail, technology, finance, government, telecom, transportation, and utility markets. The company was founded in 2002 and is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Eric Volkman]

    Meru Networks (NASDAQ: MERU  ) isn't wasting any time in finding a successor to one of its top executives. The company announced Monday it had appointed Brian McDonald to be its new CFO to replace the resigning Brett White. McDonald took up his position today, although White will remain at the firm through July 1 in order "to effect a smooth transition."

Top 10 Heal Care Stocks To Watch Right Now: GrafTech International Ltd (GTI)

GrafTech International Ltd (GTI) incorporated on April 26, 2010, is a manufacturer of graphite electrodes, products essential to the production of electric arc furnace (EAF) steel and various other ferrous and nonferrous metals. The Company also produces needle coke products, which are the primary raw material needed in the manufacture of graphite electrodes. The Company also manufactures carbon, graphite, and semi-graphite refractory products, which protect the walls of blast furnaces and submerged arc furnaces. The Company is manufactures and provides graphite and carbon materials used in the transportation, solar and oil and gas exploration industries. The Company's operating segments include Industrial Materials, which include graphite electrodes, refractory products and needle coke products, and Engineered Solutions, which includes advanced electronics technologies, advanced graphite materials, advanced composite materials, and advanced materials. The Company has seven product categories: graphite electrodes, refractory products, needle coke products, advanced graphite materials, advanced composite materials, advanced electronics technologies (formerly referred to as natural graphite products), and advanced materials.

Industrial Materials.

The Company's Industrial Materials segment manufactures and delivers graphite electrodes, refractory products and needle coke products. Approximately 70% of the Company's graphite electrodes sold is consumed in the EAF steel melting process. The remaining approximately 30% of the Company's graphite electrodes sold is primarily used in various other ferrous and non-ferrous melting applications, including steel refining ladle furnace operations for both EAF and basic oxygen furnace steel production, fused materials, chemical processing, and alloy metals. The Company is a producer of petroleum needle coke. Needle coke is the raw material in the manufacture of the graphite electrodes used in melting operations. The Company is also a leadi! ng global supplier of carbon, semi-graphitic and graphite refractory hearth linings for blast and submerged arc furnaces used to produce iron and ferro alloys.

The Company competes with SGL Carbon A.G. Tokai Carbon Co., Ltd. Showa Denko Carbon K.K. Graphite India Limited, HEG Limited, SEC Corporation Limited, Nippon Carbon Co., Ltd., Energoprom Group, Beijing FangDa Carbon Tech Co. Ltd., Sinosteel Corporation, Phillips 66, Petrocokes Japan Limited , Mitsubishi Chemical Company, Baosteel Group , C-Chem Co., Ltd. Indian Oil Company Limited, Hongte Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. JX Holdings Inc., Petrochina International Jinzhou Co., Ltd. and Sinosteel Anshan Research Institute of Thermo-Energy Co. Ltd.

Engineered Solutions

The Engineered Solutions segment includes advanced electronics technologies, advanced graphite materials, advanced composite materials and advanced materials. Advanced electronics technology products consist of electronic thermal management solutions, fuel cell components, and sealing materials. These products are used in transportation, alternative energy, metallurgical, chemical, oil and gas exploration and various other industries. Advanced composite materials are engineered carbon products that are woven into various shapes to primarily support the aerospace and defense industries. Advanced materials use carbon and graphite powders as components or additives in a variety of industries, including metallurgical processing, battery and fuel cell components, and polymer additives.

SGL Carbon A.G., Mersen S.A., Tokai Carbon Co., Ltd., Toyo Tanso Co., Ltd., SEC Carbon Ltd, Nippon Carbon Co. Ltd, Graphite India Ltd. (India) , Panasonic Corporation , and Kaneka Corporation .

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Eric Volkman]

    Rhyu joins the company from IAC's (NASDAQ: IACI  ) Match.com, where he has filled the roles of both CFO and chief administrative officer since 2011. Previous to that, he was a senior vice president at News Corp's (NASDAQ: FOXA  ) Dow Jones & Company. He also served as corporate controller for both Sirius XM Radio and GrafTech International (NYSE: GTI  ) .

Top 10 Heal Care Stocks To Watch Right Now: Nucor Corporation(NUE)

Nucor Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the manufacture and sale of steel and steel products in North America and internationally. It operates through three segments: Steel Mills, Steel Products, and Raw Materials. The Steel Mills segment produces hot and cold-rolled sheet steel; plate steel; structural steel comprising wide-flange beams, beam blanks, and sheet piling; and bar steel, such as blooms, billets, concrete reinforcing bar, merchant bar, and special bar quality products. The Steel Products segment offers steel joists and joist girders, steel deck, fabricated concrete reinforcing steel, cold finished steel, steel fasteners, metal building systems, light gauge steel framing, steel grating and expanded metal, and wire and wire mesh products. The Raw Materials segment produces direct reduced iron (DRI); brokers ferrous and nonferrous metals, pig iron, hot briquetted iron, and DRI; supplies ferro-alloys; and processes ferrous and nonferrous scrap metal products. The company?s operations also include various international trading companies that buy and sell steel and steel products. It sells its hot-rolled steel and cold-rolled steel to steel service centers, fabricators, and manufacturers; steel joists and joist girders, and steel deck to general contractors and fabricators; and cold finished steel and steel fasteners to distributors and manufacturers. The company?s products are used by contractors in constructing highways, bridges, reservoirs, utilities, hospitals, schools, airports, stadiums, and high-rise buildings. Nucor Corporation was founded in 1940 and is based in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Dividend]

    Nucor (NUE) has a market capitalization of $14.83 billion. The company employs 22,200 people, generates revenue of $19.429 billion and has a net income of $593.13 million. Nucor�� earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) amounts to $1.665 billion. The EBITDA margin is 8.57 percent (the operating margin is 4.39 percent and the net profit margin 3.05 percent).

Saturday, January 25, 2014

U.S. stocks slide; Dow sheds 318 points

NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- U.S. stocks finished the week with deep losses as investors fled equities and emerging-markets currencies, while company earnings offered them little respite. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) dropped 318.24 points, or 2%, to 15,879.11, its worst one-day point drop since June 20. The blue-chip index shed 3.5% over the week, recording its worst weekly decline since May 2012. The S&P 500 (SPX) finished the day below the 1,800 level for the first time since Dec. 17, after falling 38.17 points, or 2.1%, to 1,790.29. The benchmark index lost 2.6% over the week. The Nasdaq Composite (COMP) lost 90.70 points, or 2.2%, to 4,128.17, and shed 1.7% over the week. The tech-heavy index reversed year-to-date gains and is now 1.2% lower since the start of the year.

Top 5 Blue Chip Stocks To Own Right Now

Read the full story:
U.S. stocks tumble; Dow drops 318 points

Friday, January 24, 2014

Best Integrated Utility Stocks To Buy Right Now

Banks have come to rely on fees for a big part of their overall income. But in their efforts to boost profits, big banks have also come under fire for their fee-raising practices.

In the following video, Fool contributor Dan Caplinger takes a look at a recent report from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau detailing some of the most troubling practices governing checking-account overdraft fees. In particular, Dan discusses one controversial practice that some banks have finally started to change in their customers' favor. Dan concludes with guidance on how you can find out what your bank does with its fee practices and how you can cut the financial hit you take on your accounts.

Wells Fargo's dedication to solid, conservative banking helped it vastly outperform its peers during the financial meltdown. Today, Wells is the same great bank as ever, but with its stock trading at a premium to the rest of the industry, is there still room to buy, or is it time to cash in your gains? To help figure out whether Wells Fargo is a buy today, download our premium research report from one of The Motley Fool's top banking analysts. Click here now for instant access to this in-depth take on Wells Fargo.

Best Integrated Utility Stocks To Buy Right Now: Primo Water Corporation(PRMW)

Primo Water Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides three- and five-gallon purified bottled water, self-serve filtered drinking water, water dispensers, and carbonating beverage appliances in the United States and Canada. The company?s Primo Water segment sells multi-gallon purified bottled water and self-serve filtered drinking water vending service through retailers in the United States and Canada. It offers its services through point of purchase display racks or self-serve filtered water vending displays, and recycling centers. Its Primo Dispensers segment sells water dispensers that are designed to dispense Primo and other dispenser-compatible bottled water. This segment engages in dispensers sales primarily through retailers. The company also offers home beverage appliances, flavor concentrates, carbon dioxide cylinders, and accessories used with the appliances to make various cold beverages. As of December 31, 2011, its exchange and refill services wer e offered in each of the contiguous United States and in Canada at approximately 23,600 combined retail locations. Primo Water Corporation was founded in 2004 and is headquartered in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Roberto Pedone]

    Primo Water (PRMW) is a provider of multi-gallon purified bottled water, self-serve filtered drinking water, water dispensers and carbonating beverage appliances sold through major retailers in the U.S. and Canada. This stock closed up 9.6% to $2.16 in Thursday's trading session.

    Thursday's Range: $1.97-$2.20

    52-Week Range: $0.69-$2.20

    Thursday's Volume: 329,000

    Three-Month Average Volume: 145,397

    From a technical perspective, PRMW ripped higher here right above some near-term support at $1.85 with heavy upside volume. This stock broke out above some near-term overhead resistance at $2.14 and into new 52-week-high territory, which is bullish technical price action.

    Traders should now look for long-biased trades in PRMW as long as it's trending Thursday's low of $1.97 and then once it sustains a move or close above its new 52-week high at $2.20 and above some past resistance at $2.28 with volume that hits near or above 145,397 shares. If we get that move soon, then PRMW will set up to enter new 52-week-high territory, which is bullish price action. Some possible upside targets off that move are its next major overhead resistance levels at $3 to $3.11.

  • [By John Udovich]

    Small cap Sodastream International Ltd (NASDAQ: SODA), an Israeli based developer, manufacturer and marketer of�home beverage carbonation systems, has attracted its share of hype over both its products and its stock, but could other small cap water stocks like Primo Water Corporation (NASDAQ: PRMW), Puresafe Water Systems Inc (OTCMKTS: PSWS) and Alkaline Water Company Inc (OTCBB: WTER) attract a similar following? After all, Sodastream International has managed to create a significant amount of buzz from consumers, investors and even short sellers because it�� the�world's largest manufacturer, distributor and marketer of home carbonation systems as its�brands are sold in over 60,000 retail stores in 45 countries. Sodastream International is also up 45.7% since the start of the year, up 70.2% over the past year and up 99.3% since November 2010, but shares did spike up to the $75 level in the middle of 2011 and now trade at the $63 level.

  • [By James E. Brumley]

    The initial thought may be that it's a bit of an awkward sales venue. The more one thinks about it - and digs - the more this relationship makes sense. And if you did really deep into the details (into a philosophical level), a "whole is greater than the sum of its parts" scenario surfaces. What's this not-really-unusual relationship? The Alkaline Water Company Inc. (OTCBB:WTER) is now selling its Alkaline88 brand of water through Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN). Take that Primo Water Corporation (NASDAQ:PRMW)!

  • [By John Udovich]

    Small cap water stocks Primo Water Corporation (NASDAQ: PRMW), Arrowhead Water Products Ltd. (CVE: AWA) and Alkaline Water Company Inc (OTCBB: WTER) might be the last place you expect to see much action, but these stocks have been boiling lately for investors���either with news or they have been producing profits:

Best Integrated Utility Stocks To Buy Right Now: Bluefly Inc.(BFLY)

Bluefly, Inc. operates as an Internet retailer. The company, through its e-commerce Web site, Bluefly.com, sells approximately 350 brands of men?s and women?s designer apparel, and accessories at discount prices in the United States. It also focuses on selling fashionable prescription eyewear through an e-commerce Web site. The company was formerly known as Pivot Rules Inc. and changed its name to Bluefly, Inc. in October 1998. Bluefly, Inc. was founded in 1991 and is based in New York, New York.

Top Warren Buffett Companies To Watch In Right Now: Banca Milano(PMII.MI)

Banca Popolare di Milano Societa Cooperativa a r.l. provides banking and financial services primarily in Italy, Europe, the United States, and Asia. The company offers current and savings accounts, mortgage and personal loans, credit cards, finance leases, and factoring services. It also provides commercial, corporate, and investment banking services; treasury services; financial advisory services; brokerage services; bancassurance products; collective and individual portfolio management services; and open and close-ended mutual funds, and hedge funds. As of 30 June 2011, the company operated a network of 770 retail branches, 4 corporate branches, 10 SME units, and 17 private banking centers, as well as 3 direct branches and 28 financial shops. It also offers telephone and Internet banking services. The company was founded in 1865 and is headquartered in Milan, Italy.

Best Integrated Utility Stocks To Buy Right Now: African Copper Corp (ACCS)

African Copper Corporation, formerly New York Tutor Company, incorporated on April 6, 2011, is an exploration-stage company. The Company is engaged in the business of exploration of precious metals with a focus on the exploration and development of copper and other precious metals deposits in northwestern Botswana, Africa. On April 4, 2013 the Company completed the acquisition of the Property from Guerrero Exploration, Inc.

The Company�� mineral interests consist of exploration stage properties referred to as the Property. As of April 4, 2013, the Company had not generated revenues from its operations. The Company plans to conduct exploration activities on its mineral properties, which exploration may include the completion of feasibility studies necessary to evaluate whether a commercial mineable mineral exists on any of its properties.

Best Integrated Utility Stocks To Buy Right Now: Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc. (HII)

Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. designs, builds, overhauls, and repairs ships primarily for the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard. It offers nuclear-powered ships, such as aircraft carriers and submarines; and non-nuclear ships, including surface combatants, expeditionary warfare/amphibious assault, coastal defense surface ships, and national security cutters, as well as engages in the refueling and overhaul, and inactivation of nuclear-powered ships. The company also operates as a full-service systems provider for the design, engineering, construction, and life cycle support of major programs for surface ships; and a provider of fleet support and maintenance services for the U.S. Navy. In addition, it provides a range of support services, including fabrication, construction, equipment, and technical services, as well as product sales to commercial nuclear power plants, fossil power plants, and other industrial facilities, as well as government customers. The company is based in Newport News, Virginia.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Rich Smith]

    It's been barely a month since shipbuilder Huntington Ingalls Industries (NYSE: HII  ) landed its $487 million contract to build the sixth National Security Cutter (NSC), the Munro, for the U.S. Coast Guard -- and already it's time to start work on the seventh.

Best Integrated Utility Stocks To Buy Right Now: Clean Wind Energy Tower Inc (CWET.PK)

Clean Wind Energy Tower, Inc. (Clean Wind), incorporated on January 22, 1962, focuses on becoming a provider of green energy. As of December 31, 2011, Clean Wind had designed and was preparing to develop, and construct Downdraft Towers that use non-toxic elements to generate electricity and clean water by integrating and synthesizing a range of proven, as well as emerging technologies.

The Downdraft Tower is a hollow cylinder with a water spray system at the top. Pumps deliver water to the top of the Downdraft Tower to spray a fine mist across the entire opening. The water evaporates and cools the hot dry air at the top. The cooled air is denser and heavier than the outside warmer air and falls through the cylinder at speeds up to and in excess of 50 miles per hour (mph), driving the turbines located at the base of the structure. The turbines power generators to produce electricity.

The Company competes with Southern California Edison Company, Pacific Gas & Electric Company, San Diego Gas & Electric Company, Arizona Public Service Company, Florida Power & Light Company, enXco, Inc., PPM Energy, Inc. and UNS.

Best Integrated Utility Stocks To Buy Right Now: QC Holdings Inc.(QCCO)

QC Holdings, Inc. provides various retail consumer financial products and services in the United States. The company offers payday loans that provide cash to the customers in exchange for a promissory note with a maturity of two to three weeks. It also provides financial products and services, such as installment loans, credit services, check cashing services, title loans, money transfers, and money orders. In addition, QC Holdings operates as a credit services organization that arranges a third-party lender to make a loan to the consumer and for providing related services to the consumer, including a guarantee of the consumer?s obligation to the third-party lender. Further, the company sells used vehicles and earns finance charges from the related vehicle financing contracts; and provides reconditioning services on its inventory of vehicles, and repair services for its customers. As of As of December 31, 2010, the company operated 523 short-term lending branches in 24 sta tes; and 5 buy here, pay here lots located in Missouri and Kansas. QC Holdings, Inc. was founded in 1984 and is headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Lisa Levin]

    QC Holdings (NASDAQ: QCCO) shares tumbled 3.68% to reach a new 52-week low of $1.83. QC Holdings shares have dropped 42.60% over the past 52 weeks, while the S&P 500 index has gained 31.67% in the same period.

Best Integrated Utility Stocks To Buy Right Now: icad inc. (ICAD)

iCAD, Inc. provides image analysis and workflow solutions that enable radiologists and other healthcare professionals to identify pathologies and pinpoint cancer earlier. It offers CAD solutions for digital and film-based mammography systems, including SecondLook systems, which analyze data, and automatically identify and mark suspicious regions in the images; and SecondLook Digital, a computer server residing on a customer�s network that receives patient studies from the imaging modality, performs CAD analysis, and sends the CAD results to PACS and/or review workstations. The company also offers image analysis and workflow solutions in MRI imaging, including SpectraLook for breast, VividLook for prostate, and OmniLook for other organs; and VersaVue Enterprise, a review and reporting solution that provides visual and quantitative depictions of the movement of contrast agent through a lesion. In addition, it offers VeraLook, which supports the detection of colonic polyps i n conjunction with CT colonography; The TotalLook MammoAdvantage system, a mammography specific digitizer; and Axxent eBx, which is used for the treatment of early stage breast cancer, endometrial cancer, and skin cancer, as well as for the treatment of other cancers or conditions where radiation therapy is indicated. The company sells its products to hospitals, ambulatory care centers, and free standing radiation oncology facilities. It sells its products directly, as well as through various original equipment manufacturer partners, distributors, and resellers worldwide. The company was founded in 1984 and is headquartered in Nashua, New Hampshire.

Best Integrated Utility Stocks To Buy Right Now: China HGS Real Estate Inc.(HGSH)

China HGS Real Estate Inc., through its subsidiary, Shaanxi Guangsha Investment and Development Group Co., Ltd., engages in the real estate development in the People?s Republic of China. It is involved in the construction and sale of residential apartments, parking lots, and commercial properties. The company develops multi-layer, sub-high-rise, and high-rise apartment buildings, as well as office buildings. China HGS Real Estate Inc. was founded in 1995 and is headquartered in Hanzhong City, the People?s Republic of China.

Best Integrated Utility Stocks To Buy Right Now: JA Solar Holdings Co. Ltd.(JASO)

JA Solar Holdings Co., Ltd., through its subsidiaries, engages in the design, development, manufacture, and sale of photovoltaic solar cells and solar products, which convert sunlight into electricity in the People's Republic of China. The company?s principal products include monocrystalline and multicrystalline solar cells, as well as various solar modules. It also provides silicon wafer and solar cell processing services. The company sells its products primarily under the JA Solar brand name, as well as produces equipment for original equipment manufacturing customers under their brand names. It sells its solar cell and module products primarily to module manufacturers, system integrators, project developers, and distributors in the Germany, Italy, the United States, Hong Kong, Spain, India, the Czech Republic, France, and South Korea. The company has strategic partnerships with various solar power companies, such as BP Solar, Solar-Fabrik, and MEMC/SunEdison. JA Solar Holdings Co., Ltd. was founded in 2005 and is based in Shanghai, the People?s Republic of China.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Travis Hoium]

    What: After a two-day run-up in solar stocks, the party ended quickly, and every stock in the industry is dropping like a rock. Suntech Power (NYSE: STP  ) led the declines by falling 23%, and LDK Solar (NYSE: LDK  ) , Yingli Green Energy (NYSE: YGE  ) , and JA Solar (NASDAQ: JASO  ) all dropped at least 15%.

  • [By Paul Ausick]

    Big earnings movers: Campbell Soup Co. (NYSE: CPB) is down 3.2% at $43.30. Corinthian Colleges Inc. (NASDAQ: COCO) is down 10.3% at $2.34. JA Solar Holdings Co. Ltd. (NASDAQ: JASO) is down 6.9% at $7.40.

Best Integrated Utility Stocks To Buy Right Now: Stanley Furniture Company Inc.(STLY)

Stanley Furniture Company, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, designs, manufactures, and imports wood furniture products for the residential market. It offers a line of adult furniture products comprising dining, bedroom, home office, home entertainment, and accent items under the Stanley Furniture brand name; and children?s furniture product line under the brand name of Young America. The company provides its products under various design categories, including traditional, continental, contemporary, transitional, and cottage designs. Stanley Furniture Company, Inc. sells its furniture products through independent sales representatives to independent furniture stores, interior designers, smaller specialty retailers, regional furniture chains, buying clubs, and e-tailers in the United States. Stanley Furniture Company, Inc. was founded in 1924 and is based in High Point, North Carolina.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Monica Gerson]

    Stanley Furniture Co (NASDAQ: STLY) is estimated to post a Q3 loss at $0.11 per share on revenue of $25.32 million.

    Posted-In: Earnings scheduleEarnings News Pre-Market Outlook Markets

  • [By Laura Brodbeck]

    Monday

    Earnings Releases Expected: Citigroup Inc. (NYSE: C), Stanley Furniture Company, Inc. (NASDAQ: STLY), Wintrust Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: WTFC) Economic Releases Expected: Swiss PPI, eurozone industrial production

    Tuesday

Best Integrated Utility Stocks To Buy Right Now: Mount Gibson Iron Ltd(MGX.AX)

Mount Gibson Iron Limited, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the acquisition, exploration, evaluation, and development of hematite deposits in Australia. It operates The Tallering Peak mine located in the east of Geraldton; Koolan Island mine situated in the Kimberley coast, western Australia; and Extension Hill direct shipping ore hematite project located in the Mt Gibson Range. The company was founded in 1996 and is based in West Perth, Australia.

Best Integrated Utility Stocks To Buy Right Now: Itv Ord 10p(ITV.L)

ITV plc operates television channels in the United Kingdom and internationally. The company?s Broadcasting and Online segment operates a family of television channels. Its channels include ITV1, a commercial television channel; ITV2, a digital channel for younger audience of 16-34 year old with a female bias; ITV3, a films and drama channel; ITV4, a sports channel; and CITV that provides children?s programming. This segment, through SDN, a digital terrestrial television multiplex operator, leases out digital terrestrial capacity to channel operators on the United Kingdom?s broadcast platform, Freeview. It also operates itv.com, which delivers ITV programming and clips to Internet users through ITV player, as well as provides video on demand services on cable television and other closed platforms. The company?s ITV Studios segment produces programming for ITV channels and for other UK and international broadcasters. This segment also distributes programming, formats, an d merchandising in the UK and worldwide on various platforms; and involves in home entertainment, publishing, and licensing activities. The company is based in London, the United Kingdom.