Friday, October 31, 2014

Top 10 Clean Energy Companies To Watch In Right Now

J.C. Penney� (NYSE: JCP  ) potentially destroyed huge amounts of shareholder wealth last week with a 44% dilution of shareholders in what could be management's last chance to return the company to relevance with close to $1 billion in new cash. Just a few weeks prior,�Clean Energy Fuels� (NASDAQ: CLNE  ) issued $220 million in convertible notes, paying 5.25% interest to bondholders while also seeing CEO Andrew Littlefair buy almost $1.5 million in shares.�

While dilution through new share offerings and the accumulation of debt can both be detrimental, but not always. What was the result of J.C. Penney and Clean Energy Fuels' recent actions, and what should shareholders look for?

Paying for growth
Clean Energy is in full growth mode with its "America's Natural Gas Highway," and its use of convertible notes to raise capital, while not directly dilutive, still carries the potential to dilute shareholders if the notes are converted to shares. Per the press release:

Best Airline Stocks To Own For 2015: HTC Corp (HTCCY)

HTC Corporation is principally engaged in the research, development and manufacturing of smart handheld devices. The Company provides touch phones, personal digital assistant (PDA) phones, smart phones, Android smart phones, Windows OS smart phones and panel computers, among others. The Company offers its products under the brand name of HTC, including HTC Butterfly series, Desire series, HTC One series, HTC Sensation series, HTC Explorer series, HTC Rhyme series, as well as HTC Radar series, among others. The Company distributes its products within domestic market and to overseas markets. Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Leo Sun]

    HTC (NASDAQOTH: HTCCY  ) just unveiled the HTC Desire Eye, an unusual "selfie" phone equipped with the most powerful front-facing camera ever.

  • [By Leo Sun]

    In response,�Xiaomi president Bin Lin told China News Service that "one can only judge Xiaomi's gadgets after he or she has used them." Hugo Barra, Xiaomi's VP of international markets, added that the "iPhone 6 is using design language that HTC (NASDAQOTH: HTCCY  ) has had for five years" in an interview with the Economic Times. Barra also stated that Apple and Ive could not "claim full ownership" to design languages used across the smartphone industry.

Top 10 Clean Energy Companies To Watch In Right Now: Orthofix International N.V.(OFIX)

Orthofix International N.V., a medical device company, designs, develops, manufactures, markets, and distributes medical equipment used principally by musculoskeletal medical specialists for orthopedic applications. The company offers spinal implant products, and related human cellular and tissue based products used in surgical procedures; non-invasive regenerative stimulation products for use in bone growth and spinal fusions, and to treat non-union fractures; external and internal fixation devices for use in fracture repair, limb lengthening, and bone reconstruction; and bracing products for use in ligament injury prevention, pain management, and protection of surgical repair. Its products also include a device for cold therapy and bone cement, as well as devices for the removal of bone cement used to fix artificial implants. The company provides its products for the spine, orthopedics, and sports medicine market sectors serving independent third parties, including hospi tals, doctors, healthcare providers, and third-party payors, as well as patients. It distributes its products in the United States, the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, France, Belgium, Brazil, and Puerto Rico through direct sales representatives and independent distributors. Orthofix International N.V. was founded in 1979 and is headquartered in Curacao, the Netherlands Antilles.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Sean Williams]

    What: Shares of Orthofix International (NASDAQ: OFIX  ) , a medical device company specializing in spinal and orthopedic applications, shed as much as 21% of their value after the company reported its first-quarter results and received four analyst downgrades.

Top 10 Clean Energy Companies To Watch In Right Now: Mobile Mini Inc.(MINI)

Mobile Mini, Inc. provides portable storage solutions in North America, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands. It offers a range of portable storage products in varying lengths and widths with various features, such as its patented locking systems, premium doors, and electrical wiring and shelving. The company?s products include remanufactured and modified steel storage containers, steel security office/storage combination and security office units, wood mobile office units, and steel records storage containers, as well as non-core storage units consisting of van trailers and other manufactured storage products. Mobile Mini also provides its products on lease basis to its customers. Its customers use its products for a range of storage applications, including retail and manufacturing supplies, inventory and maintenance supplies, temporary offices, construction materials and equipment, documents and records, and household goods. The company serves large and small retaile rs, construction companies, medical centers, schools, utilities, manufacturers and distributors, the United States and the United Kingdom military, government agencies, hotels, restaurants, entertainment complexes, and households. As of December 31, 2011, it operated a lease fleet of approximately 237,600 portable storage units through 109 branches in the United States, 4 branches in Canada, 19 branches in the United Kingdom, and 1 branch in the Netherlands. The company was founded in 1983 and is headquartered in Tempe, Arizona.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Brian Pacampara]

    What: Shares of portable storage specialist Mobile Mini (NASDAQ: MINI  ) climbed 10% today after its quarterly results topped Wall Street expectations.

Top 10 Clean Energy Companies To Watch In Right Now: Orkla ASA (ORK)

Orkla ASA is a Norway-based company active in various sectors. The Company�� operations are structured into two segments: Branded Consumer Goods and Other Businesses. The Branded Consumer Goods segment is divided into five units: Orkla Foods, which comprises the Company�� food businesses in the Nordic region and the Baltics; Orkla Confectionery, which comprises five branded consumer goods businesses which serve the Nordic region and the Baltics as their home markets; Orkls Home & Personal consists of five branded consumer goods businesses, including Lilleborg, Lilleborg Profesjonell, the Axellus Group, Pierre Robert Group and House Care; Orkla Food Ingredients cover product categories, including margarine, marzipan, bread improvers and mixes, and yeast, and Orkla International includes branded consumer goods companies outside the Nordic region and the Baltics. The Other Businesses segment covers the Company�� operation in aluminum, real estate and hydropower sectors, among others. Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Jonathan Morgan]

    Orkla ASA (ORK), the Norwegian industrial conglomerate transforming itself into a consumer-goods producer, slumped 11 percent to 46.78 kroner, the largest drop since November 2011. The company reported second-quarter pretax profit of 514 million kroner ($86 million), missing estimates of 965 million kroner in a Bloomberg survey of analysts.

Top 10 Clean Energy Companies To Watch In Right Now: ParkerVision Inc.(PRKR)

Parkervision, Inc. engages in the design, development, and sale of proprietary radio frequency (RF) technologies and products for use in semiconductor circuits for wireless communication products in the United States. The company provides its wireless technologies for processing RF waveforms in wireless applications. Its technology applies to transmit and receive functions of a radio transceiver. Its transmit portion of the technology, Direct2Power, enables the transformation of a baseband data signal to an RF carrier waveform at the desired power output level in a single unified operation. The company?s receiver portion of the technology, Direct2Data, enables the direct conversion of an RF carrier to a baseband data signal. It also provides engineering consulting and design services to its customers to assist them in developing prototypes and/or products incorporating its technologies. The company licenses its intellectual property and sells integrated circuits for incor poration into wireless devices designed by its customers. It primarily focuses on incorporating its technologies into mobile handsets, as well as to other wireless products that are related to networks serving mobile handsets, such as data cards, femtocells, and machine-to-machine and embedded applications. The company?s technology is also used in non-cellular radio applications comprising military radios. In addition, Parkervision, Inc. develops wireless radio modules for mobile handset and data card applications through a joint development and marketing agreement with LG Innotek Co., Ltd. It serves mobile handset manufacturers and their chipset suppliers in the mobile handset industry. The company was founded in 1989 and is headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Paul Ausick]

    Stocks on the Move: Amarin Corp. plc (NASDAQ: AMRN) is down 61.1% at $2.01 after failing to gain FDA approval for its Vascepa drug. ParkerVision Inc. (NASDAQ: PRKR) is up 61.2% at $5.43 after a Florida jury ruled in the company�� favor in a patent suit against Qualcomm Inc. (NASDAQ: QCOM).

  • [By Paul Ausick]

    Stocks on the Move: Voxeljet AG (NYSE: VJET) is up 121.8% at $28.83 after a blazing hot IPO. Ariad Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: ARIA) is down 40.7% at $2.67 on a failed drug trial. ParkerVision Inc. (NASDAQ: PRKR) is up 17.9% at $6.40 after gaining more than 60% yesterday on a Florida jury�� ruling in the company�� favor in a patent suit against Qualcomm Inc. (NASDAQ: QCOM). J.C. Penney Co. Inc. (NYSE: JCP) is down 4.8% at $7.00, after posting a 33-year low of $6.97 a share earlier today.

Top 10 Clean Energy Companies To Watch In Right Now: AirMedia Group Inc(AMCN)

AirMedia Group Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates digital media network for air travel advertising in China. The company operates a network of digital frames and digital TV screens that display advertisements in airports and airplanes. It also displays advertisements on interior or exterior walls of gate bridges in airports, which include billboard and painted advertisements. In addition, the company displays non-advertising content, such as weather, sports, and comedy clips; and TV programs, including documentaries and hidden camera type reality shows from other third-party content providers. Further, it holds concession rights to operate various traditional advertising media comprising billboards, light boxes, and other media platforms out of the air travel sector. As of March 1, 2011, the company operated approximately 3,424 digital frames in 34 airports; 2,144 digital TV screens in 37 airports; 588 light boxes and billboards in 3 airports; 240 billboard advertise ments; and 46 painted advertisements on the gate bridges located in 7 airports. AirMedia Group Inc. was founded in 2005 and is headquartered in Beijing, the People's Republic of China.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Monica Gerson]

    AirMedia Group (NASDAQ: AMCN) is expected to post its Q2 earnings.

    Fabrinet (NYSE: FN) is estimated to post its Q4 earnings at $0.35 per share on revenue of $172.02 million.

Top 10 Clean Energy Companies To Watch In Right Now: Ply Gem Holdings Inc (PGEM)

Ply Gem Holdings, Inc. (Ply Gem Holdings), incorporated on January 23, 2004, is a manufacturer of residential exterior building products in North America. The Company operates in two segments: Siding, Fencing, and Stone and Windows and Doors. These two segments produce a product line of vinyl siding, designer accents, cellular polyvinyl chloride (PVC) trim, vinyl fencing, vinyl and composite railing, stone veneer and vinyl windows and doors used in both new construction and home repair and remodeling in the United States and Western Canada. It also manufactures vinyl and aluminum soffit and siding accessories, aluminum trim coil, wood windows, aluminum windows, vinyl and aluminum-clad windows and steel and fiberglass doors, enabling it to bundle complementary and color-matched products and accessories with its core products. The Company�� subsidiaries includes including Ply Gem Industries, MWM Holding, AWC Holding Company, MHE, and Pacific Windows. On July 30, 2012, Ply Gem acquired substantially all of the assets of Greendeck Products, LLC.

Siding, Fencing, and Stone Segment

In the Siding, Fencing, and Stone segment, its principal products include vinyl siding and skirting, vinyl and aluminum soffit, aluminum trim coil, J-channels, wide crown molding, window and door trim, F-channels, H-molds, fascia, undersill trims, outside/inside corner posts, rain removal systems, injection molded designer accents, such as shakes, shingles, scallops, shutters, vents and mounts, vinyl fence, vinyl and composite railing, and stone veneer. It sells its siding and accessories under its Variform, Napco, Mastic Home Exteriors, and Cellwood brand names and under the Georgia-Pacific brand name through a private label program. It also sells its Providence line of vinyl siding and accessories to Lowe�� under its Durabuilt private label brand name. Its vinyl and vinyl-composite fencing and railing products are sold under its Kroy and Kroy Express brand names. Ply Gem Holdings stone veneer produ! cts are sold under its United Stone Veneer brand name.

The Company sells the siding and accessories to specialty distributors (one-step distribution) and to wholesale distributors (two-step distribution). Its specialty distributors sell directly to remodeling contractors and builders. Its wholesale distributors sell to retail home centers and lumberyards who, in turn, sell to remodeling contractors, builders and consumers. In the specialty channel, it has developed a network of approximately 800 independent distributors, serving over 22,000 contractors and builders nationwide.

Windows and Doors Segment

In the Windows and Doors segment, its principal products include vinyl, aluminum, wood and clad-wood windows and patio doors, and steel, wood, and fiberglass entry doors that serve both the new home construction and the repair and remodeling sectors in the United States and Western Canada. Its products in its Windows and Doors segment are sold under the Ply Gem Windows, Great Lakes Mastic by Ply Gem, and Ply Gem Canada brands.

The Company competes with Alsco, Gentek, U.S. Fence, Homeland, Westech, Bufftech, Royal, Azek., Eldorado Stone, Coronado Stone, Jeld-Wen, Simonton, Pella and Andersen, MI Home Products, Atrium, Weathershield, Milgard, Jeld-Wen, Gienow, All Weather and Loewen.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Matt Jarzemsky]

    Installed Building Products��debut follows mixed performance from shares of some newly public building-products companies. Through Tuesday, siding manufacturer Ply Gem Holdings Inc.(PGEM)�� shares were down 39% from the offer price in its $381 May debut. Wood-products maker Boise Cascade Co.(BCC) was up 46% from its $284 million February IPO.

  • [By Lisa Levin]

    Ply Gem Holdings (NYSE: PGEM) shares reached a new 52-week low of $11.48 after the company reported wider-than-expected Q4 loss and issued a weak Q1 revenue forecast.

  • [By Traders Reserve]

    There hasn�� been a January effect rally in shares of Ply Gem (PGEM). In fact, it has been quite the opposite. Shares are down a whopping 25% during the month. For a stock I rated as on of the Top 10 Sizzling Stocks, such a move is painful, but not disastrous. Sizzling Stocks are meant to be held for the duration of the year and we have 11 months to go. Small-cap stocks like Ply Gem can move sharply one direction or the other.

Thursday, October 30, 2014

10 Best Long Term Stocks To Watch For 2014

Tax free bond issues are simply not the flavour in 2012-13. Reason: lower interest rates compared with those offered in 2011-12. In such a lacklustre market, state-owned Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) is hitting the market at the fag end of the financial year 2013 with its tax free bonds of Rs 1,000 each to raise Rs 2,000 crore. Those securities are offering 7.32% p.a. interest rate for retail investors and 6.82% for others.

Should you at all invest?

Rates are relatively lower than the previous year issues wherein the lowest rate offered was at around 7.90%. Still, there is enough reason to invest, believe personal finance advisors.

"Interest rates are still reasonable in a falling interest rate regime," says Anil Rego, CEO and founder, Rights Horizons a Bangalore based advisory firm.

"It is a good bet for people who are long term investors in debt instruments and fall in the highest tax brackets (30% or 20%). Compared with bank fixed deposits, these bonds are preferred due to tax benefits. Besides the tax effect, one can lock in his surplus money at a higher rate in the next ten years."

Top India Stocks To Invest In 2015: Resolute Energy Corporation(REN)

Resolute Energy Corporation, an independent oil and gas company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, exploitation, and development of oil and gas properties in the United States. It primarily holds interests in the Aneth Field properties that cover approximately 43,000 gross acres on the Navajo Reservation in southeast Utah. The company? producing properties are located in the Powder River Basin, Wyoming; the Bakken shale trend of the Williston Basin in North Dakota; and the Permian Basin of Texas It also owns exploration properties in the Permian Basin of Texas; and the Big Horn and Powder River Basins of Wyoming. As of December 31, 2011, the company had estimated net proved reserves of approximately 64.8 million equivalent barrels of oil. Resolute Energy Corporation is based in Denver, Colorado.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Lisa Levin]

    Resolute Energy (NYSE: REN) shares fell 1.63% to reach a new 52-week low of $7.25. Resolute Energy shares have dropped 33.84% over the past 52 weeks, while the S&P 500 index has gained 20.12% in the same period.

  • [By Monica Gerson]

    Resolute Energy (NYSE: REN) is projected to report its Q4 earnings at $0.04 per share on revenue of $89.46 million.

    Perfect World Co (NASDAQ: PWRD) is expected to post its Q4 earnings at $0.43 per share on revenue of $142.11 million.

10 Best Long Term Stocks To Watch For 2014: Ellie Mae Inc (ELLI)

Ellie Mae, Inc., incorporated October 14, 2007, is a provider of on-demand automation solutions for the mortgage industry. The Company offers an end-to-end solution, delivered using a Software-as-a-Service model that serves as the core operating system for mortgage originators and spans customer relationship management, loan origination and business management. It also hosts the Ellie Mae Network that allows Encompass users to electronically conduct business transactions with the lenders and settlement service providers they work with to process and fund loans. The Company's offerings include range of Encompass services and the DataTrac mortgage management software system. On August 15, 2011, it completed the acquisition of Del Mar Datatrac,Inc. (DMD).

Using the Company�� network technology, it has helped connect a fragmented world of mortgage bankers, mortgage brokers, community banks, credit unions, lenders, investors and service providers, all of which are integral to the origination and funding of residential mortgages. Its Encompass360 solutions include Encompass Product & Pricing Service; Ellie Mae Total Quality Loan Program; Encompass Compliance Service; Encompass Appraisal Service; Encompass CenterWise; Encompass Commissions; Encompass TPO WebCenter and Encompass Docs Solution.

Ellie Mae�� Total Quality Loan program helps in identifying compliance, income and fraud issues early in the origination process; help protect business from loan buy-backs, and fortify workflow and uncover and correct possible issues before you close the loan.Encompass Appraisal Service, integrated inside Encompass360, is that solution helps in completing order right from the loan file in Encompass360; import complete appraisal reports directly into eFolder, and customize appraisal workflow by type of loan and control, which its users can order appraisals. Its Encompass CenterWise wraps two essential Web and electronic document solutions into one unified package. Encompass Commissions is a ! commission management solution integrated inside Encompass360 that automates the calculation, reconciliation and communication of variable pay across your organization. Hosted Encompass360 Banker Edition users can connect directly with third-party originators (TPOs) without leaving Encompass360, and have them connect back in a secure, synchronized, and easy-to-use Web-based environment. Encompass Docs Solution provides a single, integrated application incorporating both initial disclosures and closing documents.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Seth Jayson]

    Calling all cash flows
    When you are trying to buy the market's best stocks, it's worth checking up on your companies' free cash flow once a quarter or so, to see whether it bears any relationship to the net income in the headlines. That's what we do with this series. Today, we're checking in on Ellie Mae (NYSE: ELLI  ) , whose recent revenue and earnings are plotted below.

  • [By John Kell and Lauren Pollock var popups = dojo.query(".socialByline .popC"); ]

    Ellie Mae Inc.(ELLI) on Monday confirmed there wasn’t a breach of customer data in a recent outage and that the outage wasn’t the result of a malicious attack.

  • [By SA Pro Top Ideas]

    Stock Movers and Great Calls
    Alpha-Rich long and short ideas regularly move stocks and identify stocks that are about to move. Some notable recent calls subscribers had early access to:

    Saidal Mohmand argued Wednesday that Tellabs (TLAB) was a strong assets play on the verge of a turnaround. The stock is +5.9% since. Read article » On June 13, Stephen Lin said that Ellie Mae's (ELLI) dominant position could mean 45% upside. Shares are +30.7% since. Read article »

    To Come Today
    Don't forget to check your SA Pro dashboard later today for the latest Alpha-Rich ideas, including a REIT with strong management and many catalysts. Any thoughts to share on the latest Alpha-Rich ideas? Leave a comment here. Have a great weekend.

    SA Pro Editors
    …............

    The SA Pro team is Eli Hoffmann (Editor in Chief), Rachael Granby (Editorial Product Manager), Daniel Shvartsman, Samir Patel, Michael McDonald, and Jeffrey Fischer (Senior Pro Editors). You can reach us at pro-editors@seekingalpha.com.

  • [By Seth Jayson]

    Ellie Mae (NYSE: ELLI  ) reported earnings on April 30. Here are the numbers you need to know.

    The 10-second takeaway
    For the quarter ended March 31 (Q1), Ellie Mae beat slightly on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

10 Best Long Term Stocks To Watch For 2014: International Northair Mines Ltd (INM)

International Northair Mines Ltd is a mineral exploration company engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties throughout North America with a focus in Mexico. In Mexico, exploration is conducted by its wholly owned subsidiary, Grupo Northair de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. (Grupo Northair). Its projects include La Cigarra Project, Sierra Rosario Project, and El Reventon Project. The La Cigarra Project is located near the municipality of Parral, in the State of Chihuahua in north central Mexico. La Cigarra consists of mineral concessions totaling approximately 32,000 hectares. The El Reventon Project is located in the municipality of Otaez, Durango and is approximately 170 kilometers northwest of the capital city of Durango. The El Reventon Project consists of approximately 3,400 hectares. Sierra Rosario silver/gold project is staked by the Company and joint ventured to American Consolidated Minerals Resources Corp., which has a 50% interest in the property. Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Alexis Xydias]

    The ISEQ Index (ISEQ) in Ireland and the ASE Index in Greece, the first two nations to receive European Union-led bailouts, have soared more than 28 percent this year to lead gains among 18 national benchmarks in western Europe. Dublin-based Independent News & Media Plc (INM) and Athens-based Aegean Airlines SA (AEGN) rose the most, with jumps of more than 180 percent. Germany�� DAX Index (DAX) has advanced 18 percent in 2013, reaching a record.

10 Best Long Term Stocks To Watch For 2014: Amazon.com Inc.(AMZN)

Amazon.com, Inc. operates as an online retailer in North America and internationally. It operates retail Web sites, including amazon.com and amazon.ca. The company serves consumers through its retail Web sites and focuses on selection, price, and convenience. It also offers programs that enable sellers to sell their products on its Web sites, and their own branded Web sites. In addition, the company serves developer customers through Amazon Web Services, which provides access to technology infrastructure that developers can use to enable virtually various type of business. Further, it manufactures and sells the Kindle e-reader. Additionally, the company provides fulfillment; miscellaneous marketing and promotional agreements, such as online advertising; and co-branded credit cards. Amazon.com, Inc. was founded in 1994 and is headquartered in Seattle, Washington.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Jim Jubak]

    That could actually be true. Started as a business-to-business e-commerce site, Alibaba has expanded to include Tmall (where companies sell to consumers) and Taobao (where consumers sell to other consumers). According to Morgan Stanley, the gross value of goods that moved through Alibaba exceeded the combined value of goods that moved through Amazon.com (AMZN) and eBay (EBAY) in 2012.

  • [By Eric Bleeker, CFA]

    Lyons and Eric also discuss whether original programming in the vein of companies like Netflix� (NASDAQ: NFLX  ) and Amazon� (NASDAQ: AMZN  ) is a worthwhile pursuit for Apple. For the full video of this installment of the weekly Tech Review, click here. Or, watch the segment on Apple TV below.�

10 Best Long Term Stocks To Watch For 2014: General Communication Inc.(GNCMA)

General Communication, Inc. provides communication services to residential and business customers under the GCI and Alaska Wireless brand names in Alaska. The company?s Consumer segment provides local and long distance voice services; video services and products, including cable, high-definition television, digital video recorder, premium channel programming, video on demand, and pay-per-view programming services; Internet access; and fixed and mobile wireless voice and data services. This segment also sells handsets, personal computer wireless data cards, and accessories to residential customers; and offers bundled services and products, which comprise long-distance, cable television, cable modem Internet access, local access, and wireless services. Its Network Access segment provides interstate and intrastate-switched message telephone, multi-protocol label switching, frame relay, private line and dedicated Internet, and wireless services to GSM and CDMA wireless carrie rs. The company?s Commercial segment offers local and long distance communication, video, Internet, data network, managed, wireless, and bundled products and services. Its Managed Broadband segment offers Internet access, data network, and managed services to rural school districts, hospitals, and health clinics. The company?s Regulated Operations segment provides wireline communications services, including local access and long-distance, and Internet services and products, to residential, business, and governmental customers in areas of rural Alaska. General Communication, Inc. sells its services primarily through direct contact marketing, as well as through local media advertising, and its retail stores and Website. As of December 31, 2011, it had approximately 87,900 long-distance customers, 138,100 local access lines in service, 142,600 basic cable subscribers, 139,900 wireless subscribers, and 119,400 cable modem subscribers. The company was founded in 1979 and is bas ed in Anchorage, Alaska.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Dan Radovsky]

    Alaska Communications and General Communication (NASDAQ: GNCMA  ) -- also known as GCI -- have finalized the transaction they proposed last summer to form The Alaska Wireless Network, or AWN, both companies announced today.

  • [By Dan Radovsky]

    Alaska Communications and General Communications, (NASDAQ: GNCMA  ) , or GCI, today signed the network sharing agreement they proposed last summer.

  • [By Lisa Levin]

    Long Distance Carriers: This industry fell 1.97% by 10:50 am ET. General Communication (NASDAQ: GNCMA) shares dropped 2.2% in today's trading. General Communication's trailing-twelve-month profit margin is 0.98%.

10 Best Long Term Stocks To Watch For 2014: Snap-On Incorporated(SNA)

Snap-on Incorporated provides tools, equipment, diagnostics, repair information, and systems solutions for professional users. Its products include hand tools, such as wrenches, screwdrivers, sockets, pliers, ratchets, saws and cutting tools, pruning tools, and torque measuring instruments; power tools, including pneumatic, hydraulic, cordless, and corded tools; and tool storage products comprising tool chests, roll cabinets, and tool control systems. The company?s diagnostics and repair information products include handheld and PC-based diagnostics products, service and repair information products, diagnostic software solutions, electronic parts catalogs, business management systems, business services, point-of-sale systems, integrated systems for vehicle service shops, original equipment manufacturer purchasing facilitation services, and warranty management systems and analytics to manage and track performance. Snap-on Incorporated?s equipment products comprise solutions for the diagnosis and service of automotive and industrial equipment, such as wheel alignment, collision repair, air conditioning service, brake service, fluid exchange, transmission troubleshooting, and safety testing equipment, as well as wheel balancers, tire changers, vehicle lifts, test lane systems, battery chargers, and hoists. The company also provides financial services, including business loans and vehicle leases to franchisees; loans to the franchisees? customers; and loans to its industrial and other customers for the purchase of tools, equipment, and diagnostics products. Snap-on Incorporated sells its products and services through mobile vans, franchisees, company-direct sales, distributors, and the Internet in approximately 130 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Australia, France, Japan, Spain, Italy, Sweden, the Netherlands, Argentina, China, and Brazil. Snap-on Incorporated was founded in 1920 and is based in Kenosh a, Wisconsin.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Shauna O'Brien]

    Snap-on Incorporated (SNA) announced on Friday that it has agreed to acquire all of the assets of Pro-Cut International for $45 million.

    Snap-on will acquire Pro-Cut for $45 million in cash. Pro-Cut is a manufacturer and designed of on-car brake equipment. The company’s sales were approximately $25 million in 2013.

    Snap-On’s CEO and Chairman Nick Pinchuk commented: “Pro-Cut’s advanced brake servicing product line enhances and increases Snap-on’s offering of productivity solutions for vehicle repair facilities, including independent shops, national service chains and OEM dealerships.”

    “We believe Pro-Cut will be an important addition to our Repair Systems & Information Group and will help us move further along our coherent growth runway of expanding with repair shop owners and managers. We look forward to welcoming Pro-Cut associates to the Snap-on family,” Pinchuk added.

    SNA Dividend Snapshot

    As of Market Close on May 29, 2014

    Click here to see the complete history of SNA dividends.

    Snap-on shares were mostly flat during pre-market trading Friday. The stock is up 6.83% YTD.

  • [By Matt Thalman]

    Another player that operates heavily within this industry, but in a slightly different fashion, announced earnings today. Shares of tool company�Snap-On (NYSE: SNA  ) �rose 7.76% today after beating estimates on both the top and bottom lines. Revenue came in at $797.5 million for the quarter, a 5.9% increase from last year and higher than the $779.5 million analysts were looking for. Earnings per share hit $1.60, again higher than the $1.56 that was expected. One of the areas that management would like to focus on moving forward is expanding its vehicle repair garage, which again would make sense given the average age of vehicles on the road today.�

  • [By Lisa Levin]

    Snap-on (NYSE: SNA) shares gained 0.60% to create a new 52-week high of $106.62. Snap-on's PEG ratio is 1.78.

    Posted-In: 52-Week HighsNews Intraday Update Markets Movers

10 Best Long Term Stocks To Watch For 2014: Points International Ltd (PCOM)

Points International Ltd. provides a range of e-commerce and technology services to loyalty program operators using. These services consist of a range of e-commerce services (referred as its Loyalty Currency Services) that enable the sale of loyalty currencies (such as frequent flyer miles, hotel points and credit card points), both retail and wholesale. The Company also offers a reward management Website referred to as Points.com. The majority of the Company�� loyalty program partners operate in the United States. It also has a European customer base. It has three wholly owned direct subsidiaries: Points.com Inc., Points International (UK) Limited, and Points International (U.S.) Ltd. The Company�� services are generally delivered through Web-enabled e-commerce solutions. Points.com offers members of multiple loyalty programs the ability to track and manage their loyalty currencies. Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Hank Coleman]

    Anna Subbotina/Shutterstock You may not be fully aware of it, but you're probably sitting on your own personal treasure hoard: a stash of airline miles, hotel points or reward points you've earned through your credit cards. According to statistics compiled by Points.com and its parent Points International (PCOM), a company specializing in helping consumers trade, exchange and redeem reward points, the average American is hoarding more than 61,000 reward points through various programs. Americans have more than 2.65 billion loyalty memberships -- almost 10 per person. This would be fine if we were spending those points -- but we're not. According to Points.com, only 16 percent of us redeem the points that we earn each year. Why do we love reward points? Is there a danger in hoarding them? What should we do with our points as our balances continue to grow? Why Do We Love Reward Points So Much? Getting something for free is a big allure of reward points and loyalty programs. I love that my airline-branded credit card allows me to check a bag for free. Companies view reward programs as marketing by gamification. If businesses can make patronizing them into a game for their customers, they'll be more likely to do what it takes to advance to the next level. And of course, these programs inspire brand loyalty. I'm a huge fan of Fitbit. I'm always striving for the next badge or level with my fitness goals through the site and its devices. I'm also addicted to checking in to the places that I frequent on Foursquare. It drives me crazy when someone ousts me as the mayor of one of my favorite haunts. Gamification is going on with reward points themselves. Companies have found that we desperately want to get to the next level of rewards. That's why companies have different colored credit cards and exclusive levels that offer even more freebies to loyal customers -- though usually for a price. And we are dreamers. We dream that our frequent flyer miles and hotel rew

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Top Medical Companies For 2014

3-dimensional printing pioneer 3D Systems (NYSE: DDD  ) grew its business 31% last quarter -- but it's not stopping there. On Wednesday, 3D announced it's planning to grow through acquiring Phenix Systems, a maker of direct metal selective laser sintering 3-D printers.

3D has signed an agreement to buy an 80% interest in France-based Phenix, which specializes in the additive manufacturing of metal and ceramic machine parts. The company's printers are capable of printing parts in stainless steel, tool steel, super alloys, non-ferrous alloys, alumina, and even in precious metals, for a variety of uses in the aerospace, automotive, and medical device industries.

After acquiring its initial 80% stake in July, 3D says it intends to make a takeover bid to acquire the remaining 20% of Phenix shares.�

Phenix Systems is listed on the Alternext stock exchange in France, where its shares closed at $7.55 on Tuesday. 3D said in its statement that the maximum price it will pay for its initial 80% stake in Phenix is 13 euros (about $17) per share. This suggests that negotiations as to price are still in progress, but that the maximum total price that might be paid for the first tranche of shares is $15.25 million. The total company value implied, therefore, is $19.06 million.�Phenix Systems is currently unprofitable, cash flow-negative, and generated revenues of only $6.1 million over the past year.

5 Best Construction Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Intrexon Corp (XON)

Intrexon Corporation, incorporated on April 19, 2004, is engaged in the business of synthetic biology. Using the Company�� suite of complementary technologies, it design, build and regulate gene programs, or sequences of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) that control cellular function, and cellular systems, or activities that take place within a cell and the interaction of those systems in the greater cellular environment, to enable the development of new and improved products and manufacturing processes across a variety of end markets, including healthcare, food, energy and environmental sciences. Its technologies include the UltraVector gene design and fabrication platform; Cell Systems Informatics; LEAP-cell identification and selection, and mAbLogix-antibody discovery.

The Company�� LEAP technology facilitates the automated identification of an individual cell with the highest levels of expression, quality and potency from a population of over 100,000 cells. Its mAbLogix platform complements UltraVector with a library of human antibodies that exceeds 500 million. By immortalizing human tonsils, which consists of lymphatic tissue containing B-cells, its mAbLogix platform creates a B-cell library that can generate antibodies against an almost infinite number of new antigens.

The UltraVector gene design and fabrication platform

The Company�� gene program design platform, which it refer to as UltraVector, is an integrated suite of tools comprising advanced DNA construction technology and components, cellular and protein engineering tools, computational models and statistical methods which facilitate the rapid design, build and testing of complex systems. The UltraVector platform allows the Company to translate gene programs into standard components that can be designed, manufactured and tested in an automated format. This technology enables it to engineer at the cellular level from biological sources.

UltraVector DNA design is computer-automated and ! utilizes a set of defined construction rules to assemble components that are stored in its DNA library. In addition to the number of gene components in its UltraVector library, it is designing and creating enzymatic and regulatory components that provide control over genome integration and gene regulation. Its RheoSwitch Therapeutic System is a three-component transcriptional regulator that provides inducible gene expression. The RheoSwitch Therapeutic System provides the ability to not only express proteins/enzymes of interest, but also the ability to control the level and timing of expression to achieve a biological outcome. Other ongoing programs include its Attsite recombinases, which mediate predictable gene exchange into host cells thereby eliminating many of the difficulties seen with traditional gene insertion.

Cell Systems Informatics

The Company�� Cell systems informatics permits design, as well as testing and learning about new gene targets or product pathways. Its bioinformatics software and database systems for mapping cellular pathways when combined with its genome-scale modeling and experimental data, including, gene expression profiling and protein engineering, enable the Company to optimize selection and development of gene programs and cellular systems for its collaborators. Its computational modeling and simulation platform enables the development of predictive computer models of organisms, from microbes to humans. This platform builds virtual cells from their basic molecular components, and can simulate the activity of the cell�� complete reaction network.

The Company is designing proteins with post-translational modifications. It is also working to develop enzyme inhibitors and fusion proteins for a variety of applications in human and animal therapeutics. Its protein engineering may utilize one or more of its technologies to obtain catalysis activitiesits component library, the generation of component variants sequence, evolutionary analy! sis and s! tructure-based sequence alignment, computer-aided drug discovery, de novo, or synthesized or generated, and comparative protein modeling, molecular dynamics simulation and free energy analysis, antibody design and humanization, antigenicity prediction, protein pharmacokinetics optimization, and/or in silico support of enzyme engineeringand quantitative structure-function relationships with machine learning algorithms to optimize, facilitate and prioritize protein variant libraries for the advancement of its collaborators.

LEAP-cell identification and selection

The Company�� Laser-Enabled Analysis and Processing technology (LEAP), is an instrument that merges semiconductor manufacturing technologies for cell processing applications to provide high levels of control and scale to cell purification and stem cell culture management. The LEAP platform can identify and purify cells of interest from large libraries of cells created by its UltraVector and bioinformatics technologies using a laser-based purification process, thereby providing a mechanism of testing the degree of protein expression in genetically modified cells, as well as means to learn from the genetic building process.

mAbLogix- antibody discovery

The Company�� mAbLogix antibody discovery platform, or mAbLogix platform, enables production of B-cell libraries for discovery of antibodies. The mAbLogix platform permits antigen targeting using fully human monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies. Its mAbLogix antibody discovery process consists of two major activities: the build of human B-cell libraries expressing a large number of antibodies, and the testing of these libraries based on an analysis of B-cells that express antibodies in response to a chosen antigen.

The Company competes with AbD SeroTec, Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc., XOMA Corporation, Genmab US, Inc., MorphoSys AG, NovImmune SA, Societe Des Systemes Biologiques, Adimab, LLC, ProMab Biotechnologies, Inc., Abpro, Inc.,! AIIM The! rapeutics and Open Monoclonal Technology, Inc.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By John Udovich]

    Bubble talk, biotech IPO setbacks plus news�about small cap biotechs like Intrexon Corp (NYSE: XON) and TNI BioTech (OTCMKTS: TNIB) have dominated biotech news this week or in recent weeks. Just consider the following news:

  • [By Ben Levisohn]

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

  • [By Jon C. Ogg]

    Intrexon Corp. (NYSE: XON) was started as Buy at Mizuho Securities, started as Equal Weight at Barclays and started as Overweight at J.P. Morgan.

    Nokia Corp. (NYSE: NOK) was raised to Hold from Sell at Deutsche Bank, raised to Neutral from Underperform at Credit Suisse and
    Canaccord Genuity raised its price target to $5.50 from $3.30.

Top Medical Companies For 2014: CareFusion Corp (CFN)

CareFusion Corporation (CareFusion), incorporated on January 14, 2009, is a global medical technology company. The Company operates in two segments: Medical Systems and Procedural Solutions. The Medical Systems segment is organized around its medical equipment businesses. The Company�� Medical Systems segment�� business units and product lines include Infusion Systems, Dispensing Technologies, and Respiratory Technologies. The Procedural Solutions segment is organized around the Company�� disposable products and reusable surgical instruments businesses. The Company�� Procedural Solutions segment�� business units and product lines include Infection Prevention, Medical Specialties and Specialty Disposables. In August 2011, the Company acquired Rowa. In June 2012, the Company acquired U.K. Medical Limited. In July 2012, Natus Medical, Inc. acquired the Nicolet neurodiagnostic business from CareFusion. Effective December 31, 2013, CareFusion Corp acquired Vital Signs Inc from GE Healthcare, a unit of General Electric Co.

Medical Systems Segment

The Company�� develops, manufactures and markets capital equipment and related supplies for medication management, which includes its infusion and medication dispensing technologies, supply dispensing technologies and respiratory technologies. Its products are designed to enable healthcare professionals to improve patient safety by reducing medication errors and improving administrative controls, while simultaneously improving workflow and increasing operational efficiency. The Company sells these products primarily through its direct sales force, but use third-party distributors as well, particularly outside the United States. Many of its products in this segment are integrated with other information systems within the hospital, including financial and business systems that support patient admissions, discharges and transfers, operational systems that include inventory management and clinical systems that include pharmacy inf! ormation and electronic medical records.

The Company offers value-added services and programs, software technical services and clinical education, which are designed to enhance its customers��utilization of its medical equipment products. The Company�� project management, field service organization and customer call centers support its customers before, during and after product installation. The Company�� project management teams assist customers with the development of project implementation plans, which are designed to ensure rapid, seamless implementation of its products. The Company�� field service organization provides on-site expertise to resolve customers��service issues. The Company�� customer call centers provide additional support to its customers.

The Company is engaged in designing, developing and marketing of IV infusion systems that deliver medications and other fluids directly into a patient�� veins in precise, measured quantities over a range of infusion rates. The Company is provider of point-of-care systems that automate the dispensing of medications and supplies in hospitals and other healthcare facilities in the United States. The Company develops, manufactures, markets and services mechanical ventilators and associated consumables for patients with respiratory disorders.

The Company competes with Baxter International, B. Braun, Fresenius Kabi, Hospira, Omnicell, McKesson; Drager, and MAQUET.

Procedural Solutions Segment

The Procedural Solutions segment is organized around its disposable products and reusable surgical instruments businesses. In its Procedural Solutions segment, the Company develops, manufactures and markets single-use skin antiseptic and other patient-preparation products, non-dedicated IV infusion administration sets and accessories, reusable surgical instruments and non-dedicated ventilator circuits and other disposables used for providing respiratory therapy. The products in this segm! ent are u! sed in the operating room, interventional suites, and in the critical care departments of hospitals. The Company sells these products and services through a combination of direct sales representatives and third-party distributors.

The Company�� Infection Prevention business unit consists mainly of single-use medical products used in surgical and vascular access procedures, including skin preparation products and disposable IV infusion administration sets and accessories. The Company�� Medical Specialties business unit consists mainly of specialty medical devices used in delivering interventional care and reusable surgical instrumentation products. The Company�� Specialty Disposables business unit focuses on providing clinicians with respiratory consumable products that work either independently or in conjunction with its range of ventilators.

The Company competes with 3M, ICU Medical, Becton, Dickinson, Baxter International, B. Braun; Hospira; Smiths Medical; CR Bard, Integra Life Sciences, and Teleflex.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By ovenerio]

    In the medical supplies division (17%), Covidien competes with Becton Dickinson (BDX), 3M (MMM), Con- Med, CareFusion (CFN) and First Quality.

    Strengths

  • [By Anna Prior]

    General Electric Co.(GE) agreed to sell the so-called Vital Signs segment of its health-care operation to CareFusion Corp.(CFN) (CFN) for $500 million.

  • [By Sean Williams]

    Heading notably higher as well, up 5.5%, was medical-products supplier CareFusion (NYSE: CFN  ) which is said to be in talks as a possible acquirer of Britain-based Smiths Group's medical division. Although neither company would comment on a potential sale it would clearly be a positive for CareFusion since its revenue growth has stagnated in recent years. We should hopefully know more about these developments over the coming weeks.

Top Medical Companies For 2014: Agios Pharmaceuticals Inc (AGIO)

Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc., incorporated on August 7, 2007, is a biopharmaceutical company. The Company is intend to apply its deep understanding of metabolism, coupled with the Company�� ability to create medicines that can inhibit or activate metabolic enzymes, to fundamentally change the way cancer and inborn errors of metabolism (IEMs) are treated. The Company has identified and validated novel and druggable targets in both cancer and IEMs. The Company�� two advanced cancer programs are targeting mutations in the enzymes isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 and 2, referred to as IDH1 and IDH2. The Company�� drug candidates are selective for the mutated forms of IDH1 and IDH2 found in cancer cells versus the normal forms of IDH1 and IDH2 found in all other cells.

The Company focused on developing medicines to address IEMs, with a novel approach to these orphan diseases for which no effective or disease-modifying therapy is available. The Company has also de-validated and terminated numerous programs, including many that have been reported in scientific journals. In the Company�� IEM portfolio, it uses an equally rigorous set of validation techniques.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Ben Levisohn]

    3. We see 23+ partnered pipeline assets and are most positive on Phase I/II MOR202 anti-CD38 for myeloma with data in 2015, and others such as Acceleron Pharma (XLRN), Agios Pharmaceuticals (AGIO), Epizyme (EPZM), Concert Pharmaceuticals (CNCE) (just started Phase I for next-gen Revlimid).

  • [By Jake L'Ecuyer]

    Shares of Agios Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: AGIO) got a boost, shooting up 29.08 percent to $40.84 after the company reported quarterly results.

    Stage Stores (NYSE: SSI) was also up, gaining 13.47 percent to $22.41 after the company reported Q4 results and announced the sale of its Steele's off-price division to a new retail unit of Hilco Global.

  • [By Lisa Levin]

    Agios Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: AGIO) shares touched a new 52-week low of $18.83. Agios Pharmaceuticals' trailing-twelve-month profit margin is -102.87%.

Top Medical Companies For 2014: Insys Therapeutics Inc (INSY)

Insys Therapeutics, Inc., incorporated on June 15, 1990, is a pharmaceutical company that develops and seeks to commercialize pharmaceutical products that target the unmet needs of cancer patients, with an initial focus on cancer-supportive care. The Company�� pharmaceuticals portfolio consists of one approved product and a number of product candidates targeting cancer-supportive care and cancer therapy. The Company�� product candidate includes Subsys, Dronabinol SG Capsule, Dronabinol RT Capsule, Dronabinol Oral Solution, Dronabinol Inhalation Device, and Dronabinol IV Solution. The Company is also developing cancer therapeutics, which is LEP-ETU, a formulation of paclitaxel, the active ingredient in the cancer drugs Taxol and Abraxane. On August 19, 2011, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approved its Dronabinol SG Capsule product, a generic equivalent to Marinol, for the treatment of chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting (CINV), and anorexia associated with weight loss in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Subsys

The Company's Subsys is a single-use product that delivers fentanyl, an opioid analgesic, in seconds for transmucosal absorption underneath the tongue. Subsys is a transmucosal product to show pain relief when measuring the sum of pain intensity difference at five minutes in a Phase 3 breakthrough cancer pain (BTCP) clinical trial using fentanyl.

Dronabinol Product Family

The Company has an approved dronabinol product and is developing several dronabinol product candidates for the treatment of CINV and appetite stimulation in patients with AIDS, as well as other indications where dronabinol could have potential therapeutic benefits. Dronabinol, the active ingredient in Marinol, is a synthetic cannabinoid whose chemical name is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Its portfolio consists of its Dronabinol SG Capsule product and Dronabinol RT Capsule product candidate, which are intended to be generic equi! valents to Marinol, in addition to three formulations, including Dronabinol Oral Solution. Dronabinol SG Capsule is a dronabinol soft gelatin capsule intended to be a generic equivalent to Marinol. Dronabinol RT Capsule is a dronabinol soft gel capsule that is stable at room temperature. Dronabinol Oral Solution is a ynthetic THC in an oral liquid formulation.

Cancer Therapeutics

In addition to its cancer-supportive care products, the Company intends to develop cancer therapeutics targeting limitations of existing commercial products. LEP-ETU, it advanced cancer therapeutic, is a NeoLipid liposomal, or microscopic membrane-like structure created from lipids, formulation that incorporates paclitaxel. LEP-ETU completed a Phase 2 clinical trial of 70 patients with metastatic breast cancer.

The Company competes with Cephalon, Inc., BioDelivery Sciences International, Inc., ProStrakan Group plc, Nycomed International Management GmbH, Archimedes Pharma Ltd., TEVA Pharmaceuticals USA, Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc., AcelRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Akela Pharma Inc., Abbott Laboratories, Pharmaceutical International, Inc., Par Pharmaceutical Companies Inc., sanofi-aventis, Eisai Inc., Helsinn Group, Roche Holding AG, Par Pharmaceutical Companies Inc., GlaxoSmithKline plc, ProStrakan Group plc, Merck & Co, GW Pharmaceutical, A.P. Pharma, Inc., Aphios Corp., Roche Holding, Tesaro, Inc., Cornerstone Pharmaceutical, Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene Corporation, Laboratories, Amgen Inc., AstraZeneca PLC., Bayer AG, Biogen Idec Inc., Eisai Co., Ltd., F. Hoffmann- LaRoche Ltd., Johnson and Johnson, Merck and Co., Inc., Novartis AG, Onyx Pharmaceuticals Inc., Pfizer Inc., and Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Jake L'Ecuyer]

    INSYS Therapeutics (NASDAQ: INSY) was also down, falling 15.14 percent to $27.73 after news broke that a doctor had fraudulently prescribed its drug Subsys.

  • [By Traders Reserve]

    For example at the end of August, I found a little stock called INSYS Therapeutics (INSY) The company showed up as a top-rated stock using a stock-rating system based on something I call the P/E Gap ��the difference between a stock�� P/E ratio and its expected profit growth rate.

Top Medical Companies For 2014: Cellular Dynamics International Inc (ICEL)

Cellular Dynamics International, Inc., incorporated on November 16, 2007, develops and manufactures fully functioning human cells in industrial quantities to precise specifications. The Company�� iCell Operating System (iCell O/S) includes true human cells in multiple cell types (iCell products), human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and custom iPSCs and iCell products (MyCell products). Customers use its iCell O/S products, among other purposes, for drug discovery and screening; to test the safety and efficacy of their small molecule and biologic drug candidates; for stem cell banking; and in researching cellular therapeutics. The Company�� iCell product line includes four different cell types: cardiomyocytes, neurons, hepatocytes and endothelial cells. The Company is actively developing an additional seven different cell types. iCell products are a consumable designed to be used once and then reordered.

The Company manufactures its iCell products from its iPSCs. An iPSC is a cell that has the ability both to replicate indefinitely and to be transformed into any cell type in the human body. The Company�� iCell O/S consists of six products, which include iCell Cardiomyocytes, iCell Neurons, iCell Endothelial Cells, iCell Hepatocytes and MyCell.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By John Udovich]

    Stem cells may not be in the news much�as the sector has moved beyond the use of embryotic�ones, but small cap stem cell stocks Cellular Dynamics International Inc (NASDAQ: ICEL), International Stem Cell Corp (OTCMKTS: ISCO) and BioRestorative Therapies (OTCBB: BRTX) have been fairly active over the past several trading days as ICEL went public, ISCO raised additional funding and BRTX grabbed more attention:

Top Medical Companies For 2014: Durata Therapeutics Inc (DRTX)

Durata Therapeutics, Inc., incorporated on November 4, 2009, is a pharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of therapeutics for patients with infectious diseases and acute illnesses. The Company enroll and dose patients in two global Phase III clinical trials with its product candidate, dalbavancin, for the treatment of patients with acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (abSSSI). Dalbavancin is an intravenous antibiotic product candidate designed for once-weekly dosing. In addition to abSSSI, the Company focuses on the development of dalbavancin for additional indications, including osteomyelitis, diabetic foot infection and pneumonia.

As of December 31, 2011, Dalbavancin had already completed three Phase III clinical trials, in which more than 1,000 patients in total received dalbavancin. Dalbavancin achieved its primary efficacy endpoint of non-inferiority in each of these three completed Phase III clinical trials when compared to linezolid, cefazolin or vancomycin, three of the standard-of-care agents for uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections (uSSSI), and complicated skin and skin structure infections (cSSSI). Its two ongoing Phase III clinical trials are designed to compare dalbavancin to vancomycin, with an option to switch to oral linezolid, under the new FDA draft guidance.

The Company competes with Pfizer, Cubist Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Theravance, Inc., Forest Laboratories, Inc., Sanofi-Aventis Ltd., The Medicines Company, Trius Therapeutics, Inc., Cempra, Inc., Rib-X Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Paratek Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Nabriva Therapeutics AG, Tetraphase Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Furiex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Bob's Stocks]

    Durata Therapeutics (DRTX) is developing Dalbavancin, a once a week, intravenous antibiotic product candidate, for the treatment of patients with acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections, or ABSSSI. The company is expected to file a NDA (New Drug Application) at any moment and MAA (Marketing Authorization Application) at the end of 2013.

10 Best Warren Buffett Stocks To Watch For 2014

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Hyperdynamics (HDY) stock shot higher Friday afternoon on news it settled litigation in London involving AGR Well Management.

AGR provided project management services for Hyperdynamics' subsidiary, SCS Corporation, in connection with the drilling of the Sabu #1 well offshore Guinea in 2011-2012.

STOCKS TO BUY: TheStreet Quant Ratings has identified a handful of stocks that can potentially TRIPLE in the next 12 months. Learn more.

SCS Corporation will receive $17.7 million from the escrow account previously established by the parties. Net proceeds to SCS will be approximately $15.6 million, after reconciliation of the joint interest account with Dana Petroleum, the other working interest holder during the drilling. By market close Friday, shares were up 16.7% to $3.08. Must read: Warren Buffett's 10 Favorite Growth Stocks STOCKS TO BUY: TheStreet Quant Ratings has identified a handful of stocks that can potentially TRIPLE in the next 12 months. Learn more.  

Hot Casino Stocks To Own Right Now: CommVault Systems Inc. (CVLT)

CommVault Systems, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides data and information management software applications and related services primarily in North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. The company develops, markets, and sells a suite of software applications and services under the Simpana brand. Its Simpana software suite includes solution for the backup and restoration of enterprise data for file systems, applications, databases, and virtual machine systems; integrated data archiving solution that optimizes data tiering and improves information governance; and enterprise-wide storage optimization for email and files reducing space on primary storage. The company also provides solutions for protection of critical applications and data with snapshots and real-time replication; solutions to analyze, discover, track, trend, and report on physical and virtual storage usage; and Web browser, which allows search, sort, select, and retrieval of corporate files and in formation from online, archive, and backup data copies. In addition, it offers assessment and design, implementation and post-deployment, training, consulting, and customer support services. The company markets and sells its software applications and related services directly to large enterprises, small and medium sized businesses, and government agencies, as well as indirectly through a network of value-added reseller partners, systems integrators, corporate resellers, and original equipment manufacturers. It licenses its software applications to customers in various industries, including banking, insurance and financial services, government, healthcare, pharmaceuticals and medical services, technology, legal, manufacturing, utilities, and energy. The company has strategic relationships with Dell, Inc.; Hitachi Data Systems; and NetApp. CommVault Systems, Inc. was incorporated in 1996 and is headquartered in Oceanport, New Jersey.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Alex Planes]

    What: Shares of CommVault Systems (NASDAQ: CVLT  ) were up by as much as 13% at the start of trading this morning after the company reported earnings that beat expectations. However, the stock has been sliding lower all morning, and has now returned to the same level it reached at the close of trading yesterday.

  • [By Lee Jackson]

    CommVault Systems Inc. (NASDAQ: CVLT) announced last week the industry’s first virtual machine (VM) intelligent archiving capability to help enterprises and service providers eliminate VM sprawl and regain control of virtual infrastructure resources. VM sprawl results from pervasive deployment and growth of virtual machines, some of which then sit unutilized long after their useful lives. The consensus price target for this intriguing mid cap name is $88.50.

10 Best Warren Buffett Stocks To Watch For 2014: Silicon Motion Technology Corporation(SIMO)

Silicon Motion Technology Corporation, a fabless semiconductor company, designs, develops, and supplies a portfolio of multimedia data processing, storage, and transfer solutions primarily for consumer electronics applications. The company offers a range of microcontrollers for use in NAND flash memory storage products, including flash memory cards, USB flash drives, and embedded flash and solid state drives. It also offers a range of multimedia SoCs comprising embedded graphics processors for embedded graphics applications in desktop and notebook personal computers, game consoles, work stations, and multimedia mobile phones. In addition, the company provides semiconductor solutions consisting of mobile television tuners and integrated tuner plus demodulator SoCs for mobile phones and other portable devices; and CDMA transceivers for CDMA 1x and EVDO modem solutions, as well as transceivers for LTE modem solutions. It sells its products to module makers, original equipment manufacturers, and original design manufacturers through its direct sales force and distributors in Canada, China, Europe, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and the United States. The company is headquartered in Jhubei City, Taiwan.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Alex Planes]

    Investors love stocks that consistently beat the Street without getting ahead of their fundamentals and risking a meltdown. The best stocks offer sustainable market-beating gains, with robust and improving financial metrics that support strong price growth. Does Silicon Motion (NASDAQ: SIMO  ) fit the bill? Let's take a look at what its recent results tell us about its potential for future gains.

  • [By Garrett Cook]

    Silicon Motion Technology (NASDAQ: SIMO) shares were also up, gaining 0.37 percent to $21.57 after the company raised its Q2 revenue forecast. The Company is expected to release its full Q2 results on July 28, 2014.

  • [By Travis Hoium]

    What: Shares of Silicon Motion Technology (NASDAQ: SIMO  ) fell as much as 14% today after the company released earnings.

    So what: Net sales fell 19% from the fourth quarter to $57.4 million, coming in just ahead of estimates. The real downside was on the bottom line, where earnings per share dropped more than 50%, to $0.17, $0.05 short of estimates.�

  • [By Jake L'Ecuyer]

    Silicon Motion Technology (NASDAQ: SIMO) was also up, gaining 14.72 percent to $17.07 after the company reported upbeat Q4 results and issued strong FY14 revenue forecast.

10 Best Warren Buffett Stocks To Watch For 2014: Canadian/Yen (HY)

Hyster-Yale Materials Handling, Inc. and its subsidiaries engage in the design, engineering, manufacture, sale, and service of a line of lift trucks and aftermarket parts worldwide. It offers components, such as frames, masts, and transmissions; and assembles lift trucks. The company markets its products primarily under the Hyster and Yale brand names to independent Hyster and Yale retail dealerships. It also sells aftermarket parts under the UNISOURCE, MULTIQUIP, and PREMIER brands to Hyster and Yale dealers for the service of competitor lift trucks. The company was incorporated in 1991 and is headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Holly LaFon]

    The Financial sector was the best performer in the Barclays Aggregate Index during 3Q13, generating nominal and excess returns of 1.54% and 1.40%, respectively. Spreads in High Yield (HY) issues tightened substantially, propelling Ba/B credits to a 2.07% nominal and 1.74% excess return. Mortgage Backed Securities (MBS) also reacted positively to the Fed decision, as Agency MBS outperformed comparable duration Treasuries with a 1.03% nominal and 0.95% excess return. Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities (CMBS) were resilient as well, finishing 1.02% higher in nominal terms and 0.66% excess in 3Q13. Non-Corporate Credit issues fared positively in 3Q13, but with a relatively weaker 0.37% nominal and 0.41% excess return.

  • [By Vera Yuan]

    ��ift truck manufacturer Hyster-Yale Materials Handling, Inc. (HY) declined after the company provided qualitative guidance for the remainder of 2014 that may have been viewed negatively by some investors. Revenues and pre-tax income both increased during the quarter, but after-tax net income declined as a result of a higher tax rate.

  • [By Rich Duprey]

    Heavy-equipment maker�Hyster-Yale Materials Handling� (NYSE: HY  ) announced yesterday�its second-quarter dividend of $0.25 per share for both its Class A and Class B stock.

10 Best Warren Buffett Stocks To Watch For 2014: Raven Industries Inc.(RAVN)

Raven Industries, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, manufactures various products for industrial, agricultural, energy, construction, and military/aerospace markets primarily in North America. It operates in four segments: Applied Technology, Engineered Films, Aerostar, and Electronic Systems. The Applied Technology segment designs, manufactures, sells, and services precision agriculture products and information management tools enabling growers to enhance farm yields. Its products include field computers, application controls, GPS-guidance and assisted-steering systems, automatic boom controls, and yield monitoring planter controls, as well as an integrated real time kinematic and information platform called Slingshot. This segment sells its products to original equipment manufacturers, as well as through after market distributors. The Engineered Films segment produces rugged reinforced plastic sheeting for industrial, construction, geomembrane, and agricultural appli cations. It sells plastic sheeting to independent third-party distributors through its sales force. The Aerostar segment sells high-altitude research balloons and tethered aerostats for government and commercial research. It produces military parachutes, uniforms, and protective wear for the U.S. government agencies as a subcontractor; and other sewn and sealed products on a contract basis. The Electronic Systems segment provides electronics manufacturing services for commercial customers. It manufactures assemblies, including avionics, communication, environmental controls, and other products. The company was founded in 1956 and is headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Dividends4Life]

    Memberships and Peers: MMM is a member of the S&P 500, a Dividend Aristocrat, a member of the Broad Dividend Achievers��Index and a Dividend Champion. The company's peer group includes: General Electric Co. (GE) with a 3.1% yield, Raven Industries Inc. (RAVN) with a 1.6% yield and Carlisle Companies Inc. (CSL) with a 1.2% yield.

  • [By victorselva]

    General Electric has a current ratio of 10% which is lower than all the comps: 3M Company (MMM), Danaher Corp. (DHR), Carlisle Companies Incorporated (CSL), Koninklijke Philips N.V (PHG) and Raven Industries Inc. (RAVN).

10 Best Warren Buffett Stocks To Watch For 2014: eHealth Inc.(EHTH)

eHealth, Inc. offers Internet-based insurance agency services for individuals, families, and small businesses in the United States. The company also offers technology licensing and Internet advertising services. Its ecommerce platforms organize and present health insurance information in various formats, as well as enables individuals, families, and small businesses to research, analyze, compare, and purchase various health insurance plans. The company offers various medical health insurance coverage plans, such as preferred provider organization, health maintenance organization and indemnity plans, Medicare plans, short-term medical insurance, student health insurance, and health savings account eligible health insurance plans, as well as ancillary plans, such as dental, vision, and life insurance. Its customers access its ecommerce platforms through its Websites, including eHealth.com, eHealthInsurance.com, eHealthMedicare.com, and PlanPrescriber.com, as well as through a network of marketing partners. The company was incorporated in 1997 and is headquartered in Mountain View, California.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Sean Williams]

    The other option here is eHealth (NASDAQ: EHTH  ) �a private health insurance platform for individuals, families, and small businesses that's been around for years. In its third-quarter results released last week, eHealth noted that membership had risen by 24% to 1.147 million from the year-ago period, clearly showing skepticism in the Obamacare health reform law suggesting the success and options its private platform offers. If there's any company that can use Healthcare.gov's nightmarish start to its advantage, it's eHealth!

  • [By David Williamson]

    Obamacare is racking up expenses, in particular, with the creation of insurance exchanges. In this video, David Williamson looks at this feature of Obamacare, and a possible free market solution. The problem is that these exchanges are proving more expensive than originally thought, up to an estimated $5.7 billion for 2014. No wonder less than half of the states in the country have come on board. One solution is an online insurance exchange. A form of such an exchange already exists. Will it work for a nationwide insurance market?�Hard to say. On the one hand, it could offer small businesses unprecedented access to insurance plans. On the other hand, an online market may simply offer those plans with the best commissions and not the best deals.� (NASDAQ: EHTH  )

10 Best Warren Buffett Stocks To Watch For 2014: GSE Holding Inc (GSEH)

GSE Holding, Inc. (GSE) is a provider of engineered geosynthetic containment solutions. GSE�� products are used in a range of infrastructure end markets, such as mining, waste management, liquid containment (including water infrastructure, agriculture and aquaculture), coal ash containment and shale oil and gas. The Company operates in two segments: North America, which represents the United States, Canada and Mexico, and International, which represents the rest of its global operations. The Company is a provider of products required to deliver customized solutions for projects on a global basis, including geomembranes, drainage products, geosynthetic clay liners, or GCLs, nonwoven geotextiles, and specialty products. In April 2010, the Company sold its 75.5% interest in GSE Bentoliner (Canada). In June 2010, it divested the United States Installation. In July 2010, GSE closed GSE UK, its manufacturing facility in the United Kingdom. In March 2012, the Company announced the purchase, by one of its subsidiaries, of certain manufacturing equipment from Poly-America, L.P. and Poly-Flex, Inc. In February 2013, the Company acquired SynTec, LLC.

GSE has seven manufacturing facilities located in the United States, Germany, Chile, Egypt and Thailand, 18 regional sales offices located in 12 countries. The Company serves mining, waste management and power companies; independent installers and dealers; general contractors and government agencies.

Geomembranes

Geomembranes are synthetic polymeric lining materials used as barriers in geotechnical engineering applications in mining, solid waste containment and liquid containment markets. Geomembranes are manufactured from polyethylene and polypropylene resins with additives designed to resist weathering, ultraviolet degradation and chemical exposure for extended time periods. Its geomembranes include GSE high-density polyethylene (HDPE), GSE LLDPE, GSE Textured, GSE White and GSE Conductive. GSE HDPE liners are used material! for lining applications in the geosynthetic products industry.

Drainage Products

The Company�� primary drainage products are GSE HyperNet and GSE FabriNet. GSE HyperNet. GSE�� geonet product consists of two sets of HDPE strands intertwined to form a channel along which fluid is conveyed for drainage. GSE HyperNet liners are used as part of a landfill liner system. Its geocomposite product is produced by heat bonding nonwoven geotextiles to one or both surfaces of the GSE HyperNet. This permeable textile serves as a separator and a filter, keeping soils out of the GSE HyperNet drainage layer, which allows the product to perform its function of transmitting liquids and gases. GSE FabriNet liners are used as part of a landfill liner system.

Geosynthetic Clay Liners

GSE offers two varieties of GCLs: GSE GundSeal and GSE Bentoliner. GCL, which includes GSE GundSeal, combines HDPE liners with sodium bentonite clay. The sodium bentonite clay is adhered directly to the liner and serves as a support layer to the liner, sealing any small punctures in the overlaying liner by expanding or swelling upon contact with liquids. Applications of GSE GundSeal include landfill liners and water containment pond liners. GSE Bentoliner combines durable geotextile outer layers with an inner layer of low permeability sodium bentonite clay. GSE Bentoliner includes patent-pending coal ash-resistant GCL. GSE Bentoliner offers an array of application usages for low to high loads and flat to steep slopes in landfill liners, mining heap lead pads and water containment pond liners.

Nonwoven Geotextiles

Nonwoven geotextiles are synthetic, staple fiber, nonwoven needle-punched fabrics used in environmental and other industrial applications that include filtration, soil stabilization, separation, drainage and gas transmission, cushion and liner protection applications. The Company�� nonwoven geotextile products are available in many weights and thickness! es. They ! are used primarily internally to manufacture its geocomposite and Bentoliner products. During the year ended December 31, 2010, sales of nonwoven geotextiles represented 3% of its total product sales.

Specialty Products

The Company offers other specialty polysynthetic products. GSE CurtainWall and GSE GundWall specialty products are vertical barrier systems that block the lateral migration of subsurface fluids. GSE CurtainWall is suited for trench-style installations, while GSE GundWall is installed with trenchless, vibratory and installation techniques. GSE StudLiner is a studded geomembrane that protects against corrosion and deterioration of concrete structures, including tanks, pipes, drainage channels and tunnels. Common applications for GSE StudLiner include industrial, municipal and civil applications, such as concrete storage tank protection. Pre-Fabricated Products include pipe boots, corners, sumps or other ancillary parts.

The Company competes with Agru Kunststofftechnik GmbH (Agru) and Agru America.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By James Miller Phd]

    As we can see, the firm has a higher ROE than it peers: Sharps Compliance, Casella Waste Systems, Inc. (CWST), Donaldson Company, Inc. (DCI) and GSE Holding Inc. (GSEH).

10 Best Warren Buffett Stocks To Watch For 2014: Strattec Security Corporation(STRT)

Strattec Security Corporation engages in the design, development, manufacture, and marketing of automotive access control products. The company?s products include mechanical locks and keys, electronically enhanced locks and keys, steering column and instrument panel ignition lock housings, latches, power sliding door systems, power lift gate systems, power deck lid systems, door handles, and related products. It also provides full service and aftermarket support for its products. The company offers its products primarily for automotive manufacturers. It markets its products in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, South America, Korea, and China. The company was founded in 1994 and is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Martin Vlcek]

    Strattec Security Corp. (STRT) is a growing small-cap company with more than 100 years in the automotive supply industry and strong sales growth since 2009. The success and growth of Strattec are still mostly influenced by the global automotive markets. As many analysts still predict ongoing industry growth, the company is poised to continue strongly benefiting from this automotive tailwind. However, the company's recent diversification efforts into new product lines, industries outside of automotive and countries outside of the U.S. have created multiple new growth drivers that will ensure Strattec's continued robust sales and EPS expansion. The company's growth has also become much more balanced and more resilient to a potential automotive industry shock or U.S. slowdown.

  • [By Monica Wolfe]

    Strattec Security (STRT)

    Last week Mario Gabelli increased his position in Strattec Security. The guru increased his position 4.82% by adding a total of 13,136 shares to his holdings. He bought these shares at an average price of $43.15, and since then the price per share has increased approximately 5%.

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Top Valued Companies To Own For 2014

The following video is from Friday's installment of the Motley Fool's Weekly Tech Review, in which host Chris Hill and analysts Eric Bleeker and Jason Moser look at the biggest stories driving the tech sector this week.

Reports last week out of Spain indicated that AT&T (NYSE: T  ) �was looking at making an offer to�Telefonica (NYSE: TEF  ) �valued at $93 billion. According to Spanish newspaper El Mundo,�the sale didn't proceed in part because of governmental concerns over having a foreign company buy the country's most valuable telecom player. Yet even if AT&T and Telefonica aren't met to be, there is ample evidence that America's dominant mobile companies have begun looking abroad for growth.

Looking at�Verizon (NYSE: VZ  ) the company has long been trying to figure out what to do about its "Vodafone (NASDAQ: VOD  ) �problem." That company owns 45% of Verizon Wireless, and there have even been talks of Verizon buying Vodafone outright in the world's largest leveraged buyout. Such a move would suddenly turn Verizon into a massive global telecom giant.

Best Stocks To Own For 2015: Schlumberger N.V.(SLB)

Schlumberger Limited, together with its subsidiaries, supplies technology, integrated project management, and information solutions to the oil and gas exploration and production industries worldwide. The company?s Oilfield Services segment provides exploration and production services; wireline technology that offers open-hole and cased-hole services; supplies engineering support, directional-drilling, measurement-while-drilling, and logging-while-drilling services; and testing services. This segment also offers well services; supplies well completion services and equipment; artificial lift; data and consulting services; geo services; and information solutions, such as consulting, software, information management system, and IT infrastructure services that support oil and gas industry. Its WesternGeco segment provides reservoir imaging, monitoring, and development services; and operates data processing centers and multiclient seismic library. This segment also offers variou s services include 3D and time-lapse (4D) seismic surveys to multi-component surveys for delineating prospects and reservoir management. The company?s M-I SWACO segment supplies drilling fluid systems to improve drilling performance; fluid systems and specialty tools to optimize wellbore productivity; production technology solutions to maximize production rates; and environmental solutions that manages waste volumes generated in drilling and production operations. Its Smith Oilfield segment designs, manufactures, and markets drill bits and borehole enlargement tools; and supplies drilling tools and services, tubular, completion services, and other related downhole solutions. The company?s Distribution segment markets pipes, valves, and fittings, as well as mill, safety, and other maintenance products. This segment also provides warehouse management, vendor integration, and inventory management services. Schlumberger Limited was founded in 1927 and is based in Houston, Texas.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Laura Brodbeck]

    Thursday

    Earnings Expected From: SAP AG (NYSE: SAP), Novartis AG (NYSE: NVS), UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE: UNH), Mattel, Inc, (NASDAQ: MAT), Key Corp (NYSE: KEY), Philip Morris International (NYSE: PM), Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS), PPG Industries, Inc (NYSE: PPG), The Blackstone Group L.P. (NYSE: BX), Schlumberger N.V. (NYSE: SLB), International Business Machines (NYSE: IBM), Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) Economic Releases Expected:  Chinese house prices, US housing starts, eurozone CPI, Hong Kong’s unemployment rate

    Friday

  • [By Tyler Crowe]

    Another reason that shale gas development has not as quickly developed is a lack of clear patent protection laws,�especially�in China. While both Schlumberger (NYSE: SLB  ) and Haliburton (NYSE: HAL  ) have expressed an interest in developing Chinese shale gas, a lack of intellectual-property protection has them hesitant to going all in. Rather, both companies have taken minority interests in smaller,�Chinese-based companies and plan to take orders of drilling fluids and equipment. These kinds of moves are not necessary in the U.S. and have allowed companies to protect and profit from their expertise.

  • [By Tyler Crowe and Aimee Duffy]

    About 1% of all drilling operations are powered by natural gas. By shifting all drilling operations over to natural gas, the industry could save as much as $1.6 billion a year. The idea has such appeal that both Haliburton (NYSE: HAL  ) and Schlumberger (NYSE: SLB  ) have said that they would be willing to test sites with Apache for free. In this video, Fool.com contributor Tyler Crowe talks about how the industry could convert to natural-gas-powered operations, and highlights companies to look out for that could benefit from this movement.

  • [By Tyler Crowe]

    Many of the national oil companies in the Middle East do not have the experience to do EOR or production optimization on their own. This is where oil services specialists come into play. Both Core Laboratories and Schlumberger (NYSE: SLB  ) saw sizable upticks in revenue from the Middle East region. If Middle Eastern oil production trends were to continue, it would not be a stretch to see these two companies as well as other oil services grow their Middle Eastern business substantially over the next several years.

Top Valued Companies To Own For 2014: Caterpillar Inc.(CAT)

Caterpillar Inc. manufactures and sells construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines, and diesel-electric locomotives worldwide. It operates through three lines of businesses: Machinery, Engines, and Financial Products. The Machinery business offers construction, mining, and forestry machinery, including track and wheel tractors, track and wheel loaders, pipelayers, motor graders, wheel tractor-scrapers, track and wheel excavators, backhoe loaders, log skidders, log loaders, off-highway trucks, articulated trucks, paving products, skid steer loaders, underground mining equipment, tunnel boring equipment, and related parts. It also manufactures diesel-electric locomotives; and manufactures and services rail-related products and logistics services for other companies. The Engines business provides diesel, heavy fuel, and natural gas reciprocating engines for Caterpillar machinery, electric power generation systems, marine, petrol eum, construction, industrial, agricultural, and other applications. It offers industrial turbines and turbine-related services for oil and gas, and power generation applications. This business also remanufactures Caterpillar engines, machines, and engine components; and offers remanufacturing services for other companies. The Financial Products business provides retail and wholesale financing alternatives for Caterpillar machinery and engines, solar gas turbines, and other equipment and marine vessels, as well as offers loans and various forms of insurance to customers and dealers. It also offers financing for vehicles, power generation facilities, and marine vessels. The company markets its products directly, as well as through its distribution centers, dealers, and distributors. It was formerly known as Caterpillar Tractor Co. and changed its name to Caterpillar Inc. in 1986. Caterpillar Inc. was founded in 1925 and is headquartered in Peoria, Illinois.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Matt Thalman]

    Caterpillar (NYSE: CAT  ) also had a bad week, as shares fell by 2.72%. This is the ninth straight week shares of Caterpillar closed lower than were they began. In that time, the stock price has been cut lower by 14.89%. This week's big decline came on Tuesday, after the Department of Commerce released its factory orders and showed that machinery and other large equipment declined by 3.2% in February. �

Top Valued Companies To Own For 2014: Dollar Tree Inc.(DLTR)

Dollar Tree, Inc. operates discount variety stores in the United States and Canada. Its stores offer merchandise primarily at the fixed price of $1.00. The company operates its stores under the names of Dollar Tree, Deal$, Dollar Tree Deal$, Dollar Giant, and Dollar Bills. Its stores offer consumable merchandise, including candy and food, and health and beauty care, as well as household consumables, such as paper, plastics, household chemicals, in select stores, and frozen and refrigerated food; variety merchandise, which includes toys, durable housewares, gifts, party goods, greeting cards, softlines, and other items; and seasonal goods, such as Easter, Halloween, and Christmas merchandise. As of April 30, 2011, it operated 4,089 stores in 48 states and the District of Columbia, as well as 88 stores in Canada. The company was founded in 1986 and is based in Chesapeake, Virginia.

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

    #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-305703{display:none}.cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-305703,#postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-305703{width:570px;height:411px;display:block} NEW YORK -- The fight for penny pinchers is intensifying. Dollar Tree (DLTR) said Monday it is buying rival discounter Family Dollar (FDO) for $8.5 billion, significantly broadening its reach as it looks to fend off Walmart, which has been stepping up its courtship of lower-income customers The deal makes Dollar Tree the biggest player in the dollar store segment, with its more than 13,000 combined locations eclipsing current leader Dollar General (DG), which has about 11,300. Dollar stores grew during the recession as people across income groups searched for cheaper options. To attract a broader array of customers, they also expanded their offerings to include more groceries and brand-name products, instead of just the party favors and other knickknacks people often associated with them. More recently, however, sales at dollar stores have been suffering because the lower-income customers who go to them are facing persistent job instability and slow wage growth in the aftermath of the recession. Walmart Stores (WMT) and Kroger (KR) also have been opening smaller store formats to directly compete with dollar stores. During its current fiscal year, Walmart plans to open 270 to 300 smaller outlets designed to cater to shoppers looking for more convenience. Brian Sozzi, CEO and chief equities strategist at Belus Capital Advisors, said because the Dollar Tree deal will allow the company to lower expenses by merging its operations, it will ultimately be able to lower prices to better compete with Walmart. "Now they're going to take the fight back to Walmart," Sozzi said. The deal also gives Dollar Tree more flexibility. Dollar Tree is true to its name, with everything in its stores costing just a buck. The fixed pricing has helped attract more customer

  • [By Ethan Roberts]

    Shares of Dollar Tree (DLTR) were substantially lower this morning after the company reported third-quarter earnings. Dollar Tree earnings tallied 59 cents per diluted share of DLTR stock, which missed analyst estimates by two pennies.

Top Valued Companies To Own For 2014: Tupperware Corporation(TUP)

Tupperware Brands Corporation operates as a direct seller of various products across a range of brands and categories through an independent sales force. The company engages in the manufacture and sale of kitchen and home products, and beauty and personal care products. It offers preparation, storage, and serving solutions for the kitchen and home, as well as kitchen cookware and tools, children?s educational toys, microwave products, and gifts under the Tupperware brand name primarily in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, the Asia Pacific, and North America. The company provides beauty and personal care products, which include skin care products, cosmetics, bath and body care, toiletries, fragrances, nutritional products, apparel, and related products principally in Mexico, South Africa, the Philippines, Australia, and Uruguay. It offers beauty and personal care products under the Armand Dupree, Avroy Shlain, BeautiControl, Fuller, NaturCare, Nutrimetics, Nuvo, and Swissgar de brand names. The company sells its Tupperware products directly to distributors, directors, managers, and dealers; and beauty products primarily through consultants and directors. As of December 26, 2009, the Tupperware distribution system had approximately 1,800 distributors, 61,300 managers, and 1.3 million dealers; and the sales force representing the Beauty businesses approximately 1.1 million. The company was formerly known as Tupperware Corporation and changed its name to Tupperware Brands Corporation in December 2005. The company was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in Orlando, Florida.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Jonathan Berr]

    Multilevel marketing (MLM) groups such as Herbalife operate through independent sales representatives, who earn money both through the sales of product and by recruiting other people to join their team. This business model — which is used by scores of companies, including�Pampered Chef, which is owned by Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B), Tupperware (TUP) and Mary Kay Cosmetics — is legal provided that actual products are sold.

  • [By John Udovich]

    Everyone is familiar with�the Tupperware brand from�consumer products stock Tupperware Brands Corporation (NYSE: TUP) and you are probably familiar with the brands�of mid cap stock Jarden Corp (NYSE: JAH) along with small cap stocks Libbey Inc (NYSEMKT: LBY) and Lifetime Brands Inc (NASDAQ: LCUT); but what about the stocks themselves? Chances are, their brands or products are right under your nose at home and you probably don�� know anything about the mid cap or small cap stock behind them.