Top Dividend Stocks To Buy For 2015: March 2014

Saturday, March 29, 2014

How to Kill a Zombie (Foreclosure) in Your Neighborhood

Best Rising Stocks To Buy For 2014

Zombie Attack Getty Images Millions of us love zombies in the movies or on "The Walking Dead," but when they start showing up in your neighborhood, that's where the fun ends. And if you think rotting corpses are scary when they start moving around, they're almost as bad when they're houses people moved away from. Of course, I am referring to zombie foreclosures: properties where a foreclosure was initiated and the homeowner has walked away, but the bank hasn't completed the process, leaving it in limbo for months or even years. In general, the former occupants don't even realize that, technically, they still own the house. The problem with these undead domiciles is that, once abandoned, they quickly fall into disrepair and become targets for vandalism, graffiti and squatters, all of which can bring down the value of surrounding homes. According to Realty Trac, one out of every five homes currently in foreclosure is a zombie property, and in certain metro areas in states like Florida and Nevada -- hit especially hard when the housing bubble burst in 2008 -- that number can be as high as one out of three. If you have a suspect property in your neighborhood, there are a few things you can do to confirm it's a zombie foreclosure. First, search for a foreclosure file at your local courthouse or recorder's office. You'll want to pay attention to the date of the last recorded action on that file, and what type of action it was. If you see either an "Order of Sale" or a "Postponement of Sale" as the last action and it is more than 90 days old, you might be dealing with a zombie foreclosure. Next, contact the utility companies and ask about the account status of the property in question. Though it's not a definitive indicator, homes with no water or power are very likely to be vacant. Finally, do a visual inspection of the property, ideally with some like-minded neighbors. Obviously, an overgrown yard, accumulated debris, broken or boarded up windows, padlocked doors, signs or notices from servers, will serve to indicate the property is abandoned. If after all this, you're still not sure if you are dealing with a zombie, conduct a title search to determine the ownership status –- something many neighborhood real estate agents will be happy to do for you. Aim for the Brain Once you've determined that you are in fact dealing with a zombie foreclosure her are some potential ways you can kill it. Notify local contractors, developers, or community redevelopment firms about the property. Zombies can be ideal investment candidates for folks who specialize in rehabbing and flipping homes. Also, check your state and local laws regarding foreclosures –- something, once again, that a friendly local real estate agent can help you with. Some areas have laws on the books that require a foreclosure to be completed by the note holder within 90 days of the original sale date. If this is the case in your area, and the property is past that 90 day mark, contact the servicer of the loan. Most major servicers have a property preservation department, so notify them that their zombie is on the loose. The civil codes vary, but in general, if the note holder fails to follow through on a pending foreclosure, it can be fined. That's usually enough to light a fire under a bank, but if it still doesn't take action, you can then file a complaint against it with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. If none of these actions gets the problem solved, your final option is to petition the Clerk of the Court to order the completion of the foreclosure. This course requires legal representation, so you will have to either contact your local city official or an attorney to more the process forward. In all cases however, the more people you have on your side the better your chances are. Agencies, officials, and even banks are more likely to respond to your requests if they know you have a large number of voters and consumers standing behind you. So get your fellow homeowners together and get organized. As the band of survivors on "The Walking Dead" knows all too well, it takes a team to effectively fight off zombies.

Thursday, March 27, 2014

Citigroup: Where Did We Go Wrong?

JPMorgan Chase (JPM) got its capital plan approved. So did the Bank of New York Mellon (BK) and Capital One Financial (COF). Citigroup (C), however, was left out in the cold after the Fed rejected its capital plans because of its “deficiencies” in capital planning and despite passing the Fed’s stress test.

Getty Images

Bernstein’s John McDonald and team express their disappointment:

The Federal Reserve’s surprise “qualitative” rejection of Citigroup’s capital plan raises questions about the company’s relationship with its regulators and the necessary next steps and timing to restore confidence. While we still believe Citi will build and eventually distribute an increasing amount of capital over the next several years, the starting point for return has clearly been pushed out and the pace of increase will be more gradual. The reduction of buybacks hits EPS estimates and makes it more challenging for Citi to reach its 2015 ROTCE target of 10%. While the stock is undoubtedly cheap, we have trouble seeing it outperform over the next 6-12 months with the capital return on hold, ROTCE stuck in the 8%-9% range for the next 2 years, and earnings power still in question as the company battles high legal/repositioning costs and now possibly higher regulatory expenses. We still see good long-term value, but suspect the shares will remain range-bound in the near to intermediate term amid lingering uncertainty. We move to a market-perform rating with a PT of $52, which equates to 9.5x our revised 2015 EPS estimate of $5.50.

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Shares of Citigroup have dropped 4.3% to $47.98 at 10:26 a.m., while JPMorgan Chase has ticked up 0.1% to $59.97, Capital One Financial has gained 1.8% to $76.30 and Bank of New York Mellon has risen 0.5% to $35.31.

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

United Technologies Corporation (UTX): Ready to Fly Says Goldman

Forget about The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA) and buy United Technologies Corporation (NYSE:UTX), so says Goldman Sachs. Analyst, Noah Poponak upped the aerospace company to "Buy" from "Neutral" with a fresh, new price-target of $138 – upside potential of 19.76% to target.

United Technologies Corporation provides high technology products and services to the building systems and aerospace industries worldwide. The Company operates in six segments: Otis, Carrier, UTC Fire & Security, Pratt & Whitney, Hamilton Sundstrand and Sikorsky.

[Related -The Boeing Company (BA): Cash Generation May Disappoint Near-Term]

Otis, Carrier and UTC Fire & Security serve customers in the commercial, government infrastructure and residential property sectors worldwide. Carrier also serves commercial, industrial, transport refrigeration and food service equipment customers. Pratt & Whitney, Hamilton Sundstrand and Sikorsky primarily serves commercial and government customers.

Poponak writes, "We believe the end-market stars are aligning for United Technologies. The company is well positioned in a strengthening Commercial Aerospace aftermarket, it is a market leader in its non-residential construction market, and its largest profit generators in the European construction markets appear to be bottoming. Pension and FX are moving to tailwinds, there is upside to consensus estimates, and valuation is attractive."

[Related -United Technologies Corporation (NYSE:UTX): How Pension Shift Will Drive EPS?]

The analyst targets a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 17.6 on his 2015 earnings-per-share (EPS) estimate of $7.84 to make the $138 target. It is no coincidence that Poponak picked the target P/E, it is the industry average.

However, United Technologies' average P/E during the last half-decade was 15.50 with a range of 8.68 to 18.89. At its average P/E, UTX would price out at $121.52. That being written, the aerospace company's annual EPS growth for the last five years was 9.23%, which means the industrial goods company tends to trade at a 68% premium to the bottom line's expansion.

Using Goldman's 2015 estimate and 2014's consensus EPS outlook of $6.82, UTX's profits per share would grow 14.96% year-over-year (YoY). Applying the typical P/E to earnings to premium translates to a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.13. That requires Wall Street to pay well beyond United's recent range, but if they did, $138 would be small compared to $197.

Overall: It wouldn't be too much of a stretch for United Technologies Corporation (NYSE:UTX) to trade at 17.6 times earnings and hit Noah Poponak's $138, provided UTX makes his 2015 estimate of $7.84.

Monday, March 24, 2014

Four Defensive Stocks for Cautious Investors

Investors have to start asking themselves if it is time to start getting defensive. The stock market keeps hitting new highs, only to sell off. Uncertainty in China and Russia continue. The speculative biotech stocks have started to sell off. The rate of initial public offerings is off the charts, and companies keep selling shares in secondary offerings. Small-cap stocks also have kept running and running. This is generally the climate that equity investors who want to maintain exposure to stocks tend to become more defensive.

If investors believe that the stock market is going to rally 10% or 20%, they prefer growth stocks. If the market is frothy and acting like it is fairly valued or fully valued, the smart money investors go into defensive stocks. Generally these are low-growth, steady-eddie companies, with good dividends to boot.

As a reminder, the bull market is now more than five-years old. Also remember that the S&P 500 rose nearly 30% in 2013. If it is time to get defensive, what are some solid defensive stocks for investors now? 24/7 all St. looked over its universe of defensive go-to stocks to see which companies look best for worried and cautious investors.

Each of these has a solid dividend and is expected by analysts to rise, even in a flat market.

AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) immediately comes to mind. Yes, it has had problems and has underperformed the market. But AT&T leads all Dow Jones Industrial Average Stocks in dividends, with a yield of about 5.4%. We recently highlighted that money inflows were starting to pour into AT&T at a rate that could not be ignored. A price war is not good for any industry, but investors now seem less and less worried that AT&T will go make a big international acquisition. AT&T is cheap against the broad market at 13 times expected earnings. Trading at $34.65, it has a 52-week range of $31.74 to $39.00, and the consensus price target is now about $35.60.

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American Water Works Company Inc. (NYSE: AWK) is the go-to stock for water investors, which is about as defensive as an investor can get. It is the largest public water utility in America, with around 14 million customers located in 40 states. Yet its market cap is only $8 billion. The water utility giant does not sound cheap at more than 18 times expected earnings, but this stock rarely has looked cheap because of its key market position. Trading at $45.00, it has a 52-week range of $38.70 to $45.48, and its consensus price target is $48.85. Investors also get a 2.5% dividend yield here.

Procter & Gamble Co. (NYSE: PG) needs almost no introduction, other than it is the largest consumer products giant by far in the United States. It also has served investors well any time they have bought P&G shares on pullbacks. At $79.75, P&G shares have a 52-week range of $73.61 to $85.82. Even though P&G trades at about 19 times expected earnings, investors get a dividend yield of 3.1%, and the consensus analyst price target is almost $87.00.

Altria Group Inc. (NYSE: MO) is a company that keeps managing to remain influential. It has started to pick up its effort in the e-cigarettes market, and rumors of industry consolidation would make it even more defensive — plus it has a minority stake in SABMiller for beer. Trading at $36.50, Altria has a 52-week range of $33.12 to $38.58. The consensus price target from analysts is now $40.00. Altria also has a high dividend yield of 5.3% and a submarket valuation of 14 times expected earnings. This may change some day, but betting that the tobacco industry will disappear has just not ever worked.

The reality is that even defensive stocks will get hit if the market takes a very large drop or in a period of sustained selling. That being said, investors still seem to want upside in the stock market, but protection if the market pulls back. Defensive stocks are often the way to go for that strategy.

Sunday, March 23, 2014

Researcher: 303 deaths from GM airbag failure

A study commissioned by the Center for Auto Safety found that 303 people were killed in crashes of now-recalled General Motors vehicles where the airbags did not deploy, according to a report in the New York Times.

The Washington, D.C.-based, watchdog group commissioned Friedman Research to comb the federal auto Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) for deaths in two of the recalled models, the 2005-07 Chevrolet Cobalt and 2003-07 Saturn Ion. The accident analysis firm looked for non-rear impact crashes in which the bags did not deploy, the Times reported.

The data is expected to be used as part of the auto safety group's effort to convince Congress in upcoming hearings enough evidence was available to both GM and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to spot a deadly trend much sooner.

The two vehicles and four other models were recalled in the U.S. last month, but documents filed with NHTSA show that there were problem reports and consumer complaints dating to 2001.

The Center has said it believes not only that GM could have taken action sooner, but also that NHTSA was not aggressive enough in investigating the complaints and policing the automaker.

GM has reported to NHTSA 31 crashes and 12 deaths linked specifically to the recall. The cars have a faulty ignition switch that can unintentionally move out of the "run" positions, shutting off the engine and disabling the airbags.

The FARS data, where the count of 303 originates, according to the Times report, is based on accident reports at the scene by state and local police agencies and generally is considered raw information that needs more analysis.

For example, NHTSA files show only 87 complaints involving the recalled GM vehicles in the "stall" category. No deaths are among those. And half the models the car company recalled have no complaints involving the car stalling, according to an analysis by USA TODAY.

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Death counts can be misleading in the midst of a recall. During the Toyota sudden acceleration recall in 2009 and 2010, a widely reported death toll topped 100. But once the government investigated all of the reports, only five deaths were tied to unexpected acceleration in Toyota and Lexus vehicles.

Contributing: Paul Overberg, Fred Meier

Saturday, March 22, 2014

Top 5 Gold Companies To Watch In Right Now

Top 5 Gold Companies To Watch In Right Now: NEW GOLD INC.(NGD)

New Gold Inc. engages in the acquisition, exploration, extraction, processing, and reclamation of mineral properties. The company primarily explore for gold, silver, and copper deposits. Its operating properties include the Mesquite gold mine in the United States; the Cerro San Pedro gold-silver mine in Mexico; and the Peak gold-copper mine in Australia. The company also has development projects, including the New Afton gold, silver, and copper project in Canada; and a 30% interest in the El Morro copper-gold project in Chile. The company was formerly known as DRC Resources Corporation and changed its name to New Gold Inc. in June 2005. New Gold Inc. was founded in 1980 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By MONEYMORNING]
New Gold Inc. (NSYEMKT: NGD) completed its takeover of Rainy River Resources back in October. New Gold got 4 million ounces in a good jurisdiction (Ontario) and paid less than book value.
[By Ben Levisohn]
January is nearing an end, and that means one thing: Gold miners will start announcing earnings. New Gold (NGD) will get things started on Feb 6, followed by Kinross Gold (KGC) on Feb. 12 and Goldcorp (GG) and Barrick Gold (ABX) on Feb. 13.

source from Top Stocks Blog:http://www.topstocksblog.com/top-5-gold-companies-to-watch-in-right-now.html

Friday, March 21, 2014

Curbing the High Cost of Retirement Medical Care

The cost of medical care continues to rise and to be the wild card in retirement plans. Reports and studies update the estimates of the cost of retirement medical care each year. They show the cost to be high and also very unpredictable for individual retirees and couples. The studies focus on average or median costs. In your planning you have to be aware that individual costs vary greatly because of differences in personal health, geography, and insurance coverage. Your retirement medical costs can be substantially higher or lower than the overall forecasts.

We're talking about out-of-pocket costs, those expenses that aren't covered by Medicare. People on average incur higher medical costs than these estimates, but Medicare picks up some of the costs. These estimates are of what you'll have to pay.

A couple retiring in 2013 and incurring median drug expenses during retirement would need to save $151,000 to have a 50% chance of covering their lifetime costs for prescription drugs only, according to the latest study from the Employee Benefit Research Institute. Those who incur among the highest medicine expenses are likely to need over $220,000. The good news in the report is that the prescription drug expense estimates are lower than last year's because of a reduction in the rate of growth of medical and drug costs.

Remember those estimates are only for prescription drug costs. To have a high probability of paying all non-covered medical costs after age 65, EBRI estimates a couple age 65 today with a high level of medical expenses will need savings of $360,000. (You can see that for the average person prescription drugs is the largest medical expense not covered by Medicare.)

How will these costs be paid? EBRI estimates that Medicare covers about 62% of medical costs for beneficiaries. (I've seen other reports estimate that Medicare pays only about 50% of costs.) Another 13% comes from p! rivate insurance and about 12% is paid by the retirees. The rest is paid by state programs, employer retirement benefits, and other sources.

Of course, there are steps you can take to reduce both the out-of-pocket medical costs and the uncertainty of your exposure to the medical costs.

* Those not already retired should take steps to establish good health habits, including participating in any employment or community wellness programs.

* When you're eligible for a health savings account, take advantage of the option and fund it with the maximum amount each year. Contributions to HSAs are deductible if made by you and excluded from gross income if made by your employer. Earnings on the account compound without taxes, and all amounts withdrawn from the account are tax-free when withdrawn to pay for qualified medical expenses. It's a good way to build a tax-advantaged retirement fund for medical expenses.

* Enroll in Medicare when first eligible. For most of us that's when we turn 65. You pay a penalty for life if you decide later to sign up for Medicare Part B or the Part D Prescription Drug Coverage after your initial enrollment period expires.

* Sign up for Part D Prescription Drug Coverage. This is private insurance that is partially subsidized by the government. Prescription drugs are the largest medical expense for most of those age 65 and older. A good policy reduces your out-of-pocket costs and the uncertainty of how much you'll pay should you have an above-average or catastrophic need for medicine.

When you don't have much need for prescription drugs at the start of retirement, sign up for a barebones, low-cost policy. You always can switch to a more robust policy during a future open enrollment period if you need it and will avoid the premium penalty for signing up for Part D late.

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* Consider a Medicare Supplement poli! cy. When ! you're in traditional Medicare (not Medicare Advantage), there are a number of deductibles, copayments, and coverage gaps. A Medigap policy will cover some of them and reduce your uncertainty. There are 10 different Medigap policies to choose from, so you can look for the right trade off for you between premiums and better coverage.

* Shop around. I can't stress this enough. Recent studies have found that premiums for identical coverage for the same person can vary by 100%. There are people paying twice as much for Part D and Medigap policies than they should because they didn't shop around. The insurance industry counts on a combination of inertia and people disliking insurance shopping. It costs people a lot of money.

* Have flexibility. A retirement plan needs a cushion and some flexibility because of the uncertainty of medical expenses. You should minimize fixed expenses so that spending changes can be made in case uncovered medical expenses arise.

* Plan for long-term care. Medicare won't cover much of any long-term expenses you incur, and most of you won't qualify for Medicaid. You probably don't want to rely on Medicaid for long-term coverage anyway, because the level of care by facilities accepting primarily Medicaid usually is considered to be of lower quality than at others.

I recommend most people plan on using several sources to pay for LTC. Part of the cost can be funded from savings. There probably are expenses you incur now that you won't if you need LTC, and that money also can be used to help pay for LTC.

To pay for the bulk of the coverage, you should consider obtaining either a stand alone LTC policy or an annuity or life insurance policy with a long-term care rider. Or you can combine both types of coverage. Tapping the equity in your home through either a reverse mortgage or a sale can be a good way to plan for extended long-term care expenses. By using all these tools, you'll have a solid plan to cover any LTC you need.

I've cov! ered all ! these strategies and more in detail in past issues of Retirement Watch. You also can find strategies in my books, including Personal Finance for Seniors for Dummies.

Thursday, March 20, 2014

Top 10 Financial Companies To Own For 2014

Top 10 Financial Companies To Own For 2014: Trulia Inc (TRLA)

Trulia, Inc. is a real estate search engine company. The Company helps in finding homes for sale and provides real estate information. The Company is also a tool for real estate professionals to market their listings, view real estate data and promote their services. It provides local information, community insights, market data and national listings. Effective August 20, 2013, Trulia Inc acquired the entire interest of Market Leader Inc.

Trulia.com is an online real estate site focused on buyers, sellers and renters with tools to help them find the right home. The Company's Website, www.trulia.com, is a search engine for buying and renting homes, advising homes and mortgages. The Company is headquartered in downtown San Francisco and is backed by Accel Partners and Sequoia Capital.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By John Udovich]
Small cap online real estate listings stock Trulia Inc (NYSE: TRLA) jumped 8.52% yesterday and has doubled since the start of the year, but insiders have been selling - meaning its time to take a closer look at the stock along with the performance of peers like Zillow Inc (NASDAQ: Z) and Move Inc (NASDAQ: MOVE). So what should outside investors do with Trulia Inc?
[By David Trainer]

MOVE has had strong cyclical winds at its back in recent years, and the stock is up 95% year-to-date. The stock is richly valued, and several red flags hidden in the footnotes raise questions about the company’s ability to justify its stock price. MOVE operates in a niche field with significant competition from companies like Zillow (NASDAQ: Z) and Trulia (NASDAQ: TRLA), not to mention Yahoo (NASDAQ: YHOO), which has its own real estate listing site. Clever earnings management and the recovery in the housing market has helped propel MOVE upward this year, but do! n’t expect the ride to continue. The company is already lagging its competitors and continuing to lose market share.
[By Mark Holder]
Zillow (NASDAQ: Z ) is facing increasing pressure for the leadership position in the online real estate marketplace. The recent purchase of Market Leader by Trulia (NYSE: TRLA ) places it in a more comparable position based on revenue. Move (NASDAQ: MOVE ) continues to make long-needed enhancements to realtor.com, but it has fallen far behind the monthly unique users, or MUUs, of Zillow and Trulia.
[By Will Ashworth]
Zillow revenues continue to grow at a rapid pace while losses pile up. In a heated battle with Trulia (TRLA) for the attention of homebuyers, the company is focusing on growing market share rather than achieving profitability.

source from Top Stocks Blog:http://www.topstocksblog.com/top-10-financial-companies-to-own-for-2014.html

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Hot Medical Companies To Watch In Right Now

Hot Medical Companies To Watch In Right Now: Lpath Inc (LPTN)

Lpath, Inc. (Lpath), incorporated on September 18, 2002, is a biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of bio-active lipid-targeted monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapeutics. The Company has three product candidates, iSONEP, ASONEP and Lpathomab. The Company's program, iSONEP, is a mAb against Sphingosine-1-Phosphate (S1P). As of December 31, 2012, it was in phase-II clinical trials for wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration. The Company is also advancing ASONEP, the systemic formulation of the mAb to S1P. ASONEP has completed a phase-I clinical trial and is entering phase-II clinical trials in Renal Cell Carcinoma.

Lpath's third product candidate, Lpathomab, is a mAb to the bioactive lipid, Lysophosphatidic Acid (LPA). The Company also applies its technology platform, ImmuneY2, to discovering mAbs to new bioactive lipid targets.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Lauren Pollock]
Lpath Inc.(LPTN) said it is no longer actively seeking to reacquire exclusive rights to its leading product candidate from Pfizer Inc.(PFE), saying the pharmaceutical giant informed the company that its offers weren’t competitive. The biotechnology company in October had warned that Pfizer might may divest itself of its exclusive option to co-develop the smaller firm’s leading product candidate–known as iSONEP.
[By Lauren Pollock]
Biotechnology company Lpath Inc.(LPTN) warned Pfizer Inc.(PFE) may divest itself of its exclusive option to co-develop the smaller firm’s leading product candidate. Lpath’s stock fell.

source from Top Stocks Blog:http://www.topstocksblog.com/hot-medical-companies-to-watch-in-right-now.html

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Top 10 China Companies To Watch In Right Now

Top 10 China Companies To Watch In Right Now: Renesola Ltd.(SOL)

ReneSola Ltd, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the manufacture and sale of solar wafers and solar power products. It offers virgin polysilicons, monocrystalline and multicrystalline solar wafers, and photovoltaic cells and modules. The company also provides cell and module processing services. Its products are used in a range of residential, commercial, industrial, and other solar power generation systems. The company sells its solar wafers primarily to solar cell and module manufacturers. It principally operates in Mainland China, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Korea, India, Australia, Germany, Italy, Spain, Belgium, France, the Czech Republic, and the United States. The company was founded in 2003 and is based in Jiashan, the People?s Republic of China.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Monica Gerson]
Breaking news
Vitran Corporation (NASDAQ: VTNC) announced today that it has entered into a definitive arrangement agreement with TransForce pursuant to which TransForce has agreed to acquire all of the outstanding common shares of Vitran not already owned by TransForce for US$6.50 in cash per share, in accordance with TransForce's prior proposal. To read the full news, click here. ReneSola (NYSE: SOL) today announced it signed a Memorandum of Intent (MOI) to sell three utility-scale projects in Western China, with a total capacity of 60MW, to Jiangsu Akcome Solar Science & Technology Co on December 30, 2013. To read the full news, click here. Cooper Tire & Rubber Company (NYSE: CTB) today announced it has terminated the merger agreement with Apollo Tyres (NSE:ApolloTYRE). To read the full news, click here. RedHill Biopharma (NASDAQ: RDHL) today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement with leading healthcare investor OrbiMed Israel Partners Limited Partnership, a! n affiliate of OrbiMed Advisors LLC, for the sale of RedHill's American Depository Shares and warrants in a private placement transactionor a total sum of $6.0 million. To read the full news, click here.
Posted-In: Guggenheim US Stock FuturesNews Eurozone Futures Global Pre-Market Outlook Markets
[By Aaron Levitt]
After years of cheap natural gas eating photovoltaic's lunch, solar stocks are back with a vengeance. Already, we've seen better earnings from a host of hot solar stocks like First Solar (FSLR) and Canadian Solar (CSIQ). And now, its smaller solar stock ReneSola's turn (SOL) … and SOL stock may just surprise investors.

source from Top Stocks Blog:http://www.topstocksblog.com/top-10-china-companies-to-watch-in-right-now.html

5 Hated Earning Stocks You Should Love

DELAFIELD, Wis. (Stockpickr) -- Short-sellers hate being caught short a stock that reports a blowout quarter. When this happens, we often see a tradable short squeeze develop as the bears rush to cover their positions to avoid big losses. Even the best short-sellers know that it's never a great idea to stay short once a bullish earnings report sparks a big short-covering rally.

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This is why I scan the market for heavily shorted stocks that are about to report earnings. You only need to find a few of these stocks in a year to help enhance your portfolio returns -- the gains become so outsized in such a short time frame that your profits add up quickly.

That said, let's not forget that stocks are heavily shorted for a reason, so you have to use trading discipline and sound money management when playing earnings short-squeeze candidates. It's important that you don't go betting the farm on these plays and that you manage your risk accordingly. Sometimes the best play is to wait for the stock to break out following the report before you jump in to profit off a short squeeze. This way, you're letting the trend emerge after the market has digested all of the news.

Of course, sometimes the stock is going to be in such high demand that you risk missing a lot of the move by waiting. That's why it can be worth betting prior to the report -- but only if the stock is acting technically very bullish and you have a very strong conviction that it is going to rip higher. Just remember that even when you have that conviction and have done your due diligence, the stock can still get hammered if The Street doesn't like the numbers or guidance.

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If you do decide to bet ahead of a quarter, then you might want to use options to limit your capital exposure. Heavily shorted stocks are usually the names that make the biggest post-earnings moves and have the most volatility. I personally prefer to wait until all the earnings-related news is out for a heavily shorted stock and then jump in and trade the prevailing trend.

With that in mind, here's a look at several stocks that could experience big short squeezes when they report earnings this week.

Acorn Energy

My first earnings short-squeeze trade idea is Acorn Energy (ACFN), which, through its subsidiaries, provides technology-driven solutions for energy infrastructure asset management worldwide. Acorn is set to release numbers on Monday after the market close. Wall Street analysts, on average, expect it to report revenue of $6.03 million on a loss of 23 cents per share.

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The current short interest as a percentage of the float for Acorn Energy is very high at 12.9%. That means that out of the 19.11 million shares in the tradable float, 2.47 million shares are sold short by the bears. This is a high short interest on a stock with a very low tradable float. If the bulls get the earnings news they're looking for, then shares of ACFN could explode sharply higher post-earnings as the bears rush to cover some of their bets.

From a technical perspective, ACFN is currently trending below both its 50-day and 200-day moving averages, which is bearish. This stock has recently formed a triple bottom chart pattern at $3.16, $3.25 and $3.29 a share. Shares of ACFN are now starting to trend within range of triggering a near-term breakout trade post-earnings.

If you're bullish on ACFN, then I would wait until after its report and look for long-biased trades if this stock manages to break out above its 50-day moving average of $3.69 a share to more near-term overhead resistance at $3.90 a share with high volume. Look for volume on that move that hits near or above its three-month average action of 197,326 shares. If that breakout materializes after earnings, then ACFN will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at $4.30 to $4.65 a share. Any high-volume move above those levels will then give ACFN a chance to tag its 200-day moving average of $5.36 a share.

I would simply avoid ACFN or look for short-biased trades if after earnings it fails to trigger that breakout and then drops back below some key near-term support levels at $3.29 to $3.16 a share with high volume. If we get that move, the ACFN will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major support level at its 52-week low of $2.85 a share.

Vera Bradley

Another potential earnings short-squeeze play is Vera Bradley (VRA), a designer, producer, marketer and retailer of accessories for women, which is set to release its numbers on Wednesday before the market open. Wall Street analysts, on average, expect Vera Bradley to report revenue $146.86 million on earnings of 46 cents per share.

>>4 Stocks Breaking Out on Big Volume

Top 10 Bank Stocks To Buy For 2014

The current short interest as a percentage of the float for Vera Bradley is extremely high at 51.89%. That means that out of the 21.56 million shares in the tradable float, 11.19 million shares are sold short by the bears. This is a monster short interest on a stock with a very low tradable float. Any bullish earnings news could easily spark a large short-covering rally post-earnings for shares of VRA as the bears jump to cover some of their trades.

From a technical perspective, VRA is currently trending above both its 50-day and 200-day moving averages, which is bullish. This stock has been uptrending strong for the last three months, with shares moving higher from its low of $21.85 to its recent high of $28.60 a share. During that move, shares of VRA have been making mostly higher lows and higher highs, which is bullish technical price action. That move has now pushed shares of VRA within range of triggering a near-term breakout trade post-earnings.

If you're in the bull camp on VRA, then I would wait until after its report and look for long-biased trades if this stock manages to break out above some near-term overhead resistance levels at $28 to its 52-week high at $28.60 a share with high volume. Look for volume on that move that hits near or above its three-month average action of 433,295 shares. If that breakout gets underway, then VRA will set up to enter new 52-week-high territory, which is bullish technical price action. Some possible upside targets off that move are $35 to $40 a share.

I would simply avoid VRA or look for short-biased trades if after earnings it fails to trigger that breakout and then drops back below some key near-term support levels at $26.34 to $25.96 a share and then once it takes out its 50-day at $25.21 a share with high volume. If we get that move, then VRA will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major support levels its 200-day moving average of $22.84 a share to $20 a share.

FactSet Research Systems

Another potential earnings short-squeeze candidate is integrated financial and analytical applications provider FactSet Research Systems (FDS), which is set to release numbers on Tuesday before the market open. Wall Street analysts, on average, expect FactSet Research Systems to report revenue of $226.36 million on earnings of $1.21 per share.

>>5 Toxic Stocks to Watch Out For

The current short interest as a percentage of the float for FactSet Research Systems is pretty high at 15.6%. That means that out of the 39.66 million shares in the tradable float, 6.20 million shares are sold short by the bears. The bears have also been increasing their bets from the last reporting period by 6.5%, or by about 379,000 shares. If the bears get caught pressing their bets into a bullish quarter, then shares of FDS could easily rip sharply higher post-earnings as the shorts rush to cover some of their trades.

From a technical perspective, FDS is currently trending below both its 50-day and 200-day moving averages, which is bearish. This stock has been uptrending a bit for the last month and change, with shares moving higher from its low of $101.07 to its recent high of $106.84 a share. During that uptrend, shares of FDS have been making mostly higher lows and higher highs, which is bullish technical price action. That move has now pushed shares of FDS within range of triggering a big breakout trade post-earnings.

If you're bullish on FDS, then I would wait until after its report and look for long-biased trades if this stock manages to break out above some key near-term overhead resistance levels at $106.84 to $109.22 a share with high volume. Look for volume on that move that hits near or above its three-month average action of 397,418 shares. If that breakout hits, then FDS will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at $115 to its 52-week high at $119.08 a share.

I would avoid FDS or look for short-biased trades if after earnings it fails to trigger that breakout and then drops back below some key near-term support levels at $103.05 to $100 a share with high volume. If we get that move, then FDS will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major support levels at $95 to $87 a share.

ExOne

Another earnings short-squeeze prospect is three-dimensional-printing player ExOne (XONE), which is set to release numbers on Wednesday after the market close. Wall Street analysts, on average, expect ExOne Inc to report revenue of $12.13 million on earnings of 1 cent per share.

>>5 Stocks With Big Insider Buying

The current short interest as a percentage of the float for XONE Inc is extremely high at 43.4%. That means that out of the 7.89 million shares in the tradable float, 3.43 million shares are sold short by the bears. The bears have also been increasing their bets from the last reporting period by 6.2%, or by about 199,000 shares. If the bears get caught pressing their bets into a strong quarter, then shares of XONE could soar sharply higher post-earnings as the bears jump to cover some of their bets.

From a technical perspective, XONE is currently trending below both its 50-day and 200-day moving averages, which is bearish. This stock has been downtrending for the last few weeks, with shares moving lower from its high of $48.38 to its recent low of $39.26 a share. During that downtrend, shares of XONE have been making mostly lower highs and lower lows, which is bearish technical price action. That said, shares of XONE have formed a double bottom over the last month at $37.80 to $39.26 a share. If that bottom holds, then shares of XONE could rip higher post-earnings if the company can deliver some bullish news.

If you're bullish on XONE, then I would wait until after its report and look for long-biased trades if this stock manages to break out above some near-term overhead resistance levels at $42.50 to $45 a share with high volume. Look for volume on that move that hits near or above its three-month average action of 577,097 shares. If that breakout hits, then XONE will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at its 50-day moving average of $49.65 to its 200-day moving average of $55.44 a share.

I would simply avoid XONE or look for short-biased trades if after earnings it fails to trigger that breakout and then drops back below some key near-term support levels at $39.26 to $37.80 a share with high volume. If we get that move, then XONE will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major support level at $30 a share.

KB Home

My final earnings short-squeeze play is homebuilder KB Home (KBH), which is set to release numbers on Wednesday before the market open. Wall Street analysts, on average, expect KB Home to report revenue of $437.09 million on earnings of 9 cents per share.

>>5 Stock Charts Screaming "Buy" in March

The current short interest as a percentage of the float for KB Home is extremely high at 28%. That means that out of the 72.54 million shares in the tradable float, 20.31 million shares are sold short by the bears. If this company can deliver the earnings news the bulls are looking for, then shares of KBH could rip sharply higher post-earnings as the bears rush to cover some of their trades.

From a technical perspective, KBH is currently trending below both its 50-day and 200-day moving averages, which is bearish. This stock has been downtrending for the last few weeks, with shares moving lower from its high of $20.78 to its recent low of $17.09 a share. During that downtrend, shares of KBH have been consistently making lower highs and lower lows, which is bearish technical price action. That said, shares of KBH have now started to find some buying interest near some previous support levels at around $17 a share.

If you're in the bull camp on KBH, then I would wait until after its report and look for long-biased trades if this stock manages to break out above its 200-day moving average of $17.96 a share to its 50-day moving average of $18.54 a share with high volume. Look for volume on that move that hits near or above its three-month average volume of 4.12 million shares. If that breakout hits, then KBH will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at $20.78 to $22 a share, or even its 52-week high at $25.14 a share.

I would avoid KBH or look for short-biased trades if after earnings it fails to trigger that breakout, and then drops back below some key near-term support levels at $17.09 to $16.36 a share with high volume. If we get that move, then KBH will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major support levels $15.50 to $13 a share.

To see more potential earnings short squeeze plays, check out the Earnings Short-Squeeze Plays portfolio on Stockpickr.

-- Written by Roberto Pedone in Delafield, Wis.

Monday, March 17, 2014

Yacktman Funds Comments on Avon Products

Top Industrial Disributor Stocks To Invest In 2015

Avon Products Inc. shares declined due to poor quarterly results and increased market concerns about fines related to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) investigation. Turnarounds generally take time, and we continue to have confidence that the new management team is taking the correct steps to improve the business. We believe the concerns about the potential magnitude of FCPA fines are overstated given the practices that Avon Products Inc. is being investigated for as well as previous FCPA fines levied on other firms. The shares remain inexpensive based on our assessment of normalized earnings and the potential value to a strategic buyer.

From Yacktman Funds' 2013 Annual Report - Portfolio Manager's Comments

Also check out: Donald Yacktman Undervalued Stocks Donald Yacktman Top Growth Companies Donald Yacktman High Yield stocks, and Stocks that Donald Yacktman keeps buying
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Sunday, March 16, 2014

Best Chemical Stocks To Own For 2014

Best Chemical Stocks To Own For 2014: Braskem SA (BRKM5)

Braskem SA is a Brazil-based company primarily engaged in the manufacture of basic petrochemical products. The Company operates in five segments: Basic petrochemicals, Polyolefins, Vinyls, International businesses and Chemical Distribution. The Company's products portfolio includes ethylene, propylene, butadiene, toluene, xylene, benzene, gasoline, diesel oil, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), as well as thermoplastic resins, such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Additionally, Braskem is also engaged in the import and export of chemicals, petrochemicals and fuels; the production, supply and sale of utilities, such as steam, water, compressed air, industrial gases, as well as the provision of industrial services, and the production, supply and sale of electric energy for its own use and use by other companies. The Company also invests in other companies, either as a partner or shareholder. Advisors' Opinion:

[By Harry Suhartono]
Brazil's Ibovespa rose for a third day as traders pared bets on higher borrowing costs in Brazil, boosting the outlook for companies that sell in the local market. B2W Cia. Digital led gains among retailers, with Lojas Americanas SA (LAME3) and Natura Cosmeticos SA (NATU3) also trading higher. Petrochemicals producer Braskem SA (BRKM5) was the worst performer on the equity gauge after O Estado de S.Paulo reported Petroleo Brasileiro SA (PETR4) is seeking to raise prices of naphtha sold to the company by 5 percent.

source from Top Stocks Blog:http://www.topstocksblog.com/best-chemical-stocks-to-own-for-2014.html

Saturday, March 15, 2014

Top Value Companies To Buy For 2014

Top Value Companies To Buy For 2014: 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 invento! ry management services. Schlumberger Limited was founded in 1927 and is based in Houston, Texas .

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Jim Jubak]
But it just doesn't seem to matter for Schlumberger (SLB). Schlumberger is a member of my Jubak's Picks portfolio.

On January 17, the oil services and technology company reported fourth quarter earnings of $1.35 a share, beating Wall Street estimates by two cents a share. Earnings grew by 29.8% year over year.
[By Editor , DividendChannel.com]
ENB operates in the Oil & Gas Equipment & Services sector, among companies like Schlumberger (SLB), and Enterprise Products Partners L.P. (EPD).

source from Top Stocks Blog:http://www.topstocksblog.com/top-value-companies-to-buy-for-2014.html

Thursday, March 13, 2014

Hot Oil Stocks For 2014

Hot Oil Stocks For 2014: Turcas Petrol AS (TRCAS)

Turcas Petrol AS (Turcas) is a Turkey-based integrated energy holding company that operates in the fields of fuel distribution, oil refining, power generation & trading, and import & wholesale of natural gas. The joint venture company, Shell & Turcas Petrol AS (STAS), carries out the Company's fuel distribution activities through a network of gas stations, delivering services across Turkey. Its Oil refining and petroleum production is undertaken by SOCAR & Turcas Energy (STEAS). The Company operates its power generation, trading and distribution activities through Turcas Energy Holding. The import, export and wholesale of natural gas are handled by Turcas Gas Trading. Advisors' Opinion:

[By Lyubov Pronina]
Akbank sank 4.2 percent in Istanbul, falling for a sixth straight day, the longest streak in almost two months. Turcas Petrol AS (TRCAS) lost 1.6 percent after the Turkish energy company said Finance Ministry officials started an inspection at its venture with Royal Dutch Shell Plc.

source from Top Stocks Blog:http://www.topstocksblog.com/hot-oil-stocks-for-2014.html

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Top Sliver Stocks For 2014

Top Sliver Stocks For 2014: Hillenbrand Inc(HI)

Hillenbrand, Inc. designs, manufactures, distributes, and sells funeral service products to licensed funeral directors operating licensed funeral homes. The company?s products include burial caskets, cremation caskets, containers, vaults, urns, and selection room display fixturing for funeral homes, as well as other personalization and memorialization products and services, including Web-based applications, and the creation and hosting of Websites for licensed funeral homes. It markets its products under the Batesville and Options brand name through direct sales force in the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and Australia. The company also designs, produces, markets, sells, and services bulk solids material handling equipment and systems for various industrial markets, including plastics, food, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, power generation, coal mining, pulp and paper, frac sand, industrial minerals, agribusiness, recycling, wood and forest pr oducts, and biomass energy generation. It offers feeders and pneumatic conveying equipment under the K-Tron brand name; and size reduction equipment, such as hammer mills, double-roll crushers, wood and bark hogs, chip sizers, screening equipment, pneumatic and mechanical conveying systems, storage/reclamation systems, and specialty crushers and other equipment under the Pennsylvania Crusher, Gundlach, and Jeffrey Rader brand names. In addition, the company manufactures dry material separation machines that sort dry, granular products based on the particle?s size serving various industries, including frac sand, potash, urea, phosphates, chemical, agricultural, plastics, and food processing. The company sells its material handling equipment and systems worldwide through a combination of a direct sales force, and a network of independent sales representatives and distributors. Hillenbrand, Inc. was found! ed in 2008 and is headquartered in Batesville, Indiana.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Laura Brodbeck]
Tuesday
Earnings Expected: Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc. (NASDAQ: BWLD), Hillenbrand Inc (NYSE: HI), Sirius XM Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: SIRI) Economic Releases Expected: German retail sales, French consumer confidence, German unemployment rate, eurozone CPI, eurozone PPI, US trade balance, US redbook
Wednesday
[By GURUFOCUS]
Hillenbrand Inc. (HI), a diversified industrial company, makes and sells business-to-business products and services for various industries worldwide. Dec. 4, the company increased is quarterly dividend 1.3% to $0.1975 per share. the dividend is payable Dec. 31, 2013, to shareholders of record at the close of business on Dec. 17, 2013. The yield based on the new payout is 2.8%.

source from Top Stocks Blog:http://www.topstocksblog.com/top-sliver-stocks-for-2014-2.html

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Men's Wearhouse Finally Snags Rival, But Jos. A. Bank Is The Real Winner

The next time you're looking to negotiate a deal, give the folks at Jos. A. Bank a call.

After five months of back and forth, Jos. A. Bank agreed to be acquired by Men's Wearhouse Men's Wearhouse in a deal worth $1.8 billion. Men's Wearhouse will pay $65 per share in cash to purchase its smaller rival.

Men's Wearhouse and Jos have been playing hard to get with one another since October. That was when Jos made the first move and bid for its larger rival. Men's Wearhouse rejected the offer, but it then chased Hampstead, MD-based Jos. A. Bank for months, making three bids for the company. It was rejected by Jos each time before finally scoring the deal today.

"This was an exciting cat and mouse game in a relatively boring, low-growth industry," says Brian Sozzi, CEO & chief equities strategist at Belus Capital Advisors.

While Men's Wearhouse is finally getting what it wants by picking up its smaller suit-selling competitor, Jos A. Bank is the real winner of this M&A saga.

Though Men's Wearhouse was making the most of the bids (it even took a hostile approach in January), Jos. A. Bank was the true aggressor throughout the process. Jos made the first move when it made a bold $2.3 billion bid, and when Men's Wearhouse reciprocated with bids of its own, Jos pushed back hard saying it wasn't interested.

Robert N. Wildrick, chairman of Jos. A. Bank, said back in January, "Our Board of Directors firmly believes that the Men's Wearhouse offer is inadequate and significantly undervalues Jos. A. Bank and its near- and long-term potential."

But even as it continued to reject the bids, Jos was likely interested in a deal with Men's Wearhouse all along. Why? It wanted the best possible offer. "Jos played Men's Wearhouse like a fiddle," Sozzi says.

Jos. A. Bank even went as far as to make an offer for Eddie Bauer in February for $825 million. "They had no intention of buying Eddie Bauer. It was an effort to get the last dime out of Men's Wearhouse," Sozzi addds.

It worked.

Less than two weeks later, Men's Wearhouse increased its offer to $63.50 per share from its previous $57.50 offer. Days later, Jos was ready to talk and agreed to exchange confidential financials with Men's Wearhouse. Today's deal has Men's Wearhouse paying $65.00, or total consideration of $1.8 billion. That's up from the first offer from Men's Wearhouse at $55 per share, which represented an implied enterprise value of approximately $1.2 billion.

"This was Jos. A. Bank's show and Men's Wearhouse was living in it," says Sozzi, who predicted in October the two retailers would eventually agree to a deal.

The agreement is giving shareholders of both companies something to cheer about. Jos shares are up 3.9% while Men's Wearhouse shares are up 5.2% this afternoon.

James Gellert, CEO of Rapid Ratings, whose company rates public companies on their financial health, scores them from 0 to 100. Jos. A. Bank and Men's Wearhouse score a 69 and 62, respectively. Gellert says both companies have something to gain in the deal.

"Neither is generating impressive revenue but both have good margins meaning they are good at cost efficiencies," he says. The two companies will have a chance to cut costs further after they merge, specifically in their supply chain, Gellert adds.

There are still more crucial details that will need to be hammered out. Among them: What will the future management team look like? Leadership was reportedly a point of contention during the five-month back and forth.

Monday, March 10, 2014

CEL-SCI is Knocking On the Door, in More Ways Than One (GILD, CVM, ABBV)

Look out AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV), and Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD), you may want to look over your shoulder as well. There's a new immunology player coming to town, and its name is CEL-SCI Corporation (NYSEMKT:CVM). Yes, AbbVie may be the name behind blockbuster drug Humira - with nearly $10 billion in sales in 2012 - while Gilead Sciences is saving HIV patients' lives with immunological therapies Stribild and Complera. But, small cap company CEL-SCI may be closer to launching its own immunology drug sooner than most investors realize.

If the name CEL-SCI rings a bell, it may be because the SmallCap Network was a big fan of the company's work several years ago, introducing it to readers way back in 2002, and keeping tabs on it and CVM shares all the way through 2009. That's when its flagship drug, head and neck cancer therapy Multikine, fell off the radar due to a lengthening gap between the end of Phase 2 trials and the beginning of Phase 3 trials.

Phase 3 started in the meantime in several foreign markets, but as of last week, those trials are right in U.S. investors' faces - the immunology drug's first United States trials are now gathering candidates. Now that traders can see it happening first hand, there's no way of denying the legitimacy or the opportunity of the company.

Oh, it will still be at least a couple of years before CEL-SCI Corporation becomes a real threat to names like AbbVie and Gilead Sciences, and initially, it won't even be a direct threat; CEL-SCI's Multikine is initially just taking aim at head and neck tumors. However, given the nature of the underlying technology behind Multikine and all immunological drugs (immunology induces a patient's own immune system to create a stronger response to disease), Multikine is expected to be an effective way to fight a variety of conditions, ranging from the common cold to other forms of cancer, and perhaps many more things in between.

That's not the core of the reason the CVM shares have perked up since the beginning of this year, however. No, the reason the market is suddenly so keen on CEL-SCI again is most likely a set of details that hasn't been mentioned much - if at all - in the company's recent press releases. Nevertheless, they're important details that the SmallCap Network discussed way back in 2006, explaining:

Statistically speaking, about 2/3 of Phase III drug trials get ultimate approval.

In late 2006 we learned:

The goal of Multikine is to make the first cancer treatment more successful. This means that Multikine would cure more patients with the first treatment. The Phase II clinical trial with Multikine showed about a 40% improvement in survival from Multikine... Multikine cured 12% of head & neck cancer patients in 3 weeks, with no toxicity. Anyone who has ever seen the effects of radiation and chemotherapy can tell you how very amazing that is. On average Multikine killed 50% of the tumor cells in just a few weeks.

Then in 2007 we noted:

Specifically, 12% of patients had no tumor remaining after only a three week treatment. And, 3.5 years after the whole cancer treatment was finished, survival with Multikine appeared to be much higher. In Phase II testing CEL-SCI saw a 65% - 70% chance of survival with Multikine, versus only a 50% chance without it.

You put it all together, and what you get is a drug that would be difficult for the FDA to find a reason no to approve. Immunology is non-toxic, as it enhances an individual's own biology... the immune system to be specific. Better still, considering many forms of chemo and almost all radiation treatments damage a cancer patient's immune system (sometimes making a bad problem worse), a safe and effective alternative like Multikine could be seen as a slam-dunk. That's what the newly-bullish chart of CVM is implying anyway, now that American investors can see it happening on their homeland.

With all of that being said, as firmly as shares of CVM have been forging ahead since early January, there's one last hurdle that needs to be cleared - the 200-day moving average line (green) at $1.46. CEL-SCI tested it on Friday, and thought about it today. Although the stock may actually need to peel back a little and get a running start to clear that ceiling, that's ok - the undertow is bullish no matter what. And, once the stock does pop above that long-term moving average line, there's not much else that can get in the way after that. The bulls have already exposed their hand.

For more trading ideas and insights like these, be sure to sign up for the free SmallCap Network newsletter. You'll get stock picks, market calls, and more, every day. Here's what you've missed recently.

Saturday, March 8, 2014

Alcoa Cannot Wait To Rally...Here's Why

Top Solar Stocks To Own Right Now

Related AA Market Wrap For February 18: Dow Finishes Lower, Nasdaq Still Hot Top 4 NYSE Stocks In The Aluminum Industry With The Highest Revenue

After recovering from a substantial decline in January, the S&P 500 Index has returned to all time high territory. While the index did not exactly exude the most bullish predictions from the January effect, Alcoa (NYSE: AA) shares have.

Alcoa has rallied 11 percent so far in 2013, rallying from its year end of $10.63 to $11.81. Earlier in the year, the issue peaked at $12.31 before pulling back with the broad market. Also, the issue exhibited excellent relative strength during the market's steep decline earlier this month. Alcoa only came within a point of its low for the year ($9.82), when it bottomed on February 10 ($10.83) as the broad market revisited late October lows.

See also: Ford's Alan Mulally Talks Aluminum, His Future & His Favorite Ride

Alcoa shares, which are quite some distance from its all time high from back in July 2007 ($48.77) and are much closer to March 2009 low ($4.97). More importantly, the issue finally broke out of a two year trading range ($7.63-$11.02) in January and successfully tested the former resistance area recently and responded within a sharp rally.

While the technicals are looking favorable for Alcoa, the fundamentals are looking even better. So much, that the issue has been garnering of the attention of Wall Street's most respected firms.

Goldman Sachs has been all over the issue since late November. On November 25, the firm upgraded Alcoa from neutral to Buy and raised its price target from $8.00-$11.00. JP Morgan followed suit on January 21, upgrading the issue from Neutral to Overweight and raised their price target from $9.00-$15.00.

Recently, Goldman Sachs joined JP Morgan and bumped its price target to $15.00 as well. Goldman Sachs analyst Sal Tharani, cited the increased demand for aluminum from the Aerospace and Automotive industry was going to "game changer: for the steel market.

The firm believes the gradual conversion of automotive exposed body to aluminum (Body-in-White or BiW) will be a huge boon to downstream aluminum use, producing a high growth rate versus other metals for the rest of the decade.

As evidenced by Ford Motor (NYSE: F) as it unveiled its aluminum F-150 at the Detroit Auto Show, who set a new standard in the industry that several others manufacturers will surely follow. The new F-150 will weigh 700 pounds less than its predecessor and in turn will have 30 percent better fuel economy due to its lighter body.

On Wednesday, General Motors (NYSE: GM) confirmed this change in trend as it announced it is accelerating efforts to field a largely aluminum-bodied truck pickup truck by 2018. This action was clearly a direct response to Ford and the need to keep up with federal fuel efficiency standards.

As a result, aluminum could very well be the fastest-growing commodity over the next several years. Alcoa expects aluminum auto sheets to grow at a 14 percent CAGR (compounded annual growth rate) from 2012 through 2025. Also, the company expects the market to grow more than 50 percent from 2012 through 2016. By 2025, they expect the average aluminum content per vehicle in North America to increase by 200 pounds to 550 pounds by 2025.

With large commercial aerospace build rates at all time highs and expected to continue, the materials needed produce will increase as well. Also, as the industry shifts toward wide-body aircrafts, more aluminum plate will be needed to accommodate the change in size.

While the aerospace and automotive industry competing for existing aluminum supplies, any other new users of Aluminum will impact the supply and demand and drive prices higher. These factors coupled with continued cost cutting initiatives in its upstreaming businesses by Alcoa puts the company in a good position to capitalize on the changing trend in the metals market.

Posted-In: Aluminum Ford General MotorsCommodities Technicals Economics Markets Trading Ideas Best of Benzinga

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Friday, March 7, 2014

Carl Icahn Takes to Facebook after Twitter Sensation

NEW YORK (TheStreet) - After adopting Twitter (TWTR) in 2013, billionaire Carl Icahn will now expand his shareholder advocacy to Facebook (FB) as the activist increases his presence on social media.

Icahn Enterprises, the holding company about 90% owned by Mr. Icahn said in a Friday afternoon press release that the activist investor intends to use Facebook, as well as his website and Twitter, to communicate to the public about issues he is interested in.

Icahn's Facebook page will be www.facebook.com/carlicahn. His Twitter handle is @Carl_C_Icahn.

"It is possible that the information that Mr. Icahn posts on Facebook, through the Shareholders' Square Table website and to its members, and on Twitter, could be deemed to be material information," Icahn Enterprises said in the press release.

"Therefore, in light of the SEC's guidance, we encourage investors, the media, and others interested in our company to review the information that Mr. Icahn posts on Facebook, that he provides on the Shareholders' Square Table website and to its members, and that he posts on Twitter, in addition to the information that we disclose using our investor relations website, SEC filings, press releases, public conference calls and webcasts," the company added.

Icahn first made waves on social media when he used his Twitter account to discuss a takeover bid for Dell and a multi-billion dollar stake in Apple (AAPL). After Icahn failed to win a proxy campaign to buy Dell, he then used Twitter as a means of discussing conversations he had with Apple CEO Tim Cook concerning the iPhone-maker's capital structure.

In many of those social media communications, Icahn Enterprises has been forced to make with the Securities and Exchange Commission because of their material nature.

Icahn's move onto Facebook may impact a scorched-Earth campaign he is running against e-commerce giant eBay (EBAY). In March, Icahn has used his Twitter account and his Shareholders' Square website to make pointed criticism of eBay's management and board of directors.

-- Written by Antoine Gara in New York

Stock quotes in this article: FB, TWTR

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Top 5 Rising Stocks To Invest In 2015

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- I don't want to nitpick, but you have to work extremely hard to find any disparaging points about Exxon Mobil's (XOM) business, especially when the company is second only to Apple (AAPL) in the race to be the largest company in the world according to market cap.

As much in love as I have been with Chevron (CVX), Exxon has no rival when assessing its ability to convert oil and gas into cash flow and dividends. Not to mention, its impressive history of returns on capital. But the company has been far from flawless.

Lately, Exxon has been dealing with some operational deficiencies, which have worried investors. Not only has management dealt with rising costs, but also energy projects -- which have in the past generated strong returns -- have underperformed. And weak production growth, particularly in North America, has threatened the company's long-term status as an energy power.

Top 5 Rising Stocks To Invest In 2015: RCM Technologies Inc.(RCMT)

RCM Technologies, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the design, development, and delivery of business and technology solutions for commercial and government sectors in North America. It operates through three segments: Information Technology (IT), Engineering, and Commercial Services. The IT segment provides enterprise business solutions, application services, infrastructure solutions, competitive advantage and productivity solutions, and life sciences solutions. The Engineering segment offers engineering and design, engineering analysis, engineer-procure-construct, configuration management, hardware/software validation and verification, quality assurance, technical writing and publications, manufacturing process planning and improvement, reliability centered maintenance, component and equipment testing, and risk management engineering services. The Commercial Services segment provides long-term and short-term staffing, executive search, and placement servic es in various fields, including rehabilitation, nursing, managed care, allied health care, health care management, and medical office support, as well as offers in-patient, outpatient, sub-acute and acute care, multilingual speech pathology, rehabilitation, geriatric, pediatric, and adult day care services to hospitals, long-term care facilities, schools, sports medicine facilities, and private practices. This segment also offers contract and temporary services, and permanent placement services for full-time and part-time personnel in various functional areas, including office, clerical, data entry, secretarial, light industrial, shipping, receiving, and general warehousing. The company offers its services to aerospace/defense, energy, financial services, life sciences, manufacturing and distribution, public sector, and technology industries. RCM Technologies, Inc. was founded in 1971 and is based in Pennsauken, New Jersey.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By CRWE]
RCM Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:RCMT) reported that primarily due to unexpected and extended client procedural delays in awarding certain engagements under an existing contract with a major North American utility, the Company’s second quarter revenues and operating income will fall short of its expectations.

Top 5 Rising Stocks To Invest In 2015: Bio-Reference Laboratories Inc.(BRLI)

Bio-Reference Laboratories, Inc. provides clinical laboratory testing services for the detection, diagnosis, evaluation, monitoring, and treatment of diseases primarily in the greater New York metropolitan area. It offers various chemical diagnostic tests, including blood and urine analysis, blood chemistry, hematology services, serology, radio-immuno analysis, toxicology, pap smears, tissue pathology, and other tissue analysis. The company also operates a clinical knowledge management service unit, which uses customer data from laboratory results, pharmaceutical data, claims data, and other data sources to provide administrative and clinical decision support systems. In addition, it operates a Web-based connectivity portal solution for laboratories and physicians to provide laboratory ordering and results to physician customers. The company provides its services directly to physicians, geneticists, hospitals, clinics, and correctional and other health facilities. Bio-Refe rence Laboratories, Inc. was founded in 1981 and is headquartered in Elmwood Park, New Jersey.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Ben Levisohn]
As a result, LabCorp has dropped 11% to $87.79 and has helped drag down competitors like Quest Diagnostics (DGX), and BioReference Laboratories (BRLI).
[By Geoff Gannon] strong>DreamWorks (DWA)
Read these reports. Look for something that might have interested me. Why would Geoff look at DNB, Chuck E. Cheese, etc.? What got him interested in the stock? Do I see the same thing?
Whenever possible, also read the quarterly earnings call transcripts. You can listen to them too. But it�� easier if you read them and listen to them.
Just listening is a bad idea.
Whenever I can get a transcript of anything ��even Warren Buffett�� appearance on CNBC ��I��l keep a copy of the transcript even when I have a copy of the video (or audio). You can refer back to a transcript easily. You can highlight. You can take notes.
Taking Notes
Now, you are doing those things when reading an annual report, right?
You never just sit down and read an annual report. You always sit down with a pen, a highlighter, a pad of paper, and a calculator. Use the margins of a 10-K ��or your pad of paper ��to jot down notes. Ask questions. Do calculations.
If you ever see a 10-K after I��e read it ��it�� not very white anymore. There�� lots of stuff written in the margins. Mostly it�� questions I was asking myself. But it�� also calculations of numbers the company does not provide.
Numbers to Know
So, for example, in a bank�� 10-K I always write down:
路 Deposits per share
路 Deposits per branch
路 Cost of deposits
路 Texas Ratio
You can actually look up the Texas Ratio of any bank here. And some banks calculate and report cost of deposits the way I like to think about it. But, it�� not common for banks to report deposits per branch ��although small banks will sometimes mention (perhaps in the shareholder letter) what their biggest branch has in deposits. Others may mention how quickly new branches achieved a deposit milestone.
Those are the kinds of numbers I write in the margins of a bank�� 10-K. There will be questions like: ��hy is e
[By Lauren Pollock]
Bio-Reference Laboratories Inc.(BRLI) projected fiscal-fourth quarter earnings below expectations and also gave a cautious view for the recently started fiscal year. The clinical-testing company said it has been under pressure from reimbursement rates, higher costs stemming from upgrading acquisitions in Florida and California, as well as substantial start-up costs for its inherited cancer program.

Best International Companies To Watch In Right Now: Flowserve Corp (FLS)

Flowserve Corporation, incorporated on May 1, 1912, is a manufacturer and aftermarket service provider of flow control systems. The Company develops and manufacture precision-engineered flows control equipment integral to the movement, control and protection of the flow of materials in its customers' critical processes. The Company operates in three segments: Engineered Product Division (EPD), which includes long leads time, custom and other engineered pumps and pump systems, mechanical seals, auxiliary systems and replacement parts and related services, Industrial Product Division (IPD), which includes pre-configured engineered pumps and pump systems and related products and services, and Flow Control Division (FCD), which includes engineered and industrial valves, control valves, actuators and controls and related services. Effective December 10, 2013, Flowserve Corp acquired Innovative Mag-Drive LLC.

Through the Company's manufacturing platform and global network of Quick Response Centers (QRCs), the Company offers an array of aftermarket equipment services, such as installation, advanced diagnostics, repair and retrofitting. The Company's product portfolio of pumps, valves, seals, automation and aftermarket services supports global infrastructure industries, including oil and gas, chemical, power generation and water management, as well as certain general industrial markets where the Company's products and services add value. The Company sells its products and services to more than 10,000 companies, including some of the engineering, procurement and construction firms (EPC), original equipment manufacturers, distributors and end users.

Engineered Product Division

The Company designs, manufactures, distributes and services engineered pumps and pumps systems, mechanical seals, auxiliary systems, replacement parts and related equipment. The business primarily consists of long lead time, engineered, configured products, which require extensive test requirements a! nd project management skills. EPD products and services are primarily used by companies that operate in the oil and gas, power generation, chemical, water management and general industries. The Company markets its pump and mechanical seals products through its global sales force and its regional QRCs and service and repair centers or through independent distributors and sales representatives. A portion of the Company's mechanical seal products are sold directly to original equipment manufacturers for incorporation into rotating equipment requiring mechanical seals. The Company's pump products are manufactured in a range of metal alloys and with a variety of configurations to meet the critical operating demands of the Company's customers.

The Company also manufactures a gas-lubricated mechanical seal that is used in high-speed compressors for gases pipelines and in the oil and gas production and process markets. The Company's products are manufactured at 29 plants worldwide, nine of which are located in Europe, 11 in North America, four in Asia Pacific and five in Latin America. The Company also conducts business through strategic foreign joint ventures. The Company has six unconsolidated joint ventures that are located in China, India, Japan, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates, where a portion of its products are manufactured, assembled or serviced in these territories. The Company manufactures more than 40 different active types of pumps and approximately 185 different models of mechanical seals and sealing systems.

The Company's EPD products include between bearings pumps, which include single case- axially split, single case- radially split, double case; overhung pumps, which includes api process; positive displacement pumps, which includes multiphase, reciprocating and screw; mechanical seals and seal support systems, which includes gas barrier seals and dry-running seals, and specialty products, which includes nuclear pumps, nuclear seals, cryogenic p! umps, cry! ogenic liquid expander, hydraulic decoking systems, and API slurry pumps. The Company�� EPD Brand Names include BW Seals, Byron Jackson, Calder Energy Recovery Devices, Cameron, Durametallic, Five Star Seal, Jeumont-Schneider, and Interseal. EPD Services includes provision of engineered aftermarket services through its global network of 128 QRCs, some of which are co-located in manufacturing facilities, in 41 countries. Its EPD service personnel provide a comprehensive set of equipment services for flow management control systems, including installation, commissioning, repair, advanced diagnostics, re-rate and retrofit programs, machining and comprehensive asset management solutions. The Company provides asset management services and condition monitoring for rotating equipment through special contracts with many of its customers that reduce maintenance costs.

Industrial Product Division

The Company designs , manufactures, distributes and services pre-configured engineered pumps and pumps systems, including submersible motors, for industrial markets. IPD's standardized, general purpose pump products are primarily utilized by the oil and gas, chemical, water management, power generation and general industries. The Company's products are manufactured in 12 manufacturing facilities, three of which are located in the United States and six in Europe. IPD operates 20 QRCs worldwide, including 11 sites in Europe, three in the United States , five in Asia Pacific and one in Latin America. The Company manufactures approximately 40 different active types of pumps available in a wide range of metal alloys and non-metallics with a variety of configurations. The products includes Overhung, which includes Chemical Process ANSI and ISO, Industrial Process , and Slurry and Solids Handling ; Specialty Products, which includes Molten Salt VTP Pump, Submersible Pump, Thruster, Geothermal Deepwell, and Barge Pump; Between Bearings, which includes Single Case- Axially Split and Single Case- Radia! lly Split! ; Vertical, which includes Wet Pit, Deep Well Submersible Motor, Slurry and Solids Handling, and Sump; Positive Displacement, which includes Gear. The Company�� brands include Aldrich, Durco, IDP, Pacific, Pleuger, Scienco, Sier Bath, Western Land Roller, TKL, Worthington, and Worthington-Simpson. The Company markets its pump products through its worldwide sales force and its regional service and repair centers or through independent distributors and sales representatives. The Company provide an array of aftermarket services including product installation and commissioning services, spare parts, repairs, re-rate and upgrade solutions, advanced diagnostics and maintenance solutions through its global network of QRCs.

Flow Control Division

The Company�� FCD designs, manufactures, distributes and services a portfolio of industrial valve and automation solutions, including isolation and control valves, actuation, controls and related equipment. In addition, FCD offers energy management products, such as steam traps, boiler controls and condensate and energy recovery systems. FCD products are used to control, direct and manage the flow of liquids and gases and are an integral part of any flow control system. The Company's valve products are often customized and engineered to perform specific functions within each customer's unique flow control environment. The Company's flow control products are primarily used by companies operating in the chemical (including pharmaceutical), power generation (nuclear, fossil and renewable), oil and gas, water management and general industries (including aerospace, pulp and paper and mining). FCD has 58 sites worldwide, including 25 principal manufacturing facilities ( five of which are located in the United States and 13 of which are located in Europe) and 33 QRCs, including three consolidated joint ventures. A small portion of the Company's valves are also produced through an unconsolidated joint venture in India.

The Company's pr! oducts ar! e used in a variety of applications, from general service to the severe and demanding services, including those involving high levels of corrosion, extreme temperatures and/or pressures, zero fugitive emissions and emergency shutdown. The Company's smart valve and diagnostic technologies integrate sensors, microprocessor controls and software into high performance integrated control valves, digital positioners and switchboxes for automated on/off valve assemblies and electric actuators. These technologies permit real-time system analysis, system warnings and remote indication of asset health. These technologies have been developed in response to the growing demand for reduced maintenance, improved process control efficiency and digital communications at the plant level. The Company's valve automation products encompass a range of pneumatic, electric, hydraulic and stored energy actuation designs to take advantage of whatever power source the customer has available.

The Company�� products includes valve automation systems, control valves, ball valves, gate valves, globe valves, check valves, lined plug valves, lubricated plug valves, diagnostic software, digital positioners, pneumatic positioners, intelligent positioners, pneumatic actuators, hydraulic actuators, diaphragm actuators, direct gas and gas-over-oil actuators. steam traps, boiler controls, digital communications, and valve and automation repair services. The Company�� brands include Accord, Anchor/Darling, Argus, Atomac, Durco, Edward, Flowserve, Gestra, Kammer, Limitorque, McCANNA/MARPAC, NAF, NAVAL, Noble Alloy, Norbro, Nordstrom, PMV, Serck Audco, Schmidt Armaturen, Valbart, Valtek, Vogt, and Worcester Controls. The Company provides equipment maintenance services for flow control systems, including advanced diagnostics, repair, installation, commissioning, retrofit programs and field machining capabilities.

The Company competes with Sulzer Pumps, Ebara Corp., SPX Corp., Eagle Burgmann, A. W. Chesterton Co. an! d AES Cor! p, John Crane Inc., and Weir Group Plc, ITT Industries, KSB Inc., Sulzer Pumps, Pentair Ltd., Cameron International Corp., Emerson Electric Co., General Electric Co. and Crane Co.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Charles Carlson]
If you are new to DRIP investing, treat yourself to a few DRIPs this holiday season. Trust me��t'll change your life.
American Water Works (AWK)��ielding 2.7% with a DRIP minimum of $100

Cincinnati Financial (CINF)��ielding 3.2% with a DRIP minimum of $25

CVS Caremark (CVS)��ielding 1.4% with a DRIP minimum of $100

Dominion Resources (D)��ielding 3.4% with a DRIP minimum of $40

Domino's Pizza (DPZ)��ielding 1.2% with a DRIP minimum of $65

Eaton (ETN)��ielding 2.3% with a DRIP minimum of $100

Flowserve (FLS)��ielding 0.8% with a DRIP minimum of $100

Kellogg (K)��ielding 3.0% with a DRIP minimum of $50

New Jersey Resources (NJR)��ielding 3.7% with a DRIP minimum of $100

Quest Diagnostics (DGX)��ielding 2.0% with a DRIP minimum of $100

Tim Hortons (THI)��ielding 1.7% with a DRIP minimum of $25

Subscribe to Dow Theory Forecasts here��/p>
[By Ben Levisohn]
Xylem’s big day has also boosted other water-infrastructure stocks. Flowserve (FLS) has gained 1.2% to $70.59, Idex Corp. (IEX) has risen 0.5% to $68.69 and Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) has advanced 0.4% t0 $98.22.
[By Damon Churchwell]
Increasing sales and margins
A second, even larger, flow technology company to consider is Flowserve (NYSE: FLS ) . The company's flow control systems are utilized by a wide range of industries, led by oil & gas, chemicals, and power generation.

Top 5 Rising Stocks To Invest In 2015: Unisys Corporation (UIS)

Unisys Corporation provides information technology (IT) services, software, and technology that solve mission-critical problems for clients worldwide. It operates in two segments, Services and Technology. The Services segment provides outsourcing services, including management of customers� data centers, computer servers, and end-user computing environments, as well as specific business processes; systems integration and consulting services, such as assessing the security and cost effectiveness of clients� IT systems and enabling them to design, integrate, and modernize mission-critical applications; infrastructure services consisting of design, warranty, and support services for its customers� IT infrastructure, such as networks, desktops, servers, and mobile and wireless devices; and maintenance services. The Technology segment designs and develops servers and related products consisting of enterprise-class servers, which comprise the ClearPath family of servers and t he ES7000 family of Intel-based servers, as well as operating system software and middleware; and provides data center, infrastructure management, and cloud computing offerings for clients to virtualize and automate their data-center environments. The company serves public sector; financial services; and other commercial markets comprising communications and transportation. Unisys Corporation markets its products and services primarily through direct sales force, as well as through distributors and alliance partners. Unisys Corporation was founded in 1886 and is headquartered in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Monica Gerson]
Unisys (NYSE: UIS) is estimated to post its Q3 earnings at $0.40 per share on revenue of $854.13 million.

Harley-Davidson (NYSE: HOG) is expected to report its Q3 earnings at $0.73 per share on revenue of $1.17 billion.
[By Alex Planes]
Originally built by Eckert and Mauchly under their own brand, UNIVAC proved so costly and time-consuming to develop that the duo sold their business to Remington-Rand -- which still operates in the computing industry today as Unisys (NYSE: UIS ) -- before completing the project. UNIVAC was designed from the ground up for business use rather than scientific calculation, and represented the first real digital threat to IBM's (NYSE: IBM ) punched-card tabulators, which had been the Census Bureau's preferred number-crunching tools for decades. However, their astronomically high cost -- $750,000 for the eight-ton machine and another $185,000 for the high-speed printer -- kept UNIVAC from becoming a big-business hit, even after it nailed the results of President Dwight Eisenhower's landslide 1952 election victory with only 1% of the vote recorded. That wasn't for lack of trying on Remington Rand's part:
[By Evan Niu]
What: Shares of Unisys (NYSE: UIS ) have popped by as much as 13% today after the company reported earnings.

So what: Revenue of $859 million crushed the consensus estimate of $838 million. The bottom line also beat, but by less. Unisys posted non-GAAP earnings per share of $0.91, slightly ahead of the $0.90-per-share forecast.

Top 5 Rising Stocks To Invest In 2015: E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company(DD)

E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company operates as a science and technology company worldwide. It operates in seven segments: Agriculture & Nutrition, Electronics & Communications, Performance Chemicals, Performance Coatings, Performance Materials, Safety & Protection, and Pharmaceuticals. The Agriculture & Nutrition segment provides hybrid seed corn and soybean seed, herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, value enhanced grains, and soy protein under the Pioneer brand name. The Electronics & Communications segment supplies materials and systems for photovoltaic products, consumer electronics, displays, and advanced printing. The Performance Chemicals segment offers fluorochemicals, fluoropolymers, specialty and industrial chemicals, and white pigments for various markets, such as plastics and coatings, textiles, mining, pulp and paper, water treatment, and healthcare. The Performance Coatings segment supplies high performance liquid and powder coatings for motor vehicle origi nal equipment manufacturers (OEM); the motor vehicle after-market; and general industrial applications, such as such as coatings for heavy equipment, pipes and appliances, and electrical insulation. The Performance Materials segment provides polymers, elastomers, films, parts, and systems and solutions for the automotive OEM and associated after-market industries, as well as electrical, electronics, packaging, construction, oil, photovoltaics, aerospace, chemical processing, and consumer durable goods. The Safety & Protection segment primarily offers nonwovens, aramids, and solid surfaces for the construction, transportation, communications, industrial chemicals, oil and gas, electric utilities, automotive, manufacturing, defense, homeland security, and safety consulting industries. The Pharmaceuticals segment represents its interest in the collaboration relating to Cozaar/Hyzaar antihypertensive drugs. The company was founded in 1802 and is headquartered in Wilmington, Dela ware.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Paul Ausick]
E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Co. (NYSE: DD), opened at about 0.2% lower Monday morning and closed down 1.27% at $62.97. The stock�� 52-week range is $45.41 to $65.00, and the high was set on just last week. Volume was about 18% below the daily average of around 3.9 million shares traded.
[By WALLSTCHEATSHEET]
DuPont provides innovative chemical solutions to companies to companies that operate in a multitude of industries worldwide. The stock has been fairly stagnant for most of the last few years and is now trading near the top of its range. Over the last four quarters, investors in the company have had mixed feelings as earnings and revenue figures have been mostly decreasing. Relative to its peers and sector, DuPont has been a year-to-date performance leader. WAIT AND SEE what DuPont does this coming quarter.

Top 5 Rising Stocks To Invest In 2015: Rofin-Sinar Technologies Inc.(RSTI)

Rofin-Sinar Technologies Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the design, development, engineering, manufacturing, and marketing of laser-based products worldwide. The company offers laser macro products to machine tool and automotive markets for cutting and welding of metals. It also provides laser marking products to semiconductor and electronics markets for the marking of integrated circuits, wafers, solar cells, electronic components, and smart cards, as well as to automotive markets for the marking of labels and car components. In addition, the company offers laser micro products for fine welding, fine cutting, micro structuring, and drilling applications in medical devices, semiconductor and electronics, photovoltaic, dental, and jewelry markets; and for perforating and scribing of paper and foils in packaging and paper industries. Further, it provides components to laser industry. The company sells its products in approximately 65 countries to original e quipment manufacturers, systems integrators, and industrial end-users. Rofin-Sinar Technologies Inc. was founded in 1975 and is based in Plymouth, Michigan.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Brian Stoffel]
Rofin-Sinar (NASDAQ: RSTI ) , Coherent (NASDAQ: COHR ) , Newport (NASDAQ: NEWP ) , and JDS Uniphase (NASDAQ: JDSU ) all offer fiber-optic lasers as well.
[By Brian Stoffel]
For decades, the standard technology in the laser industry has been the carbon-based laser. In reality, these lasers are still commonly used, and sold in bulk by the likes of Rofin-Sinar (NASDAQ: RSTI ) and Coherent (NASDAQ: COHR ) . They are used largely for precision cutting of large pieces of metal.

Top 5 Rising Stocks To Invest In 2015: Alliance Data Systems Corporation (ADS)

Alliance Data Systems Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides data-driven and transaction-based marketing, and customer loyalty solutions primarily in the United States and Canada. The company operates in three segments: LoyaltyOne, Epsilon, and Private Label Services and Credit. The LoyaltyOne segment includes AIR MILES Reward Program that enables consumers to earn AIR MILES reward miles as they shop within a range of retailers and other sponsors participating in the AIR MILES Reward Program; and offers loyalty services, including loyalty consulting, customer analytics, and creative services. The Epsilon segment provides integrated direct marketing solutions, which combine database marketing technology and analytics with a range of direct marketing services comprising email marketing campaigns. This segment's products and services consist of marketing database services, analytical services, strategic consulting and creative services, proprietary data service s, and digital communications. The Private Label Services and Credit segment encompasses credit card processing, billing and payment processing, customer care and collections services for private label retailers, as well as private label retail credit card receivables financing, including securitization of the credit card receivables that it underwrites from its private label retail credit card programs. The company serves financial services, specialty retail, grocery and drugstore chains, petroleum retail, technology, hospitality and travel, media, and pharmaceuticals end markets. Alliance Data Systems Corporation was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in Plano, Texas.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Rich Duprey]
Loyalty and marketing specialist Alliance Data Systems (NYSE: ADS ) grabbed a tiger by the tail with a multiyear agreement to�provide private label credit card services�to�Systemax (NYSE: SYX ) subsidiary TigerDirect.
[By Tom Taulli]
A key to Facebook�� monetization success has been the company�� aggressive investments in ad technologies. For example, by leveraging third-party data sources — such as from Datalogix, Acxiom (ACXM) and Alliance Data Systems (ADS) — it has been able to provide analytics on the performance of ad campaigns. On the Q4 earnings call, Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg said the average return on News Feed ads was an incredible 8x.
[By Louis Navellier]
Alliance Data Systems (ADS) is in the business of helping other companies build customer loyalty. The company operates three main segments: LoyaltyOne, Epsilon and Private Label Services.

Top 5 Rising Stocks To Invest In 2015: Dice Holdings Inc. (DHX)

Dice Holdings, Inc. provides specialized career Websites and career fairs for professional communities. Its career Websites serve as online marketplaces where employers and recruiters find and recruit prospective employees, and where professionals find relevant job opportunities and information. The company's Tech and Clearance segment operates Dice.com, a recruiting and career development Website for technology and engineering professionals in the United States; and ClearanceJobs.com, an Internet-based career network to matching security-cleared professionals with hiring companies searching for employees. This segment also includes Slashdot Media, which comprises Websites, such as Slashdot, a user-generated news, analysis, peer question, and professional insight community; SourceForge, an online destination for technology professionals and enthusiasts to develop, download, review, and publish Open Source software; and Freecode that indexes downloadable Linux, Unix, and cr oss-platform software for a worldwide technology audience. Its Finance segment operates eFinancialCareers.com, a recruiting and career development Website for financial market professionals and financial services industry worldwide. The company's Energy segment operates Rigzone.com, a career Website that delivers online content, data, advertising, and career services for the oil and gas industry. Its Other segment includes Targeted Job Fairs, which produce and host career fairs and open houses focused primarily on technology, energy, and security-cleared candidates; Health Callings, a recruiting and career development Website for healthcare professionals; and WorkDigital, a technology company focused on the recruitment industry. The company serves staffing companies, recruiting agencies, consulting firms, and marketing departments of companies, as well as small, mid-sized, and large direct employers. Dice Holdings, Inc. was founded in 1991 and is headquartered in New York, N ew York.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By gurujx]
Dice Holdings Incorporated (DHX) Reached the 3-year Low of $7.16
The prices of Dice Holdings Incorporated (DHX) shares have declined to close to the 3-year low of $7.16, which is 62.9% off the 3-year high of $18.75.

Top 5 Rising Stocks To Invest In 2015: Fifth Street Finance Corp (FSC)

Fifth Street Finance Corp. is a specialty finance company that lends to and invests in small and mid-sized companies in connection with investments by private equity sponsors. The Company�� investment objective is to maximize its portfolio's total return by generating current income from its debt investments and capital appreciation from its equity investments. As of September 30, 2011, 90.9% of its portfolio consisted of debt investments that were secured by first or second priority liens on the assets of its portfolio companies. As of September 30, 2011, it held equity investments consisting of common stock, preferred stock or other equity interests in 27 out of 65 portfolio companies. It is managed and advised by Fifth Street Management LLC. In June 2013, Fifth Street Finance Corp. announced that it has closed its portfolio company acquisition of Healthcare Finance Group, LLC (HFG).

Investments

The Company tailors the terms of its debt investments to the facts and circumstances of the transaction and prospective portfolio company. As of September 30, 2011, it directly originated a majority of its debt investments. It is focusing its origination efforts on first lien, second lien and subordinated loans. Its first lien loans have terms of four to six years, provide for a variable or fixed interest rate, contain prepayment penalties and are secured by a first priority security interest in all existing and future assets of the borrower. Its first lien loans may take many forms, including revolving lines of credit, term loans and acquisition lines of credit. Its second lien loans have terms of four to six years, provide for a fixed interest rate, contain prepayment penalties and are secured by a second priority security interest in all existing and future assets of the borrower. Its second lien loans often include payment-in-kind (PIK), interest, which represents contractual interest accrued and added to the principal that generally becomes due at maturity. Its unsecured inve! stments have terms of five to six years and provide for a fixed interest rate. It may make unsecured investments on a stand-alone basis, or in connection with a senior secured loan, a junior secured loan or a one-stop financing. Its unsecured investments may include payment-in-kind (PIK), interest, which represents contractual interest accrued and added to the principal that becomes due at maturity, and an equity component, such as warrants to purchase common stock in the portfolio company.

In addition, the Company from time to time non-control, equity co-investments in connection with private equity sponsors. It structures equity investments, such as direct equity co-investments, to provide the Company with minority rights provisions and event-driven put rights. The Company make investments in the private equity funds of certain of its equity sponsors. It makes these investments where it has a long term relationship and is comfortable with the sponsor�� business model and investment strategy. As of September 30, 2011, it had investments in six private equity funds, which represented less than 1% of the fair value of its assets as of such date.

Portfolio Management

As a business development company, the Company offers managerial assistance to its portfolio companies and to provide it if requested. It monitors the financial trends of each portfolio company to assess the appropriate course of action for each company and to evaluate overall portfolio quality. It has several methods of evaluating and monitoring the performance of its investments, which includes review of monthly and quarterly financial statements and financial projections for portfolio companies; periodic and regular contact with portfolio company management; attendance at board meetings; periodic formal update interviews with portfolio company management, and assessment of business development, including product development, profitability and the portfolio company�� overall adherence to its busine! ss plan.

In addition to various risk management and monitoring tools, the Company uses an investment rating system to characterize and monitor the credit profile and expected level of returns on each investment in itd portfolio. It uses a five-level numeric rating scale. In the event that it determines that an investment is underperforming, or circumstances suggest that the risk associated with a particular investment has significantly increased, it monitors the effected portfolio company.

Valuation of Portfolio Investments

As a business development company, the Company invests in illiquid securities, including debt and equity investments of small and mid-sized companies. The Company perform valuations of its debt and equity investments on an individual basis, using market, income, and bond yield approaches as appropriate. Under the market approach, it estimates the enterprise value of the portfolio companies, in which it invests. To estimate the enterprise value of a portfolio company, it analyze various factors, including the portfolio company�� historical and projected financial results. It requires portfolio companies to provide annual audited and quarterly and monthly unaudited financial statements, as well as annual projections for the upcoming fiscal year.

Under the income approach, the Company prepares and analyze discounted cash flow models based on projections of the future free cash flows of the business. Under the bond yield approach, it uses bond yield models to determine the present value of the future cash flow streams of its debt investments. It reviews various sources of transactional data, including private mergers and acquisitions involving debt investments with similar characteristics, and assess the information in the valuation process.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Amanda Alix]
With higher interest rates in the air, some of these companies point out that they have taken steps to plan for just such an occurrence. Fifth Street Finance (NASDAQ: FSC ) , in its June newsletter, tells its investors that its portfolio stands to gain from an upswing in short-term rates, since the loans they make tend to be of the floating rate variety, and the company's borrowing costs are fixed.
[By Bryan Perry] Popular Posts: Trade of the Day: Groupon (GRPN)Lloyds (LYG): A Sweet Stock Across the PondDoes Fifth Street Finance (FSC) Deserve a Spot in Your Portfolio? Recent Posts: Does Fifth Street Finance (FSC) Deserve a Spot in Your Portfolio? Trade of the Day: Groupon (GRPN) Trade of the Day: U.S. Steel (X) View All Posts
If you’re holding Fifth Street Finance (FSC), criticism that it’s not covering its dividend with net investment income and is not projected to do so in 2014 might have you second-guessing its place in your lineup.
[By Eric Volkman]
Fifth Street Finance (NASDAQ: FSC ) is about to expand its capital base. The company has launched a fresh issue of 13.5 million shares of its common stock in an underwritten public offering. It also intends to grant its underwriters a purchase option for an additional 2.025 million shares.
[By Dan Caplinger]
But one concern is that investors are paying too much for BDCs. Like Ares, peers Prospect Capital (NASDAQ: PSEC ) and Fifth Street Finance (NASDAQ: FSC ) also carry share prices that are higher than the net value of the assets on their books. Yet Ares trades at a substantially higher premiums to NAV than Prospect or Fifth Street, suggesting that they're more comfortable with the quality of Ares' assets compared to its rivals.

Top 5 Rising Stocks To Invest In 2015: Nestle SA (NSRGY.PK)

Nestle SA is a company engaged in the nutrition, health and wellness sectors. It is the holding company of the Nestle Group, which comprises subsidiaries, associated companies and joint ventures throughout the world. The Company has such business units as Food and Beverage, Nestle Waters and Nestle Nutrition. Nestle is also active in the pharmaceutical sector. It divides its products into nine categories: Prepared dishes and cooking aids, Beverages, Confectionery, Ice cream, Water, PetCare, Milk products, Nutrition and Pharma. It has numerous subsidiaries engaged in various areas of activity, including Alcon Ophthalmika GmbH (Austria), Alcon Bulgaria EOOD (Bulgaria) and Galderma Laboratorium GmbH (Germany) for pharmaceuticals; Novartis Nutrition GmbH (Austria) and Hjem-IS A/S (Denmark) for food and beverages, and Galderma International SAS (France) and Galderma Laboratorium GmbH (Germany) for health and beauty activities. The Company is headquartered in Vevey, Switzerland. In July 2008, Novartis AG acquired a 25% stake in Alcon, Inc. from Nestle SA. In March 2010, the Company acquired Kraft Foods Inc' frozen pizza business.

In April 2008, L'Oreal and Nestle SA's joint venture, Galderma Pharma S.A., announced that its United States holding company, Galderma Laboratories, Inc., had acquired approximately 97% interest in CollaGenex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. During the year ended December 31, 2004, Nestle had 500 factories in 83 countries around the world. In 2004, 15 factories were acquired or opened and 29 closed or divested.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Ong Kang Wei]
And that, unmistakably, is a brand. Although the value of a brand is intangible and cannot be measured in dollars, it is one of the most valuable assets a company can have. This is what differentiates a product from Coca-Cola (KO), Kraft Foods Group (KRFT), Nestle (NSRGY.PK) or McDonald's (MCD) from just another unknown manufacturer of these very much essential goods and services. In my eyes, brands are as good as a promise to consumers, which differentiates the product from the rest, and promises that the standard of that certain product will be much better than that of another manufacturer. Without this brand that people trust in and are loyal to, there will not be substantial profits and future growth for the company. Do you think Warren Buffett would have bought out Heinz (HNZ) without its world-famous brand name? Definitely not! It would be as good as just another ketchup brand left on the shelf.
[By Tim McAleenan Jr.]
I do not mention these things to discourage you from international stocks. I have been purchasing BP (BP) between $39-$43, and I will eventually purchase Anheuser-Busch (BUD), Nestle (NSRGY.PK), Royal Dutch Shell (RDS.B), and two or three other international companies when the stars line up. My point is that you should not feel an obligation to own international stocks simply for diversification's sake. If you find a good international stock with a business model you understand and it trades at an attractive price, then great. You should buy it. But owning international stocks does not have to be a necessary part of your strategy. Despite what Mankiw advises in the New York Times, you can build a diversified collection of "global stocks" simply by investigating where certain American multinationals generate the bulk of their sales and earnings.