Once you get the hang of it, it's pretty easy to dissect balance sheets, income, and cash flow statements. This is the first step in getting your feet wet in the investment world.
But it doesn't stop there. If we were to base investing decisions solely on what we read in these statements, that would be akin to picking a significant other based solely on their Facebook�profile -- to many, it just doesn't make sense to avoid real-life interaction.
Investigating these "soft" aspects of a company is�important for investors.�And although we can't capture all of the intangibles of a company in one article, Glassdoor.com -- a website that collects employee sentiment for companies across the world -- recently came out with a list that could help: the Top CEOs of 2013.
Over the past few days, I've covered CEOs 25 through 4. Today, I'm going to introduce you to the company with the third-highest-rated CEO, give you some background on the company, and at the end, I'll offer access to a special free report on who is going to win the war between the five biggest tech stocks.
Hot Diversified Bank Stocks To Watch For 2014: New Hampshire Thrift Bancshares Inc.(NHTB)
New Hampshire Thrift Bancshares, Inc. operates as the holding company for Lake Sunapee Bank, fsb that provides banking and other financial services in New Hampshire and Vermont. The company accepts various deposit products, including business checking, money market accounts, savings, negotiable order of withdrawal, and certificate accounts. Its loan portfolio comprises real estate loans, real estate construction loans, consumer loans, commercial loans, and municipal loans. The company also sells brokerage, securities, and insurance products. It operates 28 branches in Grafton, Hillsborough, Sullivan, Chester, and Merrimack counties in west central New Hampshire; and in Rutland and Windsor counties in Vermont. The company was founded in 1868 and is headquartered in Newport, New Hampshire.
Hot Diversified Bank Stocks To Watch For 2014: Cisco Systems Inc (CSCO.O)
Cisco Systems, Inc., incorporated on December 10, 1984, designs, manufactures, and sells Internet protocol (IP)-based networking and other products related to the communications and information technology (IT) industry and provide services associated with these products and their use. The Company provides a line of products for transporting data, voice, and video within buildings, across campuses, and around the world. Its products are designed to transform how people connect, communicate, and collaborate. Its products are installed at enterprise businesses, public institutions, telecommunications companies, commercial businesses, and personal residences. The Company has five segments: United States and Canada, European Markets, Emerging Markets, Asia Pacific, and Japan. The Emerging Markets theater consists of Eastern Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa, and Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States. In July 30, 2012, it acquired NDS Group Ltd. In October 2012, it acquired virtual networking company, vCider. In August 2011, the Company acquired Versly. In November 2011, it acquired BNI Video. In March 2012, the Company acquired Lightwire, Inc. In May 2012, the Company acquired ClearAccess. In December 2012, the Company acquired Cloupia. In December 2012, the Company acquired Cariden Technologies Inc. In December 2012, the Company acquired Meraki, Inc.
The Company�� product offerings fall into three categories: its core technologies, routing and switching; advanced technologies, and other products. In addition to its product offerings, the Company provides a range of service offerings, technical support services and advanced services. The advanced services program supports networking devices, applications, solutions, and complete infrastructures.
Routing
The Company offers a range of routers, from core network infrastructure for service providers and enterprises to access route rs for branch offices and for telecommuters and consumers a! t! home. Key products within its routing category are the Cisco ASR 901/903, Cisco 1000, 5000, and 9000 Cisco Aggregation Services Routers (ASR), as well as the Cisco ASR 800, 1900, 2900 and 3900 Cisco Integrated Services Routers (ISR):; Cisco CRS-1, 7600 and Cisco CRS-3 Cisco Carrier Routing Systems (CRS). During the fiscal year ended July 31, 2010 (fiscal 2010), Cisco introduced the Cisco CRS-3 Carrier Routing System (CRS-3) and Cisco 7600 Series Routers.
Service Provider Video
The Company�� end-to-end, digital video distribution systems and digital interactive set-top boxes enable service providers and content originators to deliver entertainment, information, and communication services to consumers and businesses around the world. Key product areas within its Service Provider Video category are: Set-Top Boxes, IP set-top boxes (both High-Definition (HD) and Standard Definition (SD)); Digital cable set-top boxes (both HD and SD); Cable Modem CP E (Data, EMTA, and Gateways); Videoscape Software Products and Headend Equipment (Encoders, Decoders, and Transcoders).
Switching
The Company�� switching products offer many forms of connectivity to end users, workstations, IP phones, access points, and servers, and also function as aggregators on local-area networks (LANs), metropolitan-area networks (MANs), and wide-area networks (WANs). Its switching systems employ several widely used technologies, including Ethernet, Power over Ethernet, Fibre Channel over Ethernet, Packet over Synchronous Optical Network, and Multiprotocol Label Switching. Many of its switches are designed to support an integrated set of advanced services, allowing organizations to be more efficient by using one switch for multiple networking functions rather than multiple switches to accomplish the same functions.
Cisco offers a family of Ethernet switching solutions from fixed-configuration switches for small and medium-sized businesses to modular switches for ente! rpr! ises! and ! service providers. Its fixed-configuration switches are designed to provide a foundation for converged data, voice, and video services. Key products within its switching category are the Cisco Catalyst 2960, 3560, 3750, 4500 and 6500 Series; the Cisco Nexus 2000, 3000, 5000 and 7000 Series switches; and MDS Series: MDS 9000.
Fixed-configuration switches are designed to cover a range of deployments in small and medium-sized businesses. It fixed-configuration switches are designed to provide a foundation for converged data, voice, and video services. They range from small, standalone switches to stackable models that function as a single, scalable switching unit. Modular switches are typically utilized by enterprise and service provider customers. Fixed-configuration and modular switches also include products such as optics modules which are shared across multiple product platforms.
NGN Routing
Routing technology is fundamental to the Internet, and this technology interconnects public and private IP networks for mobile, data, voice, and video applications. The Company's NGN Routing products are designed to enhance the intelligence, security, reliability, scalability, and level of performance in the transmission of information and media-rich applications. It offers a broad range of routers, from core network infrastructure and mobile Internet network for service providers and enterprises to access routers for branch offices and for telecommuters and consumers at home. Key product areas within its NGN Routing category are, Cisco Aggregation Services Routers: Cisco ASR 901/903, Cisco ASR 1000, Cisco ASR 5000 and Cisco ASR 9000. Cisco Integrated Services Routers: Cisco ISR 800, Cisco ISR 1900, Cisco ISR 2900 and Cisco ISR 3900. Cisco Carrier Routing Systems: Cisco CRS-1, Cisco CRS-3 and Cisco 7600 Series Routers.
Security
Cisco security solutions deliver identity, network and content security solutions designed to enable customers to r! educe t! ! he impact! of threats and realize the benefits of a mobile, collaborative, and cloud-enabled business. The products in this category span firewall, intrusion prevention, remote access, virtual private networks (VPNs), unified clients, network admission control, Web gateways, and email gateways. Its AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client solution enables users to access networks with their mobile device of choice, including laptops and smartphone-based mobile devices, while allowing organizations to manage the security risks of networks. Its cloud-based Web security service is designed to provide real-time threat protection and to prevent malware from reaching corporate networks, including roaming or mobile users. It focuses on a proactive, layered approach to counter both existing and emerging security threats. During the fiscal year ended July 28, 2012, it introduced the Cisco ASA 5500-X Series Midrange Security Appliance, Cisco Security Manager 4.3, the IPS 4500 Series, and Prime Securit y Manager.
Wireless
The Cisco Unified Wireless Network aims to harness the network to solve business problems, uniting high-performance wireless access across campus, branch, remote and outdoor environments. Its offerings include wireless access points (including the Cisco Aironet product family), controllers, antennas, and integrated management. The Company�� offerings provide users with simplified management and mobile device troubleshooting features which are designed to reduce operational cost and maximize flexibility and reliability. It is also investing in custom chipsets to deliver functions such as CleanAir proactive spectrum intelligence, ClientLink acceleration for mobile devices and VideoStream multicast optimization technology.
Data Center
The Company�� data center product category has been its major product category for the past two fiscal years. Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS) and Server Access Vi rtualization form the core of the Data Center pr! oduct cat! ego! ry. Key p! roduct areas within its Data Center product category are: Cisco UCS B-Series Blade Servers, Cisco UCS C-Series Rack Servers and Cisco UCS Fabric Interconnects.
Other Products
The Company�� other products category primarily consists of Linksys home networking products, certain emerging technologies, and other networking products. In addition to its product offerings, it provide a range of service offerings, including technical support services and advanced services.
The Company competes with Alcatel-Lucent; ARRIS Group, Inc.; Aruba Networks, Inc.; Avaya Inc.; Belden Inc.; Brocade Communications Systems, Inc.; Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.; Citrix Systems, Inc.; D-Link Corporation; LM Ericsson Telephone Company; Extreme Networks, Inc.; F5 Networks, Inc.; Force10 Networks, Inc.; Fortinet, Inc.; Hewlett-Packard Company; Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.; International Business Machines Corporation; Juniper Networks, Inc.; LogMeIn, Inc.; Meru Networks, Inc.; Microsoft Corporation; Motorola, Inc.; NETGEAR, Inc.; Polycom, Inc.; Riverbed Technology, Inc.; and Symantec Corporation.
Top Value Companies For 2014: Falcon Ventures International I (FIX.V)
Firebird Resources Inc. engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties in Canada and the United States. The company primarily focuses on three gold prospects in South Carolina. It holds interests in the Buzzard project, which is located in Lancaster County, South Carolina; Jefferson project located east of the Brewer mine; and the Belk project that is located east of Lancaster, South Carolina. The company was formerly known as Falcon Ventures International Inc. and changed its name to Firebird Resources Inc. in November 2009. Firebird Resources Inc. is headquartered in Toronto, Canada.
Hot Diversified Bank Stocks To Watch For 2014: Peoples Financial Corporation(PFBX)
Peoples Financial Corporation operates as the bank holding company for The Peoples Bank, which provides banking products and services to individuals and small to middle market businesses in Mississippi. The company offers deposit services, such as interest bearing and non-interest bearing checking accounts, savings accounts, certificates of deposit, and IRA accounts, as well as non-deposit funds management accounts. It also provides loan products, such as business, commercial, real estate, construction, personal, and installment loans. In addition, the company offers personal trust, agencies, and estate services, including living and testamentary trusts, executorships, guardianships, and conservatorships. Further, it provides benefit accounts, which include self-directed individual retirement accounts, as well as provides escrow management, stock transfer, and bond paying agency accounts to corporate customers. Additionally, the company offers other services, including saf e deposit box rental, wire transfer services, night drop facilities, collection services, cash management, and Internet banking services. As of December 31, 2010, it operated 15 branches in Harrison, Hancock, Jackson, and Stone Counties; and 51 automated teller machines. The company was founded in 1896 and is headquartered in Biloxi, Mississippi.
Hot Diversified Bank Stocks To Watch For 2014: Keynote Systems Inc.(KEYN)
Keynote Systems, Inc. provides Internet and mobile cloud monitoring and testing solutions worldwide. The company?s Internet cloud products and services comprise Transaction Perspective for visibility into the performance and availability of Web transactions; Application Perspective, a Web application monitoring service; Cloud Application Perspective that provides software-based performance monitoring; Private Agents for the performance of mission critical extranet and intranet applications; Streaming Perspective to measure, compare, and assure the performance of audio and video streams; and Performance Scoreboard, a custom dashboard to monitor Web performance. Its Internet cloud products and services also include Enterprise Adapters to integrate performance measurement data into enterprise systems management platforms; Keynote Internet Testing Environment, a desktop tool for real-time testing, diagnosing, and troubleshooting Web performance issues; LoadPro, a Web load tes ting service; Test Perspective, a self-service load testing service; Red Alert to test devices connected to the Internet; and consulting services, such as performance insights, Web site performance assessment, automated reporting, and custom competitive research. In addition, the company?s mobile cloud products and services primarily consist of System Integrated Test Environment System to test and measure the quality and reliability of mobile networks and applications, and content delivery for mobile operators; GlobalRoamer to certify and validate roaming agreements; Mobile Device Perspective to enhance the quality of mobile content, applications, and services; Mobile Web Perspective to monitor and troubleshoot the quality and performance for mobile Web sites; and Mobile Internet Testing Environment, a desktop tool. Further, it offers professional services, mobile competitive monitoring and analysis, and mobile insights. The company was founded in 1995 and is headquartered in San Mateo, California.
Hot Diversified Bank Stocks To Watch For 2014: K-Swiss Inc.(KSWS)
K-Swiss Inc. designs, develops, and markets footwear, apparel, and accessories for athletic, sports, and fitness activities, as well as casual wear under the K-Swiss brand. The company also offers footwear for adventurers for various terrains under the Palladium brand. Its products include tennis and running collection apparels, such as skirts, shorts, tops, polos, dresses, and warm-ups for men and women; and casual athletic apparels consisting of jackets, sweaters, sweatshirts, track jackets, tee shirts, caps, socks, and bags. The company sells its products through sales executives and independent sales representatives primarily to specialty athletic footwear stores, pro shops, sporting good stores, and department stores. It also offers its products through its Website, kswiss.com, as well as through foreign distributors. The company has operations in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and internationally. K-Swiss Inc. was founded in 1966 and is headquart ered in Westlake Village, California.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Andrew]
I know I said no particular order but this is by far my favorite stock this year. Unless you are incredibly risk adverse, I highly recommend putting as much money as you can into this stock. The analysts don’t get it. This is a forward thinking California based company and they are changing the shoe industry. The market cap is tiny at the moment. Just to put things into perspective, $100 invested in K-Swiss would give you about the same % ownership as $20 000 invested in Nike. The costly re branding campaign has hurt the stock a lot but a lot of this marketing campaign is viral. It is sitting on Youtube for free and people are actively wat ching the commercials and telling their friends about it. People are joining the Facebook Page in droves and I’ve read pretty much only great reviews for the K-Swiss Tubes. I’m actually wearing a pair as I write this article and they are fabulous. The K Swiss Tubes are in my opinion the best cross trainers for 2011-2012. I love sports myself and I’ve owned the recent stuff from all the top brands. K Swiss is sponsoring the right people in growing industries. Fox Sports signed a massive deal with the UFC and it will invariably make the UFC even more popular than it is now. Instead of only being able to watch UFC on PPV, you can now watch a lot of ev ents over the next several years on Fox sports. K Swiss has signed some of the best athletes like Jon “Bones” Jones and they are making all the right re branding moves. Go to Youtube and type in “Kenny powers Kswiss” and you’ll see what I mean. Read the comments there and on their growing facebook page. Buy yourself this stock and a pair of Tubes. Best move you can make. FYI, the CEO owns about a 20% stake in the company and has a lot of incentive to make it work. He’s got a proven track record of digging himself out of trouble before and ! he’s poised to do it again in the biggest way yet.
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