Hot Performing Companies For 2014

Stocks tied to consumer spending have been huge winners lately. Thanks to elevated consumer confidence, folks are feeling optimistic and starting to open their wallets. But this news has investors wondering if good stock buys still exist in the consumer goods space.

Dissecting the sector
Just last month, The Conference Board reported that the Consumer Confidence Index hit a five-year high. The real estate recovery is under way, and the job market is slowly rebounding. Despite a payroll tax increase that took effect at the beginning of the year, consumers are loosening the purse strings and feeling good these days. In fact, consumer spending rose at the fastest pace in two years during the first quarter of this year.�

Consumer discretionary stocks, which span industries like autos, apparel, leisure, and media, enjoy more upside during a robust economy and typically outperform the overall market when the economy is purring. For example, from the March 2009 market doldrums to present, the consumer discretionary�sector returned 282% versus 175% for S&P 500. So far this year, it's been the best-performing sector, returning nearly 26% versus the S&P 500's 20%.�

Hot Performing Companies For 2014: Concurrent Computer Corporation(CCUR)

Concurrent Computer Corporation provides solutions that enable the seamless delivery, management, and monetization of video on any screen. Its screen-independent video delivery and media data solutions create a 360 degree view of the consumer video experience, which is built on video firsts and patented technology. The company provides advanced advertising to customers in the cable, telecommunications, wireless, Web, advertising, and content development industries by harnessing the full potential of video. Its video solutions consist of software, hardware, and services for streaming video and collecting media data based on cross services data aggregation, logistics, and intelligence applications; and real-time products consist of Linux and other real-time operating systems, and software development tools to various companies seeking high-performance, real-time computer solutions in the military, aerospace, financial, and automotive markets around the world. Concurrent Comp uter Corporation was founded in 1966 and is headquartered in Duluth, Georgia.

Hot Performing Companies For 2014: Interpump(IP.MI)

Interpump Group SpA, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and markets high-pressure plunger pumps, high pressure systems, power takeoffs, hydraulic pumps, hydraulic cylinders, and other hydraulic products. The company?s Hydraulic sector produces and sells power take-offs, which are designed to transmit drive from an industrial vehicle engine or transmission to power a range of ancillary services through hydraulic components. This sector also offers hydraulic components comprising spool valves and controls; hydraulic cylinders; and pumps that are used in various applications, including lifting tipping bodies, moving truck-mounted cranes, and operating mixer truck drums. Its Industrial sector provides high and very high-pressure pumps and pumping systems used in a range of industrial sectors for the conveyance of fluids. These pumps are used in various industrial applications, including car wash installations, forced lubrication systems for machine tools, and invers e osmosis systems for water desalination plants; and used for cleaning surfaces, ships, various types of pipes, and for removing machining burr, cutting and removing cement, asphalt, and paint coatings from stone, cement and metal surfaces, as well as used for cutting solid materials. This sector is also involved in the operations of drawing, shearing, and pressing sheet metal, as well as the manufacture and sale of cleaning machinery. The company has operations in Italy, rest of Europe, North America, the Pacific Area, and internationally. Interpump Group SpA is based in S. Ilario d'Enza, Italy.

Best Value Companies To Buy For 2014: Darford Intl Inc(WUF.V)

Darford International Inc. engages in the manufacture and distribution of dog treats and food primarily in Canada and the United States. The company also undertakes private label manufacturing contracts of pet treats. It sells its products under Darford brand name through wholesale distribution and retail partners. The company is headquartered in Vernon, British Columbia.

Hot Performing Companies For 2014: Pilgrim's Pride Corporation(PPC)

Pilgrim's Corp. produces, processes, markets, and distributes fresh and frozen chicken products to retailers, distributors, and foodservice operators primarily in the United States. Its fresh chicken products consist of refrigerated (non-frozen) whole or cut-up chicken; and pre-marinated or non-marinated, as well as prepackaged case-ready chicken, which includes various combinations of freshly refrigerated, whole chickens, and chicken parts. The company also offers a range of prepared chicken products, including portion-controlled breast fillets, tenderloins and strips, delicatessen products, salads, formed nuggets and patties, and bone-in chicken parts. In addition, it exports whole chickens and chicken parts to approximately 95 countries, including Mexico, Russia, Puerto Rico, and China. The company was formerly known as Pilgrim's Pride Corporation. Pilgrim's Corp. was founded in 1945 and is headquartered in Greeley, Colorado. Pilgrim's Corp. operates as a subsidiary of JBS USA Holdings, Inc.

Hot Performing Companies For 2014: Reunion Gold Corporation(RGD.V)

Reunion Gold Corporation, an exploration stage company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties. It holds 4 prospecting licenses covering 45,729 acres for the exploration and development of manganese in the North West District of Guyana, South America, as well as 2 permissions for geological and geophysical survey comprising 19,770 square kilometers. The company was formerly known as New Sleeper Gold Corporation and changed its name to Reunion Gold Corporation in June 2006. Reunion Gold Corporation is based in Longueuil, Canada.

Hot Performing Companies For 2014: Marani Brands Inc (MRIB)

Marani Brands, Inc. (Marani), incorporated on May 30, 2001, is engaged in the importation and sale of alcoholic beverage products, primarily Marani Vodka, its flagship product. The Company�� primary business is the business of Margrit Enterprises International, Inc. (MEI), which is in the distribution of wine and spirit products manufactured in Armenia. Marani Vodka is made from winter wheat harvested in Armenia, distilled three times, aged in oak barrels lined with honey and skimmed dried milk, then filtered 25 times. Bottling of the product occurs at the Eraskh distillery in Armenia. On April 4, 2008, the Company, FFBI Merger Sub Corp. and MEI executed, and on April 7, 2008, the parties closed, a three party Merger Agreement.

The Company purchases all of its products from a single supplier, Eraskh Winery, Ltd., under an exclusive distribution agreement with Eraskh, an Armenian manufacturer of wine and other spirits. The new bottles for Marani Vodka are being manufactured in France by Saver Glass Company and China by Universal Group Co., Ltd. and shipped to Armenia to be filled at Eraskh. The Company�� product is being distributed by Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc. (SWS), in Southern California, in conjuction with PLCB Pennsylvania and Nevada. SWS is an alcoholic beverage distributor in the United States. The Company has established additional distributors, such as QV Distributors in Arizona and Wein-Baur in Illinois.

The Company competes with Diageo, Pernod Ricard, Bacardi and Brown-Forman.

Hot Performing Companies For 2014: China Housing & Land Development Inc.(CHLN)

China Housing & Land Development, Inc., through its subsidiaries, engages in the acquisition, development, management, and sale of commercial and residential real estate properties primarily in the People?s Republic of China. The company?s projects include multi-family residential, commercial, and hotel projects. It serves first time home buyers and first time up-graders. The company was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in Xian, the People?s Republic of China.

Hot Performing Companies For 2014: Responsys Inc.(MKTG)

Responsys, Inc. provides on-demand software and professional services primarily in North America, the Asia Pacific, and Europe. The company offers Responsys Interact suite, a software-as-a-service platform that provides marketers with a set of integrated applications to create, execute, optimize, and automate marketing campaigns in various channels, including email, mobile, social, and the Web. Its platform also leverages third-party applications and data from real-time sources allowing customers to deliver targeted content to its customers and known prospects as part of their interactive marketing campaigns. In addition, it provides professional services, such as strategic, creative, deliverability, campaign, and education services. The company offers its on-demand software and professional services to retail and consumer, travel, financial services, and technology industries through a direct sales force. Responsys, Inc. was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in San Bru no, California.