Monday, June 30, 2014

10 Best Solar Stocks To Own For 2015

10 Best Solar Stocks To Own For 2015: First Solar Inc.(FSLR)

First Solar, Inc. manufactures and sells solar modules using a thin-film semiconductor technology. It also designs, constructs, and sells photovoltaic solar power systems. The company?s solar modules employ a thin layer of semiconductor material to convert sunlight into electricity. Its integrated solar power systems activities include the project development; engineering, procurement, and construction services; operating and maintenance services; and project finance. The company sells solar modules to project developers, system integrators, and operators of renewable energy projects; and solar power systems to investor owned utilities, independent power developers and producers, and commercial and industrial companies, as well as other system owners. It operates in the United States, Germany, France, Canada, and internationally. The company was formerly known as First Solar Holdings, Inc. and changed its name to First Solar, Inc. in 2006. First Solar was founded in 1999 a nd is headquartered in Tempe, Arizona.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Aaron Levitt]

    While producing solar panels maybe sexy, the firms that own/operate the solar farms are the ones actually producing cash flows — see First Solars (FSLR) latest earnings as an example. As utilities continue to build and add these things, they’re taking a page right out of the master limited partnership (MLP) and real estate investment trust (REIT) playbook. That is, offering high dividends to investors willing to take the plunge into the renewable energy space via new funding/security type called a YieldCo.

  • [By Dan Caplinger]

    Finally, earnings continue to have big impacts not only on individual stocks but on entire industries. First Solar's (NASDAQ: FSLR  ) report last night has sent the shares for a loop: They're dropping 9% after the company missed earnings estimates. Yet the company didn't pull back fr! om its more optimistic assessment of its future as it continues efforts to bolster its already impressive backlog of solar projects. The stock drop brings two potential opportunities. If you think First Solar's long-term prospects will stay in line with its management's projections, then today's drop is a bargain opportunity. Meanwhile, if you think the reason for First Solar's drop is tied only to the company specifically, then rival SunPower (NASDAQ: SPWR  ) , which is the efficiency leader in the U.S. solar market and which has fallen almost 4% in concert with First Solar today, could be the better buy.

  • source from Top Penny Stocks For 2015:http://www.topstocksforum.com/10-best-solar-stocks-to-own-for-2015.html

Will Apple be a Potential Suitor for Broadcom's Baseband Business?

Now that Broadcom (BRCM) has finally thrown in the towel on its cellular business after years of failing to succeed, the company is trying to shop around the division. The company's management team claims that the product pipeline that was under development had significant technical merit, but that the economics of running that business just couldn't support a $700 million-a-year operating expense run rate. That said, if Broadcom can successfully shop the business, Apple (AAPL) seems the most likely buyer.

Taking back control from Qualcomm Today, Qualcomm (QCOM) is the world's leading cellular baseband development shop and holds the majority of the market. Qualcomm also happens to supply standalone cellular chips to Apple for the latter's renowned iPhone and iPad product lines. While Qualcomm has been more or less the only choice for a leading-edge LTE baseband for several years, it would have been beneficial to Apple to have more than one supplier in the running -- at the very least to keep prices under control.

However, with Broadcom bowing out of the race as a high-end baseband vendor, Apple's only two choices appear to be Qualcomm and -- if it can consistently execute to its cellular baseband roadmap -- Intel. With very few viable suppliers in the market, Apple will either be forced to stay a step behind the latest and greatest in terms of modem technology (taking advantage of the lower prices of more mature technology) or it suffers margin compression as it tries to adopt leading-edge features.

That said, what if Apple could take control of its own cellular destiny by picking up where Broadcom left off?

It's not as easy as it sounds There's a reason Qualcomm enjoys the dominant position it does today -- its technology benefits from multiple years of targeted investments, as well as a deep involvement with the development of key wireless standards and technologies. As competitive as Broadcom claimed its product pipeline to be, the odds are good that Qualcomm's solutions were superior. If Broadcom's products truly were better, it would have been able to win a couple of SKUs of a future-generation iPhone and the shutdown wouldn't have been necessary.

Hot Food Companies For 2015

So, if Apple were to pick up Broadcom's cellular business, it would incur several hundred million dollars' worth of incremental operating expenses. That said, it's important to note that Apple's incremental operating expenses (because it already develops world-class mobile SoCs and just needs the modem piece, and not the marketing staff that a merchant chip vendor like Broadcom needs) would probably be lower than the $700 million a year that Broadcom had to shell out. Of course, it is unclear if what Broadcom had been spending on modem development was enough to be competitive with Qualcomm.

If Apple didn't like Renesas Mobile, it probably won't like Broadcom cellular The one thing that makes it tough to believe that Apple would actually pick up these assets -- even though they would fill the last significant gap in the company's silicon capabilities -- is that Apple had its chance to buy numerous of these players that have exited mobile. For instance, if Apple really wanted to get in on basebands, it would have used its large cash hoard to pick up the Renesas Mobile team that Broadcom grabbed for $164 million to get its modems back on track. It's tough to believe that Broadcom added enough value over the past nine months to materially influence the value of this business to Apple.

Conclusion While it would certainly be interesting to see Apple become a world-class modem development house, Apple really would need to have confidence that it could develop a solution that's better on balance than what Qualcomm provides as a discrete solution. While with enough money and time, Apple could prove competitive, it's unclear if the benefits of doing so outweigh the very high development costs and fairly low probability of near- to medium-term success.

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Sunday, June 29, 2014

Top Railroad Companies For 2014

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Question: What do a big-box electronics retailer, a cheap-chic discounter and the biggest construction company around have in common?

Top Low Price Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Intellipharmaceutics International Inc.(IPCI)

Intellipharmaceutics International Inc. engages in the research, development, and manufacture of novel or generic controlled and targeted release oral solid dosage drugs. The company?s patented Hypermatrix technology is a multidimensional controlled-release drug delivery platform that can be applied to the development of various existing and new pharmaceuticals. It has a pipeline of products in various stages of development in therapeutic areas, including neurology, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal tract, pain, and infection. The company?s lead generic product under development includes generic Focalin XR (dexmethylphenidate hydrochloride), an extended-release capsule for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Intellipharmaceutics has a license and commercialization agreement with Par Pharmaceutical, Inc. for the development and commercialization of generic Focalin XR. The company also has five generic products filed with the FDA, including a gene ric of Effexor XR (venlafaxine hydrochloride), an extended-release capsule for depression; Protonix (pantoprazole sodium), a delayed-release tablet for conditions associated with gastroesophageal disease; Glucophage XR (metformin hydrochloride), an extended-release tablet for managing type 2 diabetes; Seroquel XR (quetiapine fumarate), an extended-release tablet for the treatment of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder; and Lamictal XR (lamotrigine), an extended-release tablet for the treatment of anti-convulsant for epilepsy. Its lead non-generic product under development is Rexista (oxycodone), an abuse- and alcohol-deterrent controlled-release oral oxycodone hydrochloride formulation for the relief of pain. The company also has a under late stage development product, such as Coreg CR (carvedilol phosphate), an extended-release capsule for hypertension and heart conditions. IntelliPharmaCeutics International Inc. was founded in 1998 and is based i n Toronto, Canada.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Roberto Pedone]

    A pharmaceutical player that's starting to trend within range of triggering a big breakout trade is IntelliPharmaCeutics (IPCI), which specializing in the research, development and manufacture of generic controlled-release and targeted-release oral solid dosage drugs. This stock has been on fire over the last three months, with shares up a whopping 99%.

    If you take a look at the chart for IntelliPharmaCeutics, you'll notice that this stock has been uptrending a bit over the last few weeks, with shares moving higher from its low f $3.12 to its recent high of $4.37 a share. During that uptrend, shares of IPCI have been making mostly higher lows and higher highs, which is bullish technical price action. That move has now pushed shares of IPCI within range of triggering a big breakout trade above some key overhead resistance levels.

    Traders should now look for long-biased trades in IPCI if it manages to break out some near-term overhead resistance levels at $4.37 to $4.62 a share with high volume. Look for a sustained move or close above those levels with volume that hits near or above its three-month average action of 1.31 million shares. If that breakout triggers soon, then IPCI will set up to re-test or possibly take out its 52-week high at $6.46 a share.

    Traders can look to buy IPCI off any weakness to anticipate that breakout and simply use a stop that sits right below some key near-term support levels at $3.36 or at its 50-day moving average of $3.13 a share. One could also buy IPCI off strength once it starts to take out those breakout levels with volume and then simply use a stop that sits a comfortable percentage from your entry point.

Top Railroad Companies For 2014: Dupont Fabros Technology Inc. (DFT)

DuPont Fabros Technology, Inc., a real estate investment trust (REIT), engages in the ownership, acquisition, development, operation, management, and lease of large-scale data center facilities in the United States. The company leases its data centers to the American and international technology companies to house, power, and cool the computer servers that support their critical business processes. It also provides certain technical services to tenants, including layout design and installation of electrical power circuits, data cabling, server cabinets and racks, computer room airflow analyses, and monitoring. As of December 31, 2011, the company owned and operated seven data centers located in Northern Virginia; one data center in suburban Chicago, Illinois; one data center in Piscataway, New Jersey; one data center in Santa Clara, California. DuPont Fabros Technology, Inc. has elected to be taxed as a REIT. As a REIT, it would not be subject to federal corporate income t axes if it distributes at least 90% of its taxable income to its stockholders. The company was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in Washington, District of Columbia.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Rich Duprey]

    Investors might find it fabulous that DuPont Fabros Technology� (NYSE: DFT  ) �has increased its second-quarter dividend, the third time in two years the payout has been increased.

Top Railroad Companies For 2014: Bio-Matrix Scientific Group Inc (BMSN)

Bio-Matrix Scientific Group, Inc., incorporated on October 6, 1998, is a development stage company. The Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Regen BioPharma ,Inc., is engaged in the development of regenerative medical applications which it focuses to license from other entities up to the point of completion of Phase I and or Phase II clinical trials after which it would either attempt to sell or license those developed applications or, alternatively, advance the application further to Phase III clinical trials.

The Company has begun development of HemaXellerate, a cellular drug designed to heal damaged bone marrow. HemaXellerate I (TM) is a patient-specific composition of cells that have been demonstrated to repair damaged bone marrow and stimulate production of blood cells based on previous animal studies.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Bryan Murphy]

    If you're a small cap enthusiast looking for some budding ideas, you may not need to look any further than China GengSheng Minerals, Inc. (NYSEMKT:CHGS), Bio Matrix Scientific Group Inc. (OTCMKTS:BMSN), and MER Telemanagement Solutions Ltd. (NASDAQ:MTSL). All three have either pushed themselves to the brink of a breakout, if they haven't started one already. Here's a closer technical look at MTSL, BMSN, and CHGS, and what it's going to take to get them going if they're not going already.

Top Railroad Companies For 2014: Alpha and Omega Semiconductor Limited(AOSL)

Alpha and Omega Semiconductor Limited engages in the design, development, and supply of a range of power semiconductors worldwide. The company offers power discrete product line comprising trench MOSFETs, electrostatic discharge, protected MOSFETs, and SRFETs; and power ICs. Its products are used in notebooks, netbooks, flat panel displays, mobile phone battery packs, set-top boxes, portable media players, and power supplies. The company sells its products to distributors. Alpha and Omega Semiconductor Limited is based in Hamilton, Bermuda.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Tim Melvin]

    This split among industry segments has created some value opportunities as those companies with high exposure to PCs are very cheap. And while the move towards smart phones and tablets may continue, the PC is not dead — demand will pick up along with the economy.

    Alpha and Omega Semiconductor (AOSL)

    Alpha and Omega Semiconductor (AOSL) is a designer, developer and global supplier of a broad portfolio of power semiconductors. The portfolio of power semiconductors includes more than 1,400 products, and has grown rapidly with 195 new products introduced last year alone. Its semiconductors are used in a wide range of products, including things like personal computers, flat panel TVs, LED lighting, smart phones, and telecommunications equipment.

Top Railroad Companies For 2014: Omega Healthcare Investors Inc.(OHI)

Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc. operates as a real estate investment trust (REIT) in the United States. The company invests in healthcare facilities, principally long-term healthcare facilities in the United States. It provides lease or mortgage financing to qualified operators of skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), as well as to assisted living facilities (ALFs), independent living facilities (ILFs), and rehabilitation and acute care facilities. As of March 31, 2011, the company?s portfolio of real estate investments consisted of 400 healthcare facilities, including 370 SNFs, 10 ALFs, 5 specialty facilities, fixed rate mortgages on 13 SNFs, and 2 SNFs that are held-for-sale located in 35 states. Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc. has been qualified as a REIT for federal income tax purposes. As a REIT, it would not be subject to federal corporate income taxes if it distributes at least 90% of its taxable income to its shareholders. The company was founded in 1992 and is bas ed in Hunt Valley, Maryland.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Marc Bastow]

    Healthcare facilities REIT Omega Healthcare (OHI) raised its quarterly dividend 2% to 49 cents per share, payable Feb. 14 to shareholders of record Jan. 31.
    OHI Dividend Yield: 6.1%

Top Railroad Companies For 2014: Westpac Banking Corp (WEBNF)

Westpac Banking Corporation is a banking company. It operates through three divisions: Australian Financial Services (AFS), Westpac Institutional Bank (WIB) and Westpac New Zealand. AFS consists of Westpac�� retail and business banking operations in Australia, and includes Westpac Retail & Business Banking (Westpac RBB), St.George Banking Group and BT Financial Group Australia (BFTG). Westpac RBB is responsible for sales and service for consumer, small-to-medium enterprise customers and commercial customers under the Westpac brands. St.George is responsible for sales, and service for its consumer, business and corporate customers in Australia under brands, such as St.George and BankSA. BTFG is Westpac�� Australian wealth management division. In January 2014, the Company completed the acquisition of Lloyds Banking Group Plc�� Australian asset finance business, Capital Finance Australia Limited, and its Australian corporate loan portfolio, BOS International (Australia) Ltd. Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By MARKETWATCH]

    LOS ANGELES (MarketWatch) -- Australian stocks rose in early Monday trading, helped by Wall Street's gains Friday, with the S&P/ASX 200 (AU:XJO) climbing 0.8% to 5,362.40 after closing the previous session at its highest level since before the start of the 2008 financial crisis. Miners were broadly improving, as Fortescue Metals Group Ltd. (AU:FMG) (FSUMF) rose 1.3%, BHP Billiton Ltd. (AU:BHP) (BHP) added 0.9% ahead of its quarterly production report Tuesday, and Newcrest Mining Ltd. (AU:NCM) (NCMGF) also climbed 0.9% despite a loss for gold at the end of last week. Financials saw gains as well, with many analysts now tipping the U.S. Federal Reserve to maintain its current level of easing through the end of the year. Australia & New Zealand Banking Group (AU:ANZ) (ANEWF) advanced 1.1%, while Westpac Banking Corp. (AU:WBC) (WEBNF) and Macquarie Group Ltd. (AU:MQG) (MCQEF) rose 1.2% each. On the downside, shares of Qantas Airways Ltd. (AU:QAN) (QUBSF) fell 4.2% after the company warned of rough business conditions on Friday.

  • [By MARKETWATCH]

    LOS ANGELES (MarketWatch) -- Australian stocks inched lower in early Friday trade, with the S&P/ASX 200 (AU:XJO) down 0.1% at 5,322.00, with weakness in miners outweighing mild strength in financials. Shares of BHP Billiton Ltd. (AU:BHP) (BHP) and Rio Tinto Ltd. (AU:RIO) (RIO) fell 1.4% apiece, while Fortescue Metals Group Ltd. (AU:FMG) (FSUMF) lost 2.2% and gold miner Evolution Mining Ltd. (AU:EVN) (CAHPF) lost 0.8%, after copper prices fell to two-week lows and Chinese steel futures also lost ground, according to Reuters. The sector could react to Chinese trade data due out later in the day, as China remains a top market for Australian commodities. Stock in Alumina Ltd. (AU:AWC) (AWCMF) retreated 2.6% after its U.S. partner Alcoa Inc. (AA) posted a quarterly loss. On the upside, the big four banks all traded higher, with Commonwealth Bank of Australia (AU:CBA) (CBAUF) up 0.1%, National Australia Bank Ltd. (AU:NAB) (NAUBF) rising 0.2%, Westpac Banking Corp. (AU:WBC) (WEBN

  • [By MARKETWATCH]

    LOS ANGELES (MarketWatch) -- Australian stocks edged lower Thursday, as a mostly soft lead from the U.S. markets helped weigh on the S&P/ASX 200 (AU:XJO) , which lost 0.2% to 5,306.40. Mining stocks moved mostly lower as a rising dollar depressed some key commodity prices overnight, with Oz Minerals Ltd. (AU:OZL) (OZMLF) down 1%, Fortescue Metals Group Ltd. (AU:FMG) (FSUMF) off 1.5%, and Newcrest Mining Ltd. (AU:NCM) (NCMGF) 1.1% lower. The big four banks all started lower as well, with Australia & New Zealand Banking Group (AU:ANZ) (ANEWF) and Commonwealth Bank of Australia (AU:CBA) (CBAUF) down 0.2% each, while National Australia Bank Ltd. (AU:NAB) (NAUBF) lost 0.4%, and Westpac Banking Corp. (AU:WBC) (WEBNF) fell 0.5%. Retailers were mixed ahead of retail-sales data due out later in the day, as Harvey Norman Holdings Ltd. (AU:HVN) (HNORY) fell 0.5% and Myer Holdings Ltd. (AU:MYR) lost 0.7%, while David Jones Ltd.

Top 5 High Dividend Stocks For 2014

Stocks that pay dividends have never been more popular, especially among investors looking for as much income as they can generate from their portfolios. If you're a dividend investor, you need to know that the stocks you choose will give you dependable income not only now but well into the future.

What not to focus on
The mistake that many dividend investors make is to pay too much attention to current yield. Admittedly, if you need income right now, then the temptation to get instant gratification from a high-yielding dividend stock can be overwhelming.

But all too often, stocks that pay high dividends end up having to cut their payouts. By contrast, stocks that have demonstrated their ability provide strong growth in their dividends -- even if their yields aren't as high -- give investors more assurance that those stocks will be able to sustain their payouts going forward.

With that in mind, let's turn to four stocks that have attractive yields of 3% or more yet have been able to produce impressive dividend growth at a 10% or greater annual clip for the past decade.

Top Integrated Utility Companies To Buy Right Now: Violin Memory Inc (VMEM)

Violin Memory, Inc., incorporated on March 9, 2005, is pioneering a new class of flash-based storage systems that are designed to bring storage performance in-line with high-speed applications, servers and networks. The Company�� Flash Memory Arrays are specifically designed at each level of the system architecture starting with memory and optimized through the array to leverage the inherent capabilities of flash memory and meet the sustained requirements of business-critical applications, virtualized environments and Big Data solutions in enterprise data centers. The Company�� Velocity Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe), Flash Memory Cards leverage its persistent memory-based architecture in servers and are optimized for applications that require continuous access to quantities of low latency persistent memory located directly in servers.

The Company�� storage systems are based on a four-layer hardware architecture, which is integrated with its Violin Memory Operating System (vMOS), software stack to optimize the management of flash memory at each level of its system architecture. The Company�� Velocity PCIe Flash Memory Cards leverage its expertise in persistent memory-based storage and controller design, as well as its vMOS software stack, to offer a differentiated architecture in a deployable PCIe form factor.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Michael Calia]

    Violin Memory Inc.(VMEM) named Kevin A. DeNuccio as chief executive after firing prior CEO Don Basile in December because of the company’s poor performance. The flash-storage company posted disappointing third-quarter results and a sagging stock price.

  • [By Eric Volkman]

    Getty Images/Cultura As more than a few finance industry professionals will happily brag, 2013 was a banner year for initial public offerings with 156 new stocks coming to market -- the most since 2007 -- collectively reaping the issuers aggregate proceeds of more than $38 billion. We went over the most recognizable members of this year's rookie class in "The 5 Most Unfortgettable IPOs of 2013." But in a big pool of 156 companies, there are bound to be at least a few struggling fish. Here, then, is a selection of five from the class of 2013 that are getting seriously lapped by their peers. 1. Prosensa (RNA) This Dutch clinical-stage biopharmaceutical firm had a strong debut when it listed on the Nasdaq in late June. The stock's offer price of $13 zoomed to close at over $19 on the first day of trading. But bad news was waiting around the corner; less than three months later, the shares tanked by more than 70 percent after the company announced that the muscular dystrophy treatment (drisapersen) it was developing in partnership with GlaxoSmithKline (GLAXF), did not hit its primary endpoint in late-stage trials. That one-day free fall saw the stock swoon from $24 per share to barely over $7. Since then, shares have slipped even further, and can currently be had for less than $5. 2. Violin Memory (VMEM) As a provider of high-speed data storage solutions, this company should be well in tune with current IT needs. But it fell flat from the beginning -- on its first day of trading the stock closed slightly over $7 a share, after pricing at $9. Worse was to come when the firm reported its first quarterly results as a publicly traded entity. While revenue advanced nearly 40 percent on a year-over-year basis, that couldn't cover the gaping hole of a bottom line loss totaling $34 million (a figure, by the way, significantly higher than the top line number of $28 million). The already-sinking shares continued to dive, bottoming at just over $2.50 per share. The re

Top 5 High Dividend Stocks For 2014: NPS Pharmaceuticals Inc.(NPSP)

NPS Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, focuses on the development of therapeutic products for gastrointestinal and endocrine disorders, and various medical needs. The company?s primary clinical programs include two therapeutic peptides to restore or replace biological functions comprising GATTEX, a Phase 3 clinical trial product for short bowel syndrome; and Natpara, a recombinant human parathyroid hormone 1-84, which is in Phase 3 clinical development trials. It also develops NPSP790 and NPSP795 calcilytic compounds that are in Phase I trials for the treatment of rare endocrine disorders. The company has collaborative and license agreements with Amgen Inc., Janssen, GlaxoSmithKline, Kyowa Hakko Kirin, and Nycomed Danmark ApS. NPS Pharmaceuticals, Inc. was founded in 1986 and is based in Bedminster, New Jersey.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By gurujx]

    NPS Pharmaceuticals Inc (NPSP): EVP & CFO Luke M Beshar Sold 50,000 Shares

    EVP & CFO Luke M Beshar sold 50,000 shares of NPSP stock on 09/20/2013 at the average price of $30.26. Luke M Beshar owns at least 59,180 shares after this. The price of the stock has increased by 7.01% since.

Top 5 High Dividend Stocks For 2014: Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd (ASM)

Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. (Avino) is a natural resource company, primarily engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of natural resource properties. The Company�� principal business activities include the exploration of a mineral property located in the State of Durango, Mexico and other mineral properties in Canada, specifically British Columbia and the Yukon Territory. The Company is focused on silver and gold exploration. As of December 31, 2011, the Company explored five silver and gold projects in Canada and Mexico. All of the Company�� mineral property interests in Canada are wholly owned by the Company. In Mexico, the Company has a 99.28% interest in Cia Minera, a Mexican company, which is involved in the mining of commercial ores and resource exploration and development, including the operation of the Avino Mine. Cia Minera is not involved with any exploration activities in Canada. Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By abirk]

    Spirit's profits are signs of steady growth. Since 2010, Annual passenger revenue and net income have both increased steadily. Spirit generated 24.4% growth in revenue passenger miles (RPM), while the available seat miles (ASM), and grew 24.8%. On the other hand, Delta's mainland division had 8.6 million RPM. �On a revenue basis, Spirit is equivalent to about 3.2% of the total revenue of the combined Delta and US Airways, now part of American Airlines Group (AAL).

Top 5 High Dividend Stocks For 2014: OraSure Technologies Inc.(OSUR)

OraSure Technologies, Inc. develops, manufactures, markets, and sells oral fluid diagnostic products and specimen collection devices in the United States and internationally. It also manufactures and sells medical devices used for the removal of benign skin lesions by cryosurgery or freezing. The company offers OraQuick ADVANCE HIV-1/2, a point-of-care qualitative test for antibodies to the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and type 2; OraQuick HCV, a point-of-care qualitative test for antibodies to the hepatitis C virus; OraSure QuickFlu Rapid Flu A&B Test, a point-of-care qualitative test for antibodies to influenza Types A and B, including H1N1 infections; OraSure, an oral fluid collection device for the detection of antibodies to HIV-1 in an oral fluid sample in a laboratory setting; and Intercept, an oral fluid collection device for oral fluid drugs of abuse testing in a laboratory setting. In addition, it provides MICRO-PLATE DOA Assays that are used to detect the drugs in an oral fluid sample collected with intercept device; cryosurgical freezing systems for the removal of warts and other benign skin lesions; and cryosurgical systems for the removal of common and plantar warts. Further, OraSure Technologies sells immunoassay tests and reagents for insurance risk assessment, substance abuse testing, and forensic toxicology applications; an oral fluid Western blot HIV-1 confirmatory test for confirming positive HIV-1 test results obtained from the use of OraSure collection device; and Q.E.D., a point-of-care saliva alcohol test. The company sells its products through direct sales, strategic collaborations, and distributors to clinical laboratories, hospitals, clinics, community-based and other public health organizations, distributors, government agencies, physicians? offices, and commercial and industrial entities. It has collaboration agreement with Merck & Co. Inc. OraSure Technologies, Inc. was founded in 1979 and is based in Beth lehem, Pennsylvania.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Keith Speights]

    Progress has also been made on the diagnostic front. The FDA approved OraSure Technologies' (NASDAQ: OSUR  ) OraQuick home HIV test in July 2012. OraQuick allows an individual to use a mouth swab and find out the results within 40 minutes. The test hasn't exactly leaped off store shelves as of yet, though. OraSure reported only $1.5 million in gross sales for the OraQuick home test during the most recent quarter.

  • [By Sam Collins]

    OraSure Technologies (OSUR) — This small-cap company develops, manufactures and markets oral fluid diagnostic products and specimen collection devices using its proprietary oral fluid technologies.

  • [By Seth Jayson]

    OraSure Technologies (Nasdaq: OSUR  ) reported earnings on May 8. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

Saturday, June 28, 2014

Secret message app Wickr moves to Wall Street

Hacker makes encrypted message app   Hacker makes encrypted message app NEW YORK (CNNMoney) In the post-Snowden world, encryption is cool. Lots of personal messaging apps want to cash in on privacy.

Wickr is one of them. It's a free app that offers self-destructing, encrypted messages. But its founder, Nico Sell, sees vast and untapped potential in the finance industry. To her, Wickr is more than a cross between WhatsApp and Snapchat.

"Our goal as Wickr is to run all the financial transactions in the world," she said.

That's a lofty aspiration, especially for a company that's not profitable.

But Sell wants you to think of Wickr as more than a social platform. She imagines it running in the background at big banks and stock markets.

Related story: 5 online privacy tips from an ex-FBI agent

Consider the startup's latest round of funding. It raised $30 million from a band of investors that included CME Group (CME), which runs the Chicago and New York mercantile exchanges.

CME Group wouldn't say exactly how they plan to incorporate Wickr's technology into the commodity future trading that goes on at its exchanges. But there are at least two obvious uses: securing the communication that initiates millions of dollars of trades a day -- and keeping chats between stock brokers and traders secret.

The draw? How Wickr claims to work. Text, photo, video and audio is encrypted into indecipherable code before it leaves your device. So, it's safely guarded as it travels via airwaves and wires to Wickr's computer servers and eventually to another person's device. Meanwhile, you can destroy messages you send by setting a timer.

Theoretically, this system protects you from hackers and government snooping. Anyone listening in can't figure out what's being ! sent.

How safe are you? Read CNNMoney's cybersecurity Flipboard

Wickr hasn't let the public dig through its code openly and look for holes. But outside experts at digital forensics company Stroz Friedberg have said Wickr is keeping to its promise of using top-of-the-line encryption and leaving behind no metadata.

And there's another aspect the finance industry might love. Imagine emails, trades and other sensitive files with an expiration date.

Currently, the Securities and Exchange Commission requires accounting firms to keep their audit records for seven years. In criminal cases, regulators can look back and find evidence of misconduct. Finance companies would be smart to destroy those records at the appropriate time. In reality, they don't.

"No one does, because they have no idea when that message was created," Sell said. "You have all this stuff waiting around for 10 or 15 years, and it becomes hazardous waste."

Related story: Why you'll keep getting hacked

As for worries that traders will use this future Wickr-inspired platform to engage in criminal behavior, Sell said she's currently devising a system that would allow the SEC limited access to traders' conversations -- but not all at once. Sell promised any solution wouldn't allow for NSA-style dragnets.

Then again, she acknowledged that traders can already keep secrets from the government by using the current Wickr messaging app.

Top 5 Services Companies To Own For 2014

There's never a dull week on Wall Street. Let's go over some of the news that will shape the week to come.

Monday
The first trading day of the week kicks off with Korn/Ferry (NYSE: KFY  ) posting quarterly results. The report should provide a good glimpse at the state of corporate hiring. Korn/Ferry is a leading provider of executive headhunter and other workforce recruiting and consulting services. If the economy's on the mend, Korn/Ferry should be seeing a healthy uptick in activity.

Tuesday
La-Z-Boy (NYSE: LZB  ) shareholders hope their investment isn't a recliner on Tuesday. The furniture maker behind the popular namesake recliner has been an unheralded beneficiary of the housing boom. As real estate sales spike and homebuyers move into fresh digs, buying new furnishings at La-Z-Boy's hundreds of showrooms is a logical move.

Revenue is growing at La-Z-Boy, and earnings are climbing even faster.

Wednesday
Red Hat (NYSE: RHT  ) tips its hat on Wednesday. Transforming the freely available open-source Linux platform into a subscription-based product may seem like a dicey idea, but Red Hat's been able to code magnetic enterprise solutions that are cost-effective for corporations when pitted against traditional alternatives.

Best Warren Buffett Companies To Invest In 2015: GOFF, CORP. (GOFF)

Goff Corporation, incorporated on July 12, 2010, is a development-stage company. The Company, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Golden Glory Resources S.A., is engaged in mineral exploration. The Company's primary project is the La Frontera Gold Project located in the Aguadas Department, in Caldas, Colombia. The Project is being pursued as a potential bulk-tonnage, gold-silver target. Golden Glory acquired its leases on the La Frontera through a transaction with a Colombian company and holds a 100% working interest in the property. The Company through its subsidiary Golden Glory Resources, focuses on the La Frontera Gold Project covers prospective ground and merits continued gold exploration, including exploration diamond drilling. In April 2013, the Company has established a new, wholly owned subsidiary Golden Glory Resources Colombia SAS.

The La Frontera Project is in the Aguadas, Department Of Caldera, which is located approximately 60 kilometers south of Medellin, Colombia. A NI43-101 report is completed on the La Frontera Property, which identifies the potential for gold in both veins and a porphyry structure on the leases. The LGC-15011 Project (La Frontera Project) is located in the northern department of Caldas, Colombia (LGC-15011 has 30% in Antioquia), in the village of Puente Piedra, in the municipality of Aguadas.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Brian Richards]

    Goff (NASDAQOTCBB: GOFF  ) , a social recruiting-company-turned-Colombian-gold miner, did not exist as an incorporated business before the summer of 2010 and did not trade as a public company until March 2013. Yet since its debut on the over-the-counter market, on average it has traded more shares each day than Apple or ExxonMobil.

Top 5 Services Companies To Own For 2014: Rostelekom OAO (ROSYY)

Rostelecom is a telecommunications services provider and carrier of domestic long distance (DLD) and international long distance (ILD) traffic in the Russian Federation. The Company owns and operates a trunk telecommunications network and carries the bulk of Russia's long-distance and international traffic. The Company renders domestic and international long-distance telecommunications services to end users and provides traffic throughput services to Russian operators, including each of Russia's seven inter-regional companies (IRCs) and alternative operators. In addition, the Company provides telecommunications services to various government entities across Russia and ensures the operation of the ground-based network of television and radio broadcasting channels. In December 2008, through Westelcom, its wholly owned subsidiary, Rostelecom acquired an additional 15.2% interest in CJSC Incom (Incom). Subsequently Incom became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. In December 2008, it sold 10.87% interest in CJSC Expo-Telecom.

In February 2008, the Company sold its 10.97% interest in Golden Telecom. In March 2008, the Company sold its 10.30% interest in OJSC AVIANET. In July 2008, Rostelecom acquired a 68.42% interest in OJSC RTComm.RU (RTComm.RU). In September 2008, the Company sold its 15% interest in CJSC Transportation Digital Networks.

The Company has entered into service contracts with the IRCs and other operators of local and intra-regional networks to act as its regional agents. In this capacity, the Company�� agents bill end users, prepare, print and deliver invoices and collect payments from end users and perform customer service functions. Its trunk network, which transmits a Russia's domestic and international long-distance traffic, comprises approximately 150,000 kilometers of digital and analog lines.

The Company�� primary network consists of trunk cables linked to the IRCs networks and to its international exchanges for connections with for! eign operators, as well as a satellite communications network. As of December 31, 2008, the Company�� digital network comprised 49,987 kilometers, including 35,291 kilometers of fiber optic lines (FOLs) and 14,696 kilometers of digital radio-relay lines.

As of December 31, 2008, the Company owned 13 international exchanges, which allow for ILD traffic management, including four in Moscow, two in St. Petersburg (Lyuban) and one each in Rostov-on-Don, Samara, Ekaterinburg, Novosibirsk, Khabarovsk, Kaliningrad and Murmansk. The combined capacity of these switches was 235,500 channels. In addition, the Company had 15 transit and six multi-transit domestic long-distance exchanges interconnected to its telecommunications network for traffic transit that provide access to DLD services to local users. The domestic long-distance exchanges and their connecting digital channels constitute an integrated services digital network (ISDN) with channel switches, to which the networks of IRCs and alternative operators are connected. The trunk exchanges of Moscow and Pavlov Posad route domestic long-distance traffic between switching centers, as well as directly to and from end users.

As of December 31, 2008, the Company�� domestic long-distance trunk network consisted of 675,300 digital and 900 analog channels. Rostelecom provides domestic and international ISDN services through 76 trunk exchanges. The Company has an open network of multimedia communications. Connected to this network are subscriber units in 76 Russian regions and 13 retail outlets.

Rostelecom�� main satellite communications network is operated by 16 nodal land-based stations located in Russia. The Company also operates a second satellite communications network, Reserv, which comprises one central and one periphery land-based station. To enable its operation, it leases channels from OJSC Gazcom, which operates earth satellite vehicle Yamal-200. The Company rents domestic and international fixed satellite chan! nels from! FSUE Space Communications, CJSC SatComLine, CJSC SvyazContactInform, OJSC YamalTelecom and CJSC Zond Holding, which are Russian satellite telecommunications companies that operate satellites in the FSUE Space Communications and Intelsat systems.

The Company competes with TransTelecom, Synterra, FSUE Space Communications, TeliaSonera and Golden Telecom.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Halia Pavliva]

    The Bloomberg Russia-US gauge slipped 0.4 percent to 104.16, paring its advance this month to 7.7 percent. CTC Media Inc. (CTCM), the Nasdaq-listed Russian television company, rallied 2.6 percent to $12.86, the highest level since April 25. The stock has climbed 22 percent this month, making it the best performer on the Bloomberg-Russia gauge. VimpelCom is the second-biggest gainer on the index this month, followed by OAO Rostelecom (ROSYY), which has increased 17 percent after two months of declines.

Top 5 Services Companies To Own For 2014: C&C Group PLC (CCGGY)

C&C Group plc, incorporated on March 19, 2004, is engaged the production, marketing and selling of cider and beer. The Company operates in five segments: Republic of Ireland (ROI), Cider United Kingdom (Cider UK), Tennent�� United Kingdom (Tennent�� UK), International, and Third Party Brands United Kingdom (Third Party Brands UK). The Company�� cider brands include Bulmers, Magners, Gaymers Cider, Blackthorn Cider, Olde English, Addlestones, Woodchuck Hard Cider, Wyder�� Cider and Hornsby��. Its other cider brands include Bulmers Berry, Bulmers Pear, Magners Pear, Magners Specials, Special Vat, K, Natch and Diamond White.

ROI includes the results from sale of all products in the Republic of Ireland (ROI), including Bulmers, Tennent��, Caledonia Smooth and third party brands. Cider UK segment includes the results from sale of the Company�� cider products in the United Kingdom, with Magners, Gaymers and Blackthorn the principal brands. Tennent�� UK segment includes the results from sale of the Company�� owned beer brand Tennent�� in the United Kingdom and sales of Caledonia Best in the United Kingdom. International segment includes the results from sale of the Company�� cider and beer products, principally Magners, Blackthorn, Hornsby��, Woodchuck and Tennent�� in all territories outside of the ROI and the United Kingdom. Third Party Brands UK segment relates to the distribution of third party brands and the production and distribution of private label products in the United Kingdom.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Rich Duprey]

    While�Anheuser-Busch InBev (NYSE: BUD  ) introduced some fruit-flavored margarita drinks and even Beam offered flavored bourbons to water down the market more,�the bigger threat may be coming from the explosive growth being witnessed in�hard cider.�Brewer Boston Beer (NYSE: SAM  ) rolled out its Angry Orchard cider brand just last year and has already catapulted to the top of the market, surpassing C&C Group's (NASDAQOTH: CCGGY  ) Vermont Hard Cider, the previous market leader.

  • [By Rich Duprey]

    At C&C Group's (NASDAQOTH: CCGGY  ) annual meeting earlier this month, it was revealed that when it bought the Hornsby brand two years ago, it paid $25 million and got a 20% share of the market for its efforts. It paid more than 10 times that amount, or about $300 million, for Vermont Hard Cider and its top Woodchuck brand, and got another 42% share of the market. So C&C had almost two-thirds of the cider market all to itself.

Top 5 Services Companies To Own For 2014: Brown-Forman Corp (BF.B)

Brown-Forman Corporation, incorporated on October 19, 1933, primarily manufactures, bottles, imports, exports, markets, and sells a variety of alcoholic beverage brands. The Company�� principal brands are Jack Daniel�� Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel�� Tennessee Whiskey, Pepe Lopez Tequilas, Jack Daniel�� Single Barrel, Woodford Reserve Bourbons, Jack Daniel�� Ready-to-Drinks, Canadian Mist Blended Canadian Whiskies, Jack Daniel�� Tennessee Honey, Chambord Liqueur, Jack Daniel�� Winter Jack Chambord Vodka, Gentleman Jack, Collingwood Canadian Whisky, Southern Comfort, Early Times Bourbon, Southern Comfort Ready-to-Drinks, Early Times flavored line extensions, Southern Comfort flavored line extensions, Early Times Kentucky Whisky, Finlandia Vodkas, Korbel California Champagnes, Finlandia Ready-to-Drinks, Little Black Dress Vodkas, Antiguo Tequila, Maximus Vodkas, el Jimador Tequilas, Old Forester Bourbon, el Jimador New Mix Ready-to-Drinks, Sonoma-Cutrer Wines, Herradura Tequilas, and Tuaca Liqueur.

The Company�� products are sold in more than 150 countries around the world. The Company�� international markets include Australia, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Germany, Poland, France, Russia, Japan, Turkey, Canada, Spain, Czech Republic, South Africa, Brazil and Italy.

The Company competes with Bacardi Limited, Beam Inc., Davide Campari-Milano S.p.A., Diageo plc, LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton S.A., Pernod Ricard S.A., and Remy Cointreau S.A.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Seth Jayson]

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

  • [By Marc Bastow]

    Alcohol manufacturer and distributor Brown-Forman (BF.B) raised its quarterly dividend 13.7% to 29 cents per share, payable on Dec. 27 to shareholders of record as of Dec. 4.
    BF.B Dividend Yield: 1.54%

  • [By John Udovich]

    Whiskey has become increasingly cool and popular thanks to the whole cocktail movement, something that�� good for big whiskey stocks like Suntory Beverage & Food Limited (OTCMKTS: STBFY), Diageo plc (NYSE: DEO) and Brown-Forman Corporation (NYSE: BF.B) who�also produce a wide variety of�liquors and beverages. In fact,�a recent episode of the�Daily Ticker�cited these stats from a USA Today article:

Friday, June 27, 2014

Top Oil Companies To Buy For 2015

Top Oil Companies To Buy For 2015: Frontline Ltd (FRO)

Frontline Ltd., incorporated on June 12, 1992, is a shipping company. The Company is engaged primarily in the ownership and operation of oil tankers and oil/bulk/ore (OBO) carriers. The Company operates tankers of two sizes: very large crude carriers (VLCCs), which are between 200,000 and 320,000 deadweight tons, and Suezmax tankers, which are vessels between 120,000 and 170,000 deadweight tons. As of December 31, 2010, its tanker and OBO fleet consisted of 73 vessels. The fleet consists of 44 VLCCs, which are either owned or chartered in, 21 Suezmax tankers, which are either owned or chartered in and eight Suezmax OBOs, which are chartered in. The Company also had five VLCC newbuildings and two Suezmax newbuildings on order and three VLCCs under its commercial management. In February 2010, it purchased the VLCC Front Vista from Ship Finance International Limited (Ship Finance). In January 2011, it sold the VLCC Front Shanghai.

The Company operates through sub sidiaries and partnerships located in the Bahamas, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, India, the Isle of Man, Liberia, Norway, the United Kingdom and Singapore. The Company is also engaged in the charter, purchase and sale of vessels. In April 2010, the Company delivered the single hull Suezmax Front Voyager. During the year ended December 31, 2010, six newbuildings were completed. Four Suezmax vessels were delivered: the Northia, on January 5, 2010; the Naticina, on March 9, 2010; the Front Odin, on May 5, 2010, and the Front Njord on August 12, 2010. Two VLCCs were delivered: the Front Cecilie on June 10 and the Front Signe on August 9, 2010. As of December 31, 2010, the Company's newbuilding program consisted of two Suezmax tankers and five VLCCs.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Dan Caplinger]

    The reason for the disconnect between earnings and stock performance has to do with the changing fundamentals for shipping overall. For years, shipping compan! ies both on the dry-bulk and the tanker side of the industry have suffered from weakness in the global economy after having built huge numbers of new ships during better times. That forced Overseas Shipholding Group to seek bankruptcy protection late last year and has left tanker giant Frontline (NYSE: FRO  ) under considerable financial pressure as it continues to labor under a substantial debt load.

  • [By Karee Venema]

    One equity that falls under the small-cap umbrella, and looks poised to benefit from a contrarian boon is shipping concern Frontline Ltd. (FRO).

    Shares of Frontline have more than doubled in value since hitting a decade-plus low of $1.71 last May. In fact, the stock tagged a new annual high of $5.18 in early January.

  • [By Tyler Crowe]

    Oil tankers could also see a benefit as well. With potential of the SUMED pipeline being shut down, it would mean that tankers would need to increase traffic by 2 million barrels per day and increase its shipment times as much as LNG tankers.Norway'sFrontline (NYSE: FRO  ) , the world's largest oil tanker fleet, has day rates of about $25,000 for its oil carriers, so it's not as much of a win as LNG carriers. Also, higher fuel prices for all shipments will eat into that revenue boost.

  • [By Sean Williams]

    Frontline (NYSE: FRO  )
    Shares of Frontline, a transporter of oil and oil products, as well as coal and iron ore, shot higher earlier this week despite no specific news. Many investors might remember Frontline as a company that paid out a double-digit yield as recently as a few years ago. However, the landscape of the shipping sector has drastically changed, and even at just $2 a share it's no longer the value it once was.

  • source from Top Penny Stocks For 2015:http://www.topstocksforum.com/top-oil-companies-to-buy-for-2015.html

Hot Integrated Utility Stocks To Invest In 2014

With shares of Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX) trading around $382, is NFLX an OUTPERFORM, WAIT AND SEE, or STAY AWAY? Let�� analyze the stock with the relevant sections of our CHEAT SHEET investing framework:

T = Trends for a Stock’s Movement

Netflix is an Internet subscription service that streams television shows and movies. The company�� subscribers can watch unlimited television shows and movies streamed over the Internet to their televisions, computers, and mobile devices. In the United States, subscribers can also receive DVDs delivered to their homes. Netflix has revolutionized the television and movie industry with its services.

��t�� been a good year for Netflix,��wrote CEO Reed Hastings and CFO David Wells in a letter to shareholders. ��eople around the world want what we offer: consumer-in-control Internet television.��Today, this seems to be the understatement of the century.�As quick as an instant streaming download, Netflix shares skyrocketed more than 16 percent to around $388 in after hours trading — circling a high for the year — following the news the the video streaming phenomenon beat earnings expectations.�The company reported full year net income of $112.4 million, crushing the Street�� call for $103.4 million. Earnings per share were $1.85, also well ahead of the the Wall Street consensus estimate. At $4.4 billion full-year revenue was in line with expectations.�For the fourth-quarter, Netflix�� net income came in at $48.4 million, or 79 cents per share, beating the Streets $40.8 million and 66 cent estimates respectively. At $1.2 billion, revenue was also above expectations.

Top Canadian Stocks To Invest In 2015: Hercules Technology Growth Capital Inc (HTGC)

Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc. (HTGC), incorporated on December 18, 2003, is an internally managed, non-diversified closed-end investment company. The Company is a specialty finance company focused on providing senior secured loans to venture capital-backed companies in technology-related markets, including technology, biotechnology, life science, and clean-technology industries at all stages of development. The Company's investment objective is to maximize the Company's portfolio total return by generating current income from its debt investments and capital appreciation from its equity-related investments. The Company invests primarily in structured debt with warrants and, to a lesser extent, in senior debt and equity investments. The Company also makes investments in qualifying small businesses through two wholly-owned, small business investment company (SBIC) subsidiaries, Hercules Technology II, L.P. (HT II) and Hercules Technology III, L.P. (HT III).

The Company focuses its investments in companies active in the technology industry sub-sectors characterized by products or services that requires advanced technologies, including, but not limited to, computer software and hardware, networking systems, semiconductors, semiconductor capital equipment, information technology infrastructure or services, Internet consumer and business services, telecommunications, telecommunications equipment, renewable or alternative energy, media and life science. Within the life science sub-sector, the Company generally focuses on medical devices, bio-pharmaceutical, drug discovery, drug delivery, health care services and information systems companies. Within the clean technology sub-sector, the Company focuses on sustainable and renewable energy technologies and energy efficiency and monitoring technologies. The Company refers to all of these companies as technology-related companies and intend, under normal circumstances, to invest at least 80% of the value of its assets in such businesses. Advisors' Opinion:

  • [By Lawrence Meyers]

    Business development companies like Hercules Technology Growth Capital (HTGC) invest money into middle-market companies that are experiencing fast growth.� Often, these investments take the form of mezzanine debt paying interest in the teens, and some warrants.� Hercules likes to focus more on senior secured revolvers and term loans to refinance existing debt, and will even take second-liens.� It has more attractive upside with its investments than other BDCs because it focuses on tech, energy tech, healthcare, life sciences and business services — all of which can fetch higher multiples upon exit.� It pays out a sturdy 7.3% dividend.

Hot Integrated Utility Stocks To Invest In 2014: iShares U.S. Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF (IEO)

iShares Dow Jones U.S. Oil & Gas Exploration & Production Index Fund (the Fund) seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Dow Jones U.S. Select Oil Exploration & Production Index (the Index). The Index measures the performance of the oil exploration and production sub-sector of the United States equity market. The Index includes companies that are engaged in the exploration for and extraction, production, refining and supply of oil and gas products.

The Fund will concentrate its investments in a particular industry or group of industries to approximately the same extent as the Index is so concentrated. Since all of the securities included in the Index are issued by companies in the oil exploration and production sub-sector, the Fund will be concentrated in the exploration and production industry. The Fund�� investment advisor is Barclays Global Fund Advisors.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Michael Burnick]

    The big E&P (exploration and production) and major integrated oil stocks see profits rise and fall with the price of crude. The iShares US Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF (IEO) is one way to play this part of the oil patch.

  • [By Selena Maranjian]

    Exchange-traded funds offer a convenient way to invest in sectors or niches that interest you. If you'd like to add some gas and oil stocks to your portfolio, the iShares Dow Jones U.S. Oil and Gas Exploration Index ETF (NYSEMKT: IEO  ) could save you a lot of trouble. Instead of trying to figure out which companies will perform best, you can use this gas and oil ETF to invest in lots of them simultaneously.

    The basics
    ETFs often sport lower expense ratios than their mutual fund cousins. The gas and oil ETF's expense ratio -- its annual fee -- is a relatively low 0.47%. The fund is on the small side, too, so if you're thinking of buying, beware of possibly large spreads between its bid and ask prices. Consider using a limit order if you want to buy in to this gas and oil ETF.

  • [By John Udovich]

    At first glance, you might think it strange that we have both the ProShares UltraShort DJ-UBS Crude Oil ETF (NYSEARCA: SCO), a bearish bet on oil, and the iShares Dow Jones US Oil & Gas Ex Index ETF (NYSEARCA: IEO), a more bullish bet on both domestic oil and gas, in our SmallCap Network Elite Opportunity (SCN EO) portfolio. But there is a method to our apparent madness as one can be both bearish and bullish on oil and/or gas at the same time.

Hot Integrated Utility Stocks To Invest In 2014: Progress Energy Inc.(PGN)

Progress Energy, Inc., a utility holding company, engages in the generation, transmission, distribution, and sale of electricity in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida. It uses coal, oil, hydroelectric, natural gas, and nuclear power to generate electricity. The company also engages in various alternative energy projects to generate electricity from swine waste and other plant or animal sources, biomass, solar, hydrogen, and landfill-gas technologies. Progress Energy serves various industries, including chemicals, textiles, paper, food, metals, wood products, rubber and plastics, and stone products, as well as phosphate rock mining and processing, electronics design and manufacturing, and citrus and other food processing. It has approximately 22,000 megawatts of regulated electric generation capacity and serves approximately 3.1 million retail electric customers, as well as other load-serving entities. The company was formerly known as CP&L Energy, Inc. Progress En ergy, Inc. was founded in 1925 and is headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Holly LaFon] ess Energy shares climbed over 2011 as the company announced in January it would merge with Duke Energy. Together, they will form the nation�� largest utility with a combined enterprise value of $65 billion and $37 billion in market cap. The new company will have 57 gigawatts of domestic generating capacity through a mix of coal, nuclear, natural gas, oil and renewable resources. Progress energy shareholders will receive an approximately 3 percent dividend increase.

    Incidentally, development of a comprehensive energy policy was one of what Grantham called ��he most important and most dangerous issues��facing the world.

    Progress is at the forefront of the push for nuclear energy in the U.S., which has been deemed the ��uclear renaissance.��Thirty-five percent of the electricity used by Progress Energy customers comes from one of their four nuclear sites, two in North Carolina, and one each in South Carolina and Florida. It plans to build another reactor in Levy County, Florida.

    Revenue at Progress Energy has declined at a 2.6% annual rate over the past five years, and it achieved cash flow of $95 million in 2010, after three years of losses. Earnings have remained positive, reaching a record for the decade of $856 million in 2010.

    RSC Holdings (RRR)

    RSC is a machinery rental service for construction, industrial, petrochemical, governmental and manufacturing businesses in the U.S. and Canada. RSC tends to benefit in economic downturns, as more businesses turn to renting rather than buying equipment to cut costs. Rented equipment rose 20.7% percent (the sixth consecutive quarter of double-digit growth) and rental revenue increased 27% in the fourth quarter of 2011, compared to last year.

    United Rentals (URI), one of RSC�� largest competitors, had a rental revenue increase of 18.5% in the fourth quarter compared to last year, which included a 6.7% increase in rental rates.

    The company�� fleet utilization also

Hot Integrated Utility Stocks To Invest In 2014: Heico Corporation (HEI)

HEICO Corporation, through its subsidiaries, designs, manufactures, and sells aerospace, defense, and electronic related products and services in the United States and internationally. The company�s Flight Support Group segment provides jet engine and aircraft component replacement parts; thermal insulation blankets and parts; and specialty components for aerospace and industrial original equipment manufacturers, and the United States government. This segment also distributes hydraulic, pneumatic, mechanical, and electro-mechanical components for the commercial, regional, and general aviation markets; and offers repair and overhaul services for jet engine and aircraft component parts, avionics, instruments, composites, and flight surfaces of commercial airlines, as well as for avionics and navigation systems, subcomponents, and other instruments utilized on military aircrafts. Its Electronic Technologies Group segment provides a range of electronic, microwave, and electro -optical products, including infrared simulation and test equipment, laser rangefinder receivers, electrical and back-up power supplies, power conversion products, underwater locator beacons, electromagnetic and radio frequency interference shielding, capacitor charging power supplies, amplifiers, traveling wave tube amplifiers, photo detectors, amplifier modules, and microwave power modules. This segment also offers flash lamp and laser diode drivers, arc lamp power supplies, cable assemblies, high voltage power supplies, high voltage interconnection devices and wires, high voltage energy generators, and high frequency power delivery systems. Its products link devices, such as telemetry receivers, digital cameras, high resolution scanners, simulation systems, and test systems to computer for the U.S. and foreign military agencies, prime defense contractors, and commercial and defense satellite and spacecraft manufacturers. The company was founded in 1949 and is headquartere d in Hollywood, Florida.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Brian Pacampara]

    Based on the aggregated intelligence of 180,000-plus investors participating in Motley Fool CAPS, the Fool's free investing community, jet engine replacement parts manufacturer HEICO (NYSE: HEI  ) has earned a coveted five-star ranking.

Hot Integrated Utility Stocks To Invest In 2014: Onconova Therapeutics Inc (ONTX)

Onconova Therapeutics, Inc. (Onconova), incorporated on December 22, 1998, is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing small molecule drug candidates to treat cancer. The Company has created a targeted anti-cancer agents designed to work against specific cellular pathways, which promote cancer. It has three clinical-stage product candidates and six preclinical programs. Its preclinical pipeline includes six programs, which target kinases, cellular metabolism or division.

Rigosertib

Rigosertib, the Company�� product candidate, is being tested in a range of ongoing Phase-II and Phase-III clinical trials. The Company is conducting a pivotal phase-III trial of rigosertib under a Special Protocol Assessment (SPA), from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), for higher risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). The Company is also evaluating rigosertib in a Phase-III trial for metastatic pancreatic cancer, in two Phase-II trials for transfusion-dependent lower risk MDS, and in a Phase-II trial for head and neck cancers. Rigosertib has been granted orphan drug status for MDS in both the United States and Europe, as well as orphan drug status for pancreatic cancer in the United States. Baxter Healthcare SA (Baxter), a subsidiary of Baxter International Inc., has commercialization rights for rigosertib in Europe and SymBio Pharmaceuticals Limited (SymBio), has commercialization rights in Japan and Korea. Rigosertib is an inhibitor of two cellular signaling pathways: phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), and polo-like kinase (PLK), both of which are frequently over-active in cancer cells. By inhibiting the PI3K pathway in cancer cells, rigosertib promotes tumor cell apoptosis, or programmed cell death. It is testing both intravenous and oral formulations of rigosertib, referred to as rigosertib IV and rigosertib Oral, in clinical trials.

ON 013105

The Company�� clinical-stage product candidate, ON 013105, is i! n a Phase I trial in patients with relapsed or refractory lymphoma, including an aggressive form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma identified as mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), and acute lymphoid leukemia (ALL). ON 013105 suppresses the accumulation of cyclin D1 in cancer cells.

Recilisib

The Company�� clinical-stage product candidate, recilisib, is being developed in collaboration with the United States Department of Defense (DoD), for acute radiation syndromes (ARS). The Company has completed four Phase-I trials to evaluate the safety and pharmacokinetics of recilisib in healthy human adult subjects using both subcutaneous and oral formulations, referred to as recilisib SC and recilisib Oral.

Preclinical Programs

The Company�� ON 1231320 is a specific inhibitor of Polo-like Kinase 2 (PLK2), and in preclinical studies, it induced mitotic arrest and reduced tumor burden in mice injected subcutaneously with colon tumor and triple-negative breast cancer cells. The Company�� ON 123300 inhibits the activity of two kinases, cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4), and AMP-activated protein kinase 5 (ARK5). Its ON 108600 is a dual inhibitor of two growth-regulatory kinases. Cyclin-dependent kinase 9 is over expressed in several cancers, including leukemias and lymphomas. Casein kinase 2 is overexpressed in a range of tumor types. ON 044580 inhibits mutant forms of the two target kinases, including Janus Kinase 2 (JAK2) and imatinib-resistant Bcr-Abl Kinase (Bcr-Abl). Its ON 24 compounds cause tubulin to depolymerize, inducing mitotic arrest in cultured tumor cell lines. Its ON 146040 inhibits the growth of a range of blood cancer cell lines, including Burkitt's lymphoma, MCL, multiple myeloma and chronic myeloid leukemia.

The Company competes with Eisai Inc., Celgene Corporation, Genentech, Inc., Cell Therapeutics, Inc., Cyclacel Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Telik, Inc., Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Astex, Array BioPharma Inc., Astellas Pharma, Inc., Threshold! Pharmace! uticals, Inc., Pharmacyclics Inc., Soligenix, Inc., Cellerant Therapeutics, Inc. and Cleveland BioLabs, Inc.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By gurujx]

    Onconova Therapeutics Inc (ONTX) Reached the 3-year Low of $4.18

    The prices of Onconova Therapeutics Inc (ONTX) shares have declined to close to the 3-year low of $4.18, which is 86.8% off the 3-year high of $31.13.

  • [By Roberto Pedone]

     

    Onconova Therapeutics (ONTX), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, focuses on discovering and developing small molecule drug candidates to treat cancer. This stock closed up 2.5% to $5.15 in Thursday's trading session.

     

    Thursday's Range: $4.97-$5.19

    52-Week Range: $4.10-$31.13

    Thursday's Volume: 132,000

    Three-Month Average Volume: 216,102

     

    From a technical perspective, ONTX trended modestly higher here with lighter-than-average volume. This stock has been uptrending over the last few weeks, with shares moving higher from its low of $4.10 to its recent high of $5.52. During that uptrend, shares of ONTX have been making mostly higher lows and higher highs, which is bullish technical price action. That move has now pushed shares of ONTX within range of triggering a near-term breakout trade. That trade will hit if ONTX manages to take out Thursday's intraday high of $5.19 to some more key overhead resistance at $5.52 with high volume.

     

    Traders should now look for long-biased trades in ONTX as long as it's trending above some near-term support levels at $4.80 or at $4.50 and then once it sustains a move or close above those breakout levels with volume that hits near or above 216,102 shares. If that breakout gets underway soon, then ONTX will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at $5.83 to $6.27. Any high-volume move above those levels will then give ONTX a chance to tag $7.

     

Hot Integrated Utility Stocks To Invest In 2014: ONEOK Inc.(OKE)

ONEOK, Inc., a diversified energy company, operates as a natural gas distributor primarily in the United States. The company operates in three segments: ONEOK Partners, Distribution, and Energy Services. The ONEOK Partners segment engages in gathering, processing, fractionating, transporting, storing, and marketing natural gas and natural gas liquids (NGL) principally in the Mid-Continent and Rocky Mountain regions, which include Anadarko Basin of Oklahoma, Fort Worth Basin of Texas, Hugoton and Central Kansas Uplift Basins of Kansas, Williston Basin of Montana, and North Dakota and the Powder River Basin of Wyoming. This segment offers its services to oil and gas production companies; natural gas gathering and processing companies; petrochemical, refining, and NGL marketing companies; Local distribution companies (LDCs) and power generating companies; and natural gas marketing and NGL gathering companies, and propane distributors. The Distribution segment provides natural gas distribution services to residential, commercial, industrial, and transportation customers, as well as public authority customers, such as cities, governmental agencies, and schools in Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas. The Energy Services segment delivers physical natural gas products and risk management services through its network of contracted transportation and storage capacity, and natural gas supply. This segment?s customers primarily comprise LDCs, electric utilities, and industrial end users. The company was founded in 1906 and is headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By David Dittman]

    Question: Do you think ONEOK Inc (NYSE: OKE) will go much higher? I bought it at $45.05

    Answer: ONEOK is running wild in anticipation of its completion of transactions that will make it essentially a general partner, with interests in ONEOK Partners LP (NYSE: OKS) and the soon-to-be-spun-out ONE Gas Inc (NYSE: OGS). ONEOK already has an admirable record of dividend growth, and these moves will drive acceleration in 2014 payout growth.

Thursday, June 26, 2014

Best Prefered Companies To Own For 2015

Best Prefered Companies To Own For 2015: Cliffs Natural Resources Inc.(CLF)

Cliffs Natural Resources Inc., a mining and natural resources company, produces iron ore pellets, lump and fines iron ore, and metallurgical coal products. The company operates six iron ore mines in Michigan, Minnesota, and eastern Canada; two iron ore mining complexes in Western Australia; five metallurgical coal mines located in West Virginia and Alabama; and one thermal coal mine located in West Virginia. It also owns a 45% economic interest in a coking and thermal coal mine located in Queensland, Australia; and a 30% interest in Amapa, a Brazilian iron ore project in Latin America, as well as chromite properties in Ontario, Canada. The company, formerly known as Cleveland-Cliffs Inc, was founded in 1847 and is headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Rich Smith]

    This analyst doesn't dig Cliffs Natural Resources
    Investors in coal and iron miner Cliffs Natural Resources (NYSE: CLF  ) are off to a rocky start this week, as analysts at FBR Capital cut their price target on the stock 15% to $28 a share.

  • [By Steven Russolillo]

    Companies like iron-ore miner Cliffs Natural Resources Inc.(CLF) and videogame maker GameStop have fallen more than 20% this year, and data from Markit shows that short sellers have managed to turn those steep declines into profits.

  • source from Top Penny Stocks For 2015:http://www.topstocksforum.com/best-prefered-companies-to-own-for-2015-2.html

10 Best Specialty Retail Stocks To Invest In Right Now

For the past two years, I have picked out one company every month that I would be putting my own Roth IRA money behind. So far, those picks have returned over 19%, and they are beating the S&P 500 by just over 3 percentage points.

This month, however, I'm breaking form and buying three stocks for my Roth, as my recent sale of Lumber Liquidators�-- which returned 250% -- has freed up more cash to invest. Read below to see which three stocks to buy this July, and at the end, I'll offer up access to a special free report on how to maximize your retirement savings.

Nuverra Environmental Solutions (NYSE: NES  )
Until recently, Nuverra used to be known as Heckmann, but the goal of the company remains the same: to meet all of the water needs of North America's energy industry. Over the past few years, Nuverra has built out an impressive network of pipes, injection wells, water treatment plants, and trucking fleets that help streamline water usage.

While the energy industry -- because it's based on the underlying value of its commodities -- can be fairly volatile, there's no denying Nuverra's momentum. The company increased revenue during the first quarter by 190%, and from 2010 to 2012, that revenue increased 381% per year. The company also let it be known that the years of heavy spending on infrastructure will soon be coming to an end as Nuverra leverages its assets.

10 Best Undervalued Stocks To Own Right Now: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.(PHG)

Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. engages in the healthcare, consumer lifestyle, and lighting product businesses worldwide. The company offers screening, diagnosis, treatment, monitoring, and health management services in cardio-pulmonary, oncology, and women?s health areas. Its healthcare products and solutions include X-rays, computed tomography, magnetic resonance, nuclear medicine, and ultrasound imaging equipment; and cardiology informatics and diagnostic electrocardiography, radiology information systems, picture archiving and communication systems, patient monitoring and clinical informatics, perinatal care, and therapeutic care systems. The company?s healthcare products and solutions also consist of sleep management and respiratory care, medical alert, remote cardiac, and remote patient management services. In addition, it offers consultancy, site planning and project management, clinical, education, equipment financing, asset management, and equipment mainten ance and repair services. The company?s consumer lifestyle products and solutions comprise mother and childcare, oral healthcare, male grooming, skincare, and beauty products; coffee, floor and garment care, kitchen, water and air, and beverage appliances; and communication and control, audio and multimedia, speech processing, headphones and accessories, and home cinema and video products. Its lighting solutions include lamps, including incandescent, halogens, fluorescent, high-intensity discharge, and LED lamps; consumer luminaires for functional, decorative, lifestyle, and scene-setting applications; professional luminaires for city beautification, and road, sports, shop/hospitality, and industry lighting applications; systems and controls, that include electronic and electromagnetic gears, controls, modules, and drivers; automotive lighting, such as car headlights, car signaling, and interior; and packaged LEDs. The company was founded in 1891 and is headquartered in Ams terdam, the Netherlands.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By MONEYMORNING.COM]

    The HomeKit app lets makers of "smart" appliances, such as lights, thermostats, door locks, and so on, connect to Apple's HomeKit app, so all of those things can be controlled from an iPhone. Several big names are already on board, including Koninklijke Philips NV (NYSE ADR: PHG), Kwikset, and Honeywell International Inc. (NYSE: HON).

  • [By Jake L'Ecuyer]

    Koninklijke Philips NV (NYSE: PHG) was down, falling 5.52 percent to $32.68 after the company reported a drop in its Q1 profit.

    Commodities
    In commodity news, oil traded down 1.91 percent to $102.38, while gold traded down 0.52 percent to $1,281.80. Silver traded up 0.05 percent Tuesday to $19.36, while copper rose 0.10 percent to $3.03.

  • [By Keith Speights]

    On the medical equipment front, GE Healthcare has a handful of major rivals. Philips (NYSE: PHG  ) and Siemens (NYSE: SI  ) stand out as two of the leading competitors. Both, like GE, are conglomerates that boast large health care business segments. Both Philips and Siemens market many of the same types of medical imaging equipment that GE does. �

Top Trucking Stocks To Invest In 2014: Acadia Realty Trust (AKR)

Acadia Realty Trust (the Trust), incorporated on March 04, 1993, is a real estate investment trust (REIT). The Trust is focused on the ownership, acquisition, redevelopment, and management of retail properties and urban/infill mixed-use properties with a retail component located primarily in barrier-to-entry, supply constrained, densely-populated metropolitan areas in the United States along the East Coast and in Chicago. Its primary objective is to acquire and manage commercial retail properties. It operates in four segments: Core Portfolio, Opportunity Funds, Notes Receivable and Other. The Trust also has private equity investments in other retail real estate related opportunities, in which it has a minority interest. As of December 31, 2012, the Trust controlled 99% of the Operating Partnership as the sole general partner. During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company sold 12 of the 14 self-storage properties with two properties remaining under contract.

The Company owns a 22.2% interest in an approximately one million square foot retail portfolio (the Brandywine Portfolio) located in Wilmington, Delaware, a 49% interest in a 311,000 square foot shopping center located in White Plains, New York (Crossroads) and a 50% interest in an approximately 28,000 square foot retail portfolio located in Georgetown, Washington D.C. (the Georgetown Portfolio). These investments are accounted for under the equity method. Through Mervyns I and Mervyns II, the Company invested in a consortium to acquire Mervyns, consisting of 262 stores (REALCO) and its retail operations (OPCO), from Target Corporation.

As of December 31, 2012, the Company operated 100 properties, which the Company owns or has an ownership interest in, within its Core Portfolio or within its Opportunity Funds. Its Core Portfolio consists of those properties either 100% owned by, or partially owned through joint venture interests by the Operating Partnership, or subsidiaries thereof, not including those properties ow! ned through its Opportunity Funds. These 100 properties primarily consist of urban/street retail, dense suburban neighborhood and community shopping centers and mixed-use properties with a retail component. The properties the Company operates are located primarily in barrier-to-entry, densely-populated metropolitan areas in the United States along the East Coast and in Chicago. There are 72 properties in its Core Portfolio totaling approximately 5.3 million square feet. Fund I has three remaining properties comprising approximately 0.1 million square feet. Fund II has six properties, four of which (representing 0.6 million square feet) are operating, one is under construction, and one is in the design phase. Fund III has 14 properties, nine of which (representing 1.7 million square feet) are operating and five of which are in the design phase. Fund IV has five properties, four of which are operating with one under design. The majority of its operating income is derived from rental revenues from these 100 properties, including recoveries from tenants, offset by operating and overhead expenses.

The Company�� Core Portfolio consists primarily of urban/street retail properties and neighborhood and community shopping centers located in barrier-to-entry supply constrained markets. As of December 31, 2012, there are 72 operating properties in Its Core Portfolio totaling approximately 5.3 million square feet of gross leasable area (GLA). The Core Portfolio properties are located in 12 states and the District of Columbia and primarily consist of urban/street retail, dense suburban neighborhood and community shopping centers and mixed-use properties with a retail component. Its shopping centers are predominately anchored by supermarkets or value-oriented retail. The properties are diverse in size, ranging from approximately 3,000 to 875,000 square feet and as of December 31, 2012, were, in total, 94% occupied. As of December 31, 2012, the Company owned and operated 20 properties totaling approximat! ely 2.5 m! illion square feet of GLA in its Opportunity Funds, excluding eight properties under redevelopment. In addition to shopping centers, the Opportunity Funds have invested in mixed-use properties, which generally include retail activities. The Opportunity Fund properties are located in eight states and the District of Columbia and as of December 31, 2012, were, in total, 88% occupied.

As of December 31, 2012, within its Core Portfolio and Opportunity Funds, the Company had approximately 650 leases. A majority of its rental revenues were from national retailers and consist of rents received under long-term leases. These leases generally provide for the monthly payment of fixed minimum rent and the tenants' pro-rata share of the real estate taxes, insurance, utilities and common area maintenance of the shopping centers. During the year ended December 31, 2012, certain of its leases also provide for the payment of rent based on a percentage of a tenant's gross sales in excess of a stipulated annual amount, either in addition to, or in place of, minimum rents. Minimum rents, percentage rents and expense reimbursements accounted for approximately 92% of its total revenues.

Three of its Core Portfolio properties and five of its Opportunity Fund properties are subject to long-term ground leases in which a third party owns and has leased the underlying land to the Company. The Company pays rent for the use of the land and is responsible for all costs and expenses associated with the building and improvements at all eight locations. During 2012, no individual property contributed in excess of 10% of its total revenues.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Marc Bastow]

    Retail properties real estate investment trust Acadia (AKR) raised its quarterly dividend 9.5% to 23 cents per share, payable on Jan. 15 to shareholders of record as of Dec. 15.
    AKR Dividend Yield: 3.51%

Top Trucking Stocks To Invest In 2014: Syntroleum Corporation(SYNM)

Syntroleum Corporation and its subsidiaries engage in commercializing and licensing its Syntroleum technologies to produce synthetic liquid hydrocarbons. Its Syntroleum process involves conversion of carbon containing material into synthesis gas; and conversion of the synthesis gas or coal-derived or biomass-derived syngas into hydrocarbons. The company also develops the Synfining Process technology for the conversion of Fischer-Tropsch wax into various products, including diesel fuels, jet fuels, lubricants, naphtha, and other materials. In addition, it offers the Bio-Synfining technology, a second generation renewable fuels technology that is feedstock flexible, including the use of vegetable oils, fats, fatty acids, and greases. Syntroleum Corporation was founded in 1984 and is based in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By John Udovich]

    Small cap biofuel or synthetic fuel stocks Gevo, Inc (NASDAQ: GEVO), KiOR Inc (NASDAQ: KIOR), Solazyme Inc (NASDAQ: SZYM) and Syntroleum Corp (NASDAQ: SYNM) all seem to have been seeing some trading action in recent days���meaning its worth taking a closer look at all four�before taking a look at their rather dismal�long term performance while noting that none are yet profitable:

  • [By John Udovich]

    As a new Government Accountability Office (GAO) report comes out about wasteful spending on biofuels, small cap renewable biofuel stock Gevo, Inc (NASDAQ: GEVO) reported earnings that came in below expectations -�meaning its worth taking a closer look at the GAO report, the stock and the performance of KiOR Inc (NASDAQ: KIOR), Solazyme Inc (NASDAQ: SZYM) and Syntroleum Corp (NASDAQ: SYNM).

Top Trucking Stocks To Invest In 2014: Barrick Gold Corporation (ABX)

Barrick Gold Corporation engages in the production and sale of gold, as well as related activities, such as exploration and mine development. The company has a portfolio of 25 operating mines and a pipeline of projects located in North America, South America, the Australia Pacific region, and Africa. It also produces copper and holds interests in oil and gas properties located in Canada. The company was founded in 1983 and is based in Toronto, Canada.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Ben Levisohn]

    Gold miners are getting hit today, but Barrick Gold (ABX) has bucked the selling despite having its price target lowered by UBS today.

    AP

    UBS analysts Brian MacArthur and Joshua Wardell explain why they lowered Barrick Gold’s price target to $18.50 from $21.75:

    UBS’s precious metals analyst, Edel Tully, believes the gold price push of late has largely arisen from short-covering, rather than the emergence of new buyers. Compounding the difficulties facing the gold demand environment, UBS economists believe the Fed ‘will not alter their tilt toward tapering nor interrupt their debate about when to tighten and how quickly’ given the emergence of encouraging U.S economic data points. Together, Edel Tully believes this lack of fresh demand coupled with the improving U.S economy will result in gold remaining in a range-bound state. UBS forecasts gold prices declining from $1,300/oz to $1,200/oz in 2015.

    Shares of Barrick Gold have gained 0.4% to $16.81 today, despite the fact that the Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF (GDX) has dropped 0.7% to $23.87 and big miners Newmont Mining (NEM) and Goldcorp (GG) have fallen 0.1% and 0.3%, respectively.

  • [By DailyFinance Staff]

    Stocks took a breather Thursday after racing higher on Wednesday, and the price of gold sank to a three-year low. The major averages ended mixed -- and that's good news, as the market mostly held onto the huge gains that followed the Federal Reserve's taper announcement. The Dow Jones industrial average (^DJI) edged up 11 points, the Standard & Poor's 500 index (^GPSC) slipped a point, and the Nasdaq composite index (^IXIC) fell 12 points. But the price of gold slumped by $39 an ounce, closing below $1,200 for the first time in more than three years. Gold related stocks followed suit. Newmont Mining (NEM), Barrick Gold (ABX) and Goldcorp (GG) all fell about 1.5 percent. Another story getting lots of play today is Target's (TGT) announcement that as many as 40 million credit and debit card customers may have had their account information stolen over the past few weeks. Target shares fell 2 percent. Even though earnings season is still a few weeks away, earnings news was a big factor today. On the upside: Oracle (ORCL), up 6 percent. The software maker beat Wall Street profit and revenue estimates. Food giant ConAgra (CAG), up 5 percent, after topping expectations. And Pier 1 (PIR), also up 5 percent. Net slightly missed, but the retailer raised its dividend by 20 percent.