Thursday, May 30, 2013

China Wants to Take E-tailing Seriously

Online retail may be getting a facelift in China if legislators have their way.

The government-run China Daily newspaper is reporting this week that the 12th National People's Congress is considering a law that would tackle issues including unfair competitive practices, tax evasion, and the protection of intellectual property rights.

Stateside investors with retailers in their portfolio aren't immune.

Amazon.com (NASDAQ: AMZN  ) is a big player in China. It acquired the country's joyo.com, eventually folding it into Amazon.cn. Even Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT  ) has some skin in this game after acquiring a majority stake in Chinese e-tailer Yihaodian last year.

Regulations concerning competitive practices, taxes, and intellectual property aren't likely to faze Amazon or Wal-Mart. They're global juggernauts, and they're used to being held to higher standards than hometown darlings. It's never perfect. Wal-Mart has had more than a few hiccups overseas. Even the seemingly steady Amazon had to deal with a worker strike in Germany earlier this week.

However, the companies that will be watching legislative matters closely are the local companies that derive the lion's share of their revenue in China.

Shares of Vipshop (NYSE: VIPS  ) tumbled 13% on Tuesday. It wasn't necessarily the legislative concerns that knocked the online clothing discounter down. There was a Deutsche Bank downgrade on Monday, and Vipshop also responded to a bearish attack that had used data for traffic tracker Alexa.com to suggest bogus financials.

It was an isolated event. E-Commerce China Dangdang (NYSE: DANG  ) -- the publicly traded company that most stateside investors associate with e-tail in China -- actually moved higher on Tuesday.

Clearly, investors don't see a problem with legislators getting more serious about online retail. If anything, the bearish attack on Vipshop is proof that restoring investor credibility in the niche is important.

You don't see anyone disputing Amazon's sales metrics based on third-party traffic trackers. This could be a good thing for investors because there's plenty of growth to be had in Chinese e-commerce.

Dangdang moved higher two weeks ago after better-than-expected quarterly results prompted two analysts to upgrade the shares. Earlier this month, Vipshop posted quarterly results that saw revenue more than triple.

The growth is there. Market credibility is the problem. Cleaning things up -- the right way -- will help.

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Future Home Sales Expectations at 5-Year High

After a three-month slump, homebuilder confidence is on the rise, according to May's National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index released today.

After dropping to a revised reading of 41 for April, a more positive outlook for current and future sales, as well as prospective buyer traffic, pushed this month's index up three points to 44.

Source: Author; data from NAHB.org. 

"Builders are noting an increased sense of urgency among potential buyers as a result of thinning inventories of homes for sale, continuing affordable mortgage rates, and strengthening local economies," said NAHB Chairman Rick Judson in today's press release. "This is definitely an encouraging sign even amid rising challenges with regard to the cost and availability of building materials, lots, and labor."

The current sales component increased four points to 48, while prospective buyer traffic improved three points to reach 33. As a positive sign toward a housing market recovery, future sales expectations bumped up one point to 53 -- the highest level since February 2007.

NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe believes housing market improvements may be the first movers in a strengthening economy: "While industry supply chains will take time to re-establish themselves following recession-related cutbacks, builders' views of current sales conditions have improved, and expectations for the future remain quite strong as consumers head back to the market in force."

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Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Top Computer Hardware Stocks To Own For 2014

The news that banks have been able to generate enormous profits by levying overdraft fees on customers surely rankles many -- particularly during tax season, and considering that many Americans are still feeling pinched by the effects of the Great Recession.

It doesn't have to be this way. Many consumers can avoid paying all sorts of banking fees -- including overdraft penalties -- by following some common sense advice. Where, you ask, can you find these money-saving tips? Surprisingly, you need look no further than the websites of the nation's biggest banks.

Something everyone needs to know
Managing money is important to everyone, and a subject that is very often the subject of online research. According to the Google Adwords Keyword Tool, the term "personal finance" is searched for more than 200,000 times each month, just here in the U.S. For comparison purposes, the phrase "make more money" generates a mere 60,500 monthly searches.

Top Computer Hardware Stocks To Own For 2014: Euronext(NXT.L)

Next plc, together with its subsidiaries, operates retail stores in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. The company involves in retailing clothes, footwear, and accessories for women, men, and children, as well as offers a range of home products. It operates a chain of approximately 500 stores in the United Kingdom and Eire under the Next Retail brand name; and approximately 180 stores under the Next International brand name in continental Europe, Scandinavia, Russia, the Middle East, India, and Japan. The company also operates Next Directory, a home shopping catalogue and Web site. In addition, it involves in the operation of Next Sourcing, which designs, sources, and buys Next branded products; and Lipsy that designs and sells women's fashion products through retail, Internet, and wholesale channels. The company was formerly known as J Hepworth & son and changed its name to Next plc in 1986. Next plc was founded in 1864 and is headquartered in Enderby, the United Kingdom.

Top Computer Hardware Stocks To Own For 2014: Peoples Federal Bancshares Inc.(PEOP)

Peoples Federal Bancshares, Inc. operates as a holding company for Peoples Federal Savings Bank that provides financial services to individuals and small businesses. The company?s deposit accounts include passbook and statement savings, certificates of deposit, money market, commercial and regular checking, NOW, and individual retirement accounts. It offers one- to four-family residential mortgage, home equity and lines of credit, multi-family real estate, commercial real estate, construction, consumer, and commercial loans. It operates six banking offices located in Brighton, Allston, West Roxbury, Jamaica Plain, Brookline and Norwood. The company was founded in 1888 and is based in Brighton, Massachusetts.

Top 10 Warren Buffett Stocks To Watch For 2014: Sinobest Technology Hldgs Ltd. (T80.SI)

Sinobest Technology Holdings Ltd., an investment holding company, provides computer and network system integration, building integration, application software development, and technical services in the People's Republic of China. It offers e-archive management, social security allied office, public security joint approving, e-document exchange center, e-regulation and policy, e-conference, e-financial management, and performance assessment solutions for the government; and government internal Website portal, short message service, office automation, email, decision making support, information service management, and service management information solutions for public servants. The company also offers online applying and approving, and enterprise information service solutions for businesses; community service, e-Medicare, online applying and approving, public information service, e-identity verification, and hotline service solutions for public; and application support, ser vice application, and network infrastructure solutions. It primarily serves government bureaus and departments, and state-owned enterprises in the sectors of telecommunication service, power supply, railway and transportation, immigration and customs, public security, labor and social insurance, universities, land and resources, taxation and finance, and food and drugs, as well as privately-owned enterprises. The company was founded in 1997 and is headquartered in Guangzhou, the People's Republic of China Sinobest Technology Holdings Ltd. is a subsidiary of Profit Saver International Limited.

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Top 5 Transportation Companies To Buy Right Now

The exportation of liquefied natural gas, or LNG, has been a hotly debated topic in the United States recently. Companies from all types of backgrounds have been staking their claims on either side of the argument. One thing is for certain, and that is that in 2015 Cheniere Energy (NYSEMKT: LNG  ) will begin exporting liquefied natural gas from its Department of Energy-approved Sabine Pass facility.��

Aside from the potential growth in exports from North America, Australia looks to be the largest contributor to the growth of natural gas finding its way into the international trade market. Transportation of natural gas chilled to temperatures as low as -260 degrees Fahrenheit certainly requires a high degree of skilled execution. That's where Teekay LNG Partners (NYSE: TGP  ) enters the picture. With a fleet much younger than the industry average and a distribution over 6%, it could be a great second-degree play on the coming trend.

Top 5 Transportation Companies To Buy Right Now: Norfolk Souther Corporation(NSC)

Norfolk Southern Corporation, through its subsidiaries, engages in the rail transportation of raw materials, intermediate products, and finished goods primarily in the United States. The company transports coal products, such as coal, coke, and iron ore; automotive products, including finished vehicles and auto parts; chemicals products consisting of sulfur and related chemicals, petroleum products, chlorine and bleaching compounds, plastics, rubber, industrial chemicals, chemical wastes, and municipal wastes; metals and construction products comprising steel, aluminum products, machinery, scrap metals, cement, aggregates, bricks, and minerals; and paper, clay, and forest products, including lumber and wood products, pulp board and paper products, wood fibers, wood pulp, scrap paper, and clay. It also transports agriculture, consumer, and government products, such as soybeans, wheat, corn, fertilizer, animal and poultry feed, food oils, flour, beverages, canned goods, swee teners, consumer products, ethanol, and items for the military. In addition, it engages in the intermodal operations that include moving of shipments in trailers, the United States and international containers, and roadrailer equipment. Further, the company transports overseas freight through various Atlantic and Gulf Coast ports, as well as provides a range of logistics services; and operates passenger and commuter trains. Additionally, it involves in the acquisition, leasing, and management of coal, oil, gas, and minerals; the development of commercial real estate; telecommunications; and the leasing or sale of rail property and equipment. As of December 31, 2010, the company operated approximately 20,000 route miles in 22 states and the District of Columbia. The company was founded in 1883 and is based in Norfolk, Virginia.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Sam Collins]

    Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) is a rail transportation company that moves raw materials, intermediate products and finished goods that represent a broad cross-section of the economy with an emphasis on energy (coal). We’ve been following NSC for a long time, and it has provided many profitable trades.

    During periods of high energy costs, railroads tend to do much better than other transportation companies because of their fuel usage advantage — they are able to carry large amounts of cargo at a fraction of the cost of trucks and air freight. NSC is one of the most efficient railroads in the country, operating over 21,000 miles in 22 Eastern states.?

    S&P has a “four-star buy” rating on NSC with a target of $75. Technically, note the cup-and-handle breakout that supports a trading target of $75.

Top 5 Transportation Companies To Buy Right Now: Ryder System Inc.(R)

Ryder System, Inc. provides transportation and supply chain management solutions. It operates in three segments: Fleet Management Solutions (FMS), Supply Chain Solutions (SCS), and Dedicated Contract Carriage (DCC). The FMS segment offers leasing, contract maintenance, contract-related maintenance, and commercial rental of trucks, tractors, and trailers primarily in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. It also offers fleet support services, such as fuel, insurance, safety, administration, environmental management, and information technology services. In addition, this segment sells its used vehicles through 55 company owned retail sales centers, as well as through its Web site, Usedtrucks.Ryder.com. Its customers include small businesses and enterprises operating in transportation, grocery, lumber and wood products, food service, and home furnishings industries. The SCS segment provides supply chain consulting solutions in North America and Asia. It offers di stribution management, transportation management, and professional services, as well as various support services, such as information technology and engineering solutions. This segment primarily serves automotive, electronics, high-tech, telecommunications, industrial, consumer goods, consumer packaged goods, paper and paper products, office equipment, food and beverage, and general retail industries. The DCC segment offers vehicles and drivers as part of a transportation solution in the United States. It combines the equipment, maintenance, and administrative services of a service lease with drivers and additional services, such as routing and scheduling, fleet sizing, safety, regulatory compliance, risk management, technology and communication systems support, and other technical support. This segment serves energy and utility, metals and mining, retail, construction, healthcare products, and food and beverage industries. The company was founded in 1933 and is based in Mia mi, Florida.

Hot Cheap Stocks To Watch Right Now: Assisted Living Concepts Inc. New (ALC)

Assisted Living Concepts, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates senior living residences in the United States. It offers general services, such as meals, activities, laundry, and housekeeping; support services, including assistance with medication, monitoring health status, co-ordination of transportation, and co-ordination with physician offices; and personal care services, such as dressing, grooming, and bathing. The company also arranges access to additional services from third-party providers, including physical, occupational, and respiratory therapy; home health; hospice; and pharmacy services. As of December 31, 2011, it operated 211 senior living residences comprising 9,325 units in 20 states. Assisted Living Concepts, Inc. was founded in 1994 and is headquartered in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin.

Top 5 Transportation Companies To Buy Right Now: Rhino Resource Partners LP(RNO)

Rhino Resource Partners LP produces, processes, and sells coal of various steam and metallurgical grades in the United States. The company holds interests in various surface and underground coal mines located in Central Appalachia, Northern Appalachia, the Illinois Basin, and the Western Bituminous region. As of December 31, 2010, it operated 10 mines, including 5 underground and 5 surface mines located in Kentucky, Ohio, and West Virginia. The company markets its steam coal primarily to electric utility companies as fuel for their steam-powered generators; and metallurgical coal for steel and coke producers. It also engages in mining limestone from reserves located at its Sands Hill mining complex and sells it as aggregate to various construction companies and road builders. The company was founded in 2003 and is based in Lexington, Kentucky.

Top 5 Transportation Companies To Buy Right Now: China Metro-Rural Holdings Limited(CNR)

China Metro-Rural Holdings Limited, through its subsidiaries, primarily engages in the development and operation of agricultural logistics and trade centers in northeast China. It also involves in purchasing, processing, assembling, merchandising, and distributing pearls and jewelry products. The company markets its pearls and jewelry products to wholesale distributors and mass merchandisers in Europe, the United States, Hong Kong, and other parts of Asia. In addition, it develops, sells, and leases residential and commercial properties in Hong Kong and the People?s Republic of China. The company is based in Tsimshatsui, Hong Kong.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Wyatt Research Staff]

    The stock moved significantly higher in mid-January and traded in a fairly tight range ever since. However, that could change soon. China's agricultural exports to Japan will grow if radiation continues to seep into the food chain.

    China exported $593 million worth of agricultural goods to Japan last year.

Monday, May 27, 2013

Is Towers Watson Making You Any Cash?

Although business headlines still tout earnings numbers, many investors have moved past net earnings as a measure of a company's economic output. That's because earnings are very often less trustworthy than cash flow, since earnings are more open to manipulation based on dubious judgment calls.

Earnings' unreliability is one of the reasons Foolish investors often flip straight past the income statement to check the cash flow statement. In general, by taking a close look at the cash moving in and out of the business, you can better understand whether the last batch of earnings brought money into the company, or merely disguised a cash gusher with a pretty headline.

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 Towers Watson (NYSE: TW  ) , whose recent revenue and earnings are plotted below.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Data is current as of last fully reported fiscal quarter. Dollar values in millions. FCF = free cash flow. FY = fiscal year. TTM = trailing 12 months.

Over the past 12 months, Towers Watson generated $345.0 million cash while it booked net income of $301.3 million. That means it turned 9.7% of its revenue into FCF. That sounds OK.

All cash is not equal
Unfortunately, the cash flow statement isn't immune from nonsense, either. That's why it pays to take a close look at the components of cash flow from operations, to make sure that the cash flows are of high quality. What does that mean? To me, it means they need to be real and replicable in the upcoming quarters, rather than being offset by continual cash outflows that don't appear on the income statement (such as major capital expenditures).

For instance, cash flow based on cash net income and adjustments for non-cash income-statement expenses (like depreciation) is generally favorable. An increase in cash flow based on stiffing your suppliers (by increasing accounts payable for the short term) or shortchanging Uncle Sam on taxes will come back to bite investors later. The same goes for decreasing accounts receivable; this is good to see, but it's ordinary in recessionary times, and you can only increase collections so much. Finally, adding stock-based compensation expense back to cash flows is questionable when a company hands out a lot of equity to employees and uses cash in later periods to buy back those shares.

So how does the cash flow at Towers Watson look? Take a peek at the chart below, which flags questionable cash flow sources with a red bar.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Data is current as of last fully reported fiscal quarter. Dollar values in millions. TTM = trailing 12 months.

When I say "questionable cash flow sources," I mean items such as changes in taxes payable, tax benefits from stock options, and asset sales, among others. That's not to say that companies booking these as sources of cash flow are weak, or are engaging in any sort of wrongdoing, or that everything that comes up questionable in my graph is automatically bad news. But whenever a company is getting more than, say, 10% of its cash from operations from these dubious sources, investors ought to make sure to refer to the filings and dig in.

With 29.7% of operating cash flow coming from questionable sources, Towers Watson investors should take a closer look at the underlying numbers. Within the questionable cash flow figure plotted in the TTM period above, other operating activities (which can include deferred income taxes, pension charges, and other one-off items) provided the biggest boost, at 17.7% of cash flow from operations. Overall, the biggest drag on FCF came from capital expenditures, which consumed 22.3% of cash from operations.

A Foolish final thought
Most investors don't keep tabs on their companies' cash flow. I think that's a mistake. If you take the time to read past the headlines and crack a filing now and then, you're in a much better position to spot potential trouble early. Better yet, you'll improve your odds of finding the underappreciated home-run stocks that provide the market's best returns.

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We can help you keep tabs on your companies with My Watchlist, our free, personalized stock tracking service.

Add Towers Watson to My Watchlist.

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Will These Stocks Stop the Dow's Record Run Today?

This morning's movements in the Dow Jones Industrials (DJINDICES: ^DJI  ) look eerily familiar to those who have been watching the day-to-day movements of the average in recent months. The stock market opened modestly lower this morning, with most blaming general concerns, rather than any specific news, for stocks' lackadaisical open. Yet within the first couple of hours, the Dow overcame its modest decline and turned positive, climbing 15 points as of 12:45 p.m. EDT. The broader market posted similar gains, with the S&P 500 also pushing further into record territory, rising to 1,670.

But some of the Dow's components are under pressure today. Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO  ) has led the Dow's decliners with a loss of about 1.7%, giving back some of the huge gains the tech giant posted last week. An analyst report this morning noted that despite NetApp's collaboration with Cisco on the FlexPod validated data-center platform, Cisco was unlikely to seek to acquire NetApp. By itself, that doesn't justify the drop in Cisco's share price, but it serves as a reminder that despite Cisco's strong earnings report last week, the industry on the whole is suffering from intense competitive pressure that isn't likely to subside anytime soon.

Merck (NYSE: MRK  ) has also dropped, falling 1.4% after the FDA expressed concerns about the side effects of the company's suvorexant insomnia drug. Citing increased daytime drowsiness and suicidal thoughts, the FDA suggested that a smaller dose might prove equally effective while reducing side effects. A panel of outside experts is expected to rule on the drug's safety later this week, and with so much riding on Merck's ability to boost its pipeline, a negative finding could hurt the company's chances of replacing lost revenue from off-patent drugs as quickly as it had hoped.

Finally, consumer giants Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO  ) and Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG  ) have both fallen more than 1%. Neither company reported significant news today, but value investors have grown increasingly concerned about the rise in both companies' share prices relative to their earnings. Despite their reputations as defensively oriented stocks that hold up well in market reversals, their above-market multiples seem out of line with the companies' growth prospects. With Coke facing the potential restraint of anti-obesity sentiment and P&G still dealing with activist investors looking over its shoulder, investors in both companies may simply see better opportunities elsewhere.

Once a highflying tech darling, Cisco is now on the radar of value-oriented dividend-lovers. Get the lowdown on the routing juggernaut in The Motley Fool's premium report. Click here now to get started.

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Saturday, May 25, 2013

Best Oil Service Companies For 2014

I'm window shopping for shares again, and there are plenty of goodies for sale. Should I pop Petrofac� (LSE: PCF  ) into my basket?

Just the 'facs
These are tough times for oil stocks, with Brent crude falling below $100 a barrel on fears of a China and U.S. slowdown and weak demand from Europe. Oil services company Petrofac looked cheap last month, when you could buy it for around ę‹¢15. Today, you would pay just ę‹¢13.40. Is this a great time to buy?

Petrofac's share price is now down a meaty 20% over the last three months, despite signing a couple of lucrative contracts in April. Last week, it announced it had won the lion's share of a $3.7 billion deal to develop oil fields for the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company. That followed a $500 million contract from the Abu Dhabi Marine Operating Company. My suspicions that Petrofac is being unfairly punished by a wider market sell-off were confirmed by its recent full-year results, which revealed a 17% rise in profits, neatly matched with a 17% dividend hike.

Best Oil Service Companies For 2014: ViroPharma Incorporated(VPHM)

ViroPharma Incorporated, a biotechnology company, develops and commercializes therapeutic products that address serious diseases in the United States and internationally. It focuses on developing products used by physician specialists or in hospital settings. The company markets and sells Cinryze, a C1 esterase inhibitor therapy for the routine prophylaxis against angioedema attacks in adolescent and adult patients with hereditary angioedema, a life-threatening genetic disorder; and Vancocin HCl capsule, an oral capsule formulation for the treatment of C. difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) and to treat enterocolitis caused by staphylococcus aureus, including methicillin-resistant strains. It also offers Plenadren, an orphan drug for treatment of adrenal insufficiency in adults; Buccolam, a oromucosal solution for treatment of prolonged, acute, and convulsive seizures in infants, toddlers, children, and adolescents; and maribavir, an antiviral compound for the treatment o f CMV disease through a license agreement with GlaxoSmithKline. The company?s primary development programs include Cinryze, a C1 esterase inhibitor for management of hereditary angioedema; and VP 20621, a non-toxigenic strain of C. difficile. Its clinical stage drug candidate comprises VP-20629 for the treatment of Friedreich?s Ataxia. The company sells its products directly to wholesale drug distributors and specialty pharmacies/distributors. ViroPharma Incorporated was founded in 1994 and is headquartered in Exton, Pennsylvania.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Harding]

    ViroPharma Inc. specializes in drug development and commercialization for medications to treat C. difficile, Staph. aureus and other infectious diseases found in hospital settings. Their pipeline includes a number of products in Phase II and III trials, two on the market, and they have strategic relations with giants like EliLilly and GlaxoSmithKline. VPHM stock, worth about $8 in January 2012, is priced at nearly $13 today, and is still steadily climbing. The company, founded in 1994, employs 170 people.

Best Oil Service Companies For 2014: pSivida Corp.(PSDV)

pSivida Corp., together with its subsidiaries, develops drug delivery products for treatment of back-of-the-eye diseases that are administered by implantation, injection, or insertion. The company?s lead product candidate includes Iluvien, which is in Phase III clinical trials and delivers fluocinolone acetonide (FA) for the treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME), a cause of vision loss. It is also conducting Phase II clinical trials with Iluvien for the treatment of wet and dry form of age-related macular degeneration, and retinal vein occlusion. In addition, the company?s products include Retisert for the treatment of posterior uveitis, an autoimmune condition characterized by inflammation of the posterior of the eye that can cause sudden or gradual vision loss; and Vitrasert for cytomegalovirus retinitis, a blinding eye disease that occurs in individuals with advanced AIDS. It is developing the Latanoprost product, an injectable, bioerodible drug delivery implant i n Phase I/II dose-escalating study for the treatment of glaucoma and ocular hypertension; the Posterior Uveitis product candidate in a Phase I/II study for the treatment of posterior uveitis; BioSilicon technology system, which is nano-structured porous silicon designed for use as a drug delivery platform and to deliver smaller molecules; and Tethadur, which utilizes BioSilicon to deliver large biologic molecules, including peptides and proteins. It has strategic collaborations with Bausch & Lomb Incorporated; Alimera Sciences, Inc.; Pfizer, Inc.; and Intrinsiq Materials Cayman Limited. The company was founded in 1987 and is headquartered in Watertown, Massachusetts.

10 Best Up And Coming Stocks To Buy For 2014: Rotork(ROR.L)

Rotork p.l.c. engages in the design, manufacture, and support of actuators, systems, and related products worldwide. It provides a range of products, systems, and services for the motorization and manual operation of adaption to industrial valves and dampers for isolation duty and process control applications. The company operates in four segments: Controls, Fluid Systems, Gears, and Instruments. The Controls segment designs, manufactures, and sells various electric valve actuators. The Fluid Systems segment is involved in the design, manufacture, and sale of pneumatic and hydraulic valve actuators. The Gears segment designs, manufactures, and sells gearboxes, adaption, and ancillaries for the valve industry. The Instruments segment offers high precision pneumatic controls and power transmissions for flow control, pressure control, flow measurement, and pressure measurement. The company also provides various services comprising field services, retrofit services, actuator o verhaul, preventative maintenance, shutdown outages, extended scope, spares parts, factory fit, technical support, and product training services. It serves oil and gas, power generation, water and sewage, and marine industries. The company is headquartered in Bath, the United Kingdom.

Best Oil Service Companies For 2014: Cullen Resources Ltd(CUL.AX)

Cullen Resources Limited explores for mineral properties in Australia. It focuses its exploration activities on gold, iron, copper, nickel, uranium, tungsten, lead, zinc, coal, and other base metals. The company primarily holds interest in the Catho Well Channel Iron deposit in the West Pilbara of Western Australia, as well as in properties located in New South Wales, Queensland, and Northern Territory. The company is based in South Perth, Australia.

Best Oil Service Companies For 2014: KongZhong Corporation(KONG)

KongZhong Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides wireless interactive entertainment, media, and community services to mobile phone users in the People's Republic of China. It also involves in the development, distribution, and marketing of consumer wireless value-added services, including wireless application protocol, multimedia messaging services, short messaging services, interactive voice response services, and color ring back tones. In addition, it offers interactive entertainment services, such as mobile games, pictures, karaoke, electronic books, mobile phone personalization features, entertainment news, chat, and message boards; and through Kong.net offer news, community services, games, and other interactive media and entertainment services; and sells advertising space in the form of text-link, banner, and button advertisements. Further, the company develops and publishes mobile games, including downloadable mobile games and online mobile games cons isting of action, role-playing, and leisure games. As of December 31, 2009, it had a library of approximately 300 internally developed mobile games. Additionally, it develops online games; and provides consulting and technology services, as well as media and net book services. The company was formerly known as Communication Over The Air Inc. and changed its name to KongZhong Corporation in March 2004. KongZhong Corporation was founded in 2002 and is headquartered in Beijing, the People?s Republic of China

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Louis Navellier]

    Thanks largely to the country’s tremendous economic growth, there’s a new middle class in China. They have more leisure time than ever before, and that means big opportunity for entertainment provider KongZhong Corporation (KONG).

    The company provides wireless interactive entertainment, media and community services to mobile phone users, but it also offers interactive entertainment services, including mobile games, pictures, logos, karaoke, electronic books and mobile phone personalization features such as ring tones. The Chinese love their cell phones, and KongZhong provides much of the content that goes on those phones.

    Investors certainly haven’t been hesitant to dial up shares of KONG, as the stock is up over 218% in the last 12 months.

    I rate KONG an A, making it a strong buy.

Best Oil Service Companies For 2014: Great Panther Silver Limited(GPL)

Great Panther Silver Limited, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of precious and base metal properties in Mexico. The company primarily produces silver. It also produces gold, lead, and zinc properties. The company principally holds a 100% interest in the Guanajuato silver-gold mine comprising 28 claims totaling 1,107 hectares located on the Central Plateau of Mexico in the state of Guanajuato. The company was formerly known as Great Panther Resources Limited and changed its name to Great Panther Silver Limited in January 2010. Great Panther Silver Limited was founded in 1965 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Barker]

    If this stock traded on a major U.S. exchange, it would have placed substantially higher on this list. Because unsponsored pink-sheet offerings carry an unquantifiable element of risk, I have adjusted the standings accordingly. Targeting a 72% growth spurt from 2.2 million silver equivalent ounces (SEOs) in 2009, to 3.8 million ounces by 2012, Great Panther is among my very favorite growth stories in the silver space!

Japan Stocks Rise as Leasing Shares Climb on AbeĆ¢€™s Plan

Japan's Topix Index (TPX) closed at its highest since August 2008, led by leasing companies on a report Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will encourage the practice as part of his growth strategy.

Orix Corp. (8591), which provides leasing and loans, jumped 9.2 percent. Mizuno Corp. soared 18 percent after the sportswear company more than doubled its net-income forecast. A gauge tracking agricultural stocks climbed to the highest since 2008 on a separate report that Abe plans to double the industry's income in a decade. Sony Corp. (6758) dropped 1.7 percent after Japan's biggest exporter of consumer electronics surged 19 percent over the past five trading days.

The Topix added 0.6 percent to close at 1,253.24 in Tokyo, the highest since Aug. 29, 2008, after falling as much as 0.7 percent. The gauge capped a 3.5 percent gain this week. The Nikkei 225 Stock Average rose 0.7 percent to 15,138.12 today. Gains were limited amid signs the market may be overheating.

"Leasing companies continue to draw attention as they surge on a report about the government's growth strategy," said Takashi Aoki, a Tokyo-based fund manager at Mizuho Asset Management Co., which oversees about 3.4 trillion yen ($33 billion). "The market is trading in a tight range as profit-taking takes place while investors buy on dips."

The Topix has risen 46 percent this year, outperforming all major equity indexes amid unprecedented easing from the Bank of Japan. The gauge traded at 1.3 times book value, compared with about 2.4 for the Standard & Poor's 500 Index and 1.7 for the Stoxx Europe 600 Index.

Abe Strategy

Abe will encourage leasing to revive capital spending to a level last seen before the collapse of Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc., the Nikkei newspaper said without citing anyone. The prime minister will outline a growth plan in a speech today after the market close.

Orix jumped 9.2 percent to 1,638 yen. Mitsubishi UFJ Lease & Finance Co. surged 17 percent to 597 yen.

Abe's growth strategies will also include boosting the agricultural industry and tripling infrastructure exports to about 30 trillion yen by 2020, public broadcaster NHK reported.

The Topix Fishery, Agriculture & Forestry Index rose 3.5 percent, the biggest gain since Feb. 26. Nippon Suisan Kaisha Ltd., a maker of seafood products, added 6.3 percent to 219 yen. Sakata Seed Corp. gained 6.1 percent to 1,530 yen.

Investors are more confident in a Japanese leader than at any time since at least September 2010. Abe's policies are perceived more optimistically than those of his counterparts in the U.S., Europe and China, according to a worldwide poll of investors, analysts and traders who are Bloomberg subscribers.

Overheating Signs

Shares opened lower today after the 14-day relative strength index, a measure of trading momentum, held above 70 for both the Topix and the Nikkei 225 for the past six days. That's a level some traders say signals a sell-off.

Sony slid 1.7 percent to 2,046 yen after its 14-day RSI climbed to 81 yesterday.

Futures on the S&P 500 added 0.2 percent today. The equity gauge fell 0.5 percent in New York yesterday, halting four days of record gains. A report showed jobless claims jumped by 32,000 to 360,000 last week, the most since the end of March. Housing starts slumped 16.5 percent in April, the most since February 2011.

Of the 803 companies on the Topix that have reported full-year earnings since April 1, and for which Bloomberg has estimates, 482 beat analysts' projections.

Mizuno soared 18 percent to 505 yen, the biggest gain since 1999, after saying net income will more than double to 4.2 billion yen in the current fiscal year.

The Nikkei Stock Average Volatility Index fell 0.5 percent to 26.53, indicating traders expect a swing of about 7.6 percent on the benchmark gauge during the next 30 days.

Friday, May 24, 2013

Two Stocks Walloping the Dow as Worldwide Markets Drop

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJINDICES: ^DJI  ) is basically unchanged as markets around the world drop in response to the possible slowing of the Fed's QE3 and poor data on Chinese manufacturing. As of 1:10 p.m. EDT the Dow is down 7 points, or %, to 15,300. The S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC  ) is down % to . 

There were four U.S. economic releases today.

Report

Period

Result

Previous

Weekly new unemployment claims

May 11 to May 18

340,000

360,000

Markit Flash PMI

May

51.9

52.1

FHFA Home Price Index

Q1

1.9%

1.5%

New-home sales

April

454,000

444,000

Source: MarketWatch U.S. Economic Calendar.

The U.S. economic releases are being overshadowed by fears over the Fed's possible slowing of QE3 and negative economic data out of China.

QE3 is the Federal Reserve program of buying $45 billion in long-term Treasuries and $40 billion of mortgage-backed securities each month. Yesterday, Bernanke testified before Congress' Joint Economic Committee, and while he was noncommittal, he said the Fed could begin slowing purchases at one of the next few meetings. Then, the minutes from the May 1 Federal Open Market Committee meeting showed that some members want to slow or stop purchases as soon as next month.

It remains to be seen what the Fed will do. The Fed has stated before that purchases will continue until inflation expectations go above 2.5% or unemployment drops to 6.5%. Inflation is currently just above 1%, while unemployment is at 7.5% and continues to decline.

Second, manufacturing activity in China has been slowing, and today HSBC reported that its Chinese purchasing managers index showed that manufacturing activity contracted in may: The index dropped to 49.6 in May from 50.4 in April. A reading of more than 50 indicates expansion, while a reading of less than 50 indicates contraction.

In response, both Asian markets and European markets sold off. The Nikkei finished 7.3% lower, Hong Kong's Hang Seng index finished 2.5% lower, and Europ's FTSE finished down 2%.

Today's Dow leader
Today's Dow leader is Hewlett-Packard (NYSE: HPQ  ) , up 13.5% after it reported second-quarter earnings last night. The PC manufacturer reported earnings per share of $0.87 and revenue of $27.6 billion, whereas analysts had expected EPS of $0.81 and revenue of $28 billion. HP has been weighed down by a declining PC market, as well as terrible capital-allocation decisions on its part. These combined last year to send Hewlett-Packard stock down to just $11.35. But the stock has roared back this year, up 70% year to date to $24.11 after the sell-off went too far.

The massive wave of mobile computing has done much to unseat the major players in the PC market, including venerable technology names like Hewlett-Packard. However, HP is rapidly shifting its strategy under the leadership of CEO Meg Whitman. But does this make HP one of the least-appreciated turnaround stories on the market, or is this a minor detour on its road to irrelevance? The Motley Fool's technology analyst details exactly what investors need to know about HP in our new premium research report. Just click here now to get your copy today.

Second for the Dow today is Boeing (NYSE: BA  ) , up 1.7%. Today Chinese authorities approved Boeing's 787 Dreamliner for use in China. Approval had been a long time coming and was further delayed when the FAA grounded the craft at the start of the year due to problems with its lithium-ion battery. Before the Dreamliner was cleared for flight, Chinese airlines had ordered just 35 Dreamliners. Today's decision opens up a vast new market for Boeing's newest jet.

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Carney: Criticism of IRS Response "Legitimate"

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama's spokesman says the White House is facing "legitimate criticisms" for its shifting accounts about who knew what about the Internal Revenue Service's targeting of conservative political groups, and when they knew it.

Press secretary Jay Carney's acknowledgement Wednesday was an attempt to stem a growing narrative that the White House has bungled its response to the IRS controversy, even though the White House appears to have had no direct role in the agency's targeting of conservative political groups.

"There have been some legitimate criticisms about how we're handling this," Carney told reporters during his daily briefing. "And I say 'legitimate' because I mean it."

The criticism of the White House has largely focused on its evolving story about who in the White House knew about the IRS targeting before it became public May 10. Carney on Wednesday attributed the changing accounts in part to an attempt by the White House to provide the public information quickly, even before the full details are known.

"Quickly and comprehensively are not objectives that always meet," he said. "Our approach is we get the information we have to you, and as we get more information, we fill in the details."

Since the IRS targeting of conservative groups became public, the White House's primary focus has been making clear that Obama had no advanced knowledge of the agency's actions or an independent audit of the activity. Carney and other White House advisors say the president learned about the targeting like the general public -- from news reports.

However, Carney has struggled to provide full accounts of who on the president's staff may have known about the politically explosive IRS activity before the president.

In his first account last week, Carney said White House Counsel Kathryn Ruemmler was told "very broadly" on April 24 about the inspector general's audit into the IRS office at the center of the targeting controversy.

But on Monday, Carney said staff in Ruemmler's office first learned of the impending IRS report on April 16. After Ruemmler was told, Carney said she then alerted White House chief of staff Denis McDonough, deputy chief of staff Mark Childress and other senior White House officials.

Carney continued Wednesday to withhold the names of those other staffers, saying he "can't account for every conversation that might have been had."

The shifting stories have created friction between Carney and reporters during his daily briefings. However, the press secretary took a softer tone Wednesday, calling reporters "smart" and "good at your jobs."

Of course, Carney may have had another reason for his sunnier disposition. Wednesday marked his 48th birthday.

"This is how I chose to spend it," he joked as he fielded questions from reporters.

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Top 10 Value Companies To Watch In Right Now

I have never advised my readers to invest in Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK-A).

And it's not because a single share of the Class A stock costs $164,690 or because I think it is overvalued, or any of the other usual reasons for that matter.

 
The reason is actually quite simple.

It's because Warren Buffett has vowed time and time again to never pay Berkshire shareholders a cent in dividends.

Consider this: In the most recent quarter, Berkshire Hathaway collected more than $1.35 billion in dividend and interest income from its holdings.

Yet none of that money made its way back to shareholders. 

Granted, Buffett's style is to try to turn that money into more money. But for me, I'd rather collect a steady stream of cash that I can do with what I please.

Top 10 Value Companies To Watch In Right Now: Dollar Tree Inc.(DLTR)

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

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Sam Collins]

    Dollar Tree (NASDAQ:DLTR) is a leading operator of discount variety stores. The stock has hugged its 50-day moving average since mid-February. But a recent minor revision of earnings for this year by several analysts and the recent market sell-off have resulted in a fall from its high of the year at over $70 to under $66. However, Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) increased its price target to $73 from $69.

    Technically DLTR is oversold, according to MACD. A break below its 50-day moving average could result in a pullback to $64, but positions could be taken at the current market price. The trading target for DLTR is $72.

Top 10 Value Companies To Watch In Right Now: Tupperware Corporation(TUP)

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

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Sam Collins]

    Household name Tupperware Brands Corp. (NYSE:TUP) is a global direct seller of products with multiple brands through an independent sales force of 2.4 million people. Its product line focuses on kitchen storage and serving solutions, as well as personal-care products. Over 60% of sales in 2011 are expected to come from Europe and Asia, and the stock has appeal as an emerging markets story.

    S&P estimates that 2011 earnings will increase to $4.54 versus $3.53 in 2010, and it increased its rating to a “five-star strong buy” with a recently revised 12-month target of $81, up from $73. The 2005 purchase of Sara Lee’s (NYSE:SLE) direct-sales business, which has a high growth rate, should be a long-term benefit. TUP’s annual dividend yield is 1.92%.

    Technically TUP had a pullback following a new high at over $70 and is currently oversold. Buy TUP at the current market price with a trading target of $70, but longer term a much higher target will likely be attained.

5 Best Warren Buffett Stocks To Own For 2014: Caterpillar Inc.(CAT)

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

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Jim Cramer]

    this stock could be a monster in 2011, especially with the integration of Bucyrus (BUCY), which I think will turn out to be a fantastic acquisition. Estimates, currently showing EPS at about $6, I think are way, way too low. I see this stock going to $120 in the next year. Too gutsy? Ask yourself what happens if the United States comes back as a growth nation. Right now almost all of the growth is overseas. Still a fantastic mineral play and a terrific call on world growth.

  • [By Sam Collins]

    Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT) is the world’s largest producer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, and industrial gas turbines. The stock has been in a bull market since the market bottomed in March 2009. CAT was one of our Top Stocks to Buy for December because of its position as a major supplier to the third world and China. The company should also be a beneficiary of orders from Japan due to the damage from earthquakes and the tsunami.

    Revenues in 2011 are expected to increase by 36%, according to S&P, and margins are expected to increase, as well. Earnings for 2012 are forecast at $9.10, up from $7.50 this year, and S&P has a target of $142 over the next 12 months.

    Technically CAT has strong support at $95 and currently appears to be oversold, according to Moving Average Convergence/Divergence (MACD). If it is able to hold at the support line, look for a rally to $110 within 30 days. Longer term the stock could trade north of $125.

  • [By Roberto Pedone]

    Caterpillar (CAT) is staging a textbook breakout in May. Shares of heavy equipment maker haven't exactly been kind to investors year-to-date; CAT has barely broken even during a time when the broad market has been in a historic rally. But a textbook breakout should change that.

    CAT started forming an inverse head and shoulders pattern back in early April. The inverse head and shoulders is formed by two swing lows that bottom out around the same level (the shoulders), separated by a lower low called the head; the buy signal comes on the breakout above the pattern's "neckline" level, which was just below $86 for CAT. That puts this stock's upside target right around $92.

    Even though CAT has nearly hit its upside target already (the post-breakout buying has been very quick), the longer-term implication for investors is a break of the downtrend that had been haranguing shares this year. Now, with that downtrend broken, CAT should have more room to move higher. I'd just expect some consolidation first.

Top 10 Value Companies To Watch In Right Now: Schlumberger N.V.(SLB)

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

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Kathy Kristof]

    Headquarters: Houston

    52-Week High: $79.38

    52-Week Low: $56.86 

    Annual Sales: $39.5 bill.

    Projected Earnings Growth: 18% annually over the next five years 


    Energy-services giant Schlumberger is the prototypical multinational. The company derives roughly 85% of its revenues from overseas, including developing markets in Africa, Brazil and Asia. 

    With particular expertise in deep-water drilling, Schlumberger is well-positioned to compete in a world where oil is harder to find, says Argus Research analyst Philip Weiss. Admittedly, oil exploration is a cyclical business, driven largely by crude prices. And weak prices for natural gas have hit the company’s stock, Weiss says. But the price of natural gas has little to do with Schlumberger’s profits, so Weiss just sees this as an opportunity to get the shares at a more reasonable price.

  • [By Lowell]

    Schlumberger (NYSE:SLB) is a premier supplier of technology and oil-well services and equipment. S&P has upgraded SLB to a “buy,” and Credit Suisse upgraded it to an “outperform” rating because the company exceeded recent earnings forecasts and increased its view of future earnings for 2011. SLB’s fundamental target is $117 and is based on earnings estimates of $3.85 for 2011, $5.40 for 2012, and $6.05 for 2013.

    Technically SLB may become the object of profit-taking following a recent run to over $95. Positions are recommended at around $85 with a target of $115 before December 2011, assuming a breakout through a triple-top at $95.

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Hot Gold Stocks To Invest In Right Now

On a slow day for defense contractors, a subsidiary of Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK-A  ) took home the Pentagon gold Wednesday.

After bidding for the rights to develop and manufacture an aircrew training system for the new KC-46 Boeing aerial refueling tanker, Berkshire subsidiary�FlightSafety International won a $78.4 million contract to produce the system. FlightSafety could have as long as until 2026 to complete work on the contract if all option-year extensions are exercised.

Berkshire's single contract win accounted for more than half the $149.4 million in contracts awarded Wednesday. Of the rest, only one went to another publicly traded company. General Dynamics' (NYSE: GD  ) Advanced Information Systems subsidiary won $31.5 million in the form of a five-year performance-based logistics requirements contract to support six mission computers used on F/A 18 E/F, EA-18G, and AV-8B aircraft. The completion date on this contract is April 2018.

Hot Gold Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Iamgold Corporation(IAG)

IAMGOLD Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the exploration, development, and production of mineral resource properties worldwide. It primarily explores for gold, silver, zinc, copper, niobium, diamonds, and other metals. The company holds interests in eight operating gold mines, a niobium producer, a diamond royalty, and exploration and development projects located in Africa and the Americas. Its advanced exploration and development projects include the Westwood project in Canada; and the Quimsacocha project, which consists of 3 mining concessions covering an aggregate area of approximately 8,030 hectares in Ecuador. The company was formerly known as IAMGOLD International African Mining Gold Corporation and changed its name to IAMGOLD Corporation in June 1997. IAMGOLD Corporation was founded in 1990 and is based in Toronto, Canada.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Christopher Barker]

    Although I have not shed my long-standing contention that Yamana Gold offers one of the more deeply discounted vehicles for long-term gold exposure, lately my outlook for IAMGOLD has turned particularly bullish. With a looming spin-off of a 10% to 20% stake in the company's reliably profitable Niobec niobium mine, and the recent sale of its interest in a pair of high-cost gold operations in Ghana for $667 million, IAMGOLD finds itself in terrific financial shape to execute an aggressive $1.2 billion expansion imitative at existing operations.

    Considering the $1.6 billion net asset value (after tax) that IAMGOLD recently assessed for the Niobec mine alone, and a presumed hoard of more than $1.2 billion (in cash, cash equivalents, and gold bullion held for investment), at a market capitalization of $6.9 billion I find extreme comfort in the market's resulting valuation for IAMGOLD's 15.2 million ounces of attributable gold reserves.

Hot Gold Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Claude Resources Inc.(CGR)

Claude Resources Inc. engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of precious metal properties, as well as production and marketing of minerals in Canada. It primarily explores for gold in northern Saskatchewan and northwestern Ontario. The company holds interests in the Seabee gold mine located at Laonil Lake, northern Saskatchewan; and the Madsen property that consists of 6 contiguous claim blocks totaling approximately 10,000 acres, located in the Red Lake Mining District of northwestern Ontario. It also holds interest in the Amisk Gold project, which covers an area of 13,800 hectares in the province of Saskatchewan. The company was founded in 1980 and is based in Saskatoon, Canada.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Christopher Barker]

    Hardly a johnny-come-lately, Claude Resources initiated small-scale gold production from its flagship Seabee mine in Saskatchewan in 1991. Just last year, Claude added the Santoy 8 mine to that operation to offer a touch of timely growth. Meanwhile, the operation hosts a number of compelling exploration targets like the recently discovered Neptune zone. After 10 of 15 recent drill holes from Neptune featured visible gold, including a nice high-grade intercept of 84.66 g/t over 3.2 meters, prospects are building for Claude to add some additional years to this time-tested operation.

    While I welcome the existing cash flow from Seabee, my investment thesis for Claude Resources centers around a pair of exciting exploration properties: the Amisk joint venture project southeast of Seabee and the Madsen property at Red Lake, Ontario. At Madsen, historical gold production between 1938 and 1976 yielded 2.4 million ounces at an average grade of 9 g/t. To date, Claude has identified an indicated resource of 928,000 ounces at a comparable grade. At Amisk, drill intercepts of eye-catching thickness suggest strong potential for a profitable open pit operation, including an intercept of 2.16 g/t over 241 meters! The deposit's 921,000 indicated gold-equivalent ounces represent only an early stage hint of the deposit's full potential. The stock is a top-10 holding for Sprott Asset Management, and a core holding for this Fool as well.

Top 10 Railroad Companies To Buy Right Now: Newmont Mining Corporation(Holding Company)

Newmont Mining Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and production of gold and copper properties. The company?s assets or operations are located in the United States, Australia, Peru, Indonesia, Ghana, Canada, New Zealand, and Mexico. As of December 31, 2009, it had proven and probable gold reserves of approximately 93.5 million equity ounces and an aggregate land position of approximately 27,500 square miles. The company was founded in 1916 and is headquartered in Greenwood Village, Colorado.

Hot Gold Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Goldcorp Incorporated(GG)

Goldcorp Inc. engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and operation of precious metal properties in Canada, the United States, Mexico, and Central and South America. It produces and sells gold, silver, copper, lead, and zinc. The company was founded in 1954 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Mel Daris]

    Goldcorp (GG), from Vancouver, has mines from Canada down to Argentina. Its stock trades for $40 and its dividend yields 1.30%. Its P/E is a pricey 18.33. Goldcorp had net income $1.6 billion and negative cash flow of $300 million. Its net tangible assets have grown from -$2.4 billion in 2009 to nearly $20 billion last year. The miner produced 2.51 million ounces of gold last year and expects to produce more than 2.60 million ounces this year at a target of $1,600 per ounce. Cost will range from $250 to $600 per ounce. Goldcorp is targeting 70% growth by 2016.

  • [By Rahemtulla]

    Headquartered in the Olympic venue of Vancouver, GoldCorp (GG)
    is one of the largest precious-metal mining companies in the world. GG operates mainly in Canada and South America, and produces more than 2.3 million ounces of gold annually, and has about 45 million ounces in proved and probable reserves. But don’t be fooled by the name — GoldCorp also owns 1.2 billion ounces of proved and probable silver reserves and 1.4 billion pounds of copper reserves.

    Every investor is aware of gold’s record run recently, but that’s just one reason I’m bullish on GG. Silver and copper prices
    have been on a tear lately, and the diverse mining operations of GoldCorp make it a great investment right now no matter what happens with gold.

  • [By Christopher Barker]

    Every ship needs an anchor, and for gold investors looking to navigate the admittedly rough seas of the gold mining industry, I can think of no greater anchor than Goldcorp. With the important caveat that some of the company's substantial challenges faced during 2012 could present further selling pressure in early 2013 as forward production guidance takes a bit of a haircut, I agree with Credit Suisse analyst Anita Soni that any such weakness may present a meaningful buying opportunity. I won't go into great detail here, since investors can access my premium research report on Goldcorp for further discussion of the substantial long-term investment opportunity in the shares of this quality producer.

Hot Gold Stocks To Invest In Right Now: First Majestic Silver Corp.(AG)

First Majestic Silver Corp. engages in the production, development, exploration, and acquisition of mineral properties with a focus on silver in Mexico. The company owns interests in La Encantada Silver Mine comprising 4,076 hectares of mining rights and 1,343 hectares of surface land located in Coahuila; La Parrilla Silver Mine consisting of mining concessions covering an area of 69,867 hectares; and San Martin Silver Mine comprising approximately 7,841 hectares of mineral rights and approximately 1,300 hectares of surface land rights located in Jalisco. It also holds interests in Del Toro Silver Mine consisting of 393 contiguous hectares of mining claims and an additional 129 hectares of surface rights located in Zacatecas; Real de Catorce Silver Project comprising 22 mining concessions covering 6,327 hectares located in San Luis Potosi state; and Jalisco Group of Properties consisting of mining claims totalling 5,240 hectares located in Jalisco. The company was founded in 1979 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Goodwin]

    The shares closed at $88.19, down $1.1, or 1.23%, on the day. Its market capitalization is $77.08 billion. About the company: Siemens AG manufactures a wide range of industrial and consumer products. The Company builds locomotives, traffic control systems, automotive electronics, and engineers electrical power plants. Siemens also provides public and private communications networks, computers, building control systems, medical equipment, and electrical components. The Company operates worldwide.

  • [By Sy_Harding]

    First Majestic Silver is one of the purest silver plays on the market. The company owns and operates three primary silver mines in Mexico: La Parrilla, San Martin, and La Encantada.

    Shares of AG have risen more than 60% for the year.

    First Majestic generates 85% of its revenue through the production and sale of silver. The rest of the company's revenue is generated through gold, lead, and zinc.

    First Majestic expects to increase total silver output from its operations to 7.5 million ounces of silver in 2011, and up to 16.0 million ounces by 2014.

Hot Gold Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Golden Star Resources Ltd(GSS)

Golden Star Resources Ltd., a gold mining and exploration company, through its subsidiaries, engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and production of gold properties. It owns and operates the Bogoso/Prestea gold mining and processing operation that covers approximately 40 kilometers of strike along the southwest-trending Ashanti gold district in western Ghana; and the Wassa open-pit gold mine located to the east of Bogoso/Prestea in southwest Ghana. The company also has an 81% interest in the Prestea underground gold mine located in Ghana. In addition, it holds interests in various gold exploration projects in Ghana, Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Cote d?Ivoire, as well as holds and manages exploration properties in Brazil in South America. The company was founded in 1984 and is based in Littleton, Colorado.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Curtis]

    Golden Star Resources, Ltd Com (AMEX:GSS): This equity had 10,766,183 shares sold short as of Aug 31st, as compared to 9,400,663 on Aug 15th, which represents a change of 1,365,520 shares, or 14.5%. Days to cover for this company is 3 and average daily trading volume is 3,419,976. About the equity: Golden Star Resources Ltd. is a mid-tier gold mining company. The Company’s operating mines are situated along the Ashanti Gold Belt in Ghana, West Africa.

Monday, May 20, 2013

Top Building Product Stocks To Own For 2014

Ford's Fiesta is a best-seller in Europe. Photo credit: Ford Motor Co.

Ford's (NYSE: F  ) Fiesta subcompact is a little car with many virtues. Unlike small Fords of decades past, this Fiesta is solidly built and handles like a premium car.

What's more, it gets good mileage, and it has a plush interior that goes way beyond most folks' ideas of what an "econobox" is like.

In the U.S., where gas is still cheaper than in many parts of the world, the Fiesta doesn't get all that much love. Sales of the little Ford haven't been bad, but they have long trailed those of its Focus sibling, which is a bigger car for not a lot more money.

But in Europe, where gas is expensive and times are tough, the Fiesta has been getting a lot of love lately.

Top Building Product Stocks To Own For 2014: ATP Oil & Gas Corporation(ATPG)

ATP Oil & Gas Corporation engages in the acquisition, development, and production of oil and natural gas properties primarily in the Gulf of Mexico and the United Kingdom sector of the North Sea. The company also has interests in three deepwater licenses in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Israel. As of December 31, 2011, it had estimated net proved reserves of 118.9 million barrels of crude oil equivalent (MMBoe), of which approximately 75.9 MMBoe were in the Gulf of Mexico and 42.9 MMBoe were in the North Sea. The company?s reserves comprised approximately 78.6 million barrels of crude oil or other liquid hydrocarbons and 241.5 billion cubic feet of natural gas. It also owned leasehold and other interests in 38 offshore blocks and 49 wells comprising 23 subsea wells in the Gulf of Mexico, as well as had interests in 13 blocks and 2 company-operated subsea wells in the North Sea. ATP Oil & Gas Corporation was founded in 1991 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas.< /p> Advisors' Opinion:

  • [By Putnam]

    ATP Oil and Gas Corp. (ATPG) is trading at $9.17. ATPG is an independent oil and gas company, based in Texas. These shares have traded in a range between $5.71 to $21.40 in the last 52 weeks. The 50-day movi ng average is $10.51 and the 200-day moving is $15.40. Earnings estimates for ATPG are expected to go from a loss in 2011 to a profit of $1.49 per share in 2012. The higher revenues and profits for 2012 are due to higher production coming from oil wells in the Gulf of Mexico. Rodman & Renshaw has set a $22 price target for ATPG shares.

Top Building Product Stocks To Own For 2014: Kinross Gold Corporation(KGC)

Kinross Gold Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in mining and processing gold ores. It also involves in the exploration and acquisition of gold bearing properties. The company?s gold production and exploration activities are carried out principally in the Americas, Africa, and the Russian Federation. As of December 31, 2010, its proven and probable mineral reserves were 62.4 million ounces of gold, 90.9 million ounces of silver, and 1.4 billion pounds of copper. The company was founded in 1972 and is based in Toronto, Canada.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Mark]

    Kinross Gold (KGC) has been upgraded by TheStreet Ratings from hold to buy. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its impressive record of earnings per share growth, compelling growth in net income, robust revenue growth, largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures and good cash flow from operations. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company has had somewhat disappointing return on equity.

    Kinross Gold Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in mining and processing gold ores. It also involves in the exploration and acquisition of gold bearing properties. The company has a P/E ratio of 18.5, above the average metals & mining industry P/E ratio of 18.1 and above the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7. Kinross has a market cap of $20 billion and is part of the basic materials sector and metals & mining industry. Shares are down 6.6% year to date as of the close of trading on Wednesday.

  • [By Luke Burgess]

    Canadian-based Kinross Gold is one of the world’s top five gold producers. With operations that span four continents, the company produced 2.61 million ounces of gold last year, a 12% increase over the company’s output in 2010.

    The boost in production helped fuel Kinross’ cash flow amid rising gold prices – firing revenue up 31% to nearly $4 billion last year.

    For 2012, Kinross says that it expects to produce approximately 2.6 to 2.8 million gold equivalent ounces from its current operations.

    Rising production costs have, however, cut into Kinross’ revenue over the past several quarters. Full-year production costs in 2011 averaged $596 per gold equivalent ounce, versus $506 per gold equivalent ounce for full-year 2010.

    Kinross says production costs are expected to rise again in 2012 in the range of $670 to $715 per gold equivalent ounce. So the rise in production costs may offset rising revenue from increased production if the market sees weaker gold prices.

    Kinross’ gold stock currently pays a semi-annually dividend. The company recently declared a dividend of US$0.08 per common share, payable on March 31, 2012 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 23, 2012.

Top 10 Gold Stocks To Invest In Right Now: New Guinea Gold Corporation(NGG.V)

New Guinea Gold Corporation engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and operation of mineral properties in Papua New Guinea. It explores for gold, copper, and tellurium ores. The company primarily holds interest in the Sinivit gold project located in East New Britain Province. New Guinea Gold Corporation is based in Vancouver, Canada.

Top Building Product Stocks To Own For 2014: Visa Inc.(V)

Visa Inc., a payments technology company, engages in the operation of retail electronic payments network worldwide. It facilitates commerce through the transfer of value and information among financial institutions, merchants, consumers, businesses, and government entities. The company owns and operates VisaNet, a global processing platform that provides transaction processing services. It also offers a range of payments platforms, which enable credit, charge, deferred debit, debit, and prepaid payments, as well as cash access for consumers, businesses, and government entities. The company provides its payment platforms under the Visa, Visa Electron, PLUS, and Interlink brand names. In addition, it offers value-added services, including risk management, issuer processing, loyalty, dispute management, value-added information, and CyberSource-branded services. The company is headquartered in San Francisco, California.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Jeff Reeves]

    Despite a very rough 2011 so far, payment processor Visa (NYSE:V) is right there beside Apple with gains of nearly 30% since the first of the year. Visa stock continues to set 52-week highs and is within striking distance of new all-time highs above $97.

    Visa doesn’t have quite the track record of many blue chips, having only gone public in 2008. However, there are some big reasons to expect that the recent growth is not just a flash in the pan.

    For starters, the demographic trends are hard to ignore. The percentage of cashless transactions continues to rise. Despite rapid growth from fees for payment processing, 40% of all transactions in the U.S. still are done with cash or paper checks. That’s to say nothing of rapid growth of debit and credit card business in emerging markets. Visa’s logo is everywhere and will only be accepted in more places as the months go by.

    And don’t forget, Visa is not a financial stock. Service fees account for more than one-third of revenue — meaning the stock is little more than a toll-taker on the road between a merchant and a customer’s checking account. It is not exposed to bad debt the way financial stocks like Bank of America (NYSE:BAC) and others are.

    Visa has seen year-over-year earnings growth every single quarter since going public, and it should keep up that growth. Additionally, revenue was up 17% from fiscal 2009 to fiscal 2010 and is forecast to jump another 12% in fiscal 2011.

    There is big growth to be had at Visa. It might not be Apple, but its strong growth potential and dominant brand make it a go-to stock for large-cap investors.

  • [By Charles Sizemore]

    One of the “big picture” economic themes that I expect to play out over 2011 and beyond is the secular shift to a global cashless society.?Though the process is well on its way in the U.S. and Europe, roughly 40% of all transactions are still made with cash and paper checks according to Barron’s.

    This means that even in “boring” developed markets, there is ample room for growth in electronic payments. And there is no better company to benefit from this trend than credit card giant Visa (NYSE: V).

  • [By Rebecca Lipman]

     Operates retail electronic payments network worldwide. Market cap of $82.48B. EPS growth (5-year CAGR) at 15%. According to Morgan Stanley: "Global penetration of electronic payments remains low with 85% of the world's transactions still cash-based, leaving ample runway to support healthy growth prospects through (at least) 2015."

Top Building Product Stocks To Own For 2014: Guthrie Gts Ltd (G33.SI)

Guthrie GTS Limited, an investment holding company, engages in property, engineering, and leisure businesses in Singapore, Indonesia, and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Property, Engineering, and Leisure. The Property segment engages in the investment, development, and management of retail, commercial, and residential properties; and project management, as well as retail planning, consultancy, marketing, leasing, and mall management. The Engineering segment is involved in undertaking engineering contracts, and trading related products; and the provision of professional services to the transport, telecommunications, air-conditioning, electrical, and fire protection, as well as building and facility management sectors. The Leisure segment invests in, and operates hotels and a golf resort, which comprise the Mercure Vientiane hotel in Laos, the Pullman Jakarta Indonesia hotel in Jakarta, the Novotel Bali Benoa hotel in Bali, and the Indah Puri G olf Resort in Batam. It also offers warehousing facilities; and marketing services to golf clubs and hotels. The company was formerly known as Mulpha (Singapore) Ltd. and changed its name to Guthrie GTS Limited in 1988. Guthrie GTS Limited was founded in 1821 and is headquartered in Singapore.

5 Reasons to Worry About Next Week

The economy is showing signs of fumbling the recovery.

There are too many investors taking big risks in pursuit of income, and that's dangerous. Junk bond yields dipped below 5% to set a record low. Think about that. We used to call them high-yield bonds, but that certainly doesn't seem the case at 4.97%.

The news isn't just iffy on the macro level. There are also more than a few companies that aren't pulling their own weight in this supposed economic recovery. There are still plenty of names posting lower earnings than they did a year ago. Let's go over a few of the companies that are expected to go the wrong way on the bottom line next week.

Company

Latest Quarter EPS (Estimated)

Year-Ago Quarter EPS

Velti (NASDAQ: VELT  )

($0.33)

($0.02)

Renren (NYSE: RENN  )

($0.07)

($0.03)

Nordic American Tankers (NYSE: NAT  )

($0.28)

($0.18)

InterOil (NYSE: IOC  )

($0.12)

$0.19

J.C. Penney (NYSE: JCP  )

($0.74)

($0.25)

Source: Thomson Reuters.

Clearing the table
Let's start at the top with Velti. The Dublin-based mobile marketer shocked investors in its previous quarter with a steep deficit at a time when the market was banking on a healthy profit. They won't be fooled again.

Analysts see a widening loss this time around. It certainly didn't help that Velti tweaked its guidance two months ago. Velti now sees revenue of no more than $280 million this year, well off the $340 million that Wall Street was holding out for at the time.

Renren is also eyeing a widening deficit. China's leading social networking website operator isn't necessarily slipping in popularity. Trackers see revenue soaring 41% for the quarter. The problem with Renren, as investors are finding with way too many of that country's dot-com speedsters, is that margins are taking a hit as the company rolls out new monetization measures.

Nordic American Tankers has grown its fleet of crude oil-carrying double-hull Suezmax tankers from three to 21 over the past eight years. Income investors also see the company as a transporter of meaty dividends. Nordic American Tankers currently yields 7.4%.

Nordic American Tankers has already come up short on the bottom line in its two previous quarters, and that may not bode well heading into a quarterly report where analysts see a steep drop in revenue.

InterOil owns petroleum licenses covering roughly 3.9 million acres through Papua New Guinea. It also owns an oil refinery, as well as retail and commercial distribution facilities. InterOil was profitable in three of the past four quarters, but the market is braced for red ink tomorrow and for all of 2013.

Finally we have J.C. Penney. The Ron Johnson era has mercifully ended at the struggling department store chain. Despite all of the buzz behind his arrival, net sales plunged $4.2 billion in its latest fiscal year. Things won't get any prettier when the retailer reports on Thursday, as the chain expects another sharp loss on sliding sales.

Investors will more than likely act on any insights by the new regime on how the retailer plans to turn its fortunes around. If not, this won't be the first once great retail chain to buckle. Shoppers can be fickle that way.

Why the long face, short-seller?
These companies have seen better days. The market has rewarded many of these stocks with reasonable gains over the past year, but they still haven't earned those upticks. Lower earnings translates into higher earnings multiples, and nobody wants to see that happen.

The good news here is that Wall Street already expects these companies to deliver shrinking bottom lines. In other words, the bad news is already baked into the shares.

The more I think about it, the less worried I become.

To learn about two retailers with especially good prospects, take a look at The Motley Fool's special free report, "The Death of Wal-Mart: The Real Cash Kings Changing the Face of Retail." In it, you'll see how these two cash kings are able to consistently outperform, and how they're planning to ride the waves of retail's changing tide. You can access it by clicking here.

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Top 5 Promising Stocks To Invest In 2014


Ford's high-performance Focus ST is the latest Focus variant to hit China's hot car market. Photo credit: Ford Motor Co.

Ford's (NYSE: F  ) impressive string of gains in China continued in April: The Blue Oval posted a 37% gain over the year-ago month, paced by continued strong sales of the Focus compact and the Kuga SUV.

The Kuga, a twin in all but name to the familiar Ford Explorer, sold nearly 10,000 units in just its second full month on the Chinese market.

Ford's sales gains have outpaced the overall Chinese market by a big margin so far in 2013. It's a promising trend for Ford as it prepares to roll out even more of its global lineup to China's increasingly savvy consumers.

Top 5 Promising Stocks To Invest In 2014: American Software Inc (AMSWA.O)

American Software, Inc. (American Software), incorporated in 1970, develops, markets and supports a portfolio of software and services that delivers enterprise management and collaborative supply chain solutions to the global marketplace. American Software operates three business segments: Supply Chain Management (SCM), Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Information Technology (IT) Consulting. The SCM segment consists of Logility, Inc. (Logility), which provides collaborative supply chain solutions for forecasting, production, distribution and management of products between trading partners. The ERP segment consists of American Software ERP, which provides purchasing and materials management, customer order processing, financial, e-commerce, flow manufacturing and manufacturing solutions, and New Generation Computing (NGC), which provides business software to both retailers and manufacturers in the apparel, sewn products and furniture industries. The IT Consulting s egment consists of The Proven Method, Inc., an IT staffing and consulting services firm. The Company also provides support for its software products, such as software enhancements, documentation, updates, customer education, consulting, systems integration services, and maintenance.

Supply Chain Management

The Company�� wholly owned subsidiary Logility provides SCM solutions, an integrated set of supply chain planning, inventory optimization, manufacturing, and transportation and logistics solutions. Logility provides SCM solutions to streamline and optimize the market planning, management, production, and distribution of products for manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, and retailers. As of April 30, 2011, Logility�� customer base is approximately 1,250 companies located in more than 74 countries. Logility markets and sells the Demand Solutions product line to the global small and midsize enterprise (SME) market through the global VAR distri bution network of Demand Management, Inc. (DMI). Logility ! al! so offers the Logility Voyager Solutions suite.

Logility Voyager Solutions is an integrated software suite that provides SCM, including collaborative planning, strategic network design, multi-echelon inventory optimization, optimized supply sourcing, production management, warehouse management, and collaborative logistics capabilities. Logility Voyager Solutions incorporates performance management analytics for decision support for processes, such as demand management, inventory and supply optimization, manufacturing planning and scheduling, transportation planning and management and sales and operations planning (S&OP).

The Logility Voyager Solutions software suite is modular and scalable to meet the management requirements of global organizations involving products with manufacturing or distribution networks. In addition, the Logility Voyager Solutions suite interfaces with a range of existing enterprise applications deployed on a range of technic al platforms. Logility Voyager Solutions accelerates S&OP, as well as strategic partner collaboration. Voyager Sales and Operations Planning enables companies to streamline and accelerate the entire S&OP process. Voyager Collaborate enables companies to communicate across their organizations and share supply chain information with external trading partners.

Voyager Fashion Forecasting helps improve profits with capabilities that address the collection launches for fashion-driven businesses. Voyager Demand Planning helps reconcile differences between business planning and detailed product forecasting. Voyager Life Cycle Planning provides control to model each phase in a product�� sunrise-to-sunset lifecycle, including introduction, maturity, replacement, substitution and retirement. Voyager Event Planning integrates marketing strategies with forecasting, distribution and logistics planning to calculate the impact of promotional plans and demand shaping strategi es, such as price discounts, coupons, advertising, spe! cial p! a! ckaging ! and product placement.

Logility Voyager Solutions enables enterprises to set inventory targets at each node of a multi-echelon distribution network to match strategic inventory goals and service levels. Voyager Inventory Optimization optimizes inventory investments across multi-echelon manufacturing and distribution networks to meet business and service level objectives for supply chains with multiple stages of inventory. Logility Voyager Inventory Planning allows enterprises to measure the tradeoff of inventory investment and desired customer service levels.

Logility Voyager Solutions optimizes material, inventory, production and distribution assets by synchronizing supply and demand. Voyager Supply Planning optimizes sourcing and production decisions to balance supply, manufacturing and distribution constraints based on corporate goals. Voyager Replenishment Planning provides visibility of future customer demand, corresponding product and materia l requirements, and the actions needed to satisfy those demands. Voyager Manufacturing Planning creates optimized constraint-based manufacturing schedules and compares multiple schedule scenarios to determine the optimal trade-off between manufacturing efficiencies, inventory investments and greenhouse gas emissions.

Logility Voyager Solutions provides capabilities for optimizing both warehouse and transportation operations. Voyager WarehousePRO provides shipping and inventory accuracy by optimizing the flow of materials and information through distribution centers. Voyager Transportation Planning and Management provide a multi-modal solution for savings of time, effort and money. It enables automated shipment planning, shipment execution and freight accounting. Demand Solution�� supply chain software provides a transition from spreadsheet management to robust reporting and tracking. Demand Solutions offers two separate product suites: traditional and DSX. The Demand Solutions application suite predict futur! e demand ! an! d make in! formed decisions to optimize inventory turns, customer service levels and profitability. Demand Solutions Forecast Management provides a demand planning solution that fits virtually any industry and deploys. Demand Solutions Requirements Planning incorporates collaborative planning capabilities to streamline supply activities from the production line through delivery.

Demand Solutions Collaboration offers a certified collaborative planning, forecasting and replenishment (CPFR) compliant collaborative planning solution that streamlines communications between a company and its customers and suppliers. Demand Solutions Sales & Operations Planning automates and continually analyzes the annual business planning process. Demand Solutions Advanced Planning and Scheduling is a production scheduling solution that supports both the process and discrete enterprise environment and produces accurate schedules taking into account machines, personnel, tooling and inventory co nstraints. Demand Solutions View (DS View) extends the value of Demand Solutions, empowering users to aggregate, rotate, filter, sort and otherwise manipulate large volumes of data into meaningful information. Demand Solutions Retail Planning enables manufacturers, distributors and retailers to collaboratively produce, ship and replenish product based on point-of-sale (POS) data.

Enterprise Resource Planning

The Company�� enterprise solutions are global solutions that link critical functions throughout an enterprise. The e-Intelliprise solution is a Web-based ERP system that a customer can run over the Internet, Intranet or Extranet utilizing the IBM iSeries servers. This allows functions within the ERP system to be deployed over the Internet using a Webpage capability. The e-Intelliprise solution is a global system, capable of operating in multiple languages and logistical organizations. Its e-applications are solutions for conducting business on the Internet that can Web-enable specific b! usiness f! unction! s through! integration with existing ERP or legacy systems. The e-applications are available for the applications, which include e-procurement, e-store, e-expenses, e-forms, e-payables, e-receivables, Purchase Order Tracking and Vendor Collaboration, Requisition Tracking, Shipment Tracking, e-process management and e-connect a seamless, XML-enabled data exchange.

The Company�� product line consists of software and services that operate on three strategic computer platforms, which includes IBM System z Mainframe or compatible, IBM System i (AS/400), and Intel-based servers and clients that operate Windows 2000, 2003, XP and Vista. It has written its products in various standard programming languages used for business application software, including ANSI COBOL, Micro Focus COBOL, C, C++, Visual Basic, JAVA, JAVA2 and other programming languages. Many have both on-line and batch capabilities.

IT Consulting

The Proven Method, Inc., the Company�� wholly owned subsidiary, is a technology services firm that specializes in assisting customer base to solve business issues with technology solutions. The solutions the Company provides ranges from Web applications to complex Business Intelligence applications and solutions. Business Intelligence consists of the development and implementation of a reporting process for dealing with data and multiple business entities/components. Its customers are Internet savvy and knowledgeable in wireless solutions, social networking and channeling implementations, server and desktop virtualization, and deployment of interactive applications. The Proven Method has customers, such as Aon, IBM, UPS, Norfolk Southern, Xerox, SunTrust Bank, Coca-Cola Enterprises, Kubota Manufacturing of North America, The Home Depot, AT&T, State of Georgia, CompuCom, Zep Inc, Chick-fil-A, Global Payments, Verizon, Catlin Group Ltd, Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta, Fulton Paper, Aaron Rents, AutoTrader.com, Nalco Chemical, Georgia Tech Research Ins! titute an! d numerous! other cu! stomers throughout the United States.

The Company competes with SAP, Oracle, Infor, JDA Software and Red Prairie.

Top 5 Promising Stocks To Invest In 2014: Benton Resources Corp. (BTC.V)

Benton Capital Corp., a development stage company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties in Canada. Its property portfolio consists of gold, nickel, copper, uranium, palladium, base metals, and platinum group metal projects located in Ontario, Newfoundland, and Labrador. The company was formerly known as Benton Resources Corp. and changed its name to Benton Capital Corp. in July 2012. Benton Capital Corp. was incorporated in 2003 and is based in Thunder Bay, Canada.

Top Chemical Stocks For 2014: Pound/Rand(PX)

Praxair, Inc. engages in the production, distribution, and sale atmospheric and process gases, as well as surface coatings in North America, Europe, South America, and Asia. The company offers atmospheric gases, such as oxygen, nitrogen, argon, and rare gases; and process gases comprising carbon dioxide, helium, hydrogen, electronic gases, specialty gases, and acetylene. It also designs, engineers, and builds equipment that produces industrial gases; and manufactures precious metal and ceramic sputtering targets used primarily in the production of semiconductors. In addition, the company supplies surface coatings consisting of wear-resistant and high-temperature corrosion-resistant metallic and ceramic coatings and powders to the aircraft, energy, printing, textile, plastics, primary metals, petrochemical, and other industries. Further, it provides electric arc, plasma, and oxygen fuel spray equipment, as well as arc and flame wire equipment used for the application of wea r-resistant coatings; and distributes welding equipment purchased from independent manufacturers. The company sells its products primarily through independent distributors. It serves various industries, such as healthcare, petroleum refining, computer-chip manufacturing, beverage carbonation, fiber-optics, steel making, aerospace, chemicals, and water treatment industries. The company was founded in 1907 and is headquartered in Danbury, Connecticut.

Top 5 Promising Stocks To Invest In 2014: Radio One Inc.(ROIAK)

Radio One, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as an urban-oriented multi-media company in the United States. It engages in the radio broadcasting operation that primarily targets African-American and urban listeners. As of December 31, 2011, the company owned and operated 54 broadcast stations located in 16 urban markets. It also operates an African-American targeted cable television network and Tom Joyner Morning Show; and owns online platform serving the African-American community through social content, news, information, and entertainment, as well as operates various online social networking Websites, including BlackPlanet, MiGente, and Asian Avenue. The company was founded in 1980 and is based in Lanham, Maryland.

Top 5 Promising Stocks To Invest In 2014: Ashtead Grp(AHT.L)

Ashtead Group plc, an investment holding and management company, engages in the rental of equipment to industrial and commercial users primarily in the non-residential construction sectors of the United States and the United Kingdom. It supplies equipments that lift, power, generate, move, dig, compact, drill, support, scrub, pump, direct, and ventilate under the brand names of Sunbelt Rentals and A-Plant. The company provides a range of industrial and construction equipment, such as earthmoving equipment, aerial work platforms, high reach forklifts and other materials handling units, tools, and pumps, as well as power generation, portable site accommodation, scaffolding, formwork and false work, and temporary traffic management equipment; and new and used equipment. Ashtead operates 106 stores in England, Scotland, and Wales; and 316 full service stores and 40 Sunbelt at Lowes shops in the United Kingdom. It serves construction and industrial markets, disaster relief agen cies, sport and music event organizers, governments, local authorities, facilities management, and homeowners. The company was founded in 1947 and is based in London, the United Kingdom.