Gold inspires strong emotions from investors both for and against investing in the precious metal, and yesterday's $130-per-ounce drop in the price of gold has reawakened the debate about whether gold is a smart investment.
Yet forgotten in the turmoil that hit gold yesterday was the fact that many other commodities also suffered big declines. On the heels of China's slowing growth, the fact that many metals besides gold took substantial hits points to a more important trend that has greater implications for stock market investors and the global economy overall. Let's take a look at some of the largely ignored commodities that saw devastating declines yesterday.
1. Copper
Copper prices didn't fall nearly as much as gold, with near-month futures falling by around 2% yesterday. Yet the drop pushed copper to its lowest levels since late 2011, with the price having fallen by 14% just since early February.
Top 5 China Companies To Watch In Right Now: Ctrip.com International Ltd.(CTRP)
Ctrip.com International, Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, provides travel services for hotel accommodations, airline tickets, and packaged tours in the People?s Republic of China. It also sells independent leisure travelers bundled package-tour products, which include transportation and accommodation, as well as guided tours covering various domestic and international destinations. In addition, the company offers Internet-related advertising, aviation casualty insurance, and air-ticket delivery services. Further, it sells Property Management System, a hotel information software; travel guidebooks, which provide information for independent travelers; and VIP membership cards that allow cardholders to receive discounts from various restaurants, clubs, and bars. The company was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in Shanghai, the People?s Republic of China.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Stephen]
ThinkEquity sees the China travel market should remain robust in 2011, with approximately mid-teens growth. Additionally, while concerns linger with CTRP regarding high speed train rollouts, tougher comps in 2011 due to the Shanghai expo, and airline commission rates, it believes these concerns have created an attractive entry point in Ctrip.
- [By Mark]
Ctrip (CTRP) is the leading online travel agent in China, where a growing middle class and increased business activity mean the travel industry is booming. Last year, the recession slowed revenue growth at Ctrip to 35%; in the latest quarter, it was back up to 47% … and profit margins were a very healthy 42.2%. Ctrip was on the list three years ago.
Top 5 China Companies To Watch In Right Now: ATA Inc.(ATAI)
ATA Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides computer-based testing services in the People?s Republic of China. It offers services for the creation and delivery of computer-based tests utilizing its test delivery platform, proprietary testing technologies, and testing services; and provides logistical support services relating to test administration. The company?s computer-based testing services are used for professional licensure and certification tests in various industries, including information technology (IT) services, banking, securities, teaching, and insurance. Its e-testing platform integrates various aspects of the test delivery process for computer-based tests ranging from test form compilation to test scoring, and results analysis. ATA also provides career-oriented educational services, such as single course programs, degree major course programs, and pre-occupational training programs focusing on preparing students to pass IT and other vocational certification tests; test preparation and training programs and services to test candidates preparing to take professional certification tests in securities, futures, banking, insurance and teaching industries; online test preparation and training platform for the securities and banking industries; and test preparation software for the teaching industry. In addition, the company offers HR select employee assessment solution, an online system that utilizes its proprietary software and an inventory of test titles to help employers improve the efficiency and accuracy of their employee recruitment process. As of March 31, 2010, it had contractual relationships with 1,988 ATA authorized test centers. The company serves Chinese governmental agencies, professional associations, IT vendors, and Chinese educational institutions, as well as individual test preparation services. ATA Inc. was founded in 1999 and is based in Beijing, the People?s Republic of China.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Wyatt Research Staff]
The Chinese-based educator spiked higher recently after it exceeded analysts' expectations. Revenue and adjusted earnings soared 78% and 269%, respectively. Its long-term annual growth rate is 15%.
Analysts at Zacks Investment Research upgraded shares from "neutral" to "outperform".
10 Best Up And Coming Stocks To Buy For 2014: China Mobile(Hong Kong)
China Mobile Limited, an investment holding company, provides mobile telecommunications and related services primarily in the Mainland China. It offers various services comprising local calls, domestic long distance calls, international long distance calls, domestic roaming, and international roaming. The company also provides voice value-added services, including caller identity display, caller restrictions, call waiting, call forwarding, call holding, voice mail, and conference calls; customer-to-customer messages and corporate short message services; and mobile Internet access services. In addition, it engages in other data businesses, which primarily include multimedia messaging services; color ring services that enable users to customize the answer ring tone from various selection of songs, melodies, sound effects, or voice recordings; and mobile reading, mobile gaming, mobile video, mobile payment/wallet, mobile TV, mobile market, and Internet data center services. F urther, the company offers telecommunications network planning, design, and consulting services; roaming clearance services; technology platform development and maintenance services; and mobile data solutions, and system integration and development services, as well as operates a network and business coordination center. Additionally, China Mobile Limited sells mobile phone handsets and devices. As of March 31, 2011, it served approximately 600.8 million customers. The company was formerly known as China Mobile (Hong Kong) Limited and changed its name to China Mobile Limited in May 2006. China Mobile was founded in 1997. The company is based in Central, Hong Kong, and is considered a Red Chip company due to its listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. China Mobile Limited is a subsidiary of China Mobile Hong Kong (BVI) Limited.
Top 5 China Companies To Watch In Right Now: ChinaEdu Corporation(CEDU)
ChinaEdu Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides educational services to the online degree programs of universities in the People?s Republic of China. It also offers online tutoring services to primary and secondary school students; operates primary and secondary schools; and markets international English language curriculum programs to established learning institutions, as well as international polytechnic programs to vocational schools in China. The company?s online degree programs offer associate and bachelor?s degree programs, including accounting, marketing, finance, business administration, international business, law, civil engineering, education, computer science, literature, project management, marketing, and administrative management. These online degree programs primarily target working adults. Its services also include academic program development, technology services, enrollment marketing, recruiting, student support services, and finance operati ons. The company provides technical, recruiting, and other services for the online degree programs of 27 universities; and technology support services to 7 additional universities that are awaiting regulatory approval to launch their online degree programs. As of December 31, 2010, it served approximately 311,000 online degree programs students, as well as approximately 51,450 students in other businesses. ChinaEdu Corporation was founded in 1999 and is based in Beijing, the People?s Republic of China.
Top 5 China Companies To Watch In Right Now: Xueda Education Group(XUE)
Xueda Education Group provides tutoring services for primary and secondary school students in the People?s Republic of China with a focus on offering personalized tutoring services. Its services include consultation and assessment, formulation of a customized study plan, personalized tutoring, and delivery of supporting services. The company also provides course offerings that cover various academic subjects taught in primary and secondary schools, such as mathematics, English, physics, Chinese, and chemistry; and self-designed courses beyond the standard curriculum in certain subjects, as well as in subjects not taught at public primary and secondary schools. As of December 31, 2010, its tutoring service network comprised 207 learning centers and approximately 9,650 full-time service professionals, serving customers located in 53 economically developed cities across 27 of China?s 31 provinces and municipalities. The company was founded in 2001 and is headquartered in Beij ing, the People?s Republic of China.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Paul]
Xueda Education Group is engaged in providing tutoring services for primary and secondary school students in China with a focus on offering personalized tutoring services. Its EPS forecast for the current year is 0.36 and next year is 0.56. According to consensus estimates, its topline is expected to grow 49.68% current year and 38.69% next year. It is trading at a forward P/E of 18.27. Out of three analysts covering the company, two are positive and have buy recommendations and one has a hold rating.
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