Sunday, June 30, 2013

Top 10 Shipping Companies To Buy Right Now

There were just 76.3 million PCs shipped worldwide during the first three months of the year, according to industry watcher IDC. That's the sharpest year-over-year decline that IDC has witnessed since it began tracking quarterly shipping trends 19 years ago. The low volume of desktops and laptops finds the PC industry back at 2006 levels.

Everyone knows what's happening. Smartphones and tablets are taking over. Apps and cloud-based solutions are making it less necessary to be tethered to a PC. This is terrible news for Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT  ) , so it wasn't a surprise to see Goldman Sachs downgrade Mr. Softy shortly after the IDC report.

There will always be a market for PCs; it will probably just continue to shrink indefinitely. This is a market that was ripe for disruption. Most people don't need the processing power packed into laptops, and the lack of desktop portability makes it less practical in these mobile times we live in.

Top 10 Shipping Companies To Buy Right Now: InterXion Holding N.V. (INXN)

InterXion Holding N.V. provides carrier-neutral colocation data center services in Europe. It enables its customers to connect to a range of telecommunications carriers, Internet service providers, and other customers. The company�s data centers act as content and connectivity hubs that facilitate the processing, storage, sharing, and distribution of data, content, applications, and media among carriers and customers. The company offers colocation services, including space and power to enable customers to deploy IT infrastructure in its data centers; connectivity services; cross connect services; and monitoring services. It also provides managed services comprising systems monitoring, systems management, engineering support services, data back-up, and storage services. The company serves the digital media and distribution sector, enterprises, the financial services sector, managed services providers, and network providers. It serves 1,200 customers through 31 data centers in 11 countries. The company was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in Schiphol Rijk, the Netherlands.

Top 10 Shipping Companies To Buy Right Now: (ENTI)

Encounter Technologies, Inc. operates as an online video distribution and technology company that launches proprietary syndication platforms and offers a range of video technology and distribution services to other companies. The company develops and programs solutions for the online streaming, distribution, and networking, as well as for the social network and distribution platforms. It offers end-to-end technology and online marketing services, including design, build, hosting, and online marketing support. The company primarily operates GlobalAdOn.com, a patented technology for the yellow pages publishing industry. Its sales and management platform facilitates the sales and video production process for Internet yellow page publishers and their sales forces, as well as integrates and facilitates various processes, such as video shoot, sales rep, and publisher. The company was formerly known as Encounter.com, Inc. and changed its name to Encounter Technologies, Inc. in De cember 2009. Encounter Technologies, Inc. is based in Fort Myers, Florida.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Stock Chaser]

    Encounter Technologies, Inc. (PINK:ENTI) is up 75% at $0.0007 with an intraday high of $0.0008. Encounter Technologies announced today that they are in strategic discussions with Pegasus Tel, Inc.

Hot Insurance Stocks For 2014: (TATASTEEL.NS)

Tata Steel Limited manufactures and sells steel products in India and internationally. The company provides steel products to vehicle manufacturers and component suppliers, and aerospace sector; structural frames, infrastructure, building envelope, and internal fit out application products used for heating and ventilation, and partition walls; hot rolled coil products and high-gloss pre-finished steel perforated blanks primarily for use in domestic appliances, lighting, furniture and office equipment, racking and shelving, battery cases, bake-ware, enamel-coated applications, and decorative pre-finished metals; hot rolled and cold rolled sheets, wire rod and wire, sections, plate, bearings, and tubes for engineering companies; agricultural implements; wire products for use in farming and fencing; and engineering services, including testing, erection, and commissioning, and business consulting services. It also offers tinplate, ECCS, and Protact polymer-coated steel product s for canmaking industry; formable steels for large and intermediary steel drums, and small pails for industrial packaging sector; strip and coil, quenched and tempered plate, and special profiles for track shoe and forklift masts, as well as engineered steel bars and tubes for lifting and excavating sector; welded pipeline packages and prefabricated structural products for wind, and oil and gas structures; light fabricated systems for solar farm foundations; semi finished steel components for drilling and power generation; plates, bulb flats, angles, tubes, sections, and bars for shipbuilding; rail sections sizes, steel sleeper, noise reduction systems, other specialised track, and rail products for rail sector; steel plate and sections, armoured steel, blast protective structures, perimeter security, and anti-attack vehicle barriers, as well as engineering consultancy and solutions to defense and security sector. The company was founded in 1907 and is headquartered in Mumb ai, India.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Cutler]

    Neither JSW nor Steel Authority of India has the kind of raw material arrangements that Tata Steel enjoys. The company is 100 percent self-reliant and will not be affected by price increases in iron ore or coking coal. At the same time, it will fully benefit from increase in steel prices. This will lead to improved profitability. It is also the cheapest steel stock among its peers.

Top 10 Shipping Companies To Buy Right Now: Channel Resources Ltd (CHU.V)

Channel Resources Ltd., an exploration company, engages in the identification, acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties. The company�s portfolio of properties comprises Tanlouka Gold project, which covers an area of 79 square kilometers located to the east of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, South Africa; and Fox Creek Lithium/Potash project encompassing an area of 369 square kilometers located to the west of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Channel Resources Ltd. is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.

Top 10 Shipping Companies To Buy Right Now: MWI Veterinary Supply Inc.(MWIV)

MWI Veterinary Supply, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the distribution of animal health products to veterinarians in the United States and the United Kingdom. It primarily offers pharmaceuticals, vaccines, parasiticides, diagnostics, capital equipment, supplies, specialty products, veterinary pet food, and nutritional products. The company?s pharmaceutical products include anesthetics, analgesics, antibiotics, ophthalmics, and hormones; vaccine products consist of small animal, equine, and production animal biologicals; and parasiticides are used for control of fleas, ticks, flies, mosquitoes, and internal parasites. Its diagnostics products comprise consumable in-clinic tests for detecting heartworm, lyme, feline leukemia, and parvovirus, as well as consumable products for measuring blood chemistry, electrolyte balance, and cell counts; capital equipment products include anesthesia machines, surgical monitors, diagnostic equipment, dental machines, cage s, lights, and x-ray machines; and supplies consists of syringes, instruments, bandages, IV products, surgical consumables, grooming materials, and other small equipment items. The company?s veterinary pet foods products include foods for specialty diets and premium pet foods; and nutritional products comprise dietary supplements, vitamins, dental chews, and specialty treats. As of September 30, 2011, it served approximately 24,000 veterinary practices in the United States; and 1,500 veterinary practices in the United Kingdom. The company was formerly known as MWI Holdings, Inc. and changed its name to MWI Veterinary Supply, Inc. in April 2005. MWI Veterinary Supply, Inc. was founded in 1976 and is headquartered in Boise, Idaho.

Top 10 Shipping Companies To Buy Right Now: Safe Bulkers Inc(SB)

Safe Bulkers, Inc. provides marine drybulk transportation services worldwide. The company transports various bulk cargoes, primarily coal, grain, and iron ore. As of July 15, 2011, it had a fleet of 16 drybulk vessels, with an aggregate carrying capacity of 1,443,800 deadweight tons. The company?s fleet consists of Panamax, Kamsarmax, Post-Panamax, and Capesize class vessels, as well as 11 further contracted additional drybulk new build vessels to be delivered at various times through 2014. Safe Bulkers, Inc. was incorporated in 2007 and is based in Athens, Greece.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Beacon Equity]

    Safe Bulkers Inc. (NYSE: SB) is down 10.69% to $8.27 on above-average volume of 1.97 million shares. The drybulk shipping company has priced its public offering of 5 million shares of its common stock at $8.40 per share. (NYSE:SB), (SB)

Top 10 Shipping Companies To Buy Right Now: AJ Lucas Group Ltd(AJL.AX)

AJ Lucas Group Limited provides infrastructure, construction, and mining services to the energy, water and wastewater, resources, and property sectors primarily in Australia. The company operates in three segments: Drilling; Building, Construction, and Infrastructure; and Oil and Gas. The Drilling segment offers drilling services to the coal and coal seam gas industries for the degasification of coal mines and the recovery and commercialization of coal seam gas. The Building, Construction, and Infrastructure segment provides construction and civil engineering services for long-distance pipelines, non-residential buildings, and water treatment and irrigation projects, as well as offers facilities management services; and engages in the trenchless installation of conduits and pipes. The Oil and Gas segment involves in the exploration and commercialization of unconventional and conventional hydrocarbons. AJ Lucas Group Limited has a joint venture with Groupe Marais SA. The co mpany is headquartered in Macquarie Park, Australia.

Top 10 Shipping Companies To Buy Right Now: STR Holdings Inc(STRI)

STR Holdings, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, designs, develops, manufactures, and sells encapsulants for the solar industry worldwide. Its encapsulants protect the embedded semiconductor circuits of solar panels. The company sells its products to crystalline silicon and thin-film solar module manufacturers. STR Holdings, Inc. was founded in 1944 and is headquartered in Enfield, Connecticut.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Lowell]

    STR Holdings (STRI) makes the precisely engineered plastic film encapsulants used by most solar module manufacturers to protect their components from water, wind, radiation and shock. Profit margins are 19%. The stock came public just last year, so it’s not well known — in fact, it’s the most lightly traded of these 9 stocks. But as the solar power industry grows, STRI should grow with it. Coming off a slow 2009, revenues mushroomed 62% in the latest quarter.

Top 10 Shipping Companies To Buy Right Now: CTC Media Inc.(CTCM)

CTC Media, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as an independent media company. It operates the CTC, Domashny, and Peretz television networks in Russia. The company also operates Channel 31, a television network in Kazakhstan, as well as a television channel in Moldova offering entertainment programming. In addition, it is involved in in-house production operations that focus on series, sitcoms, and shows. CTC Media, Inc. was founded in 1989 and is headquartered in Moscow, the Russian Federation.

Top 10 Shipping Companies To Buy Right Now: RealPage Inc.(RP)

RealPage, Inc. provides on demand software solutions for the rental housing industry in North America. It offers property management systems, including OneSite to manage leasing and rents, facilities, purchasing, accounting, budgeting, and living of multi-family, housing and urban development (HUD), tax credit, privatized military housing, and student housing; and Propertyware for accounting, maintenance and work order management, marketing spend management, and portal services, as well as screening, renter?s insurance, and payment solutions. The company also provides on premise property management systems that include RentRoll for small conventional apartment communities; HUD Manager for small HUD, rural housing services, and tax credit subsidized apartment communities; Tenant Pro for small conventional properties; Spectra, an apartment and commercial modular property management system; and i-CAM and Management Plus property management software that automates and streaml ines rental activities. In addition, it offers software-enabled value-added services, such as LeaseStar, a system that manage marketing and leasing operations and enable owners and managers to originate, capture, track, manage, and close leads; YieldStar, a scientific yield management system, which enables owners and managers to optimize rents; LeasingDesk, a risk mitigation system to reduce delinquency, liability, and property damage risk; and Velocity that offers billing and utility management services; OpsTechnology that offers spend management systems that enable owners and managers to control costs; shared cloud services, which are integrated with property management systems and software-enabled valued added services; and RealPage Senior Living, an integrated care management, community management, and marketing management platform. The company sells its software and services directly through its sales force. RealPage, Inc. is headquartered in Carrollton, Texas.

Saturday, June 29, 2013

Top 5 Consumer Companies To Invest In Right Now

With every uptick of the S&P 500, it's getting more difficult to find undervalued stocks to buy. Nevertheless, a few great businesses have been left behind amid the market's surge, particularly Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL  ) and Baidu (NASDAQ: BIDU  ) . Though both companies are definitely facing turbulence, a contrarian look reveals two excellent market leaders up for grabs at bargain prices.

Apple
"It seems like the company has been making headlines for all the wrong reasons lately," wrote Fool contributor Travis Hoium. With more than 200 days since the company's last major product launch, he�suggested that Apple needs to wow investors with a new product in order to change Wall Street's narrative.

Obviously, this is easier said than done, but don't count Apple out in 2013 yet. The company's product launches happen on a much faster timetable than its peers. For instance, Microsoft's Xbox One, announced last week, won't be available to consumers until "later this year." Even Samsung runs on a slower launch schedule than Apple. After a March 14 announcement, its Galaxy S4 won't reach U.S. carriers until April 26. Comparatively, the iPhone 5 was announced on Sept. 12, with pre-orders beginning Sept. 14, and shipments and availability in nine countries including the U.S. and Canada on Sept. 21. In other words, Apple could turn the tables on its skeptics very quickly.

Top 5 Consumer Companies To Invest In Right Now: Inscape Corp (INQ.TO)

Inscape Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the design, manufacture, and distribution movable walls, office furniture systems, filing and storage products, and desks for commercial office interiors in North America. Its products include office furniture systems; office filing and storage products, such as lateral files, towers, lockers, pedestals, cabinets, bookcases, electrified storage products, desking systems, and casegoods; architectural interiors comprising seamless glass walls, movable walls, architectural post and beam structure; and fabrics and finishes. The company offers its products to government agencies and corporations through a network of dealers and independent representatives. Inscape Corporation was founded in 1888 and is headquartered in Holland Landing, Canada.

Top 5 Consumer Companies To Invest In Right Now: Treehouse Foods Inc.(THS)

TreeHouse Foods, Inc. operates as a food manufacturer in the United States and Canada. The company?s products include non-dairy powdered creamers; private label canned soups; salad dressings and sauces; powdered drink mixes; and hot cereals, such as oatmeal, farina, and grits in single-serve instant packets and microwaveable bowls. It also offers macaroni and cheese; skillet dinners; Mexican and other sauces comprising salsa, picante, cheese dip, enchilada sauce, pasta sauce, and taco sauce; jams and pie fillings; pickles and related products, including peppers and pickled vegetables; aseptic products, such as cheese sauces and puddings; and refrigerated salad dressings and liquid non-dairy creamer products. The company offers pickles under the Farman?s, Nalley?s, Peter Piper, and Steinfeld brand names; sauces and syrups under the Bennett?s, Hoffman House, Roddenbery?s Northwoods, and San Antonio Farms brand names; non-dairy powdered creamer under the Cremora brand na me; refrigerated products under the Mocha Mix and Second Nature brand names; jams and other sauces under the E.D. Smith and Habitant brand name; oatmeal under the McCann?s brand name; and food away from home products under the Schwartz and Saucemaker brands. It primarily serves grocery retailers, mass merchandisers, and foodservice operators through various distribution channels, including retail grocery; foodservice distributors; and industrial and export channels comprising food manufacturers and repackagers of foodservice products. TreeHouse Foods, Inc. was founded in 1862 and is based in Oak Brook, Illinois.

Top Heal Care Companies To Invest In Right Now: Venture Corporation Limited (V03.SI)

Venture Corporation Limited serves as a global electronics services provider. The company offers technology services, products, and solutions with capabilities spanning marketing research, design and development, product and process engineering, design for manufacturability, and supply chain management, as well as product refurbishment and technical support across a range of high-mix, high-value, and complex products. Venture Corporation Limited was founded in 1984 and is headquartered in Singapore.

Top 5 Consumer Companies To Invest In Right Now: Stefanel(STEP.MI)

Stefanel S.p.A., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the production, distribution, and sale of house-brand and licensed-brand apparel to retailers and consumers in Europe and internationally. It provides apparel, including suits, jackets, trousers, skirts, shirts, and knitwear primarily for women. The company offers apparel under Stefanel, Hallhuber, High, M+FG di Marith�& Francois Girbaud2, and I?m Isola Marras brands. As of December 31, 2008, it operated approximately 333 stores, including 89 Hallhuber-brand stores. In addition, the company involves in airport retailing. Stefanel S.p.A. was founded in 1959 and is based in Ponte Di Piave, Italy.

Top 5 Consumer Companies To Invest In Right Now: Swift Transportation Company(SWFT)

Swift Transportation Company, through its subsidiary, Swift Transportation Co., LLC, operates as a multi-faceted transportation services company and truckload carrier in North America. The company offers its truckload services through dry van, temperature-controlled, flatbed, and specialized trailers; and rail intermodal services. It also provides freight brokerage and logistics management services to other trucking companies, as well as leases tractors and offers repair services. As of December 31, 2011, the company operated a tractor fleet of approximately 15,900 units, including 11,900 tractors driven by company drivers and 4,000 owner-operator tractors; 50,600 trailers; and 6,200 intermodal containers in the United States and Mexico. It serves various industries, such as retail, discount retail, consumer products, food and beverage, manufacturing, and transportation and logistics industries. The company, formerly known Swift Holdings Corp., and was founded in 1966 and is headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona.

Friday, June 28, 2013

10 Best Wireless Telecom Stocks To Watch Right Now

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 Lionbridge Technologies (Nasdaq: LIOX  ) , whose recent revenue and earnings are plotted below.

10 Best Wireless Telecom Stocks To Watch Right Now: Sport Chalet Inc.(SPCHB)

Sport Chalet, Inc. operates specialty sporting goods stores in California, Nevada, Arizona, and Utah. Its stores offer traditional sporting goods merchandise, including footwear, apparel, and other general athletic products; and core specialty merchandise, such as snowboarding, skateboarding, mountaineering, and scuba. The company?s stores also offer various services for the sports enthusiast, including backpacking, canyoneering and kayaking instruction, custom golf club fitting, snowboard and ski rental and repair, scuba training and certification, scuba boat charters, team sales, racquet stringing, and bicycle tune-up and repair. As of July 3, 2011, it operated 54 store locations; and an online store at sportchalet.com. The company was founded in 1959 and is based in La Ca�da, California.

10 Best Wireless Telecom Stocks To Watch Right Now: The Children's Place Retail Stores Inc.(PLCE)

The Children's Place Retail Stores, Inc. operates as a children's specialty apparel retailer in North America. It provides apparel, accessories, and shoes for children from newborn to 10 years of age. The company designs, contracts to manufacture, and sells merchandise under The Children's Place brand name. It serves the wardrobe needs of girls and boys, baby girls and boys, and newborn. As of January 28, 2012, the company operated 1,049 The Children's Place stores, including 732 stores located in malls, 140 in strip centers, 135 in outlet centers, and 42 street stores; and an Internet store at childrensplace.com. The Children's Place Retail Stores, Inc. was founded in 1969 and is based in Secaucus, New Jersey.

5 Best Warren Buffett Stocks To Own For 2014: Vislink(VLK.L)

Vislink plc, together with its subsidiaries, provides secure communications for the news and entertainment; law enforcement and public safety; marine and energy; and related technical services markets. It engages in the design and manufacture of microwave radio transmission equipment; satellite uplink and downlink equipment; and wireless cameras. The company also offers broadcast transmission systems integration and project management services; and technical installation services. Its CCTV systems product range includes man/machine control interfaces, unique flash lights, and thermal camera stations for ice-detection and crane and submersible applications. The company serves its customers through direct sales, value added resellers, distributors, and agents. It operates primarily in the United Kingdom, the Unites States, Norway, Dubai, Singapore, and South Africa. Vislink plc is based in Hungerford, the United Kingdom.

10 Best Wireless Telecom Stocks To Watch Right Now: Babcock Int Grp(BAB.L)

Babcock International Group PLC provides engineering support services. It operates in four segments: Marine and Technology, Defense and Security, Support Services, and International. The Marine and Technology segment offers naval support services. This segment?s services include base porting, refitting, refueling, and decommissioning submarines; and maintaining and refitting warships, building the aircraft carriers, managing naval bases, and providing equipment support. The Defense and Security segment provides training and asset support services to the armed forces. The Support Services segment offers a range of training and support services to various civil government and blue-chip customers, including government departments, police authorities, fire and rescue authorities, local authorities, and international companies. This segment offers equipment support, infrastructure support, education and training, and communications services. The International segment provides support services ranging from design and implementation of specific training programs to the maintenance and logistics support of assets, including communication systems, facilities, vehicles, and aircraft to the U.S. armed forces. This segment also offers engineering support services to the energy, process, mining, and construction industries. The company primarily serves defense, airports, communications, education, emergency services, energy, nuclear, property, training, and rail industries. It has operations in Africa, the Asia Pacific, Australasia, Europe, the Middle East, and North America. The company was founded in 1891 is based in London, the United Kingdom.

10 Best Wireless Telecom Stocks To Watch Right Now: The Pantry Inc.(PTRY)

The Pantry, Inc. operates a chain of convenience stores in the southeastern United States. The company?s stores offer a selection of merchandise, fuel, and ancillary products and services. Its merchandise products include cigarettes, grocery and other tobacco products, packaged beverages, beer, and wine. The company operates stores under various selected banners, which primarily include Kangaroo Express. As of September 29, 2011, it operated 1,649 convenience stores located in Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi, Virginia, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Indiana, and Missouri; and 233 quick service restaurants. The company was founded in 1967 and is headquartered in Cary, North Carolina.

10 Best Wireless Telecom Stocks To Watch Right Now: Research in Motion Limited(RIMM)

Research In Motion Limited (RIM) designs, manufactures, and markets wireless solutions for the worldwide mobile communications market. The company, through the development of integrated hardware, software, and services, provides platforms and solutions for seamless access to time-sensitive information, including email, phone, short messaging service, and Internet and Intranet-based applications and browsing. Its products and services principally comprise the BlackBerry wireless platform, the RIM Wireless Handheld product line, software development tools, and other software and hardware. The company?s BlackBerry smartphones use wireless, push-based technology that delivers data to mobile users? business and consumer applications. Its BlackBerry smartphone portfolio includes BlackBerry Bold series, the BlackBerry Torch, BlackBerry Curve series, the BlackBerry Style, BlackBerry Storm series, the BlackBerry Tour, BlackBerry Pearl series, and the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet. T he company?s BlackBerry enterprise solutions comprise BlackBerry enterprise server, BlackBerry enterprise server express, BlackBerry mobile voice system, and hosted BlackBerry services. Its technology also enables third party developers and manufacturers to enhance their products and services through software development kits, wireless connectivity to data, and third-party support programs. In addition, the company offers BlackBerry technical support services, non-warranty repairs, and nonrecurring engineering services. Further, it provides BlackBerry App World that offers BlackBerry smartphone users an electronic catalogue that aids in the discovery and download/purchase of applications directly from their BlackBerry smartphone. The company markets and sells its BlackBerry wireless solutions primarily through global wireless communications carriers, and third party distribution channels. Research In Motion Limited was founded in 1984 and is headquartered in Waterloo, Canad a.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Kevin M. O'Brien]

    Research In Motion (RIMM) will go private. The stock, rightfully so, has been completely crushed in 2011. The negative sentiment surrounding this company makes it hard to envision the stock price recovering anytime soon. Their two-CEO structure has been a major problem. Concerns with Research In Motion are plentiful. This was once a great and innovative company. It actually makes sense to take it private sooner rather than later as the stock price looks to be headed to the single digits unless a buyout could happen, which I do not see taking place.

  • [By Chuck Carlson]

    RBC Capital’s Mike Abramsky today reiterates a Sector Perform rating on Research in Motion (RIMM) shares, writing that the company’s fiscal Q2 results for the three months that ended in August likely beat the consensus $4.47 billion revenue estimate and 87 cents EPS estimate, coming in more like $4.5 billion and 90 cents.

    He also thinks Q3′s forecast will beat the consensus $5.3 billion and $1.36, helped by the introduction last month of new BlackBerry models based on “OS 7.”? The devices are succeeding in luring upgrade buyers from existing BlackBerrys, he writes, with his “checks” of 90 different outlets for Verizon Communications (VZ), AT&T (T), Sprint-Nextel (S), and T-Mobile USA showing a 20% sell-out rate across the various models.

    Despite that positive data point, Abramsky believes there’s still risk to RIM’s turnaround.

    “With BB7 uptake in line with our base case scenario QNX handsets may remain pivotal to reversing NA share declines,” he writes, with RIM perhaps having 12% share of North American smartphone shipments at present, down from 15% last quarter, and below Google’s (GOOG) 60% share by platform and Apple’s 25% share.

    “To be more constructive on the shares, we look for signs of North American share recovery, better execution, improved visibility to QNX Smartphones and related innovations (LTE, multi-device BES, Android emulation), or value-creating initiatives.”

    RIM shares today are down 44 cents, or 1.4%, at $31.05.

  • [By Fitz Gerald]

    Rumors that the BlackBerry maker hired an investment banker to assist in weighing strategic options spurred heavy trading traffic in the weeklies this morning. Shares in RIMM are up 4.15% at $21.35 as of 12:05 pm on the East Coast, after earlier rallying as much as 9.7% to $22.49. Options on Research In Motion are some of the most active today, with volume on the stock approaching 110,000 contracts in early-afternoon trade. Investors are favoring calls, exchanging nearly 2 call options for each single put in play thus far in the session. Fresh prints in weekly calls suggest some strategists are positioning for shares in RIMM to extend gains through the end of this week. Volume in the weeklies is heaviest at the Oct. '07 $22 strike, where more than 8,600 contracts changed hands against previously existing open interest of 2,399 positions. Traders appear to have purchased the majority of the contracts for an average premium of $0.59 each. Call buyers profit if RIMM's shares rally another 5.8% to exceed the average breakeven price of $22.59 at expiration. Buyers outnumbered sellers driving substantial volume in calls at the Oct '07 $24 and $25 strikes, as well. Continued speculation surrounding the beleaguered BlackBerry maker could be just what call buyers need to see the value of their call options appreciate in the next few days. Increases in options implied volatility on the stock, which currently trades 2.38% higher on the day at 81.0%, may also benefit long option holders.

10 Best Wireless Telecom Stocks To Watch Right Now: Oil States International Inc.(OIS)

Oil States International, Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides specialty products and services to the oil and gas drilling and production companies worldwide. It operates in four segments: Accommodations, Offshore Products, Well Site Services, and Tubular Services. The Accommodations segment offers temporary and permanent work force accommodation services for people working in remote locations. The Offshore Products segment designs and manufactures flexible bearings and connector products; sub sea pipeline products; marine winches, mooring systems, and cranes and rig equipment; and conductor casing connections and pipes, as well as provides blowout preventer stack assembly, integration, testing, and repair services; and drilling riser and related repair services. The Well Site Services segment offers a range of products and services that are used to drill for, and establish and maintain the flow of oil and gas from a well throughout its lifecycle. This segment engages in the rental of wireline and coiled tubing pressure control equipment; wellhead isolation equipment; pipe recovery systems; thru-tubing fishing services; hydraulic chokes and manifolds; blow out preventers; well testing and flowback equipment; gravel pack operations on well bores; and surface control equipment and down-hole tools utilized by coiled tubing operators. This segment also provides land drilling services. The Tubular Services segment distributes a range of casing and tubing products; and offers threading, logistical, and inventory management services. The company serves national oil companies, independent oil and gas companies, onshore and offshore drilling companies, and other oilfield service and mining companies. Oil States International, Inc. was founded in 1995 and is based in Houston, Texas.

10 Best Wireless Telecom Stocks To Watch Right Now: Falcon Energy Group Limited(5FL.SI)

Falcon Energy Group Limited, an investment holding company, provides various services to oil companies and contractors in the Americas, Asia, and the Middle East. It operates in four divisions: Marine, Oilfield Services, Oilfield Projects, and Resources. The Marine division provides offshore support vessels to the offshore marine industry. Its services include offshore hook-up and commissioning, offshore conductor piling, hydraulic work-over/coiled tubing/well stimulation, subsea services, pipe trenching, submarine cables, and controlled source electro-magnetic survey. This division owns and manages a fleet of 15 vessels, including accommodation work barges, multi-purpose supply vessels, and anchor handling tug supply vessels. The Oilfield Services division provides oilfield services comprising agencies, logistics, and procurement services, as well as other general supporting services to oil and gas companies worldwide. This division also engages in oil trading and other r elated activities. The Oilfield Projects division involves in projects and investments related to the offshore marine, and oil and gas industry. The Resources division engages in coal trading, coal mining, and other related activities. The company is based in Singapore.

10 Best Wireless Telecom Stocks To Watch Right Now: Pac Nth West Cap C Com Npv (PFN.TO)

Pacific North West Capital Corp. engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of platinum group metal (PGM), and precious and base metal properties primarily in Canada. It explores for PGM, gold, silver, and base metal properties in British Columbia, Ontario, Saskatchewan, and Alaska. The company primarily holds a 100% interest in the River Valley PGM project that consists of 410 mining claims in 38 claim units covering approximately 6,600 hectares located in the Sudbury region of Ontario. Pacific North West Capital Corp. was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.

10 Best Wireless Telecom Stocks To Watch Right Now: 1st Constitution Bancorp(NJ)

1st Constitution Bancorp operates as a bank holding company for 1st Constitution Bank that provides community banking services to corporations, individuals, partnerships, and other community organizations in the central and northeastern New Jersey area. It offers various deposit products, including noninterest bearing demand deposits, interest bearing demand deposits, savings deposits, and time deposits, as well as certificates of deposit, and money market and NOW accounts. The company also provides a range of loan products comprising commercial loans for working capital, business expansion, and the purchase of equipment and machinery; construction loans to real estate developers for the acquisition, development and construction of residential subdivisions; residential consumer loans; term loans; lines of credit; loans secured by equipment and receivables; second mortgage home improvement loans; home equity lines of credit; and non-residential consumer loans for automobile s, recreation vehicles, and boats, as well as secured and unsecured personal loans, and deposit account secured loans. It provides its services through a network of 14 branches. The company was founded in 1989 and is based in Cranbury, New Jersey.

Thursday, June 27, 2013

Here's How Nathan's Famous Is Making You So Much 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 Nathan's Famous (Nasdaq: NATH  ) , 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, Nathan's Famous generated $8.5 million cash while it booked net income of $7.5 million. That means it turned 11.9% of its revenue into FCF. That sounds pretty impressive.

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 Nathan's Famous 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 13.4% of operating cash flow coming from questionable sources, Nathan's Famous investors should take a closer look at the underlying numbers. Within the questionable cash flow figure plotted in the TTM period above, stock-based compensation and related tax benefits provided the biggest boost, at 6.6% of cash flow from operations. Overall, the biggest drag on FCF came from capital expenditures, which consumed 10.5% 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.

Does Nathan's Famous have what it takes to execute internationally? Take a look at some American restaurant concepts that are generating profits in all over the globe in, "3 American Companies Set to Dominate the World." It's free for a limited time. Click here for instant access to this free report.

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

Add Nathan's Famous to My Watchlist.

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Bright Spots in Obamacare's Medical Device Disaster

Conventional thinking proclaims that the Affordable Care Act, a.k.a. Obamacare, is a complete disaster for medical device stocks in part because of a punitive 2.3% excise tax on revenue. This has caused concern among investors and sent companies scrambling to cut costs and protect margins. 

In this video, health-care analyst David Williamson looks deeper into some tailwinds that may propel certain medical device stocks higher. Watch and find out where medical device investors living in an Obamacare world should focus their attention.

Still in the dark about how Obamacare might affect you and your portfolio? Don't worry -- you're not alone. To help prepare investors for the massive changes coming to the American health-care system, The Motley Fool created a special free report that makes this complex topic easily understandable. Download "Everything You Need to Know About Obamacare" and discover how the law may impact your taxes, health insurance, and investments. Click here for your free copy today.

Follow David on Twitter @MotleyDavid.

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Top Income Stocks To Buy Right Now

As expected, Nokia's (NYSE: NOK  ) sales, revenue, and income dropped in its recently announced Q1, both sequentially, and compared to last year. And, based on market reaction, it's going to be a long day for Nokia shareholders -- or, at least, those with a near-term perspective. For Fools with a longer-term view, a Nokia sell-off may turn out to be a great buying opportunity.

The results are in
As the dust settles from Nokia's Q1 earnings report, you're likely to see headlines screaming "Nokia Sales Fall," or some derivative thereof. And lower total revenues, and shrinking mobile phone sales, did take their toll on Nokia in Q1, as expected.

Nokia's net loss of $0.09 a share was a marked improvement compared to the year-ago quarter's loss, but fell well short of Q4 2012's $0.07 a share profit. Overall, net sales really took a beating; down 20% from last year, and 27% from Nokia's Q4 revenues of $10.48 billion. Nokia bears are sure to focus on sales and sinking profits after they digest the earnings news. But there's more to Nokia's quarter than meets the eye.

Top Income Stocks To Buy Right Now: PDI Inc.(PDII)

PDI, Inc. provides outsourced promotional services to various companies in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and healthcare industries in the United States. The company?s services offer customers a range of both personal and non-personal promotional options for the commercialization of their products throughout the product lifecycles, from development through maturity. It operates in three segments: Sales Services, Marketing Services, and Product Commercialization Services. The Sales Services segment focuses primarily on product detailing, which includes a sales representative meeting face-to-face with targeted physicians and other healthcare decision makers to provide a technical review of the product being promoted; and offers a portfolio of expanded sales services consisting of talent acquisition services, short-term teams, and vacancy coverage services. The Marketing Services segment is involved in the creation, design, and implementation of interactive digital commu nications programs to the healthcare community through the Internet, multimedia, tablet PCs, mobile devices, and dimensional direct mail, as well as DIAGRAM, a proprietary software to deliver non-personal selling solutions via interactive communications exchanges that accommodate the schedules of healthcare providers. This segment also engages in the creation of teledetailing programs executed via tele-representatives. The Product Commercialization Services segment provides product commercialization solutions, including product detailing, full supply chain management, operations, sales, marketing, compliance, and regulatory/medical management to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, and diagnostics clients. The company was founded in 1988 and is headquartered in Parsippany, New Jersey.

Top Income Stocks To Buy Right Now: Triangle Energy(global)

Triangle Energy (Global) Limited engages in the exploration and production of gas primarily in Indonesia. The company holds a 100% working interest in the production sharing contract of the Pase Block consisting of 3 production wells covering an area of approximately 922 square kilometers located in Aceh province, north Sumatra, Indonesia. It also holds a 20% interest in Reid?s Dome gas field, which covers an area of 181 square kilometers located in the Bowen Basin, Queensland. The company is based in Cottesloe, Australia.

Best Penny Companies For 2014: Spire Corporation(SPIR)

Spire Corporation develops, manufactures, and markets engineered products and services in the areas of PV solar, biomedical, and optoelectronics. It offers specialized equipment for the production of terrestrial photovoltaic modules from solar cells; and photovoltaic systems for application to powering buildings with connection to the utility grid, as well as supplies photovoltaic materials. It also provides surface treatments to manufacturers of orthopedic, cardiovascular, and other medical devices; and performs sponsored research programs into practical applications of biomedical and biophotonic technologies. In addition, the company offers custom compound semiconductor foundry and fabrication services to customers involved in biomedical/biophotonic instruments, telecommunications, and defense applications. Its services comprise compound semiconductor wafer growth, other thin film processes, and related device processing. Further, the company provides materials testing s ervices; and performs services in support of sponsored research into practical applications of optoelectronic technologies. The company offers its products primarily through its sales personnel in the United States, Europe, Africa, and Asia. Spire Corporation was founded in 1969 and is headquartered in Bedford, Massachusetts.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Putnam]

    Spire Corp.(NASDAQ: SPIR) closing price in the stock market Tuesday, Jan. 3, was $0.73. SPIR is trading -5.05% below its 50 day moving average and -52.78% below its 200 day moving average. SPIR is -88.23% below its 52-week high of $6.20 and 37.74% above its 52-week low of $0.53. SPIR‘s PE ratio is N/A and its market cap is $6.10M.

    Spire Corp. develops, manufactures, and markets engineered products and services in the areas of PV solar, biomedical, and optoelectronics.

Hot Valued Stocks To Own For 2014

The Department of Defense issued 14 separate contract awards to defense contractors Friday, and while Raytheon (NYSE: RTN  ) didn't win the biggest of these awards, it did win the second biggest.

Valued at $534.8 million, Raytheon's contract win Friday is a massive firm-fixed-price contract for the production of "AMRAAM" Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles for the U.S. Air Force, and also for the militaries of Oman and Saudi Arabia.

Designated AMRAAM Production Lot 27, this batch of missiles appears to involve the production of nearly 1,800 missiles at reported costs of $300,000 apiece. 51% of the missiles to be produced from this production lot will be sold to U.S. allies Oman and Saudi Arabia, with the balance going to the U.S. Air Force. Delivery is expected to be complete by Jan. 31, 2016.

Hot Valued Stocks To Own For 2014: 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.

Hot Valued Stocks To Own For 2014: 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 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.

  • [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 Robert Holmes]

     Schlumberger has the most potential upside of any stock in this group of 50 that also makes the firm's Best Ideas list. Analyst Ole Slorer says Schlumberger has "what we consider the most advanced technology portfolio in the industry."

    "Its fundamentals are impressive, with what we think are some of the best field personnel, a pristine service and performance reputation, and leading market share in most of its product lines," Slorer writes.

    Though Slorer's price target is 42% above current levels, his most bullish scenario for Schlumberger over the next year would see shares climb a whopping 116%. On the downside, his most bearish scenario for the company would see shares slide 38% over the next 12 months.

Top 10 Diversified Bank Stocks To Buy 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.

Hot Valued 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.

Monday, June 24, 2013

Cellcom Israel CFO to Resign in September

Cellcom Israel (NYSE: CEL  ) is getting a new CFO.

Following the company's successful merger with Netvision, current Chief Financial Officer Yaacov Heen is declaring his mission accomplished, and says he intends to resign his post on Sept. 17 after 16 years with the company. At that time, Cellcom says it will bring on Shlomi Fruhling, the former VP for strategy and finance at Netvision, to become the merged company's new CFO on Sept. 18.

Cellcom Israel CEO Nir Sztern praised Heen, saying he has "been Cellcom Israel's CFO for the last four years, at which time he has led three very successful debenture offerings ... led the negotiation of strategic transactions, including the Netvision merger, Dynamica's operations and national roaming services agreement with Golan Telecom and led the initiation, design and implementation of cutting edge financial and management information systems."

Heen's replacement, Fruhling, has been assisting the company with projects since leaving Netvision and taking up a position at Discount Investment Company. Now he will be coming back in-house, and rejoining Sztern, with whom he previously worked at Netvision. 

link

Sunday, June 23, 2013

Top 10 Consumer Service Stocks To Buy For 2014

Blue-chip stocks are down sharply this afternoon after a handful of worse-than-expected economic reports sent fear throughout Wall Street. With roughly an hour left in the trading session, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJINDICES: ^DJI  ) is off by 178 points, or 1.17%.

If you were to read the market recaps from the nation's largest financial news sites, you'd be excused for blaming today's decline entirely on the Federal Reserve -- or, rather, on speculators' fears that the Fed will soon take its foot off the proverbial gas pedal.

The promo for a Reuters' article reads: "Wall Street continued to be bothered by concerns that the Federal Reserve might slow the pace of its economic stimulus program." The Wall Street Journal chimed in with: "U.S. stocks continued their broad sell-off in midday trading, as investors were rattled by steep declines in overseas markets and the specter of tightening central-bank policy." And Bloomberg News followed suit by noting: "Stocks fell while commodities rose for a third day as investors weighed prospects for U.S. economic growth and the Federal Reserve's stimulus plans."

Top 10 Consumer Service Stocks To Buy For 2014: Quaterra Resources Inc. (QTA.V)

Quaterra Resources Inc., an exploration stage company, engages in the exploration and development of mineral properties in North America. It primarily explores for gold, silver, copper, uranium, molybdenum, and precious metals in the United States and Mexico. The company was formerly known as Aquaterre Mineral Development Ltd. and changed its name to Quaterra Resources Inc. in October 1997. Quaterra Resources Inc. was incorporated in 1993 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.

Top 10 Consumer Service Stocks To Buy For 2014: Cell Therapeutics Inc (CTIC.A)

Cell Therapeutics, Inc. (CTI), incorporated in 1991, develops, acquires and commercializes treatments for cancer. The Company�� research, development, acquisition and in-licensing activities concentrate on identifying and developing new ways to treat cancer. As of December 31, 2011, CTI focused its efforts on Pixuvri (pixantrone dimaleate) (Pixuvri), OPAXIO (paclitaxel poliglumex) (OPAXIO), tosedostat, brostallicin and bisplatinates. As of December 31, 2011, it developed Pixuvri, an anthracycline derivative for the treatment of hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. Another late-stage drug candidate of the Company, OPAXIO, is being studied as a potential maintenance therapy for women with advanced stage ovarian cancer, who achieve a complete remission following first-line therapy with paclitaxel and carboplatin. As of December 31, 2011, it also developed tosedostat in collaboration with Chroma Therapeutics, Ltd. (Chroma). On May 31, 2012, CTI completed its acquisi tion gaining worldwide rights to S*BIO Pte Ltd.'s (S*BIO) pacritinib.

Pixuvri

As of December 31, 2011, the Company developed Pixuvri, an aza-anthracenedione derivative, for the treatment of non-Hodgkin�� lymphoma (NHL), and various other hematologic malignancies, and solid tumors. Pixuvri was studied in the Company�� EXTEND, or PIX301, clinical trial, which was a phase III single-agent trial of Pixuvri for patients with relapsed, refractory aggressive NHL who received two or more prior therapies and who were sensitive to treatment with anthracyclines. On September 28, 2011, CTI announced that a second independent radiology assessment of response and progression endpoint data from its PIX301 clinical trial of Pixuvri was achieved with statistical significance. The results of the EXTEND trial met its primary endpoint and showed that patients randomized to treatment with Pixuvri achieved a significantly higher rate of confirmed and unconfirmed co mplete response compared to patients treated with standard! c! hemotherapy had a significantly increased overall response rate and experienced a statistically significant improvement in median progression free survival. Pixuvri had predictable and manageable toxicities when administered at the proposed dose and schedule in the EXTEND clinical trial in heavily pre-treated patients. In March 2011, the Company initiated the PIX-R trial to study Pixuvri in combination with rituximab in patients with relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Pixuvri has also been studied in patients with HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer who have tumor progression after at least two, but not more than three, prior chemotherapy regimens. In the second quarter of 2010, the NCCTG opened this phase II study for enrollment. The study is closed to accrual and results are expected to be reported by the NCCTG later in 2012.

OPAXIO

OPAXIO is the Company�� biologically-enhanced chemotherapeutic agent that links pacli taxel to a biodegradable polyglutamate polymer, resulting in a new chemical entity. As of December 31, 2011, the Company focused its development of OPAXIO on ovarian, brain, esophageal, head and neck cancer. OPAXIO was designed to improve the delivery of paclitaxel to tumor tissue while protecting normal tissue from toxic side effects. In November 2010, results were presented by the Brown University Oncology Group from a phase II trial of OPAXIO combined with temozolomide (TMZ), and radiotherapy in patients with newly-diagnosed, high-grade gliomas, a type of brain cancer. The trial demonstrated a high rate of complete and partial responses and a high rate of six month progression free survival (PFS). Based on these results, the Brown University Oncology Group has initiated a randomized, multicenter, phase II study of OPAXIO and standard radiotherapy versus TMZ and radiotherapy for newly diagnosed patients with glioblastoma with an active gene termed MGMT that reduces respons iveness to TMZ. A phase I/II study of OPAXIO combined ! with r! a! diothera! py and cisplatin was initiated by SUNY Upstate Medical University, in patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer.

Tosedostat

In March 2011, the Company entered into a co-development and license agreement with Chroma Therapeutics, Ltd. (Chroma), providing the Company with marketing and co-development rights to Chroma�� drug candidate, tosedostat, in North, Central and South America. Tosedostat is an oral, aminopeptidase inhibitor that has demonstrated anti-tumor responses in blood related cancers and solid tumors in phase I-II clinical trials. Interim results from the phase II OPAL study of tosedostat in elderly patients with relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) showed that once-daily, oral doses of tosedostat had predictable and manageable toxicities and results demonstrated response rates, including a high-response rate among patients who received prior hypomethylating agents, which are used to treat myelodysplastic synd rome (MDS), a precursor of AML.

Brostallicin

As of December 31, 2011, the Company developed brostallicin through its wholly owned subsidiary, Systems Medicine LLC, which holds rights to use, develop, import and export brostallicin. Brostallicin is a synthetic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) minor groove binding agent that has demonstrated anti-tumor activity and a favorable safety profile in clinical trials, in which more than 230 patients have been treated as of December 31, 2011. The Company uses a genomic-based platform to guide the development of brostallicin. A phase II study of brostallicin in relapsed, refractory soft tissue sarcoma met its predefined activity and safety hurdles and resulted in a first-line phase II clinical trial study that was conducted by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC).

The Company competes with Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Sanofi-Aventis, Pfizer, Roche Group, Genentech, Inc., Astellas Pharma, Eli Lilly and Company, Cel! gene, Tel! ik! , Inc., T! EVA Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd. and PharmaMar.

Top 5 Airline Companies To Own In Right Now: Aviva(AV.L)

Aviva plc provides insurance, savings, and fund management products and services worldwide. It offers life insurance and savings products, which comprise pensions products, such as personal and group pensions, stakeholder pensions, and income drawdown; annuities; protection products, including term assurance, mortgage life insurance, flexible whole life, and critical illness cover; bonds and savings comprising single premium investment bonds, regular premium savings plans, mortgage endowment products, and funding agreements; and investment products consisting of unit trusts, individual savings accounts, and open ended investment companies, as well as equity release and structured settlements. The company also provides general and health insurance products that include personal lines of insurance products, such as motor, household, travel, and creditor insurance; commercial lines of insurance products consisting of fleet, liability, and commercial property insurance; health insurance products comprising private health, income protection, personal accident, and corporate healthcare insurance products; and insurance for corporate and specialty risks. In addition, it offers fund management products and services for institutional, pension fund, and retail clients. Aviva plc sells its products through various distribution channels, including direct sales forces, intermediaries, corporate partnerships, bancassurance, and joint ventures, as well as through the telephone and Internet. The company was formerly known as CGNU plc and changed its name to Aviva plc in July 2002. Aviva plc is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom.

Top 10 Consumer Service Stocks To Buy For 2014: Terrain Minerals Ltd (TMX.AX)

Terrain Minerals Limited engages in the mining and exploration of mineral resources in Australia. It explores for gold and nickel in the Eastern Goldfields of Western Australia. The company holds 100% interest in the Aztec Dome project located in east Kambalda; 60% interest in the Black Cat project located north of Leonora; and interest in the Dodgers Well project located north of Leonora. Terrain Minerals Limited is based in Subiaco, Australia.

Top 10 Consumer Service Stocks To Buy For 2014: Air Methods Corporation(AIRM)

Air Methods Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides air medical emergency transport services and systems in the United States. It transports persons requiring intensive medical care from either the scene of accident or general care hospitals to highly skilled trauma centers or tertiary care centers. The company operates through three segments: Community-Based Services, Hospital-Based Services, and United Rotorcraft. The Community-Based Services segment provides air medical transportation services, including aircraft operation and maintenance, medical care, dispatch and communications, and medical billing and collection services. This segment operates 201 helicopters and 15 fixed wing aircraft in 29 states. The Hospital-Based Services segment offers air medical transportation services, and medically equipped helicopters and airplanes for hospitals. It operates 212 helicopters and 6 fixed wing aircraft in 34 states. The United Rotorcraft segment designs, manufa ctures, installs, and certifies modular medical interiors, multi-mission interiors, and other aerospace and medical transport products for domestic and international customers, as well as provides quality assurance and certification services. Air Methods Corporation was founded in 1982 and is headquartered in Englewood, Colorado.

Top 10 Consumer Service Stocks To Buy For 2014: CBS Corporation(CBS)

CBS Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a mass media company in the United States and internationally. The company?s Entertainment segment distributes a schedule of news and public affairs broadcasts, sports, and entertainment programming; produces, acquires, and distributes programming, including series, specials, news, and public affairs; produces and distributes theatrical motion pictures across various genres; and operates online content networks for information and entertainment. Its Cable Networks segment owns and operates multiplexed channels that offers subscription program services, including recently released theatrical feature films, original series, documentaries, boxing, mixed martial arts and other sports-related programming, and special events; and CBS College Sports Network, a 24-hour cable program service related to college sports. This segment also owns and manages Smithsonian Networks, which operates Smithsonian Channel, a basic cab le service in the United States. The company?s Publishing segment publishes and distributes adult and children?s consumer books in printed, audio, and digital formats. Its Local Broadcasting segment owns 29 broadcast television stations; owns and operates 130 radio stations in 28 U.S. markets and related online properties; and owns local Websites that combine television and radio local media brands online to provide the latest news, traffic, weather, and sports information, as well as local discounts, directories, and reviews. The company?s Outdoor segment sells advertising space on various media, including billboards, transit shelters and other street furniture, buses, rail systems, mall kiosks, stadium signage, and in retail stores. CBS Corporation was founded in 1986 and is headquartered in New York, New York.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Matthew Scott]

    The price of CBS (NYSE: CBS) stock has increased nearly than eight times in two years, jumping from $2.99 on March 9, 2009 to $25.04 at the end of the first quarter this year. Broadcasting advertising revenues have increased over the last two years and CBS has content choices in multiple genres that will likely be advertising winners for the foreseeable future. CBS Sports continues to be a leader, and the broadcaster has top entries Survivor and Amazing Race in the reality show area, top dramas such as the CSI series and the hot new series Hawaii Five-O, and it even had the top comedy Two and a Half Men before Charlie Sheen imploded. With all these shows expected back next year, ad revenues should continue to be strong.

Top 10 Consumer Service Stocks To Buy For 2014: Graphic Packaging Holding Co (GPK)

Graphic Packaging Holding Company (GPHC), incorporated on June 21, 2007, is a provider of packaging solutions for a variety of products to food, beverage and other consumer products companies. The Company is also a producer of folding cartons and coated unbleached kraft paperboard, coated-recycled board and multi-wall bags. The Company operates in two business segments: paperboard packaging and flexible packaging. The Company�� customers include beverage, food and other consumer products industries. The Company operates in four geographic areas: the United States/Canada, Central/South America, Europe and Asia Pacific. In December 2011, the Company combined its multi-wall bag and specialty plastics packaging businesses with the kraft paper and multi-wall bag businesses of Delta Natural Kraft, LLC and Mid-America Packaging, LLC (collectively DNK), both wholly owned subsidiaries of Capital Five Investments, LLC (CVI). Under the terms of the transaction, the Company formed a company, Graphic Flexible Packaging, LLC (GFP), in which it owns 87% interest. On April 29, 2011, the Company acquired all of the assets of Sierra Pacific Packaging, Inc. (Sierra), a producer of folding cartons, beverage carriers and corrugated boxes for the consumer packaged goods industry. In January 2013, the Company acquired Contego Packaging Holdings, Ltd.

Paperboard Packaging

The Company supplies paperboard cartons and carriers. The Company provides a range of paperboard packaging solutions for various end-use markets, such as beverage, including beer, soft drinks, energy drinks, water and juices; food, including cereal, desserts, frozen, refrigerated and microwavable foods and pet foods; prepared foods, including snacks, quick-serve foods for restaurants and food service products, and household products, including dishwasher and laundry detergent, healthcare and beauty aids, and tissues and papers. The Company produces paperboard at its mills; prints, cuts and glues (converts) the paperboard into fol! ding cartons at its converting plants; and designs and manufactures packaging machines that package bottles and cans and, to a lesser extent, non-beverage consumer products. The Company also installs its packaging machines at customer plants and provides support, service and performance monitoring of the machines. The Company offers a variety of laminated, coated and printed packaging structures that are produced from its coated unbleached kraft (CUK), coated-recycled board (CRB), kraft paper and uncoated-recycled board (URB), as well as other grades of paperboard that are purchased from third-party suppliers. The Company manufactures corrugated medium and kraft paper for sale in the open market and internal use.

Flexible Packaging

The Company�� flexible packaging segment includes multi-wall bags, plastics, labels, and the Pine Bluff, AR mill. The Company is a supplier of flexible packaging in North America. Its products include multi-wall bags, shingle wrap, plastic bags and film for building materials (such as ready-mix concrete), retort pouches (such as meals ready to go), medical test kits, batch inclusion bags and film. Its end-markets include food and agriculture, building and industrial materials, chemicals, minerals, pet foods, and pharmaceutical products. Approximately 27% of the plastics produced are consumed internally. The Company�� label business focuses on heat transfer labels and lithographic labels. The Company operates label plants, which produce labels for food, beverage, pharmaceutical, automotive, household and industrial products, detergents, and the health and beauty markets.

The Company competes with MeadWestvaco Corporation and Klabin Company.

Top 10 Consumer Service Stocks To Buy For 2014: Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Inc.(GMCR)

Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. engages in the specialty coffee and coffee maker business. The company sources, produces, and sells approximately 200 varieties of coffee, cocoa, teas, and other beverages in K-Cup portion packs and coffee in traditional packaging, including whole bean and ground coffee selections in bags and ground coffee in fractional packs for use in at-home (AH) and away-from-home (AFH). It sells its products primarily in North America through supermarkets, club stores, and convenience stores; in restaurants and hospitality; and to office coffee distributors, as well as directly to consumers through its Website. The company also manufactures gourmet single-cup brewing systems and brewing equipment. In addition, it sells AH single-cup brewers; accessories; and coffee, tea, hot cocoa, and other beverages in K-Cup portion packs, as well as offers other licensed roasters to retailers, department stores, and mass merchandisers. Further, the company sells AFH single-cup brewers to distributors for use in offices. It provides its products under the Van Houtte, Br�erie St. Denis, Br�erie Mont-Royal, and Orient Express brands, as well as licensed Bigelow and Wolfgang Puck brands. The company was founded in 1981 and is based in Waterbury, Vermont.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Jonas Elmerraji]

    Nearest Support: $60

    Catalyst: Earnings Beat

    Last, but far from least, is Green Mountain Coffee Roasters (GMCR), a stock that's no stranger to being one of the most active names on the Nasdaq -- or one of the most controversial. GMCR posted its second-quarter earnings numbers yesterday, earning 93 cents per share, while the consensus estimate was down at 72 cents. That earnings beat proved impressive enough to gap shares up almost $25% to a new 52-week high this morning.

    Today also brought an announcement that Starbucks (SBUX) was expanding its deal with GMCR and extending the deal by five years. With encroachment from SBUX's own competing Verismo brewer seen by Green Mountain bears as a big catalyst for downside, the announcement is an important coup for the firm's shareholders. It confirms the status of Green Mountain's Keurig as the league leader in 2013.

Top 10 Consumer Service Stocks To Buy For 2014: Doxa Energy Ltd (DXA.V)

Doxa Energy Ltd., a junior oil and gas company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of oil and gas properties primarily in south Texas, the United States. The company develops and maintains a portfolio of producing and developing conventional projects; and unconventional assets, including the Eagle Ford Shale Oil Play in south Texas. It also holds interest in the Mississippian Oil Play in northern Oklahoma. Doxa Energy Ltd. was incorporated in 2007 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.

Top 10 Consumer Service Stocks To Buy For 2014: Torch Energy Royalty Trust(TRU)

Torch Energy Royalty Trust, a grantor trust, holds net profits interests, to receive payments from the working interest owners. Its working interest owners include Torch Royalty Company, Torch E&P Company, Samson Lone Star Limited Partnership, and Constellation Energy Partners LLC. The trust is entitled to receive 95% of the net proceeds attributable to oil and natural gas produced and sold from wells on the underlying properties, including Chalkley Field in Louisiana; the Robinson?s Bend Field in the Black Warrior Basin in Alabama; Cotton Valley Fields in Texas; and Austin Chalk Fields in central Texas. Torch Energy Royalty Trust was founded in 1993 and is based in Wilmington, Delaware.

Saturday, June 22, 2013

Is Boeing About to Lose Its C-17 Military Transport Contract?

Great news! Wars in the Middle East are winding down. Unfortunately, they're shifting to other parts of Asia. Still, wars mean a need for military equipment, and for defense contractors that means profits -- usually, that's accompanied by a boost to stock value. However, for Boeing's (NYSE: BA  ) C-17 U.S. military transport contract, the shift from the Middle East to other parts of Asia is not proving lucrative. Here's what you need to know.

Source: Matthew Hannen, via Wikimedia Commons. 

The money is running dry
Defense spending is being slashed left and right, which means the Pentagon is making hard decisions when it comes to military needs. Currently, there are a number of programs that the Pentagon is unwilling to sacrifice, such as Lockheed Martin's (NYSE: LMT  ) F-35 fighter, Huntington Ingalls Industries' (NYSE: HII  ) CVN-78 aircraft carrier, and Northrop Grumman's (NYSE: NOC  ) RQ-4 Global Hawk drones -- good news for these guys. Then, there are other programs that the Pentagon has deemed less critical. That includes Boeing's C-17 contract.

Richard Aboulafia, an aviation analyst with the Teal Group, said about the C-17, "The growth drivers are there, but the economic resources are not." Boeing's U.S. military C-17 contract is slated to end in 2014, and while the need for military transports is still there -- in fact. it's growing -- the money needed for the transports, is not. Consequently, a renewal for the C-17 contract doesn't look promising.

Oversees spending to the rescue?
With U.S. defense spending cuts looking to take a bite out of C-17 profits, oversees spending has become more important. Last week, Boeing delivered the first in an order of 10 C-17s, to India -- a contract worth a reported $1.78 billion. Additionally, Boeing's vice president of business development for mobility, surveillance, and engagement, Tommy Dunehew, stated that "five to six" new countries have shown interest in purchasing the C-17. 

The India deal, and expressed interest from other countries, is great for Boeing. However, Boeing rival EADS' (NASDAQOTH: EADSY  ) Airbus seems to be making progress with its troubled military transport plane, the A400. That could result in more competition for overseas sales.  

So far, the A400 is four years behind schedule, and billions over budget because of a number of issues, but according to Airbus' Flight-test engineer, Eric Isorce, those issues have been solved. Boeing maintains that it doesn't see the A400 as a competitor, but considering that Airbus already has 170 orders to countries across Europe and plans to "aggressively" market the A400 to the Middle East, Asia, and Latin America, as soon as the A400 comes online, Boeing may want to take notice.  

Set your sights on the horizon
Defense spending has to decrease; that's the reality of the sequestration. For Boeing, that may mean the end of its C-17 contract with the U.S. military. Still, there are lots of overseas opportunities that could prove lucrative to Boeing's bottom line. But as always, Boeing's chief rival, Airbus, is looking to be the recipient of those profits.

With the American markets reaching new highs, investors and pundits alike are skeptical about future growth. They shouldn't be. Many global regions are still stuck in neutral, and their resurgence could result in windfall profits for select companies. A recent Motley Fool report, "3 Strong Buys for a Global Economic Recovery" outlines three companies that could take off when the global economy gains steam. Click here to read the full report!

Thursday, June 20, 2013

10 Best Gold Stocks To Invest In 2014

There were just 76.3 million PCs shipped worldwide during the first three months of the year, according to industry watcher IDC. That's the sharpest year-over-year decline that IDC has witnessed since it began tracking quarterly shipping trends 19 years ago. The low volume of desktops and laptops finds the PC industry back at 2006 levels.

Everyone knows what's happening. Smartphones and tablets are taking over. Apps and cloud-based solutions are making it less necessary to be tethered to a PC. This is terrible news for Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT  ) , so it wasn't a surprise to see Goldman Sachs downgrade Mr. Softy shortly after the IDC report.

There will always be a market for PCs; it will probably just continue to shrink indefinitely. This is a market that was ripe for disruption. Most people don't need the processing power packed into laptops, and the lack of desktop portability makes it less practical in these mobile times we live in.

10 Best Gold Stocks To Invest In 2014: 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 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.

  • [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.

10 Best Gold Stocks To Invest In 2014: 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.

Best Consumer Service Stocks To Watch For 2014: Northgate Minerals Corporation(NXG)

Northgate Minerals Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in exploring, developing, processing, and mining gold and copper deposits in Canada and Australia. Its principal producing assets include 100% interests in the Fosterville and Stawell Gold mines in Victoria, Australia; and the Kemess South mine located in north-central British Columbia, Canada. The company was formerly known as Northgate Exploration Limited and changed its name to Northgate Minerals Corporation in May 2004. Northgate Minerals Corporation was founded in 1919 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Barker]

    I'm not the only Fool who perceives compelling value in the shares of this 90-year-old gold company. My colleague Andrew Sullivan made Northgate his inaugural selection within the Fool's Rising Star Portfolio Series. With anticipated production from Young-Davidson beginning in early 2012, and consistent exploration success at multiple properties, I consider this recently stagnant stock among the clearest rising stars in the gold patch.

10 Best Gold Stocks To Invest In 2014: Thompson Creek Metals Company Inc.(TC)

Thompson Creek Metals Company Inc., through its subsidiaries, engages in mining, milling, processing, and marketing molybdenum products in the United States and Canada. The company?s principal properties include the Thompson Creek Mine and mill in Idaho; a metallurgical roasting facility in Langeloth, Pennsylvania; and a joint venture interest in the Endako Mine, mill, and roasting facility in British Columbia. It also holds interests in development projects comprising the Davidson molybdenum property and the Berg copper-molybdenum-silver property located in northern British Columbia; the Howard?s Pass property, a lead and zinc project situated in the Yukon territory-northwest territories border; and the Maze Lake property, a gold project located in the Kivalliq district of Nunavut. The company produces molybdenum products, primarily molybdic oxide and ferromolybdenum, as well as soluble technical oxide, pure molybdenum tri-oxide, and high purity molybdenum disulfide. As o f December 31, 2010, its consolidated recoverable proven and probable ore reserves totaled 462.2 million pounds of contained molybdenum in the Thompson Creek Mine and the Endako Mine. The company was formerly known as Blue Pearl Mining Ltd. and changed its name to Thompson Creek Metals Company Inc. in May 2007. Thompson Creek Metals Company Inc. is based in Denver, Colorado.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Christopher Barker]

    My recent survey of bargain-basement stock valuations among gold miners identified Thompson Creek Metals as a glaring opportunity for value investors. The miner sports two world-class molybdenum mines with 534 million pounds of reserves between them, along with an array of attractive development projects in the pipeline. Foremost among those is the Mt. Milligan copper and gold project, where Thompson Creek expects to launch itself into the ranks of intermediate gold producers with production commencing in late 2013.

    With 6 million ounces of gold reserves, accompanied by 2.1 billion pounds of copper, Mt. Milligan will deliver about 262,100 ounces of gold per year for the first six years of a 22-year mine life, averaging 194,500 ounces annually over that entire span. Although 25% of that gold production is already spoken for through a gold stream agreement with Royal Gold (Nasdaq: RGLD  ) , Thompson Creek Metals is sure to enjoy a powerful cash-flow explosion.

10 Best Gold Stocks To Invest In 2014: 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.

10 Best Gold Stocks To Invest In 2014: Australian Dollar(AU)

AngloGold Ashanti Limited primarily engages in the exploration and production of gold. It also produces silver, uranium oxide, and sulfuric acid. The company conducts gold-mining operations in South Africa; continental Africa, including Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Namibia, and Tanzania; Australia; and the Americas, which include Argentina, Brazil, and the United States. It also has mining or exploration operations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Guinea, and Colombia. As of December 31, 2010, the company had proved and probable gold reserves of 71.2 million ounces. The company has a strategic alliance with Thani Dubai Mining Limited to explore, develop, and operate mines across the Middle East and parts of North Africa. AngloGold Ashanti Limited, formerly known as Vaal Reefs Exploration and Mining Company Limited, was founded in 1944 and is headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Mel Daris]

    AngloGold Ashanti (AU), a South African company, is trading for $33 and pays a dividend which yields 3.20%. The stock has an astonishing P/E of 1,015. Its net income totaled $112 million last year, but negative cash flows of $620 million. It holds net tangible assets of $4.3 billion and its balance sheet has not grown nearly as quickly as the other companies on this list. AngloGold has two new mines coming online in Congo and Colombia.

10 Best Gold Stocks To Invest In 2014: 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.

10 Best Gold Stocks To Invest In 2014: Goldman Sachs Group Inc.(The)

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides investment banking, securities, and investment management services to corporations, financial institutions, governments, and high-net-worth individuals worldwide. Its Investment Banking segment offers financial advisory, including advisory assignments with respect to mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, corporate defense, risk management, restructurings, and spin-offs; and underwriting securities, loans and other financial instruments, and derivative transactions. The company?s Institutional Client Services segment provides client execution activities, such as fixed income, currency, and commodities client execution related to making markets in interest rate products, credit products, mortgages, currencies, and commodities; and equities related to making markets in equity products, as well as commissions and fees from executing and clearing institutional client transactions on stock, options, and fu tures exchanges. This segment also engages in the securities services business providing financing, securities lending, and other prime brokerage services to institutional clients, including hedge funds, mutual funds, pension funds, and foundations. Its Investing and Lending segment invests in debt securities, loans, public and private equity securities, real estate, consolidated investment entities, and power generation facilities. This segment also involves in the origination of loans to provide financing to clients. The company?s Investment Management segment provides investment management services and investment products to institutional and individual clients. This segment also offers wealth advisory services, including portfolio management and financial counseling, and brokerage and other transaction services to high-net-worth individuals and families. In addition, it provides global investment research services. The company was founded in 1869 and is headquartered in New York, New York.

10 Best Gold Stocks To Invest In 2014: 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 Smith]

    Although its name does little to denote this, Goldcorp is a well-positioned silver play for 2011, according to the analysts we surveyed.

    “The name is one that people tend to think of it as gold, but it's in the top 20 of silver producers globally with about 13 million ounces a year ,” says Peter Sorrentino of Huntington Funds.

    Morningstar analyst Min Tang-Varner recently raised her fair value estimate for Goldcorp by $12 a share to $48 after the company reported a 28 per cent rise in revenue for the third quarter ended Sept. 30 compared with the year before.

    This, despite 4 per cent decline gold production, as revenue received a boost from $1,239/oz realized gold prices and $19.15/oz silver prices.

    Tang-Varner tells investors that the reduction of Goldcorp's cash cost by $100/oz from the prior quarter to $260/oz due to higher silver, copper and zinc production and the run-up in their prices, was “rather extraordinary.”

    Sorrentino says Goldcorp is a stock that investors would be “wise to consider” if they were looking for a name that would be discovered suddenly as a major silver play, without feeling that they were overpaying for it.

    Goldcorp also prices everything that it does in Canadian dollars, which should reduce currency risks for investors in Canada.

10 Best Gold Stocks To Invest In 2014: NEW GOLD INC.(NGD)

New Gold Inc. engages in the acquisition, exploration, extraction, processing, and reclamation of mineral properties. The company primarily explore for gold, silver, and copper deposits. Its operating properties include the Mesquite gold mine in the United States; the Cerro San Pedro gold-silver mine in Mexico; and the Peak gold-copper mine in Australia. The company also has development projects, including the New Afton gold, silver, and copper project in Canada; and a 30% interest in the El Morro copper-gold project in Chile. The company was formerly known as DRC Resources Corporation and changed its name to New Gold Inc. in June 2005. New Gold Inc. was founded in 1980 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Christopher Barker]

    This stock has set the gold standard for share price appreciation among gold miners, advancing more than 140% since I introduced Fools to the new face of New Gold back in January 2010. Looking out over the long-term horizon, New Gold has constructed a gorgeous development pipeline to complement its trio of producing gold mines, featuring: a low-risk 30% stake in Goldcorp's El Morro project in Chile, the New Afton copper and gold project in British Columbia (with production scheduled to begin mid-2012), and the recently acquired Blackwater project north of New Afton.

    Although I expect the Blackwater deposit to expand considerably with further exploration, the project's initial indicated gold resource of 1.8 million ounces already leaves New Gold in command of 14.7 million ounces of measured and indicated gold resource. Tossing in copious supplies of by-product metals -- most notably 83.5 million ounces of silver and 3.5 billion pounds of copper -- New Gold is positioned to enjoy consistently low production costs throughout its sustained growth trajectory.