Top Asian Companies To Invest In 2014

Last week, Asia Confidential looked at the rise and fall of China, and how investors had gone from excessive optimism to seemingly excessive pessimism. China market valuations had already largely discounted a hard economic landing and it wouldn�� take much for a bounce to take place. Well, China was the best performing major Asian market in local currency terms over the past week on the potential for new easing measures. Whether a China market bottom is in though is far too early to tell.

In this post, I�� going to explore an Asian market ��Indonesia ��where investor sentiment has turned the other way, from excessive pessimism to optimism. It was only nine months ago when Indonesia was deemed part of the ��ragile five��economies most vulnerable to QE tapering in the US. Post that, Indonesia�� currency fell more than 30% and its stock market tanked as panic set in. But the lower currency helped steady the ship, lowering the country�� large current-account deficit by making exports cheaper in foreign markets and imports more costly.

Hot Transportation Companies To Watch For 2015: EDAP TMS S.A.(EDAP)

EDAP TMS S.A., through its subsidiaries, engages in the development, manufacture, and marketing of minimally invasive medical devices primarily for urological diseases. The company operates in two divisions, High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU), and Urology Devices and Services (UDS). The HIFU division involves in the development, manufacture, and marketing of medical devices based on HIFU technology for the minimally invasive destruction of various types of localized tumors. This division offers Ablatherm, a HIFU-based ultrasound guided device for the treatment of organ-confined prostate cancer. Its HIFU technology allows the surgeon to destroy a defined area of diseased tissue without damaging surrounding tissue and organs. This division also engages in the leasing of equipment, as well as the sale of disposables, spare parts, and maintenance services. This division markets and sells its products through its direct marketing and sales organization, as well as through third-party distributors and agents. The UDS division engages in the development, manufacture, marketing, and servicing of medical devices for the minimally invasive diagnosis or treatment of urological disorders, primarily urinary stones and other clinical indications. This division provides lithotripters for the treatment of urinary tract stones by means of ESWL technology. This division manufactures three models of lithotripters: the Sonolith Praktis, the Sonolith i-move, and the Sonolith i-sys. This division also involves in the leasing of lithotripters, as well as the sale of disposables, spare parts, and maintenance services. This division markets and sells its products through its direct sales and service platform, as well as through agents and third-party distributors. The company?s customers include public and private hospitals, urology clinics, and research institutions worldwide. EDAP TMS S.A. was founded in 1979 and is based in Vaulx-en-Velin, France.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By John Udovich]

  Laparoscopic surgery or minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is a type of surgical technique where�operations in the abdomen are performed through small incisions while small cap stocks ArthroCare Corporation (NASDAQ: ARTC), EDAP TMS S.A. (NASDAQ: EDAP), SafeStitch Medical Inc (OTCBB: SFES) and Arch Therapeutics Inc (OTCBB: ARTH) are all in some way focused on aiding minimally invasive procedures. According to a 2012 report produced by MedMarket Diligence, LLC, approximately 114 million surgical and procedure-based wounds occur annually worldwide,�including�36 million in the US, and perhaps�up to a quarter of these procedures can be described as laparoscopic in nature.�Moreover,�use of the technique is bound to increase�as�it reduces�pain and hemorrhaging plus leads to a�shorter recovery time.

Top Asian Companies To Invest In 2014: BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc.(BMRN)

BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. develops and commercializes biopharmaceuticals for serious diseases and medical conditions in the United States, Europe, Latin America, and rest of the world. The company?s commercial products include Naglazyme, a recombinant form of N-acetylgalactosamine 4-sulfatase enzyme used for the treatment of mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) VI; Kuvan, a proprietary synthetic oral form of 6R-BH4 used to treat patients with phenylketonuria (PKU), a metabolic disease; Aldurazyme used for the treatment of mucopolysaccharidosis I, a genetic disease; and Firdapse used to treat Lambert Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome, an autoimmune disease. It develops GALNS, an enzyme replacement therapy for the treatment of MPS IVA, a lysosomal storage disorder; PEG-PAL, an enzyme substitution therapy that is under Phase II clinical trial to treat PKU; BMN-673, a Phase I/II clinical trial product for the treatment of cancer; BMN-701, an enzyme replacement therapy, which is under Phase I/II clinical trials for Pompe disease, a glycogen storage disorder; and BMN-111, a peptide therapeutic that is under Phase I clinical trial for the treatment of achondroplasia. The company sells its Naglazyme, Kuvan, and Firdapse products to specialty pharmacies and end-users, such as hospitals and foreign government agencies, which act as retailers; and Naglazyme products to distributors and pharmaceutical wholesalers. It has a collaboration agreement with Genzyme Corporation for the manufacture of Aldurazyme; and an agreement with Merck Serono S.A. for the further development and commercialization of Kuvan and other products containing 6R-BH4 and PEG-PAL for PKU. BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in Novato, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By George Budwell]

  Will BioMarin be the next orphan drugmaker to be bought out?
  Over the last decade, BioMarin Pharmaceutical (NASDAQ: BMRN  ) has become one of the top orphan drug specialists, making it a frequent visitor to the buyout rumor mill. Roche (NASDAQOTH: RHHBY  ) was previously named as an interested party, but the company's CEO squashed that rumor, saying BioMarin was too expensive.

Top Asian Companies To Invest In 2014: Groupe Steria SCA (RIA)

Groupe Steria SCA is a France-based holding company engaged in the provision of end-to-end information technology (IT) services. The Company�� business is divided into four segments: Systems Integration, offering design and development of system; Application Management, providing maintenance and supervision of the stages in the life cycle of software applications; Management of IT Infrastructure, providing technical and business assistance, supervision of systems and network infrastructures, administration and operation of systems and network infrastructures, and hosting infrastructures in data centers; and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), providing taking over the operation of part or all of business function on behalf of the customer. The Company is operational mainly in the United Kingdom, France, Germany and other European countries. The Company has subsidiaries in France, Morocco, the United Kingdom, India, Germany, Austria and Poland, among others. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By victorselva]

  The Charles Schwab Corporation (SCHW) is a savings and loan holding company. The company is engaged, through its subsidiaries, in securities brokerage, banking, money management, and financial advisory services. Its subsidiaries include Charles Schwab & Co. (a leading discount broker-dealer), Charles Schwab Investment Management (a mutual fund investment advisor) and Charles Schwab Bank.In this article, let's take a look at this brokerage firm and try to explain to investors the reasons this is an apparently appealing investment opportunity.The FocusThe company provides financial services to individuals and institutional clients through two segments: Investor Services and Institutional Services. The Investor Services segment provides retail brokerage and banking services to individual investors. The Institutional Services segment provides custodial, trading, and support services to independent investment advisors. The Institutional Services segment also provides retirement plan services, specialty brokerage services, and mutual fund clearing services. The company seeks to meet the financial services needs of investors, advisers and employers. It focuses on building client loyalty with the goal of attracting new clients and serving them. Additionally, Schwab麓s strengths through shared core processes and technology advances which help create services that are scalable and consistent with the business.Interest Rates, Capital Structure and Debt-to-Capital RatioThe results are dependent on short-term interest rates, as 37% of its top line came from net interest income in the first quarter of 2014.The broker has been making significant efforts to become less dependent on interest rates, which we expect Federal Reserve will raise them in late 2014 or 2015. Also, the company麓s plan is to reach a low-cost capital structure and targets a long-term debt-to-total financial capital ratio of less than 30%.Lucrative Derivatives Trading In 2011, the company acquired Compl

Top Asian Companies To Invest In 2014: Dassault Systemes SA (DASTY.PK)

Dassault Systemes SA provides software solutions and consulting services. The Company�� global customer base includes companies primarily in 11 industrial sectors: automotive; industrial equipment; aerospace; consumer goods; consumer packaged goods; energy; high-tech; shipbuilding; life sciences; construction, and business services. It organizes its business and markets its products and services in two types of applications: the Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) market, to support product development, production, maintenance and lifecycle management, and the Mainstream three-dimensional (3D) market, which is primarily focused on product design. Its software applications address a range of products, from apparel, consumer goods, machine parts and semiconductors to automobiles, aircraft, ships and factories. In March 2011, the Company acquired Intercim. In April 2011, the Company acquired Enginuity PLM. On March 31, 2010, it acquired the IBM PLM. On June 8, 2010, the C ompany acquired Exalead, a French company providing Search Platforms and Search-Based Applications (SBA). In June 2010, the Company acquired Geensoft, a provider of embedded systems development solutions.

The Company has developed a software applications portfolio, organized in brands, in order to provide solutions responding to the requirements of product development: Design, Realistic Simulation, Digital Manufacturing and Production, Collaborative Innovation, and Lifelike Experiences. The Company�� principal brands include SolidWorks , CATIA, SIMULIA, DELMIA, ENOVIA and Universal Services.

SolidWorks

SolidWorks applications include 3D tools to design, manage, simulate, sustain and communicate. SolidWorks include 3D Design, Data management, Simulation and Environmental assessments. SolidWorks 3D�� include complex part and assembly modeling, production drawing creation, data management, design validation and simulation of motion, f low and structural performance, environmental impact evalu! at! ion and publishing. SolidWorks Data Management solutions enable control over all design information, eliminating concerns about version control or data loss. SolidWorks simulation technology ensures the quality and performance of the design before users commit to production. SolidWorks Sustainability technology enables users to assess the environmental impact of their design to create more sustainable products.

CATIA

CATIA is the Company�� PLM solution for 3D collaborative creation. CATIA addresses the complete product development process, from early product concept specification through product in service. CATIA V6 is designed to enable the spectrum of next generation collaborative virtual design. Its product portfolio is consists of four main domains, which include systems, shape design, mechanical design and equipment engineering. CATIA Systems captures, manages, and tracks product requirements with traceability, ensuring that early requiremen ts are met accurately all along the product development cycle. CATIA Shape provides a line of surfacing, reverse engineering, and visualization solutions to create, modify, and validate any type of complex shapes and help streamline the transition and collaboration among industrial designers. CATIA Mechanical delivers a collaborative and flexible design environment with concurrent engineering and change management through relational design. CATIA Equipment provides an integrated environment that enables the collaborative detailed design of electronic, electrical, and fluidic systems in context of a virtual product.

SIMULIA

SIMULIA provides a scalable portfolio of realistic simulation solutions designed to enable companies across a range of industries to improve product performance, reduce the number of physical prototypes and drive innovation. SIMULIA�� V6 portfolio spans include finite element analysis, multi-physics solutions, optimization analy sis, and simulation lifecycle management. Its finite e! lement! a! nalysis! software companies are able to create and test virtual prototypes of products and processes. Its multi-physics solutions enable companies to reach beyond the boundaries of a single domain. SIMULIA also provides design exploration and optimization technology, enabling designers and engineers to perform rapid trade-off studies of real-world behavior and accelerate product development. SIMULIA offers simulation lifecycle management, based upon the Company�� ENOVIA architecture offering an open collaborative platform for management of simulation data, processes and intellectual property.

DELMIA

DELMIA covers the Company�� PLM digital manufacturing solutions ranging from virtual process definition, workcell set-up, optimization, scheduling, and operation, to maintenance of real-time production systems. DELMIA V6 covers four principal domains, including Manufacturing planning, with 3D process and resource planning tools for creating and optimizing bu ild-to-order and lean production manufacturing systems; plant and resources engineering, with tools to virtually define and optimize manufacturing assets concurrently with manufacturing planning; program and control engineering, to virtually program, validate and simulate manufacturing systems for the virtual commissioning of production facilities, and control and production execution, which offers an accurate virtual production system to enable companies to track real time production activities, perform schedule changes, launch new programs and introduce model changeovers, and schedule maintenance operations.

ENOVIA

ENOVIA addresses business process needs across a broad spectrum of industries, managing simple, as well as engineered, complex products. The ENOVIA V6 products are organized by business processes, which include governance, global sourcing, global sourcing, and unified live collaboration. The Governance domain is designed to help compan ies launch enterprise new product introductions on! time and! ! on budget! . Governance includes these sub-processes: Requirements Management, Portfolio Configuration, Program Management, Decision Support Business Intelligence, and Compliance. The Global Sourcing domain allows companies to leverage supply chain capabilities throughout the product lifecycle. The IP Lifecycle domain helps eliminate costly product development errors as it is designed to enable improved cross-functional product design, manufacturing planning and performance simulation. The Unified Live Collaboration domain allows companies to deploy product lifecycle processes across the extended enterprise by providing a single, real-time view of information protocol (IP) across all business process domains, collaborative process management capabilities, and a service-oriented architecture that integrates with other enterprise system

The Company competes with Parametric Technology Corporation, ANSYS, Inc., MSC Software Corporation, Oracle Corporation, SAP AG, Siemens PLM Software, Adobe, Altair Engineering, Autonomy, Aveva, Bentley, Google, Intergraph, MathWorks, Nemetschek AG, Right Hemisphere, and Autodesk, Inc.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Markus Aarnio]

  Autodesk's competitors include Adobe Systems (ADBE), Dassault Systemes SA (DASTY.PK), and Parametric Technology Corporation (PMTC). Here is a table comparing these companies.

Top Asian Companies To Invest In 2014: Data Call Technologies Inc (DCLT)

Data Call Technologies, Inc. (Data Call), incorporated on April 4, 2002, focuses is to integrate cutting-edge information/content delivery solutions deployed by the media. The Company's software and services put its clients in control of real-time, news, and other content, including emergency alerts, displayed within one building as well as to thousands of local, regional and national clients, through Digital Signage and Kiosk networks. The Company offers its Direct Lynk Messenger service to customers through the Internet. The Direct Lynk Messenger Service is a Digital Signage product and real-time information service, which provides a range of up-to-date information for display.

Digital Signage is a method advertisers can use to promote, inform, educate, and entertain clients and customers about their businesses and products. Through Digital Signage, companies and businesses can use a single television or a series of networked flat liquid crystal display (LCD) or Plasma screens to market their services and products on site to their clients and customers in real time. Data Call specializes in allows its clients to create their own Digital Signage dynamic content feeds delivered, through Internet, to digital display devices (plasma, LCD, Jumbotron, Kiosks) at their establishments.

The Direct Lynk System allows customers to select from the pre-determined data and information services. The client may choose which individual locations and which displays they would like to receive the Company's feeds based on how their digital signage network is configured.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Peter Graham]

  Small cap small cap Internet, app or digital signage stocks Blast Applications, Inc (OTCMKTS: BLAP), TGFIN Holdings Inc (OTCMKTS: TGFN) and Data Call Technologies, Inc (OTCMKTS: DCLT) were getting some extra attention last week. Specifically, two of these stocks have been the subject of paid promotions while the third surged 114.29% on Friday. With that in mind, here is a closer look along with a reality check on all three small cap stocks:

Top Asian Companies To Invest In 2014: A. Schulman Inc.(SHLM)

A. Schulman, Inc. supplies plastic compounds and resins for packaging, consumer products, industrial, and automotive applications. The company offers additive compounds, custom color concentrates for film and molding, carbon black color concentrates, white color concentrates, additive compounds for polyester resins and special pearl effects, antistatic concentrates, and masterbatch for the production of synthetic paper. Its products also include engineered plastics, such as thermoplastic elastomers and vulcanizates, filled and unfilled nylon and PBT compounds, nylon/ABS alloys, formulated ionomer compounds, thermoplastic ionomer resins, flame-retardant thermoplastic compounds and concentrates, polypropylene, polyethylene, EVA compounds, thermoplastic olefins, flexible thermoplastic PVC compounds, high-quality PVC compounds, PVC-based thermoplastic elastomers, and low-gloss PVC thermoplastic elastomers for industrial packaging, appliances, electrical connectors, power tools , recreational items, and lawn and garden equipments. In addition, the company provides custom color and specialty compound powders, rotational molding process compounds, cross-linkable resin used in rotational molding, high heat-distortion temperature materials, and thermoplastic powders, as well as provides jet milling services used for products requiring very fine particle size, such as additives for printing ink, adhesives, waxes, and cosmetics; and cryogenic milling services for heat sensitive materials. Further, it buys, repackages, and re-sells polymers for various processing types comprising injection molding, blow molding, thermoforming, and extrusion, as well as provides tolling services. The company operates in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Americas, and the Asia Pacific. A. Schulman, Inc. was founded in 1928 and is headquartered in Akron, Ohio.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Jeremy Bowman]

  What: Shares of A. Schulman (NASDAQ: SHLM  ) were getting squashed today, falling as much as 14% after the plastics-maker turned in a subpar quarter.

• [By Laura Brodbeck]

  Earnings Releases Expected: A. Schulman, Inc. (NASDAQ: SHLM), Team, Inc. (NYSE: TISI), ZEP Inc. (NYSE: ZEP)

  Economic Releases Expected: Japanese current account, US consumer credit, Chilean trade balance, Swiss CPI, Spanish industrial production, German industrial production

• [By Maria Armental var popups = dojo.query(".socialByline .popC"); popups.forEach]

  A. Schulman Inc.(SHLM) agreed to buy a majority of Ferro Corp.'s(FOE) specialty plastics business for $91 million in cash, an effort to expand its geographic footprint.