Top Machinery Stocks To Buy For 2014

LOS ANGELES (MarketWatch) -- Chinese stocks advanced early Monday, with strong gains for insurers helping support the market. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index (HK:HSI) improved by 0.5% to 22,816.23, with the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index up 0.9%, while the Shanghai Composite (CN:SHCOMP) added 0.3%. China Life Insurance Co. (HK:2628) (LFC) added 2.5% in Hong Kong and 1.6% in Shanghai after swinging to a quarterly profit, while strong earnings for rival Ping An Insurance Group Co. (HK:2318) (PNGAY) (CN:601318) sent its shares up 2.2% in Hong Kong and 1.7% in Shanghai. Among other Hong Kong-listed financials, China Construction Bank Corp. (HK:939) (CICHF) (CN:601939) rose 1.1% despite posting earnings that trailed average expectations, while China Merchants Bank Co. (HK:3968) (CIHHF) (CN:600036) climbed 1.3% ahead of its own quarterly report due later in the day. Zoomlion Heavy Industry Science & Technology Co. (HK:1157) (ZLIOF) shot 7.8% higher after a Chinese journalist admitted to taking bribes to write reports damaging to the company. News reports had accused the major contruction-machinery firm of accounting fraud.

Top Healthcare Equipment Companies To Invest In Right Now: Rofin-Sinar Technologies Inc (RSI)

Rofin-Sinar Technologies Inc., incorporated on July 19, 1996, is engaged in the designing, development, engineering, manufacturing and marketing of laser-based products used for cutting, welding and marking a range of materials. The Company offers a range of laser products and related services for three material processing applications: cutting, welding, and surface treatment (macro applications); marking, and fine cutting, fine welding, micro drilling, and micro structuring (micro applications). It provides a range of laser sources and laser-based system solutions to markets, such as the machine tool, automotive, semiconductor, electronics, and photovoltaic industries. Its product categories include Laser macro products, Laser marking products, Laser micro products and Components. The products are sold directly to end-users and to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

As of September 30, 2013, the Company had over 4,000 customers (including multinational companies with multiple facilities purchasing from the Company). During the year ended September 30, 2013 (fiscal 2013), approximately 38%, of the Company�� revenues related to sales of laser products for macro applications, approximately 13%, related to sales of components, and approximately 49%, related to sales of laser products for marking and micro applications.

LASER MACRO PRODUCTS

The Company�� carbon dioxide laser products for macro applications consist of DC Slab Series, SC Series, XL Series, STS Series, FH Series and SM Series. Its XL, STS, FH and SM Series fast-axial flow carbon dioxide lasers are used for both cutting and welding applications and are marketed under the PRC and NELC brand. XL, STS, FH, SM, FA, and PLS Series products are used primarily by the machine tool industry. Its SC Series diffusion cooled, wave-guide carbon dioxide lasers are developed and produced by Rofin-Sinar UK Ltd. The SC Series are sealed-off lasers, used for cutting and structuring applications. Markets for the! se include machine tool, electronics, and packaging industries. The Company�� DQ Series of Q switched, solid-state lasers are designed for applications, such as removal, cleaning and insulation of various materials in the automotive, consumer electronics and photovoltaic markets. The Company�� FL Series of high-brightness single or multi-mode fiber lasers use fiber optics as the active medium. These fiber lasers are used for cutting and welding applications, as well as for new applications, such as remote cutting. Its diode lasers are designed to meet the requirements of a range of welding, soldering and surface treatment applications.

LASER MARKING PRODUCTS

Rofin offers standardized and customized laser marking systems in different power ranges and wavelengths for use in various industrial segments. The Company�� standard PowerLine marking products consist of a range of lasers with output power from 2 watts to 100 watts with a galvo-head, a personal computer with processor, and Rofin�� VisualLaserMarker software. Special options and accessories include a double marking head allowing speeds of up to 1,600 characters per second in certain applications, as well as beam-switching and -splitting options for marking of products in multiple production lines using a single laser. It is used in the semiconductor and electronics industries. MultiScan vector scanning marker utilizes a 100 watts sealed-off carbon dioxide laser. It is used in marking of consumer goods in the packaging industry. LabelMarker Advanced is a laser-based system is Rofin�� solution. This laser system is used in any production area without additional safety requirements. The EasyMark is a transportable desktop device. The EasyMark offers a program-controlled z-axis and a rotary axis, which can optionally be integrated. An aluminum T-slot plate facilitates mounting of customer-specific work piece carriers. The EasyJewel is a transportable desktop device developed to mark jewellery. CombiLine Cube/CombiLi! ne Advanc! ed compact laser workstations have been designed for small and medium-size batches. NuQ pulsed fiber laser sources are produced and marketed under the Nufern brand and are designed for OEM customers and integrators.

LASER MICRO PRODUCTS

The Company markets and sells a range of laser products, including, pulsed, fiber and other solid-state lasers for various spot welding and fine cutting applications; carbon dioxide Slab lasers for perforating applications; Q switched, solid-state lasers for surface structuring, and diode lasers for soldering and plastic welding applications. The Company's manual welders for micro applications, which are sold under the name Performance Tool Open and Internal, consist of pulsed, solid-state lasers in the range of 60 watts to 200 watts, which are primarily used for fine welding applications in the medical device, jewelry and mold making industries. The StarPulse Series consists of pulsed Nd:YAG rod lasers with power ratings from 40 to 500 watts. These are designed for use in fine welding applications, such as laser welding of reflective materials in the medical device and electronics industry.

The StarFiber Series achieve nominal powers of 100 watts up to 600 watts. The lasers can be operated in either pulse-modulated or continuous wave mode. The StarFiber Series is designed for a range of applications for fine welding and fine cutting, such as welding of electromechanic components or fine cutting. The X-Lase Series consists of picosecond pulse mode-locked fiber laser systems with an output power of upto 24 watts. Markets are in the semiconductor, electronics and display industries. In these industries, the X-Lase products can be used for thin film patterning, ablation and scribing applications. Its StarFemto Series consists of femtosecond pulse mode-locked laser systems with a maximal output power of 5 watts. Main markets are medical implants and other fine cutting or structuring applications. The PerfoLas Systems consist of a carbo! n dioxide! laser in combination with a galvo scanning head and is used for precise cutting, drilling, and surface structuring.

The Universal Workstation (UW) and Modular Processing System (MPS) Series are modular laser-based systems that are designed to meet a variety of applications, including welding, cutting, surface modification and ablation. Depending on the application, the UW and MPS Systems can be equipped with different laser sources (femtosecond, fiber, diode, or solid-state laser) and modified for specific handlings. Series 800 are flash-lamp pumped, solid-state lasers sold to OEM customers, and system integrators for various micro and marking applications. Series LDP and LEP are diode pumped, solid-state lasers sold to OEM customers and system integrators for various micro and marking applications. Series LDPP are diode pulse-pumped Nd:YAG lasers that are designed to cut thin metals. Market is the medical devices industry. Series LFP are hybrid diode pumped, solid state, picosecond lasers that are produced and marketed under the Lee Laser brand and are sold to OEM customers and system integrators for various micro applications.

The COMPACT and MINI Diode Laser System Series are laser systems are available in a range of output powers and wavelengths, including fiber-coupled direct beam or line source solutions, and are engineered for utilization in industrial laser materials processing, mainly for plastic welding, soldering and brazing applications in the automotive, medical device and electronic industries. The KLS Series lasers are pulsed solid-state lasers which are used for fine cutting, drilling and scribing applications. The FLS Series are lamp pumped, pulsed, solid-state lasers with high peak power for deep penetration cutting, welding and drilling. SLS CL Series are pulsed Nd:YAG solid-state lasers with output powers in the range of 5 to 250 watts. The KLS 246, FLS, LFS and SLS CL Series are all manufactured by the Company's Switzerland-based subsidiary LASAG.

COMP! ONENT PRODUCTS

The Company offers power supplies for pulsed and continuous wave solid-state lasers, carbon dioxide lasers, diode lasers, as well as radio frequency (RF) generators for acousto-optic Q-switches through its wholly owned subsidiary PMB Elektronik GmbH. Fiber and Optics Technology are special fiber lasers, fiber coupling products and optical engines, for use in fiber lasers are manufactured and marketed by the Company�� Finland-based subsidiary Corelase Oy. Laser Diodes and Modules are high-power semiconductor components, such as high power, high-brightness laser diodes and modules are manufactured and marketed by the Company�� subsidiaries Dilas Diodenlaser GmbH, Dilas Diodelaser Inc., Dilas Diodelaser China and m2k-laser GmbH. Fibers, fiber components, beam splitters or switches and beam combiners designed for use in industrial lasers or as beam delivery systems are manufactured and marketed by Optoskand AB. Fibers and fiber laser technology components are developed, manufactured and marketed by Nufern, East Granby. The Company�� high-technology components are either integrated by other laser manufacturers into their products or are used for the Company�� own product portfolio.

The Company competes with Trumpf, GSI Group, Unitek Miyachi, Han's Laser, Fanuc, Synrad, Coherent, IPG, Laserline and Jenoptik.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Joon Choi]

  Currently, the monthly relative strength indicator (RSI) reading is 83.7. (A reading over 70 is considered to be overbought.) To put this figure in perspective, the monthly RSI of the Nasdaq Composite was 85.9 on March of 2000 (the index peak), and we know what happened afterwards.

Top Machinery Stocks To Buy For 2014: Mueller Water Products Inc (MWA)

Mueller Water Products, Inc., incorporated on September 22, 2005, is a manufacturer and marketer of products and services used in the transmission, distribution and measurement of water. The Company�� product portfolio includes engineered valves, fire hydrants, pipe fittings, water meters, leak detection and pipe condition assessment which are used by municipalities, as well as the residential and non-residential construction industries. The Company operates in two segments: Mueller Co. and Anvil. Mueller Co. The Company�� valve or fire hydrant products are specified for use in the 100 metropolitan areas in the United States.

Mueller Co.

Mueller Co. manufactures valves for water and gas systems, including iron gate, butterfly, tapping, check, plug and ball valves, as well as dry-barrel and wet-barrel fire hydrants and a of pipe repair products, such as clamps and couplings used to repair leaks. The Company offers residential and commercial metering products and systems and leak detection and pipe condition assessment products and services. Mueller Co. products are sold through waterworks distributors.

The Company�� fire hydrants consist of an upper barrel and nozzle section and a lower barrel and valve section that connects to a water main. In dry-barrel hydrants, the valve connecting the barrel of the hydrant to the water main is located below ground at or below the frost line, which keeps the hydrant upper barrel dry. It sells dry-barrel fire hydrants with the Mueller and U.S. Pipe Valve and Hydrant brand names in the United States and the Mueller and Canada Valve brand names in Canada. The Company also makes wet-barrel hydrants, where the valves are located in the hydrant nozzles and the barrel contains water at all times. It also makes wet-barrel hydrants, where the valves are located in the hydrant nozzles and the barrel contains water at all times.

Mueller Co. manufactures a variety of intelligent water technology products under the Mue! ller Systems and Hersey Meters brand names that are designed to help water providers accurately measure water usage. These products include water meters, advanced metering infrastructure systems and automated meter reading products, have the capability to measure water usage ranging from small residential flows to large commercial and industrial applications.

Mueller Co. offers leak detection and pipe condition assessment products and services under the Echologics brand name. Other products include pipe repair products, such as clamps and couplings used to repair leaks and municipal castings, such as manhole covers and street drain grates. It sells these products under the Mueller and Jones brand names.

The Company competes with McWane, Inc., American Cast Iron Pipe Company, The Ford Meter Box Company, Inc., A.Y. McDonald Mfg, Sensus, Neptune Technology Group, Inc., Badger Meter, Inc., Aclara LLC and Itron, Inc.

Anvil

Anvil manufactures and sources a range of products, includes fittings, couplings, hangers, valves and related products for use in many non-residential constructions for HVAC, fire protection, energy and oil and gas applications. Anvil's products are sold through distributors who then sell the products to a variety of end users. These distributors are serviced primarily through Anvil's distribution centers.

Fittings and Couplings manufactures threaded and grooved pipe fittings and couplings. Pipe fittings and couplings join two pieces of pipe together. The five categories of pipe fittings and couplings are cast iron fittings, malleable iron fittings and unions, grooved fittings, couplings and valves, threaded steel pipe coupling and nipples. Hangers, manufacture an array of pipe hangers and supports. Standard pipe hangers and supports are used in fire protection sprinkler systems and HVAC applications where the objective is to provide rigid support from the building structure.

The Company competes with Ward Man! ufacturin! g L.L.C., malleable iron fittings, Victaulic Company, Tyco International Ltd., ERICO International Corporation, Cooper Industries plc and Carpenter & Paterson, Inc.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Travis Hoium]

  What: Shares of Mueller Water Products (NYSE: MWA  ) jumped as much as 17% today after the company released earnings.

  So what: Fiscal-second-quarter revenue jumped 12.6% to $283.1 million and net income was $6.2 million, or $0.05 per share. Analysts only expected revenue to be $270.8 million and earnings of $0.02 per share so this was well ahead of estimates. �

Top Machinery Stocks To Buy For 2014: Toro Co (TTC)

The Toro Company (Toro), incorporated on November 7, 1983, designs, manufactures, and markets professional turf maintenance equipment and services, turf irrigation systems, agricultural micro-irrigation systems, landscaping equipment and lighting, and residential yard and snow removal products. The Company operates in three business segments: Professional, Residential, and Distribution. Its products are advertised and sold at the retail level under the names of Toro, Exmark, Irritrol, Hayter, Pope, Lawn-Boy and Lawn Genie. In October 2013, the Company acquired Xiamen Xiangfeng Water Saving Equipment Co., Ltd.

Professional

The Company designs professional turf, landscape, and agricultural products and markets them worldwide through a network of distributors and dealers, as well as directly to Government customers, rental companies, and retailers. These channel partners then sell its products to professional users engaged in creating and renovating landscapes, irrigating turf and agricultural fields, and maintaining turf, such as golf courses, sports fields, municipal properties, and residential and commercial landscapes.

Landscape Contractor Market

The Company market products to landscape contractors under the Toro and Exmark brands. Products for the landscape contractor market include zero-turn radius riding mowers, heavy-duty walk behind mowers, mid-size walk behind mowers, stand-on mowers, and turf renovation and tree care equipment. It also offers some products with electronic fuel injection engine options. In fiscal 2013, it enhanced its line of Toro Z Master Commercial 3000 Series mowers, featuring its TURBO FORCE cutting deck, integrated pump, and wheel motors designed for professional results, performance, and dependability. In addition, in fiscal 2013, it introduced the new Exmark Vantage X-Series stand-on mower.

Sports Fields and Grounds Market

Products for the sports fields and grounds market include riding rotar! y mowers and attachments, aerators, and debris management products, which include versatile debris vacuums, blowers, and sweepers. Other products include multipurpose vehicles, such as the Toro Workman, that can be used for turf maintenance, towing, and industrial hauling. These products are sold through distributors, who then sell to owners and/or managers of sports fields, Governmental properties, and residential and commercial landscapes.

Golf Course Market

The Company�� products for the golf course market include large reel and rotary riding products for fairway, rough and trim cutting; riding and walking mowers for putting greens and specialty areas; greens rollers; turf sprayer equipment; utility vehicles; aeration equipment; and bunker maintenance equipment. In fiscal 2013, it introduced the Reelmaster 3550-D, which features a productive 82 inch cutting width, enhanced ground-following capability with turf-friendly tires, and three-wheel drive system designed for traction in hilly and wet conditions. In addition, in fiscal 2013, it began offering versions of its golf products which are compliant with Tier 4 diesel engine emission requirements. It also manufacture and market underground irrigation systems for the golf course market, including sprinkler heads, controllers, turf sensors, and electric, battery-operated, and hydraulic valves. Its 835S/855S Series golf sprinklers are equipped with a unique TruJectory feature that provides enhanced water distribution control. Its Turf Guard wireless soil monitoring systems are designed to measure soil moisture, salinity, and temperature through buried wireless sensors that communicate through an Internet server for processing and presentation to a user through the Web.

Residential/Commercial Irrigation and Lighting Market

Turf irrigation products marketed under the Toro and Irritrol brands include rotors; sprinkler bodies and nozzles; plastic and brass valves; drip tubing and subsurface irrigation; ! electric ! and hydraulic control devices; and wired and wireless rain, freeze, and climate sensors. These products are designed to be used in residential and commercial turf irrigation systems that are installed into new systems or used to replace or retrofit existing systems. Most of the product lines are designed for underground automatic irrigation. Electric and hydraulic controllers activate valves and sprinkler bodies and nozzles in a typical irrigation system. Its retail irrigation products are marketed under the Toro and Lawn Genie brand names. These products are designed for homeowner installation and include sprinkler heads, valves, timers, and drip irrigation systems. Its ECXTRA sprinkler timers can be used with a home computer and its Scheduling Advisor recommends the proper watering schedule based on the local weather, plant type, and sprinkler. It manufactures and market lighting products under the Unique Lighting Systems brand name.

Micro-Irrigation Market

Products for the micro-irrigation market include products that regulate the flow of water for drip irrigation, including Aqua-Traxx PBX drip tape, Aqua-Traxx PC (pressure-compensating) drip tape, Blue Stripe polyethylene tubing, BlueLine drip line, and NGE emitters, all used in agriculture, mining, and landscape applications. In addition to these products, it offers control devices and connection options. These products are sold primarily through dealers and distributors who then sell to end users for use primarily in vegetable fields, fruit and nut orchards, vineyards, landscapes, and mines. In fiscal 2013, it expanded its product offering of the Neptune thinwall dripline into the North America market, featuring a medium-durability dripline that enables growers to install a subsurface drip irrigation system designed to last for up to ten years and to allow growers of medium-length crops to adopt drip irrigation. In addition, in fiscal 2013, it introduced AquaFlow 3.2 Drip Irrigation Design Software, a new software packag! e used to! help design drip irrigation systems.

Rental and Construction Market

The Company offers over 35 attachments for our compact utility loaders, including trenchers, augers, vibratory plows, and backhoes. In fiscal 2013, it launched the STX-38 Stump Grinder featuring high maneuverability and hydraulic sweep control. Products for the rental market include compact utility loaders, walk-behind trenchers, stump grinders, and turf renovation products, many of which are also sold to landscape contractors. Its presence in the construction market is driven by an equipment line of vibratory plows, trenchers, and horizontal directional drills, all of which are used in the installation, repair, and replacement of underground utilities with minimal impact on surrounding landscapes or structures. In fiscal 2013, it introduced the Toro Pro Sneak Vibratory Plow that delivers consistent and powerful plowing in a compact, maneuverable package.

Residential

The Company markets its residential products to homeowners through a variety of distribution channels, including outdoor power equipment dealers, hardware retailers, home centers, mass retailers, and over the Internet. These products are sold mainly in North America, Europe, and Australia, with the exception of snow removal products that are sold primarily in North America and Europe.

Walk Power Mower Products

The Company manufactures and markets a number of walk power mower models under its Toro and Lawn-Boy brand names, as well as the Pope brand in Australia and the Hayter brand in the United Kingdom. Toro also offers a line of rear-roller walk power mowers, a design that provides a striped finish, for the United Kingdom market.

Riding Products

The Company manufactures and markets riding products under the Toro brand name worldwide and under the Hayter brand name in the United Kingdom. Riding products primarily consist of zero-turn radius mowers. Lawn and garden tra! ctor mode! ls are sold worldwide. In addition, its rear engine and direct-collect riding mowers are manufactured and sold in the European market. A number of models are available with a variety of engines, decks, transmissions, and accessories.

Home Solutions Products

Toro designs and markets home solutions products under the Toro and Pope brand names, including electric and battery-operated grass trimmers, electric blower-vacuums, electric blowers, and electric snow throwers. In Australia, the Company also designs and markets underground and hose-end retail irrigation products under the Pope brand name.

Gas Snow Removal Products

The Company manufactures and markets a range of gas-powered single-stage and two-stage snow thrower models. Single-stage snow throwers are walk behind units with lightweight two- and four-cycle gasoline engines. Its two-stage snow throwers are designed for large areas of deep, heavy snow and use four-cycle engines. The Company�� two-stage snow throwers include a line of models featuring the Power Max auger system and the Quick Stick chute control technology.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Rich Duprey]

  Consumer landscape equipment maker�Toro� (NYSE: TTC  ) �announced yesterday its second-quarter dividend of $0.14 per share, the same rate it paid the past two quarters after raising the payout 27% from $0.11 per share.

• [By Charles Sizemore]

  Stuart Varney took it a step further, mentioning Toro Company (TTC), the maker of many of the snow blowers that have become a common sight across much of America this year. I agreed, adding that Toro is a major manufacturer of lawn and turf maintenance equipment — and because virtually every lawn, park and golf course in America has suffered damage this year, and Toro is well positioned to profit from the repairs.

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  Shares of Deere have dropped 0.7% to $93.65 at 3:49 p.m. today, while Agco (AGCO) has dipped 0.1% to $55.12, Toro (TTC) has gained 1% to $65.17 and Caterpillar (CAT) has risen 1.2% to $106.27.

• [By Seth Jayson]

  There's no foolproof way to know the future for Toro (NYSE: TTC  ) or any other company. However, certain clues may help you see potential stumbles before they happen -- and before your stock craters as a result.

Top Machinery Stocks To Buy For 2014: Emak SpA (EM)

Emak SpA is an Italy-based company primarily engaged in the manufacture of outdoor power equipment for gardening, forestry, agriculture and industry. The Company�� portfolio includes chainsaws, brush cutters, lawnmowers, garden tractors, water pumps, high pressure washers, transporters, rotary cultivators, motor hoes and power cutters, among others. It also manufactures spare parts, accessories and protective clothing. The Company sells its products under various brand names, such as Oleo-Mac, Efco, Bertolini, Nibbi and Staub. Emak SpA directly manages distribution in the Italian market and it sells products, through its commercial subsidiaries, in France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain, the countries of Benelux, Poland, Ukraine, among others.The Company is controlled by Yama SpA, which is an industrial holding company. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Canadian Value]

  For 20+ years there has been a coherent growth story around Emerging Markets (EM), where the label "Emerging Market" had real meaning within a common knowledge perspective. Today ��not so much. Today the story is that it was easy money from the Fed that drove global growth, EM or otherwise. Today the story is that Emerging Markets are just the levered beneficiaries or victims of Fed monetary policy, no different than anyone else��

• [By Federico Zaldua]

  Brookfield Infrastructure has a number of potentially profitable areas for investment around the world but, above all, in infrastructure hungry Emerging Markets (EM) such as Brazil. According to Credit Suisse analysts, in Brazil, funds can be invested at Funds From Operations (FFO) yields above 12%. Therefore, the company's ability to grow its distribution yield, whether through acquisitions or organically, is critical to evaluate the company's value. Moreover, the currently conservative dividend payout ratio should allow Brookfield Infrastructure to self-finance on going opportunities.

Top Machinery Stocks To Buy For 2014: Mueller Industries Inc (MLI)

Mueller Industries, Inc., incorporated on October 03, 1990, is a manufacturer of copper, brass, plastic, and aluminum products. The Company�� products include copper tube and fittings; brass and copper alloy rod, bar, and shapes; aluminum and brass forgings; aluminum and copper impact extrusions; plastic pipe, fittings and valves; refrigeration valves and fittings; fabricated tubular products; and steel nipples. The Company also resells imported brass and plastic plumbing valves, malleable iron fittings, faucets and plumbing specialty products. Mueller�� operations are located throughout the United States and in Canada, Mexico, Great Britain, and China. The Company has two segments: the Plumbing & Refrigeration segment and the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) segment. The Plumbing & Refrigeration segment is composed of the Standard Products Division (SPD), European Operations, and Mexican Operations. The OEM segment is composed of the Industrial Products Division (IPD), Engineered Products Division (EPD), and Jiangsu Mueller-Xingrong Copper Industries Limited (Mueller-Xingrong), the Company�� Chinese joint venture. On August 16, 2012, the Company acquired 100% of the stock of Westermeyer Industries, Inc. (Westermeyer), located in Bluffs, Illinois. Westermeyer designs, manufactures, and distributes high-pressure components and accessories for the air-conditioning and refrigeration markets. In October 2013, Commercial Metals Company completed the sale of Howell Metal Company, to Mueller Copper Tube Products, Inc., a subsidiary of Mueller Industries, Inc.

Plumbing & Refrigeration segment

SPD manufactures and sells copper tube, copper and plastic fittings, plastic pipe, and valves in North America and sources products for import distribution in North America. European Operations manufacture copper tube in Europe, which is sold in Europe and the Middle East; activities also include import distribution in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Mexican Operations consist of pi! pe nipple manufacturing and import distribution businesses, including product lines of malleable iron fittings and other plumbing specialties. The Plumbing & Refrigeration segment sells products to wholesalers in the heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC), plumbing, and refrigeration markets, to distributors to the manufactured housing and recreational vehicle industries, and to building material retailers.

Mueller�� Plumbing & Refrigeration segment includes SPD, which manufactures a line of copper tube, in sizes ranging from 1/8 inch to eight inch diameter, which are sold in various straight lengths and coils. Mueller is in the air-conditioning and refrigeration service tube markets. In addition, Mueller supplies a variety of water tube in straight lengths and coils used for plumbing applications in virtually every type of construction project. SPD also manufactures copper and plastic fittings and related components for the plumbing and heating industry that are used in water distribution systems, heating systems, air-conditioning, and refrigeration applications, and drainage, waste, and vent systems. SPD�� products are used in the domestic residential and commercial construction markets. The Plumbing & Refrigeration segment also fabricates steel pipe nipples and resells imported brass and plastic plumbing valves, malleable iron fittings, faucets, and plumbing specialty products to plumbing wholesalers, distributors to the manufactured housing and recreational vehicle industries and building materials retailers.

The Company competes with Cerro Flow Products, Inc., Cambridge-Lee Industries LLC , Wolverine Tube, Inc., KobeWieland Copper Products LLC, Howell Metal Company, Elkhart Products Company, NIBCO, Inc. and Charlotte Pipe & Foundry.

OEM segment

The OEM segment manufactures and sells brass and copper alloy rod, bar, and shapes; aluminum and brass forgings; aluminum and copper impact extrusions; refrigeration valves and fittings; fabr! icated tu! bular products, and gas valves and assemblies. Mueller-Xingrong manufactures engineered copper tube primarily for air-conditioning applications. The products are sold primarily to OEMs located in China. The OEM segment sells its products primarily to original equipment manufacturers, many of which are in the HVAC, plumbing, and refrigeration markets.

Mueller�� OEM segment includes IPD, which manufactures brass rod, nonferrous forgings, and impact extrusions that are sold primarily to OEMs in the plumbing, refrigeration, fluid power, and automotive industries, as well as to other manufacturers and distributors. The Company extrudes brass, bronze and copper alloy rod in sizes ranging from 3/8 inches to four inches in diameter. These alloys are used in applications that require a high degree of machinability, wear and corrosion resistance, as well as electrical conductivity. IPD also manufactures brass and aluminum forgings, which are used in a variety of products, including automotive components, brass fittings, industrial machinery, valve bodies, gear blanks, and computer hardware. IPD also serves the automotive, military ordnance, aerospace, and general manufacturing industries with cold-formed aluminum and copper impact extrusions. The OEM segment also includes EPD, which manufactures and fabricates valves and custom OEM products for refrigeration and air-conditioning, gas appliance, and barbecue grill applications. In addition, EPD manufactures shaped and formed tube, produced to tight tolerances, for baseboard heating, appliances, and medical instruments.

The Company competes with Chase Brass and Copper Company.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  The iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) has dropped 5.2% so far this year, while Mueller Industries (MLI), which has plunged 55%, Medidata Solutions (MDSO), which has plummeted 44%, Financial Engines (FNGN), which has slid 42%, and Isis Pharmaceuticals (ISIS), which has tumbled 42%, are the index’s biggest losers.

• [By Neil Macneale]

  Among the potential addition to our portfolio, Mueller Industries (MLI) may seem among the least likely. It�� a very small-cap company ($1.8B) and it�� not very well known (covered by only two analysts).