Top 5 Performing Stocks To Invest In 2014

Given that you clicked on this article, it seems safe to assume you either own stock in People's United Financial (NASDAQ: PBCT  ) or are considering buying shares in the near future. If so, then you've come to the right place. The table below reveals the nine most critical numbers that investors need to know about People's United stock before deciding whether to buy, sell, or hold it.

But before getting to that, a brief introduction is in order. Founded in 1842, People's United is one of the oldest financial institutions in the country. And today, it's one of the largest regional banks in New England, with locations in Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. It currently operates 418 branches and has $30 billion in assets.

As you can see in the table above, People's United exhibits a number of core strengths. Its net interest margin exceeds the industry average by 16 basis points, showing prudent interest rate risk. Its nonperforming loans ratio is far below its typical peer, demonstrating a convincing handle on credit risk. And finally, it pays out a generous 89% of its earnings via dividends.

Top 5 Performing Stocks To Invest In 2014: Zucchi(ZUCI.MI)

Vincenzo Zucchi S.p.A. engages the in manufacture and sale of household linen. The company offers bedroom products, such as sheets and pillowcases, duvet covers, and bedspreads; bathroom products, including towels, bathrobes, and bath mats; living room products comprising sofa covers, table and kitchen products, and throws; and outdoor products consisting of travel robes, travel sheets, and beach towels. It also operates Zucchi stores and outlets. The company was founded in 1920 and is based in Rescaldina, Italy.

Top 5 Performing Stocks To Invest In 2014: MedAssets Inc.(MDAS)

MedAssets, Inc. provides technology enabled products and services for hospitals, health systems, and other non-acute healthcare providers in the United States. It operates in two segments, Spend and Clinical Resource Management, and Revenue Cycle Management. The Spend and Clinical Resource Management offers a suite of cost management services, supply chain analytics, and data capabilities; medical device and clinical resource consulting, which includes implantable physician preference items, utilization management, and service line consulting; supply chain outsourcing and procurement services; capital equipment lifecycle management; lean process and workforce optimization solutions; process improvement consulting; business intelligence tools; and performance analytics and data management tools, such as service line analytics, spend analytics and strategic information services, e-commerce, client master item file services, electronic contract portfolio catalog, and decision support services. The Revenue Cycle Management segment provides a suite of products and services spanning the revenue cycle workflow from patient access and financial responsibility; case management, coding, and documentation; charge capture and revenue integrity; strategic pricing; claims processing; denials management and reimbursement integrity; revenue cycle and supply chain integration; revenue recovery and accounts receivable management; and outsourced services. It delivers technology-enabled solutions primarily through the company-hosted software, software-as-a-service, or Web-based applications. As of December 31, 2011, the company served approximately 4,200 acute care hospitals and 100,000 ancillary or non-acute provider locations. MedAssets, Inc. was incorporated in 1999 and is headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia.

Best Investments For 2014: Fti Foodtech International Inc. (FTI.V)

FTI Foodtech International Inc. operates in the surplus goods industry. The company has multiple products and multiple buyers. It operates the Toronto office of the North American Barter Exchange Limited (NABEL) that provides business to business communications for its members� products and services. FTI Foodtech International, through NABEL, has access to hundreds of member-companies that provide products and services in North America. In addition, the company distributes Ageless, an oxygen absorber, to new and existing clients. FTI Foodtech International Inc. is headquartered in Don Mills, Canada.

Top 5 Performing Stocks To Invest In 2014: Advocat Inc.(AVCA)

Advocat Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides long-term care services to nursing home patients. It offers health care, nursing, personal care, and social services to their patients and residents. The company also provides rehabilitation and nutritional support services. As of June 30, 2011, it operated 9 company-owned and 37 leased nursing centers with 5,364 licensed nursing beds in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, and West Virginia. The company was founded in 1994 and is based in Brentwood, Tennessee.

Top 5 Performing Stocks To Invest In 2014: Shengkai Innovations Inc.(VALV)

Shengkai Innovations, Inc., through its subsidiaries, engages in designing, manufacturing, and distributing ceramic valves and components for industrial use in the People?s Republic of China. It provides ceramic valves in various categories, including gate valves, ball valves, back valves, adjustable valves, cut-off valves, and special valves. The company also offers a series of services related to industrial ceramic valves comprising manufacture, installation, and maintenance of general industrial ceramic valves, as well as the design and manufacture of various non-standard ceramic valves. It sells its products to electric power, petrochemical, chemical, aluminum, and metallurgy industries through direct sales force and agents. The company also exports its products to Europe, North America, and the Asia-Pacific region. Shengkai Innovations, Inc. is based in Tianjin, the People's Republic of China.