Canadian Stocks For 2018: February 2014

Friday, February 21, 2014

Verizon, Delta, IBM are stocks to watch Tuesday

SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) — With several Dow Jones Industrial companies slated to announce results, Tuesday is expected to be a busy day for earnings as investors focus on quarterly performance data from Verizon Communications Inc., Delta Air Lines Inc., and International Business Machines Corp.

The stock market will be closed on Monday due to Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

Bloomberg Verizon Wireless signage is displayed outside of a store in New York, U.S., on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2013.

Dow component Verizon (VZ) is projected to report fourth-quarter earnings of 62 cents a share, according to a consensus survey by FactSet. "Among the four largest carriers, we continue to favor Verizon as we believe the company will be able to maintain its leadership position by effectively and profitably growing its subscriber base," said Greg Miller, an analyst at Canaccord Genuity, in a report.

Delta (DAL) is forecast to post earnings of 63 cents a share in the fourth quarter.

IBM (IBM) , also on the Dow, is expected to post fourth-quarter earnings of $5.99 a share. "We maintain our neutral on IBM ahead of their upcoming earnings results. The risk/reward is more balanced at present stock price levels, but ultimately IBM will need to return to growth to drive stock price appreciation," Joseph Foresi, an analyst at Janney Capital Markets, said in a note.

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) , another blue chip, is likely to report earnings of $1.20 a share in the fourth quarter.

Halliburton Co. (HAL) is forecast to post earnings of 89 cents a share in the fourth quarter.

Travelers Inc. (TRV) , the only financial stock in the Dow reporting Tuesday, is expected to turn in earnings of $2.16 a share in the fourth quarter.

Regions Financial Corp. (RF) is likely to post fourth-quarter earnings of 20 cents a share.

Texas Instruments Inc. (TXN) is projected to report earnings of 46 cents a share in the fourth quarter. "We expect TI to print a slight Q4 beat on steady broad based demand and provide Q1 guidance largely in-line with Street estimates," said Betsy Van Hees, an analyst at Wedbush.

After Friday's closing bell, Jos. A. Bank Clothiers Inc. (JOSB) said its board rejected rival Men's Wearhouse's Inc's (MW) sweetened bid to acquire the company for $57.50 a share. The offer is "inadequate from a financial point of view and not in the best interest of Jos. A. Bank's stockholders," the company said in a statement.

Late Friday, Intel Corp. (INTC) said it will cut more than 5% of its workforce this year, roughly about 5,400 employees, amid a sustained slowdown in the PC industry. The workforce reduction would be an ongoing process throughout 2014, an Intel spokesman said.

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Stocks shake off China news, rise

Stocks are under pressure Thursday after markets in Asia fell on some weaker than expected Chinese manufacturing data and investors respond to corporate moves.

In morning trading, the Dow Jones industrial average, Standard & Poor's 500 index and Nasdaq composite are all down about 0.1%.

Walmart and Facebook stock are taking a pounding, with each down 2.4% or more.

WAL-MART: Earnings report shows challenges

Investors are reacting to Wednesday's after-the-close news that Facebook will pay $4 billion in cash and $12 billion in stock for WhatsApp, a mobile messaging app that boasts 450 million users. The move follows last year's failed attempt by Facebook to acquire Snapchat for $3 billion.

Before Thursday's opening bell Walmart reported a profit plunge of 21%. Walmart CEO Doug McMillion emphasized that the company's global online sales, including acquisitions, topped $10 billion, a 30% increase over last year.

Walmart U.S. CEO Bill Simon acknowledged dollar store competition in an earnings call early Wednesday.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index was down 1.1% at 22,415.40 and Japan's Nikkei 225 shed 2.2% to 14,449.18.

European shares declined. Germany's DAX index fell 1.3%.

WEDNESDAY: Stocks fall as Nasdaq ends 8-day winning streak

Oil prices slipped Thursday after a report indicated manufacturing in China, the world's second biggest economy, shrank again in February.

Top Stocks To Buy For 2015

Benchmark U.S. crude for March delivery was down 19 cents to $103.12 a barrel at 0720 GMT in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract expires Thursday. It rose 88 cents to $103.31 a barrel on Wednesday. The April contract was down 18 cents at $102.66.

Contributing: Associated Press

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Charles Schwab: Brazil Stocks Are Cheap, But Hard to Spy Catalyst for Recovery

SAO PAULO–Brazilian equities are cheap compared to other markets around the world after the country's stock market posted one of the worst performances anywhere in 2013. Yet that doesn't necessarily mean it's time to buy.

Agence France-Presse/Getty Images

"The problem is cheap is great, but there just doesn't appear to be a catalyst for a rebound in the market," says Michelle Gibley Director of International Research at Charles Schwab(SCHW).

Ms. Gibley says she's been pessimistic on Brazil for quite some time, as the country is caught in a negative growth spiral. High inflation means the central bank has to raise interest rates, which will slow growth further. A weakening currency and strong public spending compound the problems.

The country's infrastructure hasn't kept pace with recent economic growth and acts as a major bottleneck, driving up the cost of getting products to markets. Unemployment is low, but so is productivity.

Moreover, as China's economy slows, demand for Brazil's commodities declines. Consumers have so far propped up the economy but economists believe they aren't going to be able to continue to spend at the pace seen in recent months and years. Retail sales fell unexpectedly in January.

The government doesn't seem to be interested in tackling the major reforms that Ms. Gibley believes are necessary for an equities rally. The main Ibovespa on the BM&FBovespa SA exchange in São Paulo fell 15.5% in 2013, the worst-performing index among the world’s 20 largest economies.

“What we really need is an overhaul of the economy in terms of some major reforms and there doesn't seem to be a political will for that now particularly ahead of the elections,” says Ms. Gibley. “So for the stock market the bottoming out might have further to go.”

President Dilma Rousseff is expected to seek reelection in October, and a new poll published on Tuesday indicates she has a comfortable lead over her main opponents.

The elections aren’t likely to throw up any surprises in terms of policy, says Ms. Gibley. Politicians may have to react if there is a return to the massive street protests seen in June and July last year, she said.

Millions of Brazilians poured onto the streets of towns and cities across the country last June and July to protest a whole host of issues, from rising public transportation fares to perceived corruption and poor public services. Protests often turned into violent confrontations with police. The number and size of protests have dwindled, however, while the level of violence has increased.

"The interests of investors and the electorate are usually not the same," says Ms. Gibley. "What investors want are reforms that probably hurt the electorate in the short term but provide a better long-term future."

Before the elections, Brazil will host the 2014 soccer World Cup, in which 32 teams will compete in the world's most-watched sports tournament. Millions of people are expected to visit Brazil during the month-long event, which runs from mid-June to mid-July.

Despite any short-term boost to the economy, there may be a longer-term hangover that could again act as a drag, says Ms. Gibley.

“Typically there's an overhang because you have to pay for the debt that was raised to fund all the infrastructure to host the events,” she says. “That just slows growth further.”

Monday, February 17, 2014

What Will the Earnings Reports Tell Us?

When the fourth quarter earnings reports roll out this week, will the promise of US economic growth be fulfilled? MoneyShow's Jim Jubak, also of Jubak's Picks, ponders this, and offers some places where he thinks we'll feel it the most.

Fourth quarter earnings reports start this week, and the market will be looking to see if recent data showing the US economy gaining in strength, is reflected in better than expected corporate earnings.

The US economy ended last week on a roll, with the manufacturing sector growing at its second best pace (since April 2011) in December, and housing prices climbing by the most in seven years. This week will include the release of jobs numbers for December on Friday, January 10. The consensus, among economists surveyed by Briefing.com, calls for the economy to have added 197,000 jobs in the month. That would be a slight dip from the 203,000 added in November, but wouldn't be enough to negate growing confidence in US economic growth. (Especially since jobs numbers that cover the holiday period are subject to big and potentially misleading seasonal adjustments that attempt to account for holiday hiring.)

But, with US stock indexes trading near historical highs, traders and investors will be looking to see if the promise of that stronger growth has started to translate into better than expected corporate earnings—or at least the promise of better than expected earnings in company guidance for the first quarter of 2014.

Alcoa (AA) kicks off the earnings season when the company reports on Thursday, January 9, after the close. Analysts aren't expecting a huge gain in earnings for the quarter: forecasts call for 5.2% earnings growth in the period, according to Bloomberg. Factset calculates a slightly higher number, with projected 6.3% earnings growth for the quarter. Analyst earnings projections typically come down as the quarter progresses, and the fourth quarter is no exception: Back on September 30, analysts were looking for 9.6% earnings growth for the fourth quarter, according to Factset. The only sector to show improved estimates has been the Telecom Services sector, which went from 14.2% growth to 14.3%. The biggest drop has been in the Energy Sector, where analysts have gone from a projected drop of 0.9% in earnings, to a fall of 7.8%.

The most likely source of fuel for a continuation of this rally will come from guidance, in my opinion. So far, 107 of the 500 companies in the S&P index (SPX) have issued guidance for the fourth quarter and the trend is very negative, with 94 issuing negative guidance and only 13 issuing positive guidance. That's 88% negative, well above the five-year average of 64%.

Which, of course, sets the table for a potentially big turn in guidance. It wouldn't take very many companies saying they see the first quarter as better than expected, to top the negative trend on fourth quarter guidance. And that trend would give investors and traders something to hang their hopes on for continuation of the move upward in US stocks.

Full disclosure: I don't own shares of any of the companies mentioned in this post in my personal portfolio. When in 2010 I started the mutual fund I manage, Jubak Global Equity Fund, I liquidated all my individual stock holdings and put the money into the fund. The fund may or may not now own positions in any stock mentioned in this post. The fund did not own shares of any company mentioned in this post as of the end of December. For a full list of the stocks in the fund as of the end of June see the fund's portfolio here.

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Top 10 Canadian Companies For 2014

The Canadian dollar fell to a four-month low on Friday, ahead of the nation's CPI and Retail Sales reports.

Earlier in the week the Canadian currency had been under pressure against its U.S. counterpart, as positive economic data and speculation over tighter monetary policy underpinned the greenback. Additionally, recent comments from both Bank of Canada Governor Stephen Poloz and�Reserve Bank of Australia Governor Glenn Stevens�weighed on the Canadian dollar.

Tame Inflation�

Consumer price inflation in Canada fell 0.2 oercent in October, missing expectations for a 0.2 percent increase.

Top 10 Canadian Companies For 2014: Genpact Limited (G)

Genpact Limited provides business process management and information technology services worldwide. It offers finance and accounting services, including accounts payable services, payment and inquiry management, order to cash services, preparation of financial statements, closing and reporting, cash management, treasury, cash flow analysis, tax return preparation, financial planning and analysis, governance, and internal controls services. The company also provides smart decision services, such analytics and research; business consulting and enterprise risk consulting services comprising internal audit, compliance advisory, regulatory advisory, enterprise, IT, and fraud risk management services; and re-engineering services. In addition, it offers supply chain and procurement services consisting of direct and indirect sourcing and procurement, demand forecasting and management, engineering, inventory optimization and planning, fleet and logistics, and aftermarket services. Further, the company provides enterprise application services comprising enterprise resource planning, supply chain management, financial management and customer relationship management solutions, and securities trading and accounting services, as well as testing, database administration, and architecture services; IT management services, including onsite and remote monitoring, management and support of the IT functions, and IT infrastructures; and collections and customer services in the areas of consumer finance, commercial finance, and mortgage services. It primarily serves banking and insurance, capital markets, consumer goods and retail, life sciences, infrastructure, manufacturing and services, and healthcare industries. Genpact Limited has a strategic partnership with Research Now. The company was founded in 1997 and is based in Hamilton, Bermuda.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By gurujx]
Genpact Ltd. (G): CFO Mohit Bhatia Sold 148,036 Shares
CFO Mohit Bhatia sold 148,036 shares of G stock on 11/19/2013 at the average price of $18.06. Mohit Bhatia owns at least 41,585 shares after this. The price of the stock has decreased by 0.22% since.
[By Jake L'Ecuyer]
Equities Trading DOWN
Shares of Genpact (NYSE: G) were down 17.82 percent to $14.16 after the company issued a downbeat FY14 revenue forecast.
[By Charley Blaine]
Auto shares were mostly higher after manufacturers reported strong domestic sales. General Motors (NYSE: G), Toyota (NYSE: TM) and Honda (NYSE: HMC) shares were higher.

Top 10 Canadian Companies For 2014: Airgas Inc.(ARG)

Airgas, Inc., through its subsidiaries, distributes industrial, medical, and specialty gases, as well as hardgoods in the United States. The company offers various gases, including nitrogen, oxygen, argon, helium, and hydrogen; welding and fuel gases, such as acetylene, propylene, and propane; and carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, ultra high purity grades, special application blends, and process chemicals. Its hardgoods products comprise welding consumables and equipment, safety products, and construction supplies, as well as maintenance, repair, and operating supplies. The company also engages in the rental of gas cylinders, cryogenic liquid containers, bulk storage tanks, tube trailers, and welding and welding related equipment. In addition, the company manufactures and distributes liquid carbon dioxide, dry ice, nitrous oxide, ammonia, refrigerant gases, and atmospheric merchant gases. It serves repair and maintenance, industrial manufacturing, energy and infrastructure co nstruction, medical, petrochemical, food and beverage, retail and wholesale, analytical, utilities, and transportation industries. The company operates an integrated network of approximately 1100 locations, including branches, retail stores, packaged gas fill plants, specialty gas labs, production facilities, and distribution centers. Additionally, it provides retail solutions to retail customers, such as florists, grocers, restaurants and bars, tire and automotive service centers, and others. The company markets its products through multiple sales channels, including branch-based sales representatives, retail stores, strategic customer account programs, telesales, catalogs, e-business, and independent distributors. Airgas, Inc. was founded in 1982 and is based in Radnor, Pennsylvania.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Monica Gerson]
Airgas (NYSE: ARG) is expected to report its Q2 earnings at $1.22 per share on revenue of $1.28 billion.

The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA) is estimated to report its Q3 earnings at $1.55 per share on revenue of $21.68 billion.

Top 10 Canadian Stocks To Own For 2015: Apollo Gold Corporation(BRD)

Brigus Gold Corp. engages in the extraction, processing, refining, and production of gold and other by-product metals primarily in North America. The company principally produces gold and silver. It primarily owns the Black Fox Complex and Black Fox Mill properties located in the Timmins Mining District in the Province of Ontario, Canada; the Goldfields project located in the Lake Athabasca region of Saskatchewan, Canada; and the Ixhuatan property located in the state of Chiapas, Mexico. Brigus Gold Corp., through its joint venture, holds interests in the Ampliacion Pueblo Viejo and Loma El Mate gold exploration projects located in the Dominican Republic. The company was formerly known as Apollo Gold Corporation and changed its name to Brigus Gold Corp. in June 2010. Brigus Gold Corp. was founded in 1936 and is headquartered in Halifax, Canada.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By MONEYMORNING.COM]
As well, Primero Mining (NYSE: PPP) bought Brigus Gold Corp (USA)(NYSE: BRD) for $220 million, and Asanko Gold (NYSEMKT: AKG) is acquiring PMI Gold Corporation (TSE: PMV).
[By Zacks Investment Research]
It is hard to find a good play in the Zacks Industry of mining non-ferrous metals, as the industry currently has a rank of 247 out of 261. In fact, in our five mining industries, there are only two No. 1-Ranked stocks: Brigus Gold (BRD) and Impala (IMPUY.PK). Both of these are in struggling industries, but they have proven to be best-in-class thanks to improving earnings estimates. Plus, both have seen their ranks surge from holds (or worse) up to strong buy territory, suggesting either of these names might be better picks than the struggling SCCO at this time.

Top 10 Canadian Companies For 2014: CapitalSource Inc (CSE)

CapitalSource Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides financial products to small and middle market businesses in the United States. It offers depository products and services, such as savings and money market accounts, individual retirement account products, and certificates of deposit. The company also provides senior secured real estate and asset-based loans, and cash flow loans, which have a first priority lien in the collateral securing the loan. Its asset-based loans are collateralized by specified assets of the client, primarily the client�s accounts/notes receivable, inventory, and machinery; and real estate loans are secured by senior mortgages on real property. The company focuses on providing equipment loans and leases; loans to healthcare providers; commercial real estate and multifamily real estate loans; loans secured by timeshare, auto, and other consumer receivables; student loans; traditional life insurance premium finance loans; and loans to technology companies, small businesses, dentists, physicians, pharmacists, and optometrists, as well as to companies in the physical security, government security, and public safety sectors. It operates through 21 retail bank branches in southern and central California, as well as lending offices in the United States. The company was founded in 2000 and is headquartered in Los Angeles, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Eric Volkman]
CapitalSource (NYSE: CSE ) and PacWest Bancorp (NASDAQ: PACW ) are soon to be one and the same. The two companies have agreed to merge, both announced in a joint press release. CapitalSource investors will receive a cash payout of $2.47 and 0.2837 shares of PacWest common stock for each CapitalSource share they hold. This values the latter's stock at $11.68 per share, a nearly 19% premium to its most recent closing price. The total transaction value is estimated at roughly $2.3 billion.
[By Brian Pacampara]
What: Shares of CapitalSource (NYSE: CSE ) soared 20% today after bank holding company PacWest Bancorp (NASDAQ: PACW ) agreed to acquire the financial services specialist in a deal valued at about $2.3 billion.

Top 10 Canadian Companies For 2014: Franklin Covey Company (FC)

Franklin Covey Co. provides training and consulting solutions to address leadership, execution, productivity, trust, customer loyalty, sales performance, and education problems worldwide. The company also offers clients with training in management skills, relationship skills, and individual effectiveness, as well as personal-effectiveness literature and electronic educational solutions. In addition, it sells a suite of individual-effectiveness and leadership-development training products; and books, e-books, audio media, downloadable and paper-based tools, content-rich software applications for smart phones and other handheld devices, training accessories, and other related products. The company delivers its products and services through onsite presentations, facilitators, international licensees, e-learning, public workshops, custom solutions, intellectual property licenses, and media publishing methods to organizational clients, including corporations, governmental agenc ies, educational institutions, and other organizations, as well as individual clients. Franklin Covey Co. was founded in 1983 and is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Seth Jayson]
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 Franklin Covey (NYSE: FC ) , whose recent revenue and earnings are plotted below.
[By Laura Brodbeck]
Tuesday
Earnings Expected: IHS Inc. (NYSE: IHS), Commercial Metals Company (NYSE: CMC), Franklin Covey Company (NYSE: FC), Micron Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: MU), Apollo Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: APOL) Economic Releases Expected: French consumer confidence, German unemployment rate, Brazilian CPI, Canadian trade balance
Wednesday

Top 10 Canadian Companies For 2014: PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust(PMT)

PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust is based in the United States.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Jon C. Ogg]
Sterne Agee’s team said, “We continue to prefer credit risk oriented Mortgage REITs over their Agency-only focused counterparts. Among the larger cap names in our coverage, our top picks are MFA Financial, Inc. (NYSE: MFA) and PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust (NYSE: PMT).”

Top 10 Canadian Companies For 2014: Agrium Inc.(AGU)

Agrium Inc., together with its subsidiaries, produces and markets agricultural nutrients, industrial products, and specialty products worldwide, as well as involves in the retail supply of agricultural products and services in North and South Americas. The company?s Retail segment markets crop nutrient products, including nitrogen, phosphate, potash, sulphur, and micronutrients; crop protection products, such as herbicides, fungicides, adjuvants, and insecticides; and seeds. This segment also offers agronomic services, as well as product application, soil and leaf tissue testing and analysis, and crop scouting services. This segment operates 1,192 outlets in the United States, Canada, Australia, Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay. The company?s Wholesale segment produces, markets, and distributes nitrogen, phosphate, potash, sulphate, and other crop nutrient products for agricultural and industrial customers. This segment also owns and operates facilities that upgrade ammonia t o other nitrogen products, such as urea, nitric acid, and ammonium nitrate, as well as provides Rainbow plant food products. Agrium?s Advanced Technologies segment produces and markets controlled-release crop nutrients and micronutrients for the agriculture, specialty agriculture, professional turf, horticulture, and consumer lawn and garden markets. The company was formerly known as Cominco Fertilizers Ltd. and changed its name to Agrium Inc. in 1995. Agrium Inc. was founded in 1931 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Jon C. Ogg]
Agrium�Inc. (NYSE: AGU) was downgraded to Neutral from Overweight at HSBC.

Chesapeake Energy Corp. (NYSE: CHK) was downgraded to Neutral from Positive now that shares are over $25 by Susquehanna.
[By Sean Williams]
Whom it competes against
There is certainly no shortage of competitors in the fertilizer industry. Rentech is actually somewhat of a small player at a $1.4 billion valuation compared with CVR Partners (NYSE: UAN ) at $1.9 billion, Terra Nitrogen (NYSE: TNH ) at $3.8 billion, and Agrium (NYSE: AGU ) at $13.5 billion.
[By Russ Krull]
Agrium (NYSE: AGU ) funded some seeds for future growth with 10- and 30-year paper totaling $1 billion. According to the company's press release, the money will be used to fund planned capital expenditures. No specifics for the capex were provided.
[By Diane Alter]
Dividend Stocks That Increased Payout in September
Accenture plc (NYSE: ACN) announced a 14.8%, or $0.12 per share, increase to its semiannual dividend. The management consulting firm will now pay a semiannual dividend of $0.93. Shares yield 2.53%. Agruim Inc. (NYSE: AGU) boosted its dividend by $1.00 per share to a total dividend of $3.00 on an annualized basis. Shares of the global retailer of agricultural products now sprout a 3.54% yield. Air Industries Group Inc. (NYSE: AIRI) doubled its dividend to $0.125 per share. The maker of airplane and helicopter parts now floats a lofty yield of 6.6%. Alexandria Real Estate Equities Inc. (NYSE: ARE) upped its dividend 4.6% to $0.68 per quarter for a yield of 4.21%. Banner Corp. (Nasdaq: BANR) boosted its quarterly dividend 25% to $0.15 per share. The parent company of Banner and Islander Bank serves the Pacific Northwest region. Brady Corp. (NYSE: BRC) lifted its quarterly dividend 2.6% to $0.78 per share. It was the 28th straight dividend increase from the identification solutions company. Shares yield 2.57%. Campbell Soup Co. (NSE: CPB) raised its quarterly dividend to $0.31 per share, up from $0.29. The company last raised its dividend in November 2010. Shares yield a hearty 3.06%. CLARCOR Inc. (NYSE: CLC) raised its quarterly dividend 26% to $0.17 per share. It's the largest percentage increase from the Tennessee-based diversified marketer of mobile filtration and packaging products in the last 20 years, and it continues the company's consecutive streak of increasing dividends for the last 30 years. Franklin Resources Inc. (NYSE: BEN) boosted its quarterly dividend 2.6% to $0.10 per share. Frisch's Restaurants Inc. (NYSE: FRS) increased its quarterly dividend 12.5% to $0.18. Shares yield 3.10% The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (NYSE: GT), in a move that suggests good times are ahead, reinstated its dividend at $0.05 per share. Good

Top 10 Canadian Companies For 2014: Piper Jaffray Companies(PJC)

Piper Jaffray Companies provides investment banking, institutional brokerage, asset management, and related financial services to corporations, private equity groups, public entities, non-profit entities, and institutional investors in the United States, Asia, and Europe. The company raises capital through equity financings; provides advisory services, primarily relating to mergers and acquisitions for its corporate clients; underwrites debt issuances; and offers financial advisory and interest rate risk management services. Its public finance investment banking capabilities focus on state and local governments, as well as healthcare, higher education, housing, hospitality, transportation, and commercial real estate industries, as well as operates in business and financial services, clean technology and renewables, consumer, and industrial growth, as well as media, telecommunications, and technology industries. The company also offers equity and fixed income advisory and t rade execution services for institutional investors, and government and non-profit entities; and is involved in proprietary trading, as well as has equity sales and trading relationships with institutional investors. In addition, it provides asset management services to separately managed accounts, private funds or partnerships, and open-end and closed-end registered investment companies or funds; and offers an array of investment products comprising small and mid-cap value equity, and master limited partnerships focused on the energy industry, as well as fixed income. Further, the company engages in merchant banking activities, which comprises proprietary debt or equity investments in late stage private companies, and investments in private equity and venture capital funds, as well as other firm investments and forfeiture of stock-based compensation. Piper Jaffray Companies was founded in 1895 and is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By EXPstocktrader]
3) Piper Jaffray (PJC): Recent weakness is unwarranted as the landscape for Acthar remains favorable: OVERWEIGHT (BUY) rating and $74 PT

4) CRT Capital: BUY rating and $79 PT.
[By Sean Williams]
What: Shares of investment banking and asset management firm Piper Jaffray (NYSE: PJC ) sank as much as 11% after reporting disappointing second-quarter earnings results.
[By Rich Smith]
Investment banker Piper Jaffray (NYSE: PJC ) expanded its municipal debt business Wednesday, when it purchased Seattle-Northwest Securities in a transaction valued at approximately $21 million.

Top 10 Canadian Companies For 2014: 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 GuruFocus] rch-In-Motion is a high-profile case as renowned investor Prem Watsa bought into the company and sits on the company�� board. The stock was traded at above $140 in 2008. It has since lost more than 95%, traded at single digits and still sinking.
Again let�� take a look at its gross margin:
While BlackBerry was a must-have in the corporate world, the profit margin of Research-In-Motion has started to decline. This was well before Apple (AAPL) released its first iPhone. Again as pointed by Adib, value investors did not buy into RIMM while it was traded at $140 because the P/E ratio then was 45. Value investors bought into RIMM while it was traded at $30-40 because the P/E ratio was at 10. This was in 2009 and the decline in profit margin had been happening for three years.
Why You Should Avoid Margin Decliners?
The reason is simple. The company is losing its price power or it never had price power. Competition is eating into its market.
Will the profit margin of these companies ever recover sustainably? That is a ��oo-hard��question. We should avoid situations where we have to answer this question.
Will these companies ever become good investments? They may. But not until they become net-nets.
The Power of Margin Expansion
On the other hand, if a company can expand its profit margin, it has a competitive advantage. A good example here is Apple (AAPL), which is the king of all margin-expanding companies:
We all know what has happened to the stock of Apple.
What�� Next?
GuruFocus will release a feature called ��arning Signs��which will warn you about the problems a company may have, including margin declines.
In the meantime, our new ��ll-In-One Screener��allows you to screen for the companies that can expand profit margins or those with declining margins. Those with expanding profit margins (think Apple) at reasonable prices will mostly likely be rewarding. Those

Top 10 Canadian Companies For 2014: CommonWealth REIT (CWH)

CommonWealth REIT is a real estate investment trust launched and managed by Reit Management & Research LLC. The fund invests in the real estate markets of the United States. It seeks to invest in office buildings, industrial buildings, and leased industrial land. CommonWealth REIT was founded in 1986 and is domiciled in United States.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Tim Brugger]
In an on-going effort to oust the board of directors of Commonwealth REIT (NYSE: CWH ) , its second largest shareholder, Corvex Management, recently forwarded a record request date to Commonwealth management. The latest request by Corvex follows an earlier consent solicitation proposal in late March. Corvex's ultimate objective of the shareholder meeting is to "remove all of CWH's Trustees without cause," according to a Commonwealth press release issued today.
[By Tess Stynes]
CommonWealth REIT sa(CWH)id Monday that it had invited activist investor Keith Meister of Corvex Management LP to join its board as the company also appointed two independent directors to the board.

Top 10 Canadian Companies For 2014: Enbridge Inc(ENB)

Enbridge Inc. engages in the transportation and distribution of crude oil and natural gas primarily in Canada and the United States. Its Liquids Pipelines segment operates common carrier and contract crude oil, natural gas liquids (NGLs), and refined products pipelines and terminals. The company?s Gas Distribution segment distributes natural gas to residential, commercial, and industrial customers primarily in central and eastern Ontario, northern New York State, Quebec, and New Brunswick. Enbridge?s Gas Pipelines, Processing and Energy Services segment invests in natural gas pipelines, processing and green energy projects, and commodity marketing businesses, as well as performs commodity storage, transport, and supply management services. Its Sponsored Investments segment transports crude oil and other liquid hydrocarbons through common carrier and feeder pipelines, as well as transports, gathers, processes, and markets natural gas and NGLs; operates a crude oil and liqui ds pipeline and gathering system; and owns a 50% interest in the Canadian portion of Alliance Pipeline and partial interests in various green energy investments. The company was formerly known as IPL Energy Inc. and changed its name to Enbridge Inc. in October 1998. Enbridge Inc. was founded in 1949 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Aimee Duffy]
The Seaway pipeline, the joint venture between�Enterprise Products Partners (NYSE: EPD ) and Enbridge (NYSE: ENB ) , has taken on a life of its own, as speculators are trying to gain access to the last bit of capacity to sell the space on a secondary market. In this video, Fool.com contributor Aimee Duffy explains what is going on and why this pipeline matters so much to oil producers and investors alike.
[By Tyler Crowe]
In total, the current capacity for oil pipelines delivering all types of crude to the U.S. is about 3.4 million barrels per day. These pipelines are all operated by four companies.
Pipeline Owner/Operator Capacity Destination Express-Platte Spectra Energy (NYSE: SE ) � 280,000 bpd Wood River, Ill. Keystone TransCanada 590,000 bpd Cushing, Okla. Enbridge and Lakehead System Enbridge (NYSE: ENB ) and Enbridge Energy Partners (NYSE: EEP ) 2.5 million bpd Multiple, but 190,000 bpd to Cushing, Okla.
For the existing Canada-U.S. pipelines, there is probably little to no effect whether the pipeline gets built or not. The capacity for these pipelines is already contracted out, and a majority of the oil from these pipelines goes to either the Midwest or Rocky Mountain regions.
[By Tyler Crowe]
There are several reasons shale drilling has taken off in the United States. One clear reason everyone can agree on is that the U.S. has one of the most complete energy infrastructures out there. While much of that infrastructure was built to deliver oil and gas from the Gulf of Mexico to destinations across the U.S., we we've taken that existing infrastructure and flipped it on its head. Pipeline reversals, such as the one on Enbridge's (NYSE: ENB ) and Enterprise Products Partners' (NYSE: EPD ) Seaway pipeline, provide an essential route to deliver resources from these emerging shale plays to the Gulf to be refined.�
[By WWW.GURUFOCUS.COM]
Enbridge Inc. (ENB) operates as an energy transportation and distribution company in the United States and Canada. Dec. 4, the company increased its quarterly dividend 16.7% to $0.35 per share. The dividend is payable March 1, 2014, to shareholders of record on Feb. 14, 2014. The yield based on the new payout is 3.4%.

Top 10 Canadian Companies For 2014: Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers Incorporated(RBA)

Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers Incorporated, an industrial auctioneer, sells various equipment to on-site and online bidders. The company, through unreserved public auctions, sells a range of used and unused industrial assets, including equipment, trucks, and other assets utilized in the construction, transportation, agricultural, material handling, mining, forestry, petroleum, and marine industries. It also provides Internet bidding services, which facilitate customers access to live and online auction participation. The company primarily serves buyers and sellers of equipment, trucks, and other industrial assets; rental companies and brokers; finance companies; and truck and equipment dealers. As of December 31, 2011, it operated approximately 110 locations in approximately 25 countries, including 43 auction sites worldwide. The company was founded in 1963 and is headquartered in Burnaby, Canada.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Chris Hill]
Caterpillar's (NYSE: CAT ) �first-quarter profit�fell 45% and the company lowered guidance. But its CEO said that his confidence is at a two-year high and sales in China rose. Should investors buy the stock? In this installment, our analysts discuss Caterpillar's future and explain why Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers (NYSE: RBA ) could be a hidden winner.
[By Canadian Value]
Australians will remember 2013 in part for the fall of some of our national corporate icons. The Ford Falcon and Holden Commodore are unlikely to be produced domestically going forward, and Qantas has unsuccessfully sought subsidies from the Federal government. Due to elevated cost structures and a high exchange rate, Australia Inc. is increasingly unable to compete in a fiercely competitive global market.High on the Reserve Bank of Australia�� (RBA) Christmas wish-list this year will be a lower exchange rate and a business community more willing to loosen its purse strings in 2014. Unfortunately, the first wish will likely need to be granted before the second can be realized. We expect the RBA will need to keep policy accommodative over the cyclical horizon and 2014 will be a critical transition year for the Australian economy.Over the year through September 2013, real growth in business investment outside the mining sector slowed to almost zero (0.5% to be precise, as shown in Figure 1). Why has Australia Inc. invested so little into its businesses this year? As RBA Deputy Governor Philip Lowe commented in a speech in late October, the lack of business investment in recent years is actually a global phenomenon across the developed world.�Although hard to quantify, this ��nvestment drought,��as Lowe described it, has likely been influenced by a lingering risk aversion after the financial crisis as well as the political uncertainty that has been common in many developed countries over the past few years. But in Australia another variable has also been restraining non-mining capital expenditure, and that is the elevated exchange rate.As Figure 1 shows, changes in the real trade-weighted exchange rate have historically led changes in non-mining business investment. As the real exchange rate appreciates, domestic products and services become less competitive relative to foreign goods and services, both at home and abroad. And of course, the reverse is true w

Top 10 Canadian Companies For 2014: Penn West Petroleum Ltd(PWE)

Penn West Petroleum Ltd. engages in acquiring, exploring, developing, exploiting, and holding interests in petroleum and natural gas properties and related assets in North America. The company produces light and medium crude oil, natural gas liquids, heavy oil, and natural gas. It operates in two major regions, including the Southern District, which covers properties within Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and southern and east central Alberta with developed and undeveloped land base totaling approximately 3.3 million net acres; and the Northern District encompassing northeastern British Columbia, northern Alberta, parts of west central Alberta, and the Northwest Territories with developed and undeveloped land position of approximately 2.9 million net acres. The company was formerly known as Penn West Energy Trust and changed its name to Penn West Petroleum Ltd. in January 2011. Penn West Petroleum Ltd. was founded in 1979 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By MLP Trader]
But wouldn't such a big dividend cut panic investors and hurt the stock? Probably not. In fact, a dividend cut has been so widely anticipated for so long, the stock is more likely to rally. Let's look at some of Lightstream's peers that have gone this route. The chart below show the results of Penn West's (PWE) dividend cut: the stock rallied almost 27% over the next month.
[By Alex Planes]
One thing investors need to watch is Pengrowth's sky-high payout ratio, which, at present levels, is clearly unsustainable. Pengrowth's asset sales will help paper over the shortfall in the near term, but it's not good policy to pay out so much in the middle of a major exploration project. The company has no plans to cut its dividend, in spite of anticipated production declines in the near term, which stands in stark contrast to competitor Penn West (NYSE: PWE ) , which slashed its dividend by nearly half�in a wide-ranging announcement earlier this week. Both Pengrowth and Penn West trade at substantial discounts to book value, but at least Pengrowth's monster dividend gives investors something more substantial while waiting for big exploration projects to bear fruit. However, given the company's multi-year weakness, it will take a strong stomach, and a very firm belief in Pengrowth's prospects, to jump in today.
[By CRWE]
Penn West Exploration (NYSE:PWE) wishes to notify interested parties that Rob Wollmann, Senior Vice President, Exploration will present at the EnerCom Oil & Gas Conference on Tuesday, August 14, 2012 at 1:55pm (MST) in Denver, Colorado.
[By Roberto Pedone]
Another under-$10 stock that's starting to trend within range of triggering a big breakout trade is Penn West Petroleum (PWE), which is engaged in the business of acquiring, exploring, developing, exploiting and holding interests in petroleum and natural gas properties and related assets. This stock has been under pressure by the bears during the last three months, with shares off by 24%.

If you take a look at the chart for Penn West Petroleum, you'll notice that this stock has been trending sideways over the last two months, with shares moving between $7.89 on the downside and $8.84 on the upside. Shares of PWE are now starting to spike higher above its recent low of $8.14 a share and it's quickly moving within range of triggering a breakout trade above the upper-end of its recent sideways trading chart pattern.

Market players should now look for long-biased trades in PWE if it manages to break out above some near-term overhead resistance levels at $8.84 a share to its 50-day moving average of $8.96 a share with high volume. Look for a sustained move or close above those levels with volume that hits near or above its three-month average action of 2.43 million shares. If that breakout hits soon, then PWE will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at its 200-day moving average of $10.07 to $11 a share. Any high-volume move above those levels will then give PWE a chance to tag $11.50 to $12 a share.

Traders can look to buy PWE off any weakness to anticipate that breakout and simply use a stop that sits right below some key near-term support levels at $8.14 a share or at $7.89 a share. One can also buy PWE off strength once it starts to clear those breakout levels with volume and then simply use a stop that sits a comfortable percentage from your entry point.

Top 10 Canadian Companies For 2014: Patni Computer Systems Limited(PTI)

Patni Computer Systems Limited, an information technology (IT) services company, provides a range of IT services through integrated onsite and offshore delivery locations. Its services include IT strategies development, system consulting and design, application development, application maintenance and support, packaged software implementation, quality assurance, infrastructure management, business process outsourcing, IT outsourcing, and OSS and BSS systems deployment services. The company offers IT services primarily to customers in insurance, manufacturing, retail, distribution, financial services, communications, media, and utilities industries. It also offers product engineering services, including engineering design and modeling, electronic design, embedded software development, and product lifecycle management for legacy products, as well as testing and migration services for new technologies to clients in electronics, automotive, medical electronics, industrial auto mation, office automation, handheld/mobile device manufacturing, and semiconductor manufacturing industries. The company operates in North America, Europe, India, and Japan, as well as in the rest of the Asia-Pacific region. Patni Computer Systems Limited was incorporated in 1978 and is headquartered in Mumbai, India.

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

7 Biotechnology Stocks to Sell Now

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The ratings of seven biotechnology stocks are down this week, according to the Portfolio Grader database. Each of these rates a “D” (“sell”) or “F” overall (“strong sell”).

SIGA Technologies, Inc.’s () rating falls to a D (“sell”) this week, down from C (“hold”) the week prior. SIGA Technologies is a bio-defense company engaged in the discovery, development and commercialization of products for use in defense against biological warfare agents such as smallpox and arenaviruses. In Portfolio Grader’s specific subcategories of Earnings Revisions, Equity and Cash Flow, SIGA also gets an F. The stock price has dropped 8.3% over the past month, worse than the 1.3% decrease the Nasdaq has seen over the same period of time. .

This week, Trius Therapeutics, Inc. () drops from a C to a D rating. Trius Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company. The stock gets F’s in Earnings Growth, Earnings Momentum and Equity. Cash Flow and Sales Growth also get F’s. .

Nanosphere, Inc. () experiences a ratings drop this week, going from last week’s C to a D. Nanosphere develops, manufactures and markets an advanced molecular diagnostics platform. The stock gets F’s in Equity and Cash Flow. .

Slipping from a C to a D rating, Sunesis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. () takes a hit this week. Sunesis Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical Company which focuses on the discovery, development and commercialization of novel small molecule therapeutics for oncology. The stock also gets an F in Cash Flow. The stock price has been on the rise for the past two days, reaching $4.71. As of Feb. 10, 2014, 10% of outstanding Sunesis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. shares were held short. Trade volume is up 521% from the previous week. .

Oncolytics Biotech’s () rating falls this week to an F (“strong sell”), down from last week’s D (“sell”). Oncolytics Biotech discovers and develops pharmaceutical products for the treatment of cancers that have not been successfully treated with conventional therapeutics. The stock gets F’s in Equity and Cash Flow. .

This is a rough week for Navidea Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (). The company’s rating falls to F from the previous week’s D. Navidea Biopharmaceuticals is focused on the development and commercialization of precision radiopharmaceutical diagnostics for diseases such as cancer. The stock gets F’s in Equity and Cash Flow. As of Feb. 10, 2014, 13.4% of outstanding Navidea Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. shares were held short. .

Targacept, Inc. () earns a D this week, moving down from last week’s grade of C. Targacept is an a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the design, discovery and development of a new class of drugs to treat multiple diseases and disorders of the nervous system by selectively targeting neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. The stock gets F’s in Equity, Cash Flow and Sales Growth. Shares of the stock have been changing hands at an unusually rapid pace, three times the rate of the week prior. .

Louis Navellier’s proprietary Portfolio Grader stock ranking system assesses roughly 5,000 companies every week based on a number of fundamental and quantitative measures. Stocks are given a letter grade based on their results — with A being “strong buy,” and F being “strong sell.” Explore the tool here.

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Mid-Afternoon Market Update: Red Robin Continues to Rally as The Medicines Company Drops

Related BZSUM Market Wrap For February 10: Markets Cautious Ahead Of Yellen Testimony Mid-Day Market Update: AutoNavi Surges On Alibaba Offer; Boardwalk Pipeline Shares Fall

Top 5 Net Payout Yield Stocks To Own For 2015

Toward the end of trading Monday, the Dow traded down 0.04 percent to 15,788.01 while the NASDAQ surged 0.42 percent to 4,143.17. The S&P also fell, dropping 0.05 percent to 1,797.53.

Top Headline
Hasbro (NASDAQ: HAS) reported downbeat fourth-quarter results. Hasbro's quarterly net earnings dropped to $129.8 million, or $0.98 per share, versus $130.3 million, or $0.99 per share, in the year-ago period. Excluding special items, it earned $1.12 per share, versus analysts' estimates of $1.22 per share Its sales came in flat at $1.28 billion, versus estimates of $1.30 billion.

Equities Trading UP
AutoNavi Holdings (NASDAQ: AMAP) shot up 24.18 percent to $20.54 on Alibaba $21.00 per ADS offer.

Shares of MannKind (NASDAQ: MNKD) were up as well, gaining 5.75 percent to $5.70 despite little news on the name during Monday's session.

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers (NASDAQ: RRGB) was also up, gaining 10.99 percent to $73.87 after Bank of America upgraded the stock from Underperform to Buy.

Equities Trading DOWN
Shares of Boardwalk Pipeline Partners LP (NYSE: BWP) were down 46.12 percent to $14.68 after the company reported weak Q4 results and slashed its quarterly distribution.

Changyou.com (NASDAQ: CYOU) shares tumbled 11.75percent to $26.02 after the company issued a weak Q1 guidance and announced the resignation of its CFO.

The Medicines Company (NASDAQ: MDCO) was down as well, falling 5.52 percent to $32.33 ahead of the review of its blood clot drug.

Commodities
In commodity news, oil traded up 0.23 percent to $100.11, while gold traded up 0.92 percent to $1,274.50.

Silver traded up 0.57 percent Monday to $20.05, while copper fell 0.51 percent to $3.22.

Eurozone
European shares were mixed today.

The Spanish Ibex Index fell 0.89 percent, while Italy's FTSE MIB Index declined 0.05 percent.

Meanwhile, the German DAX dropped 0.13 percent and the French CAC 40 gained 0.21 percent while U.K. shares rose 0.30 percent.

Economics
The TD Ameritrade IMX for January will be released today.

Posted-In: Earnings News Guidance Eurozone Futures Forex Global Econ #s Economics Intraday Update Markets Movers Tech

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Sunday, February 9, 2014

13 states raising pay for minimum-wage workers

The retail-worker strikes that swept the nation in 2013 did not move Congress to raise the minimum wage, but a growing number of states are taking action.

The minimum wage will rise in 13 states this week, and as many as 11 states and Washington, D.C., are expected to consider increases in 2014, according to the National Employment Law Project. Approval is likely in more than half of the 11, says NELP policy analyst Jack Temple.

STORY: Tipped workers often face lower minimums

The trend reflects growing concerns about the disproportionate spread of low-wage jobs in the U.S. economy, creating millions of financially strained workers and putting too little money in consumers' pockets to spur faster economic growth.

On Jan. 1, state minimum wages will be higher than the federal requirement of $7.25 an hour in 21 states, up from 18 two years ago. Temple expects another nine states to drift above the federal minimum by the end of 2014, marking the first time minimum pay in most states will be above the federal level.

"2014 is poised to be a turning point," Temple says. "States are seeing the unemployment rate is going down but job growth is disproportionately concentrated in low-wage industries. (They're) frustrated that Congress is dragging its feet."

Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and Rhode Island legislatures voted to raise the minimum hourly wage by as much as $1, to $8 to $8.70, by Wednesday. In California, a $1 increase to $9 is scheduled July 1. Smaller automatic increases tied to inflation will take effect in nine other states: Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, Oregon, Vermont and Washington.

Meanwhile, states such as Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maryland, Minnesota and South Dakota plan to weigh minimum-wage hikes next year through legislation or ballot initiatives.

In Minnesota, the state House and Senate have each passed bills to raise the minimum wage and plan to iron out their differences early next year after failing to appro! ve similar measures the past two decades.

Best Undervalued Companies To Own In Right Now

"You're coming out of a deep recession, and people are landing jobs, but they're low-paid," says state Rep. Ryan Winkler, sponsor of the House bill.

The legislative movement has been partly fueled by walkouts this year in at least 100 cities by fast-food workers who are calling for $15-an-hour pay and the right to form unions. Wal-Mart workers have staged similar protests.

While the demonstrations were not explicitly intended to prompt minimum pay increases, they've made the issue "more urgent," Temple says.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that 3.6 million hourly paid workers received wages at or below the federal minimum in 2012 — almost 5% of all employees on hourly pay schedules.

President Obama recently said he supports legislation in Congress that would lift the federal minimum wage to $10.10 an hour in three steps over two years and then index it to inflation. But the measure faces an uphill climb in Congress.

Proponents of minimum-wage hikes note that low-wage jobs have dominated payroll growth in the 4-year-old recovery, and increases over the past four decades have not kept pace with inflation.

Opponents say the increases raise employer expenses and will lead to layoffs. "If your costs are going up and you can't raise prices, you have to find a way to produce the same product at a lower cost," says Michael Saltsman, a research fellow at the Employment Policies Institute.

Where minimum wage is going up

On Jan. 1, the minimum wage in 13 states will increase to these amounts.

	State	New minimum wage
	Arizona	$7.90
	Colorado	$8.00
	Connecticut	$8.70
	Florida	$7.93
	Missouri	$7.50
	Montana	$7.90
	New Jersey	$8.25
	New York	$8.00
	Ohio	$7.95
	Oregon	$9.10
	Rhode Island	$8.00
	Vermont	$8.73
	Washington	$9.32

Source: Society for Human Resource Management

Saturday, February 8, 2014

12 High-Yield Managed Distribution Policy Funds

Exchange traded funds (ETFs) and closed-end funds (CEFs) are composed of many different individual securities. This usually results in uneven dividend distributions. Some funds have tried to address this with a managed distribution policy. In short, a managed distribution policy is management's commitment to make a fixed periodic dividend payment.

How Managed Distribution Policies Work

Since many funds distribute most of their income to shareholders in order to avoid taxation, funds with a managed distribution policy sometimes have cash left over at year-end that needs to be distributed. This is is normally done as a "special" one-time dividend. However, if the fund generates insufficient cash to cover the dividend, the fund is forced to sell some investments to cover the cash short-fall. In turn, this portion of the short-fall is treated as a return of capital and the fund now has lower assets to generate future income.

Advantages of Managed Distribution Policies

According to a Gabelli Funds report, managed distribution policies offer several advantages, including:1. Lower difference between the fund's market price and its NAV per share.2. Provides support during periods when the stock market is in a decline.3. Provides a measurable performance target for the investment adviser.Below are several high-yield funds from CEFA that have a managed distribution policy (yields as of December 16):Aberdeen Australia Eqty (IAF)- Distribution Yield: 10.4%- Income Yield: 3.46%Bexil Advisers LLC (DNI)- Distribution Yield: 11.1%- Income Yield: 3.56%BlackRock En Capital&Inc (CII)- Distribution Yield: 8.78%- Income Yield: 2.34%Cornerstone Strat Value (CLM)- Distribution Yield: 18.77%- Income Yield: 1.83%Cornerstone Total Return (CRF)- Distribution Yield: 19.10%- Income Yield: 0.85%Delaware Inv Div & Inc (DDF)- Distribution Yield: 6.70%- Income Yield: 5.26%Gabelli Equity Trust (GAB)- Distribution Yield: 7.58%- Income Yield: 1.54%Gabelli Utility Trust (GUT)- Distribution Yield: 9.45%- Income! Yield: 2.84%MFS Special Value Trust (MFV)- Distribution Yield: 9.60%- Income Yield: 5.73%Nuveen Tx-Adv TR Strat (JTA)- Distribution Yield: 6.70%- Income Yield: 3.12%TCW Strategic Income (TSI)- Distribution Yield: 10.54%- Income Yield: 7.88%Zweig Total Return (ZTR)- Distribution Yield: 7.27%- Income Yield: 1.95%As noted in the Gabelli report, a managed distribution policy may create confusion regarding the true current yield since the reported yield includes the return of capital portion. You can see the disparity above between the income yield and the distribution (reported) yield.If you are looking for a sustainable and growing dividend, you may want to consider some blue-chip dividend stocks such as these with a Free Cash Flow Payout less than 50%, 50+ years of consecutive dividend increases and a 2%+ yield:3M Co. (MMM) is a diversified global company provides enhanced product functionality in electronics, health care, industrial, consumer, office, telecommunications, safety & security and other markets via coatings, sealants, adhesives, and other chemical additives. Yield: 2.0%Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW) is a diversified manufacturer operates a portfolio of 60 business units that serve industrial and consumer markets globally. Yield: 2.1%Colgate-Palmolive Company (CL) is a major consumer products company that markets oral, personal and household care and pet nutrition products in more than 200 countries and territories. Yield: 2.1%Emerson Electric Co. (EMR) designs and supplies product technology, and delivers engineering services and solutions to a wide range of industrial, commercial and consumer markets around the world. Yield: 2.5%Genuine Parts Co. (GPC) is a leading wholesale distributor of automotive replacement parts, industrial parts and supplies, and office products. Yield: 2.6%Cincinnati Financial Corp. (CINF) is an insurance holding company that primarily markets property and casualty coverage. It also conducts life insurance and asset management operations. Yield: 3.2%When investi! ng in a f! und with a managed distribution policy, it is important not to confuse predictable cash flows with assured cash flows. A managed distribution policy means that the funds management is making an attempt to smooth out cash flows, but there is no guarantee they will be successful. Yield:Full Disclosure: Long ITW, EMR, GPC, CINF in my Dividend Growth Portfolio. See a list of all my dividend growth holdings here.Related Articles- 8 Higher-Yielding Consumer Stocks With A History of Rising Dividends- 10 Dividend Stocks For The Ultimate In Deferred Gratification- 6 Healthcare Stocks With Growing Dividends Yeilding In Excess of 2%- Why We Are Dividend Growth Investors- 6 Dividend Growth Stocks With Very Little Debt

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Friday, February 7, 2014

Thinking About Buying Japanese Stocks? Let Me Get You a Duffel Bag, Some Gasoline, and a Lighter

It's official: Japanese stocks are in correction.

After closing at a recent high of 16,291 on Dec. 30, the Nikkei was down by about 14% through yesterday's close. The iShares MSCI Japan ETF (EWJ), the most popular Japan ETF, is down a more modest 9%, due in part to currency effects (the yen tends to rally during "risk off" market conditions).

I'm not big on technical definitions. It's not particularly important to me whether a market is in "correction," meaning down 10%, or whether it is officially a "bear market," meaning prices have declined by 20% or more. What matters to me is what I can expect going forward.

So with that said, what can we expect from Japanese stocks?

Let's start with valuation. The stocks that make up EWJ collectively trade for 21.79 times earnings, which is on the pricey side, particularly given Japan's sluggish growth. Of course, trailing P/E can be over- or understated depending on what stage of the economic cycle we are in, so the Shiller Cyclically-Adjusted P/E(CAPE) can be a useful tool to smooth out the noise.

Well, based on the CAPE, Japan has the third-most expensive market in the world, after Sri Lanka and the United States. (And yes, Sri Lanka does indeed have a stock market. I was as surprised as you.)

Looking at the EWJ and the Japanese economy, it's hard to see how a premium valuation is warranted. Despite all attempted to ignite inflation, the specter of deflation lingers. Sure, Japan's CPI rose 1.3% in December … but virtually all of that was due to rising energy costs and distinctly not rising consumer prices. Excluding food and energy, Japan's CPI was up 0.7%.

I suppose it might be good that inflation is tame given that Japanese wages have fallen for 19 consecutive months and are now at a 16-year low.

If I sound a little down on Japan, it's because I am. While I'm open to the occasional short-term trade, I am definitely what you would call a Japan perma-bear — you won't find me recommending the EWJ any time soon.

Last year, writing about Japan's bid for the 2020 Olympics, I wrote that if you considered Japanese stocks a viable investment, you should "close your brokerage account, withdraw the cash balance in a duffel bag, then douse it in gasoline and set it on fire. Because if you believe Japan is investable, you're inevitably going to lose your money. The fiery duffel bag will help you skip a few steps and save some time."

Aside from my belief that the Olympic games are of questionable economic value to the host country, I consider Japanese stocks and the yen to be long-term shorts for two related reasons: debt and demographics.

Debt and Demographics Will Weigh Down EWJ

Japan has the highest sovereign debts in the world, quickly approaching 250% of GDP. That's well more than double the size of America's debt load, and most of us consider the U.S. to be far too heavily indebted for its own good. And Japan shovels massive amounts of new debt onto the pile every year with budget deficits that have averaged 8% to 10% of GDP since 2008. In 2013, 46% of all government spendingwas financed with debt.

At the same time, Japan's population is aging and shrinking. At the risk of oversimplifying, Japan's debts continue to balloon even while the number of Japanese citizens available to pay it back gets smaller every year.

There is not realistic way out of this for Japan, which means major trouble for the EWJ in the long term. The Japanese bond market has been quiescent, and yields remain ridiculously low given the macro risk that Japan presents. The Japanese 10-year yields a pitiful 0.6% — more than two full percentage points below the U.S. 10-year Treasury. This has been made possible because the Bank of Japan buys 70% of all Japanese government bonds, though it has resulted in a weaker yen.

Still, if I am right about Japan eventually having a sovereign debt meltdown, the yen's declines of the past years will look almost quaint. The yen will effectively fall to zero.

That will make paying back Japan's mountains of debt a lot easier, of course. But it will cause ordinary Japanese citizens — and particular its pensioners — a lot of pain.

If you want to trade Japanese equities, be my guest. Any asset, no matter how fragile its fundamentals, can be a decent short-term trade. But the real play here — and the one that I view as almost "risk free" over a longer time horizon — is shorting the yen.

As always, use common sense when trading. You can be "right" about a short and still lose a lot of money if you get caught on the wrong side of a short squeeze. An ETF option to consider in lieu of shorting the yen directly would be the ProShares Ultrashort Yen (YCS).

But if you're still considering the EWJ, I'd point you to a duffel bag and a zippo lighter.

About the author:Charles SizemoreCharles Lewis Sizemore is the Editor of the Sizemore Investment Letter premium newsletter and Chief Investment Officer of Sizemore Capital Management.

Mr. Sizemore has been a repeat guest on Fox Business News, has been quoted in Barron's Magazine and the Wall Street Journal, and has been published in many respected financial websites, including MarketWatch, TheStreet.com, InvestorPlace, MSN Money, Seeking Alpha, Stocks, Futures, and Options Magazine and The Daily Reckoning.

Visit Charles Sizemore's Website

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Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Best Quality Stocks To Watch For 2015

The Department of Labor on Thursday announced new guidance interpreting the Supreme Court’s decision in United States v. Windsor, which overturned the Defense of Marriage Act, and its impact on the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.

In a technical release, the department’s Employee Benefits Security Administration provides guidance to plans, plan sponsors, fiduciaries, participants and beneficiaries on the decision’s impact on ERISA.

The release states that, in general, the terms “spouse” and “marriage” in Title I of ERISA and in related department regulations should be read to include same-sex couples legally married in any state or foreign jurisdiction that recognizes such marriages, regardless of where they currently live.

On June 26, the Windsor decision struck down the provisions of the Defense of Marriage Act that denied federal benefits to legally married, same-sex couples.

Labor Secretary Thomas Perez said in a statement that “This decision represents a historic step toward equality for all American families, and I have directed the department’s agency heads to ensure that they are implementing the decision in a way that provides maximum protection for workers and their families.”

Best Quality Stocks To Watch For 2015: Fjordland Exploration Inc (FEX.V)

Fjordland Exploration Inc., an exploration stage company, engages in the acquisition and exploration of mineral properties in Canada. It focuses on the discovery of gold, copper, and molybdenum deposits in British Columbia. It has interests in 25 properties. The company has a 100% interest in Tak project comprising 5 properties covering an area of 43,486 hectares in the Cariboo region of central British Columbia; and a 100% interest in the St. Mary�s property covering 13,600 hectares in the Iron Range in southeastern British Columbia. The company also has options to acquire a 100% interest in the adjoining Dillard and Dill copper and gold properties located north of Princeton. In addition, Fjordland Exploration Inc., in partnership with Serengeti Resources Inc., has interests in the Milligan West property covering an area of 15,736 hectares adjoining Thompson Creek�s Mt. Milligan copper-gold deposits; and engages in exploring 10 precious and base metals properties coveri ng an area of 49,753 hectares in the Quesnel Terrane between Imperial Metals� Mount Polley mine and Thompson Creek Metals� Mt. Milligan deposit. The company was incorporated in 1996 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.

Best Quality Stocks To Watch For 2015: Johnston Press(JPR.L)

Johnston Press plc publishes local and regional weekly, and evening and morning newspapers, both paid-for and free primarily in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. It also publishes a range of other publications, such as lifestyle magazines and classified directories, as well as Sunday titles. In addition, the company provides specialist publications in print, online, or via mobile technologies. It publishes local and regional newspapers, including 18 daily, 156 paid-weekly, and 89 free-weekly, as well as maintains 273 Websites. Further, the company offers contract printing services to third-party publishers. Johnston Press plc was founded in 1767 and is headquartered in Edinburgh, the United Kingdom.

5 Best Blue Chip Stocks For 2014: AXT Inc(AXTI)

AXT, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, designs, develops, manufactures, and distributes compound and single element semiconductor substrates for use in wireless communications, lighting display applications, fiber optic communications, and solar cell. It offers semi-insulating substrates made from gallium arsenide, which are used in power amplifiers and radio frequency integrated circuits of wireless handsets, direct broadcast televisions, high-performance transistors, and satellite communications applications. The company also provides semi-conducting substrates made from gallium arsenide that are used for applications in light emitting diodes, lasers, and optical couplers; substrates made from indium phosphide used in broadband and fiber optic communications; and substrates made from germanium used in satellite and terrestrial solar cells, and for optical applications. It manufactures its semiconductor substrates using its proprietary vertical gradient freeze technol ogy. In addition, the company, through its joint venture agreements, manufactures and sells gallium, arsenic, germanium, germanium dioxide, paralytic boron nitride crucibles, and boron oxide. AXT, Inc. sells its products through direct sales force in the United States, as well as through independent sales representatives in France, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom. The company was formerly known as American Xtal Technology, Inc. and changed its name to AXT, Inc. in July 2000. AXT, Inc. was founded in 1986 and is headquartered in Fremont, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Eric Volkman]
SciClone (NASDAQ: SCLN ) has a new man leading its finance team. The company announced that it hired Wilson Cheung to be its new CFO. Cheung is a longtime executive who most recently served as chief compliance officer, Asia Pacific, at digital marketing agency Velti, following a stint as that company's CFO. Before that, he was CFO and corporate secretary at AXT (NASDAQ: AXTI ) and served in various managerial positions in firms such as KPMG and Yahoo!

Best Quality Stocks To Watch For 2015: BT Group plc (BT)

BT Group plc provides communications solutions and services worldwide. It engages in the provision of networked IT services; and local, national, and international telecommunications services for use at home, at work, and on the move. The company also offers broadband and Internet products in the United Kingdom (U.K.), as well as TV and converged fixed/mobile services. It operates in four segments: BT Global Services, BT Retail, BT Wholesale, and Openreach. The BT Global Services segment provides managed networked IT services to multinational corporations, domestic businesses, and national and local government organizations. The BT Retail segment offers broadband, telephony, and TV services, as well IT and telephony for small to medium sized businesses in the United Kingdom. It also provides video and telephone conferencing, CCTV, and alarm systems. This segment serves corporate, small and medium enterprises, consumer, and wholesale markets in the U.K., the Republic of Ire land, and Northern Ireland. The BT Wholesale segment provides voice, broadband, and data communications services, including managed services for fixed and mobile network operators, Internet service providers, and telecoms resellers in the U.K. The Openreach segment connects communications providers? customers to their local telephone exchange, giving them access to the U.K. network. The company was formerly known as Newgate Telecommunications Limited and changed its name to BT Group plc in September 2001. BT Group plc was founded in 1981 and is based in London, the United Kingdom.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Sam Robson]
LONDON --�BT� (LSE: BT-A ) (NYSE: BT ) �made a surprise announcement today that it will make its new sport channels available at no extra cost to customers of BT broadband, seen as a direct threat to�BSkyB's (LSE: BSY ) �expensive subscription services to its sports channels.
[By G. A. Chester]
LONDON -- BT Group� (LSE: BT-A ) (NYSE: BT ) is due to announce its annual results on Friday, May 10.

Shares in Britain's leading fixed-line telecoms company have out-performed the FTSE 100 over the past 12 months, having risen 31% compared with a 12% rise for the index.
[By Tony Reading]
LONDON -- Things are getting personal between�BT� (LSE: BT-A ) (NYSE: BT ) and�Sky� (LSE: BSY ) . The telecoms company is muscling in on Sky's lucrative sports channel business, and the 39% News Corp.-owned pay-TV broadcaster doesn't like it.
[By Tony Reading]
In this series I'm subjecting companies to scrutiny under five headings: prospects, performance, management, safety, and valuation. How does�BT� (LSE: BT-A ) (NYSE: BT ) measure up?

Best Quality Stocks To Watch For 2015: Hingham Institution for Savings(HIFS)

Hingham Institution for Savings provides various financial services to individuals and small businesses in Massachusetts. The company offers various deposit products, which include checking, savings, term certificates, NOW, money market, demand deposit, and individual retirement accounts. Its loan portfolio comprises residential and commercial real estate, construction, equity lines of credit, personal installment, and revolving credit loans, as well as home equity, overdraft protection, and personal and automobile loans. In addition, the company provides debit cards, direct deposits, safe deposit box, automated teller machines, and telephone and Internet-based banking services. As of December 31, 2010, it operated nine offices in Boston and southeastern Massachusetts. The company was founded in 1834 and is headquartered in Hingham, Massachusetts.

Best Quality Stocks To Watch For 2015: Wild Acre Metals Limited(WAC.AX)

Wild Acre Metals Limited engages in the exploration of mineral properties in Australia. The company primarily explores for gold, nickel, porphyry copper, and iron oxide deposits. It holds interests in the Sambalay, Chaparra, and Yauca projects, which cover approximately 16 concessions totaling 13,900 hectares located in southern Peru. The company also has interests in the Quinns, Mt Ida South, and Yerilla projects located in the eastern Goldfields of Western Australia. Wild Acre Metals Limited was incorporated in 2007 and is based in West Perth, Australia.

Best Quality Stocks To Watch For 2015: Brookfield Mortgage Opportunity Income Fund Inc (BOI)

Best Quality Stocks To Watch For 2015: Ship Finance International Limited(SFL)

Ship Finance International Limited, through its subsidiaries, engages in the ownership and operation of vessels and offshore related assets in Bermuda, Cyprus, Malta, Liberia, Norway, the United States, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the Marshall Islands. The company also involves in the charter, purchase, and sale of assets. As of March 22, 2011, it owned 29 oil tankers, 8 oil/bulk/ore carriers, 3 dry bulk carriers, 9 container vessels, 2 jack-up drilling rigs, 3 ultra-deepwater drilling units, 6 offshore supply vessels, and 2 chemical tankers. The company offers its services to various sectors of shipping and offshore industry, including oil transportation, drybulk shipments, chemical transportation, container transportation, drilling rigs, and offshore supply vessels. Ship Finance International Limited was founded in 2003 and is based in Hamilton, Bermuda.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By John Buckingham, Chief Investment Officer, Al Frank Asset Management, Inc. (AFAM)]
Ship Finance International (SFL) primarily engages in the transportation of crude oil and oil products, dry bulk, and containerized cargos, and in offshore drilling and related activities.

Best Quality Stocks To Watch For 2015: MusclePharm Corp (MSLP)

MusclePharm Corporation (MusclePharm), incorporated on August 4, 2006, is engaged in the business of providing personal fitness training using isometric techniques (Tone in Twenty). Muscle Pharm offers 12 products: Assault, Battle Fuel, Bullet Proof, Combat Powder, MuscleGel, Shred Matrix, Re-con, Armor-V, BCAA 3:1:2, ZMA Max, Glutamine and Creatine. MusclePharm is an expanding healthy life-style company that develops and distributes a full line of National Sanitation Foundation International and scientifically approved, nutritional supplements that are 100% free of any banned substances. MusclePharm products are sold in over 120 countries and available in over 5,000 United States retail outlets, including GNC, Vitamin Shoppe and Vitamin World. The Company also sells its products in over 100 online stores, including bodybuilding.com, amazon.com and vitacost.com.

Assault

Assault helps fight fatigue, boost performance, build muscle, increase intensity, hydrate muscles and feed muscles valuable, clinically-proven nutrients, such as ConCrete, Beta Alanine, BCAAs and Cinnulin. Assault is a safe pre-workout formula that increases strength, aerobic and anaerobic performance, reduces stomach fat and meets NFS and informed choice product standards for being free of banned substances.

Battle Fuel

Battle Fuel helps to increase lean mass and strength, improve endurance and energy levels, naturally detoxify and enhance aggressive mental focus. The herbal formula enhances and supports all things masculine to drive strength, power and lean muscle mass development. Battle Fuel also assists with recovery through an intense combination of cleansing agents and natural elements that reduce fatigue and improve cellular immunity.

Bullet Proof

Bullet Proof helps increase recovery effectiveness and hormonal up-regulation. It also improves lean muscle tissue growth and helps relieve some forms of pain.

Combat Powder

Combat! helps the body receive 25 grams of high quality protein, fuel fat loss, support healthy body composition, nourish lean muscle and speed up recovery. Combat is designed to help fill the gap in nutrition that athletes and super-active people may experience, to ensure their bodies are growing and recovering.

MuscleGel

MuscleGel helps in receiving more of the nutrients that body needs every day. Packed full of different proteins like building block amino acids, MuscleGel�� patented Pro-Fusion Technology gel format yields a fast-absorbing, highly bio-available source of next generation fitness food. For protein, carbohydrates and vitamins, MuscleGel delivers. It works on-the-go, fills athletes up and streams right to those parts of an athletes��body where nutrients are needed most.

SHRED Matrix

SHRED Matrix is superior for burning fat naturally, counteracting mood swings and helping athletes stay focused on weight loss and quick results. This 8-Stage Weight Loss System was specifically made for athletes and people who exercise regularly. As a total body diet, it sheds pounds, burns fat cells and attacks fat loss from every angle. While natural fat burners are at work, proven ingredients like Sugar Stop and the enzyme aid matrix keep athletes��appetites in check. Additionally, the formula is tuned so users won�� experience jitters or a crash.

Re-con

Re-con helps athletes recover quicker and more effectively, repair muscle cells, feed the body nutrients and grow stronger with ingredients, such as BCAAs, EAAs, cellular detoxifiers, muscle-loading carbohydrates and stress hormone regulators. This maximizes an athlete�� anabolic window, the post-workout phase where the body repairs and rebuilds tissue. Re-con promotes growth from every angle, delivering proteins and nutritious elements in their ideal forms.

Armor-V

Armor-V helps athletes receive a full dose of important vitamins and minerals, keeps v! ital orga! ns, such as the liver clean of toxins, recover faster and keep the body�� hormones balanced. This system was designed to meet the standards of high-performance athletes, who need a dedicated source of vitamins and minerals. Loaded with anti-oxidants and system optimizers derived from fruits and vegetables, Armor-V brings together organic, herbal and natural ingredients into a multi-nutrient complex that benefits active bodies.

BCAA 3:1:2

BCAA helps athletes receive ideal amounts of the Branched Chain Amino Acids (BCAA) Leucine, Isoleucine and Valine, from this patented ratio of 3:1:2, promote muscle development and maintenance, increase lean body mass and spur weight loss. BCAAs are part of the group of essential amino acids a body needs. Its patented 3:1:2 ratio is designed to release the ideal amounts of each amino acid both before and after a workout. This prevents muscle breakdown and leads to gains in body mass without losing weight.

ZMA Max

MusclePharm ZMA Max supports muscle growth and recovery, promotes deeper and more efficient sleep to maximize healing, tissue repair, anabolic hormone production and testosterone levels. It delivers the benefits of precise dosages and ZMA ingredient ratios and adds the synergistic effects of clinically-proven Fenugreek to support the balance of cholesterol levels, as well as increase of healthy libido function in women and men.

MP Glutamine

MusclePharm Core Series MP Glutamine supplement increases whole body glutamine status by enhancing an athlete�� uptake, bioavailability and digestion. Feeding the body a dedicated source of glutamine ultimately provides optimal muscle-tissue saturation through an range of three pure yet diverse nutritional glutamine complexes that delivers a substantial range of benefits.

Creatine

MusclePharm MP Core Series Creatine increases creatine status by enhancing uptake and bioavailability while fueling stamina, strength and le! an muscle! growth. Many athletes who engage in high-intensity/short duration exercises like weightlifting use creatine. The clinically-proven ingredient Cinnulin heightens absorption, which assists its five pure and diverse creatine complexes, delivering a range of benefits will launch directly into muscles. MP Creatine increases explosive energy, ATP energy and overall power.

The Company competes with Optimum Nutrition, Inc. (Optimum), Iovate Health Sciences, Inc. (IHS), Bio-Engineered Supplements and Nutrition, Inc. (BSN).

Best Quality Stocks To Watch For 2015: rue21 inc.(RUE)

rue21, inc. operates as a specialty apparel retailer in the United States. It provides fashion apparel and accessories for girls and guys, including graphic T-shirts, denim, dresses, shirts, hoodies, belts, jewelry, handbags, footwear, intimate apparel, and other accessories. The company sells its apparel and accessories under the brand names of rue21, rue21 etc!, tarea by rue21, Carbon and CJ Black, and Carbon Elements; and fragrances under the rue by rue21, revert eco rue21, CJ Black, sparkle rue21, Pink Ice by rue21, MetroBlack rue21, tarea by rue21, twentyone black, runway21 by rue21, Carbon Elements, Intense by rue21, and rue21 etc! brand names. As of January 28, 2012, it operated 755 stores in 713 cities in 46 states. rue21, inc. was founded in 1976 and is headquartered in Warrendale, Pennsylvania.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Brian Pacampara]
What: Shares of rue21 (NASDAQ: RUE) surged 23% today after private equity firm Apax Partners agreed to acquire the specialty apparel retailer for $1.1 billion.

Best Quality Stocks To Watch For 2015: L (MCG.V)

Melco China Resorts (Holding) Limited develops and operates ski resorts in China. Its portfolio includes Sun Mountain Yabuli, Sky Mountain Beidahu, The Lotus Mountain Club, Adventure Mountain Changchun, and Star Mountain Beijing resort properties in Beijing, Heilongjiang Province, and Jilin Province. The company offers a range of accommodations, including full-service hotels, condominium-hotels, and luxury resort homes. Melco China Resorts (Holding) Limited is based in Beijing, China.

Best Quality Stocks To Watch For 2015: 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.

Best Quality Stocks To Watch For 2015: Gildan Activewear Com Npv (GIL.TO)

Gildan Activewear Inc. engages in the manufacture and sale of apparel products primarily in the United States, Canada, and Europe. It sells T-shirts, fleece, and sport shirts to wholesale distributors under the Gildan brand name. The company also provides its activewear products for work and school uniforms and athletic team wear, and other purposes to convey individual, group, and team identity. In addition, it offers apparel, which includes socks, underwear, and activewear products primarily to U.S. retailers; and athletic, casual, and dress socks for U.S. retailers. Further, the company holds contractual licensing relationships for the Under Armour and New Balance brands for socks; and manufactures and distributes activewear products for consumer brands, including T-shirts and sport shirts under the Anvil brand. It markets its sock products under the various brands, including Gold Toe, PowerSox, SilverToe, Auro, All Pro, GT, and Gildan brands. The company was formerly k nown as Textiles Gildan Inc. and changed its name to Gildan Activewear Inc. in March 1995. Gildan Activewear Inc. was founded in 1984 and is headquartered in Montreal, Canada.

Best Quality Stocks To Watch For 2015: Central Federal Corporation(CFBK)

Central Federal Corporation operates as the holding company for CFBank that provides various financial services. It accepts various deposit products that include savings accounts, retail and business checking accounts, money market accounts, and certificates of deposit. The company?s loan portfolio comprises commercial, commercial real estate, and multi-family mortgage loans; single-family real estate loans; construction, land, and land development loans; and consumer loans, including home equity lines of credit, automobile loans, home improvement loans, and loans secured by deposits. It also provides online Internet banking, mobile banking, remote deposit, corporate cash management, and telephone banking services. Central Federal Corporation operates through four branch offices located in Summit, Columbiana, and Franklin Counties, Ohio. The company was formerly known as Grand Central Financial Corp. The company was founded in 1892 and is headquartered in Fairlawn, Ohio.< /p>

Best Quality Stocks To Watch For 2015: State Bank of Travancore (SBT)

State Bank of Travancore (the Bank) is an associate of the State Bank of India. The Bank operates in four segments: corporate / wholesale banking, retail banking, treasury and other banking operations. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012 (fiscal 2012), the Bank has added 87 branches to its network. As of March 31, 2011, the Bank had 879 branches with 13 extensions counters in 13 states and three union territories. As of March 31, 2011, the Bank had a network of 929 automated teller machines (ATMs), including 273 offsite ATMs. The Bank�� products include SBT Gold Savings Scheme, SBT Home Loan PAL (Pre Approved Limit), SBT Green, SBT Suraksha, SBT Swarna Saphallyam, Overdraft (OD) in Savings Bank Account, SBT Defence Salary Account, SBT Construction and Equipment Loan, RTO Loans, SBT Solar Special and Weavers Credit Cards. The Bank products also include life, non-life insurance products, as well as other non-banking investment products, such as mutual fund.

Best Quality Stocks To Watch For 2015: Starbucks Corporation(SBUX)

Starbucks Corporation purchases and roasts whole bean coffees. It operates approximately 16,858 stores, including 8,833 company-operated stores and 8,025 licensed stores. The company offers approximately 30 blends and single-origin premium arabica coffees. It also provides handcrafted beverages, such as fresh-brewed coffee, hot and iced espresso beverages, coffee and non-coffee blended beverages, Vivanno smoothies, and Tazo teas; and merchandise products, including home espresso machines, coffee brewers and grinders, coffee mugs and accessories, packaged goods, music, books, and gift items. In addition, it offers fresh food items, which comprise baked pastries, sandwiches, salads, oatmeal, yogurt parfaits, and fruit cups. Further, it also provides VIA ready brew coffee, bottled frappuccino beverages, discoveries chilled cup coffee, doubleshot espresso drinks, iced coffee, whole bean coffee, and ice creams. The company?s brand portfolio includes Tazo tea, Ethos water, Seatt le?s Best Coffee, and Torrefazione Italia Coffee. Starbucks Corporation sells its products in approximately 50 countries worldwide. Starbucks Corporation was founded in 1971 and is based in Seattle, Washington.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Kevin Chen]
Starbucks� (NASDAQ: SBUX ) dropped as low as 3% in after-market trading upon missing revenue estimates.

For the second fiscal quarter, which ended March 31, Starbucks seemed to do great. It beat Wall Street's earnings-per-share (EPS) estimates of $0.48 per share with $0.51 per share. However, the Street ultimately punished the stock because it missed revenue expectations. Instead of bringing in $3.59 billion, it raked in $3.56 billion.
[By Brian Stoffel]
It would be easy to say, after two decades of breakneck growth in both the United States and abroad, that Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX ) has reached its saturation point. At this point, buying in while shares trade for 32 times earnings seems ridiculous.
[By Steve Heller]
The ritual of coffee drinking can vary greatly among cultures, especially in Asia. For Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX ) , the challenge is to match differing Asian cultures and tastes into a concept that the corresponding local population can relate to. In this video, Fool contributor Steve Heller examines how Starbucks will be adapting its brand to local Asian cultures as a way to drive new market share.