Best Stocks Broker Blog For 2013, Top Stocks For 2013: September 2013

Monday, September 30, 2013

Cisco Stock Could Dive by 15% Due to New Threats

Cisco Systems Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO) is involved in yet another internal restructuring of sorts, and the company has done what it can to manage its shares higher and higher. In fact, shares were up a sharp 28% year-to-date before Thursday. Now a new wave of networking coverage from Credit Suisse is casting a dark shadow on Cisco, and the implication is that shares could fall some 15%, if the thesis turns out to be accurate.

Credit Suisse initiated new coverage on shares of Cisco with a very unambitious Underperform rating. The firm issued a $21.00 price target, versus a $24.80 closing price on Wednesday.

Analyst Kulbinder Garcha believes that software-defined networking is going to be a threat to the traditional networking giants. He still thinks that Cisco is a high-quality company, but it also may be the most vulnerable of the old oligarchy. His biggest concern is that software-defined networking will shrink gross margins, even as Cisco tries to increase its services in the revenue mix.

Cisco has traded in a 52-week range of $16.68 to $26.49, and the consensus analyst target price is $26.77, according to Thomson Reuters. Its shares were down 1.2% at $24.48 in early Thursday morning trading. The call also was negative, or at least cautious, on two others.

Juniper Networks Inc. (NYSE: JNPR) was started as Neutral. Its assigned price target was $20.00, versus a $21.66 close on Wednesday. Juniper shares were down only 0.4% at $21.58, against a 52-week range of $15.62 to $22.98. We would caution that the $20.00 price target is only marginally lower than the consensus price target of $21.32.

Ubiquiti Networks Inc. (NASDAQ: UBNT) was given a cautious Neutral rating as well, and it had the least negative bias in Garcha’s call. He said:

We believe that Ubiquiti has created a relatively unique business model that can disrupt several markets in the networking space over time. However, we believe shares are fully valued, with strong near-term revenue momentum offset by medium-term competitive risks and possible margin pressure.

His target price of $33.00 was barely under the $33.14 closing price on Wednesday.

5 Stocks Under $10 Making Big Moves

DELAFIELD, Wis. (Stockpickr) -- At Stockpickr, we track daily portfolios of stocks that are the biggest percentage gainers and the biggest percentage losers.

>>5 Stocks Set to Soar on Bullish Earnings

Stocks that are making large moves like these are favorites among short-term traders because they can jump into these names and try to capture some of that massive volatility. Stocks that are making big-percentage moves either up or down are usually in play because their sector is becoming attractive or they have a major fundamental catalyst such as a recent earnings release. Sometimes stocks making big moves have been hit with an analyst upgrade or an analyst downgrade.

Regardless of the reason behind it, when a stock makes a large-percentage move, it is often just the start of a new major trend -- a trend that can lead to huge profits. If you time your trade correctly, combining technical indicators with fundamental trends, discipline and sound money management, you will be well on your way to investment success.

>>5 Breakout Trades to Take Ahead of the Fed

With that in mind, let's take a closer look at a several stocks under $10 that are making large moves to the upside today.

Body Central

Body Central (BODY) is a multi-channel specialty retailer that operates apparel stores and also conducts direct business via catalogues and Web site. This stock closed up 3.2% to $6.43 in Tuesday's trading session.

Tuesday's Range: $6.18-$6.43

52-Week Range: $6.00-$13.39

Tuesday's Volume: 418,000

Three-Month Average Volume: 279,597

>>5 Stocks Rising on Big Volume

From a technical perspective, BODY jumped notably higher here with above-average volume. This stock gapped down sharply recently from $12 to under $8 with heavy downside volume. Following that move, shares of BODY went on to make a new low at $6 with bearish downside volume flows. That move has now pushed shares of BODY into oversold territory, since the stock's current relative strength index reading is 32.42. Oversold can always get more oversold, but it's also an area where a stock can experience a powerful bounce higher from.

Traders should now look for long-biased trades in BODY as long as it's trending above that recent low of $6 and then once it sustains a move or close above some near-term overhead resistance at $6.48 with volume that hits near or above 279,597 shares. If we get that move soon, then BODY could experience a sharp oversold bounce that takes this stock back towards $7.75 to $8.50.

Dynex

Dynex (DX) is a real estate investment trust that invests in mortgage loans and securities on a leveraged basis. This stock closed up 2.2% to $8.68 in Tuesday's trading session.

Tuesday's Range: $8.51-$8.69

52-Week Range: $7.71-$11.06

Thursday's Volume: 454,000

Three-Month Average Volume: 473,773

>>5 Rocket Stocks to Buy as Mr. Market Climbs

From a technical perspective, DX spiked notably higher here with decent upside volume. This stock has been uptrending strong for the last month, with shares moving higher from its low of $7.71 to its intraday high of $8.69. During that move, shares of DX have been consistently making higher lows and higher highs, which is bullish technical price action. That move has now pushed shares of DX within range of triggering a major breakout trade. That trade will hit if DX manages to take out its 50-day moving average of $8.82 and then once it clears its gap down day high from July at $8.86 with high volume.

Traders should now look for long-biased trades in DX as long as it's trending above some near-term support at $8.25 and then once it sustains a move or close above those breakout levels with volume that hits near or above 473,773 shares. If we get that move soon, then DX will set up to re-fill some of its previous gap down zone from July that started just above $9.75. Any high-volume move above that level will then give DX a chance to tag its next major overhead resistance levels at $10.24 to $10.44.

Inventure Foods

Inventure Foods (SNAK) develops, produces markets and distributes snack food products and frozen berry products. This stock closed up 2% to $9.68 in Tuesday's trading session.

Tuesday's Range: $9.39-$9.72

52-Week Range: $5.56-$9.74

Thursday's Volume: 75,000

Three-Month Average Volume: 52,442

>>5 Stocks Ready for Breakouts

From a technical perspective, SNAK rose modestly higher here right above its 50-day moving average of $9.25 with above-average volume. This move pushed shares of SNAK into breakout territory, since this stock took out some near-term overhead resistance levels at $9.45 to $9.59. Shares of SNAK are now quickly moving within range of triggering another major breakout trade. That trade will hit if SNAK manages to clear some near-term overhead resistance at $9.69 to its 52-week high at $9.74 with high volume.

Traders should now look for long-biased trades in SNAK as long as it's trending above 50-day at $9.25 or above more near-term support at $8.95 and then once it sustains a move or close above those breakout levels with volume that hits near or above 52,442 shares. If that breakout triggers soon, then SNAK will set up to enter new 52-week-high territory, which is bullish technical price action. Some possible upside targets off that breakout are $12 to $13.

Marchex

Marchex (MCHX) is a mobile performance advertising company that delivers customer calls to businesses and analyzes those calls so companies can get the most out of their advertising. This stock closed up 4.4% to $7.48 in Tuesday's trading session.

Tuesday's Range: $7.21-$7.48

52-Week Range: $3.41-$7.58

Thursday's Volume: 106,000

Three-Month Average Volume: 83,781

From a technical perspective, MCHX spiked sharply higher here right above some near-term support at $7 with above-average volume. This stock has been uptrending strong for the last five months, with shares moving higher from its low of $3.70 to its recent high of $7.58. During that uptrend, shares of MCHX have been consistently making higher lows and higher highs, which is bullish technical price action. That move has now pushed shares of MCHX within range of triggering a major breakout trade. That trade will hit if MCHX manages to take out Tuesday's high of $7.48 to its 52-week high at $7.58 with high volume.

Traders should now look for long-biased trades in MCHX as long as it's trending above its 50-day at $6.60 and then once it sustains a move or close above those breakout levels with volume that hits near or above 83,781 shares. If that breakout triggers soon, then MCHX will set up to enter new 52-week-high territory, which is bullish technical price action. Some possible upside targets off that breakout are its next major overhead resistance levels at $8.76 to $9.55, or even $10.

MGIC Investment

MGIC Investment (MTG) is a provider of private mortgage insurance in the U.S. This stock closed up 2.3% to $7.54 in Tuesday's trading session.

Tuesday's Range: $7.33-$7.58

52-Week Range: $1.34-$8.16

Thursday's Volume: 6.21 million

Three-Month Average Volume: 8.35 million

From a technical perspective, MTG bounced notably higher here right above its 50-day moving average of $7.14 with lighter-than-average volume. This stock has been trending sideways for the last month, with shares moving between $6.75 on the downside and $7.45 on the upside. Shares of MTG have now started to take out the upper-end of that range on Tuesday, since the stock closed at $7.54. This move is quickly pushing shares of MTG within range of triggering a major breakout trade. That trade will hit if MTG manages to take out some near-term overhead resistance levels at $7.84 to its 52-week high at $8.16 with high volume.

Traders should now look for long-biased trades in MTG as long as it's trending above its 50-day at $7.14 and then once it sustains a move or close above those breakout levels with volume that hits near or above 8.35 million shares. If that breakout triggers soon, then MTG will set up to enter new 52-week-high territory above $8.16, which is bullish technical price action. Some possible upside targets off that breakout are $9 to $10.

To see more stocks that are making notable moves higher today, check out the Stocks Under $10 Moving Higher portfolio on Stockpickr.

-- Written by Roberto Pedone in Delafield, Wis.

Macy’s Expands Active Wear Selection (M)

Department store Macy’s, Inc. (M) reported that it will be expanding its active wear merchandise to increase sales.

Macy’s announced that it will be attempting to grow its market share in active wear and athletic apparel. This expansion will include Nike, The North Face, Under Armour, Calvin Klein and Ideology. Macy’s will also add Helly Hansen in some locations.

This announcement comes after recent deals Macy’s has made with Finish Line and LIDS. The company will expand its active wear selection both in stores and online.

Macy’s shares were up 41 cents, or 0.91%, during Monday morning trading. The stock is up 17% YTD.

Sunday, September 29, 2013

Are You Really Retired Just Because You Stopped Working?

From the time I took my first job washing cars at age 15 to the day I retired, working kept money flowing into my bank account. I needed money, and so I had to work (no silver spoon here). A few weeks back, I penned an article highlighting how most older folks fear running out of money more than death. Several readers suggested that continuing to work as long as possible is the best way to quell that fear. Could the solution be that simple?

One of the most successful executives I have ever worked with is a friend of mine named John. A few months ago, he announced that he had "flunked" retirement and was back at work, doing consulting on his own terms. He certainly does not need the money, but retirement bored him. He felt like he had a lot of tread left and plans to keep working as long as it's still fun.

I have another friend, Nate, who was also very successful in his first career and retired relatively young. Sailing was his lifelong passion, and he immediately became a sailing instructor. Now he delivers boats all over the world, and says things to his "first mate" like, "Honey, do you feel like going on a cruise to Trinidad?" She can say "yes" or suggest he take one of his other retired buddies with him on the job.

My wife Jo and I bought a new motorhome when we first retired. There are several motorhome manufacturers in the Pacific Northwest that hire retirees to deliver their products from the factory to customers all over the country. Some folks make the delivery and fly home. Others tow their car behind the motorhome, bring their spouse, and take a leisurely drive back. The driver who delivered our motorhome to Tampa plans a trip with his wife every other month around his "job," and they love it.

In all three of these instances, retirees are setting their own schedules, and they only choose the jobs they want to do. On top of that, these folks really enjoy their work. Job stress is virtually nonexistent, and their projects pay pretty well to boot.

Plug the Money Leak Folks on either side of the retirement cusp fall into a few different groups:

People who have saved too little to retire and likely must keep working in order to survive. People who have retired but are spending at a much faster pace than they anticipated. People who saved money and spend modestly, but are still not sure their nest egg will last. People who are retired and have enough money, but are just plain bored. People who have hobbies that could be turned into moneymakers. As my regular readers know, I am adamant that retirees are all money managers. Our primary job is to tend our nest egg and continue to learn about investing. The time and money invested in a financial education will pay off a hundredfold compared to what one could earn from a low-paying job.

A second job at Walmart is not the most efficient route to financial freedom. If you're earning minimum wage but your retirement account is leaking because of mismanagement, your time could be spent more effectively by focusing on your financial education. However, if you can work part-time at a job you actually like, why not do both?

The Ideal Second Act For most folks, the ideal post-retirement job:

Has flexible hours Is fun Is something your spouse can easily support Promotes longevity as opposed to detracting from it Brings emotional rewards Allows time to still look after your nest egg Makes money Working during retirement can be fulfilling, as the examples of my friends Nate and John show. But they are working on their own terms, and money is not their primary motivation. I have been officially retired for several years now, and while I put more time in to our weekly and monthly publications than I could have ever imagined, it hardly feels like work.

Our first careers were hard work, and now we have to work to stay on top of our retirement finances. That's probably why you're reading this article today: you know you have to continually teach yourself how to be your own money manager.

Some of my Money Forever subscribers are already retired, and some are a few years out. In either case, they have committed themselves to putting aside the time to become their own money managers: to continually educate themselves on handling their money. Remember: no one has more of a vested interest in you getting this right than you do.

From the very first issue of Money Forever our goal—my mission—has been to help those who truly want to take control of their retirement finances. I aim to give folks who have accumulated wealth a deeper understanding of how to create an income-producing portfolio. Our subscribers do not have to fear they won't have enough, whether retired or a few years out.

With that in mind, I'd like to invite you to give Money Forever a try. The current subscription rate is affordable—it's less than that of a typical morning newspaper, and a whole lot better for your portfolio. The best part is you can take advantage of our 90-day, no-risk offer. You can cancel for any reason or even no reason at all, no questions asked within the first 90 days and receive a full, immediate refund. As you might expect, our cancellation rates are very low, and we aim to keep it that way. Click here to find out more.

Dennis Miller is the author of "Retirement Reboot", a book chronicling his own journey to save his retirement in a low yield, turbulent investing environment and providing readers with actionable ideas for getting their retirement finances back on track. He works with some of the country's top investment managers, authors and analysts to tackle the financial challenges faced by today's retirees. Working with analysts at Casey Research, Dennis created "Miller's Money Forever," a newsletter that provides retirees, and those soon to be retired, with actionable recommendations on how to prepare and maintain a profitable retirement portfolio. Prior to retiring in 2008 Dennis ran a successful consulting business and authored several books on sales management. He was also a regular contributor to the American Management Association and an active international lecturer for 40 years. Find more of Dennis' columns and latest special research reports at millersmoney.com or contact him at dennis@millersmoney.

Facebook To Improve Relevance Of Advertisers For Users

Facebook (NYSE: FB) has long be up against a simple problem with Wall St. Investors who want to know if its revenue can every reach a point at which the company’s $100 billion valuation can be justified. Recent movement in the stock to record highs would indicates that it has added to its army of faithful investors. Now, it needs to clear another hurdle. Its users, in many cases, resent having messages all over what they consider their private pages–whether they actually “own” these pages or not.

Perhaps, Facebook reasons, if advertising is more relevant, users will be more accepting. The theory is flawed to the extent that members will accept any environment in which there is any advertising at all. Nonetheless, Facebook released a new ad policy:

The goal of News Feed is to deliver the right content to the right people at the right time. Our goal with the ads we show in News Feed is no different.

Every time someone visits News Feed, we choose between thousands of ads to determine the best ones to show – whether it's from a local business, a well-known brand or a mobile app developer. We aim to show people the most relevant ads based on things such as their interests and the Pages they like.

To choose the right ad, we listen to both people and marketers.

Marketers tell us which people they think will be interested in their ad. For example, a restaurant might tell us to show an ad to people living in the same city aged 18 to 35. Marketers also tell us how much they are willing to pay to show an ad – which suggests how much they want to reach a specific audience.

People also tell us what types of ads they want to see and don’t want to see. When a person interacts with an ad (clicks, likes, comments on, or shares), News Feed learns that these ads are relevant for them. When someone hides an ad, News Feed learns that that person wants to see less of those types of ads.

In addition to improving the quality of the ads themselves, we are also continuously trying to optimize when and where we're showing ads

We are currently working on some updates to the ads algorithm to improve the relevance and quality of the ads people see.

When deciding which ad to show to which groups of people, we are placing more emphasis on feedback we receive from people about ads, including how often people report or hide an ad.

That means people should see ads that are increasingly relevant to them, and fewer ads that they might not be interested in.

For marketers, this means we are showing ads to the people who might want to see them the most. For example, if someone always hides ads for electronics, we will reduce the number of those types of ads that we show to them.

This means that some marketers may see some variation in the distribution of their ads in the coming weeks. Our goal is to make sure we deliver the most relevant ads, which should mean the right people are seeing a specific ad campaign. This is ultimately better for marketers, because it means their messages are reaching the people most interested in what they have to offer.

We'll continue to listen to feedback so we can keep improving the quality of ads in News Feed. Stay tuned for more.

Facebook has taken a huge share of the display ad market in the U.S. which has been estimated as high as 25%. Many experts believe this will grow at the expense of market share held by portals and other websites with massive traffic. However, ad relevance remain a huge hurdle for users, which means it is one for marketers as well.

Saturday, September 28, 2013

Goldcorp Eleonore Project Fire Put Out - Analyst Blog

Goldcorp Inc. (GG) announced that a spell of rain in the James Bay region of Quebec has helped to put out the forest fire that had threatened its Eleonore gold project. Cooler temperatures and shifting winds helped to extinguish the smoke at the site as well.

About a week ago, Goldcorp evacuated the employees as the forest fire located roughly 100 kilometres from Eleonore was progressing with prevailing winds toward the mine site. Goldcorp was working with local and provincial authorities to step up safety measures and protect the health of all people of the locality. The company also kept a team at the site to manage and implement preventive emergency measures and stated that the entire crew was safe.

Goldcorp also stated that there was no damage of the infrastructure and equipment at Eleonore which included power and communications. The company also said that the evacuation of the project would have no material impact on the construction schedule.

Recently, Freeport McMoRan Copper and Gold Inc. (FCX) also announced a force majeure on shipments from the PT Freeport Indonesia (PT-FI) Grasberg mine. This ensued after a tunnel collapsed in the mine on May 14, claiming 28 lives.

Though the accident had spared the area of operations, Freeport temporarily suspended mining and processing activities as part of the rescue and recovery operation. However, the company has resumed open pit mining, and is concentrating on activities at its Grasberg operations in Papua after it received approval from Indonesia's Department of Energy and Mineral Resources (DEMR). The mine is now operating at full capacity.

Goldcorp is one of the world's fastest growing senior gold producers and it provides its shareholders with superior returns from high quality assets. Goldcorp's first-quarter 2013 adjusted earnings (excluding one-time items) of 31 cents a share missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 40 cents and were well below 50 cents a share earned in the year-ago quarter.
Profit, as reported, amounted to $309 million or 33 cents per share in the reported quarter, down roughly 35% from $479 million or 51 cents in the prior-year quarter, hurt by a double-digit decline in sales.

Goldcorp posted revenues of $1.02 billion in the quarter, down roughly 16% year over year. It missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.39 billion.

Goldcorp currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).

Other companies in the mining industry with favorable Zacks Rank are NovaGold Resources Inc. (NG) and Lake Shore Gold Corp. (LSG). Both retain a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

Option Strategy Review

Today I would like t provide a handy strategy review. Helping to translate your market vision into a hedged option strategy. Note that I say hedged. I do not believe in buying or selling stocks and futures naked, ie with no protection. The same goes with buying options outright. Always spread, is my motto.

Mega Bullish? Buy stock with puts. Just plain Bullish? Buy vertical call spread, sell vertical put spread.

Bullish at lower level with an eye to dividend yield or short term cash generation? Sell cash covered put. Bullish on current dividend yield? Buy stock with Collar.

Particular price target? Do Butterfly with short strike at target.

Neutral to range bound? Condor, Iron Condor, Iron Butterfly.

First down, then up? Buy call calender spread. First up then down? Buy put calender spread.

Mega Bearish? Sell stock or deep ITM call short with long protective call above it. Just plain Bearish? Buy vertical put spread, sell vertical call spread.

If any of these strategies are unfamiliar or strange to you, please fell free to contact me at any time. Click the Contact heading above.

Finally, do note that with the possible exception of the short cash covered put, all these strategies are hedged with a well defined maximum loss. I hope this review has been helpful and Happy Trading!

The following article is from one of our external contributors. It does not represent the opinion of Benzinga and has not been edited.

Posted-In: Options Markets Trading Ideas

Originally posted here...

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Thursday, September 26, 2013

10 Best Canadian Stocks To Invest In 2014

Canadian stocks fell, following the biggest rally in 11 months, as raw-materials companies declined amid signs China may tolerate slower growth and a U.S. Federal Reserve official urged slower stimulus.

Pretium Resources Inc. lost 4 percent and Alamos Gold Inc. dropped 3.7 percent as falling metals prices weighed on raw-materials producers. Catamaran Corp. added 0.9 percent, pacing gains among health-care companies. Niko Resources Ltd. surged 3.4 percent after entering an agreement for a $60 million loan.

The Standard & Poor��/TSX Composite Index (SPTSX) fell 31.09 points, or 0.3 percent, to 12,462.17 at 4 p.m. in Toronto, erasing an earlier gain of 0.2 percent. The loss pared the index�� weekly gain to 2.7 percent, its biggest five-day advance since November. Trading was 27 percent below the 30-day average.

10 Best Canadian Stocks To Invest In 2014: ConocoPhillips(COP)

ConocoPhillips operates as an integrated energy company worldwide. The company?s Exploration and Production (E&P) segment explores for, produces, transports, and markets crude oil, bitumen, natural gas, liquefied natural gas, and natural gas liquids. Its Midstream segment gathers, processes, and markets natural gas; and fractionates and markets natural gas liquids in the United States and Trinidad. The company?s Refining and Marketing (R&M) segment purchases, refines, markets, and transports crude oil and petroleum products, such as gasolines, distillates, and aviation fuels. Its Chemicals segment manufactures and markets petrochemicals and plastics. This segment offers olefins and polyolefins, including ethylene, propylene, and other olefin products; aromatics products, such as benzene, styrene, paraxylene, and cyclohexane, as well as polystyrene and styrene-butadiene copolymers; and various specialty chemical products comprising organosulfur chemicals, solvents, catalyst s, drilling chemicals, mining chemicals, and engineering plastics and compounds. The company?s Emerging Businesses segment develops new technologies and businesses. It focuses on power generation; and technologies related to conventional and nonconventional hydrocarbon recovery, refining, alternative energy, biofuels, and the environment. This segment also offers E-Gas, a gasification technology producing high-value synthetic gas. ConocoPhillips was founded in 1917 and is based in Houston, Texas.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Teresa Rivas]
Other oil majors like Exxon (XOM) and ConocoPhillips (COP) are also up today.

Update: Reuters is reporting that Chevron� is considering bid for stake in a Brazil offshore oil prospect (via Briefing.com).
[By Dividend Growth Investor]
In May 2012, ConocoPhillips split into two separately traded companies: ConocoPhillips (COP), which focused on Exploration and Production for Oil and Natural gas and Phillips 66 (PSX), which focused on Refining and Marketing for crude and natural gas. The legacy ConocoPhillips company was paying a quarterly dividend of 66 cents/share, and had raised dividends since 2002. On the surface, through June 2013 it seemed that the company had not raised distributions since the 20% boost payable in March 2011. Shareholders as of April 30, 2012 received one share of the new upstream focused ConocoPhillips (COP) as well as half a share of the downstream focused Phillips 66 (PSX). However, although the new ConocoPhillips maintained its quarterly dividend of 66 cents/share, this was technically a dividend increase, since it was coming from a lower base. Some dividend investors didn't see it that way however, and worried about the perceived "lack of dividend increase". Most recently however, ConocoPhillipsraised quarterly distributions to 69 cents/share.
[By Jonathan Yates]
There has been a great deal of concern about the United States suffering from a "lost generation" as Japan has now for several. For investors in oil, this has certainly not been the case: A recent article in The Wall Street Journal noted that oil has risen 310% (Brent Crude) over the last decade. The future looks equally promising for investments in the sector such as ConocoPhillips (NYSE: COP), Suncor Energy (NYSE: SU), Americas Petrogas (BOE.V), and Octagon 88 (OTCBB: OCTX).
[By Dividends4Life]
Related Articles:
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- ConocoPhillips Co. (COP) Dividend Stock Analysis
- W.W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW) Dividend Stock Analysis
- AFLAC Incorporated (AFL) Dividend Stock Analysis
- More Stock Analysis

10 Best Canadian Stocks To Invest In 2014: Primerica Inc.(PRI)

Primerica, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the distribution of financial products on behalf of third parties to middle income households in the United States and Canada. The company operates in three segments: Term Life Insurance, Investment and Savings Products, and Corporate and Other Distributed Products. The Term Life Insurance segment underwrites term life insurance products. The Investment and Savings Products segment distributes mutual funds, variable annuities, fixed annuities, and segregated funds. The Corporate and Other Distributed Products segment provides mortgage loans, which include debt consolidation or refinance, and purchase money loans; unsecured loans; prepaid legal services that assist subscribers with legal matters, such as drafting wills, living wills and powers of attorney, trial defense, and motor vehicle-related matters; mail-order student life products; short-term disability benefit insurance; and auto and homeowners? insurance products. The company was founded in 1927 and is based in Duluth, Georgia.

Top Safest Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc.(CMG)

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. develops and operates fast-casual, fresh Mexican food restaurants in the United States, Canada, and England. Its restaurants primarily offer burritos, tacos, burrito bowls, and salads. As of December 31, 2011, it operated 1,230 restaurants, which includes 1 ShopHouse Southeast Asian Kitchen. Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. was founded in 1993 and is based in Denver, Colorado.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Ben Levisohn]
Their favorites: Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG) and Starbucks (SBUX). They explain why:

For Starbucks, we anticipate continued potential for earnings upside on remarkably healthy and consistent same-store sales trends (which we believe have continued into the September quarter), with its June quarter comp of 9% leading the entire restaurant industry, despite more than 19,000 global locations. For Chipotle, we remain heartened by strong midsingle-digit same-store traffic gains, with a likely price increase in the first half of 2014 poised to provide upward momentum to estimates, particularly as Chipotle has already absorbed significant commodity inflation that has increased its cost of sales to 33%-plus.
[By Jon C. Ogg]
Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. (NYSE: CMG) was raised to Hold from Underperform at Jefferies.

Devon Energy Corp. (NYSE: DVN) was started as Buy with a $75 price target at Canaccord Genuity.
[By Dividend Growth Investor]
[ Enlarge Image ]
The company�� international operations have fueled the strong growth in McDonald�� earnings over the past twenty years. Despite the fact that a little over half of the company�� profits are derived internationally, this segment could continue to deliver solid performance in the future. Another factor fueling the company�� growth and maintenance of its edge against competitors and other threats has been its ability to innovate in its menu and reinvent itself in order to win. Some examples of that include the addition of salads to its menu a few years ago, as well as the introductions of premium drinks for customers. Other examples include extending store hours as well as focusing on the core brands through disposition of Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG). The company has also been able to focus on streamlining operations and focusing on same-store sales, rather than mindlessly expanding at all costs. However, it still plans on expanding store count, while also reimaging existing locations, in order to improve the customer experience.
[By AlphaStreetResearch]
Buffalo Wild Wings (BWLD) has been a hot growth stock, but this company has plenty of room to run higher as the firm continues to execute its domestic and international growth strategy. This is a company with huge potential in Restaurant and Services sector as the company's customer base continues to grow and remain loyal. Below is our introduction into its business model, it's strengths, and the buying opportunity that currently exists for Buffalo Wild Wings. Wall Street has not yet realized the full potential of this company as it continues to be seen as a seasonality play in this space. The company continues to prove this stigma wrong. The company has a market cap of $2.06 Billion and reports the next quarter on October 21, 2013. With this in mind, we value Buffalo Wild Wings at $123.00 by year-end of 2013 and $138.00 by May 1, 2014, an increase of 28% from current levels. We strongly feel that this company has the potential to see major upside over the next year and we could see the stock continue to run like Chipotle (CMG) or Panera (PNRA) in recent history. Dining and entertainment demand is growing and Buffalo Wild Wings continues to take market share, as the company has some of the best customer retention rates and average ticket sales in the sector. We will later highlight:

10 Best Canadian Stocks To Invest In 2014: Gildan Activewear Inc.(GIL)

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 undecorated products to branded apparel companies and retailers; and underwear products. Further, the company markets its sock products under the various brands, including Gold Toe, PowerSox, SilverToe, Auro, All Pro, GT, and the Gildan brand. The company was formerly known 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.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Tom Stoukas]
Deutsche Lufthansa AG (LHA) and Allianz SE (ALV) led airlines and insurers lower, retreating at least 1.5 percent. Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (BMW) slid 1.6 percent. Deutsche Bank AG (DBK) rose after JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its recommendation on the shares. Gildemeister AG (GIL) added 3.4 percent after Deutsche Bank upgraded the maker of cutting tools.

10 Best Canadian Stocks To Invest In 2014: EMC Corporation(EMC)

EMC Corporation develops, delivers, and supports the information and virtual infrastructure technologies and solutions. The company offers enterprise storage systems and software, which are deployed in storage area networks (SAN), networked attached storage (NAS), unified storage combining NAS and SAN, object storage, and/or direct attached storage environments, as well as provides backup and recovery, and disaster recovery and archiving solutions. It also offers information security solutions in various areas, such as enterprise governance, risk and compliance, data loss prevention, security information management, continuous network monitoring, fraud protection, identity assurance and access control, and encryption and key management. In addition, the company provides information intelligence software, solutions, and services, including EMC Captiva for intelligent enterprise capture; EMC Document Sciences for customer communications management; EMC Kazeon for e-discovery ; EMC Documentum xCP for building business solutions and an action engine for big data; and the EMC Documentum platform for managing and delivering enterprise information. Further, it offers virtual and cloud infrastructure products, such as virtualization and virtualization-based cloud infrastructure solutions that address a range of IT problems, as well as facilitate access to cloud computing capacity, business continuity, software lifecycle management, and corporate end-user computing device management In addition, the company provides consulting, technology deployment, managed, customer support, and training and certification services. EMC Corporation markets its products through direct sales and through multiple distribution channels in North America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, South Africa, and the Asia Pacific region. The company was founded in 1979 and is headquartered in Hopkinton, Massachusetts.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Lee Jackson]
EMC Corp. (NYSE: EMC) is not a software company. Yet the majority ownership position its has in VMware Inc. (NYSE: VMW) makes it is a dual threat. Owning the stock gives investors a top storage name in enterprise hardware, as well as the cloud computing software from its majority stake. The consensus price target for this top tech name is $31. Investors also receive a 1.5% dividend.
[By Beth Piskora]
They are listed below:
Altera (ALTR)��ielding 1.7%

Apple (AAPL)��ielding 2.5%

Applied Materials (AMAT)��ielding 2.6%

Cisco (CSCO)��ielding 2.9%

EMC Corp. (EMC)��ielding 1.5%

International Business Machines (IBM)��ielding 2.0%

KLA-Tencor (KLAC)��ielding 3.2%

Microchip Technology (MCHP)��ielding 3.6%

Oracle (ORCL)��ielding 1.5%

Qualcomm (QCOM)��ielding 2.1%

Texas Instruments (TXN)��ielding 2.9%

Xilinx (XLNX)��ielding 2.3%

Subscribe to S&P's The Outlook here��/P>
[By Jon C. Ogg]
EMC Corp. (NYSE: EMC) was downgraded to Equal Weight from Overweight with a new $28 price target by Barclays.

Facebook Inc. (NASDAQ: FB) was upgraded to Buy from Neutral, and the price target was lifted to $55 from $32, at Citigroup.

10 Best Canadian Stocks To Invest In 2014: Royal Bank Of Canada(RY)

Royal Bank of Canada provides personal and commercial banking, wealth management services, insurance, corporate and investment banking, and transaction processing services under the RBC name worldwide. Its Canadian Banking segment offers personal financial services, business financial services, and cards and payment solutions. The company?s Wealth Management segment provides wealth and asset management, and estate and trust services to affluent and high net worth clients through distributors, as well as directly to institutional and individual clients in Canada, the United States, Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Its Insurance segment provides various life and health insurance, including universal life, accidental death and critical illness protection, disability, long-term care insurance, and group benefits; and property and casualty insurance comprising home, auto, and travel insurance, as well as wealth accumulation solutions; and reinsurance products through retail ins urance branches, call centers, independent insurance advisors and travel agencies, financial institutions, and career sales force. The company?s International Banking segment offers various financial products and services to individuals, business clients, and public institutions in the U.S. and Caribbean. This segment also provides global custody, fund and pension administration, securities lending, shareholder services, analytics, and other related services to institutional investors. Royal Bank of Canada?s Capital Markets segment engages in the trading and distribution of fixed income, foreign exchange, equities, commodities, and derivative products for institutional, public sector, and corporate clients; and involves in investment banking, debt and equity origination, advisory services, corporate lending, private equity, and client securitization businesses. The company was founded in 1864 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Dividend]
Here are the biggest dividend growth stocks:

Royal Bank of Canada (RY) has a market capitalization of $100.81 billion. The company employs 75,376 people, generates revenue of $19.794 billion and has a net income of $7.205 billion. Royal Bank of Canada�� earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) amounts to $12.492 billion. The EBITDA margin is 63.10 percent (the operating margin is 32.55 percent and the net profit margin 25.49 percent).

10 Best Canadian Stocks To Invest In 2014: Eldorado Gold Corp(EGO)

Eldorado Gold Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the discovery, exploration, development, production, and reclamation of gold properties in Brazil, the People?s Republic of China, Greece, and Turkey. It operates the Kisladag gold mine in Turkey; the Jinfeng, Tanjianshan, and White Mountain gold mines in the People?s Republic of China; and the Vila Nova iron ore mine in Brazil. The company?s development projects include the Efemcukuru gold mine in Turkey, the Eastern Dragon gold mine in the People?s Republic of China, the Perama Hill gold project in Greece, and the Tocantinzinho gold project in Brazil. As of December 31, 2010, Eldorado Gold Corporation had 18.7 million ounces of proven and probable gold reserves. The company was formerly known as Eldorado Corporation Ltd. and changed its name to Eldorado Gold Corporation in April 1996. Eldorado Gold Corporation was founded in 1992 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Ben Levisohn]
Bridges favorite stocks include Goldcorp, Newmont, Eldorado Gold (EGO) and New Gold (NGD).

Note, however, that these recommendations are all qualified in one way or another. Investors should keep that in mind before going all in on the gold miners.
[By Jack Adamo, Editor, Jack Adamo's Insiders Plus]
Quarterly results are a real crap-shoot. With that in mind, let's examine the good and bad points at Eldorado Gold Corp. Ltd. (EGO).

Eldorado has mines in Greece, Turkey, Brazil, China, and Romania. However, as of year-end 2012, 53% of production came from Turkey and 45% from China.

10 Best Canadian Stocks To Invest In 2014: Abbott Laboratories(ABT)

Abbott Laboratories engages in the discovery, development, manufacture, and sale of health care products worldwide. The company offers adult and pediatric pharmaceuticals for rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriasis, and Crohn's disease; dyslipidemia; HIV infection; prostate cancer, endometriosis and central precocious puberty, and anemia caused by uterine fibroids; respiratory syncytial virus; adult males who have low or no testosterone; secondary hyperparathyroidism; hypothyroidism; and pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, as well as anesthesia products. It also provides diagnostic products, such as immunoassay systems; chemistry systems; assays used for screening and/or diagnosis for drugs of abuse, cancer, therapeutic drug monitoring, fertility, physiological, and infectious diseases; instruments that automate the extraction, purification, and preparation of DNA and RNA from patient samples, and detect and measure infections agents; genomic-b ased tests; hematology systems and reagents; and point-of-care diagnostic systems and tests for blood analysis. In addition, the company offers a line of pediatric and adult nutritional products. Further, it provides coronary, endovascular, vessel closure, and structural heart devices, such as drug-eluting stent systems, coronary metallic stents, balloon dilatation products, coronary guidewires, vessel closure devices, carotid stent systems, percutaneous valve repair systems, and drug eluting bioresorbable vascular products. Additionally, the company provides blood glucose monitoring meters, test strips, data management software, and accessories for people with diabetes; and medical devices for the eye, including cataract surgery, lasik surgery, contact lens, and dry eye products, as well as branded generic pharmaceutical products. Abbott primarily serves retailers, wholesalers, hospitals, and health care facilities. Abbott was founded in 1888 and is headquartered in Abbott Park, Illinois.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Dividend Growth Investor]
Abbott Laboratories is another company that recently split into two separately traded companies - Abbott (ABT) and Abbvie (ABBV). It seems that as of this writing, the Dividend Aristocrats index has not removed both companies from its ranks. However, I cannot find any mention in the Dividend Champions list. Dividend growth investors should keep both companies on their radars, and add to their portfolios under the right circumstances.
[By Jim Jubak]
Six milk powder producers, charged by China's National Development and Reform Commission with price fixing, have pled guilty and will be fined 669 million yuan ($109 million.) The companies—Mead Johnson Nutrition (MJN), Danone (DANOY) subsidiary Dumex, Abbott Laboratories (ABT), Fonterra Cooperative Group (FSF:AU), FrieslandCampina, and Biostime International Holdings—admitted they set minimum prices for distributors in order to keep prices high. Many of the companies had earlier cut the prices they charge in China—Fonterra had cut the price of its Anmun brand of baby formula 9%, Abbott Laboratories had reduced prices by as much as 12%, and Mead Johnson had lowered prices by 7% to 15%. This is, CaixinOnline reports, the harshest penalty handed out under China's five-year-old anti-monopoly law. The announcement of the fine, hard on the heels of a ban by China on all imports of whey protein products from Fonterra—after regulators found a batch of whey from a Fonterra plant in New Zealand contaminated with botulism—makes it clear that something big is going on here.

10 Best Canadian Stocks To Invest In 2014: Information Services Group Inc.(III)

Information Services Group, Inc. operates as a fact-based sourcing advisory company principally in the Americas, Europe, and the Asia Pacific. It provides strategic consulting, benchmarking and analytics, managed services, and research services with a focus on information technology, business process transformation, and enterprise resource planning. The company serves financial services, telecom, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, transportation and travel, and energy and utilities industries; and state and local governments and airport and transit authorities. Information Services Group, Inc. was founded in 2006 and is based in Stamford, Connecticut.

10 Best Canadian Stocks To Invest In 2014: Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce(CM)

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce provides various financial products, services, and advice to individual, small business, commercial, corporate, and institutional clients in Canada and internationally. The company offers retail markets services comprising personal banking, business banking, and wealth management services, as well as investment management services to retail and institutional clients. It also provides wholesale banking services, including credit, capital markets, investment banking, merchant banking, and research products and services to government, institutional, corporate, and retail clients. The company provides its services through its branch network, automated bank machines, mobile banking, and online banking site. As of June 3, 2011, it operated approximately 1,100 branches and 4,000 automated bank machines in Canada. The company was founded in 1867 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Arie Goren]
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CM)

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce provides various financial products and services in Canada and internationally.
[By John Reese, Founder and CEO, Validea.com And Validea Capital Management]
As you might imagine, the portfolio will tread into areas of the market others ignore, because of its contrarian bent. Right now, its holdings include some very unloved firms, including several financials, emerging market stocks, and much-maligned BP. Here's a look at five of the stock in our Dreman portfolio:
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CM)

BP Plc (BP)

Telecom Argentina SA (TEO)

China Mobile Limited (CHL)

Vale SA (VALE)

Subscribe to Validea here��/P>
[By Tony Daltorio]
One of his companies, Cheung Kong Holdings Limited (CHEUY), recently formed a 50/50 joint venture with Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (NYSE: CM) called CEF Holdings. They want to invest into beaten-down mining stocks and particularly gold equities.

Will the Latest Kindle Send Amazon Higher?

With shares of Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) trading around $311, is AMZN an OUTPERFORM, WAIT AND SEE, or STAY AWAY? Let's analyze the stock with the relevant sections of our CHEAT SHEET investing framework.

T = Trends for a Stock’s Movement

Amazon serves its customers through its retail websites and focus on selection, price, and convenience. The company also manufactures and sells Kindle devices. Amazon offers programs that enable sellers to sell their products on the company's websites, including the sellers' own branded websites, and fulfill orders through them. Amazon also provides platforms that allow authors, musicians, filmmakers, app developers, and others to publish and sell content. Online commerce has been on the rise because of the convenience, efficiency, and relatively low prices offered.

Amazon unveiled its new Kindle Fire HDX tablets, one with a 7-inch screen and one with a 8.9-inch screen, late on Tuesday night. Amazon's new Kindle devices are lighter and faster with more memory and longer battery life, according to a report from The New York Times. If users did nothing but read using the 8.9-inch model, the battery life would supposedly last 17 hours. The cheapest of the new Kindle Fire tablets will cost $139. Amazon is releasing the tablets into a competitive market that's dominated by Apple's (NASDAQ:AAPL) iPad.

T = Technicals on the Stock Chart Are Strong

Amazon stock has exploded to the upside in recent years. The stock is currently trading near all-time high prices and looks ready to continue. Analyzing the price trend and its strength can be done using key simple moving averages. What are the key moving averages? The 50-day (pink), 100-day (blue), and 200-day (yellow) simple moving averages. As seen in the daily price chart below, Amazon is trading above its rising key averages, which signals neutral to bullish price action in the near term.

Source: Thinkorswim

Taking a look at the implied volatility and implied volatility skew levels of Amazon options may help determine if investors are bullish, neutral, or bearish.

	Implied Volatility (IV)	30-Day IV Percentile	90-Day IV Percentile
Amazon Options	28.38%	93%	90%

What does this mean? This means that investors or traders are buying a very significant amount of call and put options contracts as compared to the last 30 and 90 trading days.

	Put IV Skew	Call IV Skew
October Options	Flat	Average
November Options	Flat	Average

As of Wednesday, there is average demand from call buyers or sellers and low demand by put buyers or high demand by put sellers, all neutral to bullish over the next two months. To summarize, investors are buying a very significant amount of call and put option contracts and are leaning neutral to bullish over the next two months.

E = Earnings Are Mixed Quarter Over Quarter

Rising stock prices are often strongly correlated with rising earnings and revenue growth rates. Also, the last four quarterly earnings announcement reactions help gauge investor sentiment on Amazon’s stock. What do the last four quarterly earnings and revenue growth (Y-O-Y) figures for Amazon look like and more importantly, how did the markets like these numbers?

	2013 Q2	2013 Q1	2012 Q4	2012 Q3
Earnings Growth (Y-O-Y)	-150.00%	-35.71%	-43.66%	-528.57%
Revenue Growth (Y-O-Y)	22.36%	21.88%	22.01%	26.94%
Earnings Reaction	2.83%	-7.24%	4.76%	6.87%

Amazon has seen decreasing earnings and rising revenue figures over the last four quarters. From these numbers, the markets have been pleased with Amazon’s recent earnings announcements.

P = Excellent Relative Performance Versus Peers and Sector

How has Amazon stock done relative to its peers, eBay (NASDAQ:EBAY), Barnes & Noble (NYSE:BKS), and Overstock (NASDAQ:OSTK), and sector?

	Amazon	eBay	Barnes & Noble	Overstock	Sector
Year-to-Date Return	26.11%	7.06%	-13.30%	109.30%	16.48%

Amazon has been a relative performance leader, year to date.

Conclusion

Amazon is one of the largest Internet commerce companies in the world, and it aims to serve the needs of consumers, companies, and entrepreneurs worldwide. The company recently unveiled its latest line of Kindle products, which should prove to be a positive catalyst. The stock has been exploding to the upside and is now trading near all-time high prices. Over the last four quarters, earnings have been decreasing while revenues have been rising, which has left investors pleased with the company. Relative to its peers and sector, Amazon has been a year-to-date performance leader. Look for Amazon to continue to OUTPERFORM.

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

10 Best Financial Stocks To Watch Right Now

Charlie Munger offers a valuable nugget of investing advice: "Carefully look at what other great investors have done." Fortunately for us, some of the biggest and brightest investors must divulge their stock positions each quarter, providing insight into the stock moves of money pros like billionaire and successful fund manger Ken Fisher.

Favorite five
Based on its 13F SEC filing for Q1 2013, most of Fisher's top stock positions cover the health care, financial services, industrials, and tech sectors. Let's zero in on five of these megacap companies and examine some possible reasons Fisher likes these stocks in particular.

Pfizer (NYSE: PFE )
Representing 2.36% of Fisher's portfolio, Pfizer is its largest stock holding. After making many acquisitions over the past several years, Pfizer is now focused on divesting its non-core business. The company recently launched an IPO of a minority stake in its Animal Health business, Zoetis. And despite the patent expiration on Lipitor, Pfizer boasts a robust drug pipeline including products for stroke prevention, rheumatoid arthritis, and cancer.

10 Best Financial Stocks To Watch Right Now: Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd (ANZ.AX)

Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited (ANZ) provides a range of banking and financial products and services to retail, small business, corporate and institutional clients. The Company conducts its operations in Australia, New Zealand and the Asia Pacific region. It also operates in a range of other countries, including the United Kingdom and the United States. The Company operates on a divisional structure with Australia, International and Institutional Banking (IIB), New Zealand, and Global Wealth and Private Banking. As of September 30, 2012, the Company had 1,337 branches and other points of representation worldwide, excluding automatic teller machines (ATMs). In September 2012, it sold its remaining shareholding in Visa Inc.

10 Best Financial Stocks To Watch Right Now: Westwood Holdings Group Inc(WHG)

Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. manages investment assets and provides services for its clients. It operates through two subsidiaries, Westwood Management Corp. and Westwood Trust. The Westwood Management Corp. provides investment advisory services to corporate retirement plans, public retirement plans, endowments and foundations, mutual funds, individuals, and clients of Westwood Trust. The Westwood Trust provides trust and custodial services to institutions and high net worth individuals, and participates in common trust funds that it sponsors. The company was founded in 1983 and is based in Dallas, Texas.

Best Heal Care Companies To Watch In Right Now: HENDERSON GROUP PLC ORD GBP0.125(HGG.L)

Henderson Group plc is an asset management holding entity. Through its subsidiaries, the firm provides services to institutional, retail clients, and high net worth clients. It manages separate client-focused equity and fixed income portfolios. The firm also manages equity, fixed income, and balanced mutual funds for its clients. It invests in public equity and fixed income markets, as well as invests in real estate and private equity. Henderson Group plc was founded in 1934 and is based in London, United Kingdom with additional offices in Jersey, United Kingdom and Sydney, Australia.

10 Best Financial Stocks To Watch Right Now: Templeton Dragon Fund Inc.(TDF)

Templeton Dragon Fund, Inc. is a closed ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by Templeton Asset Management Ltd. It invests in the public equity markets of China. The fund invests in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors. It invests in value stocks of companies. The fund typically employs fundamental analysis focusing on factors like growth prospects, competitive positions in export markets, technologies, research and development, productivity, labor costs, raw material costs and sources, profit margins, returns on investment, capital resources, government regulation and management. Templeton Dragon Fund, Inc was formed on September 20. 1994 and is domiciled in Singapore.

10 Best Financial Stocks To Watch Right Now: Mediobanca(MDBI.MI)

Mediobanca S.p.A. provides lending and investment banking services to financial companies and private investors in Italy and rest of Europe. It offers consumer credit products, including personal and special purpose loans, credit cards, and salary-backed finance; corporate lending products, such as bilateral, club-deal, and syndicated loans; leveraged finance products comprising acquisition and LBO/MBO finance; structured finance products consisting of project, infrastructure, and real estate finance; and export finance products, including export credit, trade finance, L/C facilities, pre-export finance, commercial loans, untied loans, and Islamic finance. The company also provides finance leasing, mortgage lending, insurance products, deposits and current accounts, and investment products. In addition, it offers advisory services consisting of corporate finance; and fiduciary services, such as fiduciary administration of equity investments, and investments in market secur ity, as well as fiduciary services for issuers. Further, the company offers equity capital market products comprising IPOs, rights offerings, secondary offerings/accelerated book building, and equity-linked products; security brokerage services, such as equity research, equity distribution, and corporate broking services; strategic equity derivatives for equity holdings treasury shares management; direct investments and investments through fund stock units; equity-linked investments products; research services; and equity finance solutions consisting of securities lending, equity repo, and collateral financing. Additionally, it originates, structures, executes, and distributes bond issues; provides FI investor solutions, corporate solutions, private and retail solutions, and alternative advisory services; and offers private banking services, such as portfolio management, advisory and financing, and asset management services. The company was founded in 1946 and is headquarter ed in Milan, Italy.

10 Best Financial Stocks To Watch Right Now: Augusta Capital Ltd (AUG)

Augusta Capital Limited, formerly Kermadec Property Fund Limited is engaged in the commercial and industrial property investment. Te Company operates in two segments: funds management and cleaning. The Company operates two divisions, including direct property investment and funds management. The Company in its direct property investment division holds and manages a portfolio of office and car parking properties in central Auckland. The Company�� funds management division is engaged in commercial property syndication. The Company, through Augusta Funds Management Limited, over 16 commercial property syndicates has been established. As of March 31, 2011, the Company had 100% interest in the shareholding in Metroclean Limited, a cleaning services Company.

10 Best Financial Stocks To Watch Right Now: Tanger Factory Outlet Centers Inc.(SKT)

Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. operates as a real estate investment trust (REIT). The company, through its subsidiary, Tanger Properties Limited Partnership, engages in acquiring, developing, owning, operating, and managing factory outlet shopping centers. As of September 30, 2005, Tanger owned and operated 33 factory outlet centers in 22 states totaling 8.7 million square feet of gross leasable area. It also provides development, leasing, and management services for its outlet centers. The company has elected to be taxed as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code. As a REIT, it would not be subject to Federal income taxes provided it distributes at least 90% of its taxable income to its shareholders. Tanger Factory Outlet Centers was founded by Stanley K. Tanger in 1981. The company is headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Shauna O'Brien]
Jefferies announced on Wednesday that it has cut its rating on Tanger Factory Outlet Centers Inc. (SKT).

The firm has downgraded SKT from “Buy” to “Hold,” and has lowered the company’s price target from $40 to $35. This price target suggests an 8% upside from the stock’s current price of $32.22.

Analyst Omotayo Okusanya commented: “We expect near-term headwinds for the mall and outlet mall segment as tenant sales growth appears to be slowing.”

“At SKT, development yields on two projects have also been reduced. Further, rising interest rates negatively impact our DDM-derived PT. Our lowered PT of $35 represents a 10% total return over the next-twelve-months (NTM); we are downgrading to Hold,” added the analyst.

Tanger Factory Outlet shares were mostly flat during pre-market trading Wednesday. The stock is up more than 5% YTD.

10 Best Financial Stocks To Watch Right Now: NewBridge Bancorp(NBBC)

NewBridge Bancorp operates as a bank holding company for NewBridge Bank that provides various banking products to small to medium-sized businesses and retail clients. It accepts various deposit products, including interest bearing and noninterest bearing demand deposit accounts, certificates of deposits, savings accounts, NOW accounts, and individual retirement accounts. The company also provides a range of lending products comprising construction, commercial, real estate, and consumer loans. In addition, it offers overdraft protection, personal and corporate trust services, safe deposit boxes, online banking, corporate cash management, brokerage, financial planning and asset management, and mortgage production, as well as secured and unsecured loans. As of December 31, 2010, the company operated 31 branch offices, 2 commercial loan production offices, and 2 mortgage loan production offices in the Piedmont Triad region and coastal region of North Carolina, and the Shenando ah Valley region of Virginia; 1 mortgage loan production office in Raleigh, North Carolina; and 1 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NewBridge Bancorp was founded in 1949 and is based in Greensboro, North Carolina.

10 Best Financial Stocks To Watch Right Now: Heritage Commerce Corp (HTBK)

Heritage Commerce Corp operates as a bank holding company for Heritage Bank of Commerce that provides various commercial and personal banking services to residents and the business/professional community in California. It offers a range of deposit products for retail and business banking markets, including checking accounts, interest-bearing transaction accounts, savings accounts, time deposits, and retirement accounts. The company also provides various loan products comprising commercial loans, such as operating secured and unsecured loans advanced for working capital, equipment purchases, and other business purposes; small business administration loans; commercial real estate loans; commercial construction loans for rental properties, commercial buildings, and homes; home equity line loans; and consumer loans consisting of loans for financing automobiles, various consumer goods, and other personal purposes. In addition, it offers other banking services, including cashier 's checks, bank-by-mail, ATM, night depositories, safe deposit boxes, direct deposit, automated payroll, electronic funds transfer, online banking, online bill pay, remote deposit capture, automated clearing house origination, electronic data interchange, and check imaging services. The company provides its banking products and services through operating 10 full service branch offices in the southern and eastern regions of the general San Francisco Bay Area of California in the counties of Santa Clara, Alameda, and Contra Costa. Heritage Commerce Corp was founded in 1993 and is based in San Jose, California.

10 Best Financial Stocks To Watch Right Now: Cattolica Ass(CASS.MI)

Societa Cattolica di Assicurazione, through its subsidiaries, provides various life and non-life insurance products for individuals, families, and small and medium-sized productive activities in Italy. It offers vehicle insurance; home and family insurance; travel and leisure insurance; pension coverage; and health care insurance, including accident and sickness insurance products, as well as index-linked policies and unit-linked bonds. The company offers its products through various agencies, branches of partner banks, and brokerage firms. It also engages in the development and improvement/valuation of real estate assets, as well as the provision of real estate services. Societa Cattolica di Assicurazione was founded in 1896 and is headquartered in Verona, Italy.

Refineries Ramp Up Production While Crude and Gasoline Supply Shrinks

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) released its weekly petroleum status report this morning. U.S. commercial crude inventories decreased by 1.4 million barrels last week, maintaining a total U.S. commercial crude inventory to 359.1 million barrels, and remaining near the upper limit of the five-year range for this time of the year.

Total gasoline inventories decreased by 4 million barrels last week and are now in the upper half of the five-year average range. Total motor gasoline supplied (the EIA's measure of consumption) averaged 9.2 million barrels a day over the past four weeks — up by 2% from the same period a year ago.

Distillate inventories rose by 900,000 barrels last week and remain near the lower limit of the average range. Distillate product supplied averaged about 3.8 million barrels a day over the past four weeks, up about 2.8% when compared with the same period last year. Distillate production totaled about 4.9 million barrels a day last week.

The American Petroleum Institute last night reported that crude inventories fell by 1.2 million barrels last week, together with a decline of 3.7 million barrels in gasoline supplies and a rise of 1.8 barrels in distillate supplies. Platts estimated a drop of 1 million barrels in crude inventories, a drop of 1.5 million barrels in gasoline inventories, and an increase of 1 million barrels in distillate inventories.

Crude prices were down slightly before the EIA report at around $104.70 a barrel and fell further to around $104.60 shortly after the report was released.

For the past week, crude imports averaged about 8 million barrels a day, up about 34,000 barrels a day from the previous week. Refineries were running at 91% of capacity, with daily input of 15.8 million barrels a day, about 200,000 barrels a day more than the previous week.

This marks the eighth straight week of declines in crude stockpiles, yet inventories remain quite high and gasoline supply continues to be plentiful. Refinery throughput is up by about 200,000 barrels a day as refiners continue to grow their exports. As refiners begin to switch to winter fuel blends, inventories likely will continue to fall.

Gasoline prices continue to decline nationally. According to the AAA Fuel Gauge report, a gallon of regular gasoline costs about $3.53 today compared with about $3.54 a week ago. Last month the price was $3.67 a gallon and one year ago the price of a gallon of regular gasoline was $3.72.

The United States Oil ETF (NYSEMKT: USO) is down 0.16%, at $37.45 in a 52-week range of $30.79 to $38.62.

The United States Gasoline ETF (NYSEMKT: UGA) is up about 0.4%, at $60.40, in a 52-week range of $53.35 to $65.86.

The United States Brent Oil ETF (NYSEMKT: BNO) is down 0.3%, at $84.68 in a 52-week range of $73.76 to $88.71.

Monday, September 23, 2013

The Cost of Washingtonâ€™s Dithering over the Budget

What's the economic cost of Washington's indecisiveness and gridlock on the federal budget and deficit? In terms of jobs, it's about 2 million fewer folks earning a paycheck. The Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco estimates that the unemployment rate would have been 1.3 percentage points lower at year-end 2012 if businesses had had a clearer picture of federal fiscal, regulatory and health care policies. Joblessness would have been a far more palatable 6.5% than the 7.8% it was.

3 Tech Companies for Dividend Growth Investors

Dividend growth investing is a powerful and time-proven approach to selecting long-term winners for your portfolio. The tech sector has traditionally been overlooked by dividend growth investors, but the industry has changed materially over the last years, and these three tech companies are offering serious dividend growth potential over years to come.

IBM
IBM (NYSE: IBM ) is arguably the most mature company in the tech business; the company decided to move away from the commoditized hardware business back in the nineties, prioritizing margins and free cash flows over revenue. This has done wonders for the company in terms of profitability, and IBM has achieved a remarkable track record of 18 consecutive years of dividend increases.

Since 2000, IBM has returned over $150 billion to shareholders in the form of dividends and share repurchases, considering that the current market cap is around $223 billion, investors will be handsomely rewarded if the company continues distributing capital in such a generous way.

The company is reporting disappointing revenue growth due to lackluster corporate spending in the last quarters. But IBM is the third most valuable brand in the world according to Interbrand and it counts each of the Fortune 2000 companies as clients, so it has the strength to withstand economic headwinds.

IBM has a rock-solid leadership position in its industry, and the company has proven that it knows how to adapt to changing technologies and industry trends. Besides, the payout ratio is below 25%, so IBM has plenty of room to continue increasing capital distributions over the next years

Qualcomm
While device manufacturers like Apple and Samsung are aggressively fighting each other for dominance in the mobile computing industry, Qualcomm (NASDAQ: QCOM ) is in a very comfortable position as a leading supplier to the major players in the industry.

The company is a key provider of digital wireless telecommunications products and technologies based on its code division multiple access (CDMA) technology among other products and services. Qualcomm is deeply integrated into Apple's iPhone and iPad products as well as many Android-based devices, including the best-selling products from Samsung, so it's positioned for growth under different competitive scenarios.

As the mobile revolution expands to emerging markets Qualcomm will face some margin pressure as lower-priced devices gain market share. On the other hand, the company will benefit from the transition toward 4G/LTE over the next years as many smartphones and tablets will be compatible with 4G/LTE and 3G at the same time.

The transition process is still in its first stages on a global basis, and products need to offer adaptability. This means that Qualcomm will continue making money from its 3G and its 4G/LTE patents for quite some time.

Qualcomm has increased its dividends for 11 consecutive years in a row, including a big boost to its capital distribution program back in March when it announced a 40% increase in dividend payments and a new $5 billion stock repurchase program. This brought the annual dividend payout to $1.40 per share, which means a dividend yield around 2.3% at current prices. The payout ratio is at a healthy 28.5% of earnings.

Accenture
Accenture (NYSE: ACN ) is being hurt by the same factors affecting IBM, lackluster corporate spending has produced disappointing sales growth at this global leader in consulting and technology services. However, just like IBM, Accenture has a remarkably profitable business model which generates plenty of cash flows for shareholders, operating margin increased to more than 14% of sales in the last quarter.

Accenture is a truly global company with more than 200 offices in 53 countries; it serves 89 of the Fortune Global 100 and more than three quarters of the Fortune Global 500 members. The company has been an early mover in the global outsourcing trend and it has built a leadership position in that business over the last years.

Management has a strong commitment to capital distributions, not only when it comes to dividends but also via share buybacks. Accenture has reduced its share count by more than 27% over the last ten years and it has a remaining authorization to repurchase approximately $3.0 billion in stock.

The company has a rock solid balance sheet with $5.9 billion in cash and equivalents and no debt, and the payout ratio is remarkably low at 16.4% of earnings. Accenture has a relatively young history of dividend increases with 8 years of growing dividend in a row, but the company has the fundamental strength to continue raising payments for years to come.

Bottom line
The tech industry has changed over the last years and many companies have built reliable business models generating big and recurrent cash flows for shareholders. When it comes to looking for the best dividend growth stocks for your portfolio, these three technology companies deserve some serious consideration.

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Sunday, September 22, 2013

Top 10 Undervalued Stocks To Buy Right Now

Cyclical industries have a habit of answering the question ��ow much worse/better can things get?��in pretty dramatic fashion. With mining companies slashing capex budgets left and right, winter is definitely coming for leading mining equipment company Joy Global (NYSE:JOY). While management's success in streamlining operations, improving manufacturing yield, and reducing fixed costs should keep the company's head attached firmly to its body, there's a risk to shareholders that the market hasn't fully digested what weak orders today will mean for tomorrow's revenue. So although I believe Joy Global is undervalued on a long-term basis, investors buying or holding today have to be able to tolerate the thought that the shares could have further to fall before stabilizing.

Strong Relative Performance As Conditions Erode

Top 10 Undervalued Stocks To Buy Right Now: Tupperware Corporation(TUP)

Tupperware Brands Corporation operates as a direct seller of various products across a range of brands and categories through an independent sales force. The company engages in the manufacture and sale of kitchen and home products, and beauty and personal care products. It offers preparation, storage, and serving solutions for the kitchen and home, as well as kitchen cookware and tools, children?s educational toys, microwave products, and gifts under the Tupperware brand name primarily in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, the Asia Pacific, and North America. The company provides beauty and personal care products, which include skin care products, cosmetics, bath and body care, toiletries, fragrances, nutritional products, apparel, and related products principally in Mexico, South Africa, the Philippines, Australia, and Uruguay. It offers beauty and personal care products under the Armand Dupree, Avroy Shlain, BeautiControl, Fuller, NaturCare, Nutrimetics, Nuvo, and Swissgar de brand names. The company sells its Tupperware products directly to distributors, directors, managers, and dealers; and beauty products primarily through consultants and directors. As of December 26, 2009, the Tupperware distribution system had approximately 1,800 distributors, 61,300 managers, and 1.3 million dealers; and the sales force representing the Beauty businesses approximately 1.1 million. The company was formerly known as Tupperware Corporation and changed its name to Tupperware Brands Corporation in December 2005. The company was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in Orlando, Florida.

Top 10 Undervalued Stocks To Buy Right Now: Dollar Tree Inc.(DLTR)

Dollar Tree, Inc. operates discount variety stores in the United States and Canada. Its stores offer merchandise primarily at the fixed price of $1.00. The company operates its stores under the names of Dollar Tree, Deal$, Dollar Tree Deal$, Dollar Giant, and Dollar Bills. Its stores offer consumable merchandise, including candy and food, and health and beauty care, as well as household consumables, such as paper, plastics, household chemicals, in select stores, and frozen and refrigerated food; variety merchandise, which includes toys, durable housewares, gifts, party goods, greeting cards, softlines, and other items; and seasonal goods, such as Easter, Halloween, and Christmas merchandise. As of April 30, 2011, it operated 4,089 stores in 48 states and the District of Columbia, as well as 88 stores in Canada. The company was founded in 1986 and is based in Chesapeake, Virginia.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Lawrence Meyers]
As a convenience store, it doesn’t have direct competition from�Dollar Tree (DLTR) or Family Dollar (FDO) because these dollar stores aren�� exclusively focused on food (and they have no gasoline or cigarette sales), and they��e targeted at the folks who are trying to save money over convenience, not vice versa. The convenience angle is another reason why�Walmart (WMT) and Costco (COST)�aren’t competitors, since those behemoths are about a total shopping experience.

Top Blue Chip Companies To Invest In Right Now: Schlumberger N.V.(SLB)

Schlumberger Limited, together with its subsidiaries, supplies technology, integrated project management, and information solutions to the oil and gas exploration and production industries worldwide. The company?s Oilfield Services segment provides exploration and production services; wireline technology that offers open-hole and cased-hole services; supplies engineering support, directional-drilling, measurement-while-drilling, and logging-while-drilling services; and testing services. This segment also offers well services; supplies well completion services and equipment; artificial lift; data and consulting services; geo services; and information solutions, such as consulting, software, information management system, and IT infrastructure services that support oil and gas industry. Its WesternGeco segment provides reservoir imaging, monitoring, and development services; and operates data processing centers and multiclient seismic library. This segment also offers variou s services include 3D and time-lapse (4D) seismic surveys to multi-component surveys for delineating prospects and reservoir management. The company?s M-I SWACO segment supplies drilling fluid systems to improve drilling performance; fluid systems and specialty tools to optimize wellbore productivity; production technology solutions to maximize production rates; and environmental solutions that manages waste volumes generated in drilling and production operations. Its Smith Oilfield segment designs, manufactures, and markets drill bits and borehole enlargement tools; and supplies drilling tools and services, tubular, completion services, and other related downhole solutions. The company?s Distribution segment markets pipes, valves, and fittings, as well as mill, safety, and other maintenance products. This segment also provides warehouse management, vendor integration, and inventory management services. Schlumberger Limited was founded in 1927 and is based in Houston, Texas.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Tony Daltorio]
The biggest oilfield service companies should get a big lift from the boom, Moors said. That includes Schlumberger Ltd. (NYSE: SLB), Halliburton Co. (NYSE: HAL), Weatherford International Ltd. (NYSE: WFT), and Baker Hughes Inc. (NYSE: BHI).
[By Jonas Elmerraji]
2013 has been a stellar year for shares of oil service giant Schlumberger (SLB). Since the calendar flipped over to January, SLB has rallied more than 25%, beating the broad market's impressive pace by double digits. As oil prices linger on the high end of their historic range, SLB is well positioned to keep ticking higher.

Schlumberger provides must-have services to national and supermajor oil firms as well as smaller E&Ps, offering up niche services like seismic surveys and well drilling and positioning. In a nutshell, SLB's job is to pull oil out of the ground as efficiently as possible. Oil firms turn to Schlumberger because the tasks they need to accomplish are too nuanced or proprietary to pull off in-house. So as long as the company continues to pour cash into R&D for drilling technology and software, the firm should continue to score lucrative contracts.

Some of Schlumberger's most attractive opportunities right now come from overseas. The firm is one of the largest oil servicers in Russia, a key growth market in the years ahead. It's also got an important presence in smaller oil markets, where it's a big fish in a small pond. A big scale and stellar reputation should guarantee Schlumberger an attractive piece of the oil pie for years to come.

Top 10 Undervalued Stocks To Buy Right Now: Caterpillar Inc.(CAT)

Caterpillar Inc. manufactures and sells construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines, and diesel-electric locomotives worldwide. It operates through three lines of businesses: Machinery, Engines, and Financial Products. The Machinery business offers construction, mining, and forestry machinery, including track and wheel tractors, track and wheel loaders, pipelayers, motor graders, wheel tractor-scrapers, track and wheel excavators, backhoe loaders, log skidders, log loaders, off-highway trucks, articulated trucks, paving products, skid steer loaders, underground mining equipment, tunnel boring equipment, and related parts. It also manufactures diesel-electric locomotives; and manufactures and services rail-related products and logistics services for other companies. The Engines business provides diesel, heavy fuel, and natural gas reciprocating engines for Caterpillar machinery, electric power generation systems, marine, petrol eum, construction, industrial, agricultural, and other applications. It offers industrial turbines and turbine-related services for oil and gas, and power generation applications. This business also remanufactures Caterpillar engines, machines, and engine components; and offers remanufacturing services for other companies. The Financial Products business provides retail and wholesale financing alternatives for Caterpillar machinery and engines, solar gas turbines, and other equipment and marine vessels, as well as offers loans and various forms of insurance to customers and dealers. It also offers financing for vehicles, power generation facilities, and marine vessels. The company markets its products directly, as well as through its distribution centers, dealers, and distributors. It was formerly known as Caterpillar Tractor Co. and changed its name to Caterpillar Inc. in 1986. Caterpillar Inc. was founded in 1925 and is headquartered in Peoria, Illinois.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Rebecca McClay]
Building roads and bridges takes a lot of heavy equipment, and that's exactly what Caterpillar (CAT) makes. Whether a project needs backhoes, excavators, pavers or the articulated trucks to get asphalt and other building materials from one location to another, the Peoria, Ill., manufacturer is the industry leader both in the U.S. and abroad.