Best Stocks To Buy For 2015: 12/28/14

Saturday, January 3, 2015

Best Defensive Companies To Watch For 2014

For a company that trades largely on the basis of being a defensive stock with strong margins, 3M's (NYSE:MMM) repeated margin weakness in the second quarter is starting to become a cause for concern. Moreover, while 3M's growth doesn't look too bad compared to many of its peers, the relative comps are likely to get less favorable and 3M isn't really built to produce growth spurts. Much as I like and respect this company, the shares too look overpriced today and I'm considering selling my own shares.

Not A Very Good Quarter By Most Measures
3M gets a lot of credit for its strong margins, its defensive characteristics, and its strong global footprint. All of that may be true on balance, but it's hard to say that performance isn't eroding.

Revenue was up 3% this quarter, or a little more than 2% on an organic basis, with about three-quarters of that growth fueled by volume gains. Three of the five business units reported organic growth (with Industrial and Consumer at 3% and Health Care at 6%), while Safety/Graphics and Electronics/Energy both declined 2%.

Hot Railroad Stocks To Own For 2015: Theravance Inc.(THRX)

Theravance, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, engages in the discovery, development, and commercialization of small molecule medicines for various therapeutic areas, including respiratory disease, bacterial infections, and central nervous system (CNS)/pain. The company?s key development programs with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) include the RELOVAIR, a Phase 3 clinical trial program for the treatment of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and/or asthma; the LAMA/LABA program, a Phase 3 COPD program; and the Bifunctional Muscarinic Antagonist-beta2 Agonist (MABA) program, a Phase 2b program for the treatment of COPD, as well as Peripherally Selective Mu-Opioid Receptor Antagonist (P Advisors' Opinion:

[By Sean Williams]
A revolutionary COPD treatment?
On Wednesday, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, treatment collaborators GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE: GSK ) and Theravance (NASDAQ: THRX ) are set to go before the FDA's panel with their combo Breo Ellipta. This revolutionary drug combines Theravance's long-acting beta-2 agonists with Glaxo's long-acting muscarinic antagonists into a dry powder inhaler to provide long-term COPD relief.
[By Sean Williams]
On the bright side, GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE: GSK ) and Theravance (NASDAQ: THRX ) received a much-expected drug approval for once-daily inhaled COPD maintenance treatment Breo Ellipta from the Food and Drug Administration. Having proved non-inferior to the placebo in trials, and delivering a favorable safety profile while reducing flare-ups and helping relieve air flow obstruction, Breo Ellipta has a good shot at being a blockbuster drug within the next couple of years. Breo Ellipta is expected to be available to patients next quarter. In addition, as I've alluded to on numerous occasions, it could be the impetus that encourages Glaxo to gobble up Theravance's Royalty Management -- one of two proposed entities that Theravance plans to split into. This is certainly a big win for both companies.
[By Keith Speights]
1. Anoro
GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE: GSK ) and Theravance (NASDAQ: THRX ) gained approval from the Food and Drug Administration in May for COPD drug Breo Ellipta. However, the real excitement is over another drug that the two companies have in the wings -- Anoro.
[By Jonas Elmerraji]
First up is $4 billion biopharmaceutical firm Theravance (THRX). It's been one heck of a year already for THRX's shareholders. Since the calendar flipped over to January, shares of the firm have rallied more than 75%. But the setup forming in shares points to even higher ground for the final quarter of 2013.

That's because Theravance is currently forming an ascending triangle pattern, a bullish setup that's formed by a horizontal resistance level above shares at $42 and uptrending support to the downside. Basically, as Theravance bounces in between those two technical levels, it's getting squeezed closer and closer to a breakout above that $42 resistance level. When that happens, traders have a buy signal.

Whenever you're looking at any technical price pattern, it's critical to think in terms of those buyers and sellers. Ascending triangles and other pattern names are a good quick way to explain what's going on in a stock, but they're not the reason it's tradable. Instead, it all comes down to supply and demand for shares.

That $42 is a price where there has been an excess of supply of shares; in other words, it's a place where sellers have been more eager to step in and take gains than buyers have been to buy. That's what makes a breakout above it so significant -- the move means that buyers are finally strong enough to absorb all of the excess supply above that price level.

Don't be early on this trade.

Best Defensive Companies To Watch For 2014: TSR Inc.(TSRI)

TSR, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides contract computer programming services to commercial customers, and state and local government agencies in the metropolitan New York area, New England, and the mid-Atlantic region. It offers technical computer personnel to supplement in-house information technology capabilities. The company provides its staffing services in the areas of mainframe and mid-range computer operations, personal computers and client-server support, Internet and e-commerce operations, voice and data communications, and help desk support capabilities. TSR, Inc. was founded in 1969 and is based in Hauppauge, New York.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Geoff Gannon] ay.
TSRI is typical of the kinds of net-nets you find on this list. The number of net-nets with five straight years of profits is about a dozen stocks. TSR is one of them. It is controlled by the founder. He formed the company 42 years ago. And he still owns 46% of the company today.
Other companies on the list of profitable net-nets also involve one man (or one family) control. These include:
路 Micropac (MPAD)
路 ADDvantage Technologies (AEY)
路 Solitron Devices (SODI)
路 OPT-Sciences (OPST)
Micropac
Micropac is 76% owned by Heinz-Werner Hempel. He�� a German businessman. You can see the German company he founded here. He�� had control of Micropac for a long-time. I don�� have an exact number in front of me. But I would guess it�� been something like 25 years.
ADDvantage
ADDvantage Technologies is controlled by the Chymiak brothers. See the company�� April 4 press release explaining their decision to turn over the CEO position to an outsider. Regardless, the Chymiaks still control 47% of the company. Ken Chymiak is now chairman. And David Chymiak is still a director and now the company�� chief technology officer. Clearly, it�� still their company.
By the way, the name ADDvantage Technologies has nothing to do with the Chymiaks. Today�� AEY really traces its roots to a private company called Tulsat. The Chymiak brothers acquired that company about 27 years ago. So, effectively, when you buy shares of AEY you are buying into a 27-year-old family-controlled company.
That�� pretty typical in the world of net-nets.
Solitron
Solitron Devices is 29% owned by Shevach Saraf. He has been the CEO for 20 years. The post-bankruptcy Solitron has never known another CEO. Before the bankruptcy, Solitron was a much bigger, much different company. So even though we are not talking about the founder here ��and even though 70% of the company�� shares are not held by the CEO

Best Defensive Companies To Watch For 2014: Golden Minerals Co. (AUMN)

Golden Minerals Company engages in the mining, exploration, and development of mineral properties in Mexico and South America. It explores for silver and gold dor茅 bars, precipitates, lead, zinc, and pyrite concentrates. The company holds 100% interests in the Velarde帽a and Chicago precious metals mining operations that cover approximately 600 hectares located in the State of Durango, Mexico; and the Zacatecas silver and base metals project that consists of 195 concessions covering approximately 8,600 hectares in Mexico. It also owns interests in the El Quevar project that comprises 32 exploitation concessions covering approximately 55,000 hectares in the province of Salta, Argentina; and controls approximately 40 exploration properties that cover approximately 320,000 hectares located in the regions of Mexico and South America. The company was formerly known as Apex Silver Mines Limited and changed its name to Golden Minerals Company in March 2009 as a result of reorgan ization. Golden Minerals Company was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in Golden, Colorado.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Zacks Investment Research]
Headquartered in Golden, Colorado, Golden Minerals Company (AUMN) owns mining operations and precious metals exploration properties in Mexico and South America.

Best Defensive Companies To Watch For 2014: Market Vectors Russia ETF (RSX)

Market Vectors-Russia ETF (the Fund) seeks to replicate as closely as possible the price and yield performance of the DAXglobal Russia+ Index (the Russia+ Index). The Russia+ Index includes a basket of securities of 30 of the most heavily traded Russian companies that have listings on global exchanges, either through an American depository receipt (ADR), a global depository receipt (GDR) or local Russian shares. The Russia+ Index, which was launched in March 2007, is a modified market capitalization-weighted index designed to track the movements of certain depository receipts (DRs) and stocks of publicly traded companies that are domiciled in Russia, and traded in Russia and on global exchanges. The Russia+ Index consists of companies with market capitalization greater than $150 million that have a daily average traded volume of at least $1 million over the past six months. The Russia+ Index includes energy companies, such as Lukoil, OAO Gazprom and Surgutneftgaz; utility company, Unified Energy Systems; steel manufacturing firms, such as Mechel OAO and Evraz Group SA; mining firm, JSC MMC Norilsk Nickel; communications firms, such as Mobile TeleSystems OJSC and Vimpel-Communications, and Sberbank.

The Fund will normally invest at least 80% of its total assets in stocks and depositary receipts (DRs) of publicly traded companies that are domiciled in Russia. Publicly traded companies that are domiciled in Russia means companies organized in, or for which the principal trading market is in Russia; companies that, alone or on a consolidated basis, have 50% or more of their assets invested in Russia, or companies that alone or on a consolidated basis derive 50% or more of their revenues primarily from either goods produced, sales made or services performed in Russia. The Fund, utilizing a passive or indexing investment approach, attempts to approximate the investment performance of the Russia+ Index by investing in a portfolio of securities that generally replicate the Russia+ Index. The Fund! will hold all of the securities that comprise the Russia+ Index in proportion to their weightings in the Russia+ Index. The Fund will normally invest at least 95% of its total assets in securities that comprise the Russia+ Index. The Russia+ Index is calculated and maintained by the Deutsche Borse (the Index Provider).

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Charles Sizemore]
But what exactly are you buying when you buy Russian stocks? Let�� take a look under the hood at the ETFs that track the Russian market: the Market Vectors Russia ETF (RSX), the iShares MSCI Russia Capped Index (ERUS) and the SPDR S&P Russia (RBL).
[By Louis Navellier]
It is surreal to see how depressed Russian shares are, in general. They are still underwater since 2007, as measured by the Market Vectors Russia ETF (RSX) ��charted above vs. the S&P 500 ETF (SPY). The Russian economy has grown significantly since then, and so have the earnings and revenues of the mainstream Russian companies.

Best Defensive Companies To Watch For 2014: ATAC Resources Ltd (ATC)

ATAC Resources Ltd. (ATAC) is a Canada-based exploration-stage company. ATAC is in the business of exploring for metals and minerals with a particular emphasis on gold. The Company holds interests in a number of other mineral properties outside of the Rackla Gold project area, which is located in the Mayo Mining District of central Yukon. ATAC�� wholly owned Rackla Gold project consists of an approximate center of the project area is 100 kilometers northeast of Keno City. The Rackla Gold project area is comprised of over 8,000 mineral claims. The claims cover an area of 1,700 square kilometers. The Rackla Gold project area includes Rau Trend and the Nadaleen Trend. Joint venture properties include the Connaught property. ATAC and Klondike Silver Corp. each hold a 50% interest in the Connaught property. Property interests under option include the Rosy Property, Green Gulch, Touleary, Dan Man and Shamrock Properties. Advisors' Opinion:

[By Patricio Kehoe]
Management�� efficiency is also evidenced by its decision to reduce its non-core assets in order to concentrate on its most profitable businesses. Consequently, almost nine months after its initial tender, Orange divested its Dominican unit to Luxemburg-based Altice SA (ATC) for $1.4 billion last week.

Best Defensive Companies To Watch For 2014: Imperva Inc (IMPV)

Imperva, Inc. (Imperva), incorporated on April 2002, is engaged in providing data security solutions focused on providing visibility and control over business data across systems within the data center. The Company�� securesphere data security suite is a solution designed to prioritize and mitigate risks to high-value business data, protect against hackers and malicious insiders and address and streamline regulatory compliance. SecureSphere is an integrated, modular suite, which provides database, file and Web application security and secures all business data across a range of systems in data centers, including traditional on-premise data centers as well as private, public and hybrid cloud computing environments. The Company also offers on-demand, cloud-based security services. The Company has two segments: Imperva, which is comprised of its financial position and results of operations and those of the Company�� wholly owned subsidiaries, and Incapsula, which is comprised of the financial position and results of operations of the Company�� majority owned subsidiary. In February 2014, Imperva Inc acquired real-time mainframe security auditing agents from Tomium Software.

The Company�� products include SecureSphere data security suite for enterprise data centers and its cloud-based security services that it provides through Incapsula for mid-market enterprises and small and medium business (SMBs). The Company�� solution includes database security, file security and Web application security.

Database Security

Database security provides full visibility and control over structured business data repositories, including database data usage, vulnerabilities and access rights and enables security, audit, risk and information technology (IT) professionals to improve data security and address compliance requirements. The database products cover the enterprise database platforms, including Oracle, MS-SQL, IBM DB2, Sybase, Informix, MySQL, Progress, Teradata and ! Netezza. The database security products include discovery and assessment server, database activity monitoring, database firewall, user rights management for databases and analog-to-digital converter (ADC) insights. The discovery and assessment server automates the process of discovering databases and other business data on the network and performs a security assessment to identify risks to high-value business data. Database activity monitoring includes all discovery and assessment server functionality. Database firewall includes database activity monitoring functionality. User rights management for databases enables the management of user rights across heterogeneous enterprise databases by aggregating user rights to illustrate what rights users have to business data. ADC Insights provides user tracking for identifying the real end user behind database transactions.

The Company competes with International Business Machines Corporation, McAfee, Inc. and Oracle Corporation.

File Security

File security provides full visibility and control over unstructured business data repositories, including file ownership, usage and access rights and enables security, audit, risk and information technology (IT) professionals to improve file data security and address compliance requirements. The file security products are designed to secure files, including spreadsheets, presentation slides, word processing documents and portable document format (PDFs) containing high-value business data that its customers store in unstructured repositories, such as file servers, network attached storage and storage area network devices. The File security products include user rights management for files, file activity monitoring and file firewall. User rights management for files enables the management of user access rights across multiple different file storage systems by aggregating user rights based on organizational context and actual file usage to illustrate what rights users have to sensitive ! files. Fi! le activity monitoring includes all user rights management for files functionality. File firewall includes all file activity monitoring functionality, and provides real-time blocking of suspicious activity that violates corporate policies.

The Company competes with EMC Corporation and Symantec Corporation.

Web Application Security

Web application security protects Web applications from large scale cyber attacks, adapts to evolving threats to prevent data breaches and addresses compliance requirements. Its product includes Web application firewall (WAF), which fortifies Web defenses with research-driven intelligence on current threats.

The Company competes with Citrix Systems, Inc. and F5 Networks, Inc.

Cloud-Based Services

The Company�� cloud-based service offerings are its Incapsula service, the Imperva Cloud WAF Service and its ThreatRadar subscription service. The Incapsula service is designed to be easy to deploy and to be accessible to small and medium size businesses that need data security and compliance solutions, but do not have the size or resources to deploy its SecureSphere WAF appliances into their own Website infrastructure. Incapsula�� security and optimization offerings include the services, including Web application firewall services, content delivery optimization and distributed denial of service-attack prevention. Web application firewall services provide enterprise-grade blocking of attacks against Web applications to help ensure Website safety and availability; enhanced security through real-time and centralized threat detection across all protected Websites; allows customers to address compliance requirements. Content delivery optimization optimizes Website performance by reducing page load times, server load and bandwidth consumption. Distributed denial of service-attack prevention blocks malicious attack traffic and allows filtered, legitimate traffic to flow to the customer Website allowing its b! usiness t! o run without interruption.

Imperva Cloud WAF powered by Incapsula, bundles the incapsula service with managed support services from our security operations center (SOC). Managed services include provisioning, security alert notifications and tuning, incident response, real time service dashboard and statistics, customer support and weekly reports on alerts and attack trends. ThreatRadar is an add-on, premium subscription service for the Company�� SecureSphere WAF appliance that recognizes attack sources and dynamically adjusts Web security policies within its SecureSphere WAF appliance to provide protection against them.

The customers include four of the telecommunications companies, three of the commercial banks in the United States, three of the financial data service firms, three of the computer hardware companies, two of the food and drug store companies, over 150 government agencies worldwide and more than 100 Fortune 1000 companies. The Company primarily sells its products and services through its network of over 350 channel partners worldwide, including both distributors and resellers. The Company derives its revenue from sales and licenses of its products and sales of its services. Services revenue consists of maintenance and support, professional services and training and subscriptions. A majority of the Company�� revenue is derived from customers in the Americas region. As of December 31, 2010, 66% of its total revenue was generated from the Americas, 24% from Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and 10% from Asia Pacific, and for the six months ended June 30, 2011, 63% of its total revenue was generated from the Americas, 24% from EMEA and 13% from Asia Pacific.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Garrett Cook]
Technology shares jumped by 1.69 percent in today’s trading. Top gainers in the sector included Imperva (NYSE: IMPV), up 21.6 percent, and Spansion (NYSE: CODE), up 20 percent.

Best Defensive Companies To Watch For 2014: TC PipeLines LP (TCP)

TC PipeLines, LP (the Partnership), incorporated on December 16, 1998, acquires, owns and participates in the management of energy infrastructure businesses in North America. The Company�� pipeline systems transport natural gas in the United States. The Partnership is managed by the Company�� General Partner, which is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of TransCanada. The Company has equity ownership interests in four natural gas interstate pipeline systems. The Company�� pipeline systems include Great Lakes, Northern Border, GTN, Bison, North Baja and Tuscarora. The Company owns 46.45% interest in Great Lakes. Great Lakes connect with the TransCanada Mainline at the Canadian border near Emerson, Manitoba, Canada and St. Clair, Michigan, near Detroit. Great Lakes are a bi-directional pipeline that can receive and deliver natural gas at multiple points along its system. In July 2013, TC PipeLines, LP announced the closing of its acquisition of an additional 45% interest in each of Gas Transmission Northwest LLC (GTN) and Bison Pipeline LLC (Bison) from subsidiaries of TransCanada Corporation.

The Company owns 50% interest in Northern Border. Northern Border Extends between the Canadian borders near Port of Morgan, Montana to a terminus near North Hayden, Indiana, south of Chicago. Northern Border is capable of receiving natural gas from Canada, the Williston Basin and Rockies Basin. The Company owns 25% interest in GTN. GTN extends between an interconnection near Kingsgate, British Columbia, Canada at the Canadian Border to a point near Malin, Oregon at the California border. The Company owns 25% interest Bison. Bison extends from a location near Gillette, Wyoming to Northern Border's pipeline system in North Dakota. The Company owns 100% interest in North Baja. North Baja extends between an interconnection with the El Paso Natural Gas Company pipeline near Ehrenberg, Arizona to an interconnection with a natural gas pipeline near Ogilby, California on the Mexican border. The Compa! ny owns 100% interest in Tuscarora. Tuscarora extends between GTN near Malin, Oregon to its terminus near Reno, Nevada and delivers natural gas in northeastern California and northwestern Nevada.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Robert Rapier]
Last week,�TC PipeLines�(NYSE: TCP) outperformed all other MLPs, rising more than 20%. Another partnership sponsored by a Canadian midstream giant,�Enbridge Energy Partners�(NYSE: EEP), rallied 10%.
[By Rich Duprey]
For holders of TCF Financials' (NYSE: TCP ) non-convertible perpetual�7.5% Series A stock, the board of directors announced yesterday investors will receive $0.05 per share on August 30�to holders of record at the close of business on August 15.
[By Dividends4Life]
TC PipeLines LP (TCP) has interests in over 5,550 interstate natural gas pipelines, including a 46.5% stake in Great Lakes Gas Transmission L.P.
Yield: 6.3% | Years of Dividend Growth: 14

Hot Value Stocks To Invest In Right Now

Las Vegas still has more homeowners deeply underwater than any other city, leading to a lot of foreclosures.

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) A growing number of mortgage borrowers are keeping their heads above water, according to a report from RealtyTrac.

The company reported Thursday that 9.3 million properties, or 19% of all homes with mortgages, were "deeply underwater" in December, meaning borrowers owed at least 25% more on their mortgage than the home was worth. That's down significantly from 26% of all homes with mortgages, or 10.9 million properties, last January, RealtyTrac reported.

A recovery in home prices has certainly helped to turn around the fortunes of many homeowners. The average U.S. home price jumped nearly 14% year-over-year through October (the latest data available), according to the S&P/Case-Shiller home price index. That has added thousands of dollars to the average home's value.

Hot Value Stocks 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 Aaron Levitt]
With a variety of oil stocks reporting full-year 2013 earnings, unconventional assets are the gifts that keep on giving for the oil service trio of Halliburton (HAL), Baker Hughes (BHI) and Schlumberger (SLB).
[By Holly LaFon]
Our worst performers during the third quarter were Cummins (CMI) (-颅14.5%), Schlumberger (SLB) (-颅13.8%) and Cognizant Technology (CTSH) (-颅8.5%). Our best performers during the quarter were EMC (EMC) (+11.1%), Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A) (+9.2%) and Apple (AAPL) (+8.4%). During the quarter we trimmed positions in Apple as it approached our maximum position weighting of 10%. We added to existing positions in Qualcomm (QCOM), LKQ (LKQ) and Cognizant Technology (CTSH) ��all on improved prospective risk-颅reward on respective share-price declines. The Great Bull Market of 2009-2014 started on March 9, 2009 when the S&P 500 Index stood at 667. The S&P 500�� relentless bull market advance over the course of the next 2,000 days would reach a record high index level of 2000 in late August. Relentless indeed, according to Bespoke, the S&P 500 Index has been up seven quarters in a row ��the best streak since 1998 and the fourth best since 1950.
[By Daniel Gibbs]
The consumption of oil worldwide isn't going�anywhere anytime soon, so the activities of oil companies in these areas must increase as more conventional fields steadily decline. As the oil companies steadily increase their activities in the offshore space, particularly in ultra-deepwater areas, contractors will be forced to construct more rigs. They will thus require equipment produced by National Oilwell Varco and its peers Cameron International (NYSE: CAM ) and Schlumberger (NYSE: SLB ) .

Hot Value Stocks To Invest In 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.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By James Brumley]
CSCO stock might be one of the market’s dark-horse stories of 2014; the dividend yield is the icing on the cake.
Dividend Stocks to Buy: Tupperware Brands (TUP)
Dividend Yield: 3.2%
[By Dan Caplinger]
Where growth will come from
One area that Newell Rubbermaid still has to tap fully is emerging markets. The company has done a good job of expanding overseas, with 17% annual growth in Latin America. But with barely a quarter of its sales coming from outside the U.S. and Canada, the company has a lot further to go. Storage rival Tupperware (NYSE: TUP ) gets fully 60% of its total revenue from emerging markets, and it too has seen impressive gains in South America as well as the Asia-Pacific region.
[By John Kell]
Among the companies with shares expected to actively trade in Wednesday’s session are Dow Chemical Co.(DOW), Tupperware Brands Corp.(TUP) and Yahoo Inc.(YHOO)
[By Oliver Pursche]
European large-cap pharmaceuticals like Novartis (NVS) �and Bristol Meyers Squibb (BMY) �count amongst some of our favorite stocks right now, as do U.S. multinationals that are growing revenue and margins in Asia ��Tupperware (TUP) �is a shining example. Stay away from utilities and energy stocks, as they are likely to be the laggards over the next year.

Best High Tech Stocks To Invest In 2015: 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 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 Jennifer Liberto]
Conservative Republicans groups like the Heritage Foundation and the libertarian Cato Institute have said the Ex-Im Bank is corporate welfare, because giant companies like Boeing, General Electric, Caterpillar (CAT) and Bechtel account for most of the dollars loaned by the bank.
[By Dan Caplinger]
Among Dow stocks, the obvious victim of gold's decline is Caterpillar (NYSE: CAT ) , which has dropped 2.7%. The maker of construction and mining equipment will suffer both from slowing growth in China, one of its primary markets, and from reduced mining activity among gold producers that will suddenly find their operations much less profitable than they were before the plunge in precious metals.
[By Raymond Boisvert]
Caterpillar (NYSE: CAT ) -- YTD return: -1.62%
Heavy-equipment manufacturer Caterpillar has had its performance hampered by a hefty decline in overseas demand for its products coupled with falling commodity prices. Falling commodity prices mean tighter margins for mining companies who lose the capital to reinvest in new equipment from Caterpillar. As a result, Caterpillar's mining segment saw a 23% decline in sales in the first quarter. Construction spending has not increased enough to make up for losses incurred in the mining segment. Cost-cutting efforts and layoffs have been implemented to try to salvage some of the bottom line. All of the above has contributed to a lackluster stock performance since the year began.

Hot Value Stocks To Invest In 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 WWW.DAILYFINANCE.COM]
David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images Family Dollar Stores (FDO) rejected a $9 billion buyout offer from Dollar General (DG) and issued a sharp rebuke to accusations its CEO favors a smaller bid from Dollar Tree (DLTR) because it would allow him to keep his job. Family Dollar, the second-largest dollar store in the United States, said it believed a deal with its larger rival would be unlikely to win antitrust approval despite a promise by Dollar General to close up to 700 stores.
We will not jeopardize the Dollar Tree deal for a transaction with Dollar General that has a high likelihood of not closing due to antitrust considerations.
[By Ben Eisen]
Perpetually struggling department store J.C. Penney Co. (JCP) �said it expects a sales boost this holiday season as it returns to a promotional strategy. But for the most part, retailers including Dollar Tree Inc. (DLTR) �, GameStop Corp. (GME) � and Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (ANF) � gave dour outlooks in their earnings reports.

Friday, January 2, 2015

Top 5 Small Cap Companies To Buy For 2014

Does the name Royale Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ:ROYL) ring a bell? If you're a regular reader of the Small Cap Network site or newsletter, it might. Back on February 3rd, yours truly penned some bullish thoughts on the way ROYL was acting at the time. Given what we had seen up until that time, though Royale Energy had not yet begun to rally, the stock was getting within reach of a monster-sized breakout. Well, that breakout may be underway as of today.

Just as a quick refresher, ROYL is a small cap stock from the oil and gas industry. Specifically, Royale Energy, Inc. is working to develop gas wells in California, and oil wells in Alaska. There's not a lot of production now; the company has only generated about $7 million in revenue over the past four quarters, versus a market cap of $42 million. But, there's a lot of potential production on the radar, which the market is now starting to see... in spades.

Top 5 Railroad Companies For 2015: InterDigital Inc.(IDCC)

Interdigital, Inc. engages in the design and development of digital wireless technology solutions. The company offers technology solutions for use in digital cellular and wireless products and networks, including 2G, 3G, 4G, and IEEE 802-related products and networks. It holds patents related to the fundamental technologies that enable wireless communications. The company licenses its patents to equipment producers that manufacture, use, and sell digital cellular and IEEE 802-related products; and licenses or sells mobile broadband modem solutions, including modem IP, know-how, and reference platforms to mobile device manufacturers, semiconductor companies, and other equipment producers that manufacture, use, and sell digital cellular products. InterDigital?s solutions are incorporated in various products comprising mobile devices, such as cellular phones, tablets, notebook computers, and wireless personal digital assistants; wireless infrastructure equipment, such as base stations; and components, dongles, and modules for wireless devices. The company was founded in 1972 and is headquartered in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Dan Caplinger]
Friday gave stock market investors some respite from losses earlier in the week, as major-market benchmarks managed to recover by around a quarter of a percent. Merger and acquisition activity helped bolster stocks in many different parts of the market, but concerns about the sustainability of the economic recovery held others back. Finisar (NASDAQ: FNSR ) , InterDigital (NASDAQ: IDCC ) , and GNC Holdings (NYSE: GNC ) were among the worst performers of the day.
[By MONEYMORNING.COM]
In addition to Microsoft, tech companies that China has targeted include San Diego-based Qualcomm Inc. (Nasdaq: QCOM), and Delaware-based InterDigital Inc. (Nasdaq: IDCC).

Top 5 Small Cap Companies To Buy For 2014: FuelCell Energy Inc.(FCEL)

FuelCell Energy, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the development, manufacturing, and sale of high temperature fuel cells for clean electric power generation primarily in South Korea, the United States, Germany, Canada, and Japan. The company offers proprietary carbonate Direct FuelCell Power Plants that electrochemically produce electricity from hydrocarbon fuels, such as natural gas and biogas. Its fuel cells operate on a range of hydrocarbon fuels, including natural gas, renewable biogas, propane, methanol, coal gas, and coal mine methane. The company also develops carbonate fuel cells, planar solid oxide fuel cell technology, and other fuel cell technologies. It provides its products to universities; manufacturers; mission critical institutions, such as correction facilities and government installations; hotels; and natural gas letdown stations, as well as to customers who use renewable biogas for fuel, including municipal water treatment facilities, br eweries, and food processors. The company was founded in 1969 and is headquartered in Danbury, Connecticut.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Paul Ausick]
The most heavily traded Nasdaq stock today is Plug Power Inc. (NASDAQ: PLUG), as it was last Friday. The fuel cell maker to attract investors following its deal with Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (NYSE: WMT). Peer companies FuelCell Energy Inc. (NASDAQ: FCEL) and Ballard Power Systems Inc. (NASDAQ: BLDP) are also booming again today. Shares of Plug Power are set to close up 23.1% at $10.15 in a 52-week range of $0.15 to $11.41 (a new 52-week high today). Share volume was more than 7-times the daily average of around 28 million shares traded.
[By Paul Ausick]
The most heavily traded Nasdaq stocks today are Plug Power Inc. (NASDAQ: PLUG) and FuelCell Energy Inc. (NASDAQ: FCEL). The difference today is that the stock prices are tumbling, with Plug Power down 38.89% at $6.30 in a 52-week range of $0.15 to $11.70 (a new 52-week high today). The company�� stock is worth $0.50 a share according to an analyst at Citron Research, who recently had some very harsh things to say about 3D Systems Inc. (NYSE: DDD) as well. Plug Power�� share volume was nearly 8-times the daily average of around 31 million shares traded.

Top 5 Small Cap Companies To Buy For 2014: KongZhong Corporation(KONG)

KongZhong Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides wireless interactive entertainment, media, and community services to mobile phone users in the People's Republic of China. It also involves in the development, distribution, and marketing of consumer wireless value-added services, including wireless application protocol, multimedia messaging services, short messaging services, interactive voice response services, and color ring back tones. In addition, it offers interactive entertainment services, such as mobile games, pictures, karaoke, electronic books, mobile phone personalization features, entertainment news, chat, and message boards; and through Kong.net offer news, community services, games, and other interactive media and entertainment services; and sells advertising space in the form of text-link, banner, and button advertisements. Further, the company develops and publishes mobile games, including downloadable mobile games and online mobile games cons isting of action, role-playing, and leisure games. As of December 31, 2009, it had a library of approximately 300 internally developed mobile games. Additionally, it develops online games; and provides consulting and technology services, as well as media and net book services. The company was formerly known as Communication Over The Air Inc. and changed its name to KongZhong Corporation in March 2004. KongZhong Corporation was founded in 2002 and is headquartered in Beijing, the People?s Republic of China

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Roberto Pedone]
One under-$10 wireless services player that looks poised for a big spike higher is KongZhong (KONG), which is a provider of WVAS and mobile games to mobile phone users and a wireless media company providing news, content, community and mobile advertising services through its wireless Internet sites in the PRC. This stock is off to a hot start in 2013, with shares up sharply by 53%.

If you take a look at the chart for KongZhong, you'll notice that this stock has been downtrending badly for the last two months, with shares plunging lower from its high of $14.92 to its recent low of $7.78 a share. During that downtrend, shares of KONG have been consistently making lower highs and lower lows, which is bearish technical price action. That move has now pushed shares of KONG into oversold territory, since its current relative strength index reading is 30.21. Shares of KONG are now starting to spike higher off its recent low of $7.78 a share and off its 200-day moving average of $7.95 a share. This spike could be signaling that the downside volatility for KONG is over in the short-term and the stock is ready to trend higher.

Traders should now look for long-biased trades in KONG if it manages to break out above some near-term overhead resistance at $8.50 a share with high volume. Look for a sustained move or close above that level with volume that hits near or above its three-month average action of 519,857 shares. If that breakout triggers soon, then KONG will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at $10 to its 50-day moving average at $11.33 a share.

Traders can look to buy KONG off any weakness to anticipate that breakout and simply use a stop that sits right below some key near-term support at $7.78 a share. One can also buy KONG off strength once it takes out $8.50 a share with volume and then simply use a stop that sits a comfortable percentage from your entry point.
[By Jake L'Ecuyer]
Top losers in the sector included China Unicom (Hong Kong) (NYSE: CHU), off 4.5 percent, and Kongzhong (NASDAQ: KONG), down 4.7 percent.

Top Headline
The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA) reported better-than-expected first-quarter profit. Boeing's quarterly profit declined to $965 million, or $1.28 per share, from a year-ago profit of $1.11 billion, or $1.44 per share. Its adjusted earnings surged to $1.76 per share compared to $1.73 per share. Its revenue climbed to $20.47 billion versus $18.89 billion. However, analysts were projecting earnings of $1.57 per share on revenue of $20.24 billion. For the full year, Boeing expects adjusted earnings of $7.15 to $7.35 per share.
[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 Kongzhong (Nasdaq: KONG ) , whose recent revenue and earnings are plotted below.

Top 5 Small Cap Companies To Buy For 2014: ATA Inc.(ATAI)

ATA Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides computer-based testing services in the People?s Republic of China. It offers services for the creation and delivery of computer-based tests utilizing its test delivery platform, proprietary testing technologies, and testing services; and provides logistical support services relating to test administration. The company?s computer-based testing services are used for professional licensure and certification tests in various industries, including information technology (IT) services, banking, securities, teaching, and insurance. Its e-testing platform integrates various aspects of the test delivery process for computer-based tests ranging from test form compilation to test scoring, and results analysis. ATA also provides career-oriented educational services, such as single course programs, degree major course programs, and pre-occupational training programs focusing on preparing students to pass IT and other vocational certification tests; test preparation and training programs and services to test candidates preparing to take professional certification tests in securities, futures, banking, insurance and teaching industries; online test preparation and training platform for the securities and banking industries; and test preparation software for the teaching industry. In addition, the company offers HR select employee assessment solution, an online system that utilizes its proprietary software and an inventory of test titles to help employers improve the efficiency and accuracy of their employee recruitment process. As of March 31, 2010, it had contractual relationships with 1,988 ATA authorized test centers. The company serves Chinese governmental agencies, professional associations, IT vendors, and Chinese educational institutions, as well as individual test preparation services. ATA Inc. was founded in 1999 and is based in Beijing, the People?s Republic of China.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Jake L'Ecuyer]
Leading and Lagging Sectors
Industrials stocks gained Friday, with ATA (NASDAQ: ATAI) leading advancers. Meanwhile, gainers in the sector included Plug Power (NASDAQ: PLUG), with shares up 22 percent, and Korn/Ferry International (KFY), with shares up 12 percent. In trading on Friday, basic materials shares were relative laggards, down on the day by about 1.36 percent.
[By Jake L'Ecuyer]
Leading and Lagging Sectors
Industrials stocks gained Friday, with ATA (NASDAQ: ATAI) leading advancers. Meanwhile, gainers in the sector included Plug Power (NASDAQ: PLUG), with shares up 22 percent, and Korn/Ferry International (KFY), with shares up 12 percent. In trading on Friday, basic materials shares were relative laggards, down on the day by about 1.36 percent.

Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Best Chemical Stocks To Buy For 2015

With shares of Chevron (NYSE:CVX) trading around $118, is CVX an OUTPERFORM, WAIT AND SEE or STAY AWAY? Let�� analyze the stock with the relevant sections of our CHEAT SHEET investing framework:

T = Trends for a Stock’s Movement

Chevron engages in petroleum, chemicals, mining, power generation, and energy operations worldwide. The company operates in two segments: upstream and downstream. The upstream segment is involved in the exploration, development, and production of crude oil and natural gas, while the downstream segment engages in refining crude oil into petroleum products. Through its segments, Chevron is able to provide a range of energy products and services to a wide variety of companies around the world. As economies and businesses expand, Chevron is poised to provide the energy products and services required to fuel growth around the world.

Chevron reported earnings of $5.0 billion ($2.57 per share ��diluted) for the third quarter 2013, compared with $5.3 billion ($2.69 per share ��diluted) in the 2012 third quarter.�Sales and other operating revenues in the third quarter 2013 were $57 billion, compared to $56 billion in the year-ago period.��ur third quarter earnings were down from a year ago,��said Chairman and CEO John Watson, ��rimarily reflecting lower margins for refined products in the current period.��/p>

Best Chemical Stocks To Buy For 2015: Balchem Corp (BCPC)

Balchem Corporation incorporated on Jan 30, 1967, is engaged in the development, manufacture and marketing of specialty performance ingredients and products for the food, nutritional, feed, pharmaceutical and medical sterilization industries. The Company operates in three segments: Specialty Products, Food, Pharma & Nutrition and Animal Nutrition & Health. The Company sells its products through its own sales force, independent distributors and sales agents. The Company operates five wholly owned domestic subsidiaries, such as BCP Ingredients, Inc., Aberco, Inc., Balchem BV, Balchem Trading BV and Balchem Italia Srl.

Food, Pharma & Nutrition

The Food, Pharma & Nutrition (FPN) segment provides microencapsulation solutions to a variety of applications in food, pharmaceutical and nutritional ingredients to enhance performance of nutritional fortification, processing, mixing, and packaging applications and shelf-life. Major product applications are baked goods, refrigerated and frozen dough systems, processed meats, seasoning blends, confections, and nutritional supplements. The Company also markets human grade choline nutrient products through this segment for wellness applications.

Specialty Products

The Company's Specialty Products segment operates in industry as ARC Specialty Products. Ethylene oxide, at the 100% level, is sold as a sterilant gas, primarily for use in the health care industry. It is used to sterilize a wide range of medical devices because of its versatility and effectiveness in treating hard or soft surfaces, composites, metals, tubing and different types of plastics. The Company's 100% ethylene oxide product is distributed in uniquely designed, recyclable, double-walled, stainless steel drums. Contract sterilizers, medical device manufacturers, and medical gas distributors are the Company's principal customers for this product. In addition, the Company also sells single use canisters with 100% ethylene oxide for uses in medical dev! ice sterilization.

The Company markets and sells propylene oxide as a fumigant to aids in the control of insects and microbiological spoilage and to reduce bacterial and mold contamination in shell and processed nut meats (except peanuts), processed spices, cacao beans, cocoa powder, raisins, figs and prunes. The Company distributes its propylene oxide product primarily in recyclable, single-walled, carbon steel cylinders The Company also sells propylene oxide to customers seeking smaller quantities and whose requirements include utilization in various chemical synthesis applications, to make paints more durable and for manufacturing specialty starches and textile coatings.

Animal Nutrition & Health

The Company's Animal Nutrition & Health (ANH) segment provides the animal nutrition and health markets with products derived from the Company's microencapsulation, chelation, and basic choline chloride technologies. Commercial sales of REASHURE Choline, a microencapsulated choline, NITROSHURETM, a microencapsulated urea, and NIASHURETM, the Company's microencapsulated niacin for dairy cows, boosts health and milk production in transition and lactating dairy cows, delivering nutrient supplements that survive the rumen and are biologically available, providing required nutritional levels. The Company's AMINOSHURE-L product, a rumen-protected lysine for use in dairy rations, gives nutritionists and dairy producers a precise and consistent source of rumen-protected lysine. The Company also markets chelated mineral supplements for uses in animal feed throughout the world. ANH also manufactures and supplies basic choline chloride, an essential nutrient for animal health, predominantly to the poultry and swine industries. The ANH segment also includes choline and certain derivatives manufactured and sold into various industrial applications, predominately as a component for hydraulic fracturing of shale natural gas wells, and methylamines which are a primary building block fo! r the man! ufacture of choline products and are also used in a wide range of industrial applications.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By John Udovich]
Small cap ingredients stock Balchem Corporation (NASDAQ: BCPC) jumped 22.76% yesterday on news about an acquisition, meaning its worth taking a closer look at the stock along with potential peers like small cap MGP Ingredients Inc (NASDAQ: MGPI) and the PowerShares Dynamic Food & Beverage ETF (NYSEARCA: PBJ).

Best Chemical Stocks To Buy For 2015: Cytec Industries Inc (CYT)

Cytec Industries Inc/De/, formerly Cytec Industries Inc., incorporated on December 17, 1993, is a specialty chemicals and materials company focused on developing, manufacturing and selling value-added products. Its products serve a diverse range of end markets, including aerospace and industrial materials, mining and plastics. The Company has four business segments: Engineered Materials, Umeco, In-Process Separation and Additive Technologies. Engineered Materials segment principally includes advanced composites, carbon fiber, and structural film adhesives. The Umeco segment includes composite and process materials, primarily for the aerospace and defense, wind energy, automotive, recreation and other industrial segments. The In Process Separation segment includes mining chemicals and phosphines. The Additive Technologies segment includes polymer additives, specialty additives and formulated resins. On July 20, 2012, the Company acquired Umeco plc.

Engineered Materials

The Engineered Materials segment is a global provider of technologically advanced materials for aerospace, high-performance industrial and other extreme-demand markets. Its primary product lines are advanced aerospace composites and structural adhesives, High performance industrial materials and Carbon fibers. Its major products in the advanced aerospace composites include aerospace- qualified prepregs, resin infusion systems and structural/surfacing adhesives. Its principal applications include commercial airliners, regional and business jets, military aircraft, including rotorcraft, satellites and launch vehicles. The products in the high performance industrial materials include Industrial-grade prepregs, resin infusion systems and structural/surfacing adhesives. Its applications include high performance automotive, defense, tooling and alternative energy. The products in carbon fibers include high performance fiber carbon fibers. Its applications include reinforcements for advanced aerospace and industrial c! omposites.

The Company is a supplier to the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and F-18 fighter jet programs. It is also a supplier for the business and regional jet market, supporting programs, such as Bombardier�� CSeries and LearJet85. It also manufactures specialty adhesive forms for complex composites assemblies, such as honeycomb and sandwich structures and special surfacing films to provide aircraft lightning strike protection. It manufactures and sells various high-performance grades of both polyacrylonitrile (PAN) type and pitch type carbon fibers used as a reinforcement material for aerospace and other extreme-demand and high-performance composites.

The Company�� High Performance Industrial Materials (HPIM) product line strategy is to leverage its composites, adhesives and resin technologies across multiple industrial markets. The Company supplies composites and adhesives to a spectrum of markets, such as high performance and luxury low-rate serial automotive, defense, and alternative energy.

Umeco

Umeco�� primary product lines are High performance composites structural materials/solutions and Composite process materials/solutions. Its major products in the High performance composites structural materials/solutions include Aerospace-qualified prepregs, Industrial-grade prepreg. Its principal applications include large commercial airliners, military aircraft, high performance automotive, defense, tooling, recreation, industrial and alternative energy. The products in Composite process materials/solutions include Process materials/solutions including vacuum bagging, release films and sealant tapes. Its principal applications include large commercial airliners, military aircraft, high performance automotive, defense, tooling, recreation, industrial and alternative energy and Process materials for the forming, infusion, curing of composite structures.

The Company�� structural materials product line includes the development, manufa! cturing a! nd supply of advanced composite materials. It specializes in the manufacture of composite materials for a range of industries such as aerospace and defense, marine, motor sport and automotive, construction, wind energy, and recreation.

In-Process Separation

The In-Process Separation segment includes mining chemicals and phosphines. The Company�� mining chemicals product line include flotation promoters, collectors, frothers, dispersants and depressants, solvent extractants, flocculants, filter and dewatering aids, antiscalants, and defoamers . Its principal applications include mineral separation and processing for copper, alumina, cobalt, nickel, and other minerals. Its Phosphines include flame retardants, catalyst ligands, high purity phosphine gas and biocides.

Its phospine based specialty products are used primarily in the pharmaceutical, chemical and electronic manufacturing, and fumigation. Its patented MaxHT antiscalant is sold for suppressing sodalite scale formation. Its phosphine specialties are utilized for a variety of applications. It is a supplier of ultra- high purity phosphine gas, used in semiconductor manufacturing and light emitting diode applications, various phosphine derivative products, including phosphonium salts used in pharmaceutical catalysts and biocides. Included in the phosphine line are organo phosphorus compounds. The compounds are used primarily as intermediates and catalyst ligands for organic and chemical synthesis in the pharmaceutical and chemical industries.

Additive Technologies

The Additive Technologies segment includes polymer additives specialty additives and Formulated resins. Polymer additives include ultraviolet light stabilizers and absorbers, high performance antioxidants and antistatic agents. Its applications include plastics, coatings, and fibers for: agricultural films, automotive parts, architectural lighting, housewares, packaging, outdoor furniture, sporting goods, toys and apparel.! Specialt! y additives include surfactants, specialty monomers, resin amines, and PTZ Phenothiazine. Its Formulated resins are used in for bonding or sealing of electrical and electronic components.

The Company markets its Additive Technologies chemicals through specialized sales and technical service staffs for each of its product lines. Sales are usually made directly to customers and through distributors to smaller customers. The Company is a global supplier to the plastics industry of specialty additives, which protect plastics from the ultraviolet radiation of sunlight and from oxidation. It is a global supplier of sulfosuccinate surfactants, Docusate sodium, and PTZ phenothiazine. Sulfosuccinate surfactants and acrylamide-based specialty monomers products are used in emulsion polymers, paints, paper coatings, printing inks, and other diverse customer applications. Docusate is a pharmaceutical grade product used as both an active ingredient and excipient/formulating aid. PTZ phenothiazine is primarily used as an acrylic acid, acrylic ester and methacrylate monomer stabilizer.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Stoyan Bojinov]
The New Jersey-based specialty chemicals maker, Cytec Industries (CYT), announced third quarter operating results after the closing bell on Thursday that topped analysts’ estimates.

Cytec Industries managed to rake in revenues of $464 million last quarter, falling short of the projected $482.61 million figure. The company did manage to beat the mark, however, in terms of earnings per share; in the third quarter Cytec generated EPS of $1.32, beating the expected EPS of $1.34 by two pennies.

Looking back, the most recent quarterly results are well above the 91 cents EPS seen in Q3 exactly one year ago. Looking ahead, the company expects FY2013 EPS of $4.70-$4.80 compared to the consensus of $4.82.

Cytec Industries shares rallied higher on Thursday, gaining 0.58% on the day. The stock is up 25% YTD.
[By Holly LaFon]
His largest holdings are Cytec Industries Inc. (CYT), Vivus Inc. (VVUS), Marathon Petrol (MPC), Google Inc. Cl A (GOOG) and Liberty Media A (LINTA).

Top 5 Food Companies To Invest In 2015: Air Products and Chemicals Inc. (APD)

Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. provides atmospheric gases, process and specialty gases, performance materials, equipment, and services worldwide. The company?s Merchant Gases segment sells atmospheric gases, such as oxygen, nitrogen, and argon; process gases, including hydrogen and helium; and medical and specialty gases for the metal, glass, chemical processing, food processing, healthcare, steel, general manufacturing, and petroleum and natural gas industries. This segment also offers respiratory therapies, home medical equipment, and infusion services primarily in Europe. Its Tonnage Gases segment provides hydrogen, carbon monoxide, nitrogen, oxygen, and syngas to the energy production and refining, chemical, and metallurgical industries; and produces dinitrotoluene used in the manufacture of a precursor of polyurethane foam. The company?s Electronics and Performance Materials segment offers nitrogen trifluoride, silane, arsine, phosphine, white ammonia, silicon tetra fluoride, carbon tetrafluoride, hexafluoromethane, critical etch gases, and tungsten hexafluoride; and tonnage gases, specialty chemicals, and services and equipment for the manufacture of silicon and compound semiconductors, thin film transistor liquid crystal displays, and photovoltaic devices. This segment also provides performance materials for a range of products, including coatings, inks, adhesives, civil engineering, personal care, institutional and industrial cleaning, mining, oil refining, and polyurethanes. Its Equipment and Energy segment designs and manufactures cryogenic equipment for air separation, hydrocarbon recovery and purification, natural gas liquefaction, and helium distribution; and offers plant design, engineering, procurement, and construction management services for the chemical and petrochemical manufacturing, oil and gas recovery and processing, and steel and primary metals processing industries. The company was founded in 1940 and is based in All entown, Pennsylvania.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Chuck Saletta]
Make hay while the sun shines
For instance, the biggest gainer in the IPIG portfolio this past week was Air Products and Chemicals (NYSE: APD ) . The company reported so-so earnings but nevertheless leaped skyward after adopting a poison pill on rumors that it may be a target of activist investor Bill Ackman. While the gain is nice, the drivers are dubious, and it suggests a healthy dose of skepticism is warranted.

Best Chemical Stocks To Buy For 2015: Axiall Corp (AXLL)

Axiall Corporation (Axiall), formerly Georgia Gulf Corporation, incorporated on April 16, 1984, is a manufacturer and an international marketer of chlorovinyl and aromatic chemicals and also manufacture and market vinyl-based building and home improvement products. The Company operates in three business segments: Chlorovinyls segment consists of two product groups: Electrovinyls products, which are composed of chlorine, caustic soda, ethylene dichloride (EDC), vinyl chloride monomer (VCM), and vinyl resins; and Compound products, which are composed of vinyl compounds, compound additives and plasticizers; Building Products segment consists of two primary product groups: Window and Door Profiles and Mouldings, and Outdoor Building Products, which consists of siding, pipe and pipe fittings and deck, fence and rail products, and Aromatics segment also contains two commodity chemical product groups: cumene; and phenol and acetone. In January 2013, the combined company formed by uniting Georgia Gulf with PPG's former commodity chemicals business is named Axiall Corporation.

Chlorovinyls segment

The chlorovinyls segment consists of an integrated chain of products, which including chlor-alkali and derivative products (chlorine, caustic soda, vinyl chloride monomer (VCM), vinyl resins, ethylene dichloride, chlorinated solvents, calcium hypochlorite, hydrochloric acid and phosgene derivatives and compound products (vinyl compounds and compound additives and plasticizers). In North America, the Company is one of the producers of VCM, vinyl resins, and vinyl compounds.

During the year ended December 31, 2012, approximately 45%t of its vinyl resins production was sold into the United States and Canadian merchant markets where its vinyl resins were used in a variety of flexible and rigid vinyl end-use applications. During 2012, the largest end-uses of its products were for pipe and pipe fittings, siding, extruded sheet and film and window profiles. Approximately 24% of its pro! duction was sold into the export market, and approximately 31% of its vinyl resins were used internally in the manufacture of its vinyl compounds and vinyl building products. During 2012, the Company used substantially all of its VCM production in the manufacture of vinyl resins in its PVC manufacturing operations. The Company sells all of its caustic soda to customers domestically and overseas in numerous industries, with the pulp and paper, chemical and alumina industries constituting its markets. Other markets for its caustic soda include soap and detergents and the water treatment industries.

Vinyl compounds are highly customized formulations that offer specific end-use properties based on customer-determined manufacturing specifications that enable its customers to utilize them directly in their manufacturing processes to fabricate their finished products. The Company produces flexible and rigid compounds, which are used in many different applications, including wire and cable insulation and jacketing, electrical outlet boxes and pipe fittings, window and furniture profiles and food-grade and general-purpose bottles. It also supplies chlorinated vinyl compounds (CPVC), to the extrusion and injection molding markets, mainly for production of hot water pipe and pipe fittings. The Company produces lubricants, stabilizers, impact modifiers and process aids used in the production of compounds, and which are part of the typical compound formulations. The majority of its additives and plasticizers are consumed internally.

Building Products Segment

The Window and Door Profiles and Mouldings Products have a level of customization based on customer specifications, whereas Outdoor Building Products are based more on industry standards. The Company manufactures and extrude vinyl window profiles, including frames, sashes, trim and other components, as well as vinyl patio door components and fabricated patio doors, which are sold primarily to window and door fabricators. I! ts sales ! are primarily to the custom segment of the vinyl window profile market with the profile design customized to a window fabricator's specific requirements. It manufactures and markets extruded decorative mouldings and millwork. Its decorative trim products are used for interior mouldings, such as crown, base and chair rail. For exterior mouldings, its products are used in applications, such as brick mouldings, and as components used in the fabrication of doors, windows and spas. This product line includes a series of offerings, such as bendable trim and paintable/stainable trim.

The Company�� outdoor building products (OBP) include siding; pipe and pipe fittings; and deck, fence, and rail. It manufactures vinyl siding, and it also offers a range of accessories, including vinyl soffit, aluminum soffit, fascia and trim and molded vent mounts and exterior shutters. These additional product offerings to its existing offerings include rich, dark, color-fast shades, as well as a siding system, which enables siding panels to withstand harsh wind conditions. It manufactures pipe and pipe fittings for the municipal and electrical markets, as well as pipe for plumbing applications. Its municipal pipe and pipe fittings product lines are used in potable water applications, as well as in storm and sewer applications. Its plumbing lines are used in residential and industrial applications to move storm and sanitary wastewater from the building to the municipal sewer at the property line. This product line is focused on at drain, waste and vent applications. Electrical, pipe, conduit and fittings are available in a range of sizes and configurations, to meet the needs of both commercial and residential applications.

The Company manufactures vinyl deck products that are sold by distributors and used primarily by professionally installed market segments. The Company�� deck product lines are positioned as a lower-maintenance alternative to conventional wood products.

Aromatics Seg! ment

The aromatics segment is integrated and consists of cumene and phenol/acetone products. Phenol/acetone products are co-products made from cumene in the same production process. The Company�� aromatic products are primarily commodity based products. It operates cumene plant located in Pasadena, Texas. About 28 % of its cumene was consumed internally, during 2012, to produce phenol and acetone. Cumene is used as an intermediate to make phenol and acetone and specialty chemicals and can be sold as an additive for gasoline blending.

Phenol is sold to a base of customers who are producers of a range of phenolic resins, engineering plastics and specialty chemicals. Phenolic resins are used as adhesives for wood products, such as plywood and Oriented Strand Board (OSB). Engineering plastics are used in compact discs, digital video discs, automobiles, household appliances, electronics and protective coating applications. It also sells phenol for use in insulation, electrical parts, oil additives and chemical intermediates. Acetone is a chemical used primarily in the production of acrylic resins, engineering plastics and industrial solvents. The Company sells the majority of its acetone into the acrylic resins market, where it is used in the manufacture of various plastics and coatings used for signage, automotive parts, household appliances, paints and industrial coatings. Other uses range from solvents for automotive and industrial applications to pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Johanna Bennett]
Dow isn�� the only chemical play gaining on the news. �Axiall (AXLL) rose 9.3% to $49.58 in Monday market action. Olin (OLN) rose 6.1% to $26.36. And Westlake Chemical (WLK) rose 2.2% to $115.10.
[By Lisa Levin]
This industry tumbled 1.57% by 11:00 am. The worst stock within the industry was Axiall (NYSE: AXLL), which fell 2.7%. Axiall's trailing-twelve-month EPS is $1.59.

Best Chemical Stocks To Buy For 2015: Akzo Nobel NV (AKZA)

Akzo Nobel NV is a manufacturer of paints, coatings and specialty chemicals based in the Netherlands. The Company operates within four segments. Within Buildings and Infrastructure segment, it manufactures decorative paints, protective, powder and coil coatings, and wood finishes for construction industry. Transportation segment offers specialty and powder coatings for automotive parts, peroxides, metal alkyls, and automotive, marine, yacht and aerospace coatings. Consumer Goods segment supplies finishes, adhesives and powder coatings for wood, specialty finishes for electronics, packaging coatings, surfactants, polymers and amines used in manufacture of soap, personal products and detergents. Within Industrial segment, it produces bulk chemicals, specialty chemicals, pulp and paper. In October 2013, it divested its Building Adhesives business; and acquired 50% stake and management control of Sadolin Paints Oman SAOC through joint venture agreement with Omar Zawawi Establishment LLC. Advisors' Opinion:

[By Jonathan Morgan]
Akzo Nobel NV (AKZA) tumbled 8 percent to 43.52 euros, the biggest slide since 2008. Europe�� largest paintmaker reported a 14 percent decline in second-quarter earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization to 474 million euros. Sales fell 4 percent to 3.87 billion euros. Analysts had predicted 3.9 billion euros in revenue on average, based on estimates collated by Bloomberg.

Best Chemical Stocks To Buy For 2015: AZ Electronic Materials SA (AZEM)

AZ Electronic Materials SA is a producer and supplier of specialty chemical materials. AZ operates in four segments: IC Materials, which includes products for use in integrated circuits and devices; Optronics, which includes products used in the production of flat panel displays for use in televisions, computer monitors and similar equipment and light emitting diode technology; Printing and Other, which includes printing and similar products used in photo lithographic processes, and Corporate. The Company�� products enable the manufacture of integrated circuits (ICs) and flat panel displays (FPDs) that are integral to a range of electronic devices and applications, including computers and tablet devices, flat screen televisions, mobile communication devices, industrial and automotive applications and the developing light and energy markets. Advisors' Opinion:

[By Corinne Gretler]
AZ Electronic (AZEM) surged 43 percent, the most since its at least November 2010, after Merck on Dec. 5 said it had agreed to buy the company for about 1.6 billion pounds. Merck added 0.4 percent. Shareholders will get 403.5 pence for each share, Merck said. The price is 53 percent above the Dec. 4 closing level in London trading.

Best Chemical Stocks To Buy For 2015: Braskem SA (BRKM5)

Braskem SA is a Brazil-based company primarily engaged in the manufacture of basic petrochemical products. The Company operates in five segments: Basic petrochemicals, Polyolefins, Vinyls, International businesses and Chemical Distribution. The Company�� products portfolio includes ethylene, propylene, butadiene, toluene, xylene, benzene, gasoline, diesel oil, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), as well as thermoplastic resins, such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Additionally, Braskem is also engaged in the import and export of chemicals, petrochemicals and fuels; the production, supply and sale of utilities, such as steam, water, compressed air, industrial gases, as well as the provision of industrial services, and the production, supply and sale of electric energy for its own use and use by other companies. The Company also invests in other companies, either as a partner or shareholder. Advisors' Opinion:

[By Harry Suhartono]
Brazil�� Ibovespa rose for a third day as traders pared bets on higher borrowing costs in Brazil, boosting the outlook for companies that sell in the local market. B2W Cia. Digital led gains among retailers, with Lojas Americanas SA (LAME3) and Natura Cosmeticos SA (NATU3) also trading higher. Petrochemicals producer Braskem SA (BRKM5) was the worst performer on the equity gauge after O Estado de S.Paulo reported Petroleo Brasileiro SA (PETR4) is seeking to raise prices of naphtha sold to the company by 5 percent.

Best Chemical Stocks To Buy For 2015: Bitcoin Collect Inc (BTCC)

Bitcoin Collect Inc, formerly SolPower, Corp., incorporated on July 22, 1996, offers software solutions for the healthcare industry addressing problems with the system involving billing, collections and the lack of adequate medical insurance. The company�� primary product is a software System called MedCare Collect. In July 2014, the Company acquired Good Vibrations Shoes.

Medcare Collect utilizes the technology in electronic banking and transaction submission allowing healthcare professionals to accept clients who may not have adequate health insurance with an almost negligible risk of the patient defaulting. MedCare Collect is revolutionizing medical billing by allowing doctors to take on patients they would otherwise have to turn away, while adding much needed revenue to their bottom line.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Iampat]
Square 1 Financial (SQBK) and Bitcoin (BTCC) have sort of touched on the accommodations of having a versatile wallet, and it's without a doubt a corner that I think is still in the early phases of its reception bend. Hence, when I discovered that Facebook was concentrating on it, I loved the thought.

Top Consumer Stocks To Invest In 2014

Given the reality that the television industry is changing rapidly as new methods of content management and delivery become increasing viable, Intel (NASDAQ: INTC ) does not want to be shut out. Particularly as the PC market continues to contract, Chipzilla is in need of a new growth area upon which to capitalize. A concerted effort to change the way we watch TV�is not a bad place to start. To this end, Intel has promised to release its new Internet-based live TV product by the end of the year.

What is Intel TV?
The new service from Intel -- which is expected to be called OnCue�-- is an attempt by the chip maker to deliver a full complement of live TV, on-demand content, and other options to consumers�over a broadband Internet connection. Unlike other set-top boxes like Apple�TV, OnCue would not require a monthly subscription to any of the major cable or satellite providers like Comcast� (NASDAQ: CMCSA ) or Time Warner (NYSE: TWX ) . The service would represent a major shift in the industry, and existing providers are fighting back.

Top Chemical Stocks To Watch For 2015: Peet's Coffee & Tea Inc.(PEET)

Peet?s Coffee & Tea, Inc. operates as a specialty coffee roaster and marketer of fresh roasted whole bean coffee and tea in the United States. It offers whole bean coffee and related products consisting of products for home brewing, tea, and packaged foods; and beverages and pastries. The company also provides brewing equipment for coffee and tea; paper filters and brewing accessories; and branded and non-branded cups, saucers, travel mugs, and serve ware. Peet?s sells its products through various channels of distribution, including grocery stores; home delivery, office, restaurant, and foodservice accounts; and company-owned and operated stores. As of January 2, 2011, it operated 192 retail stores in California, Colorado, Illinois, Oregon, Massachusetts, and Washington. The company was founded in 1966 and is headquartered in Emeryville, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Chris Hill]
In 2012, the Germany-based�Benckiser Group�spent $1.3B to buy Peet's Coffee & Tea, as well as Caribou Coffee. On Friday, Benckiser announced that it's buying European coffee maker Master Blenders for�around�$10 billion. In the United States, Benckiser is closing 15% of Caribou locations, and�converting 20% of the stores into Peet's (NASDAQ: PEET ) . In this installment of Motley Fool Money, our analysts discuss whether Benckiser's big bet on coffee poses a threat to Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX ) .

Top Consumer Stocks To Invest In 2014: John B. Sanfilippo & Son Inc.(JBSS)

John B. Sanfilippo & Son, Inc. engages in the processing and marketing of tree nuts and peanuts in the United States. It offers raw and processed nuts, including peanuts, almonds, Brazil nuts, pecans, pistachios, filberts, cashews, English walnuts, black walnuts, pine nuts, and macadamia nuts. The company provides nut products in various styles and seasonings, such as natural, blanched, oil roasted, dry roasted, unsalted, honey roasted, flavored, spicy, butter toffee, praline, and cinnamon toasted. It also offers peanut butter; food and snack products comprising snack mixes, salad toppings, natural snacks, trail mixes, dried fruit, and chocolate and yogurt coated products; baking ingredients; bulk food products; sunflower seeds, almond butter, sesame sticks, and other sesame snack products; and toppings for ice cream and yogurt. The company provides its products under various private labels, as well as under the Fisher, Orchard Valley Harvest, and Sunshine Country brand na mes. John B. Sanfilippo & Son, Inc. markets its products through its own sales department, a network of independent brokers, and various independent distributors and suppliers to retailers and wholesalers, as well as to industrial, food service, and contract packaging customers. The company was founded in 1959 and is headquartered in Elgin, Illinois.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Garrett Cook]
Non-cyclical consumer goods & services shares rose by 0.04 percent in today’s trading. Top gainers in the sector included John B Sanfilippo & Son (NASDAQ: JBSS), up 3.3 percent, and Blyth (NYSE: BTH), up 3.1 percent.

Top Consumer Stocks To Invest In 2014: Virco Manufacturing Corporation(VIRC)

Virco Mfg. Corporation engages in the design, production, and distribution of furniture for the commercial and education markets in the United States. The company offers seating products, including cantilever chairs, tablet arm chairs, rockers, hard plastic seats, backrests, work surfaces, task chairs, classroom chairs, stack chairs, folding chairs, upholstered stack chairs, plastic stack chairs, and upholstered ergonomic chairs, as well as provides various seating product for students in college, university, other adult education settings, and on high school campuses. It also offers folding and banquet tables, activity tables, office tables, computer tables, and mobile tables, as well as table products for working and learning environments, seminars, and conferences; and computer furniture, including keyboard mouse trays, CPU holders, support columns, desks and workstations, and specialty tables and other products for computing applications. In addition, the company provi des chair desks, combo units, teacher desks, and tablet arm units, as well as a collection returns and credenzas. Further, it offers administrative office furniture, such as desks, returns, and bookcases; laboratory furniture, including steel-based science tables, table bases, lab stools, and steel foot-rings for biology and chemistry classes, and other school and college based lab settings; and mobile furniture comprising mobile tables for school cafeterias and mobile chairs for school settings and offices, as well as provides handling and storage equipment and manufactures stackable storage trucks. The company?s brand portfolio primarily includes ZUMA, ZUMAfrd, Ph.D., I.Q. Virtuoso, Classic Series, Martest 21, Lunada, Plateau, Core-a-Gator, Future Access, Sigma, Metaphor, Telos, TEXT, and Parameter. It also serves convention centers and arenas, hospitality providers, government facilities, and places of worship. Virco Mfg. Corporation founded in 1950 and is based in Torra nce, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By John Udovich]
Small cap office furniture stock Steelcase Inc (NYSE: SCS) jumped 11.66% after beating earnings expectations, meaning it might be time to take a closer look at the stock along with potential office or commercial furniture stock peers like�HNI Corp (NYSE: HNI), Knoll Inc (NYSE: KNL) and Virco Mfg. Corporation (NASDAQ: VIRC). After all, the performance of any company selling office or commercial furniture would tend to give some insights into the office or employment markets.

Top Consumer Stocks To Invest In 2014: Tredegar Corporation(TG)

Tredegar Corporation, through its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells plastic films and aluminum extrusions worldwide. The company offers apertured film and nonwoven materials for use in feminine hygiene products, baby diapers, and adult incontinence products under the SoftQuilt, ComfortAire, SoftAire, and FreshFeel names; breathable, embossed, and elastic materials for use as components for baby diapers, adult incontinence products, and feminine hygiene products under the ExtraFlex, FabriFlex, StretchTab, FlexAire, and FlexFeel names; and absorbent transfer layers for baby diapers and adult incontinence products under the AquiDry and AquiSoft names. It also provides single and multi-layer surface protection films under the UltraMask and ForceField names for protecting components of flat panel displays; a line of packaging films for food packaging and industrial applications; and apertured films, breathable barrier films, and laminates that regulate fluid or vapor transmi ssion. In addition, the company offers soft-alloy aluminum extrusions primarily for building and construction, distribution, transportation, electrical, consumer durables, and machinery and equipment markets; and manufactures mill, anodized, and painted aluminum extrusions for fabricators and distributors to produce curtain walls, storefronts, windows and doors, hurricane shutters, tub and shower enclosures, heatsinks and components for light emitting diode (LED) lighting, and automotive and light truck aftermarket parts. Further, it develops and produces microstructure-based optical films for the LED and fluorescent lighting markets; and develops, owns, and operates mitigation banks. Tredegar Corporation was founded in 1988 and is headquartered in Richmond, Virginia.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Bryan Murphy]
It's certainly not as big as Berry Plastics Group Inc. (NYSE:BERY). It's not even as big as Tredegar Corporation (NYSE:TG). There's one big way AEP Industries (NASDAQ:AEPI) can certainly compete head-on with BERY and TG right now, however... as an investment opportunity. Thanks to the bullish bump AEPI gave us last week, a long-standing selloff has been revered, and there's a whole lot of ground to make up.

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Hot Building Product Stocks To Watch Right Now

Popular Posts: 9 Biotechnology Stocks to Buy Now17 Oil and Gas Stocks to Sell Now5 Oil and Gas Stocks to Buy Now Recent Posts: 4 Capital Markets Stocks to Sell Now 3 Medical Devices Stocks to Sell Now 4 Building Products Stocks to Buy Now View All Posts

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

Given Imaging () is on the decline this week, earning a D (“sell”) after receiving a C (“hold”) last week. Given Imaging has developed a proprietary wireless imaging system that allows a medical professional to examine the gastrointestinal tract. GIVN also rates an F in Portfolio Grader’s specific subcategory of Earnings Surprise. Trade volume fell markedly in the past week, standing at half of the previous rate. The stock has a trailing PE Ratio of 58.10. .

Hot Growth Companies For 2015: Pzena Investment Management Inc (PZN)

Pzena Investment Management, Inc. is a publicly owned investment manager. The firm also provides investment advisory services to funds. It provides its services to individuals, typically high net worth individuals; investment companies; charitable organizations; corporations; state or municipal government entities; pension and profit sharing plans; and pooled investment vehicles. The firm manages separate client-focused equity portfolios. It invests in the public equity markets across the globe. The firm primarily invests in value stocks of large-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap companies. It employs fundamental analysis while making its investments. Pzena Investment Management, Inc. was founded in 1995 and is based in New York, New York.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Serena Saitto]
Officials at another Dell shareholder, Pzena Investment Management Inc. (PZN), which has opposed the buyout, didn�� return calls seeking comment.

Hot Building Product Stocks To Watch Right Now: Shire PLC (SHPG)

Shire plc (Shire), incorporated on January 28, 2008, is a specialty biopharmaceutical company that focuses on meeting the needs of the specialist physician. Shire focuses its business on attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), gastrointestinal (GI) diseases, human genetic therapies (HGT) and regenerative medicine (RM), as well as opportunities in other therapeutic areas. As of December 31, 2012, the Company�� products included VYVANSE/VENVANSE (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate), ADDERALL XR (mixed salts of a single-entity amphetamine), INTUNIV (extended release guanfacine), EQUASYM (methylphenidate hydrochloride) modified release (XL), LIALDA (mesalamine)/ MEZAVANT(mesalazine), PENTASA (mesalamine), RESOLOR (prucalopride), FOSRENOL (lanthanum carbonate), XAGRID (anagrelide hydrochloride), REPLAGAL (agalsidase alfa), ELAPRASE (idursulfase), VPRIV (velaglucerase alfa), FIRAZYR (icatibant) and DERMAGRAFT(Human Fibroblast-Derived Dermal Substitute). As of December 31, 2012, the Company�� products under development included INTUNIV (extended release guanfacine), VYVANSE/VENVANSE (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate), INTUNIV, Guanfacine Carrier Wave, LIALDA (mesalamine)/MEZAVANT (mesalazine), RESOLOR (prucalopride), RESOLOR (prucalopride), SPD 557(M0003), XAGRID, VYVANSE (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate), REPLAGAL (agalsidase alfa), HGT-4510, HGT-2310, HGT-1410, HGT-1110, HGT-3010, and DERMAGRAFT. On January 31, 2012, the United States Food and Drug Administration approved VYVANSE for the maintenance treatment of ADHD in adults. In March 2013, it announced the acquisition Of Premacure AB. In January 2014, Shire Plc sold its DERMAGRAFT assets to Organogenesis Inc. In January 2014, Shire Plc acquired 79.5% interest in ViroPharma Inc.

VANSE/ VENVANSE

VYVANSE is a New Chemical Entity (NCE) and is the pro-drug stimulant for the treatment of ADHD, where the amino acid l-lysine is linked to d-amphetamine. VYVANSE is therapeutically inactive until metabolized in the body. The United Stat! es Food and Drug Administration approved VYVANSE as a once-daily treatment for children aged 6 to 12 with ADHD in February 2007, for adults in April 2008 and for adolescents aged 13 to 17 in November 2010. VYVANSE is available in the United States in six dosage strengths: 20 milligram, 30 milligram, 40 milligram, 50 milligram, 60 milligram and 70 milligram. Health Canada approved VYVANSE for the treatment of ADHD in pediatric patients aged 6 to 12 in February 2009, and for adolescents and adults in November 2010. In April 2012, ANVISA, the Brazilian health authority, granted marketing authorization approval for lisdexamfetamine dimesylate for the treatment of ADHD in children aged 6-12.

ADDERALL XR

ADDERALL XR is an extended release treatment for ADHD, which uses MICROTROL drug delivery technology and is designed to provide once-daily dosing. It is available in 5 milligram, 10 milligram, 15 milligram, 20 milligram, 25 milligram and 30 milligram capsules and can be administered either as a capsule or sprinkled on soft food. The United States Food and Drug Administration has approved ADDERALL XR as a once-daily treatment for children aged 6 to 12 with ADHD, for adults in and for adolescents aged 13 to 17. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd. (Teva) and Impax Laboratories, Inc. (Impax) commenced commercial shipment of their authorized generic versions of ADDERALL XR in April and October 2009, respectively. Shire receives royalties from Impax�� sales of authorized generic ADDERALL XR.

INTUNIV

INTUNIV is a selective alpha-2A receptor agonist indicated for the treatment of ADHD. Alpha-2A-adrenoceptors strengthen working memory networks by inhibiting cAMP-HCN channel signalling in the prefrontal cortex (Cell. 2007; 129:397-410). INTUNIV is non-scheduled and has no known potential for abuse or dependence. The United States Food and Drug Administration approved INTUNIV in September 2009, as a once-daily monotherapy treatment of ADHD in children and adolesce! nts aged ! 6 to 17. It is available in 1 milligram, 2 milligram, 3 milligram and 4 milligram tablets.

EQUASYM

Shire has acquired from UCB the worldwide rights (excluding the United States, Canada and Barbados) to EQUASYM (methylphenidate hydrochloride) IR and XL for the treatment of ADHD in children and adolescents aged 6 to 18. At December 31, 2012,EQUASYM XL was commercially available in 10 countries in 10mg, 20mg and 30mg strengths. EQUASYM XL is marketed in Mexico and South Korea under the trade name METADATE CD.

LIALDA/MEZAVANT

LIALDA is indicated for the induction ofmild to moderately active UC and for the maintenance of remission of UC. The addition of the indication for maintenance of remission of ulcerative colitis was approved by Health Canada in February 2011, and by the United States Food and Drug Administration in July 2011. LIALDA is once-daily oral formulation of mesalamine indicated for the induction and maintenance of remission. As of December 31, 2012, LIALDA/MEZAVANT (this product is marketed outside the United States as MEZAVANT) was commercially available in 19 countries either directly or through distributor arrangements.

PENTASA

PENTASA controlled release capsules are approved in the United States (marketed by Shire in the United States and by Ferring outside of the United States) and indicated for the induction of remission and for the treatment of patients with mild to moderately active ulcerative colitis. PENTASA is an ethylcellulose-coated, controlled release capsule formulation designed to release therapeutic quantities of mesalamine throughout the gastrointestinal tract. PENTASA is available in the United States in 250 milligram and 500 milligram capsules.

RESOLOR

RESOLOR (prucalopride), a 5-HT4 receptor agonists that stimulates gastrointestinal motility and acts primarily on different parts of the lower gastrointestinal tract (enterokinetic). In October 2009, RESOLOR was appr! oved by t! he EMA throughout the European Union as a once daily oral treatment for symptomatic treatment of chronic constipation in women in whom laxatives fail to provide adequate relief. In July 2010, Swissmedic granted RESOLOR marketing authorization in Switzerland for the treatment of idiopathic chronic constipation in adults. RESOLOR is available in milligram and 2 milligram dose strengths, both for once-daily dosing. At December 31, 2012, RESOLOR was available in six European Union countries. Formulated as a chewable tablet, FOSRENOL is available in 500 milligram, 750 milligram and 1,000 milligram dosage strengths.

XAGRID

XAGRID (anagrelide hydrochloride) is marketed in Europe for the reduction of elevated platelet counts in at-risk ET patients. XAGRID has been granted orphan drug status in the European Union. In the United States, anagrelide hydrochloride is sold by the Company under the name AGRYLIN for the treatment of thrombocythemia secondary to a MPD.

REPLAGAL

REPLAGAL is for the treatment of Fabry disease. Fabry disease is a genetic disorder resulting from a deficiency in the activity of the lysosomal enzyme alpha-galactosidase A, which is involved in the breakdown of fats. REPLAGAL is a human alpha-galactosidase A protein made in human cells that replaces the deficient alpha-galactosidase A with an active enzyme to ameliorate certain clinical manifestations of Fabry disease. At December 31, 2012, REPLAGAL was approved in 46 countries.

ELAPRASE

ELAPRASE is a treatment for Hunter syndrome (also known as Mucopolysaccharidosis Type II or MPS II). Hunter syndrome is a genetic disorder mainly affecting males that interferes with the body's ability to break down and recycle waste substances called mucopolysaccharides, also known as glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). ELAPRASE was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration and granted marketing authorization by the EMA for the long term treatment of patients with Hunter ! syndrome.! ELAPRASE has been granted orphan drug by both the United States Food and Drug Administration and the EMA. ELAPRASE received approval from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in Japan. At December 31, 2012, ELAPRASE was approved in 51 countries.

VPRIV

VPRIV is a treatment for Type 1 Gaucher disease. Gaucher disease is an inherited genetic disorder, which results in a deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme beta-glucocerebrosidase. VPRIV was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration in February 2010, for the long-term treatment of patients with Type 1 Gaucher disease. The EMA approved the marketing authorization for the use of VPRIV in August 2010. VPRIV was authorized as an orphan medicine through the Centralised Procedure in Europe. At December 31, 2012, VPRIV was approved in 38 countries.

FIRAZYR

FIRAZYR is a peptide-based therapeutic developed for the symptomatic treatment of acute attacks of HAE. In July 2008 the EMA granted marketing authorization throughout the European Union for the use of FIRAZYR for the symptomatic treatment of acute attacks of HAE, and in May 2011 approved FIRAZYR for self-administration after training in subcutaneous injection technique by a healthcare professional. In August 2011, the United States Food and Drug Administration granted marketing approval for FIRAZYR in the United States for treatment of acute attacks of HAE in adults aged 18 and older. After injection training, patients may self-administer FIRAZYR. FIRAZYR has been granted orphan drug by both the United States Food and Drug Administration and the EMA. At December 31, 2012, FIRAZYR was approved in 38 countries globally.

DERMAGRAFT

DERMAGRAFT is a bio-engineered skin substitute that assists in restoring damaged tissue. DERMAGRAFT is indicated for use in the treatment of full-thickness Diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) greater than six weeks in duration, which extend through the dermis, but without tendon, muscle, joint capsu! le, or bo! ne exposure. DERMAGRAFT is approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration as a Class III medical device for the treatment of DFUs. DERMAGRAFT is also approved for the treatment of DFUs in South Africa, Israel and Singapore.

The Company competes with Shionogi & Co., Ltd., Janssen-Cilag, Novartis, Medice, Eli Lilly, Warner Chilcott, Synergy Pharmaceuticals, Inc., ARYx Therapeutics, Theravance, Inc., Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Albireo, Actelion Ltd., Protalix BioTherapeutics Inc, Genzyme, CSL Behring, Pharming Group N.V., ViroPharma, Dyax Corporation, Organogenesis, Healthpoint, Soluble System, KCI, Smith & Nephew, Aurobindo and Apotex.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Garrett Cook]
Healthcare shares gained 0.81 percent in the US market on Friday. Top gainers in the sector included Shire plc (NASDAQ: SHPG), StemCells (NASDAQ: STEM), and Flamel Technologies SA (NASDAQ: FLML).
[By Jon C. Ogg]
Shire PLC (NASDAQ: SHPG) was raised to Overweight from Neutral at J.P. Morgan.

Telecom Italia SpA (NYSE: TI) was raised to Neutral from Underperform at J.P. Morgan.
[By Anna Prior]
Shire(SHPG) PLC has agreed to buy ViroPharma for $4.2 billion, extending its bet on the market for medicines treating rare diseases. The purchase price of $50 a share is a 27% premium to ViroPharma’s closing share price on Friday and a 64% premium to the price in September before speculation of a deal emerged. Shire’s American depositary shares rose 3.7% to $139.36 premarket, while ViroPharma’s shares jumped 26% to $49.58.
[By Ben Levisohn]
Nevertheless, while we believe that the rejection vote is a setback to Valeant, we remain confident that Valeant will either ultimately succeed in its bid to acquire Allergan near-term or seek to consummate another transaction elsewhere. We note that thus far it does not appear that Allergan has much strategic wiggle room, having already been rebuffed by potential white knights such as Sanofi S.A. (SNY) and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) and with little chance, in our view, of making a meaningful acquisition of its own, such as the purchase of Shire (SHPG).

Hot Building Product Stocks To Watch Right Now: Anheuser-Busch InBev (BUD)

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV, incorporated on August 2, 1977, is a brewing company. The Company produces, markets, distributes and sells a balanced portfolio of approximately 200 beer brands. These include global flagship brands Budweiser, Stella Artois and Beck��; multi-country brands, such as Leffe and Hoegaarden, and many local champions, such as Bud Light, Skol, Brahma, Quilmes, Michelob, Harbin, Sedrin, Klinskoye, Sibirskaya Korona, Chernigivske and Jupiler. The Company also produces and distributes soft drinks, particularly in Latin America. The Company operates in seven segments: North America, Latin America North, Latin America South, Western Europe, Central & Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific and Global Export & Holding Companies. On October 20, 2010, Companhia de Bebidas das Americas-AmBev (AmBev) and Cerveceria Regional S.A. closed a transaction pursuant, to which they combined their businesses in Venezuela, with Regional owning an 85% interest and AmBev owning the remaining 15% in the new company. On February 28, 2011, the Company closed a transaction with Dalian Daxue Group Co., Ltd and Kirin (China) Investment Co., Ltd to acquire a 100% equity interest in Liaoning Dalian Daxue Brewery Co., Ltd. The Company�� beer portfolio is divided into global, multi-country and local brands. Beer can be differentiated into the categories, such as premium brands; mainstream or core brands, and value, discount or sub-premium brands. The Company also has a presence in the soft drink market in Latin America through its subsidiary AmBev and in the United States through Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc. (Anheuser-Busch). Soft drinks include both carbonated soft and non-carbonated soft drinks. Its soft drinks business includes both its own production and agreements with PepsiCo related to bottling and distribution. The brands that are distributed under these agreements are Pepsi, 7UP and Gatorade. AmBev has long-term agreements with PepsiCo whereby AmBev has the exclusive right to bottle, sell and distribute certain brands of PepsiCo�� portfolio of carbonated soft drinks in Brazil. In the United States, Anheuser-Busch also produces non-alcoholic malt beverage products, including O��oul�� and O��oul�� Amber, energy drinks and related products. In the United States, its indirect subsidiary, Metal Container Corporation, manufactures beverage cans at eight plants and beverage can lids at three plants for sale to its Anheuser-Busch beer operations and United States soft drink customers. Anheuser-Busch also owns a recycling business, which buys and sells used beverage containers and recycles aluminum and plastic containers; a manufacturer of crown liner materials for sale to its North American beer operations, and a glass manufacturing plant which manufactures glass bottles for use by its North American beer operations. Advisors' Opinion:

[By Nicholas Ward]
InBev (BUD) signaled on my radar after complications with the Department of Justice who had anti-trust concerns over InBev's plans to merge with Grupo Modelo. BUD's stock had been flying high, showing a strong upward trend and this news and the market's response (a nearly 10% fall in stock price) gave me an opportunity to buy into the classic American alcohol manufacturer. Since this purchase on January, 31 2013 at $87.06/share the stock has steadily regained and surpassed its pre-injunction price point due to meetings with the DOJ, Grupo Modelo and Constellation Brands (STZ) and the belief that a merger agreement could be reached. I thought that this was another example of an irrational sell off and happened to be correct (thus far at least).
[By Alex Planes, Sean Williams, and Travis Hoium]
Things haven't been too much better on the beer front, with both domestic giant Anheuser-Busch InBev (NYSE: BUD ) and Molson Coors (NYSE: TAP ) looking abroad to make deals. With pocketbooks clenched tight as higher taxes and a slow recovery drain the American consumer, Anheuser-Busch took to purchasing Grupo Modelo's international operations, while Molson Coors gobbled up Eastern Europe's StarBev in a $3.5 billion transaction last year to get their share of faster emerging-market growth. Diageo is attempting to find new pathways to growth as well, but it's approaching things from a distilling angle by attempting to become a majority stakeholder in India's largest distiller, United Spirits.
[By Patricio Kehoe]
As the only brewer in Chile with a nationwide distribution network, United Breweries benefits from significant economies of scale, in addition to its brand power. The company�� product portfolio not only features the Cristal beer brand, but also includes wine, spirits and company-owned non-alcoholic beverages. In addition to this, the firm benefits from licenses to sell PepsiCo Inc. (PEP) and Heineken beverages, while also importing Anheuser Busch Inbev SA (ADR) (BUD)�� Budweiser beer to Chile and Argentina. This strong market position has allowed the firm to generate excess returns on invested capital above 20%, making it an attractive investment.

Hot Building Product Stocks To Watch Right Now: Aluminum Corporation of China Ltd(ACH)

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited engages in the manufacture and distribution of alumina, primary aluminum, and aluminum fabrication products in the People?s Republic of China and internationally. Its Alumina segment involves in the mining and purchasing of bauxite and other raw materials, refining of bauxite into alumina, and sale of alumina. This segment also produces and sells chemical alumina, including alumina hydroxide and alumina chemicals, and metal gallium. The company?s Primary Aluminum segment engages in smelting alumina to produce primary aluminum, principally ingots for use in general aluminum fabrication in the construction, power generation, automobile, packaging, machinery, and durable goods industries. This segment also produces and sells carbon products and aluminum alloy products. The Aluminum Fabrication segment involves in the production and sale of aluminum fabrication products, including casts, planks, screens, extrusions, forges, powder, and die castings for use in the construction, power generation, automobile, packaging, machinery, and durable goods industries. The Trading segment engages in the procurement and sale of alumina, primary aluminum, and aluminum fabrication products, as well as relevant metal products, and raw and ancillary materials. The company also engages in the manufacture and distribution of metal materials; sale of general machinery and equipment; production, acquisition, and distribution of limestone ore, aluminum magnesium ore, and related nonferrous metal products; aluminum smelting, manufacture, and distribution of nonferrous metals; and generation and supply of electricity, as well as in iron ore mining and coal mining activities. Aluminum Corporation of China Limited was founded in 2001 and is based in Beijing, China.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Pendulum]
Century Aluminum's stock price has held up well compared to other aluminum companies:
AlcoaNoranda Aluminum (NOR)Aluminum Corp. of China (ACH)