At Janet Yellen’s hearing before the Senate Banking Committee yesterday, there were a number of questions from policymakers directed toward the Federal Reserve chair nominee about the possibility of stocks currently being at bubble levels. Though these concerns have some merit, I think the terminology used to describe the current state of the markets is distracting, causing tremendous worry among many retail investors that could be a drag on their potential returns.
“A Bubble is a Bull Market in Which You Don’t Have a Position”The term “bubble” is often thrown around to describe the state of various asset prices, from stocks to bonds to real estate. Following the dot com stock bubble of the early aughts and real estate bubble of 2007, many investors and economists are now trying to pinpoint the next bubble to avoid future losses (and to try to look like fortune tellers). In this sort of quest, investors, analysts and economists will cry “bubble!” any time assets rise, pointing towards “artificial” growth due to Federal Reserve policy actions and corporate accounting schemes. But this fear-inducing terminology just results in retail investors staying away from the markets, rather than taking advantage of the gains we continue to see.
5 Best Insurance Stocks To Own For 2015: iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF (IWN)
iShares Russell 2000 Value Index Fund (the Fund) seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Russell 2000 Value Index (the Index). The Index measures the performance of the small-capitalization value sector of the United States equity market. It is a subset of the Russell 2000 Index. The Index is a capitalization-weighted index and consists of those companies or portion of a company, with lower price-to-book ratios and lower forecasted growth within the Russell 2000 Index. The Index represents approximately 50% of the total market capitalization of the Russell 2000 Index.
The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. iShares Russell 2000 Value Index Fund's investment advisor is Barclays Global Fund Advisors.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By John Udovich]
Small cap custom carry and protective solutions stock Forward Industries, Inc (NASDAQ: FORD) jumped 22.51% earlier today as an apparent turnaround continues, meaning its worth taking a closer look at a stock that�� in a decidedly niche area plus look at the performance of potential investment benchmarks like the iShares Russell 2000 Index ETF (NYSEARCA: IWM), iShares Russell 2000 Growth Index ETF (NYSEARCA: IWO) and iShares Russell 2000 Value Index ETF (NYSEARCA: IWN).
- [By John Udovich]
Yesterday, Luna Innovations Incorporated (NASDAQ: LUNA), a rather unusual and innovative small cap stock,�soared some 23.26%���meaning its worth taking a closer look at the stock along with its performance verses the performance of small cap benchmarks like the iShares Russell 2000 Index ETF (NYSEARCA: IWM), the�iShares Russell 2000 Value Index ETF (NYSEARCA: IWN) or the iShares Russell 2000 Growth Index ETF (NYSEARCA: IWO).
Top 10 Up And Coming Companies To Invest In 2014: Carpenter Technology Corp (CRS)
Carpenter Technology Corporation (Carpenter), incorporated in 1904, is engaged in the manufacturing, fabrication and distribution of specialty metals. The Company has three reportable segments: Advanced Metals Operations, Premium Alloys Operations, and Emerging Ventures., The Company develops, manufactures and distributes cast/wrought and powder metal stainless steels and special alloys, including high-temperature alloys, controlled expansion alloys, ultra high-strength alloys, implantable alloys, tool and die steels and other specialty metals, as well as cast/wrought titanium alloys. Carpenter provides material solutions to the aerospace, industrial, energy, medical, consumer products and automotive industries. In June 2011, Carpenter acquired Oilfield Alloys Pte. Ltd. In February 2012, the Company acquired Latrobe Specialty Metals, Inc.
Carpenter�� Advanced Metals Operations (AMO) segment includes the manufacturing and distribution of high-temperature and high-strength metal alloys, stainless steels, and titanium in the form of small bars and rods, wire, narrow strip and powder. Products in this segment go through more finishing operations, such as rolling, turning, grinding, drawing, and atomization, than products in its PAO segment. Also, sales in the AMO segment are spread across many end-use markets, including the aerospace, industrial, consumer, automotive, and medical industries. AMO products are sold under the Carpenter, Dynamet, Talley, Carpenter Powder Products and Aceros Fortuna brand names.
Its Premium Alloys Operations (PAO) segment includes the manufacturing and distribution of high temperature and high strength metal alloys and stainless steels in the form of ingots, billets, large bars and hollows. Also, the PAO segment includes conversion processing of metal for other specialty metals companies. A significant portion of PAO sales are to customers in the aerospace and energy industries. The Emerging Ventures segment includes the operations of the recently ! completed acquisitions of Amega West and Oilfield Alloys. The sales of Amega West are to customers in the energy end use market.
The Company��s major classes of products include special alloys, stainless steels and titanium products. special alloys are used in critical components such as rings, discs and fasteners and include heat resistant alloys that range from slight modifications of stainless steels to complex nickel and cobalt base alloys as well as alloys for electronic, magnetic and electrical applications with controlled thermal expansion characteristics, or high electrical resistivity or special magnetic characteristics. Its stainless products include a range of corrositon resistant alloys including conventional stainless steels and many proprietary grades for special applications. Titanium products include corrosion resistant, specialized metal with a combination of high strength and low density.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Jon C. Ogg]
Carpenter Technology Corp. (NYSE: CRS) is one that remains well positioned within Aerospace materials sector, despite industry inventory adjustments still lingering. The firm believes that the value of the Athens facility is underappreciated and is likely to open sooner than the official April date. Sterne Agee also believes that 2014 will be the beginning of a multi-year growth cycle with a significant opportunity to improve cash generation. It even sees 20%+ upside to current levels as 2014 will be a transformational year.
- [By Lee Jackson]
Industrials: Carpenter Technology Corp. (NYSE: CRS) manufactures, fabricates�and distributes specialty metals worldwide. It operates in three segments: Specialty Alloys Operations, Latrobe and Performance Engineered Products. Credit Suisse expects earnings per share growth to average 32% in fiscal years 2014 to 2016. This should be driven by double-digit growth in commercial aerospace and energy, coupled with higher incremental margins as a result of improving mix, asset utilization�and Latrobe synergies. The price target for the stock is $72, though the consensus target is lower at $65. Investors are paid a 1.2% dividend. A move to the target price would represent a gain of 20%
- [By Monica Gerson]
Carpenter Technology (NYSE: CRS) shares slipped 3.34% to $64.22 after the company reported preliminary Q3 GAAP earnings of $0.54 to $0.58 per share, versus analysts' estimates of $0.72 per share.
- [By Jake L'Ecuyer]
Carpenter Technology (NYSE: CRS) was down, falling 2.71 percent to $64.64 after the company reported preliminary Q3 GAAP earnings of $0.54 to $0.58 per share, versus analysts' estimates of $0.72 per share.
Top 10 Up And Coming Companies To Invest In 2014: ORBCOMM Inc.(ORBC)
ORBCOMM Inc., a wireless data communications company, operates commercial wireless messaging system optimized for narrowband data communications primarily in the United States and Japan. The company?s services enable businesses and government agencies to track, monitor, control, and communicate with fixed and mobile assets. It also provides customers with technology to monitor, manage, and remotely control refrigerated transportation assets. The company provides these services through a constellation of 27 low-Earth orbit or LEO satellites, 2 AIS microsatellites, and accompanying ground infrastructure. In addition, it offers terrestrial-based cellular communication services through reseller agreements with cellular wireless providers. The company markets and sells its products and services directly to original equipment manufacturers, government customers, and end-users, as well as through value-added resellers, international value-added resellers, international licensees , and country representatives. It serves various markets, such as commercial transportation, heavy equipment, fixed asset monitoring, marine vessels, and refrigerated transportation, as well as government and homeland security/Automatic Identification System. As of December 31, 2011, the company had approximately 648,000 billable subscriber communicators. ORBCOMM Inc. was founded in 2001 and is headquartered in Fort Lee, New Jersey.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Garrett Cook]
Telecommunications services shares fell around 0.65 percent in trading on Monday. Top losers in the sector included NQ Mobile (NYSE: NQ), down 4 percent, and ORBCOMM (NASDAQ: ORBC), off 5 percent.
Top 10 Up And Coming Companies To Invest In 2014: Susser Petroleum Partners LP (SUSP)
Susser Petroleum Partners LP is primarily engaged in fee-based wholesale distribution of motor fuels to Susser Holdings Corporation (SHC) and third parties. SHC operates over 540 retail convenience stores under its Stripes convenience store brand. In addition to distributing motor fuel, the Company also distributes other petroleum products, such as propane and lube oil, and it receive rental income from real estate that it lease or sublease. In January 2014, Susser Petroleum Partners LP announced the acquisition of the convenience store assets and fuel distribution contracts of Sac-N-Pac Stores, Inc. and 3W Warren Fuels, Ltd.
During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company distributed 789.6 million gallons of motor fuel to Stripes convenience stores and 522.8 million gallons of motor fuel to other customers. It also distributes Chevron, CITGO, Conoco, Exxon, Mobil, Phillips 66, Shamrock, Shell, Texaco and Valero branded motor fuel, as well as unbranded motor fuel. In addition to distributing motor fuel, it also distributes other petroleum products, such as propane and lube oil.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Robert Rapier]
Susser Petroleum Partners (NYSE: SUSP) engages in fee-based wholesale distribution of motor fuels. The partnership also distributes petroleum products like propane and lube oil, and receives rental income from real estate.
- [By Robert Rapier]
Susser Petroleum Partners (NYSE: SUSP) debuted in September 2012, and has appreciated by 50 percent since. Susser engages in fee-based wholesale distribution of motor fuels. The partnership also distributes petroleum products like propane and lube oil, and receives rental income from real estate.
Top 10 Up And Coming Companies To Invest In 2014: Unilever NV (UNA)
Unilever N.V. (NV) is a supplier of fast moving consumer goods. The two parent companies, NV and Unilever PLC (PLC), together with their group companies, operate as the Unilever Group (Unilever). The Company�� four product areas are Personal Care, Foods, Refreshment and Home Care. The Company's personal care, which includes sales of skincare and haircare products, deodorants and oral care products; foods, which includes sales of soups, bouillons, sauces, snacks, mayonnaise, salad dressings, margarines and spreads; refreshment, which includes sales of ice cream, tea-based beverages, weight-management products and nutritionally enhanced staples sold in developing markets and home care, which includes sales of home care products, such as laundry tablets, powders and liquids, soap bars and a range of cleaning products. Advisors' Opinion:- [By Inyoung Hwang]
Unilever (UNA) slipped 2.8 percent to 27.94 euros after saying sales growth slowed as trading in emerging markets deteriorated at a faster rate. Underlying group sales for the three months will rise 3 percent to 3.5 percent, the maker of Lipton tea and Dove soap said late yesterday in a statement. That compares with 5 percent growth in both the first half and second quarter.
- [By Adi Narayan]
Unilever (UNA) fell short on its public offer to raise its majority holding in Hindustan Unilever Ltd. (HUVR) to 75 percent, ending up with about a two-thirds stake after some shareholders of the Mumbai-based company opted not to sell.
Top 10 Up And Coming Companies To Invest In 2014: HomeAway Inc (AWAY)
HomeAway, Inc. (HomeAway), incorporated on April 6, 2004, is an online marketplace for the vacation rental industry. As of December 31, 2012, the Company operated its online marketplace through 44 websites in 13 languages. During the year December 31, 2012, the Company had over 600 million Website visits. As of December 31, 2012, its global marketplace included more than 710,000 paid listings of vacation rentals. HomeAway portfolio includes the vacation rental Websites: HomeAway.com, VRBO.com and VacationRentals.com in the United States; HomeAway.co.uk and OwnersDirect.co.uk in the United Kingdom; HomeAway.de in Germany; Abritel.fr and Homelidays.com in France; HomeAway.es in Spain; AlugueTemporada.com.br in Brazil, and HomeAway.com.au in Australia. In April 2012, the Company acquired 100% of the outstanding stock of Top Rural S.L. In November 2013, the Company announced that it has secured a 55% interest of Bookabach Limited, the operator of a vacation rental site in New Zealand.
HomeAway operates BedandBreakfast.com, a global site for finding bed and breakfast properties, providing travelers with another source for lodging alternatives to hotels, and HomeAway Software for Professionals at software.HomeAway.com, to offer software solutions to property managers and innkeepers. Its online marketplace serves two major constituents: property owners and managers on one side and travelers on the other. Property owners and managers pay listing fees, which are annual subscriptions, to provide detailed listings of their properties on its Websites and reach an audience of travelers seeking vacation rentals. Travelers visit its marketplace at no charge and are able to search and compare its large and detailed inventory of paid listings to find vacation rentals meeting their requirements.
Products and Services for Property Owners and Managers
Paid listings are purchased in advance by property owners or managers as a form of advertising to promote their vacation rentals to ! prospective travelers on one or more of its Websites, typically for one year. Paid listings appear in search results on its websites when travelers search for vacation rentals based on traveler search criteria. During the year ended December 31, 2012, paid listings accounted for 84.9% of the Company�� revenue. ReservationManager includes tools and services to help property owners and managers run their vacation rental businesses more efficiently. ReservationManager enables property owners and managers to respond to and manage inquiries, prepare and send rental quotes and payment invoices, allow travelers to book online, including being able to enter into rental agreements with travelers online, and process online payments via Visa, MasterCard, Discover or eCheck. Additionally, through ReservationManager, property owners and managers can provide value-added products to travelers for purchase such as property damage protection.
Property owners and managers may purchase additional enhancements to their listings to increase the marketing exposure of their properties on certain of our websites, such as: Cross-Sell Listings or Bundles and Featured Listings, Special Offers and Deals. Performance-Based Listings property managers can use its enterprise and Web-based software solutions to manage their businesses, customers and properties. The Company provide software solutions to property managers under the brand names HomeAway Software for Professionals, Escapia, PropertyPlus, V12, Entech and First Resort and offer software tailored to professional bed and breakfast innkeepers under the brand names Webervations and Rezovations. Third-Party Services offer property owners and managers several ancillary products and services on selected websites. These products and services include credit card merchant accounts, trip insurance and property damage protection, and tax return services. BedandBreakfast.com Redistribution through its professional software for bed and breakfasts and professional property m! anagers, ! it make selected, online e-bookable properties available to online travel agencies, including Expedia, Travelocity and Priceline, as well as channel partners such as FlipKey.com and PackLate.com. Property Owner and Manager Community provide resources for property owners and managers to seek advice and obtain answers to optimize their business. These resources include a community site, email newsletters, online forums and online seminars.
Products and Services for Travelers
The products and services are offered to travelers at no cost, which include Search and Compare, Traveler Login, Trust and Security, Listing Reviews and Ratings, Traveler Community and Mobile Websites and Applications. Search and compare is an online marketplace provides travelers with tools to search for vacation rentals based on various criteria, such as location, type of property, number of bedrooms, amenities, availability or keywords. Travelers are able to create accounts that enable them to log in to certain of our websites. Travelers can then send inquiries to property owners and managers without having to fill in their information for each inquiry. Trust and security reviews new listings selectively for content, appropriateness, and quality of description. Travelers are invited to submit online reviews of the vacation rentals they have rented through its Websites. These reviews are intended to convey the accuracy of the listing information found on its Websites.
Traveler community who have made at least one inquiry on one of the Company�� Websites are maintained in a database and receive regular communications, including notices about places of interest, special offers, new listings, and an e-mail newsletter. Mobile Websites and applications provides versions of its Websites formatted for Web browsers on smartphones and tablets so that travelers can access its Websites and find and inquire about vacation rentals when they are away from a computer. It also provides applications for tra! velers to! find and inquire about vacation rentals using their smartphones and tablets.
Value-Added Services
The Company�� Value-Added Services includes Carefree Rental Guarantee, Insurance Products and Tax Filing Services. Carefree Rental Guarantee, which is offered at no cost to travelers, it offer a Carefree Rental Guarantee in the United States for a fee, which provides additional financial protection against fraud if the property found on its Website is illegitimate, not as advertised, or not available to the traveler upon check-in, and, as a result, the traveler incurs a financial loss. Insurance Products have contracted with third party insurance providers to offer travelers insurance products for purchase to protect against unexpected events relating to their trips, such as property damage protection, trip cancellation protection, personal liability, medical fees and legal expenses. Tax Filing Services to assist its property owners and managers in complying with applicable tax regulations, it contract with a third party in the United States to provide tax preparation and filing services for its property owners and managers.
Advertising
The Company�� advertising includes Display Advertising and Sponsorships and Site Integrations. Display Advertising sells Internet display advertising on the majority of the Company�� Websites. Advertisers, including those offering complementary products of interest to the visitors to its Websites, are able to purchase advertising positions for a fee based upon the number of impressions and the placement of the advertisement on the page. Sponsorships and site integrations sell sponsorships and site integrations to selected advertisers on its online marketplace. Sponsors purchase a certain number of impressions for a fee, or in the case of site integrations, pay the Company on a cost-per-action basis.
The Company competes with TripAdvisor.com, FlipKey.com, HolidayLettings.co.uk, Wyndam Worldwide Corp., I! nterHome,! AG, Hyatt Vacation Clubs, Four Seasons Resorts, VacationRoost; Expedia, Inc., Hotels.com LP, Kayak Software Corporation, Orbitz, Inc., priceline.com Incorporated, Travelocity.com Inc., Interval International, Inc. and RCI, LLC, Airbnb, Inc., craigslist, Inc., eBay Inc., Google Inc. and Bing.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Mani]
HomeAway, Inc. (NASDAQ: AWAY) shares could be among the best potential 2014 performers in the mid-cap Internet space as the company rolls out its pay-per-booking (PPB) model, fine- tunes its operations, and then ramps marketing its spend into 2015 to drive growth through the new model.
- [By Michael Cintolo]
Through the end of September of 2013, the online firm HomeAway (AWAY) has 773,000 total paid listings among its various sites (including the popular VRBO.com site).
- [By Michael Cintolo]
HomeAway (AWAY)
It�� not as sexy as some other stories, but we believe HomeAway has all of the characteristics of a big winner��t serves a mass market, it offers a major benefit to consumers, it dominates its market.
- [By Jake L'Ecuyer]
Equities Trading UP
HomeAway (NASDAQ: AWAY) shot up 18.62 percent to $34.51 after the company reported a 63 percent rise in its Q3 profit. Raymond James upgraded the stock from Outperform to Strong Buy.
Top 10 Up And Coming Companies To Invest In 2014: Cummins Inc.(CMI)
Cummins Inc. designs, manufactures, distributes, and services diesel and natural gas engines, electric power generation systems, and engine-related component products worldwide. It operates in four segments: Engine, Power Generation, Components, and Distribution. The Engine segment offers a range of diesel and natural gas powered engines under the Cummins and other customer brand names for the heavy-and medium-duty truck, bus, recreational vehicle, light-duty automotive, agricultural, construction, mining, marine, oil and gas, rail, and governmental equipment markets. This segment also provides new parts and service, as well as remanufactured parts and engines. The Power Generation segment offers power generation systems, components, and services, including diesel, natural gas, gasoline, and alternative-fuel electrical generator sets for use in recreational vehicles, commercial vehicles, recreational marine applications, and home stand-by or residential applications. This segment also provides components that make up power generation systems, such as engines, controls, alternators, transfer switches, and switchgears. The Components segment supplies filtration products, turbochargers, aftertreatment systems, intake and exhaust systems, and fuel systems for commercial diesel applications. This segment offers filtration and exhaust systems for on-and off-highway heavy-duty and mid-range equipment, as well as supplies filtration products for industrial and passenger car applications. This segment also develops after treatment and exhaust systems to help customers meet emissions standards and fuel systems. The Distribution segment provides parts and services, as well as service solutions, including maintenance contracts, engineering services, and integrated products. The company sells its products to original equipment manufacturers, distributors, and other customers. Cummins Inc. was founded in 1919 and is headquartered in Columbus, Indiana.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Sean Williams]
This week, we'll turn our attention to a company that literally keeps America trucking, Cummins (NYSE: CMI ) , and I'll show you why it and its dividend could drive your portfolio to big gains.
- [By Peter Graham]
The Q2 2014 earnings report for Navistar International Corp (NYSE: NAV), a potential peer of light, medium- and heavy-duty truck or engine makers PACCAR Inc (NASDAQ: PCAR) and Cummins Inc (NYSE: CMI), is scheduled to report earnings after the market closes on Thursday.�Aside from the Navistar International Corp earnings report, it should be said that PACCAR Inc and Cummins Inc both�reported Q1 2014 earnings on April 29th (PCAR reported higher revenues and net income�while CMI hit a�52-week high after a beat and raised guidance). However, Navistar International Corp�has lost market share since 2012 when�US regulators denied approval of a redesigned diesel engine that failed to reduce green house gas levels���forcing the company to turn to�rival Cummins Inc to supply engines as it develops its own catalytic reduction engines to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions.��
- [By Sean Williams]
Second, fuel cost control has been crucial, and will remain a key component to Swift's success. Swift is handling its fuel costs this by maximizing the operating efficiency of its tractor and trailer fleet, and by partnering up with natural gas diesel engine manufacturer Cummins (NYSE: CMI ) . The goal of this partnership is to develop natural gas engines that get comparable mileage to diesel at a cheaper cost, and when combined with increased CNG fueling stations around the U.S. operated by Clean Energy Fuels (NASDAQ: CLNE ) , create a win-win scenario for all parties involved. To that end, Swift's fuel operating costs should drop, Cummins will have a steady stream of business, Clean Energy Fuels gets a large fueling customer under its belt that will help with building out its fuel station infrastructure, and the world gets fewer emissions from burning diesel.
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