Top 10 Shipping Companies To Own In Right Now

Search Jim Cramer's "Mad Money" trading recommendations using our exclusive "Mad Money" Stock Screener.

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Here's what Jim Cramer had to say about some of the stocks callers offered up during the "Mad Money Lightning Round" Wednesday evening:

Himax Technologies (HIMX): "This company is right and I want to buy it."

Valeant Pharmaceuticals (VRX): "That's a terrific distribution company and I'm sticking with it." Applied Materials (AMAT): "I think this stock is darn cheap and I see it going to $22." Merck (MRK): "I'm torn. I think they're too conservative to break themselves up, but there's a lot of value there if they do." Hubbell (HUB.B): "I think they're starting to come back. Construction loans are being made and that stock goes higher. " Melco PBL Entertainment (MPEL): "They've made a comeback but I like MGM Resorts (MGM), Las Vegas Sands (LVS) and Wynn Resorts (WYNN)" Dryships (DRYS): "I like DryShips. Don't forget that Diana Shipping (DSX) is my favorite." NQ Mobile (NQ): "Can we just buy Verizon (VZ) please? Why do we have to go to China?" To read a full recap of "Mad Money" on CNBC, click here. To sign up for Jim Cramer's free Booyah! newsletter with all of his latest articles and videos please click here. To watch replays of Cramer's video segments, visit the Mad Money page on CNBC. -- Written by Scott Rutt in Washington, D.C. To email Scott about this article, click here: Scott Rutt Follow Scott on Twitter @ScottRutt or get updates on Facebook, ScottRuttDC

Best Food Companies For 2015: TPC Group Inc.(TPCG)

TPC Group Inc. produces and sells value-added products derived from petrochemical raw materials to chemical and petroleum based companies in North America. The company operates in two segments, C4 Processing and Performance Products. The C4 Processing segment offers butadiene that is primarily used to produce synthetic rubber used in tires and other automotive products; butene-1, which is principally used in the manufacture of plastic resins and synthetic alcohols; raffinates that are primarily used to manufacture alkylate; and methyl tertiary butyl ether, which is principally used as a gasoline blending stock. The Performance Products segment provides high purity isobutylene, which is primarily used in the production of synthetic rubber, lubricant additives, surfactants, and coatings; conventional polyisobutylenes and highly reactive polyisobutylenes that are principally used in the production of fuel and lubricant additives, caulks, adhesives, sealants, and packaging; di isobutylene, which is primarily used in the manufacture of surfactants, plasticizers, and resins; and nonene and tetramer that are principally used in the production of plasticizers, surfactants, and lubricant additives. The company was formerly known as Texas Petrochemicals Inc. and changed its name to TPC Group Inc. in January 2010. TPC Group Inc. was founded in 1943 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By CRWE]

  TPC Group Inc. (Nasdaq:TPCG), a leading fee-based processor and service provider of value-added products derived from niche petrochemical raw materials, reported that it has entered into a definitive merger agreement with investment funds sponsored by First Reserve Corporation, a leading global investment firm dedicated to the energy industry, and SK Capital Partners, a U.S. based private investment firm focused on the chemicals sector.

Top 10 Shipping Companies To Own In Right Now: Public Storage(PSA)

Public Storage operates as a real estate investment trust (REIT). It engages in the acquisition, development, ownership, and operation of self-storage facilities in the United States and Europe. The company?s self-storage facilities offer storage spaces for lease on a month-to-month basis for personal and business use. Public Storage also has interests in commercial properties containing commercial and industrial rental space; facilities that lease storage containers; and ancillary operations, which include reinsurance of policies against losses to goods stored by its self-storage tenants, retail operations comprising merchandise sales and truck rental operations. As of December 31, 2008, the company had interests in 2,012 self-storage facilities with approximately 127 million net rentable square feet in 38 states; and 181 self-storage facilities with approximately 10 million net rentable square feet in 7 western European nations. It also had direct and indirect equity int erests in approximately 21 million net rentable square feet of commercial space located in 11 states in the U.S. As a REIT, the company would not be subject to federal income tax to the extent that it distributes at least 90% of its taxable income to its shareholders. Public Storage was founded in 1971 and is based in Glendale, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Jonas Elmerraji]

  $29 billion self-storage REIT Public Storage (PSA) stands apart from most of the other names on this list because of its structure. As a self-storage stock, the firm receives far more revenue directly from consumers than the typical retail landlord ever would. Likewise, it generally leases storage units on a month-to-month basis rather than through a long-term arrangement. Despite the glaring differences, PSA is still a REIT worth taking a closer look at in 2014.

  Hedge funds agree. They picked up 2.37 million shares of PSA last quarter.

  Public Storage owns approximately 140 million square feet of leasable storage units spread across 38 states here in the U.S. as well as parts of Western Europe. Unlike a conventional landlord, where location is typically the deciding tenant factor, brand matters to PSA. Because the items stored at PSA's facilities are inherently valuable (they must be worth something for customers to bother storing them), customers are more likely to weigh a brand's reputation before securing space. Public Storage's huge scale gives it advertising and reputational advantages that smaller rivals can't match. Demand remains high for storage facilities in 2014, and that tailwind should help to propel growth.

  Financing is another space where PSA stands out from its peers. Unlike most REITs, Public Storage has historically opted to finance most of its growth through equity rather than debt, leaving just $360 million in net borrowings on its balance sheet at last count. Right now, PSA pays out a 3.3% dividend yield.

• [By Damian Illia]

  Since 1973 Compuware Corp (CPWR) has been providing software solutions both on-premise and through a software as a service (SaaS) model, as well as professional technical services related to mobile application developments and mainframe systems. The company reported revenues of $944.5 million in fiscal 2013, working through four segments: Performance Management (APM), Mainframe, Changepoint and Uniface. Through the APM segment Compuware provides services to maximize efficiency of web, non-web, mobile, streaming and cloud applications. Mainframe solutions are designed for organizations which require high developer productivity and enhanced service quality at lower costs, and through Changepoint it provides Professional Services Automation (PSA) and Project Portfolio Management services (PPM). Uniface, a rapid application development platform, creates renews and integrates enterprise applications. Currently, more than 7,100 companies, including many of the world's largest organizations, depend on Compuware and our new generation approach to performance management to do just that.

Top 10 Shipping Companies To Own In Right Now: CryoPort Inc (CYRX)

Cryoport, Inc. (CryoPort), incorporated on May 25, 1990, provides frozen shipping logistics solutions to the biotechnology and life science industries. The Company�� solutions are disruptive to old technologies and provide reliable, economic alternatives to existing products and services utilized for frozen shipping in biotechnology and life sciences including stem cells, cell lines, vaccines, diagnostic materials, semen and embryos for in-vitro fertilization, cord blood, bio-pharmaceuticals, infectious substances and other items that require continuous exposure to frozen or cryogenic temperatures.

The Company offer its solutions to companies in the biotechnology and life sciences industries and specific verticals including manufacturers of stem cells and cell lines, diagnostic laboratories, bio-pharmaceuticals, contract research organizations, in-vitro fertilization, cord blood, vaccines, tissue, animal husbandry, and other producers of commodities requiring reliable frozen solutions for logistics problems.

The CryoPort Express System

Cryoport Express Solutions include a cloud-based logistics management software branded as the Cryoportal. The Cryoportal supports the management of the entire shipment process through a single interface which includes initial order input, document preparation, customs clearance, courier management, shipment tracking, issue resolution, and delivery. Cryoport�� total turnkey logistics solutions offer reliability, cost effectiveness, and convenience, while the use of recyclable and reusable components provides green, environmentally friendly solutions. The Cryoportal provides an array of information dashboards and validation documentation for every shipment.

Cryoport Express Solutions include recording and retaining a fully documented chain-of-custody and, at the client�� option, chain-of-condition for every shipment, helping ensure that safety, efficacy, and stability of shipped commodities are maintained. This re! corded and archived information allows its customers to meet the exacting requirements necessary for scientific work and for regulatory purposes. Cryoport Express Solutions can be used by customers, as a turnkey solution, through direct access to the cloud-based Cryoportal, or by contacting Cryoport Client Care for order entry tasks. Cryoport provides 24/7/365 logistics services through its Client Care team and also provides complete training and process management services to support each client�� specific requirements.

The CryoPort Express System

The CryoPort Express System consists of the CryoPort Express Portal, which programmatically manages order entry and all aspects of shipping operations, CryoPort Express Shippers, the CryoPort Express Smart Pak data logger, and CryoPort Express Analytics, which monitors shipment performance metrics and evaluates temperature-monitoring data collected by the data logger during shipment. In addition, the Company provides a containment bag, which is used in connection with the shipment of infectious or dangerous goods using the CryoPort Express Shipper and other accessories used in the shipment of biological and pharmaceutical specimens.

CryoPort Express Portal

The CryoPort Express Portal is used by CryoPort, the Company�� customers and its business partners to automate the entry of orders, prepare customs documentation and to facilitate status and location monitoring of shipped orders while in transit it is used by CryoPort to manage shipping operations. It is also used to support the high level of customer service. The CryoPort Express Portal also serves as the communications nerve center for the management, collection and analysis of Smart Pak data collected from Smart Pak data loggers in the field.

The CryoPort Express Shippers

The Company�� CryoPort Express Shippers are cryogenic dry vapor shippers capable of maintaining cryogenic temperatures of minus 150掳 Celsius or below f! or a peri! od of 10 or more days. A dry cryogenic shipper is a device that uses liquid nitrogen contained inside a vacuum insulated bottle, which serves as a refrigerant to provide stable storage temperatures below minus 150掳 Celsius. It has developed a retention system to ensure that liquid nitrogen stays inside the vacuum container, which allows the shipper to be designated as a dry shipper meeting International Air Transport Association (IATA) requirements. The Company is offering two sizes of dry vapor shippers, the CryoPort Express Standard Shipper with a storage capacity of up to 75 0.2 milliliter vials and the CryoPort Express High Volume Shipper, which was introduced, in January of 2012 with a capacity of up to 500 0.2 milliliter vials.

The CryoPort Express Standard Shipper

The Standard CryoPort Express Shippers are lightweight, re-usable dry vapor liquid nitrogen storage containers. A Standard CryoPort Express Shipper is composed of an aluminum metallic dewar flask, with a well for holding the biological material in the inner chamber.

The CryoPort Express High Volume Shippers

The Cryoport Express High Volume Shipper also uses a dry vapor liquid nitrogen (LN2) technology to maintain below -150掳 C temperatures with a dynamic shipping endurance of 10 days. The CryoPort Express High Volume dry shipper uses a dry vapor liquid nitrogen (LN2) technology to maintain below -150掳 Celsius temperatures. The High Volume dry shipper has a storage capacity of up to 500 0.2 milliliter vials.

The CryoPort Express Smart Pak

Phase II of the Company�� Smart Pak System, which is a self-contained automated data logger capable of recording the internal and external temperatures of samples shipped in its CryoPort Express Shipper is used in every shipment. Phase III of its Smart Pak System consists of developing and rolling out a chip with wireless connectivity to enable its customers to monitor a shipper�� location, specimen temperature and over! all state! of health via its Web portal. The Company is developing the requirements for Phase III.

Cryoport Express Analytics

The Cryoportal is an important information technology element of its business strategy and has been designed to support planned future features to allow for an expansion of its solutions offering. Analytics is a term used by IT professionals to refer to performance benchmarks or Key Performance Indicators (KPI��) that management utilizes to measure performance against desired standards. Examples for analytics tracked through the Cryoportal include time-based metrics for order processing time and on-time deliveries by its shipping partners, as well as profiling shipping lanes to determine average transit times and predicting potential shipping exceptions based on historical metrics.

Biological Material Holders

The Company has developed a containment bag, which is used in connection with the shipment of infectious or dangerous goods using the CryoPort Express Shipper. Up to five vials, watertight primary receptacles are placed onto aluminum holders and up to fifteen holders (75 vials) are placed into an absorbent pouch, which is designed to absorb the entire contents of all the vials in the event of leakage. This pouch containing up to 75 vials is then placed in a watertight secondary packaging Tyvek bag capable of withstanding cryogenic temperatures, and then sealed. This bag is then placed into the well of the cryogenic shipper.

The Company competes with MVE/Chart Industries, Taylor Wharton and Air Liquide, Marathon Products Inc., Kodiak Thermal Technologies, Inc, BioStorage Technologies and BioMatrica, Inc.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By CRWE]

  Today, CYRX has shed (-10.00%) down -0.050 at $.450 with�179,695 shares in play thus far (ref. google finance Delayed: 12:35PM EDT October 4, 2013).

  Cryoport, Inc. and OCASA, Inc. have previously entered into a master services agreement to provide global cold chain logistics solutions for life science and biotech commodities requiring cryogenic temperatures. OCASA will have access to Cryoport�� full range of cryogenic business solution capabilities including its proprietary Cryoport Express庐 Shippers and cloud-based logistics management software platform, the CryoportalTM. Cryoport will leverage OCASA�� global logistics network to provide more complete global services to its customers. In conjunction with Cryoport and OCASA providing each other with logistics solutions, the Companies will engage in co-marketing, joint sales activities, and a wide range of customer-driven support requirements to provide comprehensive and seamless solutions to the life sciences and biotech industries

Top 10 Shipping Companies To Own In Right Now: Universal Health Realty Income Trust (UHT)

Universal Health Realty Income Trust (Trust) is a real estate investment trust (REIT). It invests in health care and human service related facilities, including acute care hospitals, behavioral healthcare facilities, rehabilitation hospitals, sub-acute facilities, surgery centers, childcare centers and medical office buildings (MOBs). As of February 29, 2012, it had 54 real estate investments or commitments located in 15 states in the United States consisting of seven hospital facilities, including three acute care, one behavioral healthcare, one rehabilitation and two sub-acute; 43 MOBs, and four preschool and childcare centers. In February, 2012, Canyon Healthcare Properties, in which it owned a 95% non-controlling ownership interest, completed the divestiture of the Canyon Springs Medical Plaza. In January, 2012, it purchased the PeaceHealth Medical Clinic, a single-tenant medical office building consisting of approximately 99,000 rentable square feet, located in Bellingham, Washington. During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company acquired Lake Pointe Medical Arts Building, Forney Medical Plaza, Tuscan Professional Building and Emory at Dunwoody Building, and minority ownership interests held by third-party members in 11 limited liability companies (LLCs). On November 30, 2011 and December 16, 2011, eight LLCs in which it owned various non-controlling, ownership interests, completed the divestitures of medical office buildings and related real property.

As of February 29, 2012, the Company had investments in 54 facilities, located in 15 states and consisting of Southwest Healthcare System, Inland Valley Campus, McAllen Medical Center, Wellington Regional Medical Center, The Bridgeway, Kindred Hospital Chicago Central, Kindred Hospital Corpus Christi, HealthSouth Deaconess Rehabilitation Hospital, Family Doctor�� Medical Office Bldg., Kelsey-Seybold Clinic at Kings Crossing, Professional Bldgs. at Kings Crossing Building A and Building B, Chesterbrook Academy, Southern Cresce! nt Center I, Desert Valley Medical Center, Desert Springs Medical Plaza, and Santa Fe Professional Plaza. As of December 31, 2011, included in its portfolio are seven hospital facilities. During 2011, the leases with respect to these hospital facilities consisted approximately 65% of its revenue. As of December 31, 2011, these leases have fixed terms with an average of 4.4 years remaining and include renewal options ranging from one to five, five-year terms. During 2011, revenues generated from the leases on the Universal Health Services, Inc. (UHS) hospital facilities accounted for approximately 55% of its total revenue. During 2011, it had a total of 41 new or renewed leases related to the medical office buildings.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Eric Volkman]

  Universal Health Realty Income Trust (NYSE: UHT  ) is building on the foundation of its shareholder payouts with a modest increase. The company has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.625 per share, to be paid on June 28 to shareholders of record as of June 17. That amount is half a penny higher than the company's previous two disbursements of $0.62 apiece, the most recent of which was handed out in late March.

• [By Dividends4Life]

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• [By Holly LaFon]

  At this point I would like to circle back to a subject we are perhaps most often asked about, and that is why do we continue to hold such a concentrated position (nearly 32%) in our three largest holdings? First of all, it is important to note that over the past two year s we have actually reduced our holdings in all three stocks. Fortunately for our shareholders long - term price appreciation, particularly in Universal Health Services, Inc. and Precision Castparts Corp., has been exceptionally strong (in the case of Universal Health Services, Inc., which was purchased in 1999 and 2000 at an average cost per share of $9.41 and ha d increased to a price per share of $81.26 at the end of 2013, and Precision Castparts Corp. which was bought in 2000 at a n average cost per share of $9.82 and ha d increased to a price per share of $26 9. 3 0 at the end of 2013). In our view these two companies remain in the " sweet spot " of two compelling long - term investment opportunities. In the case of Universal Health Services, Inc., the company i s likely to be one of the prime beneficiaries of expanding health care insurance coverage dictated by the Affordable Care Act * ** ( " Obama - care " ). Unique to Universal Health Services, Inc. (UHT) is its position in mental health services which account s for three - q uarters of its earnings before deductions for interest expense, taxes, depreciation and amortization . Precision Castparts Corp. (PCP) is a prime component supplier to the commercial aircraft manufacturers. Indicative of the attractiveness of this business was The Boeing Company ' s recent announcement that its year - end backlog was 5,080 planes compared to the 648 jets delivered in 2013. By the same token, Airbus ' (a subsidiary of Airbus Group NV) backlog at the end of November was 5,400 versus the 562 planes del ivered in the first eleven months of the year.

• [By Dividends4Life]

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Top 10 Shipping Companies To Own In Right Now: Iconix Brand Group Inc (ICON)

Iconix Brand Group, Inc. (Iconix), incorporated in 1978, is a brand management company engaged in licensing, marketing and providing trend direction for a portfolio of consumer brands. The Company is the owner of the brands through its wholly owned subsidiaries: Candie's, Bongo, Badgley Mischka, Joe Boxer, Rampage, Mudd, London Fog, Mossimo, Ocean Pacific/OP, Danskin/Danskin Now, Rocawear, Cannon, Royal Velvet, Fieldcrest, Charisma, Starter, Waverly, Zoo York and Sharper Image, which it licenses directly to retailers (herein referred to as direct-to-retail), wholesalers and suppliers for use a range of product categories, including apparel, footwear, sportswear, fashion accessories, home products and decor, beauty and fragrance, and, in the case of Sharper Image brand, consumer electronics and novelty products. In July 2011, the Company, through its wholly owned subsidiary ZY Holdings, purchased the Zoo York brand and related assets from its IPH Unltd joint venture, increasing its ownership in the Zoo York brand from 51% to 100%. In October 2011, the Company acquired Sharper Image. In December 2012, the Company acquired Umbro brand and related intellectual property assets from NIKE Inc. In February 2013, the Company acquired a 51% stake in the Buffalo David Bitton brand. In February 2013, the Company acquired Lee Cooper. In May 2013, the Company acquired 49% interest in IP Holdings Unltd LLC (IPHU), owner of the Ecko Unltd. and Marc Ecko Cut & Sew.

Scion, a joint venture in which the Company has a 50% investment, owns the Artful Dodger brand; Hardy Way, a joint venture in which the Company has an 85% investment, owns the Ed Hardy brand; IPH Unltd, a joint venture in which the Company has a 51% investment, owns the Ecko portfolio of brands; MG Icon, a joint venture in which the Company has a 50% investment, owns the Material Girl and Truth or Dare brands; and Peanuts Holdings, a joint venture in which the Company has an 80% investment, owns the Peanuts brand and characters through its whol! ly owned subsidiary Peanuts . Products bearing the Company�� brands are sold across a range of distribution channels through direct-to-retail and wholesale licenses, from the mass tier to the luxury market. The Company also continues to arrange, as agent, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Bright Star, for the manufacture of footwear products for mass market and discount retailers under their private label brands.

As of December 31, 2011, the combined brand portfolio of the Company and its joint ventures consisted of iconic consumer brands Candie��, Bongo, Badgley Mischka, Joe Boxer, Rampage, Mudd, London Fog, Mossimo, Ocean Pacific/OP, Danskin, Rocawear, Cannon, Royal Velvet, Fieldcrest, Charisma, Starter, Waverly, Zoo York and Sharper Image. Candie�� is a junior lifestyle brand, with products in the footwear, apparel and accessories categories. The primary licensee for Candie�� is Kohl�� Department Stores, Inc. (Kohl��) with a multi-category line of Candie�� lifestyle products, including sportswear, denim, footwear, handbags, intimate apparel, children�� apparel, fragrance and home accessories. The Candie�� brand is also sold through Candie�� retail stores being developed in Greater China through its Iconix China joint venture and is also licensed in South Korea and the Philippines. The Bongo brand is positioned as a California lifestyle brand, with a range of women�� and children�� casual apparel and accessories, including denim, sportswear, eyewear, footwear and watches. The Bongo brand is also licensed in categories in Latin America and Canada. The Badgley Mischka brand is an eveningwear brands. Badgley Mischka products are sold in the United States through luxury department and specialty stores, including Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue, with its retail categories being women�� apparel, footwear, handbags and other accessories. Joe Boxer is an underwear, sleepwear and loungewear brand. The brand is also licensed in Mexico, Europe, Lat! in Americ! a, Singapore, Malaysia and the Middle East. Rampage products are sold through department stores, such as Macy��, with the retail categories being sportswear, footwear, intimate apparel and swimwear. The brand is also licensed in Canada, Latin America, South Korea, Thailand and the Middle East. Mudd is a junior lifestyle brand, particularly in the denim, footwear and accessories categories.

London Fog is a classic brand known for the Company's outerwear, cold weather accessories, umbrellas, luggage and travel products. The brand is sold in a range of categories through wholesale licenses in the United States, through the department store channel. The Company has a direct-to-retail license agreement for London Fog with Hudson�� Bay Corporation in Canada, covering apparel, accessories and lifestyle products and the brand has also been licensed in South Korea and Mexico. Mossimo is known as a contemporary, active and youthful lifestyle brand and is an apparel brands in the United States. Target Corporation (Target) has held the Mossimo license in the United States, covering apparel products for men, women and children, including casual sportswear, denim, swimwear, bodywear, watches, handbags and other fashion accessories. The brand is also licensed on a direct-to-retail basis to Falabella Retail S.A. in Argentina, Columbia, Chile and Peru and to licensees in Australia, New Zealand, Latin America, India and Japan.

Ocean Pacific and OP are global action-sports lifestyle apparel brands. The brand is distributed by Wal-Mart in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Argentina, and through licensees in Europe, the Middle East and Chile. In addition, the brand is licensed in Japan and its surrounding territories through its OP Japan joint venture.

Danskin is a brand of women's activewear, legwear, dancewear, yoga apparel and fitness equipment. The primary license for the Danskin brand is a direct-to-retail license with Wal-Mart for Danskin Now covering a range of women�! � and gi! rl�� apparel, footwear, accessories and fitness equipment. Rocawear is an urban lifestyle apparel brand established by Shawn Jay-Z Carter and his partners. The Rocawear brand is licensed in the United States in a range of categories, including men��, women�� and kids��apparel, outerwear, footwear, jewelry, handbags and fragrance. Rocawear products are sold through department and specialty stores. Cannon is a brand in home textiles.

Royal Velvet is a luxury home textile brand. Royal Velvet products include towels, sheets, rugs and shams. Fieldcrest is a brand for bed and bath textiles that are classic in style. Charisma home textiles are known for their classic designs. The brand is also licensed in the United States and Canada for distribution through better department stores, such as Bloomingdales. In addition, the brand is licensed in Australia and New Zealand. Starter is a brand in licensed team sports merchandise and is a brand of athletic apparel and footwear. Waverly is a home fashion and lifestyle brand in home decor. Waverly has a direct-to-retail agreement in the United States with Lowe�� Companies, Inc. for Waverly Home Classics for a range of select home furnishings. Zoo York is an East Coast based action lifestyle brand. Zoo York has licenses with wholesalers covering a range of products, including men��, women�� and kids��apparel and footwear. The brand is also licensed in Canada, Europe, Latin America, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, South Africa, the Middle East and parts of Southeast Asia. Sharper Image is a brand in the consumer electronics industry. Its licenses for Sharper Image cover a range of products, including audio and video electronics, travel gear, personal home products, kitchen and bath accessories, massage products, air purification products and giftables, and in territories including the United States, Europe, Canada, Mexico, Latin America, Japan, Turkey and the Middle East.

Bright Star provides design direction and arr! anges for! the manufacturing and distribution of men�� private label footwear products primarily for Wal-Mart under its private labels. Bright Star acts solely as an agent. During the year ended December 31, 2011, Bright Star�� agency commissions represented less than 1% of the Company�� revenues.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Marshall Hargrave]

  If we narrow these comps down to some of GIII's fellow small-cap apparel peers, we see just how cheap the stock is. GIII trades at an 8.4x EV/EBITDA multiple, while QuikSilver (ZQK) trades at 16.2x, Iconix Brand (ICON) at 11.5x and Jones New York (JNY) 8.8x.

• [By Louis Navellier]

  Iconix Brand Group (ICON) is in the business of licensing, marketing, and providing trend direction for a portfolio of consumer and entertainment brands. The company owns 33 well-known brands like Candie’s, Bongo, Joe Boxer, London Fog and Starter. It licenses the name for use in products like apparel, footwear, fashion accessories, home products and beauty products.

Top 10 Shipping Companies To Own In Right Now: WABCO Holdings Inc (WBC)

WABCO Holdings Inc. (WABCO) is a provider of electronic, mechanical and mechatronic products for the commercial truck, trailer, bus and passenger car manufacturers. The Company manufactures and sells control systems, including advanced braking, stability, suspension, transmission control and air compressing and processing systems. Its products are included in approximately two out of three commercial vehicles with advanced vehicle control systems and offered in niche applications in cars and sport utility vehicles (SUVs). WABCO develops, manufactures and sells advanced braking, stability, suspension and transmission control systems primarily for commercial vehicles. In September 2012, it acquired Ephicas.

The Company�� products include pneumatic anti-lock braking systems (ABS), electronic braking systems (EBS), automated manual transmission systems, air disk brakes, and a large variety of conventional mechanical products, such as actuators, air compressors and air control valves for heavy- and medium-sized trucks, trailers and buses. It also supplies advanced electronic suspension controls and vacuum pumps to the car and SUV markets in Europe, North America and Asia. The Company sells replacement parts, diagnostic tools, training and other services to commercial vehicle aftermarket distributors, repair shops, and fleet operators and provide remanufacturing services.

The Company�� key product groups include Actuator, Air Processing/Air Management System, Foundation Brake, Conventional Braking System, Electronic and Conventional Air Suspension Systems, Transmission Automation, Vehicle Electronic Architecture (VEA), and Vehicle Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Roll Stability Support (RSS). WABCO sells its products primarily to four groups of customers worldwide: truck and bus (OEMs), trailer (OEMs), commercial vehicle aftermarket distributors for replacement parts and services, and major car manufacturers. Its customers include Daimler, Volvo, Ashok Leyland, BMW, China! National Heavy Truck Corporation (CNHTC), Cummins, Fiat (Iveco), Hino, Hyundai, Krone, MAN Nutzfahrzeuge AG (MAN), Meritor, Meritor WABCO (a joint venture), Paccar (DAF Trucks N.V. (DAF), Kenworth, Leyland and Peterbilt), First Automobile Works, Otto Sauer Achsenfabrik (SAF), Scania, Schmitz Cargobull AG, TATA Motors and ZF Friedrichshafen AG (ZF).

The Company competes with Knorr-Bremse, Haldex, Bosch, Continental and Siemens-VDO.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Adam Haigh]

  Westpac Banking Corp. (WBC) and Commonwealth Bank of Australia, the two biggest Australian lenders, each slid at least 1 percent as minutes from a central bank meeting highlighted concern about business conditions. ICBC, the world�� largest lender by market value, sank 2.1 percent in Hong Kong. Tokyo Electric Power Co. (9501) gained 12 percent, taking this month�� rise to 90 percent.

• [By Yoshiaki Nohara]

  Australia�� S&P/ASX 200 Index retreated 0.7 percent, led by energy and financial shares. Woodside Petroleum Ltd. (WPL), Australia�� second-biggest oil and gas producer, dropped 2 percent to A$34.67. Westpac Banking Corp. (WBC), Australia�� No. 2 lender by market value, shed 1.2 percent to A$27.47.

• [By Adam Haigh]

  Declines in other Australian financial shares limited gains on the MSCI Asia Pacific excluding Japan Index. Commonwealth Bank of Australia, the country�� largest bank, declined 2 percent to A$71.06, a third day of losses. Westpac Banking Corp. (WBC), the second-biggest, slid 1 percent to A$33.55 even after saying it will pay a special dividend for the first time since 1988.

Top 10 Shipping Companies To Own In Right Now: Seabridge Gold Inc (SA)

Seabridge Gold Inc. (Seabridge) is a development-stage company. The Company is engaged in the acquisition and exploration of gold properties located in North America. As of December 31, 2011, the Company held six properties with gold resources and its material properties are its KSM Project and its Courageous Lake Project. The Company holds a 100% interest in each of its properties. Its projects include KSM (Kerr-Sulphurets-Mitchell), Courageous Lake, Pacific Intermountain Gold, Grassy Mountain, Red Mountain, Quartz Mountain, Castle Black Rock and Other Nevada projects. The KSM project consists of two contiguous claim blocks in the Iskut-Stikine region in British Columbia, approximately 20 kilometers southeast of the Eskay Creek Mine. The Courageous Lake project is a gold project covering approximately 81,700 acres located in the Northwest Territories, Canada. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Lisa Levin]

  Gold: This industry rose 1.44% by 10:40 am ET. The top performer in this industry was Seabridge Gold (NYSE: SA), which gained 11.3%. Seabridge Gold shares have dropped 60.24% over the past 52 weeks, while the S&P 500 index has gained 26.39% in the same period.

• [By Selena Maranjian]

  Seabridge Gold (NYSE: SA  ) also lost 50%. Some of its operations in Canada have been yielding high-grade materials, and its KSM Gold project in British Columbia "contains one of the largest undeveloped gold and copper reserves in the world." The company's strategy explicitly includes trying to avoid share dilution. Like many of its peers, though, it's still operating in the red, so tread carefully.

Hot Asian Stocks To Buy Right Now

Hot Asian Stocks To Buy Right Now: Julius Baer Gruppe AG (BAER)

Julius Baer Gruppe AG (the Group) is a Switzerland-based private banking group, with an exclusive focus on servicing and advising private clients and independent asset managers. The Group has a global presence with approximately 50 locations in more than 25 countries and jurisdictions. Julius Baer Gruppe AG was established through spin off from Julius Baer Holding AG's businesses into two independent entities, namely the Company, together with its subsidiaries, comprising Bank Julius Baer & Co Ltd as its principal operating entity, and GAM Holding, together with its subsidiaries, comprising GAM and the Julius Baer-branded asset management business, which includes the private label funds business that formerly was part of Julius Baer Holding Ltd's Bank Julius Baer segment. The Group diversifies its operations into geographical segments, including Switzerland, rest of Europe, Americas, and Asia and Other Countries. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Corinne Gretler]

  Julius Baer Group Ltd. (BAER) rallied 5.7 percent to 42.04 francs. Switzerland's third-biggest wealth manager said increased client trading boosted margins as it integrated Merrill Lynch businesses acquired from Bank of America Corp. last year. The gross margin, which reflects how much the bank makes in revenue on managed client assets, rose to 102 basis points in the first half, from 98 basis points in the year-earlier period.

source from Top Stocks For 2015:http://www.topstocksblog.com/hot-asian-stocks-to-buy-right-now-4.html

Best Rising Stocks To Invest In 2014

HONG KONG (MarketWatch)-- Hong Kong stocks rose early Thursday, as China Mobile Ltd. shined on news of iPhone pre-orders hitting 1 million units. The Hang Seng Index (HK:HSI) added 0.6% to 23,032.09. Market heavyweight China Mobile (HK:941) (CHL) rallied 0.9%, as the world's largest mobile carrier said it has received more than 1 million pre-orders for the iPhone before it goes on sale in the carrier's stores on Friday, at a time when Apple Inc. (AAPL) Chief Executive Tim Cook visited Beijing for future cooperation between the two giants. Telecom equipment shares also advanced, with ZTE Corp. (HK:763) (ZTCOF) rising 1.2%. Meanwhile, China Mobile's smaller rivals slipped, as China Unicom (HK:762) (CHU) dropped 0.7%, and China Telecom (HK:738) (CNCT) fell 0.5%. China South City Holdings (HK:1668) , a developer of logistics and trade centers, surged 56%, after the company announced that Internet giant Tencent Holdings (HK:700) (TCTZF) would invest about 1.5 billion Hong Kong dollars ($195 million) for an almost 10% stake in the developer in order to expand their business online, including e-commerce and online payment services. Tencent Holdings (HK:700) (TCTZF) climbed 3%. On the mainland, the Shanghai Composite (CN:SHCOMP) edged down 0.1% at 2,021.62.

Top 5 Defense Companies To Own For 2015: American Public Education Inc.(APEI)

American Public Education, Inc., together with its subsidiary, American Public University System, Inc., provides online postsecondary education focusing on the needs of the military and public service communities. The company operates through two universities, American Military University (AMU) and American Public University (APU) serving approximately 110,000 students in the United States and internationally. The universities share a common faculty and curriculum, which includes 87 degree programs and 69 certificate programs in disciplines related to national security, military studies, intelligence, homeland security, criminal justice, technology, business administration, education, nursing, and liberal arts. The company was founded in 1991 and is headquartered in Charles Town, West Virginia.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Seth Jayson]

  Calling all cash flows
  When you are trying to buy the market's best stocks, it's worth checking up on your companies' free cash flow once a quarter or so, to see whether it bears any relationship to the net income in the headlines. That's what we do with this series. Today, we're checking in on American Public Education (Nasdaq: APEI  ) , whose recent revenue and earnings are plotted below.

• [By Jake L'Ecuyer]

  Leading and Lagging Sectors
  Non-cyclical consumer goods & services shares climbed around 0.22 percent in trading on Friday. Leading the sector was strength from American Public Education (NASDAQ: APEI) and XO Group (NASDAQ: XOXO). In trading on Friday, telecommunications services shares were relative laggards, down on the day by about 0.41 percent.

• [By James Brumley]

  American Public Education (APEI) has been one of the biggest victims of the DOE’s partial shutdown. The 41,000 individual online classes scheduled to begin a few days ago were reduced by 13,000 when many military and government employees lost their tuition assistance as of October 1st.

Best Rising Stocks To Invest In 2014: CEVA Inc.(CEVA)

CEVA, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in licensing silicon intellectual property (SIP) for the handsets, mobile broadband, portable, and consumer electronics markets primarily in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia Pacific. It designs and licenses DSP cores in the form of a hardware description language definition; a portfolio of application-specific platforms, including wireless baseband, audio, imaging and vision, voice over Internet protocols (VoIP), Bluetooth, and serial storage technology and serial attached SCSI; and development platforms, software development kits, and software debug tools that facilitate system design, debug, and software development. The company?s intellectual property (IP) is used by semiconductor and original equipment manufacturer companies for application-specific integrated circuits and application-specific standard products. It serves various markets, including feature phones, smartphones, machine to machi ne for various cellular standards, home entertainment, portable game consoles, and serial storage and telecommunication devices. CEVA, Inc. markets its technology through a direct sales force. The company was formerly known as ParthusCeva, Inc. and changed its name to CEVA, Inc. in December 2003. CEVA, Inc. was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in Mountain View, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Seth Jayson]

  Calling all cash flows
  When you are trying to buy the market's best stocks, it's worth checking up on your companies' free cash flow once a quarter or so, to see whether it bears any relationship to the net income in the headlines. That's what we do with this series. Today, we're checking in on CEVA (Nasdaq: CEVA  ) , whose recent revenue and earnings are plotted below.

Best Rising Stocks To Invest In 2014: Latteno Food Corp (LATF)

Latteno Food Corp. (Latteno), incorporated on August 24, 1994, is engaged in acquiring, organizing, developing and upgrading companies in the international food and beverage market. Latteno is specializing in the dairy industry and coffee industry. The Company operates through its subsidiary in Brazil. On February 10, 2010 Latteno acquired Global Milk Businesses and Administration of Private Properties Ltda. (Global Milk). Global Milk holds the rights of certain intellectual property of the brand name products manufactured and sold under the brand name Teixeira. In March 2013, the Company acquired Green Cannabis Collective Inc.

Latteno is leasing an instant and roasted coffee factory located in Cruzeiro, Sao-Paulo, which was property the Company previously owned under its BDFC Brasil Alimentos Ltda (BDFC) subsidiary. In addition to the lease, the Company has maintained ownership of four brand names, Samba Cafe, Vivenda, Torino and Brazilian Best, used in the past by Latteno to sell its instant and roasted coffee across the world. The Company engaged the service companies to assist with its operations, such as Log-Frio Ltda, SigaSolutions Ltda, Microsiga Ltda and Varistao Transportes Ltda.

The Company competes with Nestle, Companhia Cacique de Cafe Soluvel, Cafe Soluvel Brasilia and Companhia lguacu de Cafe Soluvel.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By James E. Brumley]

  What do you get when you cross a Coffee Holding Co., Inc. (NASDAQ:JVA) with a Medical Marijuana Inc. (OTCMKTS:MJNA) and a Kraft Foods Group Inc. (NASDAQ:KRFT)? No, it's not a setup for a punch line - there's a legitimate answer. And that answer is, Latteno Food Corp. (OTCMKTS:LATF).

• [By James E. Brumley]

  A week and a half ago when I suggested Latteno Food Corp. (OTCMKTS:LATF) was an effective way of getting into the medical marijuana craze for anyone who missed the big runups (the first or the second time) from names like Medical Marijuana Inc. (OTCMKTS:MJNA) or Hemp, Inc. (OTCMKTS:HEMP), not many people agreed with my assessment. That's the nice way of saying I received some "colorful counter-opinions" to my bullishness on LATF. Indeed, some readers were downright enraged I would dare compare the company to stocks like MJNA or HEMP, citing reasons ranging from the possibility that it's a complete scam to the possibility that the capital structure as amazingly unfair to current shareholders.

• [By James E. Brumley]

  What do you get when you cross a Coffee Holding Co., Inc. (NASDAQ:JVA) with a Medical Marijuana Inc. (OTCMKTS:MJNA) and a Kraft Foods Group Inc. (NASDAQ:KRFT)? No, it's not a setup for a punch line - there's a legitimate answer. And that answer is, Latteno Food Corp. (OTCMKTS:LATF).

Best Rising Stocks To Invest In 2014: Concur Technologies Inc.(CNQR)

Concur Technologies, Inc. provides integrated travel and expense management solutions for companies of various industries, sizes, and geographies. It offers the Concur Connect platform, a cloud computing software solution primarily on a subscription basis, which enables customers, partners, suppliers, and third-party developers to connect. The company provides various solutions to streamline the travel procurement, itinerary management, expense management, and invoice management processes. Its solutions include online travel procurement solutions, which automate corporate travel booking and processing; itinerary management solutions that enable individual business travelers and their organizations to manage and share travel itinerary information; and automated expense management solutions, which simplify the expense reporting process. The company also offers other value-added and extended services that leverage its integrated cloud offerings, including expense reimbursemen t; expense report auditing services to streamline the process of managing and substantiating expense receipts; business intelligence that enable customers to use captured data to analyze trends, influence budget decisions, improve forecasting, and monitor for fraudulent activity; and invoice management solutions to automate, simplify, and reduce the costs associated with the process of entering, approving, and managing the payment of vendor invoices. In addition, it provides consulting; and various extended services, such as site administration, audit and compliance services, advanced analytics, and customized integration in connection with its integrated travel and expense management solutions. Concur markets and sells its solutions worldwide through direct sales organizations; and indirect distribution channels, such as strategic resellers and referral partners, as well as through its Website. The company was founded in 1993 and is headquartered in Redmond, Washington.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Lee Jackson]

  The Lazard trading desk said that active traders may want to look at software stocks that still had unusually high short interest. Those included Concur Technologies (NASDAQ: CNQR), Tangoe Inc. (NASDAQ: TNGO), Jive Software (NASDAQ: JIVE), Marketo Inc. (NASDAQ: MKTO), VeriSign Inc. (NASDAQ: VRSN) and VMware Inc. (NYSE: VMW). Stocks with high short interest can explode to the upside if the company gets back on track and short sellers are forced to cover.

• [By Matt Jarzemsky]

  Salesforce is up 33% year-to-date. Workday Inc.(WDAY) has rallied 38% and expense-accounting software provider Concur Technologies(CNQR) is up 44%, to name a few.

5 Best Performing Stocks To Watch For 2014

Boy was I wrong when I wrote that momentum stocks would rise again at the end of March. Since that article ran on March 29, the iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF (MTUM) has fallen 1.7%, while the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) has gained 0.2%. But there’s one part of that column I’m feeling o.k. about–Humana (HUM).

Now, Humana is not generally thought of as a momentum stock, but when I wrote that column it had been exactly that–one of the best performing stocks of the past year. It had a tough time during the momentum meltdown–Humana’s shares had dropped 2.6%–but its jumped after releasing earnings today and Humana has now gained 3.7%.

How good were Humana’s earnings? Humana reported a profit of $2.35 a share, beating forecasts for $1.94, on sales of $11.71 billion, topping the Street consensus for $11.52 billion. Cantor Fitzgerald’s Joseph D. France digs in:

Humana reported substantially better-than-expected 1Q:14 results, largely because utilization remains low, although $297 million of favorable development also helped…We expected that the chief headwinds in 2014 would be tough comparisons with favorable development, which as at record levels in 2013, and higher utilization, but there is little evidence of either so far…Management did not raise earnings guidance, but it did raise the enrollment outlook, and we expect the new business development and startup costs that weighed on the company in 1Q:14 will moderate over the balance of the year.

Best Gas Stocks To Buy Right Now: Alere Inc (ALR)

Alere Inc., incorporated on May 11, 2001, is a provider of point-of-care diagnostics and services. The Company's products and services help healthcare practitioners make treatment decisions and improve outcomes for individuals living with chronic disease. The Company's portfolio also includes a range of health information solutions that access to critical health data, provide clinical decision support, and facilitate performance reporting and analysis. The Company�� segment includes professional diagnostics, health information solutions and consumer diagnostics. The Company distributes its professional diagnostic products to hospitals, reference laboratories, physician offices and other point-of-care settings through an worldwide distribution networks. In February 2013, the Company acquired Epocal, Inc.

Professional Diagnostics

Professional diagnostics are generally designed to assist medical professionals in both preventative and interventional medicine, and include testing and monitoring performed in hospitals, laboratories and doctors' offices and, increasingly, patient self-testing, which the Company defines as testing or monitoring performed at home under the supervision of a medical professional. Professional diagnostic products provide for qualitative or quantitative analysis of patient samples for evidence of a specific medical condition, disease state or toxicological state or to measure response to therapy. The point-of-care market for rapid diagnostic products includes all areas where a patient is assessed or diagnosed, including hospitals, laboratories, physician offices, specialized mobile clinics, emergency rooms, rapid-response laboratories and patient health screening locations.

The Company's Alere Cholestech LDX System is a point-of-care monitor of blood cholesterol and related lipids which is used to test patients at risk of, or suffering from, heart disease and related conditions. The Alere Cholestech LDX System makes it possible to provide ! a complete lipid profile with tests for total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), triglycerides, and glucose. The Company's Alere INRatio System is an easy-to-use, hand-held blood coagulation monitoring system for use by patients and healthcare professionals in the management of warfarin, a commonly prescribed medication used to prevent blood clots. The Company also offers the epoc Blood Analysis System for bloods gas, electrolyte and metabolite testing, which is manufactured by its recently acquired Epocal division. The epoc (enterprise point-of-care) platform is a point-of-care analysis system which provides Wireless bedside blood gas, electrolyte and metabolite measurement testing solutions and complements the Company's Alere Triage products in cardiology and emergency room settings.

The Company develops and markets a range of point-of-care tests for influenza A/B, RSV, strep throat, pneumonia, C. difficile, infectious mononucleosis, HIV, herpes simplex virus (HSV-2), hepatitis C (HCV), hepatitis B (HBV), malaria, lyme disease, Chlamydia, H. pylori, rubella and other infectious diseases. The Company's tests for infectious disease are sold under brand names that include Alere, Alere Determine, Acceava, BinaxNOW, Clearview, DoubleCheckGold, Panbio, SD, TECHLAB and Alere TestPack. In addition to point-of-care products, the Company also offers a line of indirect fluorescent antibody, or IFA, assays for over 20 viral, bacterial and autoimmune diseases, a full line of serology diagnostic products covering a range of disease categories and over 50 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), tests for a range of infectious and autoimmune diseases, as well as a full line of automated instrumentation for processing ELISA tests.

The Company offers laboratory-based testing services throughout Europe under the name Alere Toxicology, formerly Concateno, and in the United States under the names Alere Toxicology Services, or! Alere To! xicology, and Redwood Toxicology Laboratory, or Redwood. The Company offers point-of-care diabetes products, including its Afinion Analyzer System and its NycoCard System. The Company's Alere Connect products include HealthPAL and HealthCOM.

Health Information Solutions

The Company's health information solutions are designed to provide physicians with actionable data that allows them to make more decisions in real time, deliver quality care, and put the individuals they treat on a pathway to better health. The Company offers a range of software-based analytics, clinical decision support tools, and accountable cares programs that enable healthcare providers to initiate earlier interventions, personalize treatment plans, lower costs by reducing hospital readmissions, and measure improvements in outcomes at both a patient and population level. With this range of scalable solutions, the Company is able to support healthcare practitioners in the transition to accountable care, as well as in meeting the new pay-for-performance guidelines set by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

The Company's Women's and Children's Health division delivers a range of obstetrical care services that range from risk assessments focused on identifying women who may experience pregnancy complications to a neonatal program that supports early infant care management. The Company offers home-based obstetrical monitoring for pregnant women with medical or pregnancy-related problems that could puts their health or the health of their babies at risk. The Company also delivers telephonic and home-based nursing services that support improved clinical outcomes. The Company offers a suite of integrated wellness programs and resources that is designed to reduce participant health risks and healthcare-related costs. The Company's wellness programs include screening for risk factors associated with chronic disease, particularly tobacco use, poor nutrition, physical inactivity, and chron! ic stress! .

The Company offers services designed to support anticoagulation management for patients who takes warfarin to control their risk for stroke and clotting disorders. Alere Home Monitoring, the Company's patient self-testing business, assists patients in acquiring home INR monitors and with insurance coverage determinations and provides physicians with a comprehensive model that allows them to incorporate patient self-testing into their practices.

Consumer Diagnostics

The Company's consumer diagnostic products consist of the Company's First Check brand of over-the-counter drug tests for at-home testing for up to seven illicit drugs and five prescription drugs, as well as First Check brand over-the-counter tests for cholesterol monitoring. The Company also sells Balance Activ Vaginal Gel directly to consumers and healthcare professionals for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis without antibiotics.

The Company competes with Abbott, Siemens, Beckman Coulter, Johnson & Johnson, Roche, Abaxis Medical Diagnostics, International Technidyne Corporation, INOVA Diagnostics, DiaSorin, Diamedx and Qiagen.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Seth Jayson]

  Calling all cash flows
  When you are trying to buy the market's best stocks, it's worth checking up on your companies' free cash flow once a quarter or so, to see whether it bears any relationship to the net income in the headlines. That's what we do with this series. Today, we're checking in on Alere (NYSE: ALR  ) , whose recent revenue and earnings are plotted below.

5 Best Performing Stocks To Watch For 2014: American Apparel Inc (APP)

American Apparel, Inc. incorporated on July 22, 2005, is a vertically integrated manufacturer, distributor, and retailer of branded fashions basic apparel and accessories for women, men, children and babies. As of January 31, 2013, the Company had operated 251 retail stores in 20 countries. The Company also operates an e-commerce site that serves over 60 countries worldwide at www.americanapparel.com . In addition, American Apparel operates a business that supplies T-shirts and other casual wear to distributors and the imprintable industry. The Company operates in four business segment: U.S. Wholesale, U.S. Retail, Canada, and International.

The U.S. Wholesale segment consists of the Company's wholesale operations of sales of undecorated apparel products to distributors and third party screen printers in the United States, as well as its online consumer sales to United States customers. The U.S. Retail segment consists of the Company's retail store operations in the United States. The Canada segment consists of the Company's retail, wholesale and online consumer operations in Canada. As of December 31, 2012 , the retail operations in the Canada segment consisted of 35 retail stores. The International segment consists of the Company's retail, wholesale and online consumer operations outside of the United States, and Canada. As of December 31, 2012 , the retail operations in the International segment were consisted of 76 retail stores.

As of December 31, 2012 , the Company's retail operations consisted of 251 retail stores in 20 countries, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, United Kingdom, Ireland, Austria, Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Israel, Australia, Japan, South Korea and China. The Company's wholesale operations sell to over a dozen authorized distributors and approximately 10,000 screen printers and advertising specialty companies. The Company operates 12 online stores in the United States, Canada, the U! nited Kingdom, Continental Europe, Switzerland, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Mexico, Brazil, Singapore and Hong Kong.

The Company competes with The Gap, Urban Outfitters, H&M, Uniqlo, Forever 21, Gildan Activewear, HanesBrands, Russell Athletic and Fruit of the Loom.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Cristina Alesci and Catherine Tymkiw]

  Charney, who founded American Apparel (APP) in 1998, was ousted by the board last week.

  According to sources familiar with the situation, Charney was given two options: either step aside quietly and take a creative role that would pay around $1 million a year, or face being fired with cause.

• [By Melvin Backman]

  American Apparel (APP) shares are over 1% higher this morning on rumors that the company make be a potential takeover target. It's the latest twist impacting the brand. Last week the company fired controversial CEO Dov Charney. Now Charney has fired back, writing a letter to the board challenging his dismissal. The company continues to struggle to turn around its brand. The stock is trading for less than $1.

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  Normally I wouldn’t write about a stock that trades under a buck, but since we’re talking about American Apparel (APP), I guess I can make an exception. Today, news broke that controversial Dov Charney is out as CEO from the company he founded.

• [By WWW.DAILYFINANCE.COM]

  Dominik Pabis/Getty Images Do you want to buy clothes that are made in America? And are you willing to pay what it costs to help bring manufacturing jobs back to America -- and be once again able to buy quality goods that will last, in return for your money? Words and Actions Most Americans answer yes to the first question -- initially, at least. A New York Times poll last year found 46 percent of shoppers saying they would happily pay the same price -- or even a bit of a premium -- to own clothing made in America, as opposed to clothing made in China, Vietnam or another foreign country. Yet according to American-made apparel manufacturer Buck Mason, less than 3 percent of clothing is made in America. Why is this? Many products made in America sell for prices far higher than what similar products made elsewhere cost. What's more, even if you are willing to pay the premium for quality (the Times poll noted that 56 percent of Americans say American-made clothing is of higher quality than imports), Buck Mason laments: "it is virtually impossible to go to a mall anywhere, and find a high-quality, American-made garment" today. So there are really two problems for shoppers looking to "buy American" today. First, you can't find such goods to buy. Second, if you do find them, they cost too much. American Apparel One company trying to fix the first problem is Los Angeles-based American Apparel (APP). A vertically integrated clothing company (meaning it owns and operates its own retail stores, selling its own clothing), American Apparel makes its clothing in the U.S. and sells it here and abroad. Despite charging prices that can be twice the cost of imports, however, American Apparel has struggled to earn a profit. The company ran into difficulties with its financial auditor in 2010 and suffered through a Securities and Exchange Commission investigation as a result. Sales growth has been anemic; American Apparel is losing money; and at last report, the company wa

5 Best Performing Stocks To Watch For 2014: Yongye International Inc.(YONG)

Yongye International, Inc. engages in the research, development, manufacture, and sale of fulvic acid based crop and animal nutrient products for the agriculture and stock farming industry in the People?s Republic of China. It provides liquid crop nutrient products that consist of fulvic acid compound base and nutrients for the health of crops; and powder animal nutrient products, which include fulvic acid compound base and additional nutrients, and Chinese herbs that reduce inflammation for dairy cows The company markets its products under the Shengmingsu trade name through a network of county-level distributors and independently owned branded retailers. Yongye International, Inc. is based in Beijing, the People?s Republic of China.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Lisa Levin]

  Yongye International (NASDAQ: YONG) shares touched a new 52-week high of $6.97 after the company accepted a revised go private bid at $7.10 per share.

5 Best Performing Stocks To Watch For 2014: 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 Ben Levisohn]

  Shares of Herbalife have gained 0.9% to $79.51 this morning in pre-open trading. Its shares have gained 139% this year, a nice gain, but lagging Nu Skin Enterprises 271% rise. Avon Products�(AVP), another multi-level marketer, has gained 21% so far this year, while Tupperware Brands�(TUP) has risen 49%.

• [By Johanna Bennett]

  Corporate earnings took a back seat today to the Fed�� latest policy decision. Still, quarterly financial results, and other news sent shares of McCormick & Co. (MKC) and Tupperware (TUP), falling during regular market hours�Here�� a rundown of several of today�� moves:

• [By Jonathan Berr]

  Multilevel marketing (MLM) groups such as Herbalife operate through independent sales representatives, who earn money both through the sales of product and by recruiting other people to join their team. This business model — which is used by scores of companies, including�Pampered Chef, which is owned by Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B), Tupperware (TUP) and Mary Kay Cosmetics — is legal provided that actual products are sold.

• [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%

10 Best Gold Stocks To Own Right Now

Arian Foster is one of the NFL's most intriguing players. He recently spoke out about the NCAA, he has been described as an "avid writer of poetry," and went "mostly vegan" last summer.�

Because Foster is so quirky, today's news that a company named Fantex is holding an IPO on Arian Foster's earnings in perpetuity might sound like a joke. But it's far from it. The paperwork to offer shares tied to Foster's earnings were filed this morning with the SEC.�

This is beyond fantasy football at its most extreme -- this is turning pro athletes into investments.�

Is there any way this is a good idea?

What is Fantex?

The company behind the "Arian Foster IPO" is Fantex. It's by no means an amateur operator. Its president was previously the co-president of a $6.5 billion hedge fund and previously worked in�Goldman Sachs' investment banking division. On its board sits John Elway, one of the best quarterbacks of all-time and now the executive vice president of the Denver Broncos.�

Best India Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Golden Star Resources Ltd(GSS)

Golden Star Resources Ltd., a gold mining and exploration company, through its subsidiaries, engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and production of gold properties. It owns and operates the Bogoso/Prestea gold mining and processing operation that covers approximately 40 kilometers of strike along the southwest-trending Ashanti gold district in western Ghana; and the Wassa open-pit gold mine located to the east of Bogoso/Prestea in southwest Ghana. The company also has an 81% interest in the Prestea underground gold mine located in Ghana. In addition, it holds interests in various gold exploration projects in Ghana, Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Cote d?Ivoire, as well as holds and manages exploration properties in Brazil in South America. The company was founded in 1984 and is based in Littleton, Colorado.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Patricio Kehoe] some future and gave several reasons for my bearish stance towards the stock. A small market, high geopolitical risk in some of the countries the firm operates, along with overexpansion in times of fluctuating gold prices gave tune to the massive shedding of shares by investment gurus. Five months have past since I last considered Golden Star�� potential, and everything indicates the situation has not changed.

  Guru Activity Shows a Clear Tendency

  Steven Cohen (Trades, Portfolio), Chuck Royce (Trades, Portfolio) and Arnold Schneider (Trades, Portfolio), had already sold their entire holdings in the company by October 2013, indicating they had little faith in the gold miner�� recovery. By the end of the year, Jim Simons' (Trades, Portfolio) Renaissance Technologies took a similar decision, reducing its stake in the firm by 32%. This tendency towards the sale of Golden Star stock was duly noted by investors and analysts alike, and concurs with the company�� poor performance.

  A Look at the Numbers

  In an industry plagued by fluctuating metal prices, operating with lofty margins can be quite helpful. Yet Golden Star cannot afford such luxuries. With an operating margin of 0.1% and a net margin of -56.8% the firm is in a tight spot, especially when compared to the industry average. Unlike its industry peers��median, which are of 2.26% and -0.09%, respectively, the Toronto-based gold miner is struggling to generate decent cash flow levels. Further metrics depict a even worse situation for shareholders: return on equity is currently at -370% and revenue growth is estimated to reach a poor 2.5%. Purchasing overpriced assets, relative to current gold prices, is surely one of the reasons for such grim figures, as financial losses have taken their toll on Golden Star.

  The announcement of its 2013 full year, and fourth quarter earnings only helped to add to shareholders��concerns. A 15% decline in revenue was expected by those

• [By Sean Williams]

  Golden Star Resources (NYSEMKT: GSS  )
  It's simple physics: The bigger they are, the harder they fall. When gold prices nosedived earlier this week, gold miners with historically higher operating costs took the brunt of the hit. For the most part, that meant that development-stage miners, and those operating in Africa, where labor and political costs make cost-effective mining a challenge, took it on the chin. Possibly no stock was hammered more than Golden Star Resources, a gold miner in Ghana, which lost about one-quarter of its value on Monday alone.

10 Best Gold Stocks To Own Right Now: Goldcorp Incorporated(GG)

Goldcorp Inc. engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and operation of precious metal properties in Canada, the United States, Mexico, and Central and South America. It produces and sells gold, silver, copper, lead, and zinc. The company was founded in 1954 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  Gold miners are getting a boost today from solid earnings from the likes of Barrick Gold (ABX), Goldcorp (GG) and Agnico Eagle Mines (AEM). The exception: Kinross Gold (KGC), which missed earnings forecasts and cut its reserves.

• [By Jonathan Yates]

  Goldcorp (NYSE: GG), the world's largest gold company, has a great deal of appeal to value investors.�It is selling under book value. Not only that, it is much more cheaply priced than many other precious metal firms. Increasing the appeal of Goldcorp is a low level of debt and high dividend yield of 2.53 percent.

10 Best Gold Stocks To Own Right Now: NEW GOLD INC.(NGD)

New Gold Inc. engages in the acquisition, exploration, extraction, processing, and reclamation of mineral properties. The company primarily explore for gold, silver, and copper deposits. Its operating properties include the Mesquite gold mine in the United States; the Cerro San Pedro gold-silver mine in Mexico; and the Peak gold-copper mine in Australia. The company also has development projects, including the New Afton gold, silver, and copper project in Canada; and a 30% interest in the El Morro copper-gold project in Chile. The company was formerly known as DRC Resources Corporation and changed its name to New Gold Inc. in June 2005. New Gold Inc. was founded in 1980 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  One group of stocks not feeling the optimism today: Gold miners. With fewer concerns that a U.S. attack on Syria will be disruptive and more evidence that tapering will begin this month, the price of the precious metal has dropped 1.6% to $1,388.90 an ounce–and gold stocks are falling with it. New Gold (NGD), for one, has dropped 3% to $6.55, while Barrick Gold (ABX) has fallen 1.3% to $19.25.

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  Even bad news has failed to dent the rise in gold stocks today. NewGold (NGD), for instance, has gained 1.8% to $7.49 despite the fact that the wall of one of its mines collapsed. The Wall Street Journal has the details:

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  Bridges favorite stocks include Goldcorp, Newmont, Eldorado Gold (EGO) and New Gold (NGD).

  Note, however, that these recommendations are all qualified in one way or another. Investors should keep that in mind before going all in on the gold miners.

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  January is nearing an end, and that means one thing: Gold miners will start announcing earnings. New Gold (NGD) will get things started on Feb 6, followed by Kinross Gold (KGC) on Feb. 12 and Goldcorp (GG) and Barrick Gold (ABX) on Feb. 13.

10 Best Gold Stocks To Own Right Now: Australian Dollar(AU)

AngloGold Ashanti Limited primarily engages in the exploration and production of gold. It also produces silver, uranium oxide, and sulfuric acid. The company conducts gold-mining operations in South Africa; continental Africa, including Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Namibia, and Tanzania; Australia; and the Americas, which include Argentina, Brazil, and the United States. It also has mining or exploration operations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Guinea, and Colombia. As of December 31, 2010, the company had proved and probable gold reserves of 71.2 million ounces. The company has a strategic alliance with Thani Dubai Mining Limited to explore, develop, and operate mines across the Middle East and parts of North Africa. AngloGold Ashanti Limited, formerly known as Vaal Reefs Exploration and Mining Company Limited, was founded in 1944 and is headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Sean Williams]

  I think the answer to this is yes, but it's definitely going to need some help from gold spot prices, and it'll need to formulate solidly structured contracts with its labor force in Africa. Last year, AngloGold Ashanti (NYSE: AU  ) was forced to come to a pay raise agreement with some 10,000 striking workers, after a strike that completely closed its TauTona and Mponeng mines for months. AngloGold understands that higher labor costs are never welcomed from a business perspective, but the alternative of mine closures is even worse.

• [By Daniel Putnam]

  First, and most important, earnings estimates are stabilizing. In the past sixty days, 2013 estimates for the major gold miners have begun to tick up. In most cases, the increase is very modest. For instance, Goldcorp‘s (GG) EPS estimates have climbed from $0.91 to $0.95, while Barrick Gold‘s (ABX) have inched up from $2.57 to $2.64. Newmont Mining (NEM), Anglogold Ashanti (AU), and Gold Fields Ltd. (GFI) have shown similar gains. This positive rate of change marks a significant departure from the steady stream of bad news investors have had to endure in recent years.

• [By Sally Jones]

  Anglogold Ashanti Limited (AU)

  Down 65% over 12 months, Anglogold Ashanti Limited has a market cap of $4.85 billion, and trades with a P/E of 8.10.

10 Best Gold Stocks To Own Right Now: First Majestic Silver Corp.(AG)

First Majestic Silver Corp. engages in the production, development, exploration, and acquisition of mineral properties with a focus on silver in Mexico. The company owns interests in La Encantada Silver Mine comprising 4,076 hectares of mining rights and 1,343 hectares of surface land located in Coahuila; La Parrilla Silver Mine consisting of mining concessions covering an area of 69,867 hectares; and San Martin Silver Mine comprising approximately 7,841 hectares of mineral rights and approximately 1,300 hectares of surface land rights located in Jalisco. It also holds interests in Del Toro Silver Mine consisting of 393 contiguous hectares of mining claims and an additional 129 hectares of surface rights located in Zacatecas; Real de Catorce Silver Project comprising 22 mining concessions covering 6,327 hectares located in San Luis Potosi state; and Jalisco Group of Properties consisting of mining claims totalling 5,240 hectares located in Jalisco. The company was founded in 1979 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Doug Ehrman]

  Despite the weakness seen in precious metals a few weeks ago, silver has been relatively stable ever since mid-April, with the iShares Silver Trust (NYSEMKT: SLV  ) trading in a dollar-wide range ever since. With the presidents of the Chicago and Philadelphia Federal Reserve banks��releasing conflicting statements, turmoil may be just around the corner. Miners like Pan American (NASDAQ: PAAS  ) and First Majestic (NYSE: AG  ) are still facing operating challenges, while silver streaming darling Silver Wheaton (NYSE: SLW  ) struggles as well.

• [By Doug Ehrman]

  In terms of individual companies, there are several good choices, but these can behave very differently. Pan American Silver (NASDAQ: PAAS  ) , for example, missed revenue expectations and beat earnings expectations in its last earnings release. But despite the beat, EPS shrank considerably from a year earlier on a GAAP basis. The stock has been fairly flat ever since. Conversely, First Majestic (NYSE: AG  ) reported strong revenue growth and a small bump in profits, sending the stock higher since the announcement. First Majestic reported increased cash costs and tightening margins, largely driven by lower silver prices. Each of these companies faces pressure from increasing production costs and environmental concerns.

• [By Doug Ehrman]

  While many precious-metals companies have been in a slump of late, there is one that belongs perpetually in your portfolio: Silver Wheaton (NYSE: SLW  ) . The company is not like other miners -- including Pan American Silver (NASDAQ: PAAS  ) and First Majestic (NYSE: AG  ) -- in that it has a unique business plan that insulates it against many of the vagaries of the mining business. Moreover, because silver will always have a significant industrial demand component, even with the heightened volatility you see in the silver market, maintaining exposure to silver is appropriate.

10 Best Gold Stocks To Own Right Now: CME Group Inc.(CME)

CME Group Inc. operates the CME, CBOT, NYMEX, and COMEX regulatory exchanges worldwide. The company provides a range of products available across various asset classes, including futures and options on interest rates, equity indexes, energy, agricultural commodities, metals, foreign exchange, weather, and real estate. It offers various products that provide a means of hedging, speculation, and asset allocation relating to the risks associated with interest rate sensitive instruments, equity ownership, changes in the value of foreign currency, credit risk, and changes in the prices of commodities. CME Group owns and operates clearing house, CME Clearing, which provides clearing and settlement services for exchange-traded contracts and counter derivatives transactions; and also engages in real estate operations. Its primary trade execution facilities consist of its CME Globex electronic trading platform and open outcry trading floors, as well as privately negotiated transact ions that are cleared and settled through its clearing house. In addition, the company offers market data services comprising live quotes, delayed quotes, market reports, and historical data services, as well as involves in index services business. CME Group?s customer base includes professional traders, financial institutions, institutional and individual investors, corporations, manufacturers, producers, and governments. It has strategic partnerships with BM&FBOVESPA S.A., Bursa Malaysia Derivatives, Singapore Exchange Limited, Green Exchange, Dubai Mercantile Exchange, Johannesburg Stock Exchange, and Bolsa Mexicana de Valores, S.A.B. de C.V., as well as joint venture agreement with Dow Jones & Company. The company was formerly known as Chicago Mercantile Exchange Holdings Inc. and changed its name to CME Group Inc. in July 2007. CME Group was founded in 1898 and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Seth Jayson]

  CME Group (Nasdaq: CME  ) reported earnings on May 2. Here are the numbers you need to know.

  The 10-second takeaway
  For the quarter ended March 31 (Q1), CME Group met expectations on revenues and met expectations on earnings per share.

• [By Sean Williams]

  Shares of future exchange operator CME Group (NASDAQ: CME  ) advanced 1.5% after being mentioned favorably on CNBC by commentator Simon Baker. While I normally would recommend paying little attention to the opinions of analysts, today's move could have more to do with the increasing volatility, given the move lower, which is very likely to increase futures contract volume. Sometimes, the worst of times brings about the best business for CME Group, and we could be seeing signs of that with today's big move higher.

• [By Holly LaFon]

  Within equities, we believe that most companies will be negatively impacted by rising interest rates, but we did identify some exceptions. For example, the CME Group is a Chicago-based operator of numerous trading exchanges including a large volume of 铿�ed income futures contracts. Higher interest rates and greater interest rate volatility tends to be a catalyst for greater trading volumes, and hence, greater revenue for CME (CME). The company was our top-performing U.S. investment in the last three months with gains of nearly 30%. The insurance industry is another area that we believe can offer resilience in the face of rising rates. This quarter we added to our positions in Manulife Financial in Canada, AmTrust Financial in the U.S., and introduced U.K.-based Aon to our international portfolio. Many of our insurance companies enjoyed strong performance this quarter and helped offset the declines suffered within the 铿�ed income portfolio.

• [By Jeff Reeves]

  Options traders and commodity junkies should recognize CME Group (CME) as the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, a financial entity that operates a host of futures exchanges as well as providing its own exchange-traded products and derivatives.

10 Best Gold Stocks To Own Right Now: Thompson Creek Metals Company Inc.(TC)

Thompson Creek Metals Company Inc., through its subsidiaries, engages in mining, milling, processing, and marketing molybdenum products in the United States and Canada. The company?s principal properties include the Thompson Creek Mine and mill in Idaho; a metallurgical roasting facility in Langeloth, Pennsylvania; and a joint venture interest in the Endako Mine, mill, and roasting facility in British Columbia. It also holds interests in development projects comprising the Davidson molybdenum property and the Berg copper-molybdenum-silver property located in northern British Columbia; the Howard?s Pass property, a lead and zinc project situated in the Yukon territory-northwest territories border; and the Maze Lake property, a gold project located in the Kivalliq district of Nunavut. The company produces molybdenum products, primarily molybdic oxide and ferromolybdenum, as well as soluble technical oxide, pure molybdenum tri-oxide, and high purity molybdenum disulfide. As o f December 31, 2010, its consolidated recoverable proven and probable ore reserves totaled 462.2 million pounds of contained molybdenum in the Thompson Creek Mine and the Endako Mine. The company was formerly known as Blue Pearl Mining Ltd. and changed its name to Thompson Creek Metals Company Inc. in May 2007. Thompson Creek Metals Company Inc. is based in Denver, Colorado.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Garrett Cook]

  Monday morning, the basic materials sector proved to be a source of strength for the market. Leading the sector was strength from AK Steel Holding (NYSE: AKS) and Thompson Creek Metals Company (NYSE: TC).

• [By Jake L'Ecuyer]

  Leading and Lagging Sectors
  Basic Materials shares gained around 0.24 percent in trading on Wednesday. Meanwhile, top gainers in the sector included Harmony Gold Mining Company (NYSE: HMY), up 4.1 percent, and Thompson Creek Metals Company (NYSE: TC), up 3.8 percent. In trading on Wednesday, cyclical consumer goods & services shares were relative laggards, down on the day by about 0.36 percent.

• [By Selena Maranjian]

  The biggest new holdings are Chesapeake Energy�puts, and shares of Discovery Communications. Other new holdings of interest include Halcon Resources (NYSE: HK  ) , and Thompson Creek Metals (NYSE: TC  ) . Oil and gas company Halcon, operating in the promising Bakken region, as well as Texas's productive Eagle Ford shale region, among others, is expected to grow by 30% annually over the coming years. It recently reported 2012 net daily production 128% higher than year-ago levels, and proven reserves up 417%. Halcon was recently one of my colleague Joel South's top two energy holdings, and analysts at Stifel recently upped its rating�from Hold to Buy.

• [By Jake L'Ecuyer]

  Top losers in the sector included Cliffs Natural Resources (NYSE: CLF), down 4 percent, and Thompson Creek Metals Company (NYSE: TC), off 3 percent.

Best Promising Companies To Invest In Right Now

On Tuesday, Amgen (NASDAQ: AMGN  ) will release its latest quarterly results. The key to making smart investment decisions on stocks reporting earnings is to anticipate how they'll do before they announce results, leaving you fully prepared to respond quickly to whatever inevitable surprises arise. That way, you'll be less likely to make an uninformed knee-jerk reaction to news that turns out to be exactly the wrong move.

Amgen has a strong reputation as a giant in the biotech field, having been a pioneer in the industry. Yet the company hasn't stopped striving for further growth as it pushes its efforts into promising new corners of the biologics market. Let's take an early look at what's been happening with Amgen over the past quarter and what we're likely to see in its quarterly report.

Top 5 Dividend Companies To Own In Right Now: Volkswagen AG (VLKAY)

Volkswagen AG is a Germany-based automobile manufacturer. The Company develops vehicles and components, and also produces and sells vehicles, in particular Volkswagen brand passenger cars and commercial vehicles. The Company consists of two divisions: Automotive and Financial Services division. The Automotive division is responsible for the development of vehicles and engines, the production and sale of passenger cars, commercial vehicles, trucks and buses, and the genuine parts business. The Financial services division's portfolio of services includes dealer and customer services in the field of financing, leasing, directbank, insurance and fleet business. The Company's brands include Volkswagen, Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, SEAT, Skoda, Scania and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles and each brand offers a product range from low-consumption small cars to luxury class vehicles, as well as pick ups, busses and heavy trucks in the commercial vehicle sector.

During 2009, the Company introduced two additions to the Audi5 model series: Audi A5 Cabriolet and the Audi A5 Sportback. In addition, Audi A4 allroad Quattro, Audi TT RS, Audi RS Spyder and the Audi 8 were introduced. During 2009, Audi brand delivered 950 thousand vehicles to customers worldwide. The SEAT launched the Exeo in the B segment. This sporty midsized saloon marks the arrival of the Spanish brands. Bentley introduced the Bentley Mulsanne. This saloon includes proportioned interiors. It also introduced GTC Speed and the Bentley Continental Supersports.

The Company has various delivery centers, including Western Europe, China, Brazil, United States and Mexico. During 2009, deliveries of vehicles were 6336222 worldwide.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Jeff Reeves]

  Take the widely held Fidelity Worldwide Fund (FWWFX), which has 30% of its assets invested in Europe. Holdings include Swiss bank UBS (UBS), German automaker Volkswagen (VLKAY) and French food and consumer products giant Danone (DANOY).

Best Promising Companies To Invest In Right Now: Daimler AG (DDAIF)

Daimler AG (Daimler), incorporated on May 6, 1998, develops, manufactures, distributes and sells a range of automotive products, mainly passenger cars, trucks, vans and buses. It also provides financial and other services relating to its automotive businesses. The Company offers its automotive products and related financial services primarily in Western Europe and in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) region, which consists of the United States, Canada and Mexico. During the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company derived approximately 46% of its revenue from sales in Western Europe and 21% from sales in the United States. It operates in five segments: Mercedes-Benz Cars, Daimler Trucks, Mercedes-Benz Vans, Daimler Buses and Daimler Financial Services. Its other business interests consist primarily of its equity investments in the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company EADS N.V. (EADS) and in Tognum AG. In October 2009, Deutsche Bank AG completed the disposal of its interest in the Company. In June 2011, Daimler AG and Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC had secured around 94% interest in Tognum AG-DJ.

Mercedes-Benz Cars

Mercedes-Benz Cars designs, produces and sells Mercedes-Benz passenger cars, Maybach luxury sedans and smart micro compact passenger cars. During 2009, Mercedes-Benz Cars contributed approximately 51% of the Company�� revenue. The Company offers Mercedes-Benz passenger cars with a range of diesel and gasoline engines. Under the AMG brand, it offers versions of Mercedes-Benz vehicles with V8 or V12 engines in all classes, except in the A-, B-, R-, GL- and GLK-Classes. The Mercedes-Benz passenger car product range consists of S-Class, E-Class, C-Class, A-/B-Classes and ML-/R-/G-/GL-/GLK-Classes.

The S-Class is a line of luxury sedans, which are available in short and long wheelbase versions. In June 2009, the Company introduced a new generation of the S-Class sedans, including a hybrid version, the new S 400 BlueHYBRID. The S-Class sed! ans are complemented by the CL, a top-of-the-line two-door coupe, and the SL, a luxury roadster. The E-Class is a line of luxury sedans, coupes, convertibles and station wagons. It also offers the CLS, a four-door coupe based on the E-Class. The C-Class is a line of compact luxury sedans and station wagons. The CLC Sports Coupe and the SLK, a two-seat roadster, complement the C-Class product family.

The A-Class is a front wheel drive compact and the B-Class is a front wheel drive 4-door Compact Sports Tourer (CST). The Company does not offer the A- and B-Classes in the United States. The ML-Class is a line of sport utility vehicles with permanent all-wheel drive. The R-Class is a line of SUV Tourers, which is available in a short and a long wheelbase version. The GL-Class is a line of seven seat luxury sport utility vehicles. The GLK-Class is a line of compact sport utility vehicles. The G-Class is a line of cross country vehicles with permanent four-wheel drive that come in a short and a long wheelbase version, and as a convertible. Under the Maybach brand, the Company offers a line of luxury sedans with outstanding luxury, comfort, and individuality. Maybach sedans are available in a short and a long wheelbase version, including the Maybach 57S and 62S as sportier variations. The smart brand represents a micro compact car concept. It offers two models, the smart fortwo coupe and the smart fortwo cabrio.

Daimler Trucks

Daimler Trucks manufactures and sells trucks and specialty vehicles under the brand names Mercedes-Benz, Freightliner, Western Star, Thomas Built Buses and Fuso. During 2009, Daimler Trucks contributed approximately 21% of its revenue. During 2009, the Company ceased production of trucks under the Sterling brand name. The Company�� European Mercedes-Benz truck lines consist of the Actros and the Axor in the heavy-duty category, the Atego in the medium-duty category, and the specialty vehicles Econic and Zetros. The Unimog, a four-wheel drive ve! hicle for! special purpose applications, complements the line-up. In Turkey and Brazil, it manufactures heavy-duty and medium-duty trucks for the respective local and certain export markets. Its Mercedes-Benz trucks range from 6 metric tons gross vehicle weight (GVW) to 41 metric tons GVW.

The Company�� United States subsidiary, Daimler Trucks North America LLC, manufactures trucks and buses (based on truck chassis) in Classes 3 through 8 (from 9,000 lbs. GVW to 160,000 lbs. GVW) and sells them under the Freightliner, Western Star, and Thomas Built Buses brand names, primarily in the NAFTA region. It also manufactures chassis for trucks, buses, walk-in vans and motor homes in Classes 3 through 7 (from 10,000 lbs. GVW to 33,000 lbs. GVW). During 2009, Freightliner introduced a new version of the Coronado, an on-highway truck. It Japan-based subsidiary, Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC), offers a truck portfolio and several bus lines, primarily for the Japanese and other Asian markets. The line-up includes the Canter trucks (light-duty), the Fighter trucks (medium-duty) and the Super Great trucks (heavy-duty) and also certain bus models (Rosa and Aero). MFTBC also sells trucks in Africa, Australia, Europe, Latin America and the United States.

Mercedes-Benz Vans

Mercedes-Benz Vans designs, manufactures and sells vans under the brand names Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner. During 2009, Mercedes-Benz Vans contributed approximately 8% of its revenue. The Company offers three lines of Mercedes-Benz vans between 1.9 metric tons (t) and 7.5t gross vehicle weight (GVW): the Vario, the Vito/Viano and the Sprinter. In the NAFTA region it sells the Sprinter under the Freightliner brand name and, since January 1, 2010, also under the Mercedes-Benz brand name. As of December 31, 2009, subsidiaries of Chrysler Holding LLC sold the Sprinter in the United States under the Dodge and Freightliner brand names, and in Canada under the Dodge brand name.

Daimler Buse! s

!

Daimler Buses is a global supplier in the worldwide bus market. During 2009, Daimler Buses contributed approximately 5% of the Company�� revenue. Its product portfolio includes city buses, coaches, intercity buses, midi buses and bus chassis. It sells complete buses under the Mercedes-Benz and Setra brands in Europe, under the Mercedes-Benz brand name in Mexico, and under the Setra and Orion brand names in the United States and Canada. In addition, Daimler Buses produces and sells worldwide a range of bus chassis under the brand name Mercedes-Benz.

Daimler Financial Services

The Company�� financial services activities contributed approximately 15% of its revenue during 2009. It consists principally of financing and leasing services supporting its Mercedes-Benz and other vehicle businesses. The financial services the Company offers consist mainly of customized financing and leasing packages for its retail and wholesale customers in the automotive sector. It also provides financing to its dealers for vehicle inventory and property, plant and equipment purchases, and it offers insurance brokerage and fleet management services, including dealer property and casualty insurance. In Germany, the Company operates a licensed bank, the Mercedes-Benz Bank. The Mercedes-Benz Bank offers financial services to its customers and employees in Germany. These services include leasing and sales financing services, car savings plans, credit cards and demand deposit accounts. In addition, the Mercedes-Benz Bank operates branches in Great Britain and Spain to refinance the local dealer portfolios.

The Company competes with BMW, Volkswagen, Fiat, Ford, General Motors, PSA, Renault, Tata Motors, Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Suzuki, Scania, Iveco, Volvo, DAF, Navistar International, Paccar, Hino, Isuzu, MAN Commercial Vehicles, Irisbus and Agrale.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Alex Planes]

  For Daimler (NASDAQOTH: DDAIF  ) , the move offered a way to make greater inroads to the lucrative American market. For Chrysler, the prospect of taking on the much stronger Ford (NYSE: F  ) and General Motors (NYSE: GM  ) in Europe was tremendously enhanced by Daimler's home-field advantage. It was at the time the largest industrial merger in history, although the combined company would still be only the fifth-largest automaker in the world, behind both Ford and GM. When combined, the two companies had more than 440,000 employees and a market capitalization nearing $100 billion.

• [By John Rosevear]

  Audi had about 29% of the Chinese luxury-car market last year. Together with German archrivals BMW (NASDAQOTH: BAMXF  ) and Mercedes-Benz (NASDAQOTH: DDAIF  ) , German brands account for about three-quarters of China's luxury-vehicle sales.

• [By John Rosevear]

  This past week, German automaker Daimler (NASDAQOTH: DDAIF  ) announced a new deal with Aston Martin, the tiny British company famous for its line of sleek -- and expensive -- sports cars.

• [By John Rosevear]

  Mercedes-Benz is one of the great luxury car brands of all time, but parent company Daimler (NASDAQOTH: DDAIF  ) hasn't been happy with it lately. The problem: Profits trail those at German arch-rivals Audi and BMW (NASDAQOTH: BAMXF  ) .

Best Promising Companies To Invest In Right Now: Energy Transfer Equity L.P. (ETE)

Energy Transfer Equity, L.P., through its direct and indirect investments in the limited partner and general partner interests in Energy Transfer Partners, L.P., engages in midstream, intrastate, and interstate transportation of natural gas, as well as in storage of natural gas in the United States. The company?s Intrastate Transportation and Storage segment engages in the ownership and operation of natural gas transportation pipelines and natural gas storage facilities. As of December 31, 2009, it owned and operated approximately 7,800 miles of natural gas transportation pipelines and 3 natural gas storage facilities. This segment sells natural gas to electric utilities, independent power plants, local distribution companies, industrial end-users, and other marketing companies on the Houston pipeline system. Its Interstate Transportation segment involves owns and operates interstate natural gas pipeline. It owned and operates approximately 2,700 miles of interstate natura l gas pipeline with an additional 180 miles under construction. The company?s Midstream segment engages in the ownership and operation of in service natural gas gathering pipelines, natural gas processing plants, natural gas treating facilities, and natural gas conditioning facilities. This segment owned and operated approximately 7,000 miles of in service natural gas gathering pipelines, 3 natural gas processing plants, 11 natural gas treating facilities, and 11 natural gas conditioning facilities. Its Retail Propane segment operates a retail distribution network consisting of approximately 440 customer service locations in approximately 40 states. The company was formerly known as La Grange Energy, L.P. Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. was founded in 2002 and is based in Dallas, Texas.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Roberto Pedone]

  Energy Transfer Equity (ETE) owns and operates natural gas gathering systems, natural gas intrastate pipeline systems and gas processing plants. This stock closed up 1.8% at $66.21 in Wednesday's trading session.

  Wednesday's Volume: 4.58 million
  
  Three-Month Average Volume: 1.28 million
  
  Volume % Change: 321%

  From a technical perspective, ETE spiked higher here right off some near-term support at $63.90 with heavy upside volume. This move pushed shares of ETE into new 52-week high territory, since the stock took out some resistance at $66.97. At last check, ETE hit an intraday high of $67.90 with volume that was substantially above its three-month average action of 1.28 million shares.

  Traders should now look for long-biased trades in ETE as long as it's trending above support at $63.90 or above more support at $62 and then once it sustains a move or close above its new 52-week high at $67.90 with volume that's near or above 1.28 million shares. If we get that move soon, then ETE will set up to enter new 52-week-high territory, which is bullish technical price action. Some possible upside targets off that move are $70 to $75.

• [By Maria Armental var popups = dojo.query(".socialByline .popC"); popups.forEach]

  Midstream energy company Targa Resources Corp.(TRGP) said it had terminated “high-level preliminary discussions” on a potential merger with Energy Transfer Equity LP(ETE). Targa shares dropped 9.7% to $136 premarket.

• [By Seth Jayson]

  Energy Transfer Equity (NYSE: ETE  ) reported earnings on May 8. Here are the numbers you need to know.

  The 10-second takeaway
  For the quarter ended March 31 (Q1), Energy Transfer Equity beat expectations on revenues and crushed expectations on earnings per share.

• [By Paul Ausick]

  Many of the MLPs also have a publicly traded general partner. Because the general partner typically owns incentive distribution rights that can skyrocket after the limited partnership distributions are paid, these companies tend to show higher growth rates than the MLPs themselves. For example, Energy Transfer Equity LP (NYSE: ETE), the general partner for Enterprise Products, has a market cap of $24.23 billion on its own. ETE�� yield is 3.4% compared with EPD�� yield of 4.2%, but the general partner�� ability to grow is potentially much higher. The downside is that these stocks are expensive compared with an MLP�� common unit price.

Best Promising Companies To Invest In Right Now: BP Prudhoe Bay Royalty Trust (BPT)

BP Prudhoe Bay Royalty Trust operates as a grantor trust in the United States. The company holds overriding royalty interests constituting a non-operational interest in minerals in the Prudhoe Bay oil field located on the North Slope in Alaska. The Prudhoe Bay field extends approximately 12 miles by 27 miles and contains approximately 150,000 gross productive acres. As of December 31, 2012, its estimated net remaining proved reserves were 75.517 million barrels of oil and condensate, of which 70.676 million barrels are proved developed reserves and 4.841 million barrels are proved undeveloped reserves. The company was founded in 1989 and is based in Austin, Texas.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Aaron Levitt]

  BP Prudhoe Bay Royalty Trust (BPT): BPT is the largest conventional oil and gas trust in the U.S. and was originally formed in 1989 by BP (BP). The royalty trust collects fees on the first 90,000 barrels of oil collected in the massive Prudhoe Bay oil field located on Alaska’s North Slope. While production in Prudhoe Bay have slipped over the last few years, BPT is expected to continue pumping out dividends for another 15 years. This royalty trust�yields a very hefty 11% based on the last four distributions.

• [By Rick Munarriz]

  BP Prudhoe Bay Royalty Trust (NYSE: BPT  ) is also fueling its distributions. The trust's new quarterly payout comes out to $2.4147517 a unit. We're really splitting pennies here, but it's actually a reasonable 4% increase over its earlier rate.

Best Promising Companies To Invest In Right Now: Spdr S&P Homebuilders Etf (XHB)

SPDR S&P Homebuilders ETF (the Fund) seeks to replicate as closely as possible, before expenses, the performance of the S&P Homebuilders Select Industry Index (the Index). To accomplish this, the Fund utilizes a passive or indexing approach and attempts to approximate the investment performance of its Index, by investing in a portfolio of stocks intended to replicate the Index.

The S&P Homebuilders Select Industry Index seeks to provide a representation of the homebuilders��sub-industry portion of the S&P Total Market Index. The S&P TMI tracks all the United States common stocks regularly traded on the NYSE, American Stock Exchange, NASDAQ National Market and NASDAQ Small Cap Exchanges. The Homebuilders Index is an equal weighted market cap index.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Anora Mahmudova]

  The day�� economic data provided a little support. The sales pace of existing homes ticked down in March to the slowest rate since July 2012, according to data released Tuesday, however the decline was smaller than the consensus rate forecast by economists polled by MarketWatch. The SPDR S&P Homebuilder ETF (XHB) �gained 1%.

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  The SPDR S&P Homebuilders ETF (XHB) has dropped 10.5% during the past three months, or about when all the talk about an end to the Fed’s bond buying really picked up, compared to a 2.7% return for the S&P 500.

Best Promising Companies To Invest In Right Now: Uralkaliy OAO (URALL.PK)

Uralkaliy OAO (Uralkali OJSC) is a Russia-based company, which is engaged in the chemical industry. The Company specializes in the production of potash fertilizers. Its product portfolio comprises pink muriate of potash (PMOP), white muriate of potash (WMOP) and granular (GMOP). The Company is active through representative offices, located in Moscow and Beijing, as well as numerous subsidiaries, located countrywide and in Panama, Belarus, Singapore, Brazil and others. Uralkaliy OAO operates on the potassium and magnesium deposits located in Berezniki, Perm and Saint Petersburg. Its production assets include seven plants and five mines. Uralkaliy OAO sells its products domestically, as well as abroad in over 40 countries, including the United States, China, Brazil, India and South-East Asia, among others. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Chris Damas]

  This morning Russian potash giant OJSC Uralkali (URALL.PK) presented first half 2013 financial and operating results and more importantly, much anticipated comments on the strategy of the company and the state of the international potash industry, the latter blind-sided by the leading potash company's split with marketing partner JSC Belaruskali of Belarus.

• [By Tim Gallagher]

  The potash spat continues to get uglier, as Belarus investigators reportedly intend to seize property and assets of Russia's Uralkali (URALL.PK) following the collapse of the joint Russian-Belarussian potash venture.

Best Promising Companies To Invest In Right Now: CPFL Energia S.A.(CPL)

CPFL Energia S.A., through its subsidiaries, engages in the generation, distribution, and sale of electricity in Brazil. It generates electricity through hydroelectric, thermal, biomass, and wind power plants. The company also involves in the provision of energy commercialization, consultancy, and advisory services to agents in the energy sector; manufacture, commercialization, rental, and maintenance of electromechanical equipment; and provision of administrative services, as well as telephone answering services. It has an installed generating capacity of 2,309 MW. The company was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Jake L'Ecuyer]

  Leading and Lagging Sectors
  Utilities sector surged 0.26%, saw CPFL Energia SA (NYSE: CPL) as the top gainer. Among leading sector stocks, gains came from Consolidated Water Co (NASDAQ: CWCO), Companhia Paranaense de Energia (NYSE: ELP) and Public Service Enterprise Group (NYSE: PEG).