Top Value Stocks For 2017: May 2015

Sunday, May 31, 2015

Top 10 Shipping Companies To Watch In Right Now

Subaru boosted the price of its BRZ sports car models $100 for 2015, bringing the base model, called Premium, to $26,490 including shipping. The more upscale Limited models also go up $100.

In addition, Subie said it will offer a special limited edition model of the car to start the 2015 model year.

All 2015 models will go on sale in July. The BRZ is a rear-drive sports car and is Subaru's only U.S. model without all-wheel drive.

Minor BRZ changes for 2015 include larger tailpipe tips, fake carbon-fiber dashboard trim, roof-mounted shark-fin-style radio antenna. The suspension is revised for 2015 to provide what Subaru says will be better handling. Engine's a carryover: 2-liter flat four-cylinder, co-developed with Toyota, rated 200 horsepower.

In fact, the entire car was co-developed with Toyota, which sells a similar vehicle as the Scion FR-S.

10 Best Promising Stocks To Invest In 2016: Solitario Exploration & Royalty Corp (XPL)

Solitario Exploration & Royalty Corp. is an exploration company. The Company is a gold producer with its development-stage Mt.Hamilton gold project in Nevada. The Company has a portfolio of royalty structured joint ventures on advanced mineral projects with partners, such as Votorantim Metais, Anglo Platinum and Newmont Mining. The Company�� advanced projects include Mt. Hamilton: gold project, the United States, Bongara: zinc-lead-silver, Peru, and Pedra Branca: platinum-palladium, Brazil. Its gold-silver exploration projects include Pachuca Real: silver-gold, Mexico and Cerro Azul: Gold-Silver, Peru. The Company�� base metal and polymetallic exploration projects include Chambara: zinc-lead-silver, Peru and La Promesa: silver-zinc-lead-indium, Peru. In December 2013, Solitario Exploration & Royalty Corp raised its interest to 23.537% from 3.233%, by acquiring a 20.304% stake in Ely Gold & Minerals Inc. Advisors' Opinion:

[By Monica Wolfe]
Solitario Exploration & Royalty (XPL)
Several insiders made significant buys this week as the company�� share price continues to dwindle beneath its all-time lows. Most notably, President and CEO Christopher Herald bought 400,000 shares. He purchased these shares at $0.84 per share for a total transaction amount of $336,000. Since this buy, the share price has increased approximately 11.9%.

Top 10 Shipping Companies To Watch In Right Now: Swissquote Group Holding Ltd (SQN)

Swissquote Group Holding Ltd (Swissquote) is a provider of online financial and trading services in Switzerland. It operates an online bank that accepts deposits from its customers mainly in Swiss Francs, United States Dollars and Euros in current account form, as well as offers electronic dealing in shares, funds, options, warrants and bonds worldwide. Swissquote also provides stock brokerage services to self-directed investors and asset managers; custodian services against fees and foreign exchange; margin loans to customers against pledging of assets; fiduciary placements on behalf and at the risks of clients against commission fees and services to corporations for the management of their stock option programs, among others. Its financial portal swissquote.ch is an online platform providing the information that users need to conduct independent research on various investment vehicles. It is active domestically and abroad, including Dubai and Malta. Advisors' Opinion:

[By Tom Stoukas]
Swissquote Group Holding SA (SQN) surged 13 percent after agreeing to buy MIG Bank for an undisclosed price. Clariant AG lost 1.6 percent after UBS AG removed the maker of specialty chemicals from the list of its most preferred shares.

Top 10 Shipping Companies To Watch In Right Now: Rovi Corporation(ROVI)

Rovi Corporation provides digital entertainment technology solutions for the discovery and management of entertainment content. It offers interactive program guides; embedded licensing technologies, such as recommendations and search capability; media recognition technologies; licensing of the company?s database of descriptive information about television, movie, music, books, and game content; and analog content protection technologies and services. The company?s interactive program guides technology is an interactive listing of television or video program information that enables viewers to navigate through, sort, select, and schedule video programming for viewing and recording. The company also provides video delivery solutions, such as compression-decompression technology (codec) to enable distribution of content across the Internet and through recordable media in physical or streamed forms; and media manager, a personal computer application enabling consumers to man age personal media files, including music, photos, and video files. In addition, it offers digital copy solution for consumer electronics devices and PC software applications; the Rovi Entertainment Store video delivery solutions; content authoring solutions; and advertising solutions. Rovi Corporation primarily serves companies in the consumer electronics, cable and satellite, entertainment, and online distribution markets. The company was formerly known as Macrovision Solutions Corporation and changed its name to Rovi Corporation in July 2009. Rovi Corporation was founded in 1983 and is headquartered in Santa Clara, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Alex Planes]
What: Shares of Rovi (NASDAQ: ROVI ) have lost nearly 12% today as a result of the company's disappointing earnings report. Both top and bottom lines missed estimates, and the company is now contemplating divestitures to keep itself afloat.
[By Seth Jayson]
Rovi (Nasdaq: ROVI ) is expected to report Q1 earnings on May 1. Here's what Wall Street wants to see:

The 10-second takeaway
Comparing the upcoming quarter to the prior-year quarter, average analyst estimates predict Rovi's revenues will decrease -12.8% and EPS will wither -17.9%.

Top 10 Shipping Companies To Watch In Right Now: Philip Morris International Inc(PM)

Philip Morris International Inc., through its subsidiaries, engages in the manufacture and sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products in markets outside of the United States. Its international product brand line comprises Marlboro, Merit, Parliament, Virginia Slims, L&M, Chesterfield, Bond Street, Lark, Muratti, Next, Philip Morris, and Red & White. The company also offers its products under the A Mild, Dji Sam Soe, and A Hijau in Indonesia; Diana in Italy; Optima and Apollo-Soyuz in the Russian Federation; Morven Gold in Pakistan; Boston in Colombia; Belmont, Canadian Classics, and Number 7 in Canada; Best and Classic in Serbia; f6 in Germany; Delicados in Mexico; Assos in Greece; and Petra in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. It operates primarily in the European Union, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Canada, and Latin America. The company is based in New York, New York.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Morgan Housel]
For most of the last decade, investors scooped up stocks that had big international exposure with the idea that they would provide a hedge against a weakening dollar. Companies that do most of their business overseas, like Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO ) (73% overseas), Philip Morris International (NYSE: PM ) (all overseas), and Intel (NASDAQ: INTC ) (85% overseas), looked compelling as a hedge against the U.S. economy's faults.

Top 10 Shipping Companies To Watch In Right Now: Everest Re Group Ltd.(RE)

Everest Re Group, Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, underwrites reinsurance and insurance in the United States (the U.S.), Bermuda, and international markets. The company operates in five segments: U.S. Reinsurance, U.S. Insurance, Specialty Underwriting, International, and Bermuda. The U.S. Reinsurance segment writes property and casualty reinsurance, on both a treaty and facultative basis, through reinsurance brokers, as well as directly with ceding companies within the United States. The U.S. Insurance segment offers property and casualty insurance primarily through general agents, brokers, and surplus lines brokers in the U.S. The Specialty Underwriting segment writes accident and health, marine, aviation, and surety business within the U.S. and worldwide through brokers and directly with ceding companies. The International segment offers non-U.S. property and casualty reinsurance. The Bermuda segment provides reinsurance and insurance to worldwide property and cas ualty markets and reinsurance to life insurers through brokers and directly with ceding companies, as well as offers reinsurance to the United Kingdom and European markets. The company was founded in 1973 and is based in Liberty Corner, New Jersey.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By John Emerson]
Last August, I purchased Everest Re (RE) when it fell within the value parameters outlined in today's article. I wrote an article about the stock titled: Everest Re: Low Risk High Reward http://www.gurufocus.com/news/143388/everest-re-low-risk-high-reward

Top 10 Shipping Companies To Watch In Right Now: China Teletech Holding Inc (CNCT)

China Teletech Holding, Inc., formerly Guangzhou Global Telecom, Inc., incorporated on March 29, 1999, is a distributor of pre-paid calling card and integrated mobile phone handsets and a provider of mobile handset value-added services. The Company serves as one of principal distributors of China Telecom, China Unicom, and China Mobile products in Guangzhou City. The Company is also developing an on-line refill platform with China Mobile to develop its on-line business in the Guangdong Province. On March 30, 2012, the Company acquired China Teletech Limited.

The Company operates its business through its subsidiaries in China: Guangzhou Renwoxing Telecom Co., Ltd., Guangzhou Global Telecommunication Co., Ltd., Guangzhou Rongxin Technology Co., Ltd., and Shenzhen Rongxin Investment Co., Ltd. The Company also engages in the business of wholesale and distribution of mineral water, as well as trading of wine in China. The Company has cooperative distribution relationships with Panasonic, Motorola, LG, GE, Bird, Samsung corporations for their mobile handsets.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By MARKETWATCH]
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)

Top 10 Shipping Companies To Watch In Right Now: Corinthian Colleges Inc (COCO)

Corinthian Colleges, Inc., incorporated on July 24, 1996, is a post-secondary education company in the United States and Canada. As of June 30, 2013, the Company had a student enrollment of 81,284 and operated 97 schools in 25 states, and 14 schools in the province of Ontario, Canada. It offers a variety of diploma programs and associate, bachelor's and master's degrees. The Company�� training program areas include healthcare, criminal justice, business, mechanical, trades, and information technology. The Company�� diploma curricula includes medical assisting, medical insurance billing and coding, massage therapy, dental assisting, pharmacy technician, medical administrative assisting, surgical technology, automotive and diesel technology, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), plumbing, electrical, and licensed practical nursing. Its core degree curriculum includes business administration, accounting, paralegal, criminal justice, medical assisting, and registered nursing.

Diploma programs are generally designed to have duration of approximately 8-12 months, depending on the course of study. Associate degree programs are generally designed to have duration of approximately 24-28 months, bachelor's degree programs are generally designed to have duration of approximately 48 months and master's degree programs are generally designed to have duration of approximately 21 months. As of June 30, 2013, approximately 39% of its students were enrolled in diploma programs, approximately 55% of students were enrolled in associate programs, approximately 5% of students were in bachelor's programs and approximately 1% of students were in master's programs.

The Company�� career services departments assist students in preparing resumes, help them to develop a professional demeanor and other soft skills that are important in the workplace, conduct practice interview sessions, and identify prospective employers for graduates. At the Company�� Everest locations in Florida, ! Phoenix, AZ, Mesa, AZ, Springfield, MO and Ontario Metro, CA, some of its associate degree programs also articulate into a bachelor's degree in the same course of study. Master's degrees are also offered at Everest Florida in business administration and criminal justice. As of June 30, 2013, 94 out of 111 schools were operating under the Everest brand, five schools were operating under the WyoTech brand, and 12 schools were operating under the Heald brand.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Dan Caplinger]
On the other hand, students do seem to be making some moves that indicate greater fiscal responsibility for their own financial lives. Just last week, for-profit educational institution Apollo Group (NASDAQ: APOL ) reported sharply lower enrollment, including a 25% drop in new students. ITT Educational (NYSE: ESI ) saw more modest declines when it reported in April, but new student enrollment was still down 3.6%. A new investigation last month from the SEC over Corinthian Colleges (NASDAQ: COCO ) marked just the latest in a string of regulatory crackdowns on for-profit educational institutions. More generally, increased government scrutiny as well as reports of higher student-loan default rates among many players in the for-profit industry compared to nonprofit educational institutions have led would-be students to question the value proposition for-profit educational companies offer.
[By GuruFocus]
An example of her favorite: Corinthian Colleges (COCO). It is one of the largest for-profit colleges. Stocks have declined 80% during the past 3 years due to the regulatory change of the industry. Why she likes it?
[By Teresa Rivas]
It hasn�� been a great week for for-profit schools, as the Massachusetts Attorney General today filed a complaint against Corinthian Colleges (COCO) for allegations it ��isrepresented its training programs and job placement rates in order to increase profits, and pushed students into high-interest subprime loans��and industry heavyweight Apollo Group (APOL) fell yesterday after reporting weaker-than-expected fiscal second-quarter revenue.
[By Monica Gerson]
Corinthian Colleges (NASDAQ: COCO) soared 1.01% to $2.50 in the pre-market trading. Corinthian's PEG ratio is 1.61.

Posted-In: PreMarket GainersNews Pre-Market Outlook Markets Movers

Thursday, May 28, 2015

Phibro Animal Health Corp. (PAHC) Stock Rises After IPO

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Phibro Animal Health Corp. (PAHC) rose on Friday, its first day of trading after the animal health pharmaceutical manufacturer's IPO.

The company priced 11.765 shares of Class A common stock in its initial public offering at $15 a share, below its $16 to $18 range. U.K. private equity firm 3i Group backed the Teaneck, N.J.-based Phibro, which sold 7.352 million shares in the offering. Selling stockholder Mayflower, which 3i manages, offered the rest of the shares.

Phibro opened at $16.50 on Friday and hit a high of $16.75 as of 1:15 p.m. More than 3.3 million shares had changed hands.

Must Read: Warren Buffett's 10 Favorite Growth Stocks STOCKS TO BUY: TheStreet Quant Ratings has identified a handful of stocks that can potentially TRIPLE in the next 12 months. Learn more. PAHC Chart

PAHC data by YCharts STOCKS TO BUY: TheStreet Quant Ratings has identified a handful of stocks that can potentially TRIPLE in the next 12 months. Learn more.

Stock quotes in this article: PAHC

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

5 Best Healthcare Equipment Stocks To Buy Right Now

Much has been made of health-insurance premiums rising under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. Yet although many states have indeed seen premium increases, others are expected to see extensive declines. A recent study from the Manhattan Institute looked at premiums across the country to figure out which states would end up seeing the biggest cost savings from Obamacare.

In the following video, Dan Caplinger, The Motley Fool's director of investment planning, looks at the results of the study and finds that in four states, premiums under the Affordable Care Act are slated to more fall by 20% or more. Dan runs through the four states, noting that in New York and Colorado, declines will be roughly equal across the board for those of all ages, especially with New York having stable rates statewide. Meanwhile, in Ohio, young men will pay more, but older residents will get the lion's share of the cost savings under the Affordable Care Act. In Massachusetts, middle-aged residents will save the most under Obamacare.

Top 5 Railroad Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Marathon Investments Ltd (MARA)

Marathon Investments Ltd is an Israel-based company that invests in income-producing industrial companies. The Company's portfolio includes companies in the fields of heat treatment, biotechnology, inspection and advanced electronics. Its portfolio comprises of a number of companies: Protalix Biotherapeutics Inc. which produces plant protein-based medical treatment; Nanomotion Ltd. which develops, manufactures and markets tiny solid-state ceramic servo motors and positioning systems; Margan Business Development Ltd. which engages in early building and facility damage detection; BioView Ltd. which develops and manufactures medical screening and diagnostics systems; Solcon Industries Ltd. is a high technology electronics manufacturer, whose products are intended for installation in low and medium voltage AC Motor switchgear, and Chromat Ltd., which is a commercial steel heat treatment company, among others. Advisors' Opinion:

[By John Udovich]
Although some view patent investors or speculators as nothing more than "patent trolls," small cap patent stocks RPX Corporation (NASDAQ: RPXC), Marathon Patent Group Inc (OTCBB: MARA) and Endeavor IP Inc (OTCBB: ENIP) are a couple of interesting options that allow retail investors to invest in patents as they either invest in patents themselves or they provide patent related services. However, there could be risks associated with investing in patent stocks because a bi-partisan bill called the Innovation Act (H.R. 3309) is�working its way through Congress to try and reign in the activities of so-called�patent trolls or companies�who go out and buy or license patents from others and then target alleged infringers with lawsuits.
[By CRWE]
Today, MARA has shed (-3.78%) down -0.23 at $5.85 with�23,913 shares in play thus far (ref. google finance Delayed: 11:09AM EDT September 11, 2013).

Marathon Patent Group, Inc. previously reported its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2013 (“Q2 2013″).
For Q2, 2013, the Company reported gross revenue of $1,524,979, as a result of three patent licensing and settlement agreements. Q2 2013 marks the first quarter the Company has reported significant licensing and settlement revenue. Included in the gross revenue amount is the value of certain patents received in settlement from a defendant.

5 Best Healthcare Equipment Stocks To Buy Right Now: Symmetricom Inc.(SYMM)

Symmetricom, Inc. provides timekeeping technologies, instruments, and solutions worldwide. Its Communications business unit provides timing technologies and services for communications infrastructure. The Communications business unit products comprise primary reference sources; edge clocks and distribution products for synchronization outside the network core; building integrated timing supply and sync supply unit for the central office; the PackeTime product suite; data over cable service interface specifications timing interface systems; network management and monitoring software; and embedded hardware and software solutions for integration with various elements of the communications ecosystem, such as silicon, routers, switches, microwave backhaul, and base stations. The company?s Government business unit offers time technology products for aerospace/defense, IT infrastructure, power infrastructure, and science and metrology applications. The Government business unit p roduct portfolio comprises timescale clock sources; network time servers; network time displays; time code generators; bus level timing cards; primary reference standards, such as rubidium and cesium oscillator standards; high stability masers; chip-scale atomic clocks; ruggedized crystal oscillators; and custom time and frequency systems. It offers timekeeping in GPS satellites, national time references, and national power grids, as well as in critical military and civilian networks, which enable data, voice, mobile, and video networks and services. The company sells its products through distributors, systems integrators, and manufacturer sales representatives. It serves various markets, including communications service providers; network equipment manufacturers; silicon suppliers; aerospace/defense; power utility infrastructure; IT infrastructure; underwater exploration and navigation; and science and metrology. The company was founded in 1956 and is headquartered in San J ose, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Lauren Pollock]
Microsemi Corp.(MSCC) agreed to pay almost $298 million to acquire Symmetricom Inc.(SYMM), a deal that will expand the power-management supplier’s exposure into the aerospace and defense industries while also immediately adding to earnings. Shares in Symmetricom soared.
[By Rich Smith]
San Jose, Calif.-based Symmetricom (NASDAQ: SYMM ) has a new chief executive officer.

On Tuesday, the "precise time" computer announced a series of changes in upper management. Current CEO David G. Cote is leaving the company "to pursue other interests" and has been replaced by new CEO Elizabeth A. Fetter, a current board member. Details on Fetter's compensation have yet to be filed with the SEC.

5 Best Healthcare Equipment Stocks To Buy Right Now: GEO Group Inc (GEO)

The GEO Group, Inc., incorporated on April 5, 1988, specializes in the ownership, leasing and management of correctional, detention, and re-entry facilities and the provision of community-based services and youth services in the United States, Australia, South Africa, the United Kingdom and Canada. The Company operates in four segments: United States Corrections and Detention segment; GEO Community Services; International Services, and its Facility Construction and Design. The Company's United States Corrections and Detention segment primarily encompasses its United States-based privatized corrections and detention business. GEO Community Services segment consists of its community based services business, its youth services business and its electronic monitoring and supervision service. International Services segment primarily consists of its privatized corrections and detention operations in South Africa, Australia and the United Kingdom. Facility Construction and Design segment primarily contracts with various states, local and federal agencies for the design and construction of facilities for which the Company generally has been, or expects to be, awarded management contracts. In June 2013, it announced the closing of acquisition of the 1,287-bed Joe Corley Detention Center (the Center) in Montgomery County, Texas.

The Company owns, leases and operates a range of correctional and detention facilities, including maximum, medium and minimum security prisons, immigration detention centers, minimum security detention centers, and community based re-entry facilities. The Company offers counseling, education and /or treatment to inmates with alcohol and drugs abuse problems at most of the domestic facilities the Company manages. The Company is also a provider of compliance technologies, monitoring services, and evidence-based supervision and treatment programs for community-based parolees, probationers and pretrial defendants. On December 31, 2012, the Company divested its residential treatm! ent health care facility management contracts, (Residential Treatment Services (RTS)). Effective January 1, 2013, it began operating as a real estate investment trust (REIT). As of December 31, 2012, the Company's worldwide operations included the management and/or ownership of approximately 73,000 beds at 100 correctional, detention and residential facilities, including idle facilities, and also included the provision of monitoring services, tracking approximately 70,000 offenders on behalf of approximately 900 federal, state and local correctional agencies located in all 50 states. During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company activated four new or expansion projects representing an aggregate of 2,082 additional beds.

The Company has an exclusive contract with the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which the Company refers to as ICE, to provide supervision and reporting services designed to improves the participation of non-detained aliens in the immigration court system. The Company develops facilities based on contract awards, using its project development expertise and experience to design, construct and finance. The Company also provides secure transportation services for offender and detainee populations as contracted domestically and in the United Kingdom through its joint venture, GEO Amey PECS Ltd., which the Company refers to as GEOAmey. The Company provides a diversified scope of services on behalf of its government clients. Its correctional and detention management services involve the provision of security, administrative, rehabilitation, education, and food services, primarily at adult male correctional and detention facilities. Its community-based services involve supervision of adult parolees and probationers and the provision of temporary housing, programming, employment assistance and other services with the intention of the successful reintegration of residents into the community. The Company�� youth services include residential, detention and sh! elter car! e and community-based services along with rehabilitative and educational programs. The Company provides comprehensive electronic monitoring and supervision services. The Company provides secure transportation services for offender and detainee populations as contracted. Through the REIT subsidiaries (TRS) structure, a portion of the Company's businesses, which are non-real estate related, such as its managed-only contracts, international operations, electronic monitoring services, and other non-residential facilities, are part of wholly owned taxable subsidiaries of the REIT. Most of the Company's business segments, which are real estate related and involve company-owned and company-leased facilities, are part of the REIT.

The Company competes with Corrections Corporation of America; Management and Training Corporation; Louisiana Corrections Services, Inc.; Emerald Companies; Community Education Centers; LaSalle Southwest Corrections; Group 4 Securicor; Sodexo Justice Services (formerly Kaylx); Serco; G4 Justice Services, LLC; Elmo-Tech, a 3M Company, and Pro-Tech, a 3M Company

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Ben Levisohn]
Prison REIT Corrections Corp of America (CXW) yields 6.2% and trades at 24.9 times earnings, while�Geo Group (GEO) yields 6.4% on a P-E ratio of 20.8 times.
[By Seth Jayson]
GEO Group (NYSE: GEO ) reported earnings on May 8. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended March 31 (Q1), GEO Group met expectations on revenues and met expectations on earnings per share.
[By Tyler Laundon]
And The GEO Group (GEO) is yet another compelling holding that most investors haven't heard of. The company operates correctional and detention facilities for various governments.

5 Best Healthcare Equipment Stocks To Buy Right Now: Valero Energy Corporation(VLO)

Valero Energy Corporation operates as an independent petroleum refining and marketing company. The company operates through three segments: Refining, Ethanol, and Retail. The Refining segment engages in refining, wholesale marketing, product supply and distribution, and transportation operations. It produces conventional gasoline, distillates, jet fuel, asphalt, petrochemicals, lubricants, and other refined products. This segment also offers conventional blendstock for oxygenate blending, reformulated gasoline blendstock for oxygenate blending, gasoline meeting the specifications of the California Air Resources Board (CARB), CARB diesel fuel, low-sulfur and ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel. The Ethanol segment produces ethanol and distillers grains. The Retail segment sells transportation fuels at retail stores and unattended self-service cardlocks; convenience store merchandise and services in retail stores; and home heating oil to residential customers. Valero Energy Corpora tion markets its refined products through bulk and rack marketing network; and sells refined products through a network of approximately 6,800 retail and wholesale branded outlets under the Valero, Diamond Shamrock, Shamrock, Ultramar, Beacon, and Texaco names in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Aruba, and Ireland. As of December 31, 2011, it owned 16 petroleum refineries with a combined throughput capacity of approximately 3.0 million barrels per day; and operated 10 ethanol plants with a combined nameplate production capacity of approximately 1.1 billion gallons per year. The company was formerly known as Valero Refining and Marketing Company and changed its name to Valero Energy Corporation in August 1997. Valero Energy Corporation was founded in 1955 and is based in San Antonio, Texas.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Elliott Gue]
Even with looking within the US, not all sectors of the energy market are negatively exposed to oil prices. One example is the refining sector. Companies like Valero Energy (VLO); they actually benefit from really low US oil prices, because they are able to buy their feedstock��il is a feedstock for the refining operations��t cut-rate or reduced prices, and then sell gasoline and diesel fuel on the global markets at much higher prices that are leveraged to Brent, so their so-called crack spreads are actually expanding a lot right now.
[By Dan Caplinger]
But higher prices aren't always good for businesses. For instance, Valero Energy (NYSE: VLO ) today warned that its earnings would be lower than expected, as discounts for U.S. crude have largely disappeared. For Valero and its fellow refiners, rising oil prices raise their costs, while there's no guarantee that retail gasoline prices, which are determined by world markets, will follow suit.

Monday, May 25, 2015

Top Portfolio Products: New Site Tracks, Compares MLPs

New products introduced over the last week include a website to track master limited partnerships from MLP Data.

In addition, Advisors Asset Management and ISI teamed to launch a unit investment trust, and Litman Gregory started offering model portfolios to advisors.

Here are the latest developments of interest to advisors:

1) MLP Data Launches Content and Analytics Site to Track MLPs

MLP Data LLC has announced the launch of MLPData.com, its content and analytics site dedicated to providing investors with transparency in the publicly traded master limited partnership (MLP) market.

The site offers professionals and investors the ability to compare and analyze the total universe of MLPs by performance, distribution growth and distributable cash flow coverage; to review and select from among MLP funds by yield, performance and premium/discounts, as well as to follow the money flows of funds; track and monitor the real-time yield performance of private lists of funds and MLPs; and find interest rate sensitivity via graphs that indicate historical yields and spreads.

2) U.S. Manufacturing, Energy Growth Powers New Unit Investment Trust

Advisors Asset Management Inc. has teamed with International Strategy and Investment Inc., the money management arm of International Strategy and Investment Group LLC, to launch a unit investment trust (UIT), the American Renaissance Portfolio, Series 2013-1.

The UIT seeks to achieve above-average total return primarily through capital appreciation. ISI Inc. acts as the UIT’s portfolio consultant, selecting stocks that have the potential to benefit from the firm’s three “American Renaissance” economic growth drivers — resurgence and renewed competitiveness of U.S. manufacturing, U.S. energy independence resulting from growing production of low-cost energy, and favorable long-term labor costs and demographics.

3) Litman Gregory Offers Model Portfolios

Litman Gregory has announced that it is now offering its proprietary active-core/opportunistic-satellite model portfolios to advisors through Placemark Investments. The model portfolios are available through Placemark’s unified managed account platform, UMA Marketplace.

Advisors have access to four distinct risk-managed global portfolio strategies, each using the Litman Gregory Masters Funds as actively managed core equity and alternative strategies holdings. As portfolio strategist, Litman Gregory will pursue tactical opportunities to add returns, make ongoing risk management decisions, and adjust manager exposure as needed. The models are offered to advisors with no additional strategist fee.

Read the Jan. 24 Portfolio Products Roundup at ThinkAdvisor.

Sunday, May 24, 2015

Bet Against the Short Sellers in 2014?

Short sellers had a tough time in 2013. William Ackman’s bet again Herbalife (HLF), which has gained 139% this year, went horribly bad, while other heavily shorted stocks, including Supervalu (SVU) and Netflix (NFLX), have posted gains that make that look paltry.

Bloomberg News

In fact, though Dec. 6, betting for shares of the most heavily shorted stocks to rise more than the least-shorted stocks would have been a winning strategy in 2013, after two years of losses, according to JPMorgan. The most-shorted stocks rose 1.1 percentage points more than the S&P 500, while the least-shorted stocks returned 0.4% less than the S&P 500.

JPMorgan’s Thomas Lee explains why the heavily shorted stocks outperformed in 2014. He writes:

The equity market broadened in 2013 (allowing more stocks to outperform), causing the short-selling win ratio to fall;

Anecdotally, we found many short ideas crowded, as evidenced by some stocks seeing a sizable portion of its float sold short.

And wouldn’t you know it, Lee expects the trend to continue in 2014. He took the most shorted stocks in S&P 500 with market cap’s of $3 billion or more that were also rated Overweight by JPMorgan analysts and had upside to their targets. His list includes refiner Tesoro (TSO), General Motors (GM) and Peabody Energy (BTU) among others.

Let the good times roll, except for the short sellers, that is.

Shares of Herbalife have gained 0.3% to $78.76 today, while Supervalu has risen 0.7% to $7.08, Netflix has dropped 0.2% to $377.50, Tesoro has advanced 0.3% to $58.41, General Motors has jumped 1.6% to $41.55 and Peabody Energy is up 0.7% at $18.65.

Corrections & Amplifications: This post originally stated the returns from the most- and least- shorted stocks as absolute values, rather than relative to the S&P 500.

Friday, May 22, 2015

Best Bank Stocks To Buy Right Now

Best Bank Stocks To Buy Right Now: National Australia Bank Ltd (NAB)

National Australia Bank Limited provides products, advice and services. In Australia, it operates through National Australia Bank, MLC and UBank. In the United Kingdom, it operates through Clydesdale Bank. In New Zealand, it operates through Bank of New Zealand. In the United States, it operates through Great Western Bank. Segments include Business Banking, Personal Banking, Wholesale Banking, UK Banking and NZ Banking, MLC and NAB and Great Western Ban. As of April 5, 2012, the Company and its associated entities ceased to be a substantial holder in BlueScope Steel Limited. On May 17, 2012, it ceased to be a substantial holder in Spark Infrastructure Group and Sandfire Resources NL. As of August 24, 2012, the Company and its associated entities ceased to be holder in Tabcorp Holdings Limited. In September 2012, the Company and its associated entities have ceased to be a substantial holder in Incitec Pivot Limited, as of August 30, 2012. Advisors' Opinion:

[By Yoshiaki Nohara]
Alacer Gold Corp. sank 4.1 percent in Sydney as the price of the precious metal declined. Honda Motor Co. (7267) lost 0.6 percent after Japan's third-largest carmaker reported second-quarter profit that missed analysts' estimates amid slowing motorcycle sales in Southeast Asia. National Australia Bank Ltd. (NAB) retreated 2.3 percent as expenses climbed at the country's largest lender by assets.

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

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

4 Big Stocks on Traders' Radars

BALTIMORE (Stockpickr) -- Put down the 10-K filings and the stock screeners. It's time to take a break from the traditional methods of generating investment ideas. Instead, let the crowd do it for you.

>>5 Stocks Under $10 Set to Soar

From hedge funds to individual investors, scores of market participants are turning to social media to figure out which stocks are worth watching. It's a concept that's known as "crowdsourcing," and it uses the masses to identify emerging trends in the market.

Crowdsourcing has long been a popular tool for the advertising industry, but it also makes a lot of sense as an investment tool. After all, the market is completely driven by the supply and demand, so it can be valuable to see what names are trending among the crowd.

While some fund managers are already trying to leverage social media resources like Twitter to find algorithmic trading opportunities, for most investors, crowdsourcing works best as a starting point for investors who want a starting point in their analysis. Today, we'll leverage the power of the crowd to take a look at some of the most active stocks on the market today.

>>5 Big Trades for Post-Taper Gains

These "most active" names are the most heavily-traded names on the market -- and often, uber-active names have some sort of a technical or fundamental catalyst driving investors' attention on shares. That's especially true now that earnings season is officially underway. And when there's a big catalyst, there's often a trading opportunity.

Without further ado, here's a look at today's stocks.

Rite Aid

Nearest Resistance: $5.50 
Nearest Support: $5 
Catalyst: Q3 Earnings

>>5 Stocks With Big Insider Buying

Shares of retail drugstore chain Rite Aid (RAD) are off more than 9% this afternoon, following the firm's third-quarter earnings release this morning. RAD earned 4 cents a share for the quarter, but it estimated that the best-case scenario for next quarter's earnings would be the bottom of analysts' forecasts. That's what spurred the selloff.

From a technical standpoint, today's big gap down is a big problem for shareholders. The move pushed shares through previous support at $5.50, bringing RAD down for a test of a much more significant level at $5. If this drugstore can't catch a bid at $5, look out below.

Oracle

Nearest Resistance: N/A 
Nearest Support: $35.50 
Catalyst: Q2 Earnings Beat

>>2 Tech Stocks Rising on Unusual Volume

Meanwhile, Oracle (ORCL), earnings are an upside catalyst today. The enterprise software maker is up 5.4% as I write, after posting quarterly earnings of 69 cents per share after yesterday's closing bell. The numbers came in 2 cents higher than analysts had predicted. Better, the firm guided above the range analysts were expecting for next quarter. The news is pushing shares to new 52-week highs in today's session.

Making new highs is significant from an investor psychology standpoint because it means that everyone who has bought shares in the last year is sitting on gains. As a result, the "back to even" mentality is less of a concern than it would be for a name with a higher proportion of shareholders sitting on losses. If you decide to take the trade, I'd recommend keeping a tight stop in place.

Groupon

Nearest Resistance: $12.50 
Nearest Support: $11 
Catalyst: Analyst Outperform Rating

>>4 Tech Stocks Under $10 to Watch

Top High Dividend Companies To Invest In Right Now

Groupon (GRPN) is up 2.5% this afternoon, following a new analyst outperform rating from Northland Capital Markets earlier this week. Groupon has been an anxiety-inducing stock since its IPO, swinging wildly as investors questioned the premium price tag on shares. The $13 price target added to GRPN should help quell some of those fundamental business fears.

The technicals look pretty strong in GRPN now too. Shares broke their three-month downtrend last week, pushing above resistance at $11. While the new uptrend in Groupon isn't exactly established yet, shares have a shot at testing highs at $12.50 this month. A move about $12.50 is a pretty strong buy signal for the daily deal site.

J.C. Penney

Nearest Resistance: $10 
Nearest Support: $8 
Catalyst: Technical Setup

>>5 Hated Earnings Stocks You Should Love

You don't need much of a reason to sell J.C. Penney (JCP) -- at least that's been the common wisdom this year. JCP is down 3.4% on high volume this afternoon, a move that's being triggered more by the big technical setup in shares than any fundamental news. Shares of JCP are testing key support at $8, a level that's the last line of defense between current levels and the year's lows $6.25.

For now, $8 looks like it's holding -- but if shares close materially below that price this afternoon, considerable selling could be on the way.

To see these stocks in action, check out the at Most-Active Stocks portfolio on Stockpickr.  

-- Written by Jonas Elmerraji in Baltimore.

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Hot Value Companies To Invest In 2015

Shares of software giant Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT ) raced as much as 4.7% higher this morning. Microsoft's stock was not only the biggest gainer by far on the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJINDICES: ^DJI ) , but also the fourth-biggest gainer on the much wider S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC ) index. That's an impressive move for an industry titan with a bulky $285 billion market cap to push around, especially on a flat day for the Dow. It takes big news to engineer a jump like this one.

The catalyst is activist investor firm ValueAct Capital Management's disclosure of a brand-new $2 billion stake in Microsoft stock. This makes Microsoft the firm's largest holding, according to Bloomberg.

Why is this such a big deal? Well, Microsoft's management troubles have been widely documented, and a change at the top could spark new life in these listless shares. ValueAct specializes in finding turnaround avenues for failing businesses with healthy fundamentals, and Redmond fits that bill to a "T."

Hot Recreation Companies To Watch For 2016: 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 Arie Goren]
After running this screen on May 21, 2013, before the markets' open, I discovered the following eight stocks: Sunoco Logistics Partners LP (SXL), Leggett & Platt Inc (LEG), Copa Holdings SA (CPA), RPC Inc. (RES), Tupperware Brands Corp. (TUP), Herbalife Ltd. (HLF), John Wiley & Sons Inc. (JW.A) and C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc. (CHRW).
[By Monica Gerson]
Tupperware Brands (NYSE: TUP) is expected to report its Q3 earnings at $1.03 per share on revenue of $623.34 million.

Varian Medical Systems (NYSE: VAR) is projected to post its Q4 earnings at $1.12 per share on revenue of $779.02 million.
[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.

Hot Value Companies To Invest In 2015: Dollar Tree Inc.(DLTR)

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

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Jacob Roche]
With the economy starting to improve, you might think Dollar Tree's (NASDAQ: DLTR ) fortunes will reverse. The deep discounter provided unemployed and lower-income consumers a safe place in the storm, but with the economic weather clearing up, it would be reasonable to expect consumers to venture out again to higher-end retailers. However, that assumption would be wrong.
[By Jon C. Ogg]
Dollar Tree Inc. (NASDAQ: DLTR) was maintained as a Buy but was removed from the prized Conviction Buy list at Goldman Sachs.

Duke Energy Corp. (NYSE: DUK) was raised to Buy from Hold with a $79 price target at Argus.
[By David Kerr]
On July 28, Dollar Tree (DLTR) announced that it will be buying rival Family Dollar for a total of $9.2 billion (including debt). Icahn had originally suggested that Family Dollar be bought out by leader Dollar General, but shortly after stated that the recent announcement of the retirement of Dollar General�� CEO would cause disruptions in his plan of merging the two companies. The announced deal gives Dollar Tree over 13,000 stores in the 48 states and Canada, as well as more than $18 billion in sales. This pushes Dollar Tree above and beyond major rival Dollar General, which last year had $17.5 billion in sales and 11,338 current locations. There has also been much talk about the impact this merger will have on the giant Wal-Mart (WMT), which generally focuses on low-income consumers by offering more items for under $1.

Hot Value Companies To Invest In 2015: Schlumberger N.V.(SLB)

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

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Aaron Levitt]
Sanctions that keep Western oil service firms — like Halliburton (HAL) and Schlumberger (SLB) �� from doing business in Iran remain firmly in place. That’s a huge issue because Iran needs their help in order to get oil flowing and keep it flowing. Like much of the Middle East, Iran is facing the problem of dwindling output from its legacy oil fields and needs some Western-style technology to keep pumping.
[By Aaron Levitt]
For investors, oil stocks are certainly shining this earnings season. OXY and BP, as well previous reports by Schlumberger (SLB) and Halliburton (HAL), are proving that fact.

Hot Value Companies To Invest In 2015: Caterpillar Inc.(CAT)

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

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Alexis Xydias]
Caterpillar (CAT)�� valuation has climbed 28 percent in the past year as the largest manufacturer of mining and construction machinery posted three quarters of earnings declines. Analysts predict a profit drop of 27 percent in 2013. Last month, the Peoria, Illinois-based company cut its earnings forecast as mining-equipment sales declined on slower commodity demand from emerging markets.

Monday, May 18, 2015

Top Gas Stocks To Invest In 2015

In some senses, the frenzied exploration for shale oil and gas in the U.S., which is reminiscent of the gold rush, is coming to a close. Now that companies have gone out and staked their claims on landholdings, their next focus will be on optimizing the process of getting oil from the ground and to the market. Southwestern Energy (NYSE: SWN ) vice president Jim Tramudo stated at the recent EIA energy conference that this shift represents the�"end of the first quarter" in the shale resource game.

To achieve greater efficiency in drilling and production, it will take both innovative thinking and advancements in technology, which we are seeing some magnificent progress in. One example is in the evolution of drill rigs. Some of the new rigs being built have the capacity to drill several wells at the same sight without being reassembled by crews, and companies are learning to optimize fracking stages. WPX Energy (NYSE: WPX ) is reaping some great benefits from utilizing these new rigs. The company was recently able to complete a well in Colorado in only four days compared to average times in other plays that range from 15-30 days.�

Top 5 Dow Dividend Stocks To Invest In Right Now: New Source Energy Partners LP (NSLP)

New Source Energy Partners L.P., incorporated on October 2, 2012, is engaged in the acquiring oil and natural gas properties in the United States. The Company�� properties consist of non-operated working interests in the Misener-Hunton formation (the Hunton Formation), a conventional resource reservoir located in east-central Oklahoma. As of June 30, 2012, of which approximately 58% were classified as proved developed reserves and of which approximately 76.4% were comprised of oil and natural gas liquids. As of June 30, 2012, the Company had 89,116 gross (31,554 net) acres, of which 6,796 gross (2,323 net) acres were undeveloped. As of June 30, 2012, the Company had 127 gross (28.5 net) proved undeveloped drilling locations, of which 66 gross (20.7 net) were infill drilling locations. In June 2013, New Source Energy Partners LP announced that it has acquired additional oil and natural gas properties from New Source Energy Corporation. In November 2013, New Source Energy Partners LP acquired MCE LP.

The Company�� properties are located in the Golden Lane field within the Hunton Formation of east-central Oklahoma and consist of mature, legacy oil and natural gas reservoirs. The Company�� properties consist of non-operated working interests in producing and undeveloped leasehold acreage, including 215 gross (82.4 net) producing wells with working interests ranging from 21% to 87% (38.3% weighted average); and 127 gross (28.5 net) proved undeveloped drilling locations with working interests ranging from 1% to 84% (22.4% weighted average). As of June 30, 2012, the Company had 89,116 gross (31,554 net) acres in the Golden Lane field.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Lee Jackson]
New Source Energy Partner L.P. (NYSE: NSLP) is definitely a name for investors interested in yield. While the company faced some issues in the second quarter due to flooding in some of its drilling areas, production is back to normal and management is very positive for the remainder of 2013. Oppenheimer has a $23 price objective, while the consensus is at $24. Investors are paid a stellar 11% distribution.
[By Robert Rapier] There were a half a dozen initial public offerings (IPOs) by master limited partnerships in the first half of the year, and all but one are now in the green while one has nearly doubled in value.

The first MLP IPO of 2013 debuted on Jan. 15. USA Compression Partners (NYSE: USAC), which I mentioned in last week’s issue, provides compression services for the oil and gas industry. Units have advanced 36 percent since the IPO, and at the current price yield 7.3 percent.

The day after the USA Compression Partners IPO, CVR Refining (NYSE: CVRR) made its debut. CVRR was spun off from CVR Energy (NYSE: CVI), and both companies remain majority-owned by Carl Icahn. CVR Refining’s primary assets are two refineries located in Kansas and Oklahoma with a combined processing capacity of approximately 185,000 barrels per day (bpd). These refineries are strategically located near the major Cushing, Oklahoma shipment and storage hub, with easy access to discounted feedstock from the nearby Permian basin, as well as the Bakken shale and Canadian oil sands.

But refiners have struggled with diminished margins in 2013 because of a much lower Brent-WTI differential. After the recently concluded second quarter, CVRR declared a distribution of $1.35 per unit, bringing its per-unit distributions for the first half of the year to $2.93. At the same time, CVR Refining lowered its annual distribution target to a range of $4.10 to $4.80 per unit. This was lower than the outlook issued in March, when it foresaw annual distributions of $5.50 to $6.50. CVRR units slid on the news, and are presently trading slightly below the $25 IPO price. The lower end of the revised forecast implies distributions of $1.17 per unit in the second half of the year, for a forward annualized yield of 10 percent based on the recent $23.50 unit price.

SunCoke Energy Partners (NYSE: SXCP) was the third IPO to debut during a very busy third week of January. SXCP is the first M

Top Gas Stocks To Invest In 2015: Petrodorado Energy Ltd (PDQ)

Petrodorado Energy Ltd. (Petrodorado), formerly Cap-Link Ventures Ltd., is engaged in petroleum and natural gas exploration and development activities in Colombia, Peru and Paraguay. The Company�� oil and gas interests are in the pre-production stage other than for two blocks in Colombia. As of December 31, 2010, Petrodorado�� oil and gas assets produced net 15,922 barrels of oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids (NGLs). As of December 31, 2010, it had participation in nine oil and gas blocks. In Columbia, the Company had Moriche Block, CPO-5 Block, Buganviles Block, La Maye Block, Talora Block and Tacacho Block. In Peru, its block included Block 135 and Block 138. In Paraguay, Petrodorado had Pirity Block. On October 27, 2010, it acquired all outstanding interest of PetroSouth Energy Corporation. In February 2010, Petrodorado, completed its acquisition of a 55% interest of the Talora Block. In February 2010, it closed the purchase of Holywell Resources S.A. (Holywell). Advisors' Opinion:

[By Ning Jia]
The average size of its stores is 7,300 square feet with the size of its stores ranging from approximately 6,000 to 8,000 square feet. Its stores carry a product offering of approximately 19,000 stock keeping units (SKUs), generally consisting of a custom mix of product based on the stores' respective market. Its stores also have access to an additional assortment of 115,000 SKUs for same-day or next-day delivery from one of its 339 HUB stores or its network of 22 Parts Delivered Quickly (PDQ), facilities. Additionally, its customers have access to over 483,000 SKUs by ordering directly from one of its vendors for delivery to a particular store or other destination as chosen by the customer.

Top Gas Stocks To Invest In 2015: Samson Oil and Gas Ltd (SSN)

Samson Oil & Gas Limited (Samson), incorporated on April 6, 1979, is engaged in exploration and development of oil and natural gas properties in the United States. Samson owns a working interest in each of its three material producing properties, through which it has entered into operating agreements with third parties under which the oil and gas are produced and sold. The Company also has 100% working interest in one exploration property and 50% to 100% in a second property. As of June 30, 2012, the Company�� properties included North Stockyard Project; State GC Oil and Gas Field, New Mexico; Davis Bintliff (Sabretooth Prospect), Brazoria County, Texas; Hawk Springs Project, Goshen County, Wyoming, and Roosevelt Project, Roosevelt County, Montana. As of June 30, 2012, the Company along with its subsidiaries produced approximately 87,956 barrels of oil and 214,463 thousand cubic feet of gas.

North Stockyard Project -Williston Basin, North Dakota

Samson has 34.5% working interest in 3,303 acres adjacent to the North Stockyard Oil Field, which is located in the Williston Basin in North Dakota and is operated by Zavanna LLC. Together with the Company�� working interest owners, it has drilled seven wells in this field, six in the Bakken formation and one in the Mission Canyon formation. During July 2012, the Harstad #1-15H well averaged 15 barrels of oil per day (BOPD). The Leonard-23H (10% working interest, 37.5% after non-consent penalty) is a Mississippian Middle Bakken Formation. In July 2011, this well averaged 46 barrels of oil per day. The Company drilled its third Bakken well in the North Stockyard Field, the Gary-24H (37% working interest). During July 2012, this well averaged 75 BOPD. It drilled its fourth Bakken well in the North Stockyard Field, the Rodney-14H (27% working interest). In July 2011, this well averaged 92 BOPD. It drilled its fifth Bakken well in the North Stockyard Field in Williams County, North Dakota, the Earl 1-13H (32% working interest). In Jul! y 2011, the well averaged 193 BOPD. In June 2011, it drilled its sixth Mississippian Bakken well in the North Stockyard field in Williams County, North Dakota, the Everett 1-15H (26% working interest). As of June 30, 2012, the North Stockyard project had net proved reserves of 598,500 barrels of oil and 757,800 thousand cubic feet (of natural gas).

State GC Oil and Gas Field, New Mexico

The State GC oil and gas field is located in Lea County, New Mexico, and covers approximately 600 acres. As of June 30, 2012, the field had two wells, the State GC#1 and State GC#2. Average daily production during the year ended June 30, 2012 from the State GC oil and gas field was approximately 43 BOPD and 37 million standard cubic feet per day. As of June 30, 2012, the State GC oil and gas field had net proved reserves of 65,500 barrels of oil and 87,300 thousand cubic feet (of natural gas).

Davis Bintliff #1 Well (Sabretooth Prospect), Brazoria County, Texas

The Davis Bintliff #1 well is operated by Davis Holdings. During the year ended June 30, 2012, this well averaged 29 BOPD and 2.61million cubic feet per day. As of June 30, 2012, the Davis Bintliff well had net proved reserves of 700 barrels of oil and 66,400 Thousand cubic feet (of natural gas).

Hawk Springs Project, Goshen County, Wyoming

The Company has 37.5%-100% working interest in Hawk Springs Project. The Spirit of America 1 replacement well, Spirit of America 2, was successfully drilled to a total depth of 10,634 feet during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012 (fiscal 2012).

Roosevelt Project, Roosevelt County, Montana

The well was drilled to a total measured depth of 14,972 feet with the horizontal lateral remaining within the target zone for the entire lateral length. approximately 3,425 barrels of oil have been produced.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By James E. Brumley]
Had Samson Oil & Gas Limited (NYSEMKT:SSN) made the late-July surge and subsequent early-August pullback and then gotten stuck in the mud again, I might not even bother taking a look at it. That's not how it happened though. Since the pullback, SSN has perked up again, perhaps not as hot as it was with the initial rally at the end of last month, but more than hot enough to get my attention. I suspect another surge - perhaps a longer-lasting surge - is in the cards.

Top Gas Stocks To Invest In 2015: Genesis Energy LP (GEL)

Genesis Energy, L.P. (Genesis) is a limited partnership focused on the midstream segment of the oil and gas industry in the Gulf Coast region of the United States, primarily Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida and in the Gulf of Mexico. The Company has a portfolio of customers, operations and assets, including pipelines, refinery-related plants, storage tanks and terminals, barges and trucks. Genesis provides an integrated range of services to refineries, oil, natural gas and carbon dioxide (CO2) producers, industrial and commercial enterprises that use sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS) and caustic soda, and businesses that use CO2 and other industrial gases. The Company operates in three segments: Pipeline Transportation, Refinery Services, and Supply and Logistics. In August 2011, the Company acquired black oil barge transportation business of Florida Marine Transporters, Inc. In November 2011, it acquired a 90% interest in a 3,500 barrel per day refinery located in Converse County, Wyoming, including 300 miles of abandoned 3- 6 pipeline. On January 3, 2012, it acquired interests in several Gulf of Mexico crude oil pipeline systems, including its 28% interest in the Poseidon pipeline system, its 29% interest in the Odyssey pipeline system, and its 23% interest in the Eugene Island pipeline system. In August 2013, the Company announced that it has completed the acquisition of all the assets of the downstream transportation business of Hornbeck Offshore Transportation, LLC (Hornbeck).

Pipeline Transportation

The Company transports crude oil and carbon dioxide (CO2) for others for a fee in the Gulf Coast region of the United States through approximately 550 miles of pipeline. Its Pipeline Transportation segment owns and operates three crude oil common carrier pipelines and two CO2 pipelines. Its 235-mile Mississippi System provides shippers of crude oil in Mississippi indirect access to refineries, pipelines, storage terminals and other crude oil infrastructure ! located in the Midwest. Its 100-mile Jay System originates in southern Alabama and the panhandle of Florida and provides crude oil shippers access to refineries, pipelines and storage near Mobile, Alabama. The Company�� 90-mile Texas System transports crude oil from West Columbia to several delivery points near Houston. Its crude oil pipeline systems include access to a total of approximately 0.7 million barrels of crude oil storage.

The Company�� Free State Pipeline is an 86-mile, 20 CO2 pipelines that extends from CO2 source fields near Jackson, Mississippi, to oil fields in eastern Mississippi. It has a twenty-year transportation services agreement (through 2028) related to the transportation of CO2 on its Free State Pipeline.

Refinery Services

Genesis provides services to eight refining operations located in Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas, which operates storage and transportation assets in relation to its business and sell NaHS and caustic soda to industrial and commercial companies. The refinery services involve processing refiner�� sulfur (sour) gas streams to remove the sulfur. The refinery services also include terminals and it utilizes railcars, ships, barges and trucks to transport product. Its contracts are long-term in nature and have an average remaining term of four years.

Supply and Logistics

The Company provides services to Gulf Coast oil and gas producers and refineries through a combination of purchasing, transporting, storing, blending and marketing of crude oil and refined products, primarily fuel oil. It has access to a range of more than 250 trucks, 350 trailers and 50 barges with 1.5 million barrels of terminal storage capacity in multiple locations along the Gulf Coast, as well as capacity associated with its three common carrier crude oil pipelines.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Dividends4Life]
This week a few companies answered the call and rewarded their shareholders with higher cash dividends:

Consolidated Edison Inc. (ED) engages in regulated electric, gas, and steam delivery businesses. January 16th the company increased its quarterly dividend 2.4% to $0.63 per share. The dividend is payable March 15, 2014, to stockholders of record on February 12, 2014. The yield based on the new payout is 4.7%.

Cousins Properties Incorporated (CUZ), a real estate investment trust (REIT), owns, develops, and manages real estate portfolio, as well as performs certain real estate-related services. January 16th the company increased its quarterly dividend 66.7% to $0.075 per share. The dividend is payable February 24, 2014, to stockholders of record on February 10, 2014. The yield based on the new payout is 2.8%.

Wisconsin Energy Corporation (WEC) generates and distributes electric energy, as well as distributes natural gas. The company operates in two segments, Utility Energy and Non-Utility Energy. January 16th the company increased its quarterly dividend 2% to $0.3900 per share. The dividend is payable March 1, 2014, to stockholders of record on February 14, 2014. The yield based on the new payout is 3.8%.

BlackRock Inc. (BLK) is a publicly owned investment manager. The firm primarily provides its services to institutional, intermediary, and individual investors. January 16th the company increased its quarterly dividend 14.9% to $1.93 per share. The dividend is payable March 24, 2014, to stockholders of record on March 7, 2014. The yield based on the new payout is 2.4%.

ONEOK Inc. (OKE) operates as a diversified energy company in the United States. January 15th the company increased its quarterly dividend 5.3% to $0.40 per share. The dividend is payable February 18, 2014, to stockholders of record on February 10, 2014. The yield based on the new payout is 2.5%.

Omega Healthcare Investors Inc. (OHI) is a real es
[By Richard Stavros]
The good news is that midstream MLPs are already part of the crude-by-rail story and will likely be part of the growing gas-by-rail story. Indeed, there are numerous names in the MLP space with at least some exposure to the crude-by-rail trend, including�Enterprise Products Partners LP�(NYSE: EPD), Kinder Morgan Energy Partners LP�(NYSE: KMP),�Genesis Energy LP�(NYSE: GEL), and�Oiltanking Partners LP�(NYSE: OILT),�among others. Barclays estimates that MLPs have already invested $2 billion in railroad terminals, including acquisitions.
[By Marc Bastow]
Midstream oil and gas MLP Genesis Energy (GEL) raised its quarterly distribution 2.5% to 52.25 cents per share, payable Nov. 14 to unitholders of record as of Nov. 1.
GEL Dividend Yield: 4.25%
[By Seth Jayson]
Genesis Energy (NYSE: GEL ) is expected to report Q2 earnings around July 9. Here's what Wall Street wants to see:

The 10-second takeaway
Comparing the upcoming quarter to the prior-year quarter, average analyst estimates predict Genesis Energy's revenues will grow 30.3% and EPS will grow 52.2%.

Sunday, May 17, 2015

10 Best Undervalued Stocks To Buy Right Now

DELAFIELD, Wis. (Stockpickr) -- Corporate insiders sell their own companies' stock for a number of reasons.

>>3 Stocks Under $10 in Breakout Territory

They might need the cash for a big personal purchase such as a new house or yacht, or they might need the cash to fund a charity. Sometimes they sell as part of a planned selling program that they have put in place for diversification purposes, which allows them to sell stock in stages instead of selling all at one price.

Other times they sell because they think their stock is overvalued and the risk/reward is no longer attractive. Some even dump their own stock because they have inside knowledge that a competitor is eating their lunch and stealing market share. But insiders usually buy their own shares for one reason: They think the stock is a bargain and has tremendous upside. >>5 Stocks Set to Soar on Bullish Earnings The key word in that last statement is "think." Just because a corporate insider thinks his or her stock is going to trade higher, that doesn't mean it will play out that way. Insiders can have all the conviction in the world that their stock is a buy, but if the market doesn't agree with them, the stock could end up going nowhere. Also, I say "usually" because sometimes insiders are loaned money by the company to buy their own stock. Those loans are often sweetheart deals and shouldn't be viewed as organic insider buying. At the end of the day, its large institutional money managers running big mutual funds and hedge funds that drive stock prices, not insiders. That said, many of these savvy stock operators will follow insider buying activity when they agree with the insider that the stock is undervalued and has upside potential. This is why it's so important to always be monitoring insider activity, but it's twice as important to make sure the trend of the stock coincides with the insider buying. >>5 Breakout Stock Trades for a Santa Claus Rally Recently, a number of companies' corporate insiders have bought large amounts of stock. These insiders are finding some value in the market, which warrants a closer look at these stocks. Here's a look at five stocks whose insiders have been doing some big buying per SEC filings.

Top 10 Japanese Stocks To Buy For 2016: Tupperware Corporation(TUP)

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 Dan Caplinger]
Where growth will come from
One area that Newell Rubbermaid still has to tap fully is emerging markets. The company has done a good job of expanding overseas, with 17% annual growth in Latin America. But with barely a quarter of its sales coming from outside the U.S. and Canada, the company has a lot further to go. Storage rival Tupperware (NYSE: TUP ) gets fully 60% of its total revenue from emerging markets, and it too has seen impressive gains in South America as well as the Asia-Pacific region.
[By John Kell]
Among the companies with shares expected to actively trade in Wednesday’s session are Dow Chemical Co.(DOW), Tupperware Brands Corp.(TUP) and Yahoo Inc.(YHOO)

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

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Jon C. Ogg]
Dollar Tree Inc. (NASDAQ: DLTR) was maintained as a Buy but was removed from the prized Conviction Buy list at Goldman Sachs.

Duke Energy Corp. (NYSE: DUK) was raised to Buy from Hold with a $79 price target at Argus.

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

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Dan Caplinger]
When the Dow's movements don't make sense, it's more important to focus on fundamentals in your investing. For instance, Caterpillar (NYSE: CAT ) has struggled recently because of its high exposure to the slowing Chinese economy, and that has held the stock back despite the Dow's record run. Yet with an attractive valuation of just 11 times trailing earnings, Caterpillar offers a margin of safety even if the reductions in future earnings estimates that we've seen recently continue. You'd have to see substantial further deterioration in the global economic environment before Caterpillar's stock would look expensive at these levels.

10 Best Undervalued Stocks To Buy Right Now: Schlumberger N.V.(SLB)

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Joel South and Tyler Crowe]
U.S. energy policy has been shaped by one critical event that happened 40 years ago this week: the OPEC oil embargo of 1973. Since then, the United States has embarked on an ambitious goal of drilling for our own oil and gas, as well as diversifying our energy portfolio. In this segment, Joel discusses why the shift away from OPEC domination could be a major opportunity for companies like Schlumberger (NYSE: SLB ) and Kinder Morgan (NYSE: KMI ) as well as whether OPEC is still the force it once was.
[By Dan Caplinger]
Halliburton's share-price gains began early in the quarter after the company reported its first-quarter results. Although the company took a massive $637 million charge related to the 2010 Gulf disaster, Halliburton managed to hold its own on the domestic front in a weak environment. Internationally, the company cleaned up, with sales rising 21% and at more than twice that rate in the Eastern Hemisphere. But, perhaps most importantly, Halliburton looked favorably on the near-future for domestic drilling, noting gains in margins, and some pricing power expected to enhance profitability from rising well production. That's consistent with the results we saw from Schlumberger (NYSE: SLB ) this morning, as the industry leader beat earnings expectations with a nearly 50% jump in its net profits, coming largely from overseas activity, but also posting a 2% revenue increase in North America.
[By Matt DiLallo]
In addition, the process could really vault Halliburton past industry peers Schlumberger (NYSE: SLB ) and Baker Hughes (NYSE: BHI ) . All three companies have been looking overseas for growth as rig counts in the U.S. have been on the decline. Just last quarter, U.S. rig counts dropped by 3%, which helped cause Halliburton's revenue to dip by 1%. However, if H2O Forward works as planned it could help Halliburton take additional market share from its competitors in the U.S., enabling it to do well even if rig counts continue to drop. Also, the company could begin to offer the solution overseas, which would help maintain its industry-leading growth.�

Thursday, May 14, 2015

Best Insurance Stocks To Own For 2016

Best Insurance Stocks To Own For 2016: Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd (FRFHF)

Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited (Fairfax) is a financial services holding company. The Company, through its subsidiaries, is principally engaged in property and casualty insurance and reinsurance and the associated investment management. The Companys segments consist of Insurance, Reinsurance, Insurance and Reinsurance Other, Runoff, and Corporate and Other. On December 22, 2011, the Company completed the acquisition of 75% interests in Sporting Life Inc. On August 16, 2011, the Company acquired William Ashley China Corporation. On March 24, 2011, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Fairfax completed the acquisition of The Pacific Insurance Berhad. On February 9, 2011, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Fairfax completed the acquisition of First Mercury Financial Corporation. In October 2012, its RiverStone runoff subsidiary acquired all the outstanding shares of Brit Insurance Limited. Advisors' Opinion:

[By Charles Sizemore]
BlackBerry (BBRY) has been a value trap that has ensnared more than its share of value hunting investors in recent years — yours truly included. Buying BlackBerry stock will also likely go down in history as the single-worst investing mistake in the otherwise illustrious career of Prem Watsa — the chairman of Fairfax Financial (FRFHF) and the man commonly known as the Warren Buffett of Canada.

source from Top Stocks To Buy For 2015:http://www.topstocksforum.com/best-insurance-stocks-to-own-for-2016.html

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Top Retail Stocks For 2015

Douglas C. Pizac/AP Michaels Stores, the biggest U.S. arts and crafts retailer, confirmed Thursday that there was a security breach at certain systems that process payment cards at its U.S. stores and that of its unit, Aaron Brothers. The company said in January that it was working with federal law enforcement officials to investigate a possible data breach. Michaels Stores said the breach, which took place May 8 through Jan. 27, may have affected about 2.6 million cards, or about 7 percent of payment cards used at its stores during the period. The company said about 400,000 cards were potentially impacted at its Aaron Brothers unit by the breach, which occurred between June 26, 2013 and February 27, 2014. There was no evidence that data such as customers' name or personal identification number were at risk, Michaels Stores said in a statement. This is the second known data breach since 2011 at Michaels Stores. Michaels Stores, whose major investors are Blackstone Group (BX) and Bain Capital, said cyber security firms it hired found that malware not encountered previously had been used in the latest attack. The company said it was working with law enforcement authorities, banks and payment processors, and that the malware no longer presents a threat. Michaels Stores, which resubmitted its IPO documents late last month following a restructuring, is the latest U.S. retailer whose systems have been breached. Last year, the No. 3 U.S. retailer Target (TGT) suffered a massive security breach that resulted in the theft of some 70 million customer records. Reuters reported in January that smaller breaches on at least three other well-known U.S. retailers took place and were conducted using similar techniques as the one on Target. U.S. retailers are planning to form an industry group for collecting and sharing intelligence in a bid to prevent future attacks. Michaels Stores, which owns several private brands such as Recollections, Artist's Loft and Loops & Threads, competes with Hobby Lobby Stores, Jo-Ann Stores and Walmart Stores (WMT).

Top 5 Information Technology Companies For 2016: Ross Stores Inc.(ROST)

Ross Stores, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates off-price retail apparel and home accessories stores under the Ross Dress for Less and dd?s DISCOUNTS brand names in the United States. Its Ross Dress for Less brand stores sell brand and designer apparel, accessories, footwear, and home fashions for the entire family at everyday savings of 20 to 60 percent off department and specialty store regular prices; and dd?s DISCOUNTS brand stores sell apparel, accessories, footwear, and home fashions for the entire family at everyday savings of 20 to 70 percent off moderate department and discount store regular prices. As of January 29, 2011, the company operated 1,055 stores, of which 988 were Ross Dress for Less brand stores in 27 states and Guam, and 67 were dd?s DISCOUNTS brand stores in 6 states. Its Ross Dress for Less brand stores primarily target middle income households and dd?s DISCOUNTS brand stores target moderate income households. Ross Stores, Inc. was found ed in 1957 and is headquartered in Pleasanton, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Andrew Marder]
That focus on full-price is the core of TJX's strategy. The brand is known as a discounter, but hitting higher margins is the key to increasing comparable sales and income. Over this last quarter, gross margin came in 28.4%, which is in line with competitor Ross (NASDAQ: ROST ) , which had a gross margin of 27.8% in its last quarter.

Top Retail Stocks For 2015: Zale Corp (ZLC)

Zale Corporation, incorporated on April 26, 1991, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, is a retailer of fine jewelry in North America. The Company operates in three segments: fine jewelry, kiosk jewelry and all other. As of July 31, 2012, the Company operated 1,124 specialty retail jewelry stores and 654 kiosks located mainly in shopping malls throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. The Company�� fine jewelry segment consists of five brands: Zales Jewelers, Peoples Jewellers, Zales Outlet, Mappins Jewellers, and Gordon's Jewelers The Company�� kiosk jewelry operates under the brand names Piercing Pagoda, Plumb Gold, and Silver and Gold Connection (collectively, Piercing Pagoda) through mall-based kiosks. The Company provides insurance and reinsurance services for various types of insurance coverage, which is marketed primarily to its private label credit card guests, through Zale Indemnity Company, Zale Life Insurance Company and Jewel Re-Insurance Ltd.

Fine Jewelry

Each brand specializes in fine jewelry and watches, with merchandise and marketing emphasis focused on diamond products. Zales Jewelers is the Company's national brand in the United States providing moderately priced jewelry to a range of guests. Zales Outlet operates in outlet malls and neighborhood power centers and capitalizes on Zales Jewelers' national advertising and brand recognition. Gordon's Jewelers is a value-oriented regional jeweler. Peoples Jewellers, Canada's fine jewelry retailer, provides guests with shopping experience. Mappins Jewellers offers Canadian guests a selection of merchandise from engagement rings to fashionable and contemporary fine jewelry.

The Company has extended its reach of certain brands through the use of its Webstores, mobile devices and social media to provide its guests access to its brands wherever and whenever they choose. In addition, the Company offers its guests the option to purchase warranty coverage on substantially all of its mercha! ndise in Fine Jewelry. The Company also offers repair services to guests who do not purchase warranty coverage. Zales Jewelers (Zales), the Company's United States based flagship, is a brand name in jewelry retailing in the United States, operating 639 stores in 50 states and Puerto Rico with an average store size of 1,681 square feet. Gordon's Jewelers (Gordon's) operates 147 stores in 27 states and Puerto Rico with an average store size of 1,534 square feet.

The Company�� Zales brand is positioned as the Diamond Store emphasizing on diamond jewelry, especially in the bridal and fashion segments. Zales and Gordon's combined revenues accounted for 60% of the Company's total revenues during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2012 (fiscal 2012). Both brands operate as multi-channel retailers and serve Internet guests through the e-commerce sites www.zales.com and www.gordonsjewelers.com, which accounted for approximately 5% of the Company's total revenues in fiscal 2012.

In Canada, the Company operates 206stores in nine provinces. The Company's Canadian operations consist of two brands, Peoples Jewellers (Peoples) and Mappins Jewellers (Mappins), and accounted for 17% of the Company's total revenues in fiscal 2012. The average store size is 1,605 square feet with an average transaction value of $332 in fiscal year 2012. Peoples serves Internet guests through the e-commerce site, www.peoplesjewellers.com. The Company operates 132 Zales Outlet (Outlet) stores in 35 states and Puerto Rico, sales from which accounted for 10% of its total revenues in fiscal 2012. The average store size is 2,362 square feet in fiscal 2012.

Kiosk Jewelry

The Company�� kiosk jewelry segment is focused on the opening price point jewelry guest. The Company's presence in Kiosk Jewelry has been expanded through the e-commerce site, www.pagoda.com. The Company also offers its guests the option to purchase warranty coverage on certain products. As of July 31, 2012, Piercing Pagoda op! erated 65! 4 locations in 41 states and Puerto Rico, sales from which accounted for 13% of the Company's total revenues in fiscal. Piercing Pagoda offers collection of bracelets, earrings, charms, rings, non-precious metal products and 14 karat and 10 karat gold chains, as well as a selection of silver and diamond jewelry, all in basic styles at moderate prices. Kiosk locations average 188 square feet in size in fiscal 2012.

All Other

The Company insurance companies are the insurers (either through direct written or reinsurance contracts) of the Company's guests' credit insurance coverage. In addition to providing merchandise replacement coverage for certain perils, credit insurance coverage provides protection to the creditor and cardholder for losses associated with the disability, involuntary unemployment, leave of absence or death of the cardholder. Zale Life Insurance Company also provides group life insurance coverage for the Company's eligible employees. In fiscal year 2012, 36% of the Company's private label credit card purchasers purchased some form of credit insurance. In fiscal year 2012, all other accounted for approximately 1% of the Company's total revenues.

The Company competes with Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., .C. Penney Company, Inc., Signet Jewelers Limited, and QVC, Inc.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Roberto Pedone]
Zale (ZLC) is a specialty retailer of fine jewelry in North America. This stock closed up 2.5% to $9.52 in Thursday's trading session.

Thursday's Range: $9.29-$9.56

52-Week Range: $2.94-$9.85

Thursday's Volume: 567,000

Three-Month Average Volume: 951,295

From a technical perspective, ZLC bounced modestly higher here right above its 50-day moving average of $8.70 with lighter-than-average volume. This stock has been consolidating and trending sideways over the last month, with shares moving between $8.44 on the downside and $9.70 on the upside. This spike today is now starting to push ZLC within range of triggering a major breakout trade above the upper-end of its recent sideways trading chart pattern. That trade will hit if ZLC manages to take out some near-term overhead resistance levels at $9.70 to its 52-week high at $9.85 with high volume.

Traders should now look for long-biased trades in ZLC as long as it's trending above its 50-day at $8.70 or above more support at $8.44 and then once it sustains a move or close above those breakout levels with volume that hits near or above 951,295 shares. If that breakout triggers soon, then ZLC will set up to enter new 52-week-high territory, which is bullish technical price action. Some possible upside targets off that breakout are $12 to $14.
[By Rick Aristotle Munarriz]
Steve Mack/FilmMagic There was no shortage of wonders of blunders even in this holiday-shortened market week. From a retailer's gadget going cold to some jewelers just starting to heat up, here's a rundown of the week's smartest moves and biggest errors in the business world. Men's Wearhouse (MW) -- Loser Jos. A. Bank (JOSB) tried to acquire the larger Men's Wearhouse a few weeks ago. It didn't pan out, and now Men's Wearhouse has made an offer to buy Jos. A. Bank. This is technically a smart move, especially since the two companies should be able to realize some serious cost savings as a combined entity. However, this still is being scored as a blunder because Men's Wearhouse originally balked at Jos. A. Bank's buyout at least partially on the grounds that antitrust regulators would not allow it to take place. Now it has to eat its words. Yahoo! (YHOO) -- Winner Yahoo! announced on Monday that Katie Couric will be joining the meandering dot-com giant as its global anchor next year. She will help develop the coverage at Yahoo News, giving the Web giant some welcome street cred in reporting circles. Couric won't be leaving TV. She plans to continue hosing her syndicated daytime take show -- Katie -- that runs through ABC News. Yahoo! has struggled with online advertising growth lately, and Couric's presence should help increase what it can milk out of advertisers. The Nook -- Loser Barnes & Noble (BKS) posted disappointing quarterly results, but the real culprit here was a sharp drop in sales for the struggling bookseller's Nook e-reader and tablet lines. Shares of Barnes & Noble slipped after reporting a 32 percent plunge in Nook sales. The slide over the past year consists of a 41 percent decline in device and accessories and an even more problematic 21 percent drop in digital content. After all, it's one thing if no one's buying new Nooks, but it's even more troublesome if the wider usage base is buying less digital content. Jewelry -- Winne

Top Retail Stocks For 2015: Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores Inc (SHOS)

Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores, Inc. (SHO), incorporated on April 23, 2012, is a retailer primarily focused on selling home appliances, hardware, tools and lawn and garden equipment. As of April 28, 2012, the Company and its dealers and franchisees operated 1,238 stores across all 50 states and Puerto Rico, Guam and Bermuda. The Company also provides its customers with a range of services, including home delivery and installation and product protection agreements. SHO operates in two segments: the Sears Hometown and Hardware segment and the Sears Outlet segment.

Sears Hometown

Sears Hometown and Hardware segment�� stores are designed to provide its customers with in-store and online access to a range selection of brands of home appliances, tools, lawn and garden equipment, sporting goods, consumer electronics and household goods, depending on the particular store. Its Sears Outlet stores are designed to provide its customers with in-store and online access to purchase new, one-of-a-kind, out-of-carton, discontinued, obsolete, used, reconditioned, overstocked and scratched and dented products, collectively, outlet-value products, including home appliances, lawn and garden equipment, apparel, mattresses, televisions, sporting goods and tools.

As of April 28, 2012, the Sears Hometown and Hardware segment consisted of 944 Sears Hometown Stores, 96 Sears Hardware Stores and 76 Sears Home Appliance Showrooms. The 944 Sears Hometown Stores are primarily independently owned stores, predominantly located in smaller communities and offering appliances, consumer electronics, lawn and garden equipment, and hardware. Hometown Stores carry y Sears brand products, such as Kenmore, Craftsman, and DieHard, as well as other brands. 96 Sears Hardware Stores are hardware stores that carry Craftsman brand tools and lawn and garden equipment, DieHard brand batteries and other national brands and other home improvement products. 93 of these locations also offer a selection of Kenm! ore and other national brands of home appliances.

Sears Hometown and Hardware business operates through three formats: Sears Hometown Stores (Hometown Stores), Sears Hardware Stores (Hardware Stores), and Sears Home Appliance Showrooms (Home Appliance Showrooms). Hometown Stores offer products and services across a range of merchandise categories, including home appliances, consumer electronics, lawn and garden equipment, sporting goods, tools and household goods. Most of its Hometown Stores carry Sears brand products, such as Kenmore, Craftsman, and DieHard, as well as other national brands. Its Hardware Stores offer products and services across a range of merchandise categories and sales are primarily driven by tools, lawn and garden equipment, home appliances, and other home improvement products. In addition, these stores offer blade sharpening, key cutting and screen repair, as well as products typically found in local hardware stores, such as fasteners, electrical supplies and plumbing supplies. These stores carry Craftsman brand tools and lawn and garden equipment, DieHard brand batteries and a range of national brands and other home improvement products. Its Home Appliance Showrooms offer home appliances and related services in stores primarily located in strip malls and lifestyle centers of metropolitan areas. Home Appliance Showroom sales are primarily driven by big-ticket cooking, laundry and refrigeration home appliances, as well as, in certain stores, mattresses. These stores carry Kenmore and other national brands of home appliances. As of April 28, 2012, out of 76 Home Appliance Showrooms in 19 states, 44 of these stores are owned and operated by franchisees, 30 stores are owned and operated by the Company and two are owned and operated by independent dealers.

Sears Outlet

As of April 28, 2012, the Sears Outlet segment consisted of 122 Sears Outlet Stores. The Company�� Sears Outlet stores provide in-store and online access to purchase outlet-value ! products ! across a range of merchandise categories, including home appliances, consumer electronics, lawn and garden equipment, apparel, sporting goods, tools, and household goods.

The Company competes with Sears Holdings, The Home Depot, Best Buy, Lowe�� and Tractor Supply, Ace Hardware, True Value, HH Gregg and US Appliances.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Chris Isidore]
Selling the Canadian stores would raise much-needed cash. The company recently spun off its Lands' End unit that it paid $1.9 billion for in 2002. Two years ago it sold a line of specialty stores, Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores (SHOS).
[By gurujx]
SEARS HOMETOWN (SHOS) Reached the 3-year Low of $28.84
The prices of SEARS HOMETOWN (SHOS) shares have declined to close to the 3-year low of $28.84, which is 51.3% off the 3-year high of $57.44.
[By Michael Lewis]
When investors hear the word "Sears," most immediately think of Sears Holdings (NASDAQ: SHLD ) , the Eddie Lampert-controlled real estate play that has polarized investors and analysts for years. In the value neck of the woods, much attention has lately found its way toward Sears Hometown and Outlets (NASDAQ: SHOS ) , a business I relentlessly tout as a top retail pick. But there's yet another Sears that attracts even fewer investigators, probably because it resides north of our borders, in America's big brother, Canada. The company is called Sears Canada (TSX: SCC ) , and it's bouncing off its 52-week lows, trading cheap, cheap, cheap. Let's take a look and see if this is the Sears you should be focusing on.
[By Michael Lewis]
Better options�
In short, I prefer both Sears Hometown and Outlets (NASDAQ: SHOS ) and Sears Canada (TSX: SCC ) for their stronger operating prospects, especially those of the former. Sears Hometown has a long growth runway for its appliance stores, and its ongoing conversion to franchise-owned stores makes for better gross margins, as well as shifts many up-front costs to the individual store owner. Sears Canada is in the midst of a major renovation -- pumping money into stores while shrinking employee count. Sears Canada trades at a fraction of one-year sales and will benefit from even a modest turnaround in store performance.�

Top Retail Stocks For 2015: AutoCanada Inc (ACQ)

AutoCanada Inc. (AutoCanada) is a multi-location automobile dealership groups. As of December 31, 2011, the Company operated 24 franchised dealerships in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. During the year ended December 31, 2011, its dealerships sold approximately 28,000 vehicles and processed approximately 300,000 service and collision repair orders in its 333 service bays. As of December 31, 2011, it was authorized to sell through its dealerships the vehicle brands, which include Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Fiat, Hyundai, Nissan, Infiniti, Volkswagen, Mitsubishi and Subaru. In addition, it sells a range of used vehicles. In November 2011, the Company acquired assets of two dealerships. In January 2013, the Company purchased the assets of a Volkswagen dealership known as People's Automotive Ltd. Advisors' Opinion:

[By Greg Quinn]
AutoCanada Inc. (ACQ), the country�� largest publicly traded chain of car dealerships, is using sales of trucks to Alberta oil workers to fund higher dividends and buy out competitors.

Top Retail Stocks For 2015: Rex Trueform Clothing Company Ltd (RTO)

Rex Trueform Clothing Company Limited is a South Africa-based company engaged in the manufacturing and marketing of clothing. The Company operates under two segments: Retail segment, the Company, through its ownership of Queenspark Limited, which operates a nationwide chain of Queenspark and J CREW stores, has a interest in the retailing of men�� and women�� clothing and related accessories. Through Property segment, Rex Trueform and its subsidiary have a direct investment in a portfolio of properties located in and around Cape Town. These properties are held either for the purpose of operations or for investment purposes. As of June 30, 2012, the Company operated 55 stores. In September 2012, the Company launched its newest brand Cath.Nic, a new fashion label exclusive to Queenspark. During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012, the Company opened three new stores. Advisors' Opinion:

[By Corinne Gretler]
Rentokil Initial Plc (RTO) climbed 3.1 percent to 106 pence as Bank of America Corp. upgraded the U.K. pest-control and hygiene-services company to buy from neutral. The brokerage predicted that cash flow will improve in 2014 and 2015.
[By Sofia Horta e Costa]
Rentokil Initial Plc (RTO) rose the most in almost eight weeks after a report that private-equity investor Clayton Dubilier & Rice LLC is considering combining the company�� office-maintenance unit with that of Balfour Beatty Plc. Cobham Plc dropped 4.6 percent as a shareholder sold a 3.6 percent stake in the maker of defense and aerospace equipment.