Hot Freight Stocks To Invest In 2016

Hot Freight Stocks To Invest In 2016: Marten Transport Ltd (MRTN)

Marten Transport, Ltd. is a temperature-sensitive truckload carrier. The Company specializes in transporting and distributing food and other consumer packaged goods that require a temperature-controlled or insulated environment. It operates throughout the United States and in parts of Canada and Mexico. The Company operates in two segments: Truckload and Logistics. During the year ended December 31, 2011, approximately 81% of its truckload revenue resulted from hauling temperature-sensitive products and 19% from hauling dry freight. Its long-haul traffic lanes are between the Midwest and the West Coast, Southwest, Southeast, and the East Coast, as well as from California to the Pacific Northwest. It provides regional truckload carrier services in the Southeast, West Coast, Midwest, South Central and Northeast regions.

The Company derives truckload revenue from fuel surcharges, loading and unloading activities, equipment detention and other ancillary services. Its operating revenue also includes revenue reported within its Logistics segment, which consists of revenue from its internal brokerage and intermodal operations, and through its 45% interest in MW Logistics, LLC (MWL), a third-party provider of logistics services to the transportation industry. Brokerage services involve arranging for another company to transport freight for the Company's customers, while it retains the billing, collection and customer management responsibilities. Intermodal services involve the transport of its trailers on railroad flatcars for a portion of a trip, with the balance of the trip using its tractors or, to a lesser extent, contracted carriers. It focuses on large food and consumer-packaged goods companies whose products require temperature-sensitive services and who ship multiple truckloads per week. As of December 31, 2011, its customers ! were General Mills and Kraft.

As of December 31, 2011, the Company operated a fleet of 2,2 81 tractors, including 2,233 company owned tractors and 48 t! ractors supplied by independent contractors. The average age of its company owned tractor fleet at December 31, 2011 was approximately 2.6 years. As of December 31, 2011, it operated a fleet of 4,124 trailers. Most of its trailers are equipped with Thermo-King refrigeration units, air ride suspensions and anti-lock brakes. The average age of its trailer fleet as of December 31, 2011 was approximately 2.4 years.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Monica Gerson]

  Marten Transport (NASDAQ: MRTN) is estimated to post its Q3 earnings at $0.23 per share on revenue of $168.28 million.

  CSX (NYSE: CSX) is expected to post its Q3 earnings at $0.43 per share on revenue of $2.95 billion.

• [By Seth Jayson]

  Marten Transport (Nasdaq: MRTN  ) reported earnings on July 16. Here are the numbers you need to know.

  The 10-second takeaway
  For the quarter ended June 30 (Q2), Marten Transport missed estimates on revenues and missed estimates on earnings per share.

source from Top Stocks For 2015:http://www.topstocksblog.com/hot-freight-stocks-to-invest-in-2016.html

Hot Media Stocks To Invest In Right Now

Hot Media Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Liberty Global Inc.(LBTYA)

Liberty Global, Inc. provides video, broadband Internet, and telephony services primarily in Europe and Chile. The company offers broadband services over cable distribution systems, including video, broadband Internet, and telephony; and video services through direct-to-home satellite, or through multichannel multipoint distribution systems. Its analog video services comprise basic and expanded basic programming; and digital cable services include basic and premium programming, digital video recorders, and high definition programming, as well as pay-per-view programming, such as video-on-demand and near video-on-demand. In addition, the company offers voice-over-Internet-protocol and circuit-switched telephony services, as well as mobile telephony services using third-party networks. Further, it owns programming networks that provide video programming channels to multi-channel distribution systems owned by the company and the third parties. As of December 31, 2011, the com pany owned and operated networks that passed 33,262,100 homes; and served 18,405,500 video subscribers, 8,159,300 broadband Internet subscribers, and 6,225,300 telephony subscribers. Liberty Global, Inc. was founded in 2004 and is based in Englewood, Colorado.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Leo Fasciocco]

  The company, Liberty Global PLC (LBTYA), owns interests in broadband distribution and content companies in Europe, Asia, and Latin America, although the company is based in California.

• [By Sam Robson]

  LONDON -- Vodafone (LSE: VOD  ) (NASDAQ: VOD  ) is believed to have increased its offer for Kabel Deutschland following a rival bid fromLiberty Global (NASDAQ: LBTYA  ) .

• [By Tim Brugger]

  Upon Liberty Global's (NASDAQ: LBTYA  ) successfully closing its acquisition of Virgin Media (NASDAQ: VMED  ) , Tom Mockridge will assume ! CEO responsibilities of the U.K. communications firm, Liberty Global announced today.

• [By Vera Yuan]

  Dear Fellow Shareholder: The U.S. economy continues to gradually expand, building on the 5+ year recovery from the Great Recession. Employment levels are improving, though progress has been slower than expected. Inflation, for now, remains subdued. As signaled and on cue, the Fed has been weaning the economy (and investors) off of the extraordinary quantitative easing stimulus. Investors have generally shrugged off world events that might otherwise cause high anxiety (ISIS and the Middle East, Russia and Ukraine, etc.). As attention now turns to when the Fed will raise short-term interest rates, it seems plausible that volatility may intensify as the stimulus security blanket is removed. In the meantime, companies are taking advantage of the artificially low interest rate environment and sanguine investor sentiment. Merger activity remains robust, fueled by cheap and readily available credit. The IPO market has been very active, headlined by the successful Alibaba offering in September. Corporate treasurers continue to issue loads of debt on attractive terms, locking in generationally low interest rates for long terms. While these conditions will not last forever, they have helped opportunistic managers accelerate equity value growth at many companies.Investment Commentary and Outlook After three years of seemingly non-stop gains, the stock market took a pause in the third quarter. While most large cap indices eked out modest positive returns, the broader investing waters were far less placid. Small cap stocks sold off as the Russell 2000 declined more than 7% during the quarter. Energy stocks, both large and small, fell materially as investors worried about too much oil and gas supply coming online in North America (what a difference a decade makes). High yield bonds wobbled briefly in July, then again in September. Increasingly, investors are not treating all securities the s! ame, and ! as stock pickers we welcome this development. Our equity funds resu

source from Top Stocks To Buy For 2015:http://www.topstocksforum.com/hot-media-stocks-to-invest-in-right-now-3.html

Best Transportation Stocks To Buy Right Now

Best Transportation Stocks To Buy Right Now: Norfolk Souther Corporation(NSC)

Norfolk Southern Corporation, through its subsidiaries, engages in the rail transportation of raw materials, intermediate products, and finished goods primarily in the United States. The company transports coal products, such as coal, coke, and iron ore; automotive products, including finished vehicles and auto parts; chemicals products consisting of sulfur and related chemicals, petroleum products, chlorine and bleaching compounds, plastics, rubber, industrial chemicals, chemical wastes, and municipal wastes; metals and construction products comprising steel, aluminum products, machinery, scrap metals, cement, aggregates, bricks, and minerals; and paper, clay, and forest products, including lumber and wood products, pulp board and paper products, wood fibers, wood pulp, scrap paper, and clay. It also transports agriculture, consumer, and government products, such as soybeans, wheat, corn, fertilizer, animal and poultry feed, food oils, flour, beverages, canned goods, swee teners, consumer products, ethanol, and items for the military. In addition, it engages in the intermodal operations that include moving of shipments in trailers, the United States and international containers, and roadrailer equipment. Further, the company transports overseas freight through various Atlantic and Gulf Coast ports, as well as provides a range of logistics services; and operates passenger and commuter trains. Additionally, it involves in the acquisition, leasing, and management of coal, oil, gas, and minerals; the development of commercial real estate; telecommunications; and the leasing or sale of rail property and equipment. As of December 31, 2010, the company operated approximately 20,000 route miles in 22 states and the District of Columbia. The company was founded in 1883 and is based in Norfolk, Virginia.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Marc Bastow]

  Railroad operator Norfolk Southern (NSC) raised ! its quarterly dividend 3.8% to 54 cents per share, payable on Mar. 10 to shareholders of record as of Feb. 7.
  NSC Dividend Yield: 2.37%

• [By Chris Hill]

  Coach (NYSE: COH  ) fell today after disappointing second-quarter results, stating that foot traffic at North American stores was "substantially lower."Norfolk Southern (NYSE: NSC  ) rose today after reporting strong Q4 earnings, with increases for the railroad company in most of its shipping categories.AMD (NYSE: AMD  ) was the most traded stock on the New York Stock Exchange today, with shares trading down after the chipmaker lowered guidance for the first quarter. And The Wall Street Journal is reporting thatAmazon.com (NASDAQ: AMZN  ) is in discussions with media companies to distribute their channels online. In this segment, Matt and Mike discuss four stocks making moves on the market today.

• [By Vanina Egea]

  The transportation industry is one of the most exposed to oil prices increments. Fixed way transport however, is also especially affected by weather. There is no clearer example than Canadian railroad companies today. There is a record wheat harvest to be carried, but the impossibility to pick up the rails and relocate them away from bad weather, continue to slow grain arrivals. Most importantly, some oil is being transported through rails increasing demand for cars. The situation prompted the intervention of government authorities and drafting of a bill to regulate rail transportation. Responses to the initiative have not been uniform, and while railroad operators bashed the project, terminal lifters have supported it. Last, some traffic will be deviated south, through the US in order to meet stipulated transported quotas. Did gurus anticipate the move? Can it explain the reason for heavy investing on Norfolk Southern (NSC)?

source from Top Penny Stocks For 2015:http://www.seekpenn! ystocks.c! om/best-transportation-stocks-to-buy-right-now-2.html

Hot New Stocks To Invest In Right Now

Hot New Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Ceres Inc (CERE)

Ceres, Inc. (Ceres), incorporated in March 1996, is an agricultural biotechnology company selling seeds to produce renewable biomass feedstocks that can enable the large-scale replacement of petroleum and other fossil fuels. The Companys large-scale commercial products are sweet sorghum varieties that can be used as a drop-in feedstock to extend the operating season of Brazilian sugarcane-to-ethanol mills. Its products include sweet sorghum, high biomass sorghum, switchgrass, miscanthus and row crops Its energy crops can also be used for the production of second-generation biofuels and bio-based chemicals, including cellulosic ethanol, butanol, jet fuel, diesel-like molecules and gasoline-like molecules, from non-food biomass. Baseload utility scale electric power can also be generated from the biomass feedstocks grown from its seeds. Ceres has started marketing sweet sorghum seeds in Brazil and has sold switchgrass and high biomass sorghum seeds in the United States u nder its brand, Blade Energy Crops (Blade). In January 2010, the Company incorporated a subsidiary, Ceres Sementes do Brasil Ltda.

The Company generates its revenues from government grants, research and development collaboration agreements and from product sales. Product sales primarily consists of sales of seeds. Collaborative research revenues consist of payments for research and development activities for specific projects. Government grant revenues consist of payments from government entities. Ceres markets its seeds and traits directly to ethanol mills, utilities, independent power producers, cellulosic biofuel companies, individual growers and grower cooperatives. It also works with technology providers and other market participants, such as equipment manufacturers and enzyme or fermentation technology companies. The Company markets its products to biorefineries and biopower facilities.

Ceress activities in cellulosic biofuels encompass a ! r ange of activities, including field trials, co-evolution agr! eements, and commercial sales. Its products have been tested in the conversion processes of EdeniQ, Inc., Choren USA LLC, Gruppo M&G, ICM, Inc., and UOP, LLC (a Honeywell company), among others. The Company has also conducted joint trials with, or sold seed to, AGCO Corporation, EdeniQ, Inc. and Hawaii BioEnergy, LLC, among others. It has begun collaboration with Valero Services, Inc. to further evaluate feedstock supply strategies with energy crops. Ceres also works with refining technology companies to optimize feedstock for their refining processes. These collaborators include Novozymes North America, Inc. and ThermoChem Recovery International, Inc.

Drop-in Products

The Companys products are drop-in solutions as they can be planted, harvested and processed using existing agricultural equipment with little or no modification and are being developed to be drop-in for all conversion technologies using sugarcane or biomass feedstocks, facilitat ing their rapid adoption. In collaboration with Boa Vista/Nova Fronteira, which is a joint venture of ethanol producers Grupo Sao Martinho, S.A. and Petrobras Biofuels, the Company has completed a commercial-scale trial on approximately 250 hectares of its sweet sorghum, which was planted and harvested using existing planting and harvesting equipment, fermented into ethanol without retrofitting or altering the existing mill and the remaining biomass combusted for electricity production, using existing boilers. It has also conducted smaller trials using its other energy crops with numerous industry participants engaged in cellulosic biofuels and biopower production. The Companys products have been tested in the conversion processes of Amyris Biotechnologies, Inc., Choren USA LLC, EdeniQ, Inc., Gruppo M&G, ICM, Inc., Novozymes North America, Inc., ThermoChem Recovery International, Inc. and UOP, LLC (a Honeywell company), among others. DuPont Danisco Cellulosic Ethanol LLC ! (DDCE) a! lso plans to validate the Companys products in th! eir conve! rsion process.

Sweet Sorghum

Sweet sorghum is a type of sorghum that accumulates free sugars in its stalk. It is sown by seed, and requires less water and nitrogen fertilizer to grow to harvestable maturity. Sweet sorghum plants can be harvested in 90 to 140 days after sowing. Because sweet sorghum is an annual crop, multiple harvests or crop rotations may be possible during the season.

High Biomass Sorghum

High biomass sorghum is a type of sorghum, which is primarily developed for biomass yield. As such, high biomass sorghum is suited for the generation of renewable electric power and the creation of cellulosic biofuels. High biomass types are seed propagated, and requires less water and nitrogen fertilizer. As an annual crop, sorghum is harvested the year it is planted. This provides bioenergy facilities with a growing and flexible source of biomass, and a complementary feedstock to perennials, such as sugarcane or switch grass. The Companys ES 5200 and ES 5201 products contains its Skyscraper trait. These hybrids, developed through its partnership with Texas A&M University, are designed for single-cut production systems.

Switchgrass

Switchgrass is a perennial grass indigenous to North America that offers high biomass yield potential. It requires less water and nitrogen fertilizer, and can grow under semi-arid conditions. Switchgrass is seed propagated. As a perennial, switchgrass is not harvested for sale during the first year when the crop is being established. A properly managed stand of switchgrass may persist for a decade. During the year ended December 31, 2010, it introduced three products: EG 1101, EG 1102 and EG 2101. These high-yielding varieties is developed through its partnership with The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation.

Miscanthus

Miscanthus x giganteus is a tall perennial grass that grows well in cooler climates. It is ! veg etat! ively propagated. It has been used as an energy crop on ! a small s! cale across Europe. The Miscanthus genus includes several perennial species that has energy crops. The variety adopted in the United States and Europe, miscanthus x giganteus, is a sterile hybrid of M. sinensis and M. sacchariflorus. This miscanthus hybrid requires about the same water as corn, but up to two-thirds less nitrogen depending on crop management practices. As a perennial crop, miscanthus is not harvested for sale during the first year when the crop is being established. Ceres is also working on extending the region of adaptation. To these ends, the Company is collaborating with the Institute of Biological, Environmental, and Rural Sciences of Aberystwyth University in Wales, the United Kingdom.

The Company competes with Advanta India Limited, The Dow Chemical Company, Monsanto Company, Pioneer Hi-Bred (DuPont), KWS and Syngenta.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By James E. Brumley]

  Despite the fact that markets are right around breakeven levels for Wednesday, there are relatively few stocks that are up today, and even fewer that are up on strong volume. For the NYSE, 54% of its listed equities are in the red this morning, and 58% of the total volume seen so far has been bearish volume. That's what makes Ceres Inc. (NASDAQ:CERE) so interesting early Wednesday. As one of the few tickers that's not only up, but up on higher volume, CERE is a standout worth a closer look. And, that closer look reveals something even more compelling about the way things are coming together for this small cap stock.

• [By Maxx Chatsko]

  Shares of energy crop developer Ceres (NASDAQ: CERE  ) surged more than 100% from the opening bell Monday to early trading on Thursday. In fact, over one-third of the total outstanding shares traded hands on Thursday. Even with the move the company is trading for "only" $100 million. With some of the biggest names in industrial biotech on its side! -- such ! as Syngenta (NYSE: SYT  ) , Petrobras, Amyris, Valero, Novozymes, Gruppo M&G, and Mascoma, to name a few -- this must be a good buy right? Not so fast.

• [By Roberto Pedone]

  Another renewable energy player that looks ready to trigger a big breakout trade is Ceres (CERE), which sells seeds to produce renewable biomass feedstocks that can enable the large-scale replacement of petroleum and other fossil fuels. This stock has been hammered by the bears so far in 2013, with shares off sharply by 66%.

  If you take a look at the chart for Ceres, you'll notice that this stock has just started to trend back above its 50-day moving average of $1.45 a share with heavy upside volume flows. Volume so far today has already registered over 1.15 million shares, which is well above its three-month average action of 670,538 shares. This spike back above its 50-day is now quickly pushing shares of CERE within range of triggering a big breakout trade.

  Traders should now look for long-biased trades in CERE if it manages to break out above some near-term overhead resistance levels at $1.67 to $1.68 a share with high volume. Look for a sustained move or close above those levels with volume that hits near or above its three-month average action of 670,538 shares. If that breakout hits soon, then CERE will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at $2 to $2.50 a share. Shares of CERE could even tag $3 if this breakout triggers with strong volume.

  Traders can look to buy CERE off any weakness to anticipate that breakout and simply use a stop that sits right below $1.40 a share. One could also buy CERE off strength once it takes out those breakout levels with volume and then simply use a stop that sits a comfortable percentage from your entry point.

source from Top Stocks To Buy For 2015:http://www.topstocksforum.com/hot-new-stocks-to-invest-in-right-now.html

Top 5 Retail Stocks To Invest In 2016

Top 5 Retail Stocks To Invest In 2016: Penske Automotive Group Inc.(PAG)

Penske Automotive Group, Inc. operates as an automotive retailer. It sells new and used vehicles of approximately 40 vehicle brands; offers vehicle maintenance and repair services; and engages in the sale and placement of third-party finance and insurance products, third-party extended service contracts, and replacement and aftermarket automotive products. As of December 31, 2011, the company operated 320 retail automotive franchises, of which 166 franchises were located in the United States and 154 franchises are located outside of the United States primarily in the United Kingdom. It also has operations in Puerto Rico and Germany. Penske Automotive Group, Inc. was founded in 1990 and is headquartered in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Lawrence Meyers]

  However, the company just reported that retail sales were flat with last year. AN stock is sitting in a better position than KMX, with 18.65% long term growth. On FY14 EPS of $3.38, it suggests fair value is upwards of $60, and currently trades at $49. The company isn’t heavily leveraged, and it has positive FCF. So far, AN stock is looking like the best buy among these used car stocks.

  Penske Automotive Group (PAG)

  Penske Automotive Group (PAG) could almost be an identical twin to AutoNation as far as what it provides, outside of the luxury market.

• [By Marc Bastow]

  Automotive retailer Penske Automotive (PAG) raised its quarterly dividend 5.9% to 18 cents per share, payable on Mar. 3 to shareholders of record as of Feb. 10.
  PAG Dividend Yield: 1.69%

• [By Richard Moroney]

  Penske Automotive (PAG) announced a 6.3% increase in its quarterly dividend on October 23, saying the move reflected its confidence in the "strength of the auto retail marketplace."

[By Ben Levisohn]

But just because Parker sees underperformance for consumer stocks, doesn’t mean that some can outperform (just don’t look for consumer staples). They screened for stocks that appear set to outperform over three months and 24 months based on their quantitative models, yet are also favorites of Morgan Stanley’s fundamental analysts. Stocks that meet the criteria include Delphi Automotive, Macy’s and Penske Automotive (PAG), while stocks that fail on all criteria include J.C. Penney and VF Corp. (VFC).

source from Top Stocks For 2015:http://www.topstocksblog.com/top-5-retail-stocks-to-invest-in-2016.html

5 Controversial Gold Stocks And 3 ETFs: Where's The Real Value?

Gold Under The Microscope
This is the last installment of a five part series on gold.

In the prior installments of this look at gold, I discussed the basic premise of investing in gold in the current environment, and the forces pulling the gold price in different directions. Today I'll discuss some specific gold investments.

To own a stake in gold, there are four main choices:

Hold the actual physical metal in the form of bullion, coins or jewelry. Own shares of a mutual fund or exchange-traded fund, exchange-traded vehicle or exchange-traded note that holds gold in physical form. Hold gold derivatives, either directly, through options, or indirectly, through managed funds. Own shares in gold mining companies directly, or through funds, etc.

Let's look at the pros and cons of these various vehicles.

Miners suffer from cost pressures, like energy and labor, to which the metal is impervious, but mining profits may grow at a faster pace than the metal as the gold price accelerates. However, that has generally not been reflected in the price of mining stocks in recent years.

The physical metal shrugs off mining costs, etc., but leaves the investor the problem of storing it safely. Also, you may pay a premium of up to 15% to a dealer when you buy it, and take the haircut again when you sell it. Then it is taxed as a collectible, which takes a bigger tax bite than a capital gain on a stock.

Gold invested in ETFs and various types of mutual funds either have the collectible tax problem or the eternal mutual fund problem wherein, if you're not careful about when you buy and sell, you may end up paying capital gains taxes on profits someone else made and you didn't. Which of these perils you face depends on how the fund is structured.

Sprott Physical Gold Trust ETV (PHYS) is not taxed at the collectible rate, but is subject to the latter negative possibility. Sprott allows redemption of shares for actual bullion, subject to minimum requirements, which, however, are quite high for the average investor. The minimum amount varies, but is usually between 350 and 430 troy ounces.

5 Best Recreation Stocks For 2016

ETFS Physical Swiss Gold Shares (SGOL) and StreetTracks Gold Shares (GLD) both are taxed as collectibles, but avoid the mutual fund danger noted above. I favor SGOL over GLD because it stores its gold in Swiss vaults, where one might suppose it is safer from the threat of confiscation by the U.S. government. During FDR's administration, the owning of gold by individuals was outlawed. Don't think it can't happen again.

By the way, all the "E" (exchange) vehicles are subject to some tracking error over an extended period of time, wherein the ETF, etc., does not quite track the price of the underlying asset. This error can be especially great in levered funds that aim to double or triple the performance or inverse performance of the asset. You should read the prospectus of any ETF, etc., carefully before investing.

The ETFs and funds that hold the physical metals all may have one other problem: We aren't in a position to audit their vaults to verify they really have the gold. Some companies do issue reports from outside auditors. We have to take it on faith that what they say is true. I have no information that would suggest it's not, but in today's world, and with the events in the world of finance in the last few years, one would be foolish to at least not consider that possibility. To the extent any of these holdings is backed by an over-the-counter derivative instead of actual metal, we are subject to counterparty risk. Think AIG, Lehman Brothers, etc.

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Exchange-traded options, on the other hand, are cleared through the CFTC, and your counterparty is required to hold adequate collateral. Still, if the option is on an ETF, you're back to the problems we just discussed. In addition, options are highly volatile, and can go to zero if your timing is wrong. That holds true whether the option is on an ETF or a stock of an individual mining company.

Which brings us to our next and final subject in this series…

Gold Miners
Of all the forms of gold one can invest in, the miners have been beaten up the most. At some point, they will probably represent the best buy. That being the case, let's do a little prospecting.

Following are a few miners that have various virtues to recommend them. It is extremely rare to find a perfect stock of any sort at a good price. Companies with the best growth outlook usually have stratospheric P/Es by the time we realize their potential. Very solid, low P/E companies usually have slow or uneven growth. These principles hold true with the gold miners, but in spades. Mining is an inherently "lumpy" business, with year-to-year results less predictable and more subject to risk than most other industries. Quarterly results are a real crap-shoot.

Hot US Companies To Buy Right Now

"Two can live as cheaply as one." This old saying is mostly true. However, when it comes to death, divorce, and taxes, two are probably better off financially if they don't marry. Intentionally or not, many federal and state laws reward couples that choose to live together without marriage.

Laws relating to worker's compensation insurance are one example of this. Someone whose spouse has died in a work-related accident may be eligible to receive a monthly benefit, paid for the rest of his or her life. However, most state laws provide that the benefits end if the recipient remarries.

This puts a real cost to remarrying. Consider a woman who, at age 50, loses her husband to a work-related accident and receives a settlement of $2,000 a month for life. Assuming she will live another 35 years and could invest the proceeds in a 3% bond, the present value of that income stream is $520,000. That means a person would need $520,000, invested at 3%, to give a monthly income of $2,000 for 35 years.

Top 10 Long Term Companies To Buy Right Now: B2Gold Corp (BTG)

B2Gold Corp. (B2Gold) is a gold producer with mining operations in Nicaragua and a portfolio of development and exploration assets in Colombia, Nicaragua and Uruguay. It operates the Libertad Mine and the Limon Mine in Nicaragua. It owns or has an interest in the Gramalote and Mocoa properties in Colombia, and the Bellavista property in Costa Rica. La Libertad Mine is located 110 kilometers east of Managua. The Limon Mine is located approximately 100 kilometers northwest of Managua and 20 kilometers from the Pan- American Highway. The Otjikoto gold project is located approximately 300 kilometers north of Namibia�� capital city, Windhoek. The Gramalote property is located approximately 230 kilometers northwest of the Colombian capital of Bogota and approximately 80 kilometers northeast of Medellin. The Gramalote property area is covered by 31 contiguous claim blocks totaling 42,790.09 hectares. In Jnauary 2013, the Company acquired CGA Mining Ltd. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Johanna Bennett]

  Analyst John Bridges and his team like Goldcorp (GG), B2Gold (BTG) and Eldorado (EGO), and feel Buenaventura (BVN) is a serious laggard with likely improved results in the second half of 2014. They write:

• [By BLOGS.BARRONS.COM]

  Foster thinks small and mid-sized miners such as Randgold Resources (GOLD), Eldorado Gold (EGO) and B2 Gold (BTG) are particularly well positioned within the gold mining space.

Hot US Companies To Buy Right Now: Pimco Corporate & Income Opportunity Fund (PTY)

PIMCO Corporate Opportunity Fund (the Fund) is a diversified closed-end management investment company. The Fund�� investment objective is to seek maximum total return through a combination of current income and capital appreciation in a diversified portfolio of United States dollar-denominated corporate debt obligations of varying maturities and other income producing securities. The Fund will normally focus on corporate debt obligations rated in the lowest investment-grade category (Baa or BBB) and in the highest non-investment-grade category (Ba or BB). Its portfolio includes corporate bonds and notes, the United States Government agency securities, sovereign debt obligations, municipal bonds, mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities and short-term investments.

The Fund invests in residual interest municipal bonds and residual interest tax exempt bonds (inverse floaters), whose interest rates bear an inverse relationship to the interest rate on another security or the value of an index. PIMCO Corporate Opportunity Fund may purchase and write (sell) put and call options. The Fund may sell options on the United States Treasury futures and other fixed-income instruments. PIMCO Corporate Opportunity Fund invests in various industries, including airlines, banking, energy, financial services, food and beverage, hotels/gaming, oil and gas, paper/paper products, telecommunications and utilities. The Fund's investment manager is Allianz Global Investors Fund Management LLC, which is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Allianz Global Investors of America L.P. PIMCO Corporate Opportunity Fund's sub-advisor is Pacific Investment Management Company LLC.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Dan Caplinger]

  Lesson 1: Income is king.
  A look at the four funds trading at the highest premiums to net asset value reveals a common thread: They're all focused on maximizing income. What's interesting, though, is that they use different methods to reach the same ends. Among the three PIMCO funds, PIMCO High Income (NYSE: PHK  ) looks largely to the high-yield bond market for its holdings, while PIMCO Corporate & Income Opportunities (NYSE: PTY  ) has a somewhat lower distribution rate but has a sizable allocation to investment-grade debt. The fund with the highest premium, PIMCO Global StocksPLUS, uses futures contracts to add stock exposure to its portfolio of income-producing bonds. Finally, BlackRock Virginia Municipal Bond rounds out the top four with its tax-free bond portfolio.

Hot US Companies To Buy Right Now: EveryWare Global Inc (EVRY)

EveryWare Global, Inc., formerly ROI Acquisition Corp., incorporated on September 19, 2011, is the designer and seller of tabletop and food preparation products for the consumer and foodservice markets. The Company�� global platform allows the Company to market and distribute internationally its total portfolio of products, including flatware, dinnerware, crystal stemware, glassware, serveware, cutlery, buffetware, candle glass, floral glass, spirit bottles, kitchen tools and gadgets and kitchen accessories. On June 18, 2013, the Company acquired the George Wilkinson and Samuel Groves business units of Metalrax Housewares, a maker and provider of metal bakeware, cooking utensils and catering supplies.

The Company also licenses the trademarks and distributes the Stolzle, Schonwald, Strata and BuffetEuro branded products in its Consumer, Foodservice and International segments. The Company operates in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Latin America, Europe and Asia.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By John Udovich]

  On Wednesday, small cap kitchen stock Everyware Global Inc (NASDAQ: EVRY) surged 52.94% after announcing an amendment to extend its forbearance agreement with lenders until July 15 that could give the company�time to find a long-term financing solution���meanings its worth taking as closer look at the stock along with potential peers Libbey Inc (NYSEMKT: LBY) and Lifetime Brands Inc (NASDAQ: LCUT).

Hot US Companies To Buy Right Now: AAR Corp.(AIR)

AAR CORP. provides products and services to aviation, government, and defense markets worldwide. The company?s Aviation Supply Chain segment purchases and sells new, overhauled, and repaired engine and airframe parts and components. It also repairs, overhauls, and sells avionics, electrical, electronic, fuel, hydraulic, and pneumatic components and instruments, as well as internal airframe components; and provides customized inventory supply and management programs for engine and airframe parts and components. In addition, this segment sells and leases commercial jet engines and used commercial aircraft; and provides advisory services, including assistance in remarketing aircraft, records management, and storage maintenance. Its Government and Defense Services segment involves in fixed- and rotary-wing flight operations; and performs engineering and design modifications on rotary-wing aircraft for government customers. This segment also provides customized performance-base d logistics programs in support of the U.S. Department of Defense and foreign governments; and engineering, design, manufacturing, and system integration services. The company?s Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul segment provides airframe maintenance inspection and overhaul, painting, line maintenance, airframe modifications, structural repairs, avionic service and installation, exterior and interior refurbishment, and engineering services, as well as support for commercial and military aircraft; and repairs and overhauls landing gears, wheels, and brakes. Its Structures and Systems segment designs, manufactures, and repairs airdrop and other transportation pallets, and containers and shelters used in support of military and humanitarian tactical deployment activities. This segment also designs, manufactures, and installs in-plane cargo loading and handling systems for commercial and military aircraft and helicopters. AAR CORP. was founded in 1951 and is headquartered in Wood Dale, Illinois.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Seth Jayson]

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

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  AAR Corp. (AIR) has dropped 5.6% to $28.25 after it said it earned 45 cents a share, in line with analyst estimates, but sales missed.

  Landec (LNDC) has plunged 13% to $11.85 after it reported a profit of 18 cents a share, below forecasts for 23 cents.

Hot US Companies To Buy Right Now: Flowserve Corp (FLS)

Flowserve Corporation, incorporated on May 1, 1912, is a manufacturer and aftermarket service provider of flow control systems. The Company develops and manufacture precision-engineered flows control equipment integral to the movement, control and protection of the flow of materials in its customers' critical processes. The Company operates in three segments: Engineered Product Division (EPD), which includes long leads time, custom and other engineered pumps and pump systems, mechanical seals, auxiliary systems and replacement parts and related services, Industrial Product Division (IPD), which includes pre-configured engineered pumps and pump systems and related products and services, and Flow Control Division (FCD), which includes engineered and industrial valves, control valves, actuators and controls and related services. Effective December 10, 2013, Flowserve Corp acquired Innovative Mag-Drive LLC.

Through the Company's manufacturing platform and global network of Quick Response Centers (QRCs), the Company offers an array of aftermarket equipment services, such as installation, advanced diagnostics, repair and retrofitting. The Company's product portfolio of pumps, valves, seals, automation and aftermarket services supports global infrastructure industries, including oil and gas, chemical, power generation and water management, as well as certain general industrial markets where the Company's products and services add value. The Company sells its products and services to more than 10,000 companies, including some of the engineering, procurement and construction firms (EPC), original equipment manufacturers, distributors and end users.

Engineered Product Division

The Company designs, manufactures, distributes and services engineered pumps and pumps systems, mechanical seals, auxiliary systems, replacement parts and related equipment. The business primarily consists of long lead time, engineered, configured products, which require extensive test requirements a! nd project management skills. EPD products and services are primarily used by companies that operate in the oil and gas, power generation, chemical, water management and general industries. The Company markets its pump and mechanical seals products through its global sales force and its regional QRCs and service and repair centers or through independent distributors and sales representatives. A portion of the Company's mechanical seal products are sold directly to original equipment manufacturers for incorporation into rotating equipment requiring mechanical seals. The Company's pump products are manufactured in a range of metal alloys and with a variety of configurations to meet the critical operating demands of the Company's customers.

The Company also manufactures a gas-lubricated mechanical seal that is used in high-speed compressors for gases pipelines and in the oil and gas production and process markets. The Company's products are manufactured at 29 plants worldwide, nine of which are located in Europe, 11 in North America, four in Asia Pacific and five in Latin America. The Company also conducts business through strategic foreign joint ventures. The Company has six unconsolidated joint ventures that are located in China, India, Japan, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates, where a portion of its products are manufactured, assembled or serviced in these territories. The Company manufactures more than 40 different active types of pumps and approximately 185 different models of mechanical seals and sealing systems.

The Company's EPD products include between bearings pumps, which include single case- axially split, single case- radially split, double case; overhung pumps, which includes api process; positive displacement pumps, which includes multiphase, reciprocating and screw; mechanical seals and seal support systems, which includes gas barrier seals and dry-running seals, and specialty products, which includes nuclear pumps, nuclear seals, cryogenic p! umps, cry! ogenic liquid expander, hydraulic decoking systems, and API slurry pumps. The Company�� EPD Brand Names include BW Seals, Byron Jackson, Calder Energy Recovery Devices, Cameron, Durametallic, Five Star Seal, Jeumont-Schneider, and Interseal. EPD Services includes provision of engineered aftermarket services through its global network of 128 QRCs, some of which are co-located in manufacturing facilities, in 41 countries. Its EPD service personnel provide a comprehensive set of equipment services for flow management control systems, including installation, commissioning, repair, advanced diagnostics, re-rate and retrofit programs, machining and comprehensive asset management solutions. The Company provides asset management services and condition monitoring for rotating equipment through special contracts with many of its customers that reduce maintenance costs.

Industrial Product Division

The Company designs , manufactures, distributes and services pre-configured engineered pumps and pumps systems, including submersible motors, for industrial markets. IPD's standardized, general purpose pump products are primarily utilized by the oil and gas, chemical, water management, power generation and general industries. The Company's products are manufactured in 12 manufacturing facilities, three of which are located in the United States and six in Europe. IPD operates 20 QRCs worldwide, including 11 sites in Europe, three in the United States , five in Asia Pacific and one in Latin America. The Company manufactures approximately 40 different active types of pumps available in a wide range of metal alloys and non-metallics with a variety of configurations. The products includes Overhung, which includes Chemical Process ANSI and ISO, Industrial Process , and Slurry and Solids Handling ; Specialty Products, which includes Molten Salt VTP Pump, Submersible Pump, Thruster, Geothermal Deepwell, and Barge Pump; Between Bearings, which includes Single Case- Axially Split and Single Case- Radia! lly Split! ; Vertical, which includes Wet Pit, Deep Well Submersible Motor, Slurry and Solids Handling, and Sump; Positive Displacement, which includes Gear. The Company�� brands include Aldrich, Durco, IDP, Pacific, Pleuger, Scienco, Sier Bath, Western Land Roller, TKL, Worthington, and Worthington-Simpson. The Company markets its pump products through its worldwide sales force and its regional service and repair centers or through independent distributors and sales representatives. The Company provide an array of aftermarket services including product installation and commissioning services, spare parts, repairs, re-rate and upgrade solutions, advanced diagnostics and maintenance solutions through its global network of QRCs.

Flow Control Division

The Company�� FCD designs, manufactures, distributes and services a portfolio of industrial valve and automation solutions, including isolation and control valves, actuation, controls and related equipment. In addition, FCD offers energy management products, such as steam traps, boiler controls and condensate and energy recovery systems. FCD products are used to control, direct and manage the flow of liquids and gases and are an integral part of any flow control system. The Company's valve products are often customized and engineered to perform specific functions within each customer's unique flow control environment. The Company's flow control products are primarily used by companies operating in the chemical (including pharmaceutical), power generation (nuclear, fossil and renewable), oil and gas, water management and general industries (including aerospace, pulp and paper and mining). FCD has 58 sites worldwide, including 25 principal manufacturing facilities ( five of which are located in the United States and 13 of which are located in Europe) and 33 QRCs, including three consolidated joint ventures. A small portion of the Company's valves are also produced through an unconsolidated joint venture in India.

The Company's pr! oducts ar! e used in a variety of applications, from general service to the severe and demanding services, including those involving high levels of corrosion, extreme temperatures and/or pressures, zero fugitive emissions and emergency shutdown. The Company's smart valve and diagnostic technologies integrate sensors, microprocessor controls and software into high performance integrated control valves, digital positioners and switchboxes for automated on/off valve assemblies and electric actuators. These technologies permit real-time system analysis, system warnings and remote indication of asset health. These technologies have been developed in response to the growing demand for reduced maintenance, improved process control efficiency and digital communications at the plant level. The Company's valve automation products encompass a range of pneumatic, electric, hydraulic and stored energy actuation designs to take advantage of whatever power source the customer has available.

The Company�� products includes valve automation systems, control valves, ball valves, gate valves, globe valves, check valves, lined plug valves, lubricated plug valves, diagnostic software, digital positioners, pneumatic positioners, intelligent positioners, pneumatic actuators, hydraulic actuators, diaphragm actuators, direct gas and gas-over-oil actuators. steam traps, boiler controls, digital communications, and valve and automation repair services. The Company�� brands include Accord, Anchor/Darling, Argus, Atomac, Durco, Edward, Flowserve, Gestra, Kammer, Limitorque, McCANNA/MARPAC, NAF, NAVAL, Noble Alloy, Norbro, Nordstrom, PMV, Serck Audco, Schmidt Armaturen, Valbart, Valtek, Vogt, and Worcester Controls. The Company provides equipment maintenance services for flow control systems, including advanced diagnostics, repair, installation, commissioning, retrofit programs and field machining capabilities.

The Company competes with Sulzer Pumps, Ebara Corp., SPX Corp., Eagle Burgmann, A. W. Chesterton Co. an! d AES Cor! p, John Crane Inc., and Weir Group Plc, ITT Industries, KSB Inc., Sulzer Pumps, Pentair Ltd., Cameron International Corp., Emerson Electric Co., General Electric Co. and Crane Co.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  Xylem’s big day has also boosted other water-infrastructure stocks. Flowserve (FLS) has gained 1.2% to $70.59, Idex Corp. (IEX) has risen 0.5% to $68.69 and Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) has advanced 0.4% t0 $98.22.

Hot US Companies To Buy Right Now: Highpower International Inc (HPJ)

Highpower International, Inc., incorporated on January 3, 2006, is engaged in the production and sales of rechargeable nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) batteries, lithium batteries and battery systems. The Company also recycles scrap battery materials through outsourcing and resells the recycled materials to some of its customers. The Company�� wholly owned subsidiary is Hong Kong Highpower Technology Company Limited (HKHTC). HKHTC�� wholly owned subsidiaries Shenzhen Highpower Technology Company Limited (SZ Highpower), Highpower Energy Technology (Hui Zhou) Company Limited (HZ Highpower), Springpower Technology (Shenzhen) Company Limited (SZ Springpower) and Icon Energy System Company Limited (ICON) and SZ Highpower�� wholly owned subsidiary Ganzhou Highpower Technology Company Limited (Ganzhou Highpower).

The Company�� Ni-MH rechargeable batteries are solutions for many applications. The Company�� Ni-MH rechargeable batteries offer capacity and energy density. As a result, users can expect a longer time between charges and longer running time. The Company�� Ni-MH rechargeable batteries are available in both cylindrical and prismatic shapes. The Company produces Li-ion batteries and Li-polymer batteries with hundreds of different models and specifications. As of December 31 2011, the Company produced an average of 1,520,000 lithium battery units per month.

The Company�� batteries fall into two main categories, such as consumer batteries and industrial batteries. The Company�� consumer batteries category produces Ni-MH and lithium batteries, which offers power capacity, allowing for longer working time and shortened charging time during equivalent working periods. The Company produces A, AA and AAA sized batteries in blister packing, as well as chargers and battery packs. The Company�� industrial batteries are designed for electric bikes, power tools and electric toys. They are specifically designed for high-drain discharge applications.

The Comp! any competes with SANYO Electric Co., Ltd., Panasonic, BYD Company Ltd., GPI International, Ltd., GS Yuasa Corporation, Desay Corp., Coslight Group, Tianjin Lishen Battery Co. Ltd. and ATL.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Kyle Woodley]

  The short, sucky answer? A lot:

  Plans for a ��igafactory��meant to produce millions of electric-car batteries ginned up excitement, but also raised eyebrows. The Wall Street Journal reported on skepticism in the space — including from heads at Volkswagen (VLKAY) and battery maker Highpower International (HPJ). Now, even planned investment partner Panasonic (PC) now sounds iffy on the project, with company Kazuhiro Tsuga saying “the investment risk is definitely larger.” Not good. There also was Tesla�� direct sales snafu. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie huffed and puffed and (on March 11) successfully blew down Tesla�� direct sales model, with the Motor Vehicle Commission approving a measure to enforce an already-existing ban on direct sales. On the flip side, Tesla has scored victories in New York and Ohio in the past month, and is making progress in Arizona (which has a little incentive on the board). Production of the Model X has been pushed further back, to 2015. Musk’s reasons — mostly having to do with focusing on bolstering Model S sales — are valid, but that doesn�� really soften the blow of a longer wait for the much-anticipated addition to Tesla�� line. To address the issue of battery fires in the Model S, TSLA added titanium shields and aluminum deflector plates to new vehicles and offered to install them for free in all its existing cars. Tesla�� margins are excellent, and there�� no hard number on the cost impact of the fix, but titanium ain�� cheap. This definitely isn�� going to add to Tesla�� bottom line. What Now?

  I won�� belabor you with my bullish position on TSLA stock, but if you want, you can see it here. In short, Musk is a genius; Tesla products are quality and appeal to (and are priced for) the all-important luxury segment; and just given size and scale, TSLA has oh-so-much room to grow.

Top Performing Companies To Invest In 2015

Click chart for more stock market data

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) The markets were rattled by a sharp Monday sell-off, but investors were relatively calmer Tuesday.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average, the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq were down just slightly in early trading.

Tuesday marks the eighth day of the government's shutdown. While the Dow has dropped roughly 200 points in that time, the markets are actually performing better than many had expected. All three major indexes remain up more than 13% for the year.

Despite heated posturing, many experts think the Democrats and Republicans will be able to reach a last-minute agreement to raise the debt ceiling before October 17 and avoid a default.

Tuesday is also the start of third-quarter earnings season, with results due after the closing bell from aluminum producer Alco (AA, Fortune 500)and Yum! Brand, (YUM, Fortune 500)the parent of KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell.

Top 5 Forestry Stocks To Watch For 2016: Stemline Therapeutics Inc (STML)

Stemline Therapeutics, Inc. (Stemline), incorporated on August 8, 2003, is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, acquiring, developing and commercializing therapeutics that target both cancer stem cells (CSCs) and tumor bulk. The Company is developing two clinical-stage product candidates, SL-401 and SL-701, for which it holds global marketing rights. The indication for SL-401, a biologic-drug conjugate, is acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The indications for SL-701, a synthetic peptide vaccine, are pediatric and adult brain cancer. It has a platform, StemScreen, for the discovery of CSC-targeted compounds, from which it has discovered or validated several of its clinical and preclinical product candidates. Stemline�� StemScreen consists of StemScreen-1 and StemScreen-2 for the identification of CSC-directed compounds.

SL-301 is a small molecule gamma-secretase inhibitor that inhibits Notch, a pathway expressed by CSCs and tumor bulk of multiple cancer types. SL-101 is a monoclonal antibody-based (mAb -based) compound that targets CD123 and has shown in vitro activity against certain hematologic cancers. SL-201 is a small molecule active against certain hematologic and solid tumor types. SL-601 is a mAb-based compound that targets a cell surface marker on bladder CSCs, which is also expressed on a variety of other solid tumor types. It has also in-licensed certain intellectual property directed to mAb-based therapeutics to validated oncology targets, including Glypican-3, Tie-1, CD133, Frizzled, Smoothened and Patched.

SL-401 - An IL-3R-Directed Compound Targeting Cancer Stem Cells and Tumor Bulk

SL-401 is a clinically active biologic-drug conjugate consisting of human interleukin-3 (IL-3) genetically linked to a truncated version of diphtheria toxin. SL-401 targets the IL-3 receptor (IL-3R), which is overexpressed on both the CSCs and tumor bulk of multiple hematologic cancers, including AML. SL-401 has demonstrated preclinical in vit! ro and in vivo activity against both leukemia blasts (which includes tumor bulk) and CSCs of a range of human leukemia cell lines and primary leukemia cells from patients.

SL-701

SL-701 is a clinically active synthetic peptide vaccine that targets several epitopes on CSCs and tumor bulk of brain cancer. In two completed Phase 1/2 clinical trials, SL-701 demonstrated single agent anti-tumor activity in pediatric patients with newly diagnosed brainstem glioma (BSG) and other high-grade gliomas (HGGs) and in adult patients with refractory or recurrent GBM, and other HGGs.

StemScreen-1

StemScreen-1 is a drug discovery platform designed to identify CSC-targeted compounds based on the isolation of CSCs and evaluation of CSC gene expression profiles. CSCs are isolated from primary tumor tissue or cell lines, and then subjected to gene expression analysis using a variety of technologies, including microarray. A control tissue, such as normal bone marrow is analyzed as a comparator against the gene expression profile of the isolated CSCs. These data are then interfaced with an information base of compounds and their mechanisms of action (that is which gene products and pathways they impact). It has utilized StemScreen-1 to discover a number of its preclinical drug candidates. These include SL-201, SL-301, and SL-601. In addition, SL-401 demonstrated activity against CSCs as determined by both an in vitro colony formation and in vivo animal implantation assay, thereby validating certain StemScreen-1 anti-CSC assays.

StemScreen-2

StemScreen-2 is a high throughput drug discovery platform it is developing to discover anti-CSC compounds. StemScreen-2 utilizes a cell-based assay that can track and follow CSCs in their natural state during high throughput screening. In particular, StemScreen-2 utilizes a CSC-specific promoter linked to a reporter as a method for identifying and following CSCs in their native environment of surrounding tumor b! ulk. In t! his way, StemScreen-2 enables the identification of compound hits, in a high throughput manner, with anti-CSC activity.

The Company competes with Boston Biomedical, Inc., Eclipse Therapeutics, Inc., OncoMed Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Verastem, Inc., Astellas Pharma US, Inc., Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH, Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma Co. Ltd., Geron Corp., GlaxoSmithKline plc, ImmunoCellular Therapeutics, Ltd, Macrogenics Inc., Amgen, Inc., Pfizer Inc., Roche Holding AG, Sanofi U.S. LLC., Cyclacel Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Sunesis Pharmaceuticals Inc., Clavis Pharma ASA, Ambit Biosciences Corporation, Celgene Corporation, Eisai Co. Ltd., Celator Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Merck & Co., Inc., Eisai Co., Inc., Roche Holding AG, Novartis AG and Celldex Therapeutics, Inc.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By David Zeiler]

  3. Stemline Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: STML): This biotech develops drugs that target cancer stem cells and tumors. Stemline went public January 29 at $10 a share and rose just 11.78% on its first day. But STML has climbed steadily since, and currently trades at $37.46, up 274.6% from its IPO price.

• [By Jay Silverman]

  Some of the biggest leaders in that field, and there have been dozens in fields, if not more this year, such as Bluebird (BLUE) and Stemline Therapeutics (STML) and have all pulled back to significantly lower levels; even below, in Bluebird's case, the price that had actually opened up as an IPO, even though it's above its IPO price.

• [By Keith Speights]

  Best-performing biotech IPO
  Stemline Therapeutics� (NASDAQ: STML  ) has only traded publicly this year, but what a year it's been. The stock's performance ranks Stemline as the best-performing biotech IPO so far in 2013. This week has been pretty good also, with shares moving up by 28%.

Top Performing Companies To Invest In 2015: Japan Petroleum Exploration Co Ltd (JPTXF)

Japan Petroleum Exploration Co., Ltd. is a company principally involved in the energy business. The Company operates in four geological segments. The Japan segment involves in the production, purchase and sale of crude oil and natural gas in Japan, the contracting of drilling and refurbishment works, mud logging works, research works, geophysical exploration works, the provision of pipeline maintenance services and security guard services, the purchase and sale of petroleum products, the transportation of petroleum and natural gas products, as well as real estate management business. The North America segment involves in the exploration and development of crude oil and natural gas in North America. The Middle East segment involves in the development of crude oil and natural gas. The Others segment involves in the exploration, development and production of crude oil and natural gas in Southeast Asia. As of March 31, 2013, the Company had 26 subsidiaries and 17 associated companies. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By WWW.MARKETWATCH.COM]

  LOS ANGELES (MarketWatch) -- Japanese stocks have ended with losses in every session this week, and sure enough, the Nikkei Average (JP:NIK) was down 0.6% in early Friday trade, though off an opening 0.8% defecit, while the Topix carried a 0.7% loss. Overnight losses for the U.S. and further strength in the yen (with the dollar falling to 楼101.28 from 楼101.56 a day earlier) helped drag the market lower, as did results from Fast Retailing Co. (JP:9983) (FRCOF) , the shares of which hold the heaviest weighting on Nikkei Average. Fast Retailing said that while its Uniqlo brand was doing great business, weakness for its J Brand luxury demin label helped send September-May profit down 4% and prompted another cut to Fast's full-year outlook. Consequently, its shares traded 0.7% lower, though rivals Takashimaya Co. (JP:8233) and J. Front Retailing Co. (JP:3086) (JFROF) also saw losses of 0.6% and 0.5%, respectively. Among other decliners, Sony Corp. (JP:6758) (SNE) lost 0.7%, Toshiba Corp. (JP:6502) (TOSYY) fell 2.1%, Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd. (JP:7012) (KWHIY) fell 1.5%, Toyota Motor Corp. (JP:7203) (TM) and Nissan Motor Co. (JP:7201)

Top Performing Companies To Invest In 2015: Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation(GLDD)

Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation engages in the business of marine construction, primarily dredging, and commercial and industrial demolition primarily in the east, west, and Gulf Coasts of the United States. The company?s Dredging segment is involved in capital dredging projects consisting of primarily port expansion projects, land reclamations, trench digging for pipelines, tunnels and cables, and other dredging related to the construction of breakwaters, jetties, and canals; beach nourishment projects, which involve moving sand from the ocean floor to shoreline locations; and maintenance dredging that includes the re-dredging of previously deepened waterways and harbors to remove silt, sand, and other accumulated sediments, as well as lake and river dredging, inland levee and construction dredging, environmental restoration, and habitat improvement. Its Demolition segment provides commercial and industrial demolition services. It is involved in exterior demolition that comprises dismantling and demolition of structures and foundations; and interior demolition, which includes removing specific structures within a building. This segment also engages in site development, removal of asbestos and other hazardous materials, and remediation of contaminated demolition materials. The company serves federal, state, and local governments; foreign governments; domestic and foreign private concerns, such as utilities and oil companies; general contractors; corporations that commission projects; nonprofit institutions, such as universities and hospitals; and local government and municipal agencies. It has a fleet of 33 dredges, including 8 deployed internationally; 19 material transportation barges; 2 drill boats; and various other specialized support vessels. The company was formerly known as Lydon & Drews Partnership and changed its name to Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation in 1905. The company was founded in 1809 and is headquartered in Oak Brook, Illinois.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Seth Jayson]

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

• [By Seth Jayson]

  When judging a company's prospects, how quickly it turns cash outflows into cash inflows can be just as important as how much profit it's booking in the accounting fantasy world we call "earnings." This is one of the first metrics I check when I'm hunting for the market's best stocks. Today, we'll see how it applies to Great Lakes Dredge & Dock (Nasdaq: GLDD  ) .

• [By Seth Jayson]

  There's no foolproof way to know the future for Great Lakes Dredge & Dock (Nasdaq: GLDD  ) or any other company. However, certain clues may help you see potential stumbles before they happen -- and before your stock craters as a result.

Top Performing Companies To Invest In 2015: Tennant Company(TNC)

Tennant Company engages in the design, manufacture, and marketing cleaning solutions worldwide. The company offers floor maintenance and outdoor cleaning equipment; chemical-free cleaning technologies; and specialty surface coatings and related products for protecting, repairing, and upgrading floors. Its products are used to clean and coat surfaces in factories, office buildings, parking lots and streets, airports, hospitals, schools, warehouses, shopping centers, and other retail environments. The company also provides parts, consumables, and service maintenance and repair; business solutions, such as pay-for-use offerings, and rental and leasing programs; and cleaning technologies that enhance the performance of its cleaning equipment. In addition, it offers Green Machine 500ze, an electric vacuum street sweeper to clean crowded urban areas. The company serves building service contract cleaners, end-user businesses, healthcare facilities, and schools, as well as local, state, and federal governments through its direct sales and service organization, and authorized distributors. Tennant Company was founded in 1870 and is based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Seth Jayson]

  Tennant (NYSE: TNC  ) reported earnings on April 22. Here are the numbers you need to know.

  The 10-second takeaway
  For the quarter ended March 31 (Q1), Tennant missed estimates on revenues and missed estimates on earnings per share.

• [By Marc Bastow]

  Floor maintenance and cleaning service company Tennant (TNC) raised its quarterly dividend 11% to 20 cents per share payable June 6 to shareholders of record May 30.
  TNC Dividend Yield: 1.29%

Top Performing Companies To Invest In 2015: General Growth Properties Inc. (GGP)

General Growth Properties, Inc is an equity real estate investment trust. The firm invests in the real estate markets of the United States. It engages in owning, managing, leasing, and redeveloping high-quality regional malls. General Growth Properties, Inc was founded in 1986 and is based in Chicago, Illinois.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Myra P. Saefong]

  After the close Monday, fourth-quarter results are due from the Hartford Financial Services Group Inc. (HIG) , which is projected to report earnings of 90 cents per share, Edwards LifeSciences Corp. (EW) , expected to post earnings per share of 82 cents and General Growth Properties Inc. (GGP) , expected to report a profit per share of 35 cents. For its first quarter, Hologic Inc. (HOLX) �is expected to post earnings per share of 31 cents.

• [By Johanna Bennett]

  General Growth Properties (GGP) gained 2.6% to close at $20.82 after S&P Dow Jones Indices said late Wednesday that it would add the real-estate investment trust to the S&P 500 index next week,

• [By Adam Levine-Weinberg]

  I think J.C. Penney's best bet for generating cash is selling off a few of its most desirable stores. This is not a palatable strategy, as it means losing some of the highest-potential stores, but it could produce cash without severely diluting the interests of J.C. Penney shareholders or adding interest expense that J.C. Penney cannot afford. For example, Sears Holdings,�another struggling department store giant, was able to sell 11 stores to General Growth Properties (NYSE: GGP  ) for $270 million last year. Bill Ackman's Pershing Square hedge fund happens to be a major shareholder in General Growth.� This could open up an opportunity for J.C. Penney to pursue a similar deal -- if any of its real estate would be sufficiently valuable to General Growth.

• [By Dan Caplinger]

  Admittedly, Sears has had some success raising cash with outright sales of its assets. Last year, for instance, Sears sold nearly a dozen lucrative properties, including its crown-jewel Ala Moana location in Hawaii, to General Growth Properties (NYSE: GGP  ) for $270 million. As Fool contributor Adam Levine-Weinberg noted earlier today, the fact that major J.C. Penney investor Bill Ackman also has a big position in General Growth Properties boosts the odds that a potential deal will go through.

Top Performing Companies To Invest In 2015: Westell Technologies Inc.(WSTL)

Westell Technologies, Inc., through its subsidiaries, engages in the design, distribution, marketing, and servicing a range of broadband, digital transmission, remote monitoring, power distribution, and demarcation products used by telephone companies and other telecommunications service providers. It operates in three segments: Customer Networking Systems (CNS) equipment, Outside Plant Systems (OSP) equipment, and ConferencePlus services. The CNS equipment segment provides networking and high-speed transmissions products, such as modems, routers, versatile gateway devices, and wireless broadband home routers that allow service providers to deliver broadband services over existing copper, fiber, coax, or wireless infrastructures. The OSP segment offers next generation outdoor cabinets; enclosures; power distribution; fiber, Ethernet, and coax edge connectors; remote monitoring equipment; and DS1 and DS3 transmission plugs. This segment also markets and sells power distribu tion and remote monitoring solutions. The ConferencePlus services segment provides audio, Web, and video conferencing services to businesses and individuals. This segment sells its services directly to Fortune 1000 companies, and indirectly through its private reseller programs. The company offers its products through field sales organizations and selected distributors in the United States, as well as in Canada and Europe. Westell Technologies, Inc. was founded in 1980 and is headquartered in Aurora, Illinois.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Rich Smith]

  On Friday, the diversified manufacturer named Brian S. Cooper�to replace interim CFO Braden Waverley on May 28. Waverly will remain acting CFO until Cooper joins the company next month. Cooper comes to Federal Signal by way of smaller telecommunications equipment maker Westell Technologies (NASDAQ: WSTL  ) , where he has served as CFO since 2009.

• [By Rich Smith]

  Late last month, the networking equipment maker had to scramble when its acting chief financial officer, Tom Minichiello, announced plans to retire on July 12 to become the new CFO at Westell Technologies (NASDAQ: WSTL  ) . On Friday, though, just as the deadline was happening, Tellabs announced that it has found a replacement.

Top Warren Buffett Stocks To Watch For 2015

Ben Graham said: “Investment is most intelligent when it is most businesslike.” These are the nine most important words ever written about investing.

–Warren Buffett

If you were asked to name the most successful investors of the past century, the following names would probably be on your short list: Ben Graham, Warren Buffett, Seth Klarman,  John Templeton, Joel Greenblatt, and Peter Lynch. All these people share something in common — they practice value investing.

What is value investing?

What Value Investing is Not

First, let me emphasize what it is not. It does not involve trading where one believes in the ability to predict a stock’s short-term price movements. Yet it also does not involve index investing where one believes in the efficient market hypothesis and the inability to beat the market. It is not throwing caution to the winds and gambling your entire net worth on a “can’t miss” investment.  It is not buying an exciting “story stock” in a high-growth industry. And it certainly is not chart reading and buying a stock simply because its price is going up. Rather, value investing could be considered the exact opposite of all of these things.

Top 10 Paper Stocks To Watch For 2016: GSV Capital Corp (GSVC)

GSV Capital Corp. (GSV Capital), formerly NeXt Innovation Corp., is a development-stage company. The Company is an externally managed, non-diversified closed-end management investment company. The Company�� investment objective is to maximize capital appreciation. The Company will seek to achieve its investment objective by investing primarily in privately held high growth venture backed companies and select mid cap and large cap publicly traded companies.

The Company may also invest in select publicly-traded equity securities of companies that otherwise meet its investment criteria. It seeks to acquire its investments primarily through private secondary market transactions and, to a lesser extent, through transactions executed on public securities exchanges and direct investments in its portfolio companies. The Company�� investment activities will be managed by GSV Asset Management. GSV Capital Service Company will provide the administrative services.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Jon C. Ogg]

  Chegg, Inc. (NYSE: CHGG) was the IPO disappointment of the week. Sure it has a lot of competition, but IPOs are supposed to be on fire now. Chegg managed to gain almost 3% on Friday to close at $9.13, but one must remember that the IPO price at $12.50 never saw the $12.50 open. The stock opened at $9.80 and closed at $8.88 on the first day, a move which will baffle IPO investors of growth companies who are buying an IPO at a time when major indexes are hitting new all-time highs. By the way, GSV Capital Corp. (NASDAQ: GSVC) was a runner-up�loser along with Chegg, as this fund owned shares of Twitter and Chegg pre-IPO. The stock price was above $16 before the Twitter IPO and is now down to $12.03 after another 8.8% drop on Friday. Bye-bye.

• [By Hibah Yousuf]

  Shares of GSV Capital (GSVC), a publicly traded fund that invests in "high growth" private companies, rallied almost 13% Friday. GSV said it holds 1.9 million shares of Twitter as of June 30. Twitter is the fund's biggest holding, at 15% of the total portfolio.

• [By Chris Versace, Editor, PowerTrend Brief and PowerTrend Profits]

  I tend to avoid IPOs, per se, but every so often there's an opportunity to climb into a position before the company goes public, and in this case, that's GSV Capital, which is a venture portfolio company, publicly-traded, ticker symbol (GSVC) and they have about 15% of their holdings in Twitter.

• [By Jake L'Ecuyer]

  Financial sector was the leading decliner in the US market today. Top losers in the sector included GSV Capital (NASDAQ: GSVC), off 9.3 percent, and Cninsure (NASDAQ: CISG), down around 6.6 percent.

Top Warren Buffett Stocks To Watch For 2015: Safeway Inc.(SWY)

Safeway Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a food and drug retailer in North America. The company operates stores that provide an array of grocery items, food, and general merchandise, as well as features specialty departments, such as bakery, delicatessen, floral, and pharmacy, as well as coffee shops and fuel centers. It also offers SELECT line of products that include baked goods, sparkling ciders and lemonades, salsas, whole bean coffees, frozen pizzas and entrees, and fresh and dry pastas and sauces, as well as an array of ice creams, hors d'oeuvres, and desserts; O ORGANICS line, which comprises milk, chicken, salads, juices, and entrees; Lucerne line of dairy products; Eating Right line of better-for-you products; Bright Green line of home care products; Total Pet Care line of pet foods and pet care products; and Value Red line of value-priced paper goods. As of December 31, 2009, Safeway operated approximately 1,725 stores in California, Oregon, Wash ington, Alaska, Colorado, Arizona, Texas, the Chicago metropolitan area, and the Mid-Atlantic region, as well as British Columbia, Alberta and Manitoba/Saskatchewan. In addition, the company owns and operates GroceryWorks.com Operating Company, LLC, an online grocery channel, doing business under the names Safeway.com, Vons.com, and Genuardis.com; and Blackhawk Network Holdings, Inc., which provides third-party gift cards, prepaid cards, telecom cards, and sports and entertainment cards to North American retailers for sale to retail customers. Additionally, it engages in gift card businesses in the United Kingdom, France, Mexico, and Australia. Further, the company, through a 49% ownership interest in Casa Ley, S.A. de C.V. operates 156 food and general merchandise stores in Western Mexico. The company was formerly known as Safeway Stores, Incorporated and changed its name to Safeway Inc. in February 1990. Safeway was founded in 1915 and is based in Pleasanton, California. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Brian Pacampara]

  Kroger (NYSE: KR  )
  Safeway (NYSE: SWY  )
  Trader Joe's

  Sources: S&P Capital IQ and Motley Fool CAPS.

• [By Dan Burrows]

  Once again, that leaves KR stock vulnerable on valuation, with shares fetching a 24% premium to their own five-year average by forward earnings, according to Thomson Reuters Stock Reports. At the same time, operationally, everyone is gunning for KR. Private equity firm Cerberus is buying Safeway (SWY) and already owns Albertsons. That’s a formidable rival. And Whole Foods (WFM) is rethinking prices after a poor quarterly showing.

Top Warren Buffett Stocks To Watch For 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 Warren Buffett Stocks To Watch For 2015: NK Lukoil OAO (LKOH)

NK Lukoil OAO (Neftyanaya Kompaniya LUKOIL OAO or NK LUKOIL OJSC) is a Russia-based integrated oil and gas company. The Company is engaged in the business of oil exploration, production, refining, marketing and distribution. It is an owner of refineries, gas processing, petrochemical plants and gas stations network located in Russia, Eastern and Western Europe, as well as Africa. The Company�� petroleum products are sold in the Russian Federation, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries, Eastern and Western Europe, Asia and the United States. NK Lukoil OAO operates through numerous subsidiaries and affiliated companies. In April 2013, the Company acquired a 100% of Samara-Nafta ZAO and completed acquisition of CJSC Kama-Oil. In June 2013, it sold a 99.57% stake in Lukoil Odes'kyi NPZ PAT. The Company�� major shareholder is NKO ZAO NRD with a stake of 91.60%. In December 2013, it consolidated a 100% stake in ISAB Srl. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Julia Leite]

  Brazil�� Ibovespa (IBOV) fell to a six-week low, while the real slid to its weakest level in four years, spurring central bank intervention. Housing Development Finance Corp. drove India�� S&P BSE Sensex down, while the rupee completed its worst month in a year. OAO Lukoil (LKOH), Russia�� second-largest oil producer, slipped 2.3 percent as crude slumped.

Top Warren Buffett Stocks To Watch For 2015: Targa Resources Partners LP (NGLS)

Targa Resources Partners LP is a limited partnership formed by Targa Resources, Corp (Targa). The Company is a provider of midstream natural gas and natural gas liquid (NGL) services in the United States and is engaged in the business of gathering, compressing, treating, processing and selling natural gas and storing, fractionating, treating, transporting, terminaling and selling NGLs, NGL products, refined petroleum products and crude oil. It operates in two divisions: Natural Gas Gathering and Processing, which include Field Gathering and Processing and Coastal Gathering and Processing, and Logistics and Marketing, which includes Logistics Assets and Marketing and Distribution. On March 15, 2011, it acquired a refined petroleum products and crude oil storage and terminaling facility in Channelview, Texas. On September 30, 2011 it acquired refined petroleum products and crude oil storage and terminaling facilities in two separate transactions. On December 31, 2012, the Company acquired Saddle Butte Pipeline, LLC.

Natural Gas Gathering and Processing Division

The Company�� natural gas gathering and processing division consists of gathering, compressing, dehydrating, treating, conditioning, processing, transporting and marketing natural gas. The gathering of natural gas consists of aggregating natural gas produced from various wells through small diameter gathering lines to processing plants. It sells its residue gas either directly to such end users or to marketers into intrastate or interstate pipelines. The Field Gathering and Processing segment gathers and processes natural gas from the Permian Basin in West Texas and Southeast New Mexico and the Fort Worth Basin, including the Barnett Shale, in North Texas. The natural gas it processes is supplied through its gathering systems which, in aggregate, consist of approximately 10,400 miles of natural gas pipelines. The segment�� processing plants include nine owned and operated facilities. During the year ended December 31! , 2011, the Company processed an average of approximately 612 million cubic feet/day (MMcf/d) of natural gas and produced an average of approximately 74 million barrels per day (MBbl/d) of NGLs.

The Field Gathering and Processing segment�� operations consist of the Permian Business, Versado, SAOU and the North Texas System. The Permian Business consists of the Sand Hills gathering and processing system and the West Seminole and Puckett gathering systems in West Texas. These systems consist of approximately 1,400 miles of natural gas gathering pipelines. Versado consists of the Saunders, Eunice and Monument gas processing plants and related gathering systems in Southeastern New Mexico. Versado consists of approximately 3,200 miles of natural gas gathering pipelines. Covering portions of 10 counties and approximately 4,000 square miles in West Texas, SAOU includes approximately 1,667 miles of pipelines in the Permian Basin that gather natural gas to the Mertzon, Sterling, and Conger processing plants. SAOU has 31 compressor stations to inject low pressure gas into the high-pressure pipelines.

The North Texas System includes two interconnected gathering systems with approximately 4,200 miles of pipelines, covering portions of 15 counties and approximately 5,700 square miles, gathering wellhead natural gas for the Chico and Shackelford natural gas processing facilities. The Chico gathering system consists of approximately 2,100 miles of primarily low-pressure gathering pipelines. Wellhead natural gas is either gathered for the Chico plant located in Wise County, Texas, and then compressed for processing, or it is compressed in the field at numerous compressor stations and then moved through one of several gathering pipelines to the Chico plant. Its Coastal Gathering and Processing segment assets are located in the onshore region of the Louisiana Gulf Coast and the Gulf of Mexico. LOU consists of approximately 875 miles of gathering system pipelines, covering approximately 3,800 ! square mi! les in Southwest Louisiana. The gathering system is connected to numerous producing wells and/or central delivery points in the area between Lafayette and Lake Charles, Louisiana. The processing facilities include the Gillis and Acadia processing plants, both of which are cryogenic plants.

Logistics and Marketing Division

The Company includes the activities necessary to convert mixed NGLs into NGL products and provide certain value added services, such as the fractionation, storage, terminaling, transportation, distribution and marketing of NGLs, as well as certain natural gas supply and marketing activities in support of its other businesses. Its Logistics Assets Segment uses its platform of integrated assets to receive, fractionate, store, treat, transport and deliver NGLs typically under fee-based arrangements. Its logistics assets are connected to and supplied in part by its Natural Gas Gathering and Processing assets and are primarily located at Mont Belvieu and Galena Park near Houston, Texas and in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Across the Logistics Assets segment, it owns or operates a total of 39 storage wells at its facilities with a net storage capacity of approximately 64 million barrels of oil (MMBbl), the usage of which may be limited by brine handling capacity, which is utilized to displace NGLs from storage. It operates its storage and terminaling facilities based on the needs and requirements of its customers. Its fractionation, storage and terminaling business is supported by approximately 940 miles of company owned pipelines to transport mixed NGLs and specification products.

The Company markets its own NGL production and also purchases component NGL products from other NGL producers and marketers for resale. During 2011, the Company�� distribution and marketing services business sold an average of approximately 273 MBbl/d of NGLs. Its wholesale propane marketing operations primarily sell propane and related logistics services to multi-state retailer! s, indepe! ndent retailers and other end-users. Its propane supply primarily originates from both its refinery/gas supply contracts and its other owned or managed logistics and marketing assets. In its refinery services business, the Company provide NGL balancing services through contractual arrangements with refiners to purchase and/or market propane and to supply butanes. It uses commercial transportation assets and contract for and use the storage, transportation and distribution assets included in its Logistics Assets segment to assist refinery customers in managing their NGL product demand and production schedules.

The Company�� NGL transportation and distribution infrastructure includes a range of assets supporting both third-party customers and the delivery requirements of its marketing and asset management business. It provides fee-based transportation services to refineries and petrochemical companies throughout the Gulf Coast area. As of December 31, 2011, its transportation assets include approximately 565 railcars that it lease and manage; approximately 74 owned and leased transport tractors and approximately 100 company owned tank trailers, and 18 company owned pressurized NGL barges.

The Company competes with Atlas Gas Pipeline Company, Copano Energy, L.L.C. (Copano), WTG Gas Processing, L.P. (WTG), DCP Midstream Partners LP (DCP), Devon Energy Corp (Devon), Enbridge Inc., GulfSouth Pipeline Company, LP, Hanlon Gas Processing, Ltd., J W Operating Company, Louisiana Intrastate Gas, Enterprise Products Partners L.P., DCP, ONEOK and BP p.l.c.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Eric Volkman]

  The closely related energy firms Targa Resources (NYSE: TRGP  ) and Targa Resources Partners (NYSE: NGLS  ) are teaming up to return more money to shareholders. Both companies have raised the stockholder payouts for their respective Q1s. For the quarter, Resources will dispense a dividend of $0.4950 per share of its common stock on May 16 to shareholders of record as of April 29. Partners will pay $0.6975 per common unit, to be distributed May 15 to unitholders as of April 29.

• [By Eric Volkman]

  The dividends are continuing to flow at the closely related companies Targa Resources (NYSE: TRGP  ) and Targa Resources Partners (NYSE: NGLS  ) . Q2 distributions for both have been declared; the former will hand out $0.5325 per share on Aug. 15 to shareholders of record as of July 29, while Targa Resources Partners is to dispense $0.7150 per unit on Aug. 14 to holders of record as of July 29.

Top Warren Buffett Stocks To Watch For 2015: Universal American Corp (UAM)

Universal American Corp., incorporated on December 22, 2010, through its health insurance and managed care subsidiaries, primarily serves the growing Medicare population by providing Medicare Advantage products. It provides a variety of healthcare services, including case management and care coordination, clinical quality and utilization review and behavioral health services to Medicaid agencies and other third parties. The Company�� business segments include Senior Managed Care, which provides Medicare Advantage segment reflects its Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO and PFFS businesses, and Traditional Insurance segment reflects its insurance products not offered through government programs, which includes Medicare supplement, other senior health insurance, specialty health insurance and life insurance. The Company provides medical management services, information and analysis, and other support services to enable its health care partners to serve their patients better.

In addition , it seeks an opportunity to address the high cost of health care for the remaining 75% of the Medicare population enrolled in traditional fee-for-service Medicare and have joined primarily with primary-care and multi-specialty provider groups to form thirty-one Accountable Care Organizations, or ACOs, pursuant to the Medicare Shared Saving Program, or Shared Savings Program.

On March 2, 2012, the Company acquired APS Healthcare, Inc., known as APS Healthcare. APS Healthcare provides specialty healthcare solutions primarily to Medicaid agencies. APS Healthcare offers a broad range of healthcare solutions, including case management and care coordination, clinical quality and utilization review, and behavioral health services that enable its customers to improve the quality of care and reduce healthcare costs.

Senior Managed Care - Medicare Advantage

The Company�� Senior Managed CareMedicare Advantage segment reflects its Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO and PFFS bu! sinesses.. During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company operated Medicare coordinated care plans including PPOs and HMOs as well as its network-based private fee-for-service (PFFS) and rural PFFS business, which provides coverage to Medicare beneficiaries in 36 states. These businesses provide managed care for persons with Medicare under contracts with CMS. Its HMO plans are offered under contracts with CMS and provide all basic Medicare covered benefits with reduced member cost-sharing as well as additional supplemental benefits, including a defined prescription drug benefit. It operates HMO plans are offered under contracts with CMS and provide all basic Medicare covered benefits with reduced member cost-sharing as well as additional supplemental benefits, including a defined prescription drug benefit. It also has Medicare Advantage HMO operations in locations outside of Southeastern Texas including four counties in North Texas offering TexasFirst Health Plans through SelectCare Health Plans; nine counties in Oklahoma City offering Generations Healthcare through Today's Options of Oklahoma, Inc; and three counties in Indianapolis, Indiana offering Today's Options HMO through SelectCare Health Plans.

The Company�� PPO plans are provided under the name Today's Options PPO, which offered under contracts with CMS and provide all basic Medicare covered benefits with reduced member cost-sharing as well as additional supplemental benefits, including a defined prescription drug benefit. This coordinated care product is built around contracted networks of providers who, in cooperation with the health plan, coordinate an active medical management program. In 2012, the Company offered PPO plans to 41 markets in 120 counties in 17 states.

The Company�� PFFS plans are provided under the name Today's Options, which offered under contracts with CMS and provide enhanced health care benefits compared to traditional Medicare, subject to cost sharing and other limitations. These pl! ans have l! imited provider network restrictions, which allow the members to have more flexibility in the delivery of their health care services than other Medicare Advantage plans with limited provider network restrictions. Some of these products include a defined prescription drug benefit. In addition to a fixed monthly payment per member from CMS, individuals in these plans may be required to pay a monthly premium in selected counties or for selected enhanced products. In 2012, it offered PFFS products in a total of 36 states, which included PFFS products with network restrictions to 51 markets in 280 counties in 18 states and PFFS products without network restrictions to 1,052 counties in 32 states.

Traditional Insurance

The Company�� traditional insurance segment reflects the results of its Medicare supplement, other senior health insurance, specialty health insurance, and life insurance. It designed the products in this segment primarily for the senior market and market them through its career agency force and its network of independent general agencies. The Company discontinued marketing and selling traditional insurance products after June 1, 2012. This segment also includes other products that it stopped selling several years ago, such as long-term care, medical insurance and disability insurance, as well as previously produced or acquired term, universal life, and whole life insurance products and single and flexible premium fixed annuities.

The Company competes with United Healthcare, Humana, Wellpoint, Aetna and Cigna

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Omar Venerio]

  The company has a current ROE of 10.94% which is higher than the industry median and the ones exhibit by Universal American Corp. (UAM), Centene (CNC) and WellPoint (WLP). In general, analysts consider ROE ratios in the 15-20% range as representing attractive levels for investment. So for investors looking those levels or more, Cigna (CI) could be the option. It is very important to understand this metric before investing and it is important to look at the trend in ROE over time.

• [By Brian Orelli]

  Health insurers such as Universal American (NYSE: UAM  ) and Humana (NYSE: HUM  ) that offer supplementary Medicare insurance could be hurt if seniors decided to drop the added coverage, but I doubt the increased premiums will put a major dent in seniors' budgets. Retirees making more than $85,000 per year will have to pay about $250 more per year than they do right now. Any losses will be more than be made up for by the�Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' decision this month to reverse its �previously announced cuts to reimbursement rates.

Top Warren Buffett Stocks To Watch For 2015: Marsh & McLennan Companies Inc. (MMC)

Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc., a professional services company, provides advice and solutions in the areas of risk, strategy, and human capital. It operates in two segments, Risk and Insurance Services, and Consulting. The Risk and Insurance Services segment provides risk management and insurance broking, reinsurance broking, and insurance program management services for businesses, public entities, insurance companies, associations, professional services organizations, and private clients. The Consulting segment offers advice and services to the managements of organizations in the area of human resource consulting, comprising retirement and investments, health and benefits, outsourcing and talent; and strategy and risk management consulting, such as management, economic, and brand consulting. The company also provides investment consulting services for endowments and foundations in the United States; health and benefit recordkeeping, and employee enrollment technology; human resource knowledge, data, and solutions for professionals in various industries; and Medicaid policy consulting services. It principally serves customers in the United States, the United Kingdom, the Asia Pacific, and Continental Europe. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. was founded in 1871 and is headquartered in New York, New York.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  Progressive (PGR) was downgraded from Strong Buy to Market Perform at Raymond James, while Marsh & McLennan (MMC) was cut to Outperform from Strong Buy.

• [By Keith Speights]

  Flourishing
  While the federal Obamacare exchanges flail, private health insurance exchanges are flourishing. For example,�Mercer, a subsidiary of Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE: MMC  ) ,�announced in April that several large insurers -- including Aetna, Cigna, Humana, and UnitedHealthcare -- would be part of its Mercer Marketplace private exchange. Mercer Marketplace allows employers to contribute a defined amount for its employees to use on health coverage. Employees use the system to shop around for the insurance plans that best meet their needs.

• [By CRWE]

  Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC) held its annual meeting of shareholders, at which the Company announced that its Board of Directors has voted to increase the Company�� quarterly cash dividend by 5 percent to $.23 per share on outstanding common stock.

• [By Reuters]

  Wendy Maeda/The Boston Globe via Getty Images NEW YORK -- Walgreen is moving 120,000 employees to a private health insurance exchange from coverage provided directly from carriers, the company will announce Wednesday. The pharmacy chain will join 17 other large employers on the Aon Hewitt Corporate Health Exchange as part of a growing movement to offer employees fixed dollar amounts to purchase their own plans on such exchanges. The end-cost to employees depends on the plan chosen, but they typically get more options than under traditional arrangements. Private exchanges mimic the coverage mandated as part of the Affordable Care Act. Enrollment in the public exchanges starts Oct. 1. "What happens to employer contributions over time? Will they put in as much as they put in the past? These are unanswered questions but potential negatives," says Paul Fronstin, a senior research associate with the Employee Benefit Research Institute. The benefit to Walgreen and other employers is unknown at this point, as their cost-savings aren't clear. Of the 180,000 Walgreen (WAG) employees eligible for health care insurance, 120,000 opted for coverage for themselves and 40,000 family members. Another 60,000 employees, many of them working part-time, weren't eligible for health insurance. Aon Hewitt (AON) says other participants in its program include retailer Sears Holding (SHLD) and Darden Restaurants (DRI). These new additions raise enrollment to 330,000 from 100,000 last year, and Aon Hewitt estimates enrollment will jump to 600,000 next year, a fivefold increase from 2012. By 2017, nearly 20 percent of employees nationwide could get their health insurance through a private exchange, according to Accenture Research (ACN). A recent report by the National Business Group on Health said that 30 percent of large employers are considering moving active employees to exchanges by 2015. Other major providers of private exchanges include Mercer, a division of Marsh & Mc