Best Cheap Stocks For 2017: May 2014

Saturday, May 31, 2014

Obama says EPA carbon rules to boost health,…

President Obama said Saturday that his administration's proposal to limit power power emissions, to be unveiled Monday, will reduce air pollution, improve health and spur a clean energy economy that can be "an engine of growth."

The new rules by the Environmental Protection Agency, a major part of Obama's plan to fight climate change, will require states to reduce heat-trapping carbon emissions from thousands of U.S. power plants, especially coal-fired facilities.

Opponents are already lining up against the proposal. This week, the Chamber of Commerce released a report saying such regulation could raise consumer prices for electricity, kill jobs and slow economic growth. "Americans deserve to have an accurate picture of the the costs and benefits," said Karen Harbert of the Chamber's Institute for 21st Century Energy.

In his weekly radio address, Obama said critics are wrong. "They warned that doing something about the smog choking our cities, and acid rain poisoning our lakes, would kill business. It didn't," he said. "Our air got cleaner, acid rain was cut dramatically, and our economy kept growing."

EPA carbon rules could speed shift from coal

To spotlight the health benefits of his proposal, he spoke from the Children's National Medical Center in Washington, D.C. after visiting with kids being treated for asthma and other breathing problems. He said such illnesses are aggravated by air pollution from power plants that his proposal will help to reduce.

A study Tuesday by researchers at Harvard and Syracuse universities agreed. It said tough carbon rules could reduce the risk of heart attacks, lung cancer, asthma and other health problems by reducing co-pollutants such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide that contribute to acid rain and ozone.

On Monday, Obama plans to discuss the details of his proposal with national health groups including the American Lung Association.

"In America, we don't have to choose between the health of our economy and the heal! th of our children," he said Saturday, adding technology is making it possible to improve both the environment and the economy. Citing the recent boom in carbon-free wind and solar as well as cleaner-burning natural gas, he said the nation is making progress. "A low-carbon, clean energy economy," he said, "can be an engine of growth for decades to come."

Friday, May 30, 2014

Best Food Companies To Watch For 2015

Best Food Companies To Watch For 2015: G Willi -Food International Ltd (WILC)

G. Willi-Food International Ltd., incorporated in January 1994, is engaged, directly and through subsidiaries, in the development, import, export, manufacturing, marketing and distribution of a range of over 600 food products worldwide. The Company purchases food products from over 150 suppliers located in Israel and throughout the world, including from the Far East (China, India, the Philippines and Thailand), Ethiopia, Eastern Europe (Poland, Lithuania, Bulgaria and Latvia), South America (Ecuador and Costa Rica), the United States, Canada, Western and Central Europe (the Netherlands, Belgium, Monaco, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, Denmark, and France) and Southern Europe (Spain, Portugal, Italy, Turkey, Greece). The Company's products are marketed and sold to approximately 1,500 customers in Israel and around the world including to supermarket chains, wholesalers and institutional consumers. The Company markets most of its products under the brand name Willi-Food. On Jan uary 1, 2012, the Company completed the sale of its entire 51% ownership interest in Shamir and closed its manufacturing segment.

As of December 31, 2012, the Companys customers includes the Israeli supermarket chains in the organized market in Israel, which includes Shufersal Ltd. (including the chains: Shufersal Deal, Shufersal Deal Extra, Shufersal Sheli, Shufersal, Yesh, Shufersal Express and Katif); Mega Retail Ltd. (which also includes Mega, MegaBool, Mega in the City and Zol B'Shefa), and Co-Op Israel (which also includes Co-Op Jerusalem, Mister Zol and Pashut Zol). The Company contracts with the supermarket chains in the organized market through the buyers in the head office of the supermarket chain, and then the Company receives orders from the logistic center or directly from their stores. Merchandise is then delivered directly to each branch or to the supermarkets chain distribution center. Its secondary major group of c! ustomers includes private supermarket chains, mini-markets, wholesalers, food manufac! turers, institutional consumers, such as catering halls, hotels, hospitals and food service companies and food producers, and customers in the Palestinian Authority.

The Companys imports, markets and distributes a range of over 600 food products. These products are sold by the Company and by Gold Frost. The principal products in the import segment product line are Canned Vegetables and Pickles, including including mushrooms (whole and sliced), artichoke (hearts and bottoms), beans, asparagus, capers, corn kernels, baby corn, palm hearts, vine leaves (including vine leaves stuffed with rice), sour pickles, mixed pickled vegetables, pickled peppers, an assortment of black and green olives, garlic, roasted eggplant sun and dried tomatoes. These products are primarily imported from China, Greece, Thailand, Turkey, India, and The Netherlands; canned fish, including tuna (in oil or in water), sardines, anchovies, smoked and pressed cod liver, herring, fish paste a nd salmon. These products are primarily imported from the Philippines, Thailand, Greece, Germany and Sweden; Canned Fruit, including pineapple (sliced or pieces), peaches, apricot, pears, mangos, cherries, litchis and fruit cocktail. These products are primarily imported from China, the Philippines, Thailand, Greece and Europe.; Edible Oils, including olive oil, regular and enriched sunflower oil, soybean oil, corn oil and rapeseed oil. These products are primarily imported from Belgium, Argentina, Turkey, Italy, Holland and Spain; dairy and dairy substitute products, including hard and semi-hard cheeses (parmesan, edam, kashkaval, gouda, havarti, cheddar, pecorino, manchego, maasdam, rossiysky, iberico and emmental), molded cheeses (brie, camembert and danablu), feta, Bulgarian cheese, goat cheese, fetina, butter, yogurts, butter spreads, margarine, melted cheese, cheese alternatives, condensed milk, coffee whitener, pizzas, ice cream, whipped c! ream and ! others. These produc ts are primarily imported from Greece, France, Latvia, Denma! rk, Bulga! ria, Italy, and The Netherlands.

Dried Fruit, Nuts and Beans, including figs, apricots, chestnuts, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, walnuts, pine nuts, cashew nuts, pistachio and peanuts. These products are primarily imported from Greece, Turkey, India, China, Thailand and the United States, and other products, including, among others, instant noodle soup, Manchu, breadstick coffee creamers, lemon juice, halva, Turkish delight, cookies, vinegar, sweet pastry and crackers, sauces, corn flour, rice, rice sticks, pasta, spaghetti and noodles, breakfast cereals, corn flakes, rusks, couscous, rusks, gnocchi, tortilla, dried apples snacks, chocolate bars and chocolate paste, tea, deserts (such as tiramisu and pastries), light and alcoholic beverages (such as ouzo, sangria and mohito) and more. These products are primarily imported from The Netherlands, Germany, Romania, Italy, Greece, Belgium, the United States, Scandinavia, Switzerland, China, Thailand, Turkey, India, and South America.

The Company competes with Shemen, Taaman, Solbar, Fodor (Starkist and Yona), Posidon, Williger, Filtuna, Vita Pri HaGalil, Shastowits, Yachin-Zan laKol, Williger, Alaska, Johnson, Osem, Barila, Tomer, Tnuva, Tara, Strauss, Seyman, Gad Dairy, and Meshek Zuriel.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By GURUFOCUS]
Fair Value: In calculating fair value, I consider the NPV MMA Differential Fair Value along with these four calculations of fair value, see page 2 of the linked PDF for a detailed description:

1. Avg. High Yield Price
2. 20-Year DCF Price
3. Avg. P/E Price
4. Graham Number

SYY is trading at a premium to all four valuations above. The stock is trading at a 37.5% premium to its calculated fair value of $26.26. SYY did not earn any Stars in this section.

Dividend Analytical Data: In this section there are three possible Stars and three key metrics, ! see page ! 2 of the linked PDF for a detailed description:

1. Free Cash Flow Payout
2. Debt To Total Capital
3. Key Metrics
4. Dividend Growth Rate
5. Years of Div. Growth
6. Rolling 4-yr Div. > 15%

SYY earned two Stars in this section for 2.) and 3.) above. The stock earned a Star as a result of its most recent Debt to Total Capital being less than 45%. SYY earned a Star for having an acceptable score in at least two of the four Key Metrics measured. The company has paid a cash dividend to shareholders every year since 1970 and has increased its dividend payments for 43 consecutive years.

Dividend Income vs. MMA: Why would you assume the equity risk and invest in a dividend stock if you could earn a better return in a much less risky money market account (MMA) or Treasury bond? This section compares the earning ability of this stock with a high yield MMA. Two items are considered in this section, see page 2 of the linked PDF for a detailed description:

1. NPV MMA Diff.
2. Years to > MMA

The NPV MMA Diff. of the $282 is below the $500 target I look for in a stock that has increased dividends as long as SYY has. If SYY grows its dividend at 3.6% per year, it will take 3 years to equal a MMA yielding an estimated 20-year average rate of 3.41%. SYY earned a check for the Key Metric 'Years to >MMA' since its 3 years is le

source from Top Penny Stocks For 2015:http://www.topstocksforum.com/best-food-companies-to-watch-for-2015.html

Thursday, May 29, 2014

Top 10 Asian Stocks To Watch For 2015

Top 10 Asian Stocks To Watch For 2015: Demand Media Inc. (DMD)

Demand Media, Inc. operates as an Internet media and domain services company worldwide. The company focuses on an Internet-based model for the professional creation and distribution of content at scale. It offers content and media, and registrar services. The companys content and media services include creating media content primarily consisting of text articles and videos, and delivering together with its social media and monetization tools to the company's owned and operated Websites and mobile applications, and network of customer Websites and their mobile applications to publishers, brands, and retailers. Its content and media services are delivered through the company's content and media platform, which includes its content creation studio, social media applications, and a system of monetization tools designed to match content with advertisements. The company deploys its content and media platform to its owned and operated Websites, such as eHow.com, LIVESTRONG.CO M, and Cracked.com, as well as to Websites operated by its customers. Its registrar service offering provides domain name registration and related value added services, such as third-party Website security services, identification protection services, Web hosting plans, customizable email accounts, and business listing services to resellers, including small businesses, e-commerce Websites, Internet service providers, Web-hosting companies, and retail consumers. Demand Media, Inc. was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in Santa Monica, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Roberto Pedone]
One under-$10 Internet services player that's starting to move within range of triggering a near-term breakout trade is Demand Media (DMD), which focuses on an Internet-based model for the professional creation and distribution of content at scale. This stock has been hit hard by the bears so far in 2013, with shares off by 44%.

If you ! take a look at the chart for Demand Media, you'll notice that this stock has recently formed a triple bottom over the last month, with shares finding buying interest at $4.80, $4.72 and $4.88 a share. Shares of DMD have now started to spike higher off those support levels, and the stock is quickly moving within range of triggering a near-term breakout trade.

Traders should now look for long-biased trades in DMD if it manages to break out above some near-term overhead resistance levels at $5.39 to $5.46 and then once it takes out its 50-day moving average at $5.76 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 681,665 shares. If that breakout hits soon, then DMD will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at $6.50 to $7 a share. Any high-volume move above $7.14 would then give DMD a chance to re-fill some of its previous gap down zone from June that started near $8.50 a share.

Traders can look to buy DMD off any weakness to anticipate that breakout and simply use a stop that sits right below some key near-term support levels at $4.88 or at $4.72 a share. One can also buy DMD off strength once it clears those breakout levels with volume and then simply use a stop that sits a comfortable percentage from your entry point.

source from Top Penny Stocks For 2015:http://www.seekpennystocks.com/top-10-asian-stocks-to-watch-for-2015.html

Top Medical Companies To Watch For 2015

Top Medical Companies To Watch For 2015: Agios Pharmaceuticals Inc (AGIO)

Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc., incorporated on August 7, 2007, is a biopharmaceutical company. The Company is intend to apply its deep understanding of metabolism, coupled with the Company's ability to create medicines that can inhibit or activate metabolic enzymes, to fundamentally change the way cancer and inborn errors of metabolism (IEMs) are treated. The Company has identified and validated novel and druggable targets in both cancer and IEMs. The Company's two advanced cancer programs are targeting mutations in the enzymes isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 and 2, referred to as IDH1 and IDH2. The Company's drug candidates are selective for the mutated forms of IDH1 and IDH2 found in cancer cells versus the normal forms of IDH1 and IDH2 found in all other cells.

The Company focused on developing medicines to address IEMs, with a novel approach to these orphan diseases for which no effective or disease-modifying therapy is available. The Company has also de-v alidated and terminated numerous programs, including many that have been reported in scientific journals. In the Company's IEM portfolio, it uses an equally rigorous set of validation techniques.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Jake L'Ecuyer]
Equities Trading UP
Sangamo Biosciences (NASDAQ: SGMO) shot up 16.32 percent to $22.81 announced the publication in the NEJM of the first-in-man study of genome editing using its ZFN technology. Shares of Agios Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: AGIO) got a boost, shooting up 27.72 percent to $40.41 after the company reported quarterly results. BJ's (NASDAQ: BJRI) was also up, gaining 21.04 percent to $33.48 after the company was upgraded toa Buy rating at Buckingham research.
[By Jake L'Ecuyer]
Shares of Agios Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: AGIO) got a boost, shooting up 29.08 perce! nt to $40.84 after the company reported quarterly results.

Stage Stores (NYSE: SSI) was also up, gaining 13.47 percent to $22.41 after the company reported Q4 results and announced the sale of its Steele's off-price division to a new retail unit of Hilco Global.
[By Lisa Levin]
Agios Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: AGIO) shares touched a new 52-week low of $18.83. Agios Pharmaceuticals' trailing-twelve-month profit margin is -102.87%.

source from Top Stocks For 2015:http://www.topstocksblog.com/top-medical-companies-to-watch-for-2015.html

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Top 5 Supermarket Companies To Invest In Right Now

Top 5 Supermarket Companies To Invest In Right Now: OM Group Inc.(OMG)

OM Group, Inc. develops, produces, and markets specialty chemicals, advanced materials, and electrochemical energy storage products worldwide. The company operates in three segments: Advanced Materials, Specialty Chemicals, and Battery Technologies. The Advanced Materials segment manufactures inorganic products using unrefined cobalt and other metals and serves the battery materials, powder metallurgy, ceramics, and chemical end markets. It offers cobalt powders, precursors, chemicals, pigments and ceramics, and various raw materials. These products enhance the electrical conduction of rechargeable batteries, as well as strengthen and add durability to diamond and machine cutting tools and drilling equipment. The Specialty Chemicals segment offers electronic chemicals for the printed circuit board, memory disk, general metal finishing, electronic packaging and finishing, and photovoltaic markets. This segment also provides advanced organics comprising additives and driers for paints, and printing inks; rubber adhesion promoters for tires; composite and other catalysts for chemicals; and fuel oil additives, lubricants, and grease additives. In addition, it offers ultra pure chemicals used in the manufacture of electronic and computer components, such as semiconductors, wafers, and liquid crystal displays; and photo-imaging masks, including high-purity quartz or glass plates containing precision, microscopic images of integrated circuits; and reticles for the semiconductor, optoelectronics, and microelectronics industries under the Compugraphics brand name. The Battery Technologies segment provides battery products, primary and secondary batteries, battery management systems, battery chargers, and energetic devices for defense applications; primary and secondary batteries for satellites, aircraft, and the packaging of cells; and miniature batteries to power implantable medical devices. The company was founded in 1991 and i! s headquartered in Cle veland, Ohio.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Brian Pacampara]
What: Shares of specialty chemical company OM Group (NYSE: OMG ) climbed 14% today after its quarterly results easily topped Wall Street expectations.
[By Rich Smith]
KMG Chemicals (NYSE: KMG ) is buying OM Group's (NYSE: OMG ) Ultra Pure Chemicals subsidiaries in the U.S., U.K., Singapore, and perhaps in France as well.
[By Seth Jayson]
There's no foolproof way to know the future for OM Group (NYSE: OMG ) or any other company. However, certain clues may help you see potential stumbles before they happen -- and before your stock craters as a result.
[By Laura Brodbeck]
Friday
Earnings Expected From: Chevron Corporation (NYSE: CVX), OM Group, Inc. (NYSE: OMG), Public Storage (NYSE: PSA) Economic Releases Expected: US ISM manufacturing index, Canadian manufacturing PMI, British manufacturing PMI, Norwegian unemployment rate
Posted-In: Bank Of England Federal ReserveNews Eurozone Commodities Previews Global Economics Federal Reserve After-Hours Center Markets Trading Ideas Best of Benzinga

source from Top Penny Stocks:http://www.seekpennystocks.com/top-5-supermarket-companies-to-invest-in-right-now.html

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Talent Management Top HR Priority at Financial Services Firms

Human resources executives at financial services firms will focus on identifying and developing talented employees over the next year, according to a new survey by Towers Watson.

The survey also found that HR leaders will emphasize manager effectiveness and performance management programs.

Towers Watson conducted the poll of 60 senior HR professionals at leading financial services companies during a May 7 conference in New York.

According to the poll, 44% of respondents said identifying and developing talent was the primary focus of their organization’s HR division over the next 12 months.

Twenty-five percent said they would focus on updating their HR technology over the next year.

About 10% said their primary focus would be on compensation and benefits, work force planning or employee engagement initiatives.

Hot Paper Companies For 2015

“Given the dramatic changes that the financial services industry is undergoing from both a regulatory and business perspective, it’s no surprise that HR leaders will be focused on talent management,” Ravin Jesuthasan, global leader of talent management at Towers Watson, said in a statement.

“The landscape for talent has been changing steadily, driving financial services executives to identify what skills will be needed for them to compete effectively, and develop programs to attract and retain the best talent for their organizations.”

Towers Watson also asked respondents which talent management initiatives would receive the most attention at their organizations over the next 12 months:

“Identifying, developing and managing talent in an industry as global and complex as financial services is a constant challenge,” Chris Fabro, global leader of Towers Watson’s Talent and Rewards financial services practice, said in the statement.

“Industry staffing levels have changed dramatically over the last three years, with companies increasing staff before the crisis hit, reducing staff as the crisis unfolded and rebuilding staff again as the recovery gained ground.”

Fabro noted that many organizations were increasingly concerned about their ability to attract top talent in particular.

“All of these changes and new realities will demand that companies have an innovative and robust talent management strategy in place to succeed in the future.”

---

Check out Managing Employees Is a Chemistry Experiment on ThinkAdvisor.

Monday, May 26, 2014

Amazon Prime Pulls Out More Exclusive Content to Fight Netflix

Best Telecom Companies For 2015

www.amazon.com Netflix (NFLX) is running away with the video streaming market. A report by Internet traffic researcher Sandvine shows that Netflix is responsible for 34.2 percent of the information superhighway's peak downstream traffic. We're not talking about more than a third of the video streaming market. We're talking about more than a third of all of the Web's downstream traffic. The only company that's even close is Amazon.com (AMZN). Amazon's Prime Instant -- the video catalog of movies and TV shows that the leading online retailer makes available to its Amazon Prime customers at no additional cost -- is slurping up 1.9 percent of the peak downstream usage. Amazon added potentially game-changing content this week. And let's not forget about the potential of its new Fire TV. Content is King On Wednesday it added content from Time Warner's (TWX) HBO -- entire runs of classic shows including "The Sopranos," "The Wire" and "Six Feet Under," alongside older episodes of current shows, including "Girls" and "Boardwalk Empire." This is a big score for Amazon, especially since HBO is unlikely to ever let Netflix get its hands on this content. HBO sees Netflix as the enemy. A lot of cable titans do. Striking content licensing deals with Netflix makes it stronger, increasing the chances of subscribers canceling their cable or satellite television plans. This could explain why Viacom (VIA) went with Amazon as a streaming outlet for some of its Nickelodeon and Comedy Central content after its deal with Netflix expired. Making Amazon's content stronger makes it less likely that a single video platform will replace pay TV subscriptions. Netflix has scored critical praise for "House of Cards" and "Orange Is the New Black," and Amazon is also beefing up its homegrown content. Last year's debut of "Alpha Dogs" and "Betas" were its first forays, but they failed to generate the buzz that Netflix has built for its exclusive programming. Now Amazon is setting its sights on kid-friendly entertainment with Friday's release of "Tumble Leaf." The animated series is the work of Emmy-winning director Drew Hodges and Bix Pix Entertainment. It's aiming for preschool-aged children. If it doesn't catch on -- or even if it does -- Amazon has two more kid-friendly shows for Prime Instant. "Creative Galaxy," from the folks that made "Blue's Clues" a preschool smash, will follow next month. The live-action "Annedroids" will start streaming in July. Kids can be finicky, especially when it comes to new shows with new characters. However, we know that once young children are hooked, that they don't mind watching the same episodes again and again. All Amazon needs is a single hit to become an essential service for young families. Putting Out the Fire A ton of HBO shows and a new show for preschool kids will enhance the value of Prime Instant, and that's a good thing since the cost recently was increased 24 percent to $99 a year. Amazon will need to improve distribution. Set-top media players, video game consoles and many DVD players come with seamless access to Netflix. Some Blu-ray players even have a Netflix button on the remote. Amazon's doing a good job of getting its video platform into devices, but its boldest move on that front was last month's debut of Fire TV. The $99 set-top player is competing against Google's (GOOG) Chromecast, Roku and Apple (AAPL) TV for attention, but it does place Amazon content front and center. Amazon has a lot to gain here. Unlike Netflix, which has refused to offer newer movies or current shows on a pay-per-view basis, Amazon offers that content as individual streaming purchases. If Fire TV catches on -- and Amazon has proven with the Kindle and the Kindle Fire that it can price its hardware aggressively -- it will introduce more people into its ecosystem. This week's content additions make Amazon's Prime Instant that much more compelling. More from Rick Aristotle Munarriz
•Wall Street This Week: Good News from AutoZone, Costco? •Best Buy Surprises the Street with Lighter Sales, Better Margins •Walmart and McDonald's Earnings Prove Price Isn't Everything

Sunday, May 25, 2014

Himax Technologies Is a Risky Investment

Himax Technologies (HIMX) has touched new highs and was trading impressively on the stock market as a result of news that it will be supplying LCOS micro displays to Google. But the stock had run ahead of its fundamentals, and investors were buying more shares under the belief that Google Glass will lead Himax to new highs. Despite a slowdown in revenue and a string of bad quarterly results, Himax shares shone. But the scene has changed now.

Bad Times Are Here for Himax

Good times for Himax are almost over and it is doubtful whether the company will be able to maintain its stock price in line with its fundamentals.

Looking at the trailing P/E, Himax is trading at 33 times trailing earnings. The company looks quite expensive. Himax reported $770.7 million in revenue, which was up just 4.5% from the previous year. Thus, the stock kept on rising based on optimism around the Google Glass, while its financial growth stagnated.

Moreover, Himax's present businesses are also seeing weakness. Its large panel display driver business is struggling and it was down by 25% in 2013. However, management expects little growth in these segments. On the other hand, Himax is expecting good 4K television sales this year.

Some Opportunities

According to the latest news, manufacturers of 4K TV LCD panels are expecting strong sales in 2014. The Chinese market holds great potential in this segment as it is one of the largest electronics market. As China is a leader in 4K TV sales with 80% shipments, Himax has great opportunities as it has many China-based manufacturers as its clients.

On the other hand, Himax's small panel drivers have been growing at a brisk pace due to smartphone sales in China and the roll-out of LTE in the country. This will lead to higher demand for handsets. Himax is looking at better margins from sales of high-resolution panels, but this will be offset by low-end smartphone panel sales.

With the growing smartphone market in China, there is stiff competition among different players. Himax, on the other hand, is working on a cost reduction strategy. If the company fails to maintain a cost effective operation, the existing competition in the market might erode Himax's profit margins. Himax's earnings could take a hit as the small- and medium-sized display panel business accounts for 54% of overall revenue.

5 Best Recreation Stocks To Buy For 2015

Himax's non-driver product business is a seeing good growth. This business contributes about 16% to the revenue. Himax manufactures image sensors and LCOS micro displays through this segment, which means that it will be the biggest beneficiary of Google Glass in the future. However, in this segment, Himax might face stiff competition with bigger companies like Samsung and Sony.

The company is having a tough time maintaining its margins and it can see more pains as Google is still working on the glass design and is not likely to launch Google Glass soon. The company is already seeing margin pains in this segment due to oversupply, and there could be more trouble this year as Google won't be releasing the glass anytime soon.

Conclusion

Himax investors should focus on the company fundamentals rather than get attached to the company emotionally. Himax can be good pick again if Google launches the glass. Until then, investors should see Himax from the sidelines until there are any concrete signs of it getting better.

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Saturday, May 24, 2014

Top Information Technology Companies To Invest In Right Now

Top Information Technology Companies To Invest In Right Now: Mid-Con Energy Partners LP (MCEP)

Mid-Con Energy Partners, LP, incorporated on July 27,2001, is engaged the acquisition, exploitation and development of producing oil and natural gas properties in North America, with a focus on the Mid-Continent region of the United States. It operates as one business segment engaged in the exploration, development and production of oil and natural gas properties. Its properties are located in the Mid-Continent region of the United States in three core areas: Southern Oklahoma, Northeastern Oklahoma and parts of Oklahoma and Colorado within the Hugoton Basin. Its properties primarily consist of mature, legacy onshore oil reservoirs with long-lived, relatively predictable production profiles and low production decline rates. During June 2012, it acquired properties in the Northeastern Oklahoma area and additional working interests in its existing units in the Southern Oklahoma area in separate transactions, subject to customary purchase price.

As of December 31 , 2012, its total estimated proved reserves were approximately 13.1 MMBoe, of which approximately 99% were oil and 67% were proved developed, both on a Boe basis. As of December 31, 2012, it operated 99% of its properties through its affiliate, Mid-Con Energy Operating and 99% of its properties were being produced under waterflood, in each instance on a Boe basis. Its average net production for the month ended December 31, 2012 was approximately 2,376 Boe per day and its total estimated proved reserves had an average reserve-to-production ratio of approximately 15 years. It has developed approximately 53% of total proved reserves through new waterflood projects.

The Company operates approximately 99% of its properties, as calculated on a Boe basis as of December 31, 2012, through its affiliate, Mid-Con Energy! Operating. All of its non-operated wells are managed by third-party operators who are typically independent oil and natural gas companies. It designs and manages the development, recompletion or workover for all of! the wells it operates and supervise operation and maintenance activities.

Southern Oklahoma

The Highlands Unit is in the SE Joiner City Field, an oil-weighted field located in Love County, Oklahoma. Production from the Highlands Unit is from the Deese formation at an average depth of approximately 8,000 feet. The Highlands Unit was formed and is operated by its affiliate, Mid-Con Energy Operating, and is being produced under waterflood. It owns 32 gross (23 net) producing, 24 gross injection (17 net) and three gross (two net) recently drilled but not completed wells in this unit with an average working interest of 71%. As of December 31, 2012, its properties in this unit were producing 947barrels of oil (Boe) per day gross, 547 Boe per day net, and contained 3,665 million barrels of oil (MBoe) of estimated net proved reserves.

The Battle Springs Unit is in the SE Joiner City Field, an oil-weighted field located in Love County, O klahoma. Production from the Battle Springs Unit is from the Deese formation at an average depth of approximately 8,850 feet. The Battle Springs Unit was formed and is operated by its affiliate, Mid-Con Energy Operating, and is being produced under waterflood. It owns 25 gross (13 net) producing, 18 gross injection (nine net), and one gross (one net) recently drilled but not completed wells in this unit with an average working interest of 51%. As of December 31, 2012,, its properties in this unit were producing 609 Boe per day gross, 248 Boe per day net, and contained 964 MBoe of estimated net proved reserves.

The Twin Forks Unit is in the SE Joiner City Field, an oil-weighted field located in Carter County, Oklahoma. Production from the Twin Forks Unit is from the Deese formation at an average depth of! approxim! ately 7,000 feet. The Twin Forks Unit was formed and is operated by its affiliate, Mid-Con Energy Operating, and is being produced under waterflood. It o wns 10 gross (seven net) producing, four gross (three net) i! njection ! and one gross (one net) recently drilled but not completed wells in this unit with an average working interest of 64%. As of December 31, 2012,its properties in this unit were producing 975 Boe per day gross, 503 Boe per day net, and contained 1,157 MBoe of estimated net proved reserves.

The Ardmore West Unit is in the Ardmore West Field, an oil-weighted field located in Carter County, Oklahoma. Production from the Ardmore West Unit is from the Deese formation at an average depth of approximately 7,200 feet. It owns four gross (four net) producing and four gross (four net) injection and 3 gross (3 net) recently drilled but not completed wells in this unit with an average working interest of 97%. As of December 31, 2012,its properties in this unit were producing 34 Boe per day gross, 26 Boe per day net, and contained 744 MBoe of estimated net proved reserves.

The Southeast Hewitt Unit is in the SE Wilson Field, an oil-weighted field located in Carter County, Oklahoma. Production from the Southeast Hewitt Unit is from the Deese formation at an average depth of approximately 6,000 feet. The Southeast Hewitt Unit is operated by its affiliate, Mid-Con Energy Operating, and is being produced under waterflood. As of December 31, 2012, its properties in this unit were producing 192 Boe per day gross, 36 Boe per day net, and contained 111 MBoe of estimated net proved reserves for this unit.

Northeastern Oklahoma

The Cleveland Field is an oil-weighted field located in Pawnee County, Oklahoma. Production from the Cleveland Field is primarily from the multiple Pennsylvanian age sands at depths from 1,000 to 2,400 feet. Approximately 1,800 gross acres in the Cleveland Field is being operated by its affiliate, Mid-Con Energy Operating. A! pproximat! ely 1,000 of the total 1,800 gross acres have been acquired in the last four years. It has been actively developing its Cleveland Field leases through drilling, re completions and workovers, resulting in increase of net prod! uction wi! thin the last two years. The majority of Mid-Con Energy Operating operated leases are produced under waterflood. It operates 118 gross (114 net) producing wells and 29 gross (27 net) injection wells in this field with an average working interest of 97%. As of December 31, 2012,, its properties in this field were producing 320 Boe per day gross, 269 Boe per day net, and contained 2,127 MBoe of estimated net proved reserves. The Cleveland Field is flooded on a lease basis and not as a unit, with the date of production response to injection varying from lease to lease.

The Cushing Field, one of the oil fields (by total historical production volume) in the United States is an oil-weighted field located in Creek County, Oklahoma. Production from the Cushing Field is primarily from multiple Pennsylvanian age sands at depths from 1,200 to 2,500 feet. Its affiliate, Mid-Con Energy Operating, operates approximately 3,360 acres in the Cushing Field, the majority of which are being produced under waterflood. It operates 79 gross (30 net) producing wells and 39 gross (14 net) injection wells in this field with an average working interest of 37%. As of December 31, 2012,its properties in this field were producing 346 Boe per day gross, 108 Boe per day net, and contained 689 MBoe of estimated net proved reserves. The Cushing field is flooded on a lease basis and not as units, with waterflood responses varying from lease to lease.

The Skiatook Waterflood Project is in the Skiatook Field, an oil-weighted field located in Osage County, Oklahoma. Production from the Skiatook Project is primarily from the Bartlesville and Burgess formations at an average depth of approximately 1,600 feet. The Skiatook Project was developed by and is operated by its aff! iliate, M! id-Con Energy Operating, and is being produced under waterflood. It owns 13 gross (13 net) producing and 3 gross (3 net) injection wells in this field with a working interes t of 100%. As of December 31, 2012,its properties in this fi! eld were ! producing 38 Boe per day gross, 31 Boe per day net, and contained 218 MBoe of estimated net proved reserves.

Hugoton Basin

The War Party I and II Units are in the SE Guymon Field, an oil-weighted field located in Texas County, Oklahoma. Production from the War Party I and II Units is from the Cherokee formation at an average depth of approximately 5,800 feet. As of December 31, 2012, its properties in these units contained 1,275 MBoe of estimated net proved reserves. Production As of December 31, 2012, was 254 Boe per day gross, 220 Boe per day net. These are mature waterflood properties which have already reached peak production rates and where injection commenced several years prior to its acquisition.

The Harker Ranch Unit is in the Harker Ranch Field, an oil-weighted field located in Cheyenne County, Colorado. Production from the Harker Ranch Field is from the Morrow formation at an average depth of approximately 5,200 feet. The H arker Ranch Unit was formed and is operated by its affiliate, Mid-Con Energy Operating, and is being produced under waterflood. As of December 31, 2012,its properties in this unit were producing 148 Boe per day gross, 122 Boe per day net, and contained 208 MBoe of estimated net proved reserves.

The Clawson Ranch Waterflood Unit is in the North Hitchland Field, an oil-weighted field located in Texas County, Oklahoma. Production from the Clawson Ranch Waterflood Unit is from the Cherokee formation at an average depth of approximately 5,700 feet. The Clawson Ranch Waterflood Unit is operated by its affiliate, Mid-Con Energy Operating, and is being produced under waterflood. As of December 31, 2012, its properties in this unit were producing 256 Boe per day gross, 214 Boe per d! ay net. A! s of December 31, 2012, the Clawson Ranch Waterflood Unit contained 1,654 MBoe of estimated net proved reserves. Proved producing and proved developed reserves represent 57% and 86%, respectively, of the total proved reserves for this unit as ! of Decemb! er 31, 2012.

Other Properties

Decker Unit is in the NW Little Field, an oil-weighted field located in Seminole County, Oklahoma. Production from the Decker Unit is from the Earlsboro formation at an average depth of approximately 3,600 feet. The Decker Unit was formed and is operated by itsaffiliate, Mid-Con Energy Operating, and is being produced under waterflood. As of December 31, 2012, its properties in this unit were producing 24 Boe per day gross, 19 Boe per day net, and contained 210 MBoe of estimated net proved reserves. As a result of ongoing response to waterflooding, proved producing and proved developed reserves represent 30% and 100%, respectively, of the total proved reserves as of December 31, 2012.

The balance of the Company's properties, located throughout the State of Oklahoma, consist of a mix of operated and non-operated properties, none of which are under waterflood. As of December 31, 2012, its other properties contained approximately 124 MBoe of estimated net proved reserves and generated average net production of approximately 33 Boe per day for the month ended December 31, 2012.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Daniel Gibbs]
One investment vehicle that any investor interested in income should be familiar with is the master limited partnership, or MLP, as they are some of the best income investments available today. Most master limited partnerships are in the business of owning and operating oil and gas pipelines such as Kinder Morgan Energy Partners (NYSE: KMP ) or Enbridge Energy Partners (NYSE: EEP ) . However, there are some MLPs that actually operate oil and gas wells such as Breitburn Energy Partners (NASDAQ: BBEP ) ! and Mid-C! on Energy Partners (NASDAQ: MCEP ) . In this article, we will discuss how these investments work and why they deserve a place in your income portfolio.
[By Robert Rapier]
VNR is one of 14 companies/partnerships that are categorized as exploration and production, or "upstream." Other notable entries in this category include BreitBurn Energy Partners (Nasdaq: BBEP), Linn Energy (Nasdaq: LINE), Memorial Production Partners (Nasdaq: MEMP), QR Energy (NYSE: QRE), Legacy Reserves (Nasdaq: LGCY), EV Energy Partners (Nasdaq: EVEP), and Mid-Con Energy Partners (Nasdaq: MCEP).
[By Robert Rapier]
Next week's issue will tackle the three remaining questions: one on MLP equivalents in Canada and Australia, one on Enbridge Energy Partners (NYSE: EEP) and TC Pipelines (NYSE: TCP), and a third query on Access Midstream Partners (NYSE: ACMP), Crestwood Midstream Partners (NYSE: CMLP) and Mid-Con Energy Partners (Nasdaq: MCEP).
[By Elliott Gue, Editor and Publisher, The Capitalist Times]
Elliott Gue: Yeah, Mid-Con Energy, symbol (MCEP)—they produce oil. This is actually a master limited partnership, or MLP, so it's one of these kind of securities that tend to carry high yield. Currently the yield on that is around 9%, so it's well above the average for an MLP.

source from Top Stocks Blog:http://www.topstocksblog.com/top-information-technology-companies-to-invest-in-right-now-3.html

3 Stocks Under $10 Moving Higher

DELAFIELD, Wis. (Stockpickr) -- At Stockpickr, we track daily portfolios of stocks that are the biggest percentage gainers and the biggest percentage losers.

>>5 Big Stocks to Trade for Flat-Market Gains

Stocks that are making large moves like these are favorites among short-term traders because they can jump into these names and try to capture some of that massive volatility. Stocks that are making big-percentage moves either up or down are usually in play because their sector is becoming attractive or they have a major fundamental catalyst such as a recent earnings release. Sometimes stocks making big moves have been hit with an analyst upgrade or an analyst downgrade.

Regardless of the reason behind it, when a stock makes a large-percentage move, it is often just the start of a new major trend -- a trend that can lead to huge profits. If you time your trade correctly, combining technical indicators with fundamental trends, discipline and sound money management, you will be well on your way to investment success.

>>5 Stocks Insiders Love Right Now

With that in mind, let's take a closer look at a several stocks under $10 that are making large moves to the upside.

Parametric Sound

Parametric Sound (HEAR), an audio technology company, designs and markets audio peripherals for video game, personal computer and mobile platforms in North America, Europe, and Asia. This stock closed up 5.2% to $9.98 a share in Thursday's trading session.

Thursday's Range: $9.35-$10.05

52-Week Range: $7.58-$18.80

Thursday's Volume: 208,000

Three-Month Average Volume: 177,321

From a technical perspective, HEAR ripped higher here and broke out above some near-term overhead resistance at $9.70 with above-average volume. This stock recently gapped down sharply from over $13 to under $9.50 with heavy downside volume. Following that move, shares of HEAR went on to print a new 52-week low at $7.58. This stock has now rebounded sharply off that $7.58 low and it's quickly moving within range of triggering a major breakout trade. That trade will hit if HEAR manages to take out its gap-down-day high of $10.05 with strong volume.

Traders should now look for long-biased trades in HEAR as long as it's trending above support at $9 or at $8.50 and then once it sustains a move or close above $10.05 with volume that hits near or above 177,321 shares. If that breakout hits soon, then HEAR will set up to re-fill some of its previous gap-down-day zone from April that started above $13.

KaloBios Pharmaceuticals

KaloBios Pharmaceuticals (KBIO), biopharmaceutical company, primarily develops monoclonal antibody therapeutics for the treatment of respiratory diseases and cancer in the U.S. This stock closed up 3.3% to $1.88 a share in Thursday's trading session.

Thursday's Range: $1.78-$1.92

52-Week Range: $1.69-$6.55

Thursday's Volume: 167,000

Three-Month Average Volume: 210,676

From a technical perspective, KBIO bounced higher here right above its recent 52-week low of $1.69 with lighter-than-average volume. This stock has been downtrending badly for the last two months and change, with shares moving lower from its high of $3.69 to its 52-week low of $1.69. During that downtrend, shares of KBIO have been consistently making lower highs and lower lows, which is bearish technical price action. That said, shares of KBIO have now started to rebound off its 52-week low and it's quickly moving within range of triggering a near-term breakout trade. That trade will hit if KBIO manages to take out Thursday's intraday high of $1.92 and then once it clears more resistance at $2.03 with high volume.

Traders should now look for long-biased trades in KBIO as long as it's trending above Thursday's low of $1.78 and then once it sustains a move or close above those breakout levels with volume that hits near or above 210,676 shares. If that breakout starts soon, then KBIO will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at $2.33 to its 50-day moving average of $2.41. Any high-volume move above $2.41 will then give KBIO a chance to tag its next major overhead resistance levels at $2.66 to $2.88, or even $3.

Solazyme

Solazyme (SZYM) operates as a homebuilder in Brazil. This stock closed up 3.7% to $9.52 a share in Thursday's trading session.

Thursday's Range: $9.12-$9.64

52-Week Range: $8.00-$15.00

Thursday's Volume: 707,000

Three-Month Average Volume: 1.44 million

From a technical perspective, SZYM bounced higher here right off some near-term support at $9 with lighter-than-average volume. This stock has been downtrending badly for the last two months and change, with shares sliding lower from its 52-week high of $15 to its low of $8.90. During that downtrend, shares of SZYM have been consistently making lower highs and lower lows, which is bearish technical price action. That said, shares of SZYM now look ready to rebound and reverse its downtrend to a new uptrend in the short-term. Market players should now look for a continuation move to the upside in the short-term if SZYM manages to take out Thursday's high of $9.64 to some more near-term overhead resistance at $10 with high volume.

Traders should now look for long-biased trades in SZYM as long as it's trending above some key near-term support levels at $9 or at $8.90 and then once it sustains a move or close above $9.64 to $10 with volume that hits near or above 1.44 million shares. If that move starts soon, then SZYM will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at its 200-day moving average of $10.83 to its 50-day moving average of $11.16. Any high-volume move above those levels will then give SZYM a chance to tag $11.65 to $12.

To see more stocks that are making notable moves higher, check out the Stocks Under $10 Moving Higher portfolio on Stockpickr.

-- Written by Roberto Pedone in Delafield, Wis.

Thursday, May 22, 2014

Hot Cheapest Stocks To Watch For 2015

Hot Cheapest Stocks To Watch For 2015: A. H. Belo Corp (AHC)

A. H. Belo Corp incorporated on October 1, 2007, is a newspaper publishing and local news and information company that owns and operates four metropolitan daily newspapers and several associated Web sites. The Company publishes The Dallas Morning News, The Providence Journal, The Press-Enterprise (Riverside, CA), and the Denton Record-Chronicle. It publishes various niche publications targeting specific audiences, and its investments and/or partnerships include Classified Ventures, LLC, owner of cars.com and the Yahoo! Inc. (Yahoo!) Newspaper Consortium. The Company also owns and operates commercial printing, distribution and direct mail service businesses. The Companys primary sources of revenue include advertising sold in published issues of its newspapers and on the Companys Web sites, the sale of newspapers to subscribers and single copy customers, and commercial printing and distribution. In July 2012, The Dallas Morning News acquired Pegasus News (www.pegasusne ws.com) from PanLocal Media LLC, a subsidiary of Archstream LLC of Dallas.

The Companys The Dallas Morning News is a metropolitan newspapers in America. The Dallas Morning News is distributed primarily in Dallas County and 10 surrounding counties. The Dallas Morning News also publishes Briefing, a condensed newspaper distributed four days per week at no charge to non-subscribers of The Dallas Morning News in select coverage areas, and Al Dia, a Spanish-language newspaper published on Wednesdays and Saturdays and distributed at no charge in select coverage areas. The Dallas Morning News also publishes other news products targeted at communities in the North Texas area. The Dallas Morning News financial and operating results also include The Denton Record-Chronicle.

The Companys The Providence Journal is a newspaper in Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts. The Providence Journal is a daily newspaper of general circulation and continuou ! s publication in the United States. The Providence Journal a! lso publishes ProjoExpress, a weekly publication distributed at no charge to households in select Rhode Island communities. The Press-Enterprise is distributed in the Inland Southern California region, which includes Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. The Press-Enterprise also publishes La Prensa, a weekly Spanish-language newspaper distributed at no charge in select coverage areas, as well as The Weekly, a targeted condensed newspaper distributed mid-week at no charge to non-subscribers, and Sunday Weekly, a publication that is distributed on Sunday at no charge to non-subscribers.

In addition to its core newspaper operations, the Company and Belo Corp., through their subsidiaries, together own 6.6% of Classified Ventures, LLC, a joint venture, in which the other owners are Gannett Co., Inc., The McClatchy Company, Tribune Company, and The Washington Post Company. The three principal online businesses Classified Ventures, LLC operates are cars.com, apartmen ts.com, and homegain.com. The Company and Belo, through Belo Lead Management LLC, have also invested in ResponseLogix, Inc. (www.responselogix.com). ResponseLogix provides advanced, Internet-based management solutions to auto dealers.

Advertising

The Company has a portfolio of print, online and digital advertising products and services. During the year ended December 31, 2011, advertising revenues accounted for approximately 61.2 % of total revenues of which 12.5 of advertising revenue was generated by the Companys digital advertising products. Its Display advertising revenue consists of sales of advertising space within its newspapers and niche publications to local, regional or national retail and service businesses with local operations, affiliates or resellers. Its Classified advertising revenue comprises sales of advertising space in the classified and other sections of its newspapers, which include certain automotive, real estate, employ! me nt an! d other.

The Companys Preprint revenue ! is earned! from sales of pre-printed advertisements or circulars inserted into its core newspapers and niche publications, or distributed by mail or third-party distributors to households in targeted areas in order to provide total market coverage for advertisers. Its Digital advertising revenue consists of sales of and other display, video, behavioral targeting, search, rich media, directories, classifieds, direct email marketing, or other advertising on digital platforms associated and integrated with the Companys print publications, and on third party Web sites, such as Yahoo!, monster.com, and cars.com..

Circulation

Circulation revenues accounted for approximately 30.3 % of total revenues in 2011 and represent subscription and single copy sales revenue related primarily to the Companys core newspapers. The Companys Websites also include (dallasnews.com, providencejournal.com, pe.com and other related Websites) offering users news information, use r-generated content, advertising, e-commerce and other services.

Printing and Distribution

Printing and distribution revenues comprised approximately 8.5 % of the Companys revenue in 2011 and consists primarily of commercial printing, distribution and direct mail service. The Company provides commercial printing services, primarily for national newspapers, such as The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times and USA Today and other local newspapers. Newsprint used in the production of large national newspapers is generally provided by the customer. The Company also provides home delivery and retail outlet distribution services, for such national newspapers, as well as for regional newspapers delivered into its coverage areas, such as The Boston Globe and the Los Angeles Times. The Company also operates a direct mail service business in Phoenix, Arizona and Las Vegas, Nevada.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Jon Friedman]
Editor'! s note: A! previous version of this article referred to A.H. Belo (NYSE: AHC) instead of Belo Corp. (NYSE: BLC). The Fool regrets the error.

source from Top Stocks Blog:http://www.seekpennystocks.com/hot-cheapest-stocks-to-watch-for-2015.html

Monday, May 19, 2014

Morning MoneyBeat: All Eyes On the Bond Market

Morning MoneyBeat is the Journal’s pre-market primer packed with market updates, insights and must-read news links. Send us tips, suggestions and complaints: steven.russolillo@wsj.com

Click here to receive this morning newsletter via email

MARKET SNAP: At 5:45 a.m. ET, S&P 500 futures down 0.04%. 10-Year Treasury yield higher at 2.50%. Nymex up 8 cents at $101.58. Gold 0.03% higher at $1294. In Europe, FTSE 100 down 0.2%, DAX down 0.2% and CAC 40 down 0.1%. In Asia, Nikkei 225 down 1.4% and Hang Seng down 0.1%.

WATCH FOR: April Housing Starts (8:30 a.m. Eastern Time): seen +3.1% to 975; previously +2.8% to 946K. April Building Permits (8:30): seen +1.6% to 1.01M; previously -1.7% to 997K. May Reuters/UMich Consumer Sentiment (9:55, preliminary reading): seen 84.3; previously 84.1. No major earnings reports on tap Friday.

THE BREAKFAST BRIEFING

All of a sudden everyone cares about the bond market.

Investors stepped up their retreat from riskier assets for a second straight day. Stocks slumped, bond prices soared and the yield on the 10-year Treasury note dropped to as low as 2.472%, its lowest since Oct. 23. Bond yields decline when prices rise.

In a year where most investors were prepared for interest rates to rise, the opposite has played out amid persistently sluggish economic growth across the globe. As bearish bets on the bond market are unwound, traders are preparing for yields to move even lower before they bounce back, which could make it tougher for the stock market to make a substantial push higher.

"To say we fielded 'a few' questions today about the bond market is to understate the issue greatly," Dan Greenhaus, chief strategist at New York brokerage BTIG, wrote to clients Thursday evening.

A few catalysts are driving the action. The prospect of additional stimulus from central banks across the globe, the continued concerns about Ukraine and the realization that the Federal Reserve isn't poised to raise rates anytime soon have played roles in pushing yields lower, he said.

Measured comments made this week by hedge-fund manager David Tepper added to the list of concerns. Speaking at the annual SALT conference at the Bellagio resort in Las Vegas, the usually bullish Mr. Tepper struck a cautious note. "I'm not saying go short, I'm just saying don't be too fricking long right now," he said about U.S. stocks. "The market is kind of dangerous right now," he added.

Mr. Greenhaus of BTIG echoed that concern, saying "equities might find it difficult to move higher without a bond market reversal."

Much of the bond market's strength, investors say, has also been due to a reversal of bearish bets. With the Fed paring back its bond-buying program this year, many assumed interest rates would move higher. The 10-year yield began the year at about 3%.

But as rates have dropped, many investors have had to reposition themselves.

"People have been short the bond market for quite a while, and finally they are giving up on those positions," Robert Pavlik, chief market strategist at Banyan Partners, which has $4.5 billion under management, said in a chat with MoneyBeat on Thursday. "After a while you have to ask yourself how many times do you have to get punched in the head over and over before you stop doing what you've been doing?"

Mr. Pavlik was one of those bond bears earlier this year. He was using inverse ETFs to bet against bonds, a position that he said he closed a few months ago. "The trade will eventually work, but in the near term it wasn't and it was extremely frustrating."

Scott Minerd, chief investment officer at Guggenheim Partners, which manages more than $190 billion in assets, predicts Treasury yields could trade "significantly lower" in the coming months.

"Structurally there is very strong demand for fixed-income products that is not being satiated," he wrote to clients on Thursday. "This demand, which is especially robust among pension funds and insurance companies, is likely to play a leading role in driving yields lower."

He predicts the 10-year yield could fall in the range of 2.0% to 2.25%.

Morning MoneyBeat Daily Factoid: On this day in 1966, Bob Dylan released the album “Blonde on Blonde” and the Beach Boys released the album “Pet Sounds.”

-By Steven Russolillo; follow him on Twitter @srussolillo.

STOCKS TO WATCH

J.C. Penney(JCP) late Thursday reported a first-quarter loss of $352 million, or $1.15 a share, compared with $348 million, or $1.58 a share, a year ago. Revenue rose to $2.8 billion from $2.64 billion while same-store sales climbed 6.2%. Shares of J.C. Penney soared 24% in after hours.

Nordstrom said Thursday its first-quarter earnings slipped to $140 million, or 72 cents a share, from $145 million, or 73 cents a share, a year ago. Revenue increased to $2.84 billion from $2.66 billion. Analysts surveyed by FactSet had forecast earnings of 68 cents a share on sales of $2.864 billion. Nordstrom shares jumped 10% in after-hours trading.

Applied Materials(AMAT) reported it swung to a second-quarter profit of $262 million, or 21 cents a share, from a loss of $129 million, or 11 cents a share, a year ago. On an adjusted basis, AMAT earned 28 cents a share. AMAT shares gained 3.3% in extended trading.

MUST READS (LINKS)

Global Growth Worries Climb: “Five years after the financial crisis ended, soft growth in Europe, a stop-and-start U.S. recovery and waning momentum in China have policy makers groping for what to do next.”

Investors Abandon Riskier Assets: “U.S. stocks slumped to their biggest decline in five weeks and bond prices roared higher for the second straight day.”

Big Investors Snatch Up Verizon(VZ): “Billionaire investors Warren Buffett, Daniel Loeb and John Paulson made a connection on Verizon Communications, as their firms separately picked up stakes in the telecommunications firm amid a wave of deal-making in the sector.”

FCC’s Web Tolls Proposal Sets Up a Battle: “In a move that has sharply divided technology giants over how to keep the Internet open, the FCC voted Thursday to advance rules that would let broadband providers charge companies for preferential handling of Web traffic.”

Heard on the Street: Beyond Net Neutrality: FCC’s Telecom-Deal Doings: “The debate over net neutrality garnered public attention at the FCC’s meeting. But telecom investors should be more concerned with actions it took on wireless spectrum.”

Ratings Firms Go Own Way on New Bonds: “In a recent, and rare, bout of partisanship, ratings firms are taking sides on whether a new type of bond represents a safe bet or a slightly risky one.”

Blackstone Goes All In After the Flop: “Private-equity firm Blackstone(BX) Group agreed to pay $1.7 billion to Deutsche Bank(DBK.XE) for the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, a 3,000-room hotel and casino that ran into big financial trouble during the downturn.”

Pinterest Valued at $5 Billion: “Pinterest said it raised a $200 million investment that values it at $5 billion, making it one of the most valuable venture-capital backed startups in the world.”

Credit Suisse Nears Guilty Plea in $2.5 Billion Settlement: “Credit Suisse is expected to pay almost $2.5 billion to settle a probe into how the firm allegedly helped Americans evade taxes, including roughly $700 million to U.S. regulators and approximately $1.7 billion to the Justice Department.”

India’s BJP Appears Headed for Victory: “India’s Bharatiya Janata Party appeared headed for a major victory in national elections, setting the stage for its pro-business leader, Narendra Modi, to become the country’s next prime minister.”

Tensions Flare as Rescue Hopes Ebb in Turkey: “Hopes of rescuing about 100 trapped miners all but vanished on Thursday, as mourners buried their dead amid simmering anger at the government for neglecting to address safety shortcomings in the western coal region.”

Saturday, May 17, 2014

CEOs: The changing role at the top

NEW YORK (AP) — Used to be that CEOs were hired for their knowledge of the industry, years of experience and the ability to lead with a tight fist. But the role of the top job has changed dramatically over the last several years.

CEOs increasingly are being pressured to cut costs, while growing their business. They're being prodded by investors to push for global expansion, while being asked by customers to be more socially responsible. And at a time when having strategies for social media and data security are becoming integral to doing business, CEOs are expected to keep up with the frantic pace of technology.

The new skill sets that are required for the job mean that corporations are more likely to hire from outside of the organization — and the industry — than they were in years past. It also can mean that the corner office is less forgiving than it used to be: security software maker Symantec, for instance, ousted its CEO Steve Bennett in March, the second time it has pushed out its leader in less than two years.

In fact, in the first four months of the year, 11 CEOs were forced out or fired, says a survey of private and public U.S. companies by Challenger, Gray and Christmas. That's up from nine CEO terminations in the same period last year. And that doesn't count those who said they resigned, retired or stepped down, but who were actually pushed out.

Moreover, the average tenure for a CEO last year was 7.9 years down from 9.4 years in 2007, the start of the recession, according to Challenger.

"We are in an unprecedented era of challenge at leadership levels," said Mark Cohen, a former CEO of Sears Canada and a professor at Columbia University's Business School. "There's less patience with CEOs now."

The changing priorities have created a challenge for company's boards of directors, which must filter through a slate of candidates. They want to fill to role as quickly as possible to assure investors and customers. But the new requirements and skill sets mean! the search is a lot more difficult than it has been in years past.

Here's how the search has gone for a few big companies:

Target

Target's announcement last week that it's searching for a new CEO sheds light on a major shift.

Target's CEO search follows the abrupt departure of Gregg Steinhafel in the wake of a massive data breach and a botched up expansion plan in Canada. The nation's third largest retailer said it will search outside the company — and the industry.

If Target hires from outside, though, it would mark the first time in its 112-year-history that its leader wasn't homebred.

"It's a difficult search for a company of our magnitude," said John Mulligan, Target's chief financial officer who is interim CEO, in a recent interview with The Associated Press. But he added: "We will find the right person."

Mulligan said Target is looking for someone with the right skill sets but that understands the culture of Target. Elaine Hughes, founder and CEO of E.A. Hughes, an executive search firm that specializes in retailing, said Target needs to look outside the clothing industry and can't just use the "same Rolodex" as the retail industry keeps using.

Microsoft

In February, when Microsoft picked Satya Nadella, a company veteran since the early 1990s, some worried it would reinforce perceptions it wasn't a risk taker as it competes with younger rivals like Google.

Nadella's style of leadership is already winning praises because he is collegial and humble. Among recent moves; the unveiling of Office for iPad, which was well received by the stock market.

5 Best Safest Stocks To Buy Right Now

That's in sharp contrast to his predecessor Steve Ballmer, who uses the blustery, rally-the troops approach and is known for his larger-than-life displays of emotion

"He's more deliberative and more thoughtful," says Suresh Kotha, a professor at the U! niversity! of Washington's Foster School of Business in Seattle.

J.C. Penney

Penney decided in 2011 to hire Ron Johnson, a former Apple executive, to run the department store chain.

Johnson vowed to transform the beleaguered company with trendy merchandise and break shoppers' addiction to sales by rolling out everyday low prices.

But the rapid-fire changes alienated Penney's customers, resulting in nearly a billion loss and a 25% sales drop in the first year of Johnson's plan.

The board fired Johnson after 17 months and Penney rehired his predecessor, Mike Ullman, who is stabilizing sales as the company searches for a permanent replacement.

Penney declined to comment on the search for its new CEO. New York-based retail consultant Walter Loeb speculates Penney could hire an industry insider: Roger Farah, who announced earlier in the month that he was retiring from Ralph Lauren after 14 years. Farah was most recently executive vice chairman.

Ford

In 2006, Ford hired Alan Mulally away from Boeing. At the time, the automaker passed over internal candidates, including Mark Fields, who takes over the reins on July 1 when Mulally retires.

The decision to hire an outsider proved to be wise. When Mulally was hired, Ford was on its way to a $12.6 billion annual loss and management was widely seen as dysfunctional.

Mulally gained superstar status by ending the infighting between executives and regions that had long plagued the company. He developed a plan to get Ford back to profitability, dismissed executives who wouldn't follow the plan or work together and borrowed billions to keep the company out of bankruptcy.

Taking over for Mulally, Fields, who was instrumental in that turnaround, will inherit a healthy company. But he will have to push the company for bigger growth.

Tom Krisher and Dee-Ann Durbin in Detroit and Ryan Nakashima in Los Angeles contributed to this report.

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Hot Gas Stocks To Own For 2015

Hot Gas Stocks To Own For 2015: Pioneer Energy Services Corp (PES)

Pioneer Energy Services Corp., formerly Pioneer Drilling Company, incorporated in 1979, provides drilling and production services to independent oil and gas exploration and production companies throughout much of the onshore oil and gas producing regions of the United States and internationally in Colombia. The Company operates in two segments: Drilling Services Division and Production Services Division. The Company's Drilling Services Division provides contract land drilling services. The Company's Production Services Division provides a range of services to oil and gas exploration and production companies. On December 31, 2011, the Company acquired Go-Coil, LLC.

Drilling Services Division

The Company's Drilling Services Division provides contract land drilling services with its fleet of 64 drilling rigs in South Texas, East Texas, West Texas, North Dakota, North Texas, Utah, Appalachia and Colombia. As of February 10, 2012, 55 drilling rig s are operating under drilling contracts, 44 of which are under term contracts. In 2011, the Company established its West Texas drilling division location location where it has 18 drilling rigs operating. In addition to its drilling rigs, the Company provides the drilling crews and the ancillary equipment needed to operate its drilling rigs. Its drilling contracts provide for compensation on either a daywork, turnkey or footage basis.

As of February 10, 2012, the Company owned a fleet of 54 trucks and related transportation equipment that it uses to transport its drilling rigs to and from drilling sites. Under daywork drilling contracts, it provides a drilling rig and required personnel to its customer who supervises the drilling of the well. Under a turnkey contract, the Company agrees to drill a well for its customer. It provides technical and engineering services! , as well as the equipment and drilling supplies required to drill the well. The Company often sub contracts for related services, such as the provision of cas! ing crews, cementing and well logging. Under footage contracts, it is paid a fixed amount for each foot drilled.

The Company competes with Helmerich & Payne, Inc., Precision Drilling Trust, Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc. and Nabors Industries, Ltd.

Production Services Division

The Company's Production Services Division provides a range of services to oil and gas exploration and production companies, including well services, wireline, coiled tubing and fishing and rental services. Its production services operations are managed through locations concentrated in the United States onshore oil and gas producing regions in the Gulf Coast, Mid-Continent, Rocky Mountain and Appalachian states. The Company provides its services to a diverse group of oil and gas exploration and production companies. Under well services, it provides rig-based well services, including maintenance of existing wells, workover of existing wells, completion of newly-dril led wells, and plugging and abandonment of wells at the end of their useful lives.

The Company provides wireline services in Texas, Kansas, Colorado, Utah, Montana, North Dakota, Louisiana, West Virginia, Wyoming and Mississippi. The Company's Coiled tubing is used for a number of horizontal well applications such as milling temporary plugs between frac stages. Its coiled tubing business consists of ten coiled tubing units which are deployed in Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania. The Company's rental and fishing tool business provides a range of specialized services and equipment that are utilized on a non-routine basis for both drilling and well servicing operations. It provides rental services out of four locations in Texas and Oklahoma. As of February 10, 2012, the Company had a total of 91 well service rigs. Its well service rig fleet consists of e! ighty-one! 550 horsepower rigs, nine 600 horsepower rigs, and one 400 horsepower rig. As of February 10, 2 012, the Company had 109 wireline units in 24 locations.

The Company competes with Key Energy Services, Basic Energy Services, Nabors Industries, Superior Energy Services, Inc,

CC Forbes, Schlumberger Ltd., Halliburton Company, Weatherford International, Baker Hughes, Superior Energy Services, Basic Energy Services, and Key Energy Services, Quail Tools and Knight Oil Tools.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Lisa Levin]
Pioneer Energy Services (NYSE: PES) shares reached a new 52-week high of $14.15. Pioneer Energy shares have jumped 96.60% over the past 52 weeks, while the S&P 500 index has gained 20.97% in the same period.
[By Lisa Levin]
Pioneer Energy Services (NYSE: PES) shares touched a new 52-week high of $11.58. Pioneer Energy shares have jumped 40.39% over the past 52 weeks, while the S&P 500 index has gained 21.92% in the same period.
[By Lee Jackson]
Pioneer Energy Services Corp. (NYSE: PES) is another small cap name that could be a huge home run for investors in 2014. The company provides contract land drilling services and production services to independent and oil and gas exploration and production companies in the United States and Colombia. The company operates in two segments, Drilling Services and Production Services. The Deutsche Bank price target is a whopping $14, and the consensus is much lower at $9.50. Pioneer Energy closed Monday at $8

source from Top Stocks Blog:http://www.topstocksblog.com/hot-gas-stocks-to-own-for-2015.html

Monday, May 12, 2014

Cree Looks Like a Solid Long-Term Buy

LED specialist Cree (CREE) crashed after the company's guidance for the current quarter turned out to be weaker than expected. Cree's management is looking to capture more market for its LED products, a space where bigger players such as General Electric and Philips also operate.

This is the reason why Cree is stepping up its marketing efforts, but unfortunately, the Street doesn't seem to be recognizing this. Analysts put their earnings expectations for the ongoing quarter at $0.44 per share, but Cree's management guided in the range of $0.36 to $0.41 per share. This looks like a big miss, but the long-term prospects still look good.

A Huge Market and Solid Products

Cree operates in a market that's expected to see annual growth rates of 34% till 2016 and then 13% till 2020. By 2020, the LED lighting market is expected to be worth $94 billion, according to McKinsey, and Cree looks well-positioned to tap this opportunity through its products.

Cree's 40-watt replacement LED light bulb, which costs $9.97, is priced below rival products such as those from General Electric. In addition, Cree's bulb is more efficient, delivering the same 450 lumens as GE's light but consuming 50% less electricity. In addition, Cree's recently launched XSPR Series Street Light that costs $99 is expected to make replacing sodium street lights cost-effective and 65% more energy-efficient.

Cree has been seeing good order momentum for the past few quarters and the trend continued in the previous one as well. The company is expecting growth across all its business segments in the present quarter. Management believes that the company is in a great position to take advantage of the growing popularity of LED lighting and it certainly has the right products to tap this market.

Aggressive marketing moves should add momentum to Cree's already flourishing business. Its quarterly results weren't bad at all, as revenue grew 24% from the prior-year period while net income spiked 89%. But to remain competitive, Cree will have to keep churning out innovative products and also undertake efforts to make the public aware about them. And it seems to be progressing well on both counts.

Competition on the Way

However, Cree should brace for competition from the likes of Wal-Mart (WMT), which recently made an aggressive move into the LED light bulb market. Wal-Mart recently announced its "Great Value" range of LED bulbs that would retail for under $10 in all its stores in the U.S. and also Walmart.com. Wal-Mart claims that these bulbs would be 80% more efficient, discharge 40% less heat, and last 25 times longer than a traditional light bulb.

Wal-Mart is a behemoth with thousands of stores in the U.S., and its move into selling LED bulbs for a competitive price could hurt Cree. However, Cree's bulbs sell at home-improvement retailer Home Depot, which has a footprint of 2,258 stores in 50 states. This partnership has proven fruitful so far, as evidenced by the revenue jump in the previous quarter.

Catalysts Ahead

Cree's LED bulb won the 2013 Innovation Award at Home Depot last month and the home-improvement retailer is quite impressed by how Cree's offerings have been doing. According to Home Depot management, the Cree TrueWhite bulb "gives out some of the best natural color when compared to other LED bulbs in the market." Hence, Cree is finding good traction through Home Depot.

In addition, Cree has also earned the Energy Star qualification for its LED bulbs. This means that its bulbs now qualify for utility rebates through certain local utilities. This qualification and the accompanying rebate can further drive adoption of Cree's LED bulbs and help it compete against Wal-Mart's forthcoming challenge.

Another fact that could aid Cree's growth is the possible ban on traditional 40- and 60-watt bulbs. Last year, the government had banned 100-watt incandescent bulbs, and according to USA Today, a similar fate now awaits the smaller sizes. Cree offers a 10-year guarantee on its bulbs that could last as long as 22 years, apart from saving electricity.

Fundamentals

One thing that investors need to keep in mind is Cree's steep valuation. At a P/E ratio of 67, Cree is not the ideal pick for value investors. But those who are looking for growth should certainly take a closer look at it. The stock commands a premium because Cree's earnings are expected to grow rapidly.

This fiscal year, analysts are expecting earnings to grow 24%, followed by 35% next year. In the next five years, Cree's earnings are expected to grow at a CAGR of 15.5%. Due to such strong growth projections, Cree's forward P/E is just 26x. In the previous quarter, the company's earnings were up 89% year over year and this is why investors looking for growth shouldn't be scared of its steep valuation.

Conclusion

Cree has successfully grown its business in a market despite the presence of more illustrious players such as General Electric, Koninklijke Philips, OSRAM, etc. Cree's continuous focus on innovation has helped it gain lighting orders, and the company is also undertaking a series of cost-reduction programs to bolster its margins.

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Sunday, May 11, 2014

Emerging Markets Dominate Global GDP

Click to enlarge. Distribution of global GDP: Emerging vs. developed economies. Source: IMF World Economic Outlook April 2014, Ashmore The U.S. and China are neck and neck when it comes to having the world’s largest economy this year.

But there’s another race that’s already been won: emerging markets have overtaken developed economies when it comes to having the largest share of global GDP.

“This is clear from new IMF data released in April," explained Jahn Dehn, head of research for Ashmore Investment Management. "Clearly, both investor perceptions about and allocations to EM continue to lag far behind EM’s rapid fundamental advances.

“This is true in both equities and fixed income, but especially in fixed income, where allocations by many investors lag weighting implied by simple GDP weighting by as much as ten times,” the former Credit Suisse First Boston researcher noted in a report on Tuesday. “This suggests that EM’s long-term technicals remain extremely strong.”

According to the IMF’s April 2014 “World Economic Outlook” analysis, the emerging market’s share of global GDP hit 50.4% in 2013, up from 31% in 1980.

How did this happen?

These economies increased their share of global GDP by an average of 0.6% per year over the past 33 years, Dehn notes. And there’s no end in sight.

“Interestingly, the IMF expects EM share of global GDP to increase at an ever faster pace going forward. According to its forecasts, EM’s share of global GDP will grow by an average of 0.7% per year from now until 2019 to reach 54.5%,” the ex-World Bank employee explained.

The allocations to these markets on the part of most central banks, sovereign wealth funds, public and private pension funds, endowments, foundations and retail investors, are “massively below” what would be implied by simple GDP weighting, Dehn writes.

As for major emerging markets, the expert points to positive conditions in China, where manufacturing is stabilizing.

“Official manufacturing [as measured by the Purchasers Manufacturing Index or] PMI in April was 50.4, up from 50.3 in March,” Dehn said in his recent report, titled “Move Over Please!”

Though Ashmore does not expect a substantial pickup in manufacturing or growth — as China transforms its economy from export to domestic-demand led — the country’s policies should produce growth sustainability “once inflation returns in the world’s QE economies and EM currencies strengthen by virtue of the strong external balances,” the group says.

“No country in the world will be more impacted by this change than China,” Dahn stressed.

Meanwhile in India, the Finance Ministry has said it will move to makes its capital market more “investor friendly” after the current elections.

“When viewed in conjunction with ongoing reforms of the Indian banking system our reading of the tea leaves suggests an opening of the Indian domestic bond market to foreign investors in the not-too-distant future,” the expert said.

And there’s more good news for countries like South Korea, which recently reported stronger-than-expected growth data: April exports rose 9% year over year vs. the anticipated 5.5%.

In Mexico, Dehn points out, further reforms of the energy sector should be coming. The country should “begin to see investment in the sector with material upside accruing to Mexico through the medium and long term,” he added.

In terms of where EM economies stand compared with their more developed counterparts, the analyst highlights another significant statistic: Portugal’s debt-to-GDP ratio is 130%, compared with an average of 34% all 165 emerging economies.

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