Best US Stocks To Invest In Right Now

LONDON --�Shares in life insurance specialist�Old Mutual� (LSE: OML  ) have stopped for breath in recent weeks, after earlier edging to their loftiest since May 2006 above 210 pence at the start of March.

I believe that the company offers great earnings growth and dividend prospects that are not factored into the price at current levels, and I therefore expect the stock to gain traction again sooner rather than later.

Insurance giant prints strong 2012
Old Mutual announced last month that profit before tax increased 18% to 1.6 billion pounds in 2012, with funds under management treading 3% higher to 262.2 billion pounds. Although new business profits fell, this was because of the sale of its Nordic division, and underlying new business profits from continuing operations rose 11% from 2011 levels.

And Old Mutual has significant scope to slash costs further to boost earnings after cutting expenditure 133 million pounds last year. In particular, RBC Capital notes that that the commission costs of major insurers should collapse by 50% as the Retail Distribution Review, which came into effect at the start of the year, delivers massive cost savings. This replaced the payment of commission to financial advisors with upfront product fees.

Best US Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Senior Eng Grp(SNR.L)

Senior plc designs, manufactures, and markets high technology components and systems worldwide. The company operates through two divisions, Aerospace and Flexonics. The Aerospace division offers aerospace ducting systems, aerospace fabricated components, aerospace machined components, bellows and seals, couplings and valves, hydraulic and fuel systems, machined aero structures, machined airframe and interiors, and sensors and monitoring systems. The Flexonics division provides automotive common rail, drain tube, exhaust connector, flexible tube, heat exchangers, and high pressure lines; fabric expansion joints; fuel cells; industrial air ducts, dampers and diverters, flexible tubing, and metal bellows; and metal expansion joints and spring hangers. Senior plc serves original equipment producers in the aerospace, defense, diesel engine, exhaust system, land vehicle, and energy markets. The company was formerly known as Senior Engineering Group plc and changed its name to Se nior plc in 1999. Senior plc was incorporated in 1933 and is headquartered in Rickmansworth, the United Kingdom.

Best US Stocks To Invest In Right Now: El Paso Corporation(EP)

El Paso Corporation operates in the natural gas transmission, and exploration and production sectors of the energy industry primarily in the United States. It offers natural gas transmission services to a range of customers, including natural gas producers, marketers, and end-users, as well as other natural gas transmission, distribution, and electric generation companies through its interests in approximately 43,100 miles of interstate pipeline system. The company also operates approximately 240 billion cubic feet of storage capacity, and an LNG receiving terminal in Elba Island, Georgia. In addition, El Paso Corporation focuses on the exploration, acquisition, development, and production of natural gas, oil, and natural gas liquids in the United States, Brazil, and Egypt, as well as engages in midstream business. The company primarily sells its domestic natural gas and oil to third parties. As of December 31, 2010, it had proved natural gas and oil reserves of approximat ely 3.4 trillion cubic feet of natural gas equivalents. The company was founded in 1928 and is based in Houston, Texas.

Hot Quality Stocks To Buy Right Now: Nike Inc.(NKE)

NIKE, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the design, development, marketing, and sale of footwear, apparel, equipment, and accessory products for men, women, and children worldwide. The company offers products in the categories of running, training, basketball, soccer, sport-inspired casual shoes, and kids? shoes. It also markets footwear designed for baseball, cheerleading, football, golf, lacrosse, outdoor activities, skateboarding, tennis, volleyball, walking, wrestling, and other athletic and recreational uses. In addition, Nike sells sports apparel and accessories, sports-inspired lifestyle apparel, athletic bags, and accessory items; and markets apparel with licensed college, professional team, and league logos. Further, the company sells performance equipment, including bags, socks, sport balls, eyewear, timepieces, electronic devices, bats, gloves, protective equipment, golf clubs, and other equipment designed for sports activities under the brand na me of NIKE; and various plastic products to other manufacturers. It offers products under the trademarks of Cole Haan, Converse, Chuck Taylor, All Star, One Star, Star Chevron, Jack Purcell, Hurley, and Umbro. The company sells its products through retail accounts, its own retail stores and Internet sales, independent distributors, and licensees. NIKE, Inc. was founded in 1964 and is headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  Shares of Nike (NKE) have fluctuated after the sportswear company reported better-than-expected earnings.

  REUTERS

  Nike reported a profit of 59 cents, above forecasts for 58 cents, on revenue of $6.4 billion, in line with estimates for $6.4 billion.

  Shares of Nike have dropped 0.8% to $77.71 at 4:21 p.m. in volatile trading that has seen shares rise and fall by as much as 1%.

  From Nike’s press release:

  “Our strong second quarter results show why NIKE leads the industry,��said Mark Parker, President and CEO of NIKE, Inc. ��ur powerful portfolio fuels growth across our categories and geographies. Because we never stop innovating, we enhance our ability to serve the athlete, inspire consumers and elevate the marketplace. We will continue to seize the best opportunities to drive sustainable, profitable growth for our shareholders.��

• [By Jayson Derrick]

  Nike (NYSE: NKE) reported second quarter results after the bell. The company's EPS of $0.59 beat the consensus estimate of $0.58 while revenues of $6.43 billion missed the consensus estimate of $6.44 billion. Shares were trading slightly higher by 0.60 percent at $78.68 going in to the company's conference call.

• [By Steve Symington]

  The pervasive swoosh
  Finally, I'm offering�Nike (NYSE: NKE  ) as another great dividend stock both you and your children can love.

  To be sure, few businesses enjoy a more significant global presence and greater brand visibility than Nike, which pays a 1.4% dividend while sporting a healthy 9.2% net profit margin. In addition, Nike has more than $4 billion in cash and equivalents, with just $161 million in long-term debt on its balance sheet.

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  If yesterday’s market selling was a trickle, today was like a pipe bursting, as Nike (NKE), United Health Group (UNH) and Pfizer (PFE) tumbled.

  Reuters

  The S&P 500 fell 1.1% to 1,782.22, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 0.8% to 15,843.53. Both were the biggest drops since Nov. 7.

  The Dow was weighed down by Nike, which fell 3% to $76.84 ahead of next week’s earnings, while United Health dropped 2.6% to $72.14 and Pfizer declined 2.2% to $30.65. Only five Dow components finished in the green, including Visa (V), which rose 3.1% to $205.66 after Mastercard’s (MA) big dividend/buyback/stock-slit announcement.

  Looking for the market fell today? Good luck finding one. The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg have attributed it to the budget deal, which could make the Fed feel more comfortable with tapering.�Fed-related news kept hitting the wires throughout the days, including reports that President Barack Obama would appoint Stanley Fischer to be the Fed’s number two, and that the Fed was considering new tools to help set interest rates.

  But was this enough to move markets–including stocks and Treasury bonds? CRT Capital Group’s Ian Lyngen is not so sure. He writes:

  There wasn�� much data around.� No Fedspeak.� And with the rumor that Stanley Fischer will be the vice chairman at the Fed another excuse was brought to the fore in that he somehow might be less dovish than��ell less dovish.� This stems from some comments he made on having reservations about central bank forward guidance…

  We won�� go on about who he is, but we��l steal a quote Paul Krugman cited from Fischer earlier this year who had said, �� still think Keynesian economics is extremely important, and if anybody didn�� think so, this crisis should have made them rethink.��/p>

  Nomura’s Richard Koo says a December taper would be good news for both outgoing Fed chief Ben Bernanke

Best US Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Medical Marijuana Inc (MJNA.PK)

Medical Marijuana Inc. (MJNA), incorporated on May 23, 2005, is the publicly held company vested in the medical marijuana and industrial hemp markets. The Company is comprised of a diversified portfolio of products, services, technology and businesses solely focused on the cannabis and hemp industries. These products range from patented based cannabinoid products, to whole plant or isolated high value extracts specifically manufactured and formulated for the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and cosmeceutical industries. In March 2013, it sold certain equipment and inventory, web domain names, phone numbers, and all existing and pending agreements with hemp production and processing facilities to CannaVEST Corp.

The Company�� services are varied, ranging from medical clinic management to the capitalization and development of existing industry business and product leaders. Services include development of cannabinoid based health and wellness products, and the development of medical grade compounds. MJNA provides over 50 and patented cannabinoid delivery methods that are more socially and medically acceptable than smoking.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Alan Brochstein]

  Taking into account all of the data I have shared, I want to introduce my take on the most important names to follow. My initial list takes into account not only the market cap, but also business model and interest level. These are the stocks that I think merit the most attention (in alphabetical order):

  CannaVest (CANV.OB)GW Pharma (GWPH)MedBox (MDBX.PK)Medical Marijuana, Inc. (MJNA.PK)

  CANV doesn't really trade, as it is held closely by insiders (99.7%, including MJNA). I have a few concerns, including the valuation and some near-term financial challenges typical of a start-up with just one client looking to expand its customer base, but I like the focus and the fact that it is an SEC filer with a relatively clean history (i.e. none of the baggage of some of these other companies). I have spoken to its outsourced CFO and am impressed by his background (has been CFO or held key financial roles at publicly-traded healthcare companies). CANV is the partner to MJNA that is responsible for manufacturing the CBD (Cannibidiol, the cannabinoid in marijuana that is increasingly viewed as offering substantial medical benefits). I am very concerned about the near-term financials, but this is a pure-play with probably a two-year lead over other companies. I don't see a moat in terms of intellectual property or brands, but they have a good lead in terms of sourcing of supply and penetration into potential customers. Quite simply, they don't appear to have competition at present. The company, then, is a call option on CBD demand taking off. It appears that it could be a supplier to even Big Pharma should medical marijuana research move into the mainstream.

Best US Stocks To Invest In Right Now: iShares Global Consumer Discretionary ETF (RXI)

iShares S&P Global Consumer Discretionary Sector Index Fund (the Fund) seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Standard & Poor�� Global Consumer Discretionary Sector Index (the Index).

The Index is a subset of the Standard & Poor�� Global 1200 Index, and measures the performance of companies that Standard & Poor�� deems to be part of the consumer discretionary sector of the economy. Component companies include manufacturing and service companies. The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index.

Best US Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Rolls Royce Group(RR.L)

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc engages in the provision of power systems and services for civil and defense, aerospace, marine and energy, and nuclear markets worldwide. It develops, manufactures, markets, and sells commercial aero engines, including aircraft engines and helicopter engines for passenger and cargo jets, and corporate and regional aircrafts; and military aero engines comprising engines for combat jets, helicopters, transporters, trainers, tactical aircrafts, and unmanned aerial vehicles. The company also offers marine power propulsion systems, such as automation and control systems, bearings and seals, electrical power systems, deck machinery solutions, marine gas turbines, diesel engines, gas engines, propulsors, ship lifts and transfer systems, reduction gears, and stabilization and maneuvering systems, as well as provides ship design and systems for offshore oil and gas, merchant, and naval vessels. In addition, it offers power systems consisting of gas engines , gas turbine engines, gas compressions, diesel engines, fuel cells, and automation and control systems to support the production of oil and gas, and power generation; and nuclear products, which include safety instrumentation and controls, components and systems manufacture, special purpose machinery and tooling, and remote vision systems, as well as steam generator services. Further, the company provides a range of services that comprise engine support services, helicopters services, financial services, training, technical publications, field shop services, spares and tools, technical support, upgradation, and repair and overhaul services, as well as safety licensing and environmental engineering, mechanical systems and component engineering, instrumentation and control, and reactor support services. Rolls-Royce Holdings plc was founded in 1971 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom.

Best US Stocks To Invest In Right Now: H&E Equipment Services Inc.(HEES)

H&E Equipment Services, Inc. operates as an integrated equipment services company. The company rents, sells, and provides parts and service support for hi-lift or aerial work platform equipment, crane, earthmoving equipment, and industrial lift truck categories. It offers heavy construction and industrial equipment for rent on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. As of December 31, 2011, the company?s fleet consisted of 17,538 pieces of equipment. It also sells new heavy construction and industrial equipment in various categories. In addition, the company sells used equipment from its rental fleet, as well as inventoried equipment that is acquired through trade-ins from its customers and selective purchases; and new and used parts. Further, it provides maintenance and repair services; and ongoing preventative maintenance services and warranty repairs, as well as offers ancillary equipment support activities, including transportation, hauling, parts shipping, and loss damag e waivers. The company provides its services to industrial and commercial companies, construction contractors, manufacturers, public utilities, municipalities, and maintenance contractors, as well as for other industrial accounts. As of February 28, 2012, it operated a network of 65 full-service facilities, serving approximately 29,800 customers across 22 states in the West Coast, Intermountain, Southwest, Gulf Coast, Southeast, and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The company markets its equipment rental services, and new and used equipment through its sales force. H&E Equipment Services, Inc. was founded in 1961 and is headquartered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Seth Jayson]

  Margins matter. The more H&E Equipment Services (Nasdaq: HEES  ) keeps of each buck it earns in revenue, the more money it has to invest in growth, fund new strategic plans, or (gasp!) distribute to shareholders. Healthy margins often separate pretenders from the best stocks in the market. That's why we check up on margins at least once a quarter in this series. I'm looking for the absolute numbers, so I can compare them to current and potential competitors, and any trend that may tell me how strong H&E Equipment Services's competitive position could be.

Best US Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Group 1 Automotive Inc. (GPI)

Group 1 Automotive, Inc., through its subsidiaries, engages in the marketing and sale of automotive products and services. It sells new and used cars, light trucks, and vehicle parts. The company also provides vehicle financing services; service and insurance contract services; and automotive maintenance and repair services. The company has operations located in metropolitan areas in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Texas in the United States; and in the towns of Brighton, Hailsham, and Worthing in the United Kingdom. As of October 25, 2012, it owned and operated 121 automotive dealerships, 158 franchises, and 30 collision centers in the United States and the United Kingdom that offer 32 brands of automobiles. The company was founded in 1995 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Ning Jia]

  In 2001, Advance Auto Parts acquires Carport Auto Parts, a regional retail chain with 29 stores in Alabama and Mississippi. The combination of Advance and Carport locations establishes Advance Auto Parts as the market leader in Alabama and Mississippi. In November of 2011, Advance acquires 671 Discount Auto Parts, Inc., a regional auto parts chain in Florida, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, and Louisiana. The acquisition strengthens the company's position as the market leader in Florida. Upon completion of this merger, Advance Auto Parts becomes a publicly traded company, listed as a common stock on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol AAP. After the Company went public in 2001, AAP continued to expand both organically and through acquisition. On October 16th 2013, Advance Auto Parts entered into a definitive agreement to acquire General Parts International, Inc. (GPI), a leading privately held distributor and supplier of original equipment and aftermarket replacement products for commercial markets operating under the CARQUEST and WORLDPAC brands, in an all-cash transaction with an enterprise value of $2.04 billion. The transaction has been approved by the boards of directors for both companies. The deal creates the largest automotive aftermarket parts provider in North America, with annual sales of more than $9.2 billion and more than 70,000 employees.

Best US Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Apple Inc.(AAPL)

Apple Inc., together with subsidiaries, designs, manufactures, and markets personal computers, mobile communication and media devices, and portable digital music players, as well as sells related software, services, peripherals, networking solutions, and third-party digital content and applications worldwide. The company sells its products worldwide through its online stores, retail stores, direct sales force, third-party wholesalers, resellers, and value-added resellers. In addition, it sells third-party Mac, iPhone, iPad, and iPod compatible products, including application software, printers, storage devices, speakers, headphones, and other accessories and peripherals through its online and retail stores; and digital content and applications through the iTunes Store. The company sells its products to consumer, small and mid-sized business, education, enterprise, government, and creative markets. As of September 25, 2010, it had 317 retail stores, including 233 stores in the United States and 84 stores internationally. The company, formerly known as Apple Computer, Inc., was founded in 1976 and is headquartered in Cupertino, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Tim Brugger]

  But Google CEO Larry Page wasn't fooling anyone; buying Motorola Mobility was a direct means to go after Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL  ) and Samsung in the lucrative U.S. smartphone OEM market. Google's partnership with LG has already produced a Nexus smartphone, and Motorola has some, too, but that's so un-Google. If we've learned anything over the past couple of years, it's that Google isn't afraid to aggressively enter new markets with guns blazing: Google Fiber, the use of white space for wireless connectivity, self-driving cars, Glass -- the list goes on and on.

• [By Markos Kaminis]

  Since the news about the metadata sharing was made public, rumors rose about another secret government program said to be named PRISM, which many major media providers are saying today is more than rumor. Under such a supposed program, the NSA is alleged to have access to emails and other Internet data. However, major service providers in the field have denied any knowledge of any such program and any participation in such a program. Apple (AAPL) says it does not provide any government agency with direct access to its servers. Google (GOOG) says it does not have a back door for the government to access data. Microsoft (MSFT), Facebook (FB) and Yahoo (YHOO) have also all denied being a party to any such effort. Still, at least one name remains tied to what many Americans seem to be feeling is an infringement on their privacy, and that is Verizon.

• [By Bruce Kennedy]

  Some excellent journalism by Katie Fehrenbacher at the tech web site Gigaom is shedding new light on how internet companies ��and Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) in particular ��are aggressively moving into the business of generating their own power supplies.

• [By Kevin Chen]

  NSS, which bills itself as "the world's leading information security research and advisory company," recenlty unveiled the results of its Browser Security Comparative Analysis: Socially Engineered Malware. Over the course of 28 days, from March 13 through April 9, the firm tested the five, most popular browsers against 754 samples of real-world malicious software. The browsers were�Apple� (NASDAQ: AAPL  ) Safari 5,�Google�Chrome 25/26, Microsoft�Internet Explorer 10, Mozilla Firefox 19, and Opera 12.

Best US Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Newmont Mining Corporation(Holding Company)

Newmont Mining Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and production of gold and copper properties. The company?s assets or operations are located in the United States, Australia, Peru, Indonesia, Ghana, Canada, New Zealand, and Mexico. As of December 31, 2009, it had proven and probable gold reserves of approximately 93.5 million equity ounces and an aggregate land position of approximately 27,500 square miles. The company was founded in 1916 and is headquartered in Greenwood Village, Colorado.

Best US Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Galliford(GFRD.L)

Galliford Try plc operates as a house building and construction company primarily in the United Kingdom. It provides building services to the accommodation, affordable housing, arts and entertainment, commercial, custodial and judicial, education, health, hotels, refurbishment and fit out, retail, sports facilities, and stadia sectors. The company also undertakes infrastructure projects focusing on data centers, energy from waste, flood alleviation, ground engineering, infrastructure security, rail, remediation, renewable energy, roads and bridges, telecommunications, and water projects, as well as engages in the international infrastructure projects. In addition, it develops various building and infrastructure projects through public private partnerships; and provides a range of facilities management and maintenance services for organizations in the public and private sectors. Further, the company undertakes regeneration projects through partnership with the Homes and Com munities Agency. Galliford Try plc is based in Uxbridge, the United Kingdom.

Best US Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Baltia Air Lines Inc (BLTA)

Baltia Air Lines, Inc. (Baltia) focuses on providing scheduled air transportation from the United States to Russia and former Soviet Union countries. As of December 31, 2010, the Company�� principal activities included raising capital, obtaining route authority and approval from the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), training crews, and conducting market research to develop the Company's marketing strategy. Baltia operate as a Part 121 carrier, a heavy jet operator airline in the United States. As of December 31, 2010, Baltia conducted the FAA Air Carrier Certification process under Part 121. Baltia has identified the market segments in the United States and Russia market, which include Business Travelers, General Tourism, Ethnic Travelers, Special Interest Groups, Professional Exchanges, and Government and Diplomatic Travel.

Baltia has two registered trademarks, BALTIA and VOYAGER CLASS, and five trademarks are subject to registration. Baltia focuses on providing customer service and reservations centers in New York and in St. Petersburg, to list Baltia's schedules and tariffs in the Official Airline Guide, and provide worldwide access to reservations on Baltia's flights through a major Computer Reservations and Ticketing System (CRS). With the Boeing 747 true wide-body aircraft Baltia focuses on providing cargo service from JFK to St. Petersburg, offering containers, pallets, and block space arrangements. Baltia has passenger service and ground service arrangements at JFK and at Pulkovo II Airport in St. Petersburg.

The Company competes with Finnair, Lufthansa, SAS, KLM, British Airways, Air France, Austrian Airlines and Swissair.

Best US Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Marshalls(MSLH.L)

Marshalls plc, through its subsidiaries, engages in the design, manufacture, and supply of landscape, driveway, and garden products for use in construction, home improvement, and landscape projects to domestic, public sector, and commercial end markets primarily in the United Kingdom. The company provides various consumer landscape products, such as paving and walling products for use in domestic driveways, patios, greenhouses, and garages to home improvement and home building markets. It also offers a range of natural stone, concrete, and fabricated products, including paving, kerbs, edging, surface drainage products, and street furniture to public sector and commercial end markets that are used to transform landscapes in retail and industrial developments in new build, and repair and maintenance projects. The company?s customers include builders? merchant groups, independent builders? merchants, garden centers, contractors, local authorities, and domestic consumers. M arshalls plc is based in Huddersfield, the United Kingdom.

Best US Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Market Vectors ETF Trust Market Vectors India Small Cap Index ETF (SCIF)

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Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Ankush Shaw]

  Therefore the�Market Vectors India Small Cap ETF� (NYSEMKT: SCIF  ) , with an asset base of $90.39 million, could be a good option for investor. The ETF has a large allocation toward banks and the financial sector (20%), which is an added advantage, as the Indian financial sector would be the biggest beneficiary of the latest policies.

• [By Jon C. Ogg]

  Market Vectors India Small-Cap ETF (NYSEMKT: SCIF) is down 3.5% and hit a new 52-week low of $23.71 and its 52-week high was $46.60. This is now effectively down by 50%, and that is without any extreme leverage.

• [By Jon C. Ogg]

  The small-cap ETF for India is the Market Vectors India Small-Cap ETF (NYSEMKT: SCIF), and its gain is only 0.5% to $24.48, against a 52-week range of $22.25 to $46.60. The recovery here is only almost 9% when it is still trading at about half the price of its 52-week high.

• [By Jon C. Ogg]

  Market Vectors India Small-Cap ETF (NYSEMKT: SCIF) is down almost 3% at $22.38, and the new low was put in today, with its 52-week range now being $22.25 to $46.60. This one is now down over half from its high and without any extreme leverage other than holding smaller stocks.

Best US Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Chicago Rivet & Machine Co.(CVR)

Chicago Rivet & Machine Co. operates in the fastener industry in North America. It operates in two segments, Fasteners and Assembly Equipment. The Fasteners segment involves in the manufacture and sale of rivets, cold-formed fasteners and parts, and screw machine products. The Assembly Equipment segment engages in the manufacture of automatic rivet setting machines, automatic assembly equipment, and parts and tools. The company primarily sells its products to manufactures of automobiles and automotive components. Chicago Rivet & Machine Co. was founded in 1920 and is headquartered in Naperville, Illinois.

Best US Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Visa Inc.(V)

Visa Inc., a payments technology company, engages in the operation of retail electronic payments network worldwide. It facilitates commerce through the transfer of value and information among financial institutions, merchants, consumers, businesses, and government entities. The company owns and operates VisaNet, a global processing platform that provides transaction processing services. It also offers a range of payments platforms, which enable credit, charge, deferred debit, debit, and prepaid payments, as well as cash access for consumers, businesses, and government entities. The company provides its payment platforms under the Visa, Visa Electron, PLUS, and Interlink brand names. In addition, it offers value-added services, including risk management, issuer processing, loyalty, dispute management, value-added information, and CyberSource-branded services. The company is headquartered in San Francisco, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Mike Deane]

  On Wednesday, Visa (V) announced that it will be raising its quarterly dividend from 33 cents to 40 cents per share.

  Visa’s 21.2% dividend hike will bring the company’s annualized payout to $1.40. The dividend will be payable on December 3 to all shareholders on record as of November 15. The ex-dividend date is Novembers 13.

  Visa’s shares down $1.09, or 0.55%, at Wednesday’s market close, and were sinking lower in after-hours trading. The company’s stock is up 28.7% YTD.

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  After five days of losses, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.6% to 15,928.56, while the S&P 500�rose 0.6% t0 1,792.50, ending its three-day losing streak. The Dow got a boost from Pfizer (PFE), Visa (V) and General Electric (GE), while the S&P 500′s biggest winners included homebuilder DR Horton (DHI) and T. Rowe Price (TROW).

• [By Chris Hill]

  Shares of Visa (NYSE: V  ) rose to an all-time high on Thursday after the company reported stronger-than-expected second-quarter earnings. Should investors buy Visa, or is MasterCard (NYSE: MA  ) the better bet? In this installment of MarketFoolery, our analysts discuss Visa, MasterCard, PayPal, and the future of the payments industry.

• [By Rick Aristotle Munarriz]

  Alamy Companies can make brilliant moves, but there are also times when things don't work out quite as planned. From an underwhelming iPhone event to Pandora's new CEO, here's a rundown of the week's best and worst moves in the business world. Apple (AAPL) -- Loser Shares of the consumer tech giant had rallied heading into Tuesday's iPhone event, but the love didn't last. The stock began to sell off while Apple was still presenting its updated smartphones. There were no smartwatches, no high-def smart TVs, and no magical unicorns offered up at the presentation. The market was also unimpressed to find that the cheaper iPhone that everyone was hoping would make inroads into Android's 80 percent global market share wound up being just $100 cheaper than the new iPhone 5s. Apple only updates its iPhones annually, so it was also a letdown to see the company once again fail to produce phones with screens larger than four inches. Yes, Apple is spicing up the shell colors across both new iPhone lines, but the actual screens are too small compared to the larger Android devices that many consumers are choosing these days. Pandora (P) -- Winner The leading music streaming service had been searching for a new CEO for months, and it finally found one. Brian McAndrews -- who at one time ran digital marketing powerhouse aQuantive before selling it to Microsoft (MSFT) in a $6 billion deal -- will take control of the leading media platform that serves up 1.35 billion hours a month to its more than 72 million active listeners. It's a smart hire. Pandora didn't need a big terrestrial radio guru. Pandora isn't about content programming. It already has the technology in place that serves up timely music recommendations and adapts to a listeners preferences. Pandora's major challenge remains to monetize its growing airplay, and that's where McAndrews is the perfect fit for a fast-growing company that's just starting to impress marketers. The Dow -- Loser The Dow Jones Industr