Monday, March 31, 2014

Weekend Edition – Fear and Greed

I was traveling for much of this week and was able to connect with and see a lot of interesting people. While attending a ‘CEO Summit’ in New York City, I was able to connect with other CEOs, Venture Capitalists (VCs) and private equity types, as well as industry professionals like bankers, lawyers and accountants who can bring great perspective from both sides of the table. It was a great bunch of people doing interesting things, which creates a life sized, social Petri dish. It is always fascinating in those environments to see what grows, usually it’s relationships, the best kind of growth.

The event was a very well run, hosted in NYC’s vibrant Soho district and featured speakers of all types – first time entrepreneurs / CEOs, early and mid stage entrepreneurs who are on their 2nd, 3rd or 4th companies, entrepreneurs turned academics, data scientists, investors, successful entrepreneurs and even a few grizzled, successful entrepreneurs who had, at times, been unsuccessful. One thing that resonated with me, and as you know me–I can’t help but look at everything through the lens of an “investor”–was how two, raw, human emotions dominated the discussions – fear and greed.

Every presenter’s ideas, when distilled down to the one most dominant human emotion illicited, could have been bucketed as “fear or greed.”

Being Fearful Reminds Us of Downside Risk – That’s A Good Thing

For example, a presenter from a data firm shed light on the VC community and discussed the so-called tech-bubble we’re in. His stats seem to indicate that the quantity of “unicorns” (mythical, exceptionally hard to spot creatures), which had previously been defined a

Sunday, March 30, 2014

Unemployment Continue To Cripple 4 States

Unemployment in the United States dropped to 6.7% in February, well below the 10% level it reached at the worst of the Great Recession. While the figure is not as low as economist would like, it represents a rebound which, along with housing and consumer spending, has indicated a modest recovery. However, the unemployment rate has stayed above 8% in four states, and that number may not improve in the near future.

The jobless rates in California, Illinois, Nevada, and Rhode Island were higher than 8% last month, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. As a matter of fact, the figure was 9% in Rhode Island. The reasons for the high numbers and the lack of recovery vary from state to state.

Rhode Island relied on manufacturing and the financial industry for its prosperity. Some of the big banks which were based in Providence haves left or were bought by larger financial companies. The manufacturing sector was hurt as many jobs left the state for areas where costs were based on better efficiency. None of the jobs lost because of these trends is likely to be replaced soon.

California’s jobless rate is based to some extent on extremely high joblessness in the Central Valley, well inland from Los Angeles and San Francisco. While tech jobs have caused a rebound in the area around San Francisco, the downturn in agriculture jobs has left the unemployment rate above 10% in several inland cities which include Riverside and Fresno.

In Nevada, the collapse of the real estate market and the construction jobs which went with it plunged home prices by well over a third in some parts of the state. People who relied on the value of their homes for their net worth lost all of that equity in some cases. The recession also dented traffic to the casinos in Las Vegas.

Illinois stands as a reminder that heavy industry manufacturing jobs are gone and will probably not return. It is part of the crescent of states where car, steel and auto parts companies drove the economies, including Michigan, Ohio and Indiana. Some large cities in these areas have still not recovered. The best known of these is Detroit, which has been forced into Chapter 9 bankruptcy.

Unemployment in these four states will almost certainly stay higher than in the balance of the country, and the jobs the four states have lost may never come back

Friday, March 28, 2014

Best Oil Service Stocks To Watch Right Now

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Welcome to the Stock of the Day!

Best Oil Service Stocks To Watch Right Now: Sandridge Mississippian Trust II (SDR)

SandRidge Mississippian Trust II is a statutory trust formed to own overriding royalty interests to be conveyed to the trust by SandRidge Energy, Inc. (SandRidge) in 67 producing horizontal wells, including 13 wells, which are awaiting completion (the Producing Wells), in the Mississippian formation in northern Oklahoma and southern Kansas, and overriding royalty interests in 206 horizontal development wells (The Development Wells) to be drilled in the Mississippian formation (the Development Wells) on properties within an Area of Mutual Interest (the AMI). SandRidge is an independent oil and natural gas company engaged in the development and production activities related to the exploitation of its holdings in West Texas and the Mid-Continent area of Oklahoma and Kansas. The AMI, which is limited to the Mississippian formation, consists of approximately 81,200 gross acres (53,000 net acres) held by SandRidge. The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. is trustee (the Trustee), and The Corporation Trust Company is a Delaware Trustee (the Delaware Trustee).

The Mississippian formation is encountered at depths between approximately 4,000 feet and 7,000 feet and lies between the Pennsylvanian-aged Morrow formation and the Devonian-aged Woodford Shale formation. Effective as of January 1, 2012, the royalty interests was conveyed from SandRidge's interest in the Producing Wells and the Development Wells. The royalty interest in the Producing Wells (the PDP Royalty Interest) entitles the trust to receive 80% of the proceeds from the sale of production of oil and natural gas attributable to SandRidge's net revenue interest in the Producing Wells. The royalty interest in the Development Wells (the Development Royalty Interest) entitles the trust to receive 70% of the proceeds from the sale of oil and natural gas production attributable to SandRidge's net revenue interest in the Development Wells.

As of December 31, 2011, the total proved reserves estimated to be attributable to t! he trust were 26.1 million barrels of oil equivalent. This amount includes 10.2 million barrels of oil equivalent attributable to the PDP Royalty Interest and 15.9 million barrels of oil equivalent attributable to the Development Royalty Interest. The proved reserves consist of 46.8% oil and 53.2% natural gas. In addition, as of December 31, 2011, there were 9.8 million barrels of oil equivalent of probable reserves estimated to be attributable to the trust, all of which were attributable to the Development Royalty Interest. The probable reserves consist of 46.9% oil and 53.1% natural gas.

SandRidge will retain 20% of the proceeds from the sale of oil and natural gas attributable to its net revenue interest in the Producing Wells, as well as 30% of the proceeds from the sale of future production attributable to its net revenue interest in the Development Wells. SandRidge initially will own 48.2% of the trust units. SandRidge operates 79% of the Producing Wells. The completed Producing Wells and 121 other Mississippian wells outside of the AMI that have been completed by SandRidge have an average perforated length of approximately 4,200 feet. SandRidge Exploration and Production, LLC (SandRidge E&P), a wholly owned subsidiary of SandRidge, will grant to the trust a lien on its interests in the AMI.

The Underlying Properties are located in Noble, Kay, Alfalfa, Grant and Woods counties in northern Oklahoma and Harper, Comanche, Sumner and Barber counties in southern Kansas in the Mississippian formation, which is an expansive carbonate hydrocarbon system located on the Anadarko Shelf. The Mississippian formation can reach 1,000 feet in gross thickness and the targeted porosity zone is between 50 and 100 feet in thickness. As of December 31, 2011, there were approximately 43 horizontal rigs drilling in the formation, with 19 of those rigs drilling for SandRidge. As of December 31, 2011, SandRidge had approximately 1.5 million net acres leased in the Mississippian formation in north! ern Oklah! oma and Kansas.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Alexis Xydias]

    Schroders Plc (SDR) rose 1.3 percent to 2,183 pence after BNP raised its recommendation on Europe�� biggest independent money manager to outperform, similar to buy, from neutral. Exane cited Schroders��broad product range and ��trong ability to gain from any rotation into equities��as reasons for the upgrade.

  • [By Matt DiLallo]

    The problem here is that SandRidge has been�dependent�on asset sales and its running out of assets to sell. In addition to the Permian sale, SandRidge has now taken three royalty trusts public. One consisting of Permian Basin assets, SandRidge Permian Trust (NYSE: PER  ) and two consisting of Mississippian assets, SandRidge Mississippian Trust I (NYSE: SDT  ) and SandRidge Mississippian Trust II (NYSE: SDR  ) . While SandRidge still owns a portion of each trust, it likely will continue to sell off its ownership stake in each trust as well as other assets it still owns. At some point SandRidge will need to live within its oil and gas cash flows, otherwise, its not worth owning.�

  • [By Matt DiLallo]

    SandRidge Mississippian Trust I (NYSE: SDT  ) and Trust II (NYSE: SDR  )
    These trusts were created by SandRidge Energy (NYSE: SD  ) , with the first Mississippian Trust formed in 2010 and the second formed one year later. Both trusts own royalty interests in oil and gas properties targeting the Mississippian formation and have future upside as SandRidge drills wells as part of the areas of mutual interest.

Best Oil Service Stocks To Watch Right Now: Koss Corporation(KOSS)

Koss Corporation, together with its subsidiary, Koss Classics Ltd., designs, manufactures, and sells stereo headphones and related accessories primarily in the United States and Europe. It offers a line of high-fidelity stereo headphones, speaker-phones, computer headsets, telecommunications headsets, active noise canceling stereo headphones, wireless stereo headphones, and compact disc recordings of American Symphony Orchestras under the Koss Classics label. The company sells its products through national retailers, international distributors, audio specialty stores, the Internet, direct mail catalogs, regional department store chains, discount department stores, military exchanges, and prisons under the Koss name. It also sells its products to distributors for resale to school systems, and directly to other manufacturers. The company was founded in 1953 and is based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By John Udovich]

    Yesterday after the market closed, small cap audio stock Skullcandy Inc (NASDAQ: SKUL) reported earnings and began rising in after hours trading, meaning its worth taking a closer look at the stock along with the performance of other audio stocks like mid cap Harman International Industries Inc (NYSE: HAR) and small caps Koss Corporation (NASDAQ: KOSS) and Parametric Sound Corp (NASDAQ: PAMT). I should mention that in�late 2012, Skullcandy had the dubious distinction of being the market�� most shorted stock (see: Long Live the Shorts or the Short Squeeze? SKUL, AM & UBNT) with short�interest of 86.47% and there would still be a lot of shorts out there who might start feeling the squeeze (Note: SKUL is at least no longer on the HighShortInterest.com list)

  • [By Jason Rivera]

    Koss Corporation (KOSS) was no different because after looking over its balance sheet and profitability numbers I found substantial NOLs, little debt and reasonable profitability levels which usually are good signs that the company may be a good investment if the company is undervalued. This however is not an article about a company that I will ever invest in due to it being a grossly overvalued, dying company, which has major management concerns.

Top 5 Companies To Own For 2014: Aeropostale Inc (ARO)

Aeropostale, Inc., (Aeropostale), incorporated on September 1, 1995, is a mall-based, specialty retailer of casual apparel and accessories, principally targeting 14 to 17 year-old young women and men through its Aeropostale stores and 4 to 12 year-old kids through its P.S. from Aeropostale stores. P.S. from Aeropostale products can be purchased in P.S. from Aeropostale stores, in certain Aeropostale stores, and online at www.ps4u.com. As of January 28, 2012, it operated 986 Aeropostale stores, consisting of 918 stores in 50 states and Puerto Rico, 68 stores in Canada, as well as 71 P.S. from Aeropostale stores in 20 states. The Company designs, sources, markets and sells all of its own merchandise. In addition, pursuant to a licensing agreement, it operated 14 Aeropostale and P.S. from Aeropostale stores in Middle East and South East Asia. During March 2011, it announced that it had signed a second licensing agreement. The licensee to this agreement is focused to open approximately 30 stores in stores in Turkey over the next five years. In November 2012, the Company acquired online women's fashion footwear and apparel retailer GoJane.com (GoJane).

P.S. from Aeropostale offers casual clothing and accessories focusing on kids between the ages of 4 and 12. It�� P.S. from Aeropostale products are sold only at its stores and online through its e-commerce Websites, www.ps4u.com and www.aeropostale.com. The Company operates three street level stores in the New York City area. It also has a19,000 square foot Aeropostale store in the Times Square section of New York City. It offers both Aeropostale and P.S. from Aeropostale products in the Times Square store.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Brian Pacampara]

    The problem with fads is that they come to an end. Granted, Lululemon targeted an existing and fast growing core market of yoga enthusiasts who were not afraid to talk it up but over time, the company's growth depended more and more on the ordinary lady picking up a pair of well-fitting yoga pants for everyday wear. This might have signaled one of two things: 1) That the core market was saturated or 2) That the initial allure and exclusivity of the product was now broken.

    Product issues aside, management has not been stellar and I see an [Aeropostale (NYSE: ARO  ) ] situation brewing where a good company with great products gets distracted by management side-shows. �

  • [By Jake L'Ecuyer]

    Equities Trading DOWN
    Shares of Aeropostale (NYSE: ARO) were down 14.66 percent to $6.23 after the company posted a wider-than-expected fourth-quarter loss and signed a deal with Sycamore Partners for a 5% stake. The company issued weak forecast for the first quarter and also announced its plans to close 50 Aeropostale stores and 2 P.S. stores.

  • [By Jeremy Bowman]

    Reporting earnings after the bell, Aeropostale (NYSE: ARO  ) shares fell 4% after a 4% drop during regular trading. The teen retailer has had a forgettable 2013, and it only got worse with today's report as it delivered a per-share loss of $0.29, below estimates of a $0.24 loss. Revenues dropped 15.1% to $514.6 million, missing the consensus at $519.8 million, and comparable sales fell 15%, in line with the trend for the year. CEO Thomas Johnson said, "We were disappointed in our overall performance as customer adoption is occurring more slowly than we would like against the backdrop of a challenging retail environment." Fourth-quarter guidance was similarly terrible as the retailer sees a per-share loss of $0.24-$0.32. Aeropostale is in the midst of closing some stores and repositioning itself, but it's hard to believe in the turnaround at this point.

  • [By Laura Brodbeck]

    Next week investors will be waiting for several key earnings reports including Aeropostale Inc. (NYSE: ARO), Caesars Entertainment Corporation (NASDAQ: CZR), Vail Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: MTN), Williams-Sonoma, Inc (NYSE: WSM).

Best Oil Service Stocks To Watch Right Now: Kemper Corp (KMPR)

Kemper Corporation (Kemper), formerly Unitrin, Inc., incorporated in 1990, is a diversified insurance holding company, with subsidiaries that provide life, health, automobile, homeowners and other insurance products to individuals and small businesses. The Company is engaged, through its subsidiaries, in the property and casualty insurance, life and health insurance and automobile finance businesses. The Company conducts its operations through four operating segments: Kemper Preferred (Preferred), Unitrin Specialty (Specialty), Unitrin Direct (Direct) and Life and Health Insurance. On September 14, 2011, its subsidiary, Fireside Bank sold its loan portfolio to a subsidiary of Consumer Portfolio Services, Inc.

Property and Casualty Insurance Business

The Company's property and casualty insurance business operations are primarily conducted through the Preferred, Specialty and Direct segments. In addition, the Life and Health Insurance segment�� career agents also sell property insurance to its customers. Its insurance subsidiaries operating in the Preferred, Specialty and Direct segments provide automobile, homeowners, fire, and other types of property and casualty insurance to individuals and commercial automobile insurance to businesses. During the year ended December 31, 2011, automobile insurance in these segments accounted for 54% of its consolidated insurance premiums earned from continuing operations, and 47% of its consolidated revenues from continuing operations. During 2011, homeowners insurance in these segments accounted for 14% of its consolidated insurance premiums earned from continuing operations, and 11% of its consolidated revenues from continuing operations.

Preferred and Specialty segments distribute their products through independent agents who are paid commissions for their services. Direct segment distributes its products directly to consumers and through employer-sponsored voluntary benefit programs and other affinity relationships.! Preferred, based in Jacksonville, Florida, conducts business in 38 states and the District of Columbia. During 2011, the states, which provided over half of the premium revenues in Preferred segment included New York (19%), California (12%), North Carolina (13%) and Texas (10%). Preferred segment primarily sells preferred and standard risk automobile and homeowners insurance. During 2011, Preferred�� insurance products accounted for 53% of the aggregate insurance premium revenues of the Company�� property and casualty insurance business. Its products are marketed by approximately 2,700 independent insurance agents. Specialty, based in Dallas, Texas, conducts business in 21 states, principally in the southwest and western United States. During 2011, the states, which provided more than three-fourths of the premium revenues in Specialty segment included California (42%), Texas (18%), Washington (8%), Louisiana (4%) and Oregon (3%). Specialty provides personal and commercial automobile insurance. During 2011, Specialty�� insurance products accounted for 28% of the aggregate insurance premium revenues of the Company�� property and casualty insurance business. Specialty�� products are marketed through approximately 8,000 independent agents and brokers.

Direct, based in Chicago, Illinois, markets personal automobile, homeowners and renters insurance through a range of direct-to-consumer Websites, including its own Websites, marketing partners, employer and other affinity-sponsored relationships. The Direct segment�� automobile insurance products are available in 48 states and the District of Columbia. During 2011, the states, which provided approximately two-thirds of the premium revenues in Unitrin Direct segment included Florida (12%), New York (15%), California (10%), Texas (5%), Connecticut (5%), Michigan (8%), Pennsylvania (5%) and Georgia (5%). During 2011, Direct�� insurance products accounted for 14% of the aggregate insurance premium revenues of its property and casualty i! nsurance ! business.. Direct also offers homeowners and renters insurance across 47states and the District of Columbia, complementing its direct automobile insurance business. The Company manages its exposure to catastrophes and other natural disasters through a combination of geographical diversification, restrictions on the amount and location of new business production in certain regions, and reinsurance. To limit its exposures to catastrophic events, the Company maintains various primary catastrophe reinsurance programs for its property and casualty insurance businesses.

Life and Health Insurance Business

The Company�� Life and Health Insurance segment consists of Kemper�� wholly owned subsidiaries, United Insurance Company of America (United Insurance), The Reliable Life Insurance Company (Reliable), Union National Life Insurance Company (Union National Life), Mutual Savings Life Insurance Company (Mutual Savings Life), United Casualty Insurance Company of America (United Casualty), Union National Fire Insurance Company (Union National Fire), Mutual Savings Fire Insurance Company (Mutual Savings Fire) and Reserve National Insurance Company (Reserve National). As discussed below, United Insurance, Reliable, Union National Life, Mutual Savings Life, United Casualty, Union National Fire and Mutual Savings Fire (the Kemper Home Service Companies) distribute their products through a network of employee, or career, agents. Reserve National distributes its products through a network of exclusive independent agents. Both these career agents and independent agents are paid commissions for their services. During 2011, the states, which provided approximately two-thirds of the Life and Health Insurance segment�� premium revenues included Texas (21%), Louisiana (11%), Alabama (7%), Mississippi (6%), Illinois (4%), Florida (4%), Georgia (4%), Missouri (4%), and North Carolina (4%). During 2011, life insurance accounted for 18% of the Company�� consolidated insurance premiums earned from ! continuing! operations, and 16% of its consolidated revenues from continuing operations.

The Kemper Home Service Companies, based in St. Louis, Missouri, focus on providing individual life and health insurance products to customers of modest incomes who desire basic protection for themselves and their families. Their product is ordinary life insurance, including permanent and term insurance. Face amounts of these policies are lower than those of policies sold to higher income customers by other companies in the life insurance industry. Approximately 79% of the Life and Health Insurance segment�� premium revenues are generated by the Kemper Home Service Companies. The Life and Health Insurance segment�� career agents also distribute certain property insurance products. Reserve National, based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, is licensed in 35 states throughout the south, southwest and midwest, and specializes in the sale of Medicare Supplement insurance and limited health insurance coverages, such as fixed indemnity, dental and vision, and accident-only plans, primarily to individuals in rural areas where access to a multitude of health plan options is less prevalent.

The Company's life and health insurance companies utilize reinsurance arrangements. Included among the segment�� reinsurance arrangements is excess of loss reinsurance coverage specifically designed to protect against losses arising from catastrophic events under the property insurance policies distributed by the Kemper Home Service Companies��agents and written by Kemper�� subsidiaries, United Casualty, Union National Fire and Mutual Savings Fire, and reinsured by Kemper�� subsidiary, Trinity Universal Insurance Company (Trinity), or written by Capitol County Mutual Fire Insurance Company (Capitol), a mutual insurance company owned by its policyholders, and its subsidiary, Old Reliable Casualty Company (ORCC), and reinsured by Trinity.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Rich Duprey]

    The property and casualty business of insurance company Kemper� (NYSE: KMPR  ) has a new bean counter.

    On Monday, the Chicago-based insurance company�announced�that Elizabeth "Libbie" Bock�will take on the role of CFO for the P&C division, where she would be�responsible for all aspects of operations, reporting, control, planning and analysis, financial management, and competitive analysis.

Best Oil Service Stocks To Watch Right Now: Altera Corporation (ALTR)

Altera Corporation, a semiconductor company, designs, manufactures, and markets programmable logic devices (PLD), HardCopy application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) devices, pre-defined design building blocks, and associated development tools. Its PLDs consist of field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and complex programmable logic devices (CPLDs), which are semiconductor integrated circuits manufactured as standard chips that can be programmed to perform logic functions in electronic systems; and HardCopy structured ASIC devices that transition customer designs from high-density FPGAs to low-cost non-programmable implementations for volume production. The company?s products primarily include Stratix series high-end, system-level FPGAs; Arria series mid-range, transceiver-equipped FPGAs; Cyclone series low-cost FPGAs; MAX series CPLDs; and HardCopy ASICs. It also offers intellectual property cores that are pre-verified building blocks that execute system-level functio ns that is incorporated into the PLD design; and development tools consisting primarily of the Quartus II software for design entry, design compilation, design verification, and device programming. Altera Corporation serves customers primarily in the telecom and wireless, industrial automation, military and automotive, networking, and computer and storage markets. The company markets its products through a network of distributors, independent sales representatives, and direct sales personnel. It has operations in the Americas, the Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Japan. The company was founded in 1983 and is headquartered in San Jose, California.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Lauren Pollock]

    Altera Corp.'s(ALTR) third-quarter earnings dropped 24% as the chip maker’s sales sagged across most of its markets. Shares dropped 7% to $34.72 in light premarket trading.

Thursday, March 27, 2014

Top 10 Up And Coming Companies To Invest In Right Now

With shares of Sony (NYSE:SNE) trading around $18, is SNE an OUTPERFORM, WAIT AND SEE, or STAY AWAY? Let�� analyze the stock with the relevant sections of our CHEAT SHEET investing framework.

T = Trends for a Stock’s Movement

Sony is involved in the electronics, games, entertainment, and financial businesses. The company operates in several different segments: Consumer Products Services, Professional Device Solutions, Movie, Music, Finance, Mobile, and Other. Through its segments, Sony is able to provide a wide range of products and services. These products include televisions, cameras, personal computers, game consoles, navigation systems, audio and video equipment, software, phones, and media platforms. The company brings new technologies to the hands of your average player as well as professional users. Look for Sony to continue to be a top choice for avid technology adopters worldwide.

Sales of Sony�� PlayStation 4 recently reached 2.1 million units worldwide, temporarily giving it bragging rights over Microsoft�� (NASDAQ: MSFT) Xbox. Given that the PS4 just launched and that the holiday season is critical to console sales, the news has to be among the best that the battered Japanese consumer electronics company has issued in a very long time.

Top 10 Up And Coming Companies To Invest In Right Now: SOHM Inc (SHMN)

SOHM, Inc. is a global generic pharmaceutical manufacturer, developer and marketer having a range of products, covering the therapeutic segments. The Company has its presence in healthcare segments, such as nutraceuticals, dermatology and all other therapeutic segments.

The Company�� generic pharmaceuticals are exported globally with a focus on distribution in Africa, Latin America and Southeast Asia. The Company�� products has presence in analgesic, anti-flammatory, drops, suspensions, vitamins and tonics, antibiotics, beta-lactum antibiotics, injections, syrups, anti-cold, capsules, nutraceutical and tablets.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Peter Graham]

    Small cap stocks VizStar Inc (OTCMKTS: VIZS), SOHM Inc (OTCMKTS: SHMN) and American Soil Technologies, Inc (OTCMKTS: SOYL) have been getting some attention in various investment newsletters with two out of three of these stocks being the subject of paid promotions. However, there is nothing wrong with some paid for attention so long as everything is properly disclosed, but its going to be up to investors and traders alike to ultimately decide whether any of these stocks have what it takes to be the next hot stock. With that in mind, here is a quick reality check about all three small cap stocks:

Top 10 Up And Coming Companies To Invest In Right Now: Red Fork Energy Ltd (RDFEY)

Red Fork Energy Limited is an independent oil and gas exploration and production company focused in the midcontinent of the United States. The Company�� Big River project is exploiting the oil and liquids rich gas bearing Mississippi limestone formation (the Mississippi Play). The Company�� East Oklahoma project is located east of Tulsa in Oklahoma. The Company�� subsidiaries include Red Fork (USA) Investments, Inc. and EastOK Pipeline LLC. Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Sally Jones] urrent RDFEY share price is 3.69, or 53.6% off the 52-week high of $7.95.

    Down 49% over 12 months, RDFEY has a market cap of $164.78 million, and trades at a P/B of 1.40.

    Red Fork Energy Limited is engaged in shale gas and oil exploration and production in USA. Red Fork Energy has a large landholding in Oklahoma with producing oil and gas fields, as well as highly prospective development acreage. The company has positioned itself in a premier on-shore, horizontal oil resource play, with a large and growing position in the Mississippi Lime oil and gas play.

    The company reported second quarter 2013 financial results with record sales of $6.985 million for the quarter, representing a 72.5%% increase from the previous quarter. The company had record gross production of 174.8 million barrels oil equivalents, a 33.4% increase from the previous quarter.

    Revenue and net income tracking:

10 Best Low Price Stocks To Buy Right Now: Owens & Minor Inc.(OMI)

Owens & Minor, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides distribution, third-party logistics, and other supply-chain management services to healthcare providers and suppliers of medical and surgical products. Its services include logistics, supplier management, analytics inventory management, outsourced resource management, clinical supply management, and business process consulting. The company also offers various services comprising PANDAC, an operating room-focused inventory management program that helps healthcare providers to control suture and endo-mechanical inventory; SurgiTrack, a customizable surgical supply service that includes the assembly and delivery of surgical supplies in procedure-based totes; OMSolutions, a supply-chain consulting, customer technology, and resource management service; and WISDOM Gold, an Internet-based supply spend management, data normalization, and contract management solution. In addition, it provides Clinical Supply Solutions, a n inventory and contract management service; and Implant Purchase Manager, a technology-based service, as well as owns OM HealthCare Logistics, a customized third-party logistics and business process outsourcing service. Further, the company distributes medical and surgical supplies to the acute-care market. It serves federal government, including the U.S. department of defense; and alternate-site providers, such as ambulatory surgery centers, physicians? practices, clinics, home healthcare organizations, nursing homes, and rehabilitation facilities, as well as provides distribution and supply-chain management services that include third-party logistics and business process outsourcing services to manufacturers of medical and surgical products. Owens & Minor, Inc. was founded in 1882 and is headquartered in Mechanicsville, Virginia.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Seth Jayson]

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

  • [By Marc Bastow]

    Third-party logistics services provider Owens & Minor (OMI) raised its quarterly dividend 4.2% to 25 cents per share, payable March 31 to shareholders of record as of March 17.
    OMI Dividend Yield: 2.82%

  • [By Dividends4Life]

    Memberships and Peers: CAH is a member of the S&P 500, a Dividend Aristocrat and a member of the Broad Dividend Achievers��Index. The company's peer group includes: AmerisourceBergen Corporation (ABC) with a 1.3% yield, McKesson Corporation (MCK) with a 0.6% yield and Owens & Minor Inc. (OMI) with a 2.5% yield.

Top 10 Up And Coming Companies To Invest In Right Now: NPS Pharmaceuticals Inc.(NPSP)

NPS Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, focuses on the development of therapeutic products for gastrointestinal and endocrine disorders, and various medical needs. The company?s primary clinical programs include two therapeutic peptides to restore or replace biological functions comprising GATTEX, a Phase 3 clinical trial product for short bowel syndrome; and Natpara, a recombinant human parathyroid hormone 1-84, which is in Phase 3 clinical development trials. It also develops NPSP790 and NPSP795 calcilytic compounds that are in Phase I trials for the treatment of rare endocrine disorders. The company has collaborative and license agreements with Amgen Inc., Janssen, GlaxoSmithKline, Kyowa Hakko Kirin, and Nycomed Danmark ApS. NPS Pharmaceuticals, Inc. was founded in 1986 and is based in Bedminster, New Jersey.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Eric Volkman]

    NPS Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: NPSP  ) will be in excess of $80 million richer in the very near future if its new public common stock offering is successful. The company has priced the previously announced, 6-million-share issue at $14.53 per share. All told, this should yield gross proceeds of just over $87 million.

  • [By Bryan Murphy]

    With just a quick look from a distance, NPS Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:NPSP) looks like great stock. NPSP shares are up more than 200% year-to-date, even with the lull since the end of September. And, it looks like the media (as well as the market) has completely fallen in love with the company's flagship drug. As they say though, nothing lasts forever, and there are too many of the telltale signs that say this story-driven biotech runup has run its course and is ready to reverse.

  • [By Ben Levisohn]

    Markey rates the stock a Buy with an $11 price target. Shares of MannKind have jumped 14% to $7.85 today. The SPDR Biotech ETF (XBI) has gained 0.7% to $119.85 today, while Alnylam Pharmaceuticals (ALNY) has gained 1% to $49.05, NPS Pharmaceuticals (NPSP) has fallen 4.1% to $23.56, and InterMune (ITMN) has risen 2.6% to $14.89.

Top 10 Up And Coming Companies To Invest In Right Now: iShares MSCI Spain Capped ETF (ISVS)

iShares MSCI Spain Index Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of publicly traded securities in the aggregate in the Spanish market, as measured by the MSCI Spain Index (the Index). The Index seeks to measure the performance of the Spanish equity market. The Index is a capitalization-weighted index that aims to capture 85% of the (publicly available) total market capitalization. Component companies are adjusted for available float and must meet objective criteria for inclusion in the Index. The Index is reviewed quarterly.

The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. The Fund�� investment advisor is Barclays Global Fund Advisors.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By abirk]

    This San Jose, Calif.-based company offers a line of software and services used by professionals, marketers, knowledge workers, application developers, enterprises and consumers for creating, managing, delivering, measuring and engaging with content and experiences across multiple operating systems, devices and media. Adobe has three business segments: Digital Media, Digital Marketing, and Print and Publishing. The company distributes its products through a network of distributors, value-added resellers (VARs), systems integrators, independent software vendors (ISVs), retailers, and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

Top 10 Up And Coming Companies To Invest In Right Now: NiSource Inc (NI)

NiSource Inc. (NiSource), incorporated on March 29, 2000, is an energy holding company whose subsidiaries provide natural gas, electricity and other products and services to approximately 3.8 million customers located within a corridor that runs from the Gulf Coast through the Midwest to New England. NiSource operates in three business segments: Gas Distribution Operations; Gas Transmission and Storage Operations, and Electric Operations. NiSource�� principal subsidiaries include Columbia Energy Group (Columbia), a vertically-integrated natural gas distribution, transmission and storage holding company whose subsidiaries provide service to customers in the Midwest, the Mid-Atlantic and the Northeast; Northern Indiana Public Service Company (Northern Indiana), a vertically-integrated gas and electric company providing service to customers in northern Indiana, and Bay State Gas Company (Columbia of Massachusetts), a natural gas distribution company serving customers in Massachusetts.

NiSource Finance Corporation (NiSource Finance) is a 100% owned, consolidated finance subsidiary of NiSource. NiSource Finance engages in financing activities to raise funds for the business operations of NiSource and its subsidiaries.

Gas Distribution Operations

NiSource�� natural gas distribution operations serve more than 3.3 million customers in seven states and operate approximately 58 thousand miles of pipeline. Through its wholly owned subsidiary, Columbia, NiSource owns five distribution subsidiaries that provide natural gas to approximately 2.2 million residential, commercial and industrial customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Kentucky, and Maryland. NiSource also distributes natural gas to approximately 795 thousand customers in northern Indiana. Additionally, NiSource�� subsidiary, Columbia Gas of Massachusetts, distributes natural gas to approximately 298 thousand customers in Massachusetts.

Gas Transmission and Storage Operations

NiSou! rce�� Gas Transmission and Storage Operations subsidiaries own and operate approximately 15,000 miles of pipeline and operate a natural gas storage system capable of storing approximately 639 billion cubic feet of natural gas. Through its subsidiaries, Columbia Gas Transmission L.L.C. (Columbia Transmission), Columbia Gulf Transmission Company (Columbia Gulf) and Crossroads Pipeline Company (Crossroads Pipeline), NiSource owns and operates an interstate pipeline network extending from the Gulf of Mexico to New York and the eastern seaboard. Together, these companies serve customers in 16 northeastern, mid-Atlantic, midwestern and southern states and the District of Columbia. NiSource Midstream Services is an unregulated business that is a provider of midstream services, including gathering, treating, conditioning, processing, compression and liquids handling, as well as managing mineral rights positions in the Marcellus and Utica shale areas.

The Gas Transmission and Storage Operations subsidiaries are also engaged in two joint ventures, Millennium Pipeline Company, L.L.C. (Millennium) and Hardy Storage Company, L.L.C. (Hardy Storage). Millennium Pipeline, which includes 252 miles of 30-inch-diameter pipe across New York�� Southern Tier and lower Hudson Valley, has the capability to transport up to 525,400 dekatherm per day of natural gas to markets along its route, as well as to the New York City markets through its pipeline interconnections. Millennium is jointly owned by affiliates of NiSource, DTE Energy and National Grid. Hardy Storage, which consists of underground natural gas storage facilities in West Virginia, has a working storage capacity of 12 billion cubic feet and the ability to deliver 176,000 dekatherm of natural gas per day. Hardy Storage is a joint venture of subsidiaries of Columbia Transmission and Piedmont Natural Gas Company, Inc. (Piedmont).

Electric Operations

NiSource generates, transmits and distributes electricity through its subsidia! ry Northe! rn Indiana Public Service Company (Northern Indiana) to approximately 458 thousand customers in 20 counties in the northern part of Indiana and engages in electric wholesale and transmission transactions. Northern Indiana operates three coal-fired electric generating stations. The three operating facilities have a net capability of 2,574 megawatts. Northern Indiana also owns and operates Sugar Creek, a Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) plant with a 535 megawatts capacity rating, four gas-fired generating units located at Northern Indiana�� coal-fired electric generating stations with a net capability of 203 megawatts and two hydroelectric generating plants with a net capability of 10 megawatts. These facilities provide for a total system operating net capability of 3,322 megawatts. Northern Indiana�� transmission system, with voltages from 69,000 to 345,000 volts, consists of 2,797 circuit miles. Northern Indiana is interconnected with five neighboring electric utilities.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Lauren Pollock]

    NiSource Inc.(NI) said its fourth-quarter profit rose 13% as all three of the utility company’s segments posted revenue growth. But the top line missed estimates.

Top 10 Up And Coming Companies To Invest In Right Now: BioFuel Energy Corp.(BIOF)

BioFuel Energy Corp. produces and sells ethanol and its co-products in the United States. The company offers dried and wet distillers grains with solubles, corn oil, and carbon dioxide. It operates 2 ethanol production facilities located in Wood River, Nebraska and Fairmont, Minnesota with a combined production capacity of approximately 220 million gallons per year. The company sells its products to independent third party marketers and distributors. The company was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in Denver, Colorado.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Roberto Pedone]

    BioFuel Energy (BIOF) is engaged in the production and sale of ethanol and its co-products through its two ethanol production facilities located in Nebraska and Minnesota. This stock closed up 9.4% to $4.04 in Tuesday's trading session.

    Tuesday's Range: $3.69-$4.04

    52-Week Range: $2.70-$10.75

    Tuesday's Volume: 152,000

    Three-Month Average Volume: 57,949

    From a technical perspective, BIOF soared higher here back above its 50-day moving average of $3.76 with above-average volume. This move is quickly pushing shares of BIOF within range of triggering a major breakout trade. That trade will hit if BIOF manages to take out some near-term overhead resistance levels at $3.99 to $4.12 with high volume. At last check, BIOF hit an intraday high of $4.04 and volume was well above its three-month average action of 57,949 shares.

    Traders should now look for long-biased trades in BIOF as long as it's trending above its 50-day at $3.76 or above more near-term support at $3.50 and then once it sustains a move or close above those breakout levels with volume that hits near or above 57,949 shares. If that breakout hits soon, then BIOF will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at its 200-day of $4.63 to $5.19. Any high-volume move above $5.19 will then put $5.50 to $6 within range for shares of BIOF.

Top 10 Up And Coming Companies To Invest In Right Now: Green Dot Corporation (GDOT)

Green Dot Corporation operates as a bank holding company. It offers general purpose reloadable prepaid debit cards, and cash loading and transfer services in the United States. The company�s products include Green Dot MasterCard, Visa-branded prepaid debit cards, and various co-branded reloadable prepaid card programs; Visa-branded gift cards; and MoneyPak and swipe reload proprietary products that enable cash loading and transfer services through its Green Dot Network. Its Green Dot Network enables consumers to use cash to reload its prepaid debit cards or to transfer cash to any of the company�s Green Dot Network acceptance members, including competing prepaid card programs, and other online accounts. The company markets its cards and financial services to banked, underbanked, and unbanked consumers. Green Dot Corporation offers its products and services through retail distributors, including mass merchandisers, drug store and convenience store chains, and supermarket chains; the Internet; and relationships with other businesses. Its prepaid debit cards and prepaid reload services are available to consumers at approximately 60,000 retail locations nationwide and online at greendot.com. The company was formerly known as Next Estate Communications, Inc. and changed its name to Green Dot Corporation in October 2005. Green Dot Corporation was incorporated in 1999 and is headquartered in Pasadena, California.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Dan Newman]

    Even with Radiohead's questionable outcome with the scheme,�Green Dot's� (NYSE: GDOT  ) GoBank, launched in January, is offering checking accounts where its members decide what to pay as a monthly fee, between $0 and $9. Does this make any sense for the company to think customers will voluntarily pay?

Top 10 Up And Coming Companies To Invest In Right Now: Nordic American Tanker Ltd (NAT)

Nordic American Tankers Limited is an international tanker company. As of December 31, 2011, the Company owned 20 Suezmax tankers. The Company�� vessels include Nordic Harrier, Nordic Hawk, Nordic Hunter, Nordic Voyager, Nordic Freedom, Nordic Fighter, Nordic Discovery, Nordic Saturn, Nordic Jupiter, Nordic Apollo and Nordic Moon. Its vessels also include Nordic Cosmos, Nordic Sprite, Nordic Grace, Nordic Mistral, Nordic Passat, Nordic Vega, Nordic Breeze, Nordic Aurora and Nordic Zenith. In September 2011, the Company acquired the vessel, Nordic Aurora. It chartered all of its vessels in the spot market pursuant to a cooperative arrangement with Gemini Tankers LLC until November 24, 2011. In November 2011, the Orion Tankers pool was established with Orion Tankers Ltd. as pool manager and its vessels were transferred from the Gemini Tankers LLC arrangement to the Orion Tankers pool. On December 17, 2012, the Company acquired 100% interest in Scandic American Shipping Ltd. Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Roberto Pedone]

    Another shipping player that's starting to trend within range of triggering a near-term breakout trade is Nordic American Tankers (NAT), an international tanker company that owns approximately 20 modern double-hull Suezmax tankers, including four newbuilding vessels. This stock is off to a slow start in 2013, with shares off by 7.7%.

    If you take a look at the chart for Nordic American Tankers, you'll notice that this stock has been downtrending badly for the last month and change, with shares dropping from its high of $10.31 to its recent low of $7.65 a share. During that downtrend, shares of NAT have been consistently making lower highs and lower lows, which is bearish technical price action. That said, shares of NAT have just started to bounce higher off that $7.65 low and it's quickly moving within range of triggering a near-term breakout trade. This bounce could be signaling that the downside volatility for NAT is over at least in the near-term.

    Market players should now look for long-biased trades in NAT if it manages to break out above its 50-day moving average at $8.50 and then once it takes out its 200-day moving average at $8.63 a share with high volume. Look for a sustained move or close above those levels with volume that registers near or above its three-month average volume of 1.01 million shares. If that breakout triggers soon, then NAT will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at $9.89 to $10.31 a share.

    Traders can look to buy NAT off any weakness to anticipate that breakout and simply use a stop that sits right below some key near-term support at $7.65 a share. One can also buy NAT 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.

Top 10 Up And Coming Companies To Invest In Right Now: Telstra Corporation Ltd (TLSYY.PK)

Telstra Corporation Limited (Telstra) telecommunications and information services company providing telecommunications and information services for domestic and international customers. The Company operates in nine segments: Telstra Consumer and Country Wide (TC&CW); Telstra Business (TB); Telstra Enterprise and Government (TE&G); Telstra Wholesale (TW); Telstra Media Group; Telstra International Group; TelstraClear; Telstra Operations and Other. On July 6, 2011, Telstra announced changes to its organisational structure. Effective August 1, 2011, the entire sales and retail customer service workforce, was unified in a single business unit, Telstra Customer Sales and Service, responsible for sales and services to all segments, including consumer, business, enterprise and government customers. On March 27, 2012, the Company sold its 67% shareholding in Dotad Media Holdings Limited, and on July 21, 2011, it sold its 64.4% shareholding in Adstream (Aust) Pty Ltd. On 17 May 2012, the Company acquired an additional 11% interest in Autohome Inc. Effective August 22, 2013, Telstra Corp Ltd acquired NSC Group, a provider of industrial automation services. In November 2013, Telstra Corporation Limited increased its Autohome shareholding from 66% to 71.5%. Effective January 21, 2014, Telstra Corp Ltd acquired O2 Networks, a developer of data networking and network security software.

Telstra Consumer and Country Wide

The TC&CW segment is responsible for providing the full range of telecommunication products, services and solutions (across Mobiles, Fixed and Wireless Broadband, Telephony and Pay TV) to consumer customers in metropolitan, regional, rural and remote areas of Australia. This is achieved through inbound and outbound call centres, Telstra Shops (owned and licensed), Telstra Dealers and Telstra Digital. Telstra Digital is responsible for delivering self service capabilities for all Telstra customers, across all phases of the customer experience from browsing to buying and bill ! and service requests.

Telstra Business (TB)

TB is responsible for providing Australia's small to medium enterprises. It provides a range of telecommunications products, services and solutions, including the latest in cloud computing.

Telstra Enterprise and Government (TE&G)

TE&G is responsible for provision of network services and applications and integrated voice, data and mobile solutions. It provides these solutions via Telstra Next Generation Services to enterprise and government customers.

Telstra Operations (TOps)

TOps is responsible for overall planning, design, engineering and architecture of Telstra networks, technology and information technology; construction of infrastructure for its Company's fixed, mobile, Internet protocol (IP) and data networks; delivery of customer services across these networks; operation, assurance and maintenance, including activation and restoration of these networks, and supply and delivery of informationtechnology solutions to support its products, services, customer support functions and its internal needs. It also delivers network-centric professional services, managed services and outsourcing services for Telstra customers.

Telstra Wholesale (TW)

TW is responsible for the provision of a range of telecommunication products and services delivered over Telstra networks and associated support systems to non-Telstra branded carriers, carriage service providers and Internet service providers. Telstra Wholesale also provides services to NBN Co Limited.

Telstra Media Group (TMG)

TMG is responsible for the management and growth of the domestic directories and advertising business, including print, voice and digital directories, digital mapping and satellite navigation, digital display advertising and business information services. This includes the management of Yellow Pages, White Pages, Whereis, Citysearch, 1234 and Quotify. It also mana! ges of it! s investment in Digital Media content, services and applications, including Trading Post, Telstra Advertising Network, BigPond content including music, movies, sport and games, Internet Protocol television (IPTV), online portals and the FOXTEL partnership.

Telstra International Group (TIG)

TI is responsible for managing Telstra�� assets outside Australia and New Zealand. It includes CSL New World Mobility Limited, which is its 76.4% owned Hong Kong-based subsidiary in, responsible for providing full mobile services, including handset sales, voice and data products to the Hong Kong market. These services are delivered over CSL�� third generation (3G) and 4G Long Term Evolution networks. Its mainland China business provides digital media services in auto, IT and consumer electronics (this includes the Autohome and Sequel IT businesses). Its managed services and international connectivity business, provides managed network services, international data and voice, and satellite across Asia Pacific, China, India, Europe, and Africa.

TelstraClear

TClear is the Company�� New Zealand subsidiary. TClear is responsible for providing full telecommunications services to the New Zealand market.

Telstra Innovation, Products and Marketing

TIPM is responsible for innovation, product, promotion and pricing across Telstra. TIPM is also responsible for the overall brand, sponsorship, promotion and advertising direction of Telstra, as well as maintaining industry analyst relations and embedding market-based management across the Company. This is done by delivering data-driven customer insights that put the customer at the centre of everything Telstra does.

Corporate areas

Corporate areas provides operational and strategic legal support and advice across the Company; manages Telstra's public policy and communications; provides the functions of corporate

planning, accounting and administration, treasury, risk ma! nagement ! and assurance, investor relations, mergers and acquisitions and corporate strategy. The segment also supports in organisational design and change, implementation of people and culture initiatives, leadership development, talent and succession management, health, safety and wellbeing, professional development, workplace relations and all employment and remuneration policies. The segment provides the functions of credit management, billing and procurement.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By David Hunkar]

    Current Dividend Yield: 4.91%
    Sector: Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels
    Country: Italy

    Company: Telstra Corp Ltd (TLSYY.PK)

    Current Dividend Yield: 6.43%
    Sector: Telecom
    Country: Australia

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Darden Leaves Investors Wondering

Darden Restaurants (NYSE: DRI  ) reported quarterly results late last week, and the numbers were pretty much as expected, with lower profit and rough same-store sales figures. For investors, the focus should not be on these short-term trends but the long-term trajectory of the business. The sale of Red Lobster continues to generate controversy, both from existing shareholders and outside pundits. The company is spending big money on a revamp plan, trying to juice up its mature, slow-growing assets (mainly Olive Garden) while accelerating the expansion of its appetizing ones. There is so much potential here for the world's largest casual-service restaurant business, but management has not delivered in recent times. Is that about to change?

Quick recap
The last quarter's numbers were predictably sour, and the coming periods likely won't be much better. Due to a combination of intense winter weather and recurring weakness in the middle-market chains Olive Garden and Red Lobster, Darden's profit dropped roughly 20% to $0.82 per share. Sales declined marginally -- just 1% -- illuminating the expenses that the company has incurred in trying to get things on the right foot, including divestiture of more than 700 Red Lobsters.

Management did investors the favor of factoring out the winter weather effects, as they skew the numbers. On a same-store sales basis, Red Lobster predictably led the downward charge with a 6.2% drop, with Olive Garden dropping 2.8%. LongHorn Steakhouse and the Specialty Restaurant Group (The Capital Grille, Yard House, Eddie V's, among others) posted another round of positive comps, again adjusted for the weather. The former grew store-level sales 2.9%, while the latter posted a smaller 1.9% bump.

Darden's current conditions are pretty much the same as they have been for some time. With such a broad reach in restaurant concepts and at different stages of growth, management is trying to figure out what it takes to reenergize the middle-market properties and allow the higher-market ones to truly exhibit their strength. It's been an expensive process with little in the way of results. The biggest news came at the end of last year, when management announced its intentions to divest Red Lobster. At first glance, the move seemed a sound enough idea -- shed the weakest link. But considering how poorly the stores are performing, the sale likely won't reflect an appealing valuation. Some believe that the company should make a more concentrated effort to revitalize the brand or organize the business differently.

Out of focus
It's an old thesis at this point, but Darden simply lacks focus. It is such an enormous business with amazing ability to scale its fast-growing assets. Starboard Capital, one of the activist investor groups in the stock, basically seeks a three-way split for Darden's operations -- real estate, lousy restaurants, good restaurants. While it, too, is a simplistic cure for the company's problems, it would at least allow for the star assets to wow the market. A more focused management team could take over Red Lobster and Olive Garden, and then hopefully figure out what to do with it. Though, without the underlying real estate, continued poor performance at these two chains could spell big-time disaster and the ultimate destruction of shareholder value.

The company would be a potential buy at a lower price, but the market appears to maintain a good amount of faith in Darden's long-term prospects. At roughly 18 times forward earnings, the stock values the company as a grower. Management may be headed toward more activist investor headwinds, meaning expensive proxy battles at worst. Investors are best to let this one simmer for a bit, and perhaps drop in price, before buying into the long-term prospects.

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Monday, March 24, 2014

How Bad are Analysts at Forecasting Commodity Prices? Really Bad

Pick a mining stock, any mining stock, and there’s a very good chance that its future earnings are highly dependent on commodity prices. Rio Tinto (RIO) and Vale (VALE)? That’s iron ore. Freeport McMoRan Copper & Gold (FCX)? That’s copper. Alcoa (AA)? That’s aluminum.

Reuters

The problem: Analysts are really bad at predicting commodity prices, which inevitably leads to earnings forecasts being wrong as well. Bernstein’s Paul Gait and team explain:

Top 5 Gold Stocks To Own For 2014

Over the last ten years, consensus has been the best at forecasting prices for aluminium, zinc and nickel and the worst at forecasting copper, iron ore, gold and silver. The average error over a 1 year time frame for aluminium has been 4%, and over a 2 year period 5%. For Zinc this is 2% and 4%, Nickel 5% and 3%. By contrast, the error on the copper forecast has averaged -7% and -19% and iron ore -8% and -21% for 1 and 2 year horizons, respectively. This suggests that a counter consensus view on aluminium, zinc and nickel prices is unlikely to be the correct course of action, while it for copper and iron ore one has to be contrarian to stand any chance of being right. In other words, the pricing dynamic of aluminium, zinc and nickel appears to be well understood while the market still finds copper and iron ore opaque.

The upshot: While “it is hard to justify a call on the value of aluminium, zinc and nickel equities based on a commodity call, while it is imperative to do so for iron ore and copper,” Gait says.

Gait believes that iron and copper stocks have the most upside, with his favorite being Rio Tinto. “To like Rio Tinto, one simply has to disbelieve that the bear scenario for iron ore prices will not play out in quite the simple way that current negative sentiment indicates,” he says. Gait, meanwhile, has concerns about the use of capital at Vale.

Shares of Rio Tinto have gained 1.6% to $52.59, while Vale has advanced 2.2% to $12.92, Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold has dropped 0.6% to $30.89 and Alcoa is up 0.9% to $11.94.

Sunday, March 23, 2014

GM, experts say latest crash death tally…

General Motors says it cannot rule out that more than 12 fatalities will ultimately be linked to the problem in cars it recalled last month, but it also says that a death toll of 303 being floated by the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) is "pure speculation" based on unreliable data.

"If, in the course of our internal review, we identify any others, we will, of course, promptly bring that to the attention of the regulators," GM spokesman Greg Martin said.

Warnings against taking that number seriously also come from auto-safety specialists at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and, indirectly, from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The problem is that the 303 tally in a CAS-commissioned study relies upon, and may strain the limitations of, data in the federal Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS). It's a federal database, managed by NHTSA, that collects information supplied by local and state police agencies who responded to crashes.

Reports on air-bag performance, the key safety issue in the GM ignition switch recall, seem to be particularly problematic. An extensive 2009 IIHS study looking at air bags deployment found that front air-bag malfunctions "appear to be relatively uncommon and far less frequent that suggested by FARS data."

The death toll in the CAS study was culled from FARS data on 2003-2007 Saturn Ion and 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt compact sedans that make up most of the 1.62 million cars and six models that GM recalled last month. The center hired Friedman Research to pick out fatalities in which front air bags did not deploy.

Only rear-end crashes were excluded, which means that total almost certainly includes crashes where the front bags were not supposed to deploy, such as side crashes, rollovers and cases where vehicles drove under higher vehicles such as semi-tractor trailers.

Clarence Ditlow, head of the CAS, agrees that FARS lacks "that level of detail." The point of using the number, he says, is to ! make the point that "NHTSA has to get the actual police reports and send out investigators."

Front bags are designed to inflate only when sensors detect an abrupt, dramatic front impact. The force of the bag itself can injure people, making it important to keep them from inflating unnecessarily.

"Most people don't know when the front air bag is supposed to deploy. Their expectations are incorrect," says Sean Kane, safety researcher who works mainly for lawyers.

GM acknowledges it knew of a problem with the ignition switches as early as 2001. NHTSA is demanding the automaker explain why it only now conducted the recall.

GM's recall is for ignition switches that can slip out of normal "run" position, shutting off the engine and cutting power to air bags and other safety systems. GM says it knows of 31 frontal crashes in which 12 people died as an apparent result of the flaw.

NHTSA says it "uses a variety of tools to evaluate the more than 40,000 complaints it receives each year, including special crash investigations, searches for similar complaints and comparisons to other vehicles. In this case, the data available to NHTSA at the time did not contain sufficient evidence of a possible safety defect trend that would warrant the agency opening a formal investigation."

Saturday, March 22, 2014

Top 5 Undervalued Companies To Own In Right Now

Top 5 Undervalued Companies To Own In Right Now: Schlumberger N.V.(SLB)

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

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Lee Jackson]

    Schlumberger Ltd. (NYSE: SLB) is a top mega cap oil field services stock rated as an Overweight at Baird. Strong offshore drilling activity combined with a seasonal rebound in western Canadian activity have driven Schlumberger’s recent growth. The company said it expects double-digit earnings growth for the rest of the year when it reported earnings recently. For 2014 and beyond, Schlumberger sees five markets providing strong growth: Russia, Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, China and Australia. Shareholders are paid a 1.8% dividend. The consensus price target is $110.83. Schlumberger closed Thursday at $91.11.

  • [By Jim Jubak]

    But it just doesn't seem to matter for Schlumberger (SLB). Schlumberger is a member of my Jubak's Picks portfolio.

    On January 17, the oil services and technology company reported fourth quarter earnings of $1.35 a share, beating Wall Street estimates by two cents a share. Earnings grew by 29.8% year over year.

  • source from Top Stocks Blog:http://www.topstocksblog.com/top-5-undervalued-companies-to-own-in-right-now.html

Thursday, March 20, 2014

S&P 500 Listing, Starbucks Deal Are a Double Shot for Keurig

Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Inc. Products Ahead Of Earns Getty Images/Bloomberg/Scott Eels It's been a pretty spectacular year for Keurig Green Mountain (GMCR). The company behind the Keurig platform for single-cup servings of coffee, tea and other brewed beverages turned heads last month when Coca-Cola (KO) agreed to invest $1.25 billion for a 10 percent stake in it. The fireworks have continued this month with Keurig being added to the S&P 500 on Friday, reworking its deal with Starbucks (SBUX) to allow other "super-premium" brands come on a licensed partners and changing its corporate name from Green Mountain Coffee Roasters. The stock soared 83 percent last year, and it's up another 53 percent in 2014. That's not a bad run for a company that many investors had left for dead in 2012 on fears that it would fade in relevance once its patent protection on the original K-Cups expired. The Vermont-based company has some interesting things brewing for the future. Keurig Green Mountain's days as a growth stock seemed over in late 2012 when key K-Cup patents expired. Anyone could legally roll out unlicensed portion packs that fit Keurig brewers, and private labels did. Growth slowed, but Keurig Green Mountain swayed many leading brands on the merits of sticking with the company behind the Keurig brewers to put out licensed K-Cups. Keurig 2.0, Keurig Cold in the Pipeline Keurig is working on two key lines expected to hit the market in coming months. As its name implies, Keurig 2.0 is the evolutionary next step in the platform. Unlike the Keurig Vue, which has failed to gain serious traction with its new portion packs, Keurig 2.0 machines will accept the widely available K-Cup refills. However, it will also fit K-Carafe portion packs that can brew an entire pot of coffee. It's a move that starts a new clock on patent protection. Keurig's biggest gamble -- and the primary reason for Coca-Cola's investment -- is Keurig Cold. The machine will make cold and carbonated beverages. This market is dominated by SodaStream (SODA), but the Israeli-based pioneer of in-home carbonation never had Coke on board. Coca-Cola will make its huge global portfolio of brands available for Keurig Cold, giving it the appeal that SodaStream has failed to grab. Since cold beverages have wider consumption rates than warm drinks, this could potentially be an even bigger market than its coffee stronghold. It won't be easy. Soda cans are cheap and plentiful. SodaStream is a global force. It's available in 25 percent of the homes in Sweden, for example. However, that hasn't been enough to command much of a market capitalization for SodaStream. The key here will be what Coca-Cola does to help increase this country's embrace of Keurig Cold as a small kitchen appliance to go alongside the Keurig brewer that potential buyers likely already own. There's plenty of upside to both Keurig 2.0 and Keurig Cold, but investors also have to recognize that the stock's meteoric rise over the past year and change is already discounting a lot of these events.

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Best Small Cap Companies To Watch For 2014

Best Small Cap Companies To Watch For 2014: Panera Bread Company(PNRA)

Panera Bread Company, together with its subsidiaries, owns, operates, and franchises retail bakery-cafes in the United States and Canada. Its bakery-cafes offer fresh baked goods, sandwiches, soups, salads, custom roasted coffees, and other complementary products, as well as provide catering services. The company also manufactures and supplies dough and other products to company-owned and franchise-operated bakery-cafes. As of March 29, 2011, it owned and franchised 1,467 bakery-cafes under the Panera Bread, Saint Louis Bread Co., and Paradise Bakery & Cafe names. The company was founded in 1981 and is based in St. Louis, Missouri.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Rich Duprey]

    Although Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG  ) and Panera Bread (NASDAQ: PNRA  ) have become shorthand for fast casual dining, and are seen as the reason fast food restaurants are fast losing sales, there may be a different culprit at work -- one that, until now, has been surreptitiously siphoning off sales.

  • [By Adrian Campos]

    The attractive combination of high margins and aggressive revenue expansion has caused Starbucks' value to increase enormously. How did Starbucks manage to create a strong coffee empire despite increasing competition from traditional players such as Dunkin' Brands (NASDAQ: DNKN  ) , and the emergence of challengers like Panera Bread (NASDAQ: PNRA  ) ? More importantly, how long will Starbucks' dominance in the coffee world last?

  • source from Top Stocks Blog:http://www.topstocksblog.com/best-small-cap-companies-to-watch-for-2014.html

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Prudential Retirement Names Reddy Head of Investment

Prudential Retirement, a business unit of Prudential Financial Inc., announced Monday that it has named Srinivas Reddy to a newly created role overseeing investments for its full-service business.

Reddy will be responsible for all aspects of the investment and retirement income businesses within Prudential Retirement, which consists of $170 billion in assets under administration and relationships with more than 60 affiliate and third-party asset managers for a variety of institutional separate accounts and funds offered through work-site based defined benefit and defined contribution retirement plans.

Top Financial Companies To Buy Right Now

He will report directly to Jamie Kalamarides, head of Institutional Investment Solutions for Prudential Retirement.

“I’m confident in Sri’s ability to lead our business and work closely with our asset managers, which is critical in our ability to deliver competitive, innovative and relevant products specifically designed for the retirement plan market,” Kalamarides said in a statement. “His passion for building new client relationships in addition to his experience will allow Prudential to expand our leadership position in the Retirement market.”

Reddy joined Prudential Retirement in 2010 to lead the Retirement Income business. Prior to joining Prudential, he had a number of leadership roles in investments and retirement services with USAA and ING. Prior to joining ING, Reddy served as a consultant with Ernst & Young and has also worked in a consulting capacity in Asia.

---

Check out AIG Seeks to Add 600 Advisors in Annuities Push on ThinkAdvisor.

Sunday, March 16, 2014

Top 5 Performing Stocks To Buy For 2014

Top 5 Performing Stocks To Buy For 2014: Endologix Inc(ELGX)

Endologix, Inc. develops, manufactures, markets, and sells medical devices for the treatment of aortic disorders. It offers the ELG System, a stent graft and delivery system for the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms through minimally-invasive endovascular repair. The company also provides aortic extensions and limb extensions, which attach to the main body of ELG Device, enabling physicians to customize it to fit the patient?s anatomy. In addition, it offers accessories, such as guidewires, snares, and catheter introducer sheaths that facilitate the optimal delivery of its ELG Device. Endologix, Inc. sells its products through direct sales force and independent distributors in the United States, Europe, Asia, South America, and Mexico. The company was formerly known as Radiance Medical Systems, Inc. and changed its name to Endologix, Inc. in May 2002. Endologix, Inc. was founded in 1992 and is headquartered in Irvine, California.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By DailyFinance Staff]

    Concerns about the political uncertainty in Ukraine caused some volatility in the markets Friday afternoon, with the major indexes making several U-turns ahead of the weekend. The Dow Jones industrial average (^DJI), which had been up by as much as 125 points, briefly dropped into loss territory before rebounding to end 49 points higher. The Standard & Poor's 500 index (^GPSC) edged up 5 points, adding to Thursday's record high, but the Nasdaq composite (^IXIC) lost 10 points. AP/Darko VojinovicPro-Russian militias have seized local government buildings in Crimea, Ukraine; the unrest there is making investors around the world nervous. February was a great month for investors. All three major averages jumped by about 4 percent. UnitedHealth Group (UNH) led the blue chips, gaining 1½ percent. Other health providers –! Aetna (AET), Wellpoint (WLP), Cigna (CI) and Humana (HUM) -- all gained between 1½ and 2 percent. And retail stocks remained active. Target (TGT) added another 3 percent. Best Buy rose 4 percent, and Fred's (FRED), a regional department store chain, jumped 10 percent. But Pier 1 (PIR) fell 5½ percent after lowering its earnings outlook for a second time. That led to a series of brokerage downgrades. Decker Outdoor (DECK) tumbled 12 percent. The maker of footwear brands such as Ugg and Teva issued a weak outlook. And apparel maker Lululemon (LULU) fell 5-percent on negative comments from Credit Suisse. It seems as though there are always some big movers in the drug and biotech sectors – and that was certainly the case today. GW Pharmaceuticals (GWPH) rose 2 percent after the FDA granted orphan status to its drug to treat a rare form of childhood epilepsy. But most of the action was on the downside. Endologix (ELGX) slid 24 percent after forecasting lower revenue growth. Questcor (QCOR) fell 10 percent. It's lost big for three straight days amid allegations of questionable business practices. Jazz Pharma

  • [By John Kell]

    Medical device maker Endologix Inc.(ELGX) issued targets for the new year that fell short of Wall Street’s expectations, pushing shares down 23% to $13.75 premarket.

  • source from Top Stocks Blog:http://www.topstocksblog.com/top-5-performing-stocks-to-buy-for-2014.html

Saturday, March 15, 2014

Top 5 Value Stocks To Buy For 2014

Top 5 Value Stocks To Buy For 2014: Schlumberger N.V.(SLB)

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

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Jim Jubak]

    But it just doesn't seem to matter for Schlumberger (SLB). Schlumberger is a member of my Jubak's Picks portfolio.

    On January 17, the oil services and technology company reported fourth quarter earnings of $1.35 a share, beating Wall Street estimates by two cents a share. Earnings grew by 29.8% year over year.

  • [By Editor , DividendChannel.com]

    ENB operates in the Oil & Gas Equipment & Services sector, among companies like Schlumberger (SLB), and Enterprise Products Partners L.P. (EPD).

  • source from Top Stocks Blog:http://www.topstocksblog.com/top-5-value-stocks-to-buy-for-2014.html

Friday, March 14, 2014

Best Tech Stocks For 2014

Best Tech Stocks For 2014: Systemax Inc.(SYX)

Systemax Inc. operates as a direct marketer of brand name and private label products. The company operates in two segments, Technology Products and Industrial Products. The Technology Products segment sells computers, computer supplies, and consumer electronics in North America and Europe. This segment offers individual technology products in categories, including computers; computer parts; television and video; audio; cameras and surveillance; car and GPS; cell phones; software; video games and toys; home and office; and other products. The Industrial Products segment sells various industrial products and supplies in North America. This segment provides products in categories, such as material handling; storage and shelving; workbench and shop desks; packaging and supplying; furniture and office; foodservice and appliances; janitorial and maintenance; tools and instruments; fasteners and hardware; motors and power transmission; HVAC/R and fans; electrical and bulbs; plumb ing supplies; and safety and medical items. The company offers its products through its relationship marketers, catalog mailings, and Internet Websites. It serves individual consumers; and business customers comprising for-profit businesses, educational organizations, and government entities. Its portfolio of catalogs comprises various brand names, such as TigerDirect.com, Global Computer Supplies, TigerDirect.ca, Misco, Global Industrial, Nexel, and Inmac WStore. As of December 31, 2011, the company operated 42 retail stores in North America; and 7 distribution centers in Europe. Systemax Inc. was founded in 1949 and is headquartered in Port Washington, New York.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Rich Duprey]

    Loyalty and marketing specialist Alliance Data Systems (NYSE: ADS  ) grabbed a tiger by the tail with a multiyear agreement to provide private label credit card services to Systemax (NYSE: SYX  ) subsidiary TigerDirect.!

  • [By Seth Jayson]

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

  • source from Top Stocks Blog:http://www.topstocksblog.com/best-tech-stocks-for-2014.html

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Diageo: Why It’s the Perfect Time to Invest

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What do Johnnie Walker scotch, Smirnoff Vodka, Bailey's Irish Cream and Crown Royal Canadian Whiskey have in common? They're all No. 1 brands in their respective categories, and they all belong to Diageo Plc ADR (DEO). As the world's leading producer of branded premium spirits, wine and beer (Guinness Stout), this company has built an $80 billion market capital empire leading the alcoholic beverage industry. In addition to the aforementioned brands, this firm also owns 34% of the premium champagne and cognac maker Moet Hennessy. Since investment gurus Ruane Cunniff (Trades, Portfolio) and Steven Cohen (Trades, Portfolio) bought this company's shares last quarter, I decided to take a look at its profitable business model.

A Well-Rounded Business Model

When Diageo's CEO Ivan Menezes declared last quarter that the company would not be buying Beam Inc. (BEAM) in order to boost its bourbon and tequila portfolio, it became clear that the firm was well off as it is. And I applaud management's decision to hold back, because this firm's unmatched spirit portfolio combined with its vast distribution network make it a solid global market leader. Although the company operates in 180 countries, its particularly strong position in the U.S. market is highly beneficial, as this is the most profitable spirits market worldwide. The distribution, handled by 2,800 exclusive salespeople that only attend the company's namesake brands, is highly profitable, resulting in domestic operating margins of almost 40%. Also, these distributor relationships cover 80% of the company's U.S. volume, making for a business model that would be very difficult for new market entrants to duplicate.

Furthermore, after the row of acquisitions executed this past decade, including Seagram, Allied Domecq and Mey Icki, Diageo is now focusing on its expansion strategy in the emerging markets of India, China and Africa. Spinning off most of its noncore operating business, except its beer portfolio, which acts as a gateway to spirits and is therefore crucial for growth in the African region, was also an accurate move. Long-term expansion will benefit investors as the company gains additional distribution scale and attract more consumers towards its premium (and higher margin) brands, adding on to its wide economic moat. The growing scale will allow for returns on invested capital in the high teens over the next 10 years, strongly exceeding the firm's 8% cost of capital.

Valuation and Risks

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While Diageo reported 4.9% revenue growth throughout 2013, the five-year forecast expects organic growth to average an annual 5%, while earnings per share grow at a 6% rate, below 2013's 14.70%. Moreover, the impressive 21.7% net margin and 9.9% returns on assets should be encouraging to investors, as well as the solid 8.8% EBITDA growth rate (currently $5.8 billion). However, some risks remain concerning the heavy taxation and regulation applied to spirit companies. The Chinese government, for example, just recently passed a regulation regarding extravagant gifts, leading to strong drops in prices and demand of the Diageo's high-end baiju segment. But, nonetheless, I believe this company's healthy balance sheet should be able to leverage these headwinds, without majorly affecting shareholders' position.

In fact, the 2.6% dividend yield is well above the industry's average of 2.03%, and the same goes for the 30% operating margins, which is double the industry median. I also must point out that the stock's trading price of 18.6x trailing earnings is currently at a discount to the industry average of 19.2x, making this an appropriate time for investors to buy the company's shares. Therefore, I feel very bullish about Diageo's long-term future and believe its wide moat rating will continue to prevail and increase as the firm expands into new markets.

Disclosure: Patricio Kehoe holds no position in any stocks mentioned.


Also check out: Ruane Cunniff Undervalued Stocks Ruane Cunniff Top Growth Companies Ruane Cunniff High Yield stocks, and Stocks that Ruane Cunniff keeps buying
About the author:Patricio KehoeA fundamental analyst at Lone Tree Analytics
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