Monday, June 30, 2014

Best Japanese Companies To Watch For 2015

Best Japanese Companies To Watch For 2015: SeaWorld Entertainment In c (SEAS)

SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc., incorporated on October 2, 2009, is a theme park and entertainment company. The Company is engaged in delivering personal, interactive and educational experiences that blend imagination with nature and enable its customers to celebrate, connect with and care for the natural world. The Company own or license a portfolio of globally recognized brands including SeaWorld, Shamu and Busch Gardens. The Company has built a diversified portfolio of 11 destination and regional theme parks that are grouped in key markets across the United States. Its theme parks feature a diverse array of rides, shows and other attractions with broad demographic appeal which deliver memorable experiences and a strong value proposition for its guests. In addition to its theme parks, it has recently begun to leverage its brands into media, entertainment and consumer products.

The Company generates revenue primarily from selling admission to its theme parks a nd from purchases of food, merchandise and other spending. During the year ended December 31, 2012, it hosted more than 24 million guests in its theme parks, including approximately 3.5 million international guests from over 55 countries and six continents. In 2012, the Company opened new attractions in seven of its theme parks. In November 2012, the Company acquired Knott's Soak City, a standalone Southern California water park, from an affiliate of Cedar Fair L.P. The Company's products and services include Admission Tickets, Theme Park Operations, Culinary Offerings , Merchandise , Licensing and Consumer Products , Group Events and Conventions and Corporate Sponsorships and Strategic Alliances.

Admission Tickets, which generate most of its revenue from selling admission to its theme parks. The Company also offers a Fun Card at select t! heme parks that allows additional visits throughout that calendar year. In addition, visitors can purchase vacation packa ges with preferred hotels, behind-the-scenes tours, specialt! y dining packages and front of the line access to enhance their experience. Theme Park Operations delivers a level of service, safety and security at its theme parks. It comprised of rides, shows and attractions operations, safety, security, environmental, water park and guest arrival services (including parking, tolls, admissions, guest relations, entry and exit), the theme park operations team manages the planning and execution of the overall theme park experience on a daily basis.

Culinary Offerings delivers a variety of high quality, creative and memorable culinary experiences to its guests. Culinary operations are strategically organized into five key guest-oriented disciplines designed to drive in-park per capita spending: restaurants, catering, carts and kiosks, specialty snacks and vending. The Company's culinary team focuses on providing creative menu offerings that appeal to our diverse guest base. Merchandise offers guests the opportunity to captur e memories through its products and services, including through traditional retail shops, game venues and customized photos and videos. It focuses on effort to leverage the emotional connection of the theme park experiences, capitalize on trends and optimize brand alignment with its merchandise product offerings.

Licensing and Consumer Products capitalize on its brands, it has begun to leverage its intellectual property and content through media and consumer strategic licensing arrangements. It extended the reach of its brands through outbound media licensing in areas such as films, television programs and digital e-books, as well as its first-ever multi-platform mobile app game, TurtleTrek, which launched on iTunes in November 2012. Group Events and Conventions host a variety of different group events, meetings and conventions at its t! heme park! s both during the day and at night. Its venues offer indoor and outdoor space for meetings, special events, entertainme nt shows, picnics, teambuilding events, group tours and spec! ial group! ticket packages. Park buy-outs allow groups to enjoy exclusive itineraries, including meetings and shows, up-close encounters with animals and behind the scenes tours. Corporate Sponsorships and Strategic Alliances seek to secure long-term corporate sponsorships and strategic alliances with companies and brands that share its core values, deliver brand marketing value and influence and drive mutual business gains. Its current corporate sponsors include, among others, Southwest Airlines, which has been a sponsor for over 20 years, and The Coca-Cola Company.

SeaWorld.

SeaWorld is recognized as the marine-life theme park brand in the world. Its SeaWorld theme parks, located in Orlando, San Antonio and San Diego, each rank among the most highly attended theme parks in the industry and offer up-close interactive experiences and a variety of live performances, including shows featuring Shamu in specially designed amphitheaters. It offers its guests numer ous animal encounters, including the opportunity to work with trainers and feed marine animals, as well as themed thrill rides and theatrical shows that creatively incorporate its animal collection.

Busch Gardens

Its Busch Gardens theme parks are family-oriented destinations designed to immerse guests in foreign geographic settings. They are renowned for their beauty and landscaping and gardens and allow its guests to discover the natural side of fun by offering a family experience featuring a range of attractions and rollercoasters in a richly-themed environment. Busch Gardens Tampa presents its collection of animals from Africa, Asia and Australia.

Aquatica

Its Aquatica branded water parks are premium, family-oriented destinations that are based in a South Seas-themed tropical setting. ! Aquatica ! water parks build on the aquatic theme of its SeaWorld brand and feature high-energy rides, water attractions, white-sand beaches ande entertaining presentation of marine and terrestrial an! imals. Th! e Company positions its Aquatica water parks as companion water parks to its SeaWorld theme parks in Orlando and San Diego and it has an Aquatica water park situated within its SeaWorld San Antonio theme park.

Discovery Cove

Discovery Cove is a reservations only, all-inclusive, marine-life day resort adjacent to SeaWorld Orlando. Discovery Cove offers guests personal, signature experiences, including the opportunity to swim and interact with dolphins, take an underwater walking reef tour and enjoy pristine white-sand beaches and landscaped private cabanas. Discovery Cove presently limits its attendance to approximately 1,300 guests per day and features premium culinary offerings in order to provide guests with a more relaxed, intimate and high-end luxury resort experience.

Sesame Place

Sesame Place is the only United States theme park based entirely on the television show Sesame Street. It is located between Philadelphia an d New York City, Sesame Place is a destination where parents and children can share in the spirit of imagination and experience Sesame Street together through whirling rides, water slides, colorful shows and furry friends. In addition, it has introduced Sesame Street brands in its other theme parks through Sesame Street-themed rides, shows, children's play areas and merchandise.

The Company competes with The Walt Disney Company, Universal Studios, Six Flags, Cedar Fair, Merlin Entertainments and Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By WWW.DAILYFINANCE.COM]

    Vetal/Shutterstock Single-day admissions to some of the country's most popular theme parks hit $99 this summer. Tack on transportation, lodging and in-park purchases, and costs quickly add up. By the tim! e the coa! sters have been conquered and your thrills have been chronicled on Facebook's (FB) Instagram, you're going to be out a lot of money. Let's dive into how to save some at the park this season. 1. Find the Local Discounter Amusement park chains and most theme park operators realize that you can't succeed without having a steady flow of locals. They often team up with area supermarkets or restaurants to offer discounted tickets. If you're heading to a local park, you probably know the area businesses offering discount admissions as either coupons you present at the gate or prepaid entrances. If you're heading out to a park while you're traveling, find the name of the grocery store or burger haven offering deals through the park's website, social media page or park forum. 2. Do the Math on a Season Pass For essentially the price of a one-day ticket, SeaWorld's (SEAS) "Fun Card" tickets are good for unlimited admissions through the end of the year at many of its parks. There are some blackout dates, and some annual pass holder perks like complimentary parking aren't included, but it's too cheap to ignore. Six Flags (SIX) and Cedar Fair (FUN) have annual passes that typically pay for themselves after the second or third visit. It will take longer to offset the purchase of Disney (DIS) or Comcast's (CMCSA) Universal annual passes. 3. Head Out With a Pass Holder If you and your family decide that a becoming an annual pass holder isn't the right call -- or it isn't in your budget -- see if you know anyone who's an annual pass holder and join them at the park. Attractions are always more fun with more people, and your pocketbook will probably thank you for this tip. Annual passes typically include free parking, and many premium varieties come discounts o

  • [By Wallace Witkowski]

    Shares of SeaWorld Entertainment Inc. (SEAS)  rose 0.6% to $29.50 after an initial decline as the theme-park operator posted weaker than expected re! sults on ! lower attendance numbers.

  • [By CNNMoney Staff]

    There are a number of quarterly results set for release that could sway investor sentiment. Macy's (M, Fortune 500), Deere (DE, Fortune 500) and SodaStream (SODA) will report before the opening bell, while Cisco Systems (CSCO, Fortune 500) and SeaWorld (SEAS) will report after the close.

  • [By Sue Chang]

    SeaWorld Entertainment Inc. (SEAS)  is projected to report a loss of 45 cents a share in the first quarter.

  • source from Top Stocks For 2015:http://www.topstocksblog.com/best-japanese-companies-to-watch-for-2015.html

Sunday, June 29, 2014

Top Medical Companies To Own In Right Now

With shares of General Electric (NYSE:GE) trading around $27, is GE 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

General Electric is a diversified industrial, technology, and financial services company that operates worldwide. The products and services of the company range from aircraft engines, power generation, water processing, and household appliances to medical imaging, business and consumer financing, and industrial products. General Electric�� segments are Energy Infrastructure, Aviation, Healthcare, Transportation, Home & Business Solutions, and GE Capital. General Electric is a leading provider of a wide range of products and many are essential in daily lives of consumers and companies around the world.

General Electric on Monday continued its push to expand its healthcare operation, agreeing to acquire certain life science assets of Thermo Fisher Scientific for $1.06 billion in cash.�The deal includes Waltham, Mass.-based Thermo Fisher’s cell culture, gene modulation, and magnetic bead businesses. The units, part of Thermo Fisher’s analytical technologies segment, generated combined revenue of about $250 million in 2013.�Fairfield, Conn.-based GE has been seeking to refocus its sprawling collection of businesses since the economic downturn, and looking to divest its consumer finance operations and to grow in healthcare and energy. The company said the Thermo Fisher units would be folded into its $4 billion-sales GE Healthcare life sciences business, giving it a more complete portfolio of tools used for cell biology research, cell therapy and for the manufacture of new biological medicines and vaccines.

Top High Tech Companies To Buy For 2015: Landauer Inc (LDR)

Landauer, Inc. (Landauer) is a provider of technical and analytical services to determine occupational and environmental radiation exposure. The Company is domestic provider of outsourced medical physics services. The Company operates in two segments: Radiation Monitoring and Medical Physics. The Company has provided radiation dosimetry services to hospitals, medical and dental offices, universities, national laboratories, nuclear facilities and other industries. Landauer's services include the manufacture of radiation detection monitors, the distribution and collection of the monitors to and from customers, and the analysis and reporting of exposure findings. In addition to providing analytical services, the Company leases or sells dosimetry detectors and reading equipment to customers. Medical physics services are provided through the Company's Global Physics Solutions, Inc. (GPS) subsidiary. In November 2011, it acquired IZI Medical Products, LLC.

In November 2009, Landauer completed the acquisition of GPS. GPS is a nationwide service provider of clinical physics support, equipment commissioning and accreditation support and imaging equipment testing. In June 2010, Landauer, through its GPS subsidiary, completed the acquisition of Upstate Medical Physics (UMP), a provider of imaging physics services in New York. In November 2009, Landauer completed the acquisition of Gammadata Matteknik AB (GDM), a Swedish provider of radon measurement services. GDM provides measurement services throughout the Scandinavian region and Europe. In October 2009, Landauer completed the acquisition of dosimetry service in Sweden, called Landauer Persondosimetri AB (PDM).

The Radiation Monitoring revenues are realized from radiation monitoring services and other services incidental to radiation dose measurement. The Company enters into agreements with customers to provide them with radiation monitoring services, for a 12 month period. As part of its services, the Company provides to its custome! rs radiation detection badges, which are produced and owned by the Company. The badges are worn for a period selected by the customers (wear period), which is usually one, two, or three months in duration. At the end of the wear period, the badges are returned to the Company for analysis. The Company analyzes the badges that have been worn and provides its customers with a report indicating their radiation exposures. The Company recycles certain badge components for reuse, while also producing replacement badges on a continual basis.

The Company offers its service for measuring the dosages of x-ray, gamma radiation and other penetrating ionizing radiations, to which the wearer has been exposed, through badges, which contain optically stimulated luminescent (OSL) material, which are worn by customer personnel. This technology is marketed under the trade names Luxel+ and InLight. A component of the Company's dosimetry system is OSL crystal material. The Company's base OSL material is manufactured utilizing a process to create aluminum oxide crystals in a structure that is able to retain charged electrons following the crystal's exposure to radiation.

Landauer's InLight dosimetry system provides in-house and commercial laboratories with the ability to provide in-house radiation monitoring services using OSL technology. InLight services involve a customer acquiring or leasing dosimetry devices, as well as analytical reading equipment from the Company. The InLight system allows customers the flexibility to tailor their dosimetry needs. Landauer's operations include services for the measurement and monitoring of radon gas. The Company offers a service, which provides radon monitoring and, when necessary, remediation to purchasers of personal residences. Testing requires the customer to deploy a radon detector and return the detector to the Company's laboratories for dose determination and reporting. The Company assists with remediation services on properties where radon measurements ! exceed a ! specified threshold.

The Company competes with Mirion Technologies.

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 Landauer (NYSE: LDR  ) , whose recent revenue and earnings are plotted below.

Top Medical Companies To Own In Right Now: Sonova Holding AG (SOON)

Sonova Holding AG is a Switzerland-based company operating in the healthcare sector. The Company, along with its subsidiaries, specializes in the design, development, manufacture, worldwide distribution and service of technologically advanced hearing systems for adults and children with hearing impairment. The Company is active in two operating segments: the Hearing instruments segment includes the companies that are active in the design, development, manufacture, distribution and service of hearing instruments and related products, and the Cochlear implants segment includes the companies that are active in the design, development, manufacture, distribution and service of hearing implants and related products. The Company operates worldwide and distributes its products in over 90 countries through its own distribution network and through independent distributors. Sonova Holding AG is the holding company of the Sonova Group. Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Sofia Horta e Costa]

    ThyssenKrupp AG slid to a 10-week low after raising 882.3 million euros ($1.2 billion) through a share sale. Antofagasta Plc led a measure of mining companies to a seven-week low. Sonova Holding AG (SOON) declined 1.5 percent as Morgan Stanley cut its rating on the Swiss hearing-aid maker. Orange SA slipped 3.4 percent amid concern a price war in the French mobile market will extend to fourth-generation data services.

Top Medical Companies To Own In Right Now: Synergy Pharmaceuticals Inc (SGYP)

Synergy Pharmaceuticals, Inc., incorporated on February 11, 1992, is a biopharmaceutical company focused primarily on the development of drugs to treat gastrointestinal (GI), disorders and diseases. The Company�� lead product candidate is plecanatide, a guanylyl cyclase C (GC-C), receptor agonist, to treat GI disorders, primarily chronic constipation (CC), and constipation-predominant-irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C). It is also developing SP-333, the second generation GC-C receptor agonist for the treatment of gastrointestinal inflammatory diseases, such as ulcerative colitis (UC). The Company�� active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and the final formulated drug products are manufactured for it by third party contractors.

As of December 31, 2011, the Company was developing plecanatide, a synthetic hexadecapeptide designed to mimic the actions of the GI hormone uroguanylin, for the treatment of CC and IBS-C. Plecanatide is an agonist of GC-C receptor. As of December 31, 2011, the Company was dosing patients in an 800-patient Phase II/III clinical trial of plecanatide to treat. It is also developing a second generation GC-C receptor analog, SP-333, which is in pre-clinical development for the treatment of gastrointestinal inflammatory diseases. SP-333 is a synthetic analog of uroguanylin, a natriuretic hormone.

The Company competes with Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Forest Laboratories, Inc., Takeda Pharmaceuticals America, Inc., Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Salix Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Shire Plc.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Monica Gerson]

    Breaking news

    Time Warner Cable (NYSE: TWC) reported a drop in its third-quarter profit. Time Warner Cable's quarterly profit fell to $532 million, or $1.84 per share, from $808 million, or $2.60 per share, in the year-ago period. To read the full news, click here. Synergy Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: SGYP) today announced the start of a phase 2 clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of SP-333, its second-generation GC-C agonist and once-daily oral treatment, in adult patients with opioid-induced constipation (OIC). To read the full news, click here. Cigna (NYSE: CI) reported a 19% rise in its third-quarter earnings and lifted its full-year earnings outlook. To read the full news, click here. Charm Communications (NASDAQ: CHRM) announced today that the special committee of the Company's board of directors, consisting of independent directors Mr. Zhan Wang, Mr. Andrew J. Rickards and Mr. Gang Chen, has retained China Renaissance Securities (Hong Kong) Limited as its financial advisor and Gunderson Dettmer Stough Villeneuve Franklin & Hachigian, LLP as its legal advisor. To read the full news, click here.

    Posted-In: Bank of America US Stock FuturesNews Eurozone Futures Global Pre-Market Outlook Markets

  • [By Sean Williams]

    Finally, Synergy Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: SGYP  ) may have had the wildest week of them all. Synergy's share price spiked 16% on Tuesday as an analyst at Cantor Fitzgerald raised her peak sales estimate for plecanatide, the company's midstage drug for chronic idiopathic constipation and irritable bowel syndrome with constipation, to $1.58 billion from $1.05 billion, as clinical data has been stronger than expected. However, the company didn't return the favor to shareholders by -- the very next day, mind you ��announcing a secondary offering of 16.375 million shares. The downside of clinical-stage companies is the always apparent risk of dilution. Shares have lost 25% since their Tuesday close.

Top Medical Companies To Own In Right Now: Senesco Technologies Inc (SNTI)

Senesco Technologies, Inc., incorporated on September 30. 1999, is engaged in utilize its eukaryotic translation initiation Factor 5A, or Factor 5A, and deoxyhypusine synthase (DHS), and related technologies for human therapeutic applications to develop approaches to treat cancer and inflammatory diseases. In agricultural applications, the Company has licensed applications of the Factor 5A, DHS and Lipase platforms to develop the productivity of fruits, flowers, vegetables, agronomic and biofuel feedstock crops through the control of cell death and growth in plants.

Human Therapeutic Applications

The Company has developed a therapeutic candidate, SNS01-T, an improved formulation of SNS01, for the potential treatment of multiple myeloma and non-Hodgkin B-cell lymplomas. SNS01-T utilizes the Company's Factor 5A technology and consists of two components, which include a DNA plasmid (pDNA), expressing human eIF5A containing a lysine to arginine substitution at amino acid position 50, (eIF5AK50R), and a small inhibitory RNA (siRNA). These two components are combined in a fixed ratio with a polymer, polyethyleneimine (PEI), which enables self-assembly of the DNA and RNA into nanoparticles with demonstrated enhanced delivery to tissues and protection from degradation in the blood stream. The Company has also demonstrated that the combination of lenalidomide and SNS 01-T performs better than either treatment alone in mouses xenograft models of human mantle cell lymphoma. The Company's human therapeutic research program, which consists of pre-clinical in-vitro and in-vivo experiments designed to assess the role and mode of action of Factor 5A in human diseases and a phase 1a/2b clinical trial.

The Company competes with Celgene, Inc., Takeda/Millennium, ONYX Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Amgen Inc., Janssen Biotech, Inc., Novartis AG, and Pharmacyclics, Inc.

Agricultural Applications

The Company's agricultural research focuses on the discovery and develo! pment of certain gene technologies, which are designed to confer positive traits on fruits, flowers, vegetables, forestry species and agronomic crops. The Company's research and development initiatives for agriculture include develop and implement the DHS and Factor 5A gene technology in banana, canola, cotton, turfgrass, rice, alfalfa, corn, soybean and trees; and test the resultant crops for new beneficial traits such as increased yield, increased tolerance to environmental stress, disease resistance and more efficient use of fertilizer.

The Company competes with Mendel Biotechnology, Renessen LLC, Exelixis Plant Sciences, Inc., and Syngenta International AG.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By CRWE]

    Today, SNTI has shed (-2.44%) down -0.0010 at $.0400 with�723,673 shares in play thus far (ref. google finance Delayed: 2:58PM EDT October 7, 2013).

    Senesco Technologies, Inc. previously reported it has entered into a securities purchase agreement with certain investors to raise $1.725 million in gross proceeds through the sale of 69,000,000 shares of its common stock. The common stock was priced at $0.025 per share.

    The offering is expected to close on or about October 2, 2013, subject to customary closing conditions. The net proceeds of the financing will be used primarily for working capital, research and development and general corporate purposes.

  • [By Peter Graham]

    At the end of last week, small cap stocks Senesco Technologies, Inc (OTCBB: SNTI), VolitionRX Ltd (OTCMKTS: VNRX) and Micromem Technologies Inc (OTCBB: MMTIF) were all trending upwards ��ending up 13.65%, 8.73% and 7.61%, respectively, on Friday. However, it�� a new trading week with the last two trading days for the year. So what direction will these three small caps head in for the end of this year and into next year? Here is a quick look to help you decide on a trading or investment strategy:

Best Paper Companies To Invest In 2015

Best Paper Companies To Invest In 2015: TriStar Wellness Solutions Inc (TWSI)

TriStar Wellness Solutions, Inc., formerly Biopack Environmental Solutions Inc., incorporated on August 28, 2000, is engaged in developing, marketing and selling, NCP's Beaute de Maman product lines, which is a line of skincare and other products specifically targeted for pregnant women, as well developing the Soft and Smooth Assets. The Company supplied biodegradable food containers and industrial packaging products to multinational corporations, supermarket chains and restaurants located across North America, Europe and Asia. In May 2013, the Company acquired HemCon Medical Technologies Inc.

The Company's priority direct-to-consumer target markets are focused on women's health and wound care. The second core product area is directed at the Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) wound care market space. During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company focused the sales and marketing resources for the Beaute de Maman brand on efficient Internet portals via the bran d Website and selected Web-based retailers.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Peter Graham]

    Last Friday, small cap stocks Tristar Wellness Solutions Inc (OTCMKTS: TWSI) jumped 14.94% while Hybrid Coating Technologies (OTCBB: HCTI) and Bulova Technologies Group, Inc (OTCMKTS: BTGI) sank 23.53% and 13.04%, respectively. It should be mentioned that only one of these small cap stocks appears to be the subject of paid promotions or investor relations type activities. So what will these three small cap stocks do for investors this week? Here is a quick reality check to help you decide on a trading or investing strategy:

  • source from Top Stocks For 2015:http://www.topstocksblog.com/best-paper-companies-to-invest-in-2015.html

Saturday, June 28, 2014

10 Best Safest Stocks To Watch For 2014

Spanish bonds have declined quite sharply since the past several days and the previous session was no exception either, as spread between the 10-year Spanish yields relative to benchmark German bunds widened the most since the Euro was created. The yield spread against 10-year German bunds widened to more than 500 basis points, a record high, as concerns grew that Spain�� lenders will need additional financial support to weather Europe�� debt crisis. Meanwhile, global risk aversion is pushing the German bunds to a record low, which in turn is adding more pressure on the yield spread to widen.

As long as the ongoing banking concerns in Spain persists, Spanish government securities are likely to continue weakening further while demand for the safest assets such as German bunds would pick up. This in turn could lead to further increase in spread between the securities of Euro zone�� largest and 4th largest economy.

The below graph shows the spread of Spanish 10-year bond over German bund for the last 3 months

Best Dividend Stocks To Watch Right Now: PetMed Express Inc.(PETS)

PetMed Express, Inc., doing business as 1-800-PetMeds, operates a pet pharmacy in the United States. It markets non-prescription and prescription pet medications; and other health products for dogs and cats, as well as direct to consumers. The company?s non-prescription medications include flea and tick control products, bone and joint care products, vitamins and nutritional supplements, and hygiene products. Its prescription medications comprise heartworm preventatives; arthritis, thyroid, diabetes, and pain medications; antibiotics and other specialty medications; and generic substitutes. In addition, the company, through its Web site, 1800petmeds.com, sells beds, crates, stairs, strollers, and other pet supplies. PetMed Express offers its products under the Frontline Plus, K9 Advantix, Advantage, Heartgard Plus, Sentinel, Interceptor, Program, Revolution, Deramaxx, and Rimadyl brands. The company markets its products through national television, online, and direct mail /print advertising campaigns, as well as through telephone, catalogs, brochures, and postcards. It primarily serves retail customers. PetMed Express was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in Pompano Beach, Florida.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Anna Prior]

    PetMed Express Inc.(PETS) said its fiscal fourth-quarter earnings edged down 1.7% at the retail pet-pharmacy as severe winter weather dented sales.

  • [By Ben Levisohn]

    On the downside, Halliburton (HAL) fell 3.5% to $50.66 after beating earnings but underperforming competitors, while Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (REGN) fell 2.4% to $294.89 after it reported positive trial data on Eylea and that it will file an application with the FDA in a few months. And our big loser of the day: PetMed Express (PETS), which plunged 9.8% to $15.21, the biggest drop in the S&P 1500. It reported a profit of 21 cents a share, missing forecasts for a profit of 22 cents.

  • [By Sean Williams]

    The most logical choice to invest in a burgeoning and ongoing domestication of our pets is by looking into pet superstores like PetSmart (NASDAQ: PETM  ) . While online companies like PetMed Express (NASDAQ: PETS  ) offer the convenience of ordering medications from the comfort of your home, pets -- like humans -- need personalized care that you usually just can't get from the click of a mouse. This means that PetSmart is bound to stay busy with physical store visits from consumers who want only the best for Fido or their feline. And the proof is certainly in the pudding --PetSmart hasn't delivered an annual revenue decline once over the past decade with total sales up 125% since 2004.

10 Best Safest Stocks To Watch For 2014: CareFusion Corp (CFN)

CareFusion Corporation (CareFusion), incorporated on January 14, 2009, is a global medical technology company. The Company operates in two segments: Medical Systems and Procedural Solutions. The Medical Systems segment is organized around its medical equipment businesses. The Company�� Medical Systems segment�� business units and product lines include Infusion Systems, Dispensing Technologies, and Respiratory Technologies. The Procedural Solutions segment is organized around the Company�� disposable products and reusable surgical instruments businesses. The Company�� Procedural Solutions segment�� business units and product lines include Infection Prevention, Medical Specialties and Specialty Disposables. In August 2011, the Company acquired Rowa. In June 2012, the Company acquired U.K. Medical Limited. In July 2012, Natus Medical, Inc. acquired the Nicolet neurodiagnostic business from CareFusion. Effective December 31, 2013, CareFusion Corp acquired Vital Signs Inc from GE Healthcare, a unit of General Electric Co.

Medical Systems Segment

The Company�� develops, manufactures and markets capital equipment and related supplies for medication management, which includes its infusion and medication dispensing technologies, supply dispensing technologies and respiratory technologies. Its products are designed to enable healthcare professionals to improve patient safety by reducing medication errors and improving administrative controls, while simultaneously improving workflow and increasing operational efficiency. The Company sells these products primarily through its direct sales force, but use third-party distributors as well, particularly outside the United States. Many of its products in this segment are integrated with other information systems within the hospital, including financial and business systems that support patient admissions, discharges and transfers, operational systems that include inventory management and clinical systems that include pharmacy inf! ormation and electronic medical records.

The Company offers value-added services and programs, software technical services and clinical education, which are designed to enhance its customers��utilization of its medical equipment products. The Company�� project management, field service organization and customer call centers support its customers before, during and after product installation. The Company�� project management teams assist customers with the development of project implementation plans, which are designed to ensure rapid, seamless implementation of its products. The Company�� field service organization provides on-site expertise to resolve customers��service issues. The Company�� customer call centers provide additional support to its customers.

The Company is engaged in designing, developing and marketing of IV infusion systems that deliver medications and other fluids directly into a patient�� veins in precise, measured quantities over a range of infusion rates. The Company is provider of point-of-care systems that automate the dispensing of medications and supplies in hospitals and other healthcare facilities in the United States. The Company develops, manufactures, markets and services mechanical ventilators and associated consumables for patients with respiratory disorders.

The Company competes with Baxter International, B. Braun, Fresenius Kabi, Hospira, Omnicell, McKesson; Drager, and MAQUET.

Procedural Solutions Segment

The Procedural Solutions segment is organized around its disposable products and reusable surgical instruments businesses. In its Procedural Solutions segment, the Company develops, manufactures and markets single-use skin antiseptic and other patient-preparation products, non-dedicated IV infusion administration sets and accessories, reusable surgical instruments and non-dedicated ventilator circuits and other disposables used for providing respiratory therapy. The products in this segm! ent are u! sed in the operating room, interventional suites, and in the critical care departments of hospitals. The Company sells these products and services through a combination of direct sales representatives and third-party distributors.

The Company�� Infection Prevention business unit consists mainly of single-use medical products used in surgical and vascular access procedures, including skin preparation products and disposable IV infusion administration sets and accessories. The Company�� Medical Specialties business unit consists mainly of specialty medical devices used in delivering interventional care and reusable surgical instrumentation products. The Company�� Specialty Disposables business unit focuses on providing clinicians with respiratory consumable products that work either independently or in conjunction with its range of ventilators.

The Company competes with 3M, ICU Medical, Becton, Dickinson, Baxter International, B. Braun; Hospira; Smiths Medical; CR Bard, Integra Life Sciences, and Teleflex.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Sean Williams]

    Heading notably higher as well, up 5.5%, was medical-products supplier CareFusion (NYSE: CFN  ) which is said to be in talks as a possible acquirer of Britain-based Smiths Group's medical division. Although neither company would comment on a potential sale it would clearly be a positive for CareFusion since its revenue growth has stagnated in recent years. We should hopefully know more about these developments over the coming weeks.

  • [By John Udovich]

    Overlooked mid cap medical�technology and systems�stock CareFusion Corporation (NYSE: CFN) could offer nice growth in the healthcare space, meaning its worth taking a closer look at the stock along with the performance of potential benchmarks like the iShares Dow Jones US Medical Device ETF (NYSEARCA: IHI) and SPDR S&P Health Care Equipment ETF (NYSEARCA: XHE). I should mention that we have recently added CareFusion Corporation to our SmallCap Network Elite Opportunity (SCN EO) portfolio because the�stock continues to be in a long-term thrusting patter and we believe its also�undervalued based on current valuation.

  • [By Anna Prior]

    General Electric Co.(GE) agreed to sell the so-called Vital Signs segment of its health-care operation to CareFusion Corp.(CFN) (CFN) for $500 million.

10 Best Safest Stocks To Watch For 2014: Expedia Inc.(EXPE)

Expedia, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as an online travel company in the United States and internationally. It provides travel products and services to leisure and corporate travelers, offline retail travel agents, and travel service providers through a portfolio of brands, including Expedia.com, hotels.com, Hotwire.com, Expedia Affiliate Network, Classic Vacations, Expedia Local Expert, Expedia CruiseShipCenters, Egencia, eLong, Inc., and Venere Net SpA. The company?s travel offerings consist of airline tickets, hotel rooms, car rentals, destination services, cruises, and package travel provided by various commercial airlines, lodging properties, car rental companies, destination service providers, cruise lines, and other travel product and service companies on a stand-alone and package basis. It also facilitates the booking of hotel rooms, airline seats, car rentals, and destination services from its travel suppliers; and acts as an agent in the transa ction, passing reservations booked by its travelers to the relevant travel provider. The company was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in Bellevue, Washington.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Hibah Yousuf]

    While Priceline shares are not cheap, they're not terribly overvalued either for being the leader in online travel. Shares are trading around 21 times 2014 earnings estimates. That makes it more expensive than rival Expedia (EXPE), but the stock is trading at a discount compared to Orbitz (OWW) and TripAdvisor (TRIP).

10 Best Safest Stocks To Watch For 2014: American Apparel Inc (APP)

American Apparel, Inc. incorporated on July 22, 2005, is a vertically integrated manufacturer, distributor, and retailer of branded fashions basic apparel and accessories for women, men, children and babies. As of January 31, 2013, the Company had operated 251 retail stores in 20 countries. The Company also operates an e-commerce site that serves over 60 countries worldwide at www.americanapparel.com . In addition, American Apparel operates a business that supplies T-shirts and other casual wear to distributors and the imprintable industry. The Company operates in four business segment: U.S. Wholesale, U.S. Retail, Canada, and International.

The U.S. Wholesale segment consists of the Company's wholesale operations of sales of undecorated apparel products to distributors and third party screen printers in the United States, as well as its online consumer sales to United States customers. The U.S. Retail segment consists of the Company's retail store operations in the United States. The Canada segment consists of the Company's retail, wholesale and online consumer operations in Canada. As of December 31, 2012 , the retail operations in the Canada segment consisted of 35 retail stores. The International segment consists of the Company's retail, wholesale and online consumer operations outside of the United States, and Canada. As of December 31, 2012 , the retail operations in the International segment were consisted of 76 retail stores.

As of December 31, 2012 , the Company's retail operations consisted of 251 retail stores in 20 countries, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, United Kingdom, Ireland, Austria, Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Israel, Australia, Japan, South Korea and China. The Company's wholesale operations sell to over a dozen authorized distributors and approximately 10,000 screen printers and advertising specialty companies. The Company operates 12 online stores in the United States, Canada, the U! nited Kingdom, Continental Europe, Switzerland, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Mexico, Brazil, Singapore and Hong Kong.

The Company competes with The Gap, Urban Outfitters, H&M, Uniqlo, Forever 21, Gildan Activewear, HanesBrands, Russell Athletic and Fruit of the Loom.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By WWW.DAILYFINANCE.COM]

    Dominik Pabis/Getty Images Do you want to buy clothes that are made in America? And are you willing to pay what it costs to help bring manufacturing jobs back to America -- and be once again able to buy quality goods that will last, in return for your money? Words and Actions Most Americans answer yes to the first question -- initially, at least. A New York Times poll last year found 46 percent of shoppers saying they would happily pay the same price -- or even a bit of a premium -- to own clothing made in America, as opposed to clothing made in China, Vietnam or another foreign country. Yet according to American-made apparel manufacturer Buck Mason, less than 3 percent of clothing is made in America. Why is this? Many products made in America sell for prices far higher than what similar products made elsewhere cost. What's more, even if you are willing to pay the premium for quality (the Times poll noted that 56 percent of Americans say American-made clothing is of higher quality than imports), Buck Mason laments: "it is virtually impossible to go to a mall anywhere, and find a high-quality, American-made garment" today. So there are really two problems for shoppers looking to "buy American" today. First, you can't find such goods to buy. Second, if you do find them, they cost too much. American Apparel One company trying to fix the first problem is Los Angeles-based American Apparel (APP). A vertically integrated clothing company (meaning it owns and operates its own retail stores, selling its own clothing), American Apparel makes its clothing in the U.S. and sells it here and abroad. Despite charging prices that can be twice the cost of imports, however, American Apparel has struggled to earn a profit. The company ran into difficulties with its financial auditor in 2010 and suffered through a Securities and Exchange Commission investigation as a result. Sales growth has been anemic; American Apparel is losing money; and at last report, the company wa

10 Best Safest Stocks To Watch For 2014: Motorola Solutions Inc (MSI)

Motorola Solutions, Inc. (Motorola Solutions), incorporated March 9, 1973, provides communication infrastructure, devices, software and services. The Company provides these products and services for enterprise and government customers worldwide. The Company operates in two segments: Government and Enterprise. The Government segment includes sales of public safety communications systems, commercial two-way radio systems and devices, software and services. The Enterprise segment includes sales of rugged and enterprise-grade mobile computers and tablets, laser/imaging/RFID-based data capture products, wireless local area network (WLAN) and integrated digital enhanced network (iDEN) infrastructure, software and services. In January 2014, the Company announced that it has acquired Twisted Pair Solutions, a provider of push-to-talk over broadband applications for secure, real-time communication anywhere, on any device.

Government

The Government segment designs, manufactures, sells, and provides services around voice and data communications systems, devices, security products and applications. These products and services are sold to a range of customers, including government, public safety and first responder agencies, as well as commercial customers who operate private communications networks and manage a mobile workforce.

The Company offer a portfolio of network infrastructure, devices, applications and services, based on Association for Public Safety Communications Officials 25 (APCO), terrestrial trunked radio (TETRA), and digital mobile radio (DMR) standards, as well as broadband technologies (Long-Term Evolution (LTE) and WiFi). Its products and services are sold stand alone, as well as part of an integrated system. In addition, Motorola Solutions offer critical applications in the public safety command center, including voice, computer aided dispatch and multimedia/video. The Company�� service offering includes mobility consulting, system design and installatio! n, network and device management and product support.

The Company competes with Cassidian/EADS, Harris, Hytera, Kenwood, Sepura and Tait.

Enterprise

The Enterprise segment designs, manufactures, sells and provides services around WLAN infrastructure, rugged and enterprise-grade advanced data capture and mobile computing devices, security products and applications. These are sold to a range of enterprise customers, including those in retail and hospitality, transportation and logistics, manufacturing, energy and utilities, education and healthcare. Motorola Solutions offers a portfolio of devices, infrastructure, applications and services, which include rugged and enterprise-grade mobile computers and tablets, laser/imager/RFID based data capture devices and kiosks, WLAN switches/controllers and access points, network and device management software, network and device security software, voice-based devices and software, and systems based iDEN technology.

The Company competes with Apple, Aruba, Bluebird, Cisco, Datalogic, Honeywell, Hewlett Packard, Intermec, Psion, Panasonic and Samsung.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By James Brumley]

    If the idea of Carl Icahn wanting to split a company up seems vaguely familiar, too … well, that’s hardly anything new, either. Icahn was the key driver behind Transocean (RIG) opting to divest some of its master limited partnership holdings, he desperately wanted OshKosh (OSK) to spin off JLG, and somehow Icahn got credit for sparking Motorola’s (MSI) spinoff of its mobile phone business.

10 Best Safest Stocks To Watch For 2014: ChinaCache International Holdings Ltd.(CCIH)

ChinaCache International Holdings Ltd. provides Internet content and application delivery services to businesses, government agencies, and enterprises in China. It offers Web Page Content Services to website operators; file transfer services; rich media streaming services that enable live streaming of media files; guaranteed application services for websites that incorporate applications with features, such as on-line booking and ordering, real-time stock quotes, and on-line surveys; managed internet data services; ChinaCache cloud services; and content bridging services. The company also provides various value-added services, such as geo-content acceleration services, performance evaluation module, scalable services routing services, link anti-hijack services, NetStorage services, user behavior analysis services, and Website performance evaluation services. The company was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in Beijing, the People?s Republic of China.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Eric Volkman]

    ChinaCache International Holdings (NASDAQ: CCIH  ) wants to spend money on its own shares after all. The company announced that its board has authorized a resumption of its stalled $10 million American Depositary Shares buyback program. It has plenty left in the tank. When halted, ChinaCache had spent only $1.5 million on such purposes.

  • [By Garrett Cook]

    Technology shares fell around 0.27 percent in Thursday’s trading. Top decliners in the sector included TechTarget (NASDAQ: TTGT), down 8.9 percent, and ChinaCache International Holdings (NASDAQ: CCIH), off 4.6 percent.

  • [By CRWE]

    ChinaCache International Holdings Ltd. (Nasdaq:CCIH), the leading total solutions provider of internet content and application delivery services in China, reported that it will participate in Cowen and Company’s 40th Annual Technology, Media & Telecom Conference in New York, on May 31, 2012 at 12:30PM ��1:10PM local time.

10 Best Safest Stocks To Watch For 2014: W.W. Grainger Inc. (GWW)

W.W. Grainger, Inc. and its subsidiaries distribute facilities maintenance and other related products and services in the United States, Canada, Japan, Mexico, India, Puerto Rico, China, Colombia, and Panama. The company offers maintenance, repair, and operating supplies; and other related products and services through local branches, catalogs, and the Internet. Its products include material handling equipment, safety and security supplies, lighting and electrical products, power and hand tools, pumps and plumbing supplies, cleaning and maintenance supplies, forestry and agriculture equipment, building and home inspection supplies, vehicle and fleet components, and various other items for facilities maintenance market, as well as services comprise inventory management and energy efficiency solutions. The company also distributes tools, fasteners, safety supplies, instruments, welding and shop equipment, and other items. It serves small and medium-sized businesses to large corporations, government entities, and other institutions. W.W. Grainger, Inc. was founded in 1927 and is based in Lake Forest, Illinois.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Monica Gerson]

    W.W. Grainger (NYSE: GWW) is estimated to report its Q3 earnings at $3.03 per share on revenue of $2.42 billion.

    The PNC Financial Services Group (NYSE: PNC) is projected to report its Q3 earnings at $1.62 per share on revenue of $3.88 billion.

  • [By Dan Caplinger]

    Worse than that news is the fact that some of Fastenal's competitors have held up somewhat better. MSC Industrial (NYSE: MSM  ) encountered much of the same sales weakness from the metalworking industry that Fastenal saw in its overall results, and both stocks have performed in line with each other over the past quarter. But W.W. Grainger (NYSE: GWW  ) soared after its earnings in April, as it saw its earnings rise more than 14% and boosted its guidance for full-year 2013 revenue and earnings.

Friday, June 27, 2014

Top 5 Specialty Retail Stocks To Buy Right Now

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The ratings of four specialty retail stocks are down this week, according to the Portfolio Grader database. Each of these rates a “D” (“sell”) or “F” overall (“strong sell”).

Top 10 Supermarket Companies To Watch For 2015: Firstin Wireless Technology Inc (FINW)

Firstin Wireless Technology, Inc., formerly Passionate Pet, Inc., incorporated on September 30, 2010, is a mobile service provider. The Company is a software-based mobile service provider that enables enterprises and business users to make affordable and business-quality international long distance and roaming calls over its hybrid mobile VoIP (HY-mVoIPTM) technology. Its service does not replace a user�� existing wireless service, it augments it with global communication capabilities. The Company's application is free to download, and is available on Apple iPhone, Blackberry and Android smartphones.

The Company provides international long distance and roaming services to enterprises and business travelers over smartphones. Business users need to download the Firstin application onto their smartphones to allow them to place and receive international long distance and roaming calls from anywhere in the world for a fixed monthly fee and unlimited usage. The Company intends to revolutionize business mobile communications by spearheading the enterprise mobile VoIP revolution allowing for anywhere, anytime, business-quality and low-cost voice and data communications over smartphones.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Peter Graham]

    A look at SofTech, Inc�� financials reveals revenues of $1,375k (most recent reported quarter), $1,558k, $1,458k and $1,772k for the past four quarters along with net losses of $266k (most recent reported quarter), $51k and $14k and net income of $252k. At the end of August, SofTech, Inc had $828k in cash to cover $2,717k in current liabilities and $5,445k in total liabilities. Given the recent Asset Purchase Agreement and the deal with lenders, it would be good to wait for some more financials to see how SofTech, Inc�� balance sheet has improved.

    Firstin Wireless Technology Inc (OTCMKTS: FINW) Has Been Quiet Since February

    Small cap Firstin Wireless Technology is a mobile communications company that is leading the shift to the enterprise mobile VoIP revolution through its mobile telephony platform and apps, including a flagship Firstin solution that allows for anywhere, anytime mobile communications at significant cost reductions. On Friday, Firstin Wireless Technology closed at $0.255 for a market cap of $8.57 million plus FINW is down 3,087.5% over the past year and down 78.7% since August 2011 according to Google Finance.

  • [By Peter Graham]

    Small cap stocks Bonamour Inc (OTCBB: BONI), Firstin Wireless Technology Inc (OTCMKTS: FINW) and Microchannel Technologies Corp (OTCBB: MCTC) have been attracting attention from variosu investment newsletters lately with at least two of these stocks being the subject of paid promotions. Of course, there is nothing wrong with properly disclosed paid promotions or investor relation types of activities as its up to investors and traders alike to do their due diligence. So how hot are these small cap stocks? Here is a quick reality check that might cool your appetite:

Top 5 Specialty Retail Stocks To Buy Right Now: Barnes & Noble Inc (BKS)

Barnes & Noble, Inc. (Barnes & Noble), incorporated on November 19, 1986, is a bookseller. The Company is a content, commerce and technology company that provides customers access to books, magazines, newspapers and other content across its multi-channel distribution platform. As of April 27, 2013, it operated 1,361 bookstores in 50 states, 686 bookstores on college campuses, and operates one of the Web eCommerce sites, and develops digital content products and software. Barnes & Noble operates in three segments: B&N Retail, B&N College and NOOK. The Company�� principal business is the sale of trade books (generally hardcover and paperback consumer titles), mass market paperbacks (such as mystery, romance, science fiction and other popular fiction), children�� books, eBooks and other digital content, NOOK and related accessories, bargain books, magazines, gifts, cafe products and services, educational toys & games, music and movies direct to customers through its bookstores or on barnesandnoble.com.

Of the Company�� 1,361 bookstores, 675 operate primarily under the Barnes & Noble Booksellers trade name. Barnes & Noble College Booksellers, LLC (B&N College), a wholly owned subsidiary of Barnes & Noble, operates 686 college bookstores at colleges and universities across the United States. Barnes & Noble Retail (B&N Retail) operates the 675 retail bookstores. Retail also includes the Company�� eCommerce site and Sterling Publishing Co., Inc. (Sterling or Sterling Publishing), a leader in general trade book publishing.

B&N Retail

This segment includes 675 bookstores as of April 27, 2013, primarily under the Barnes & Noble Booksellers trade name. These stores generally offer a dedicated NOOK area, a comprehensive trade book title base, a cafe, and departments dedicated to Juvenile, Toys & Games, DVDs, Music, Gift, Magazine and Bargain products. The stores also offer a calendar of ongoing events, including author appearances and children�� activities. The B&! N Retail segment also includes the Company�� eCommerce website, barnesandnoble.com, and its publishing operation, Sterling Publishing. Barnes & Noble stores range in size from 3,000 to 60,000 square feet depending upon market size, with an overall average store size of 26,000 square feet. During the fiscal year ended April 27, 2013 (fiscal), the Company reduced the Barnes & Noble store base by 0.3 million square feet, bringing the total square footage to 17.7 million square feet. The Company�� B&N Retail segment purchases physical books on a regular basis from over 800 publishers and over 50 wholesalers or distributors. As of April 27, 2013, Barnes & Noble had stores in 162 of the total 210 Designated Market Area markets.

Sterling Publishing is a publisher of non-fiction trade titles. It is a range of non-fiction and illustrated books and kits across a range of imprints, in categories, such as health and wellness, music and culture, food and wine, crafts and photography, puzzles and games, history and current affairs, as well as a children�� books.

B&N College

B&N College sells new and used textbooks in campus bookstores and online. As of April 27, 2013, B&N College operated 686 stores nationwide. The Company�� customer base, which is mainly consisted of students and faculty, can purchase various items from their campus stores, including textbooks and course-related materials, emblematic apparel and gifts, trade books, computer products, NOOK products and related accessories, school and dorm supplies, convenience and cafe items.

As of April 27, 2013, B&N College operates 651 traditional college bookstores and 35 academic superstores, which are generally larger in size, offer cafes and provide a sense of community that engages the surrounding campus and local communities in college activities and culture. The traditional bookstores range in size from 500 to 48,000 square feet. The academic superstores range in size from 8,000 to 75,000 square feet. B&! N College! �� three customer constituencies are students, faculty members and campus administrators.

NOOK

This segment includes the Company�� digital business, which includes the Company�� eBookstore, digital newsstand and sales of NOOK devices and accessories to third party distribution partners, as well as to B&N Retail and B&N College. Barnes & Noble�� NOOK digital bookstore and Reading Apps provide customers the ability to purchase and read their digital content and access to their Lifetime Library on a range of digital platforms, including Windows 8 PCs and tablets, iPad, iPhone , Android smartphones and tablets, PC and Mac. Barnes & Noble has implemented features on its digital platform to ensure that customers can access their NOOK content from almost all of today�� most popular devices.

The Company competes with Target, Books-A-Million, Waldenbooks, Amazon.com, Apple, Wal-Mart and Costco.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By DAILYFINANCE]

    Steven Senne/AP ATLANTA -- Target said Friday that debit-card PINs were among the financial information stolen from millions of customers who shopped at the retailer earlier this month. Target (TGT) said the stolen personal identification numbers, which customers type in to keypads to make secure transactions, were encrypted and that this strongly reduces risk to customers. In addition to the encrypted PINs, customer names, credit and debit card numbers, card expiration dates and the embedded code on the magnetic strip on back of the cards were stolen from about 40 million credit and debit cards used at Target stores between Nov. 27 and Dec. 15. Security experts say it's the second-largest theft of card accounts in U.S. history, surpassed only by a scam that began in 2005 involving retailer TJX Cos. (TJX). Target said it doesn't have access to nor does it store the encryption key within its system, and the PIN information can only be decrypted when it is received by the retailer's external, independent payment processor. "We remain confident that PIN numbers are safe and secure," spokeswoman Molly Snyder said in an emailed statement Friday. "The PIN information was fully encrypted at the keypad, remained encrypted within our system, and remained encrypted when it was removed from our systems." The company maintains that the "key" necessary to decrypt that data never existed within Target's system and couldn't have been taken during the hack. However, Gartner security analyst Avivah Litan said Friday that the PINs for the affected cards aren't safe and people "should change them at this point." Litan said that while she has no information about the encrypted PIN information in Target's case, such data has been decrypted before, in particular the 2005 TJX Cos. hacking case that's believed the largest case of identity theft in U.S. history. In 2009 computer hacker Albert Gonzalez plead guilty to conspiracy, wire fraud and other charges after mastermindin

  • [By Laura Brodbeck]

    Earnings Expected: From�Barnes & Noble, Inc. (NYSE: BKS), DSW Inc. (NYSE: DSW), Tiffany & Co., Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE: HRL), TiVo Inc., Analog Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADI), Hewlett-Packard Company.

Top 5 Specialty Retail Stocks To Buy Right Now: Puget Technologies Inc (PUGE)

PUGET TECHNOLOGIES, INC., incorporated on March 17, 2010, is a development-stage company. The Company is engaged in the distribution of luxury wool bedding sets produced in Germany. The Company�� product includes Lama Wool, Camel Wool, Cashmere Wool and Merino Wool.

The Company�� Lama Wool is consists of 50% Lama Wool hair, and 50% Merino wool hair. The Camel wool is consists of 50% Camel wool hair, and 50% Merino wool hair. The Cashmere wool is blended with Merino wool.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Peter Graham]

    Small cap stocks Inscor, Inc (OTCMKTS: IOGA), Puget Technologies Inc (OTCBB: PUGE) and PTA Holdings Inc (OTCMKTS: PTAH) have all been getting some attention lately in various investment newsletters or investor alerts. However, two of these small caps have been the subject of paid promotions while the third is getting attention largely because its in the growing marijuana or cannabis business. With that in mind, are these stocks really all that hot or not? Here is a quick reality check:

Top 5 Specialty Retail Stocks To Buy Right Now: FTD Companies Inc (FTD)

FTD Companies, Inc. (FTD), incorporated on April 25, 2008, is a floral and gifting company. The Company provides floral, gift and related products and services to consumers and retail florists, as well as to other retail locations offering floral and gift products primarily in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the Republic of Ireland. The Company operates in one segment, which includes floral and related products and services. Its business uses the FTD and Interflora brands, both supported by the Mercury Man logo. The Company�� portfolio of brands also includes Flying Flowers, Flowers Direct, and Drake Algar in the United Kingdom. On November 1, 2013, United Online, Inc. (United Online) completed the separation of United Online into two independent, publicly traded companies: FTD Companies, Inc. and United Online, Inc.

The Company�� products revenues are derived primarily from selling floral, gift and related products to consumers and the related shipping and service fees. Products revenues also include revenues generated from sales of hard goods, software and hardware systems, cut flowers, packaging and promotional products, and a range of other floral-related supplies to floral network members. Its services revenues related to orders sent through the floral network are variable based on either the number of orders or on the value of orders and are recognized in the period in which the orders.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By John Udovich]

    As we head towards Black Friday, small cap specialty retail stocks United Online, Inc (NASDAQ: UNTD), TravelCenters of America LLC (NYSE: TA) and MarineMax, Inc (NYSE: HZO) have the distinction of being the best performing small cap�specialty retail stocks for this year (according to Finviz.com) with gains of 181.2%, 123.8% and 71.8%, respectively. With those returns in mind, what are these small cap specialty retail stocks doing right and will the performance last through the all important holiday season? Here is what new and existing investors and traders alike need to know or consider:

    United Online, Inc.�A provider of consumer products and services over the Internet, United Online�� Content & Media segment services are online nostalgia (Memory Lane) and online loyalty marketing (MyPoints) while its�primary Communications segment services are Internet access and email (NetZero and Juno). The reason United Online is among the�best performing specialty retail stocks for this year in various stock screening tools like Finviz.com�is actually misleading as the company has just completed the spin off�of subsidiary FTD Companies, a floral and gifts products company acquired in August 2008 for $441 million, as�FTD Companies Inc (NASDAQ: FTD) where United Online shareholders received one share of FTD common stock for every five shares of United Online common stock they hold. In addition, United Online completed�a�one-for-seven reverse stock split of United Online shares.�On Tuesday, small cap United Online, Inc fell 1.01% to $15.72 (UNTD has a 52 week trading range of $11.65 to $62.30 a share) for a market cap of $207.79 million plus the stock is up 181.2% since the start of the year and up 182.2% over the past five years. Meanwhile, the FTD Companies Inc�now has a�market cap of $611.60 and the stock is up almost 6% since October.

  • [By WWW.DAILYFINANCE.COM]

    BlueOrange Studio/Shutterstock One day out of 365, we pay homage to our sainted mothers. Those of us who are members of this long-suffering, uncomplaining, self-sacrificing class may get some soggy French toast in bed, (don't worry, kids; mom will clean up the kitchen), a chance to read in peace, or perhaps time to indulge in a long, hot bath. Bringing Home the Bacon If you really want to pay back mom for all she's done, get ready to pony up big. A card and some carnations (the official flower of Mother's Day, who knew?) just won't cut it. The cost of replacing mom as nurturer, nurse, cleaner and cook -- according to Insure.com's 2014 Mother's Day salary index -- would run you $62,985 a year, up from $59,862 in 2013. Breaking down the price of having someone else handle her various duties: Cooking and cleaning, $12,230 Child care, $21,736 Homework help, $7,290 Chauffeur, $5,672 Shopping, yard work, party and activity planning, finances, etc., $15,019 And my personal favorite, finding out what the kids are up to (paid in the equivalent value of a private detective), $1,036. Salary.com placed a higher value on moms in its 2014 Mother's Day salary survey, concluding that stay-at-home moms were worth $118,905 and working moms worth $70,107 (this does not include any paid salary from their job), with both groups putting more than 56 hours of overtime at home. These numbers are all up from last year's survey. Cooking It Up in a Pan Mom helps to pay for other things, too. Thanks to the Department of Agriculture, you can see what it costs to raise a child in the U.S. to 18. As of August 2013, the average cost is $241,080. This does not cover college, and hopefully dear old dad is contributing. In 2012, there were 10.3 million single U.S. mothers with children under 18, and one-third of women who gave birth in 2012 were single moms. By becoming moms, women give up time to do other things, what economists call an "opportunity cost." Particularly if your mother st

Thursday, June 26, 2014

10 Best Media Stocks To Invest In Right Now

The Twitter stock IPO is going to happen - it's no longer a question of if, but of when. The company is the latest social media concern to go public, and investors and commentators alike are looking forward to the festivities.

It remains to be seen whether or not Nasdaq can avoid the issues that it ran into with Facebook Inc. (Nasdaq: FB). That IPO was one of the biggest in history. The company had a market cap of $104 billion, unprecedented for an IPO.

But the offering was beset by... nearly everything that could go wrong with an IPO. The exchange suffered a computer malfunction that misplaced somewhere between $10 and $20 million worth of share orders. There were allegations that underwriter Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) offered too many shares at too high a price.

Although it's impossible to tell for sure, as the JOBS act allows firms with less than $1 billion in annual revenue to keep IPO details confidential, the smart money says that Twitter will open lower - much lower - than Facebook did, in order to allow the markets to regulate themselves and for shares to appreciate according to market forces. It remains to be seen whether or not this is a wise move, but it's undeniably more level-headed.

Top 5 India Stocks To Buy Right Now: Discovery Communications Inc(DISCA)

Discovery Communications, Inc. operates as a non fiction media and entertainment company worldwide. The company provides original and purchased programming across various distribution platforms. Its content covers science, exploration, survival, natural history, sustainability of the environment, technology, docu-series, anthropology, paleontology, history, space, archaeology, health and wellness, engineering, adventure, lifestyles, forensics, civilization, and current events. The company owns and operates nine national television networks in the United States, including Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Science Channel, Investigation Discovery, Military Channel, Planet Green, Discovery Fit & Health, and Velocity. Discovery Communications also has interests in Oprah Winfrey Network, a pay-television network and Web site; The Hub that features original programming, game shows, and live-action series and specials; and 3net, a three-dimensional network. In addition, it o ffers network branded Web sites, and mobile and video-on-demand services; and distributes various national and pan-regional television networks. Further, the company develops and sells curriculum-based products and services to public and private K-12 schools, such as access to an online VOD service that includes curriculum-based tools, professional development services, and student assessment and publication of hardcopy curriculum-based content; and postproduction audio services to motion picture studios, independent producers, broadcast networks, cable channels, advertising agencies, and interactive producers. As of December 31, 2011, it operated approximately 150 distribution feeds in 40 languages. The company is headquartered in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Tom Taulli]

    Still, BCE has a strong brand and substantial financial resources, as well as a top-notch network that reaches more than 70% of Canadians. BCE also has the advantage of owning premium content, with rights to programming for Discovery (DISCA) and Viacom’s (VIAB) MTV. Its prospects also look bright with concern to mobile, where the company has invested heavily in its payments solutions.

10 Best Media Stocks To Invest In Right Now: CBS Corporation(CBS)

CBS Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a mass media company in the United States and internationally. The company?s Entertainment segment distributes a schedule of news and public affairs broadcasts, sports, and entertainment programming; produces, acquires, and distributes programming, including series, specials, news, and public affairs; produces and distributes theatrical motion pictures across various genres; and operates online content networks for information and entertainment. Its Cable Networks segment owns and operates multiplexed channels that offers subscription program services, including recently released theatrical feature films, original series, documentaries, boxing, mixed martial arts and other sports-related programming, and special events; and CBS College Sports Network, a 24-hour cable program service related to college sports. This segment also owns and manages Smithsonian Networks, which operates Smithsonian Channel, a basic cab le service in the United States. The company?s Publishing segment publishes and distributes adult and children?s consumer books in printed, audio, and digital formats. Its Local Broadcasting segment owns 29 broadcast television stations; owns and operates 130 radio stations in 28 U.S. markets and related online properties; and owns local Websites that combine television and radio local media brands online to provide the latest news, traffic, weather, and sports information, as well as local discounts, directories, and reviews. The company?s Outdoor segment sells advertising space on various media, including billboards, transit shelters and other street furniture, buses, rail systems, mall kiosks, stadium signage, and in retail stores. CBS Corporation was founded in 1986 and is headquartered in New York, New York.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Laura Brodbeck]

    Thursday

    Earnings Expected From: The Priceline Group Inc. (NASDAQ: PCLN), Valeant Pharmaceuticals (NYSE: VRX), CBS Corporation (NYSE: CBS), Apache Corporation (NYSE: APA) Economic Releases Expected: �Chinese CPI, Chinese PPI, European Central Bank Interest Rate Decision, Bank of England interest rate decision, Spanish industrial production, German industrial production

    Friday

  • [By Dan Caplinger]

    CBS (NYSE: CBS  ) has done an impressive job of making its television network the No. 1-rated network, vaulting over its peers. As a result, CBS stock vaulted to all-time highs last month in what has been an impressive recovery since 2009's stock market lows, with the stock having given investors 15-bagger performance since then.

10 Best Media Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Time Warner Cable Inc(TWC)

Time Warner Cable Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a cable operator in the United States. It offers video, high-speed data, and voice services over its broadband cable systems to residential and commercial customers. The company provides a range of video services, including on-demand, high-definition (HD), and digital video recorder (DVR) services; residential high-speed data services with connection to the Internet; wireless mobile broadband Internet services; and digital phone services to residential customers. It offers video programming tiers and music services; high-speed data, networking, and transport services; and commercial digital phone service to small and medium-sized businesses under the Time Warner Cable Business Class brand. Further, Time Warner Cable Inc. sells advertising to various national, regional, and local customers. As of June 30, 2011, the company served approximately 14.5 million residential and commercial customers in the New Yor k State, the Carolinas, Ohio, southern California, and Texas. Time Warner Cable Inc. is based in New York, New York.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Demitrios Kalogeropoulos]

    Comcast (NASDAQ: CMCSA  )
    Comcast may be losing cable subscribers, but it is making up for those defections with solid growth in other areas of the business. Sure, the company shed 60,000�residential video customers last quarter. But that's actually much better than Time Warner Cable (NYSE: TWC  ) managed. Time Warner saw a steeper dip in its video subscribers of 4.5%, or over 550,000 customers.

10 Best Media Stocks To Invest In Right Now: DIRECTV(DTV)

DIRECTV provides digital television entertainment in the United States and Latin America. The company provides direct-to-home (DTH) digital television services, as well as multi-channel video programming distribution services in the United States. It offers various channels of digital-quality video entertainment and CD-quality audio programming directly to subscribers' homes or businesses, as well as video-on-demand services; and approximately 160 national high-definition television channels and 4 3D channels. The company also provides premium professional and collegiate sports programming, such as the NFL SUNDAY TICKET package, which allows subscribers to view the NFL games. In addition, it offers DTH digital television services in Latin America and the Caribbean, including Puerto Rico. The company provides its local and international programming under the DIRECTV and SKY brand names. As of December 31, 2010, it served approximately 19.2 million subscribers in the United States; and 8.9 million subscribers in Latin America. The company was founded in 1990 and is based in El Segundo, California.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Michael Lewis]

    At the same time, there is renewed interest in a possible merger between Dish and DIRECTV (NASDAQ: DTV  ) . With Comcast and Time Warner Cable attempting to tie the knot, industry consolidation appears inevitable. If federal regulators accept one deal, they will have to deeply consider a corresponding merger between the two leading satellite providers.

10 Best Media Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Thomson Reuters Corp(TRI)

Thomson Reuters Corporation provides intelligent information for businesses and professionals worldwide. The company allows market participants to connect, access content, and trade in a secure environment through Thomson Reuters Eikon desktop, Thomson Reuters Elektron network, content integration and management technology, content feeds and databases, and transactions infrastructure solutions that support buy- and sell-side customers to trade in foreign exchange, fixed income and derivatives, equities, exchange-traded instruments, and commodities and energy markets. It also offers information, analytics, workflow, and technology solutions to buy-side and off-trading floor customers; access to liquidity in over-the-counter markets, trade execution, and connections for market participants and financial professionals? communities; and a suite of solutions offering informed outcomes to regulated industries and law firms. In addition, the company provides critical information , decision support tools, and software and services to legal, investigation, business, and government professionals; integrated tax compliance and accounting software and services for accounting and law firms, corporations, and government professionals; intellectual property and scientific resources that enable its customers to discover, develop, and deliver innovations; and data analytics, and performance benchmarking solutions and services to healthcare sector. Further, it offers coverage of global, regional, and national news in 20 languages covering politics, business, finance, entertainment, lifestyle, technology, health, science, and sports; and engages in advertising-supported direct-to-consumer publishing activities of Reuters.com and its network of Websites, mobile applications, and electronic out-of-home displays. The company was formerly known as The Thomson Corporation and changed its name to Thomson Reuters Corporation in April 2008. The company is headquartered in New York, New York.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Rich Smith]

    This series, brought to you by Yahoo! Finance, looks at which upgrades and downgrades make sense, and which ones investors should act on. Today, our headlines feature an upgrade for Thomson Reuters Reuters (NYSE: TRI  ) , a new buy rating for Novavax (NASDAQ: NVAX  ) -- but for Union Pacific (NYSE: UNP  ) , a downgrade. Let's get that bad news out of the way first.

  • [By Monica Wolfe]

    Thomson Reuters (TRI)

    On Feb. 11, Thomson Reuters declared a dividend of $0.330 per share, representing 3.80% dividend yield for the company. This dividend is payable on March 17 to shareholders of the record at the close of business on Feb. 24, 2014.

  • [By Associated Press]

    Ron Brown, head of Elektron Analytics, a Thomson Reuters (NYSE: TRI  ) unit that sells news feeds that computers can read, said that the words "explosions" or "Obama" alone wouldn't have triggered selling. But add "White House," and it's a combination even the slowest computer couldn't miss.

  • [By Bill Smith]

    FDS operates in a highly competitive industry, some with more resources. Their competitors include:
    Thomson Reuters Corp. (TRI)BloombergInteractive (IDC)MSCI Inc. (MXB)Morningstar Inc. (MORN)Track Data Corp. (TRAC)Edgar Online (EDGR)McGraw-Hill (MHP )

10 Best Media Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Comcast Corporation(CMCSA)

Comcast Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides entertainment, information, and communications products and services in the United States and internationally. Its Cable Communications segment provides video, high-speed Internet, and phone services to residential and business customers. As of June 30, 2011, its cable systems served approximately 22.5 million video customers, 17.5 million high-speed Internet customers, and 9.1 million phone customers. The company?s Cable Networks segment operates cable entertainment networks, such as USA Network, Syfy, E!, Bravo, Oxygen, Style, G4, Chiller, Sleuth, and Universal HD; news and information networks, including CNBC, MSNBC, and CNBC World; cable sports networks comprising Golf Channel and VERSUS; regional sports and news networks; international entertainment, and news and information networks, such as CNBC Europe, CNBC Asia, and Universal Networks International portfolio of networks; cable television production oper ations; and digital media properties consisting primarily of brand-aligned Websites and other Websites, such as DailyCandy, Fandango, and iVillage. Its Broadcast Television segment operates the U.S. broadcast networks, NBC and Telemundo; 10 NBC and 15 Telemundo owned local television stations; broadcast television productions; and related digital media properties. The company?s Filmed Entertainment segment operates Universal Pictures, which produces, acquires, markets, and distributes filmed entertainment and stage plays worldwide in various media formats for theatrical, home entertainment, television, and other distribution platforms. Its Theme Parks segment operates Universal Studios Hollywood park and Wet ?n Wild water park, as well as licenses intellectual properties and provides services to third parties that own and operate Universal Studios Japan and Universal Studios Singapore. Comcast Corporation was founded in 1963 and is based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Jesse Solomon]

    2. Aereo ruling sparks media madness: CBS Corporation (CBS) skyrocketed as much as 7% after the Supreme Court said streaming service Aereo's business model violates broadcasters' rights by using tiny antennas to snap up content on public airwaves. Shares of Disney (DIS), which owns broadcaster ABC, also jumped on the news, as did Comcast (CMCSA), owner of NBC, and Twenty-First Century Fox (FOXA).

  • [By Jon C. Ogg]

    Comcast Corp. (NASDAQ: CMCSA) was reiterated with a Buy rating at BofA/Merrill Lynch, but where the call stands out is that Comcast was added back to the US 1 List of stocks at the firm.

10 Best Media Stocks To Invest In Right Now: News Corporation(NWSA)

News Corporation operates as a diversified media company worldwide. Its Cable Network Programming segment produces and licenses news, business news, sports, general entertainment, and movie programming for distribution through cable television systems and direct broadcast satellite operators primarily in the United States, Latin America, Europe, and Asia. The company?s Filmed Entertainment segment produces and acquires live-action and animated motion pictures for distribution and licensing in entertainment media, as well as produces and licenses television programming worldwide. Its Television segment operates 27 broadcast television stations in the United States. The company?s Direct Broadcast Satellite Television segment distributes programming services via satellite and broadband directly to subscribers in Italy. Its Publishing segment provides newspapers and information services, such as publishing national newspapers in the United Kingdom, approximately 146 newspapers in Australia, and a metropolitan and a national newspaper in the United States; book publishing services, including the publishing of English language books worldwide; and integrated marketing services comprising the publishing of free-standing inserts, which are marketing booklets containing coupons, rebates, and other consumer offers, as well as provides in-store marketing products and services, primarily to consumer packaged goods manufacturers in the United States and Canada. The company also sells advertising, sponsorships, and subscription services on the company?s various digital media properties and outdoor advertising space on various media primarily in Russia and eastern Europe; and provides data systems and professional services that enable teachers to use data to assess student progress and deliver individualized instructions. News Corporation was founded in 1922 and is headquartered in New York, New York.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Lee Jackson]

    News Corp. (NASDAQ: NWSA) boasts a cable-leading news operation and a host of additional entertainment properties. The consensus target for the stock is $17.30.

  • [By Lisa Levin]

    News Corporation (NASDAQ: NWSA) shares gained 0.61% to touch a new 52-week high of $18.13. 21st Century Fox announced its plans to sell its 47% stake in Star China TV.

  • [By Gary Bourgeault]

    Storyful acquired by News Corp.
    It was an excellent decision by News Corp. (NASDAQ: NWSA  ) to acquire Storyful for $25 million. The company now has the resources to scale out much quicker in what will become a crowded market.

Top Beverage Companies To Watch In Right Now

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

5 Stocks Under $10 Poised to Pop in June

BALTIMORE (Stockpickr) -- There's no question about it: Some of the biggest price action comes from the lowest-priced stocks.

>>5 Stocks Setting Up to Break Out

From a psychological standpoint, there's something magnetic about low-priced names. That's the only explanation for the elevated trading volumes in the under-$10 stocks.

Just so we're clear, a low share price doesn't necessarily mean that we're talking about a small company, or even a "cheap" one by valuation standards. In fact, by itself, share price isn't a very useful metric at all. But it's true that lower-priced names tend to trade more actively than pricier stocks of similar market capitalization. And when stocks under $10 start making moves, the gains can be substantial on a percentage basis.

>>Buy These 5 Rocket Stocks to Beat the Market

Since the beginning of the month, low-priced stocks are starting to see favor in the broad market again as investors crank up their risk tolerances. That means that we're seeing some actionable technical setups pop up again in this corner of the market. Today, we'll take a closer look at five of them.

For the unfamiliar, technical analysis is a way for investors to quantify qualitative factors, such as investor psychology, based on a stock's price action and trends. Once the domain of cloistered trading teams on Wall Street, technicals can help top traders make consistently profitable trades and can aid fundamental investors in better planning their stock execution.

>>5 Blue-Chip Stocks to Trade for Gains

Without further ado, let's take a look at five technical setups worth trading now.

Nokia


First up is handset maker Nokia (NOK), a good example of a low-priced stock that's not small by any means. This firm may tip the scales with a $29 billion market capitalization, but it trades for under $8 right now. That single-digit price tag might not last long in NOK, however: this stock is breaking out of a long-term bullish setup this week.

>>3 Big Tech Stocks to Trade (or Not)

Nokia spent the last six months forming an ascending triangle pattern, a price setup that's formed by a horizontal resistance level above shares (in this case at $7.75) and uptrending support to the downside. Basically, as NOK has bounced its way between those two technically important price levels, it's been getting squeezed closer and closer to a breakout above that $7.75 price ceiling. When that happened four sessions ago, we got our buy signal in NOK.

Momentum, measured by 14-day RSI, is the confirming indicator to look at in this stock. Our momentum gauge has been making higher lows over the course of the setup. Since momentum is a leading indicator of price, it adds some confidence to this breakout in NOK. If you decide to buy here, keep a protective stop in place at the 200-day moving average.

AK Steel Holding


We're seeing another triangle pattern in play in shares of AK Steel Holding (AKS), albeit with some pretty big differences. AKS spent all of 2014 forming a descending triangle, the bearish opposite of the ascending triangle trade that NOK just triggered. Basically, the descending triangle in AKS was waving a red flag that shares looked likely to break down, but the sell signal never triggered.

Best Communications Equipment Stocks To Buy For 2015

>>4 Stocks Rising on Unusual Volume

In fact, shares broke out through the top of the channel within the last week, aborting the descending triangle setup before it had a chance to play out. That's a reprieve for shareholders in AKS, and it's also a bullish signal for traders who haven't looked at this small-cap steel producer yet.

An aborted bearish pattern is every bit as attractive as an outright bullish one, and that makes AKS buyable this week. There's still a stumbling block up at $8.50, the resistance level that started the pattern back in January. But that price ceiling is far enough away from here that there's still plenty of upside potential in AKS right now. Just keep a tight stop in place.

PMC-Sierra


Small-cap tech stock PMC-Sierra (PMCS) has enjoyed a solid run in 2014, rallying close to 19% since the calendar flipped over to January. But PMCS could be in store for even more upside if we see its bullish price pattern trigger this week.

>>5 Stocks With Big Insider Buying

PMC-Sierra is currently forming a "rounding bottom" pattern, a price setup that indicates a gradual transition in control from sellers to buyers. The pattern's name is a pretty good description of how it looks on a chart. Even though PMCS' rounding bottom is forming at the top of its recent price range (not the bottom), the trading implications are just the same. The buy signal triggers on a move through our $7.80 price ceiling.

Why all the significance at $7.80? It all comes down to buyers and sellers. Price patterns are a good quick way to identify what's going on in the price action, but they're not the reason a stock is tradable. Instead, the "why" comes down to basic supply and demand for PMC-Sierra's stock.

The $7.80 resistance level is a price where there has been an excess of supply of shares; in other words, it's a spot where sellers have previously been more eager to step in and take gains than buyers have been to buy. That's what makes a breakout above $7.80 so significant -- the move means that buyers are finally strong enough to absorb all of the excess supply above that price level. Wait for that breakout before you buy.

SandRidge Energy


You don't need to be an expert technical trader to figure out why shares of mid-cap oil and gas firm SandRidge Energy (SD) looks bullish right now -- a quick glance at the chart should tell you just about everything you need to know. SD has been a "buy the dips stock" since the middle of December, and now, traders just need to wait for the next dip.

>>A Small-Cap Stocks With Big Upside Potential.

Waiting for a bounce off of trend line support is a key risk management strategy for SD buyers for two big reasons: it's the spot where shares have the furthest to move up before they hit resistance, and it's also the spot where the risk is the least (because shares have the least room to move lower before you know you're wrong). Remember, all trend lines do eventually break, but by actually waiting for the bounce to happen first, you're ensuring SandRidge can actually still catch a bid along that line before you put your money on shares.

SD is exhibiting some outstanding relative strength right now, an indication that shares are outperforming the broad market as we head into the second half of 2014. As long as that uptrend in relative strength stays intact, SD should keep outperforming the S&P 500.

J.C. Penney


A year ago, department store retailer J.C. Penney (JCP) wouldn't have made this list. That's because 12 months ago and 45% higher, JCP was a double-digit stock. But long-suffering JCP shareholders may be getting a break soon thanks to a classic bottoming pattern that's been forming in shares since last fall.

JCP is currently forming an inverse head and shoulders pattern, a technical setup that indicates exhaustion among sellers. The pattern is formed by two swing lows that bottom out around the same level (the shoulders), separated by a bigger trough called the head; the buy signal comes on the breakout above the pattern's "neckline" level, currently right at $10 resistance. The long-term setup stage of this price pattern comes with equally long-term upside implications when the breakout happens.

Lest you think that the inverse head and shoulders is too well known to be worth trading, the research suggests otherwise: a recent academic study conducted by the Federal Reserve Board of New York found that the results of 10,000 computer-simulated head-and-shoulders trades resulted in "profits [that] would have been both statistically and economically significant."

That's good reason to keep a close eye on JCP this week.

To see this week's trades in action, check out the Technical Setups for the Week portfolio on Stockpickr.

-- Written by Jonas Elmerraji in Baltimore.


RELATED LINKS:



>>5 Hated Earnings Stocks You Should Love



>>4 Big Stocks on Traders' Radars



>>5 Stocks Under $10 Set to Soar Higher

Follow Stockpickr on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook.

At the time of publication, author had no positions in stocks mentioned.

Jonas Elmerraji, CMT, is a senior market analyst at Agora Financial in Baltimore and a contributor to

TheStreet. Before that, he managed a portfolio of stocks for an investment advisory returned 15% in 2008. He has been featured in Forbes , Investor's Business Daily, and on CNBC.com. Jonas holds a degree in financial economics from UMBC and the Chartered Market Technician designation.

Follow Jonas on Twitter @JonasElmerraji