Hot Internet Companies To Own In Right Now

Insider buying has been proven to have significant predictive power for stock prices - which is why we like to make a list of possible "insider" stocks to buy.

No one knows more about the condition and prospects of a business than the chief executive officer (CEO) and chief financial officer (CFO). When insiders like them buy stocks in the open market of the companies they control, the stock often outperforms the broader market for the next several years.

According to Nejat Seyhun, a professor and researcher in the field of insider trading at the University of Michigan, when insiders are buying shares in their own companies, the stock tends to outperform the total market by 8.9% over the next 12 months.

In the past month there have been some significant buys by the top two executives in some interesting companies. Let's take a look.

3 Stocks to Buy That Insiders Can't Get Enough of Now

The first "insider" stock to buy is Symantec Corp. (Nasdaq: SYMC), one of the leading internet security providers in the world.

Top 5 Machinery Stocks To Own For 2015: CYNK Technology Corp (CYNK)

Cynk Technology Corp., formerly Introbuzz, Inc., is a development stage-company. The Company intends to develop a social network business. Social networks are Web based services that allow individuals to post a profile and link their profile to other friends and organizations.

The Company intends to develop a database of professional and other business persons, as well as other interested persons in providing and utilizing contacts. As of November 14, 2012, the Company had not generated any revenue.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By WWW.DAILYFINANCE.COM]

  CYNK Technology (CYNK), the mysterious over-the-counter stock that at one point broke a $6 billion market cap, dropped roughly 80 percent in its first trades after a Securities and Exchange Commission halt. The SEC halted CYNK for two weeks following a massive rise in the stock's value -- it had been worth only a few cents per share in June, but it jumped above $21 on July 10. The Belize-based CYNK Technology supposedly operates a social networking site, but filings indicate it only has one employee and virtually no assets. Experts told CNBC the week of the SEC halt that they expected CYNK to fall precipitously after reopening, and its first day of trading is proving those predictions correct. When it was halted, the stock was worth just less than $14 per share, and is now below $3 a share after briefly hovering around $5 earlier Friday morning. An OTC Markets spokeswoman told Reuters that CYNK's shares were not trading on its platform, but were occurring over the phone. Earlier this week Reuters reported that OTC's CEO did not expect CYNK to trade on its platform at all after reopening, as no brokerages would file the required paperwork for the stock to trade on their exchanges. An SEC spokesman said that the organization cannot comment on the status of a company after a suspension period ends, citing an online explanation of the process. That document notes that broker-dealers may not solicit investors to trade the previously suspended OTC stock until they satisfy several regulatory requirements. The SEC warned, however, that "unsolicited" trading may occur after a reopening -- as CYNK is now seeing -- but "even though such trading is allowed, it can be very risky for investors without current and reliable information about the company."

Hot Internet Companies To Own In Right Now: eBay Inc.(EBAY)

eBay Inc. provides online platforms, services, and tools to help individuals and merchants in online and mobile commerce and payments in the United States and internationally. Its Marketplaces segment operates ecommerce platform eBay.com; vertical shopping sites, such as StubHub, Fashion, Motors, and Half.com; and classifieds Websites, including Den Bl�Avis, BilBasen, Gumtree, Kijiji, LoQUo, Marktplaats.nl, mobile.de, Alamaula, Rent.com, eBay Anuncios, eBay Kleinanzeigen, and eBay Annunci, as well as provides advertising services. The company?s Payments segment offers payment and settlement services for consumers and merchants on and off eBay Websites and other merchant Websites. This segment operates PayPal, which enables individuals and businesses to send and receive payments online and through mobile devices; Bill Me Later that enables the United States merchants to offer, the United States consumers to obtain, credit at the point of sale for ecommerce and mobile tra nsactions; Zong, which allows users with mobile phones to purchase digital goods and have the transactions charged to their phone bill; and BillSAFE that enables customers pay for purchases upon receipt of an invoice. Its GSI segment offers an ecommerce services suite for enterprise clients that operate in general merchandise categories, including apparel, sporting goods, toys and baby, health and beauty, and home; and marketing services comprising full-service digital agency, enterprise email marketing, mobile advertising, affiliate marketing, advertisement retargeting, and in-depth analytics services. The company also offers X.commerce platform that provides software developers access to the company?s applications programming interfaces to develop functionality for various merchants; and Magento Connect, which allows developers to market and sell add-on functionality and solutions to merchants that use a Magento storefront. eBay Inc. was founded in 1995 and is headquarter ed in San Jose, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Tim Beyers]

  If PayPal keeps winning, so, too, will eBay (NASDAQ: EBAY  ) stock investors.

  What can we expect from the payments platform when the auctioneer reports earnings on April 17? Outsized growth seems likely. Despite growing competition from Square, Google (NASDAQ: GOOG  ) , and even Groupon (NASDAQ: GRPN  ) , PayPal handled 700 million payments transactions and served 123 million active accounts in the fourth quarter. Investors should be looking for meaningful growth in both figures in the Q1 report.

• [By David Hanson and Matt Koppenheffer]

  Technological innovation has transformed the way consumers pay, businesses accept payments, and how�institutions�serve clients. However, we are still surely in the early�innings�of technology's impact on the banking sector. As platforms such as PayPal, a division of eBay (NASDAQ: EBAY  ) , change the way consumers think about their financial lives, are traditional banks increasingly in trouble?

Hot Internet Companies To Own In Right Now: Alibaba Group Holding Ltd (BABA)

Alibaba Group Holding Limited, incorporated on June 28, 1999, is an online and mobile commerce company. The Company operates its ecosystem as a platform for third parties. The Company operates Taobao Marketplace, China�� online shopping destination, Tmall, China�� third-party platform for brands and retailers and Juhuasuan, China�� group buying marketplace. In addition to its three China retail marketplaces, the Company operates Alibaba.com, China�� global online wholesale marketplace, 1688.com, its China wholesale marketplace, and AliExpress, its global consumer marketplace, as well as provides cloud computing services. As a platform, the Company provides the fundamental technology infrastructure and marketing reach to help businesses leverage the power of the Internet to establish an online presence and conduct commerce with consumers and businesses. Effective August 01, 2014, Alibaba Investment Ltd, a unit of Alibaba Group Holding Ltd, acquired a 10.193% interest n Singapore Post Ltd.

The buyers and sellers discover, select and transact with each other on the Company�� platform. Third-party service providers add value to its platform through service offerings that make it easier for buyers and sellers to do business. The third-party participants in its ecosystem include a payment services provider, logistics providers, retail operational partners, marketing affiliates, independent software vendors and various professional service providers. The Company has developed policies and procedures that maintain the health and sustainability of its marketplaces, including consumer protection programs, marketplace rules, qualification standards for merchants and buyer and seller rating systems. As its ecosystem expands, new jobs are created.

Taobao Affiliate Network is powered by Alimama, its online marketing technology platform. Through this platform, sellers place marketing displays on its marketing affiliates��websites and mobile apps, and sellers pay a performance-b! ased marketing fee primarily based on cost-per-click (CPC), and cost-per-sale (CPS), models. Through China Smart Logistics, the Company provides real-time information to its logistics partners, including key operating metrics, such as distribution center utilization rates, route planning data and order volume forecasts. Independent software vendors (ISVs) provide software tools, as well as systems integration services to sellers.

Tmall is an online platform featuring brands and retailers with each seller having an identifiable online storefront. Users may access Tmall anytime, anywhere through the Tmall Website and the mobile apps and mobile-optimized websites provided by Taobao Marketplace and Tmall. The physical product categories on Tmall include apparel and accessories, electronics and appliances, home furnishings, home appliances, maternity and baby products. Juhuasuan is an online group buying marketplace in China. Juhuasuan offers quality products at discounted prices by aggregating demand from numerous consumers. Juhuasuan mainly does this through flash sales, which make products available at discounted prices for a limited period of time. Juhuasuan offers group buying channels featuring branded and private label products, products made to custom specifications and local services.

AliExpress is a consumer marketplace enables consumers from around the world to buy directly from wholesalers and manufacturers in China. On AliExpress, consumers have access to a variety of products. In addition to the global English-language site, AliExpress operates two local language sites in Russia and Brazil. The product categories on AliExpress.com include apparel and accessories, phones and communications products, beauty and health, computer networking, jewelry and watches. Alibaba.com is an online commerce platform. Sellers on Alibaba.com may pay for an annual Gold Supplier membership to host a premium storefront with product listings on the marketplace.

The Company��! marketin! g technology platform, Alimama, offers sellers on its marketplaces marketing services for both personal computer and mobile devices, which include P4P marketing service and display marketing. Alimama also offers its sellers these marketing services through third parties through the Taobao Affiliate Network. The Taobao Ad Network and Exchange (TANX) automates the buying and selling of billions of advertising impressions on a daily basis by third parties. The Company also offer a data management platform (DMP), connected to TANX. Its DMP allows participants on TANX to evaluate and select online advertising inventory using both behavioral data they provide, as well as data from browsing behavior and shopping history. Its Cloud Computing supports its commerce ecosystem by providing a distributed computing infrastructure to handle the large volume of traffic and data generated on its online marketplaces. Its cloud computing platform offers service offerings, including elastic computing, database services and storage and large scale computing services.

The company offer search functions on all of its Web pages, mobile apps and many of its marketing affiliates��websites and apps to make it easy for buyers to find products and services within its marketplaces. The Company offers Aliwangwang, a personal computer-based instant messenger that supports text, audio and video communication. The Company developed Aliwangwang to facilitate open communication between buyers and sellers on Taobao Marketplace and Tmall. Buyers and sellers use it as a tool for a range of tasks, including negotiation of prices, customer services and delivery notification, in addition to the basic messaging functions. It offer Qianniu , an integrated platform for communication and productivity tools which allows sellers on Taobao Marketplace and Tmall to manage their operations more efficiently.

Alipay, the Company�� related company, provides payment and escrow services for transactions on Taobao Marketplace, Tm! all, 1688! .com and certain of its other sites, as well as to third parties in China. The Company�� small and medium enterprise (SME) loan business provides micro loans to sellers on its wholesale and retail marketplaces through lending vehicles licensed by the local government.

The company competes with Tencent and Baidu.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Philip Springer]

  Today’s initial public offering by Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. (NYSE: BABA) was priced at $68 per share, giving the company an initial market value of $168 billion. This put Alibaba among the 40 biggest public companies worldwide, and third in value among Internet companies after Google and Facebook.

• [By WWW.DAILYFINANCE.COM]

  ChinaFotoPress/Getty ImagesEmployees cheer at Alibaba headquartes in China as its stock debuts in New York. At $231 billion, Alibaba Group (BABA) closed Friday with more than twice the market cap of Facebook (FB), three times that of eBay (EBAY), and about 50 percent more than Amazon.com (AMZN). For founder Jack Ma, the run-up means he's now worth more than $20 billion, according to Forbes' estimates. Yahoo (YHOO), meanwhile, is now sitting on a stake that was worth more than $49 billion the day of the initial public offiering -- about $10 billion more than its current market cap.

• [By MONEYMORNING.COM]

  Many analysts expect Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. (NYSE: BABA) to raise more than $20 billion. That would surpass the $19.65 billion Visa Inc. (NYSE: V) raised in 2008 and make Alibaba the largest U.S. IPO to date.

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  Trading volume was particularly heavy today, thanks to Alibaba’s (BABA) heavily-hyped IPO. More than 270 million shares of Alibaba changed hands today, making it the most heavily traded stock today, while Yahoo! (YHOO), which owns a big chunk of the Chinese internet giant, saw 231 million shares traded, the most since Microsoft (MSFT) it would no longer buy the company back in May 2008. Overall, 8.6 billion shares changed hands today, the fourth highest volume of the year.

Hot Internet Companies To Own In Right Now: Amazon.com Inc.(AMZN)

Amazon.com, Inc. operates as an online retailer in North America and internationally. It operates retail Web sites, including amazon.com and amazon.ca. The company serves consumers through its retail Web sites and focuses on selection, price, and convenience. It also offers programs that enable sellers to sell their products on its Web sites, and their own branded Web sites. In addition, the company serves developer customers through Amazon Web Services, which provides access to technology infrastructure that developers can use to enable virtually various type of business. Further, it manufactures and sells the Kindle e-reader. Additionally, the company provides fulfillment; miscellaneous marketing and promotional agreements, such as online advertising; and co-branded credit cards. Amazon.com, Inc. was founded in 1994 and is headquartered in Seattle, Washington.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Kevin Chen]

  Amazon� (NASDAQ: AMZN  ) has added more new content from�Disney, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, and Electronic Arts to its Kindle FreeTime Unlimited service, a kid-friendly buffet it launched six months ago, featuring content including books, games, apps, and movies.

• [By Blake Bos]

  The year 2007 marked a pivotal transition for media consumption trends. It was the year Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX  ) made its mark on history and forever changed media consumption habits by streaming digital video over the Internet. Since then, the competition for content from Internet streaming companies has only increased among the likes of Amazon.com� (NASDAQ: AMZN  ) �and Netflix.

Hot Internet Companies To Own In Right Now: Symantec Corporation(SYMC)

Symantec Corporation provides security, storage, and systems management solutions internationally. The company?s Consumer segment delivers Internet security, PC tune-up, and online backup solutions and services to individual users and home offices. Its Security and Compliance segment provides solutions for endpoint security and management, compliance, messaging management, data loss prevention, encryption, and authentication services to large, medium, and small-sized businesses, as well as offers solutions through its software-as-a-service (SaaS) security offerings. This segment?s products enable customers to secure, provision, and remotely manage their laptops, PCs, mobile devices, and servers. The company?s Storage and Server Management segment provides storage and server management, backup, archiving, and data protection solutions across heterogeneous storage and server platforms, as well as solutions delivered through its SaaS offerings to large, medium, and small-s ized businesses. Symantec?s Services segment offers implementation services and solutions, including consulting, business critical services, education, and managed security services. The company also provides various enterprise support offerings, such as annual maintenance support contracts, including content, upgrades, and technical support. It sells its products through its eCommerce platform, as well as through distributors, direct marketers, Internet-based resellers, system builders, ISPs, and retail locations worldwide. Symantec markets and sells its products through distributors, retailers, direct marketers, Internet-based resellers, original equipment manufacturers, system builders, and Internet service providers; and its e-commerce channels, as well as direct sales force, value-added and large account resellers, and system integrators. The company was founded in 1982 and is headquartered in Mountain View, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Jake L'Ecuyer]

  Equities Trading DOWN
  Shares of Symantec (NASDAQ: SYMC) were down 11.70 percent to $18.46 after the company fired President and Chief Executive Steve Bennett and appointed director Michael Brown as interim president and CEO. UBS downgraded the stock from Buy to Neutral and lowered the price target from $27.00 to $21.00.

Hot Internet Companies To Own In Right Now: IAC/InterActiveCorp (IACI)

IAC/InterActiveCorp engages in the Internet business in the United States and internationally. The company�s Search segment develops, markets, and distributes various downloadable toolbars; provides search, reference, and content services through its destination search and other Websites, including Ask.com and Dictionary.com; and aggregates and integrates local advertising and content for distribution to publishers on Web and mobile platforms, as well as markets and distributes mobile applications through which it provides search and additional services. Its Match segment offers subscription-based and advertiser-supported online personals services through its Websites comprising Match.com, Chemistry.com, OurTime.com, BlackPeopleMeet.com, and OkCupid.com, as well as through mobile applications and Meetic-branded Websites. The company�s ServiceMagic segment offers Market Match service that matches consumers with service professionals; Exact Match service, which enables con sumers to review service professional profiles and select the service professional that meets their specific needs; and 1800Contractor.com, an online directory of service professionals. This segment also offers Website design and hosting services. Its Media and Other segment operates CollegeHumor.com, an online entertainment Website that targets young males; Vimeo, a Website on which users can upload, share, and view video; and Pronto.com, a comparison search engine. This segment also engages in the creation of video content for various distribution platforms; and operates as an Internet retailer of footwear and related apparel and accessories, as well as focuses on multimedia business. The company was formerly known as InterActiveCorp and changed its name to IAC/InterActiveCorp in July 2004. IAC/InterActiveCorp was founded in 1986 and is headquartered in New York, New York.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Brian Stelter]

  I hesitated, but she insisted that I come to the headquarters of Barry Diller's IAC (IACI) for an in-person demonstration of the product, which she called an "online TV platform." Once I was there, I understood. "Surprisingly high-quality signal," I scribbled in my notebook. "Place- and time-shifting!"

• [By Jake L'Ecuyer]

  Equities Trading UP
  IAC/InterActiveCorp (NASDAQ: IACI) shot up 15.54 percent to $69.43 after the company reported that that it is reorganizing and that Greg Blatt, its CEO, will become the Chairman of the newly created Match Group.

• [By Mani]

  IAC InterActive Corp. (NASDAQ:IACI) should see improved margins and revenue from its Match business as subscriber growth could be boosted by favorable secular trends and new monetizing opportunities.

• [By Monica Gerson]

  IAC/InterActiveCorp (NASDAQ: IACI) shares fell 14.51% to $49.50 in the pre-market trading after the company reported downbeat Q3 revenue.

  Posted-In: PreMarket LosersNews Movers & Shakers Pre-Market Outlook Markets

Hot Internet Companies To Own In Right Now: Google Inc.(GOOG)

Google Inc. maintains an index of Web sites and other online content for users, advertisers, and Google network members and other content providers. It offers AdWords, an auction-based advertising program; AdSense program, which enables Web sites that are part of the Google Network to deliver ads from its AdWords advertisers; Google Display, a display advertising network that comprises the videos, text, images, and other interactive ads; DoubleClick Ad Exchange, a real-time auction marketplace for the trading of display ad space; and YouTube that provides video, interactive, and other ad formats for advertisers. The company also provides Google Mobile that optimizes Google?s applications for mobile devices in browser and downloadable form; and enables advertisers to run search ad campaigns on mobile devices, as well as Google Local that provides local information on the Web; and Google Boost for small businesses to participate in the ads auction. In addition, it offers And roid, an open source mobile software platform; Google Chrome OS, an open source operating system; Google Chrome, a Web browser; Google TV, a platform for the consumers to use the television and the Internet on a single screen; and Google Books platform to discover, search, and consume content from printed books online. Further, the company provides Google Apps, a cloud computing suite of message and collaboration tools, which includes Gmail, Google Docs, Google Calendar, and Google Sites; Google Search Appliance that offers real-time search of business and intranet applications, and public Web sites; Google Site Search, a custom search engine; Google Commerce Search for online retail enterprises; Google Checkout to make online shopping and payments streamlined and secure; Google Maps Application Programming Interface; and Google Earth Enterprise, a firewall software solution for imagery and data visualization. Google Inc. was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in Mountain View, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Brian Nichols]

  Planning ahead with new products and services
  For all the good things we can say about Apple's hardware, Google (NASDAQ: GOOG  ) (NASDAQ: GOOGL  ) is just as dominant on the Web and Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT  ) in software. Yet, neither Google nor Microsoft have grown comfortable in their successful time-tested niche markets, both looking ahead to the next 10 years with new products.

Best Building Product Companies To Watch In Right Now

Popular Posts: 6 Biotechnology Stocks to Buy Now5 Oil and Gas Stocks to Buy Now9 Biotechnology Stocks to Sell Now Recent Posts: 5 Worst Sectors to Avoid This Week 3 Building Products Stocks to Buy Now 5 Stocks With Poor Cash Flow ��KWK STP ATPG EDN AONE View All Posts

For the week, the worst sectors according to Portfolio Grader are the Metals and Mining, Computer and Personal Electronics, Energy Services, Oil and Gas, and Communications Equipment sectors.

The Metals and Mining sector looks weak, with 78% of its stocks (74 out of 95) rated a “sell”. Finishing near the bottom this week are Cliffs Natural Resources (NYSE:), Walter Energy (NYSE:), and Thompson Creek Metals Company Inc. (NYSE:) among the Metals and Mining stocks. Cliffs Natural Resources has a score of F while Walter Energy and Thompson Creek Metals Company Inc. rated F and F. Over the last 12 months, Walter Energy is the worst performer in this sector, with a 70.4% decline.

Top 5 Penny Companies To Buy For 2015: Rosetta Resources Inc.(ROSE)

Rosetta Resources Inc., an independent exploration and production company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and production of onshore oil and gas resources in the United States. It owns producing and non-producing oil and gas properties located primarily in South Texas, including the Eagle Ford, and in the Southern Alberta Basin in Northwest Montana. As of December 31, 2011, the company had an estimated 965 billion cubic feet equivalent of proved reserves, including 36,370 million barrels of oil, 50,219 million barrels of natural gas liquids, and 446 billion cubic feet of natural gas, as well as drilled 53 net wells. Rosetta Resources Inc. was incorporated in 2005 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Vera Yuan]

  ��il and gas exploration and production company Rosetta Resources, Inc. (ROSE) rose in anticipation of an ease in regulations on the exportation of condensate, an ultra-light oil that undergoes minimal processing. This could allow the condensate to be exported at higher prices, alleviating a potential condensate glut in the U.S. and benefitting Rosetta.

• [By Value Digger]

  It is clear that these key metrics match the metrics of a heavily natural gas weighted company that also carries significant debt. To prove this, let's check out Comstock Resources (CRK). Comstock sold some assets recently to Rosetta Resources (ROSE) to reduce its long term debt which still remains high though.

• [By Tyler Crowe]

  Who's doing it the best?
  It can be pretty handy to evaluate the entire industry on how efficiently it's replacing reserves, but reserve replacement costs can be more effective in evaluating individual companies. The lower the costs, the better it is. According to Ernst & Young, the most effective company at controlling reserve replacement costs is private company�Antero Resources, with a three-year average reserve replacement cost of about $2.88 per barrel of oil equivalent. Antero, and four of the other top five companies on Ernst & Young's list, are almost pure natural gas plays. If we've learned one thing over the past couple of years, it's that oil reserves and natural gas reserves are two totally different things when it comes to value. The five following companies have more than 50% liquids on�their�reserves and had the lowest reserve replacement costs for 2012.

  Company % Liquids in�Portfolio Oil Production Replacement Rate (3 Years) Reserve Replacement Costs (3-Year Average) Per boe Rosetta Resources� (NASDAQ: ROSE  ) 57% 846% $6.99 Continental Resources� (NYSE: CLR  ) 72% 827% $12.61 Laredo Petroleum� (NYSE: LPI  ) 52% 1,042% $13.51 SM Energy� (NYSE: SM  ) 53% 392% $14.67 SandRidge Energy� (NYSE: SD  ) 58% 704% $14.85

  Sources: Ernst & Young and S&P Capital IQ; author's calculations.

Best Building Product Companies To Watch In Right Now: International Star Inc (ILST)

International Star, Inc., incorporated October 28, 1993, is primarily engaged in the acquisition and exploration of precious and base metals mineral properties. The Company�� properties are located in Arizona. As of December 31, 2010, the Company held 43 claims in the adjacent northern Black Mountains in Mohave County, and its current exploration activities are focused on these claims and surrounding areas of interest. As of September 1, 2010, the Company no longer held any mining claims in its former Wikieup property. The Wikieup Property formerly consisted of 42 lode claims comprising approximately 840 acres in the Hualapai Mountain Range at Wikieup, Arizona.

Mohave County, Arizona Property

The mineral property consists of approximately 1.4 square miles of land located in the northern Black Mountains in Mohave County, Arizona, approximately 56 miles from Las Vegas, Nevada, and 22 miles south of the Hoover Dam on United States Highway 93 (the Black Mountains Property). The property is easily accessed by partially paved entry off Highway 93 and has availability to electricity and water. Its Black Mountains Property consists of approximately 43 lode claims. Its claim holdings in this area began with placer claims in the adjacent Detrital Wash area. The Black Mountains Property is underlain by three basic rock units or packages of rocks. The oldest rock unit consists of Precambrian schist and gneissic rocks, which are the reconstituted (metamorphic) equivalents of former shale, siltstone, and volcanic rocks.

The property exhibits features of a metamorphic core complex. These features include the somewhat arch-like, cross-sectional (east-west) profile of this area of the Black Mountains, detached cover rocks, a preponderance of shallow-dipping penetrative structures (foliations) in the plutonic/metamorphic basement, and the composition of the plutonic rocks. The Company�� exploration efforts are primarily focused on the establishment of gold reserves with a seco! ndary focus on copper and other minerals. During the year ended December 1, 2010, the Company conducted drilling and additional sampling and mapping work on certain areas of its Black Mountains Property showing high mineralization results. During 2010, it allowed approximately 60 of its previously filed claims to expire and added approximately 25 claims covering nearby areas.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Peter Graham]

  Small cap mining stocks International Star Inc (OTCMKTS: ILST) and Mining Minerals of Mexico Corp (OTCMKTS: WIIM) sank 13.33% and 24.9%, respectively, today, with at least one of these small cap stocks being the subject of paid promotions or investor relations type of activities while the other has had no news since last summer. So should you dig into these small cap mining stocks which just dug a hole for investors and traders alike? Here is a closer look to help you decide:

Best Building Product Companies To Watch In Right Now: ONYX Pharmaceuticals Inc.(ONXX)

Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, engages in the development and commercialization of therapies that target the molecular mechanisms that cause cancer in the United States and internationally. The company, through its collaboration agreement with Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc., develops and markets Nexavar (sorafenib) tablet, a multiple kinase inhibitor for the treatment of liver cancer and advanced kidney cancer. It is also conducting Phase III clinical trial on Nexavar for the treatment of kidney, liver, lung, thyroid, breast, and non-small cell lung cancers; clinical trials on carfilzomib, a proteasome inhibitor for the treatment of patients with relapsed or relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma and solid tumors; and Phase Ib/II clinical trial on Oprozomib, an oral proteasome inhibitor. In addition, Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is developing ONX 0914, an immunoproteasome inhibitor, which is in preclinical stage for the treatment of autoimmune disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and lupus. Further, the company, through its collaboration agreement with Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc., is conducting clinical trials on Regorafenib, a multi-kinase inhibitor to treat metastatic colorectal cancer and gastrointestinal stromal tumors. It has a collaboration agreement with Warner-Lambert Company to discover and commercialize small molecule drugs that restore control of or intervene in the misregulated cell cycle in tumor cells. The company also has development and license agreements with BTG International Limited for the development and commercialization of ONX 0801, a novel targeted oncology compound; and Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. to develop and commercialize carfilzomib and Oprozomib for oncology indications in Japan. Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. was founded in 1992 and is headquartered in South San Francisco, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Diane Alter]

  That's why Money Morning last week featured a number of moves investors can make to weather the uncertainty. In case you missed them, we've highlighted below the best investments and stocks to buy now given new and continuing market factors:

  The present bull market is looking old and tired at 54 months, a full 11 months longer than the average bull market run since 1953. Money Morning Chief Investment Strategist Keith Fitz-Gerald calls it the most unloved bull market in history. But there's no need to completely flee the market if you know the right moves to make. That's why we covered how to invest amid a market correction, plus how to invest in today's volatility. Money Morning Executive Editor William Patalon III rang up in-house energy expert Dr. Kent Moors to get the scoop on what investors need to do in the midst of mounting Middle East unrest. Moors, who runs our Energy Advantage advisory service, is one of best-connected insiders in the world's energy sector. He says investors should prepare themselves for the instability and continued surges in energy that will likely linger from a prolonged conflict. Speaking of moves to make right now, Money Morning's Global Investing & Income Strategist Robert Hsu warns investors to immediately find out how much exposure they have to real estate investment trusts (REITs), and in particular, mortgage REITs. You see, with mortgage rates spiking, REITs have come under pressure as worries grow that higher financing costs and rising capitalization rates (which often lead to lower property values) will weigh on the sector. A number of these investment vehicles are down some 24% to 30% in less than five months. Hsu cautions it is going to get a lot worse. That's why he's waving a red flag. Everyone needs to take note because practically every "properly divers
• [By Ben Levisohn]

  There can be only one. And today there is one fewer company trying to buy Onyx Pharmaceuticals (ONXX).

  Reuters

  According to Bloomberg, Novartis (NVS) has dropped out of the bidding for the high flying biotech stock on account of its high price tag:

• [By Sean Williams]

  Finally, off in its own world this week is Onyx Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: ONXX  ) , which purportedly has received a $130-per-share buyout offer, or $9.5 billion, from Amgen, as Reuters reported earlier this week. According to people familiar with the matter, Onyx is still exploring interest from other suitors, but it may be interested in accepting Amgen's offer, which is $10 a share higher than its original offer roughly six weeks ago. This news comes on the heels of Onyx's second-quarter results, which showed losses were halved to just $53 million and revenue more than doubled to $153 million. If Onyx accepts the deal at $130 per share, I'd suggest Amgen is still getting itself a decent bargain.

• [By Steven Silver]

  To bolster growth, Amgen secured FDA approval of its denosumab franchise in 2010 for post-menopausal osteoporosis, as well as for cancer-related bone loss. In October 2013, Amgen acquired Onyx Pharmaceuticals (ONXX) to expand into the lucrative cancer treatment markets.

Best Building Product Companies To Watch In Right Now: Global X China Materials ETF (CHIM)

Global X China Materials ETF (the Fund) seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the S-BOX China Materials Index (the Underlying Index). The Underlying Index is a free float adjusted, liquidity tested and market capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure performance of the investable universe of companies in the Materials sector of the Chinese economy, as defined by Structured Solutions AG. Global X Management Company, LLC serves as the investment adviser to the Fund. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By pamatlarge]

  Investors looking to short a particular sector can choose from several Global X long ETFs. The Global X China Consumer ETF (CHIQ) concentrates its investments in consumer cyclical goods and consumer defense goods. The Global X China Energy ETF (CHIE) primarily holds stocks in coal, oil and utility companies. The Global X China Financials ETF (CHIX) only invests in financial services companies and real estate companies. The Global X China Industrials ETF (CHII) holds stocks in industrial companies and basic materials companies. The Global X China Materials ETF (CHIM) invests in basic materials stocks. The Global X China Technology ETF (CHIB) holds technology stocks as the core of its investments. All of these ETFs are particularly sensitive to sector downturns and general economic contractions.

Hot Wireless Telecom Stocks To Own For 2014

After the bell on Monday, Casey’s General Stores (CASY) announced its fiscal Q1 earnings, posting a strong increase in profits and overall revenues compared to the same time period last year.

The Ankeny, IA-based convenience store company announced quarterly revenues of $2.11 billion, which were up from $1.87 billion in last year’s same quarter. Profits for the company came in at $55.71 million, or $1.43 per share, compared to $39.03 million, or $1.01 per share, in last year’s Q1.

Both of these figures beat analysts’ estimates, which were EPS of $1.26 on revenues of $2.1 billion.

Top 10 Prefered Stocks To Buy Right Now: KDDI Corp (KDDIF)

KDDI CORPORATION is a telecommunications company. The Mobile Telecommunication segment is engaged in the provision of mobile communications services, including voice and data services, and mobile WIMAX services, as well as the sale of mobile communication terminals and the provision of contents. The Fixed-line Telecommunication segment provides broadband services, including fiber to the home (FTTH) and cable television (TV) services, as well as domestic and overseas communication services, data center services and information and communication technology (ICT) solution services. The Others segment is involved in the operation of call centers and the development of research and advanced technology. On December 2, 2013, it transferred all shares of a wholly owned subsidiary, JAPAN CABLE NET LIMITED to another subsidiary. In December 2013, the Company acquired the entire share capital in Yugen Kaisha Cosmos. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Daniel Inman]

  In Tokyo, KDDI (JP:9433) � (KDDIF) �gained 0.6% after the telecommunications company reported a record-high and consensus-beating operating profit for the first half of the fiscal year, due to a stronger-than-expected increase in subscription and a rise in usage revenue.

Hot Wireless Telecom Stocks To Own For 2014: Sprint Corp (S&LS)

Sprint Corporation, incorporated on May 10, 2012, offers a range of wireless and wireline communications services to consumers, businesses and government users. On July 10, 2013, the Company, SoftBank Corp. and Sprint Nextel Corporation (Sprint Nextel) completed the merger. In the Merger, Sprint Corporation was merged into Sprint Nextel, New Sprint became the parent company of Sprint Nextel, with Sprint Nextel becoming its direct wholly owned subsidiary, and Sprint Nextel changed its name to Sprint Communications, Inc.

The Company develops, engineers and deploys technologies, including the first wireless fourth generation (4G) service from a national carrier in the United States; offering mobile data services, prepaid brands, including Virgin Mobile USA, Boost Mobile, and Assurance Wireless; instant national and international push-to-talk capabilities, and a global Tier 1 Internet Service. The Company also offers unlimited data services.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Holly LaFon]

  Since Wilmers & Co. took over M&T Bank in 1983 the bank has acquired 23 banks and Savings and Loans (S&Ls) ��expanding from a single state to seven ��and assets have grown from $2 billion to $110 billion. M&T's branch count has grown from 60 to over 870. The bank currently boasts a customer base of over 2 million retail household customers and nearly 220,000 commercial customers.

Hot Wireless Telecom Stocks To Own For 2014: Tim Participacoes SA (TIMP3)

TIM Participacoes SA (TIM) is a Brazil-based holding company engaged in the telecommunications segment. Through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, TIM Celular SA (TIM Celular) and Intelig Telecomunicacoes Ltda (Intelig), it provides telecommunication services throughout Brazil. TIM Celular and Intelig are active as Public Switched Telephony Network (PSTN) providers in the local and national and international long-distance modalities in all Brazilian states. Additionally, the Company provides multimedia communication services and personal mobile services, mobile data services and a third generation (3G) network, as well as international roaming agreements, multimedia messaging services, blackberry services and sale of related equipment. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Jonathan Morgan]

  Telecom Italia SpA (TIT) jumped 6.2 percent to 65.6 euro cents. The phone company that was stripped of its investment-grade rating is seeking at least 9 billion euros for its controlling stake in Brazilian wireless carrier Tim Participacoes SA (TIMP3), according to a person with direct knowledge of the matter.

• [By Zahra Hankir]

  Brazil�� Ibovespa extended its weekly decline to 3.3 percent. Mobile carrier Tim Participacoes SA (TIMP3) sank after parent Telecom Italia SpA (TIT)�� chief executive officer said its Brazilian assets are strategic, damping speculation the local unit will be sold.

• [By Inyoung Hwang]

  Telecom Italia climbed 5.2 percent to 64.2 euro cents, its highest price since May. The telecommunications operator would gain enough funds to improve its domestic business if it sells at least 4 billion euros ($5.4 billion) of shares or its stake in Tim Participacoes SA (TIMP3) in Brazil, according to Goldman Sachs.

Hot Wireless Telecom Stocks To Own For 2014: CalAmp Corp (CAMP)

CalAmp Corp. (CalAmp) develops and markets wireless technology solutions that deliver data, voice and video for critical networked communications and other applications. The Company has two business segments: Wireless DataCom, which serves commercial, industrial and government customers, and Satellite, which focuses on the North American Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) market. In May 2012, CalAmp Corp announced that it has entered into a five-year supply agreement to provide fleet tracking products to Navman Wireless. As part of the transaction, CalAmp has acquired certain products and technologies from Navman Wireless and established a research and development center in Auckland, New Zealand. The assets acquired by CalAmp include technology for Mobile Display Terminals (MDT) and an MDT product line marketed to telematics original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) globally. In March 2013, it completed the acquisition of the operations of Wireless Matrix Corporation.

Wireless DataCom

The Wireless DataCom segment provides wireless technology, products and services for industrial Machine-to-Machine (M2M) and Mobile Resource Management (MRM) market segments for a range of applications, including optimizing and automating electricity distribution and ancillary utility functions; facilitating communication and coordination among emergency first-responders; increasing productivity and optimizing activities of mobile workforces; improving management control over valuable remote and mobile assets, and enabling emerging applications in a wirelessly connected world.

The Company's Wireless DataCom segment is comprised of a Wireless Networks business and an MRM business. CalAmp's Wireless Networks business provides products, systems and services to industrial, utility, energy and transportation enterprises and state and local governmental entities for deployment where the ability to communicate with mobile personnel or to command and control remote assets is crucial. Utilities! , oil and gas, mining, railroad and security companies rely on CalAmp products for wireless data communications to and from outlying locations, permitting real-time monitoring, activation and control of remote equipment. Applications include remotely measuring freshwater and wastewater flows, pipeline flow monitoring for oil and gas transport, automated utility meter reading, remote Internet access and perimeter monitoring. CalAmp is among the leaders in the application of wireless communications technology to Smart Grid power distribution automation for electric utilities.

MRM wireless solutions include global positioning system (GPS) location, cellular data modems and programmable events-based notification firmware as key components, allowing customers to know where and how their assets are performing, no matter where those mobile assets are located. Commercial organizations, vehicle finance providers, city and county governments, and a range of other enterprises rely on CalAmp products and systems to optimize delivery of services and protect valuable assets. Applications include fleet management, asset tracking, student and school bus tracking and route optimization, stolen vehicle recovery, remote asset security, remote vehicle start, and machine-to-machine communications. In addition to functioning as an OEM supplier of location and communications hardware for MRM applications, CalAmp is a total solutions provider of turn-key systems incorporating location and communications hardware, cellular airtime and Web-based remote asset management tools and interfaces.

The Company competes with Motorola Solutions, GE-MDS, Freewave, Sierra Wireless, GenX, Spireon, Novatel Wireless-Enfora and Xirgo.

Satellite

The Satellite segment develops, manufactures and sells DBS outdoor customer premise equipment and whole home video networking devices for digital and high definition satellite television (TV) reception. CalAmp's satellite products are sold primarily to ! EchoStar,! an affiliate of Dish Network.

The Company's DBS reception products are installed at subscriber premises to receive television programming signals transmitted from orbiting satellites. These DBS reception products consist principally of outdoor electronics that receive, process, amplify and switch satellite television signals for distribution over coaxial cable to multiple set-top boxes inside the home that can acquire, recognize and process the signal to create a picture.

The Company competes with Sharp, Wistron NeWeb Corporation, Microelectronics Technology, Pro Brand and Global Invacom.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Luke Jacobi]

  CalAmp (NASDAQ: CAMP) shot up 14.24 percent to $21.35 after the company reported upbeat fiscal second-quarter results.

  HomeAway (NASDAQ: AWAY) was up as well, gaining 8.17 percent to $29.74 on speculation of takeover talks with Priceline.com (NASDAQ: PCLN).

Top Asian Companies To Own In Right Now

Top Asian Companies To Own In Right Now: EastGroup Properties Inc. (EGP)

EastGroup Properties, Inc., a real estate investment trust (REIT), focuses on the development, acquisition, and operation of industrial properties in the United States. As of December 31, 2007, it owned 202 industrial properties and 1 office building, as well as approximately 1.7 million square feet properties in Florida, Texas, Arizona, and California. The company has elected to be taxed as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code. As a REIT, it would not be subject to federal income tax purposes, provided it distributes at least 90% of its REIT taxable income to its shareholders. EastGroup Properties, Inc. was founded in 1969 and is headquartered in Jackson, Mississippi.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Rich Duprey]

  Sunbelt industrial property investorEastGroup Properties (NYSE: EGP  ) announced yesterday its second-quarter dividend of $0.53per share, the same rate it paid for the last three quarters after raising the payout 2%, from $0.52 per share. It had previously maintained that same payout rate since 2005.

• [By Ken McGaha]

  The four REITS I reviewed are Kilroy Realty Corp. (KRC), Kimco Realty Corp. (KIM), Eastgroup Properties (EGP) and Federal Realty Investment Trust (FRT).

• [By Brad Thomas]

  Other REITs mentioned: (O), (NNN), (STAG), (DCT), (EGP), (PDM), (DRE), (LRY)

  Source: Chambers Street: More Liquidity Magic On The Way In REIT-Dom

  Disclosure: I have no positions in any stocks mentioned, and no plans to initiate any positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. (More...)

source from Top Penny Stocks For 20! 15:http://www.topstocksforum.com/top-asian-companies-to-own-in-right-now.html

Hot Up And Coming Companies To Buy Right Now

A Chevrolet Cobalt involved in a fatal crash in March 2010.

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) The death toll in General Motors' faulty ignition switch recall is 13, making it one of the deadliest recalls in recent years. Sadly, that toll is likely to climb.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said last week that it expects its investigation to reveal the final toll is higher. The 13 deaths are GM's internal estimate, not verified by outside investigators.

GM spokesman Alan Adler said the company investigation is ongoing, and that it will adjust the number if there is evidence of other deaths.

Right now, for instance, the GM count does not include anyone who was killed in the back seat of a car with an ignition problem, because the company is only looking at victims who might have been saved if an airbag had properly deployed. The faulty ignition switch made the cars susceptible to stalling, which disabled the air bag.

10 Best Freight Stocks To Invest In 2015: Leap Wireless International Inc.(LEAP)

Leap Wireless International, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides digital wireless services under the ?Cricket? brand name in the United States. The company offers unlimited local and the U.S. long distance services from various Cricket service area and unlimited text messaging services, as well as mobile Web, 411 services, navigation, and data back-up. It also provides BridgePay, a flexible payment option for customers to use and pay for the company?s cricket wireless service; handsets and devices with various features; cricket broadband service, an unlimited mobile broadband service that allows customers to access the Internet through their computers; Cricket PAYGo Service, a pay-as-you-go unlimited prepaid wireless service designed for customers who prefer the flexibility and control offered by traditional prepaid services; and Muve Music Service, an unlimited music download service for mobile handsets in select cricket markets. In addition, the company off ers voice and data roaming services. It markets its cricket handsets and services, primarily through company-owned retail stores and kiosks, as well as through authorized dealers and distributors, including premier dealers, local market authorized dealers, national mass-market retailers, and other indirect distributors. As of December 31, 2010, the company offered services in 35 states and the District of Columbia to approximately 5.5 million customers. Leap Wireless International, Inc. was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in San Diego, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Evan Niu, CFA]

  What: Shares of Leap Wireless (NASDAQ: LEAP  ) have leapt higher today by more than double, up by 116% at the high, following news that AT&T (NYSE: T  ) has agreed to acquire the pre-paid carrier.

Hot Up And Coming Companies To Buy Right Now: AT & S Austria Technologie & Systemtechnik AG (AUS)

AT & S Austria Technologie & Systemtechnik AG (AT&S) is an Austria-based company that is principally engaged in the production of printed circuit boards. The Company is divided into three core business units: Mobile Devices; Automotive, and Industrial. The Company�� product assortment ranges from single- and double-sided printed circuit boards to multilayer printed circuit boards. They are used as electromechanical linking elements, mainly in the telecommunication sector, automobile industry and medical technology applications, as well as defense and aerospace. AT&S operates production sites in Austria, India, China and Korea. It also maintains international sales offices, based in Austria, Ireland, Germany, the Czech Republic, France, Hungary and Belgium. As of March 31, 2011, the Company operated through its subsidiaries in India, Germany, Austria, China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and the United States. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Triska Hamid]

  Professors at the American University of Sharjah (AUS) are also looking at dental care with braces imbedded with a chip that monitor the movement of the fixtures and will communicate with the dentist's office if any of them are separated from the teeth.

Hot Up And Coming Companies To Buy Right Now: AvalonBay Communities Inc. (AVB)

AvalonBay Communities, Inc. engages in the development, redevelopment, acquisition, ownership, and operation of multifamily communities in the United States. As of January 31, 2009, the company owned or held a direct or indirect ownership interest in 164 operating apartment communities comprising 45,728 apartment homes in 10 states and the District of Columbia. It also held a direct or indirect ownership interest in 14 communities under construction, as well as held rights to develop an additional 27 communities. The company?s markets are located in New England, the New York/New Jersey metro area, the Mid-Atlantic, the Midwest, the Pacific Northwest, and the Northern and Southern California regions of the United States. AvalonBay Communities has elected to be taxed as a real estate investment trust and would not be subject to federal corporate income taxes if it distributes at least 90% of its taxable income to its stockholders. The company was founded in 1978 and is based in Arlington, Virginia.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Sean Williams]

  Another big factor to consider is that Equity Residential and AvalonBay Communities (NYSE: AVB  ) both recently combined to purchase Archstone. Under normal circumstances, residential-REITs like Equity Residential and AvalonBay would go into debt and build new communities, benefiting from the build-out years down the road. Archstone already has a well-established portfolio of rental properties, meaning the transition from purchase to profit is shortened dramatically. Equity Residential took a little over a 26% stake in the Archstone rental portfolio with AvalonBay picking up the remainder.

Hot Up And Coming Companies To Buy Right Now: Euro FX(P)

Ecopetrol S.A. operates as an integrated oil company in Colombia, Peru, Brazil, and the U.S. Gulf Coast. The company engages in the exploration, development, and production of crude oil and natural gas. As of December 31, 2010, its proved reserves of crude oil and natural gas consisted of 1,714.0 million barrels of oil equivalent. The company also transports crude oil, motor fuels, fuel oil, and other refined products, as well as mixture of diesel and palm oil. It owns transportation network consisting of 3,003 kilometers of crude oil pipeline directly, as well as an additional 2,178 kilometers of crude oil pipeline with its business partners; and 3,017 kilometers of multi-purpose pipelines for transportation of refined products from refinery to wholesale distribution points. As of the above date, Ecopetrol S.A. owned 58 stations with a nominal storage capacity of 19 million barrels of crude oil and 6 million barrels of refined products. In addition, the company owns and o perates refineries that produce a range of refined products, including gasoline, diesel, kerosene, jet fuel, aviation fuel, liquefied petroleum gas, sulfur, heavy fuel oils, motor fuels, and petrochemicals, including paraffin waxes, lube base oils, low-density polyethylene, aromatics, asphalts, alkylates, cyclohexane and aliphatic solvents, and refinery grade propylene, as well as provides industrial services to third parties. Further, it markets various refined and feed stock products, including regular and high octane gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel, natural gas, and petrochemical products. The company was formerly known as Empresa Colombiana de Petroleos and changed its name to Ecopetrol S.A. in June 2003. Ecopetrol S.A. was founded in 1948 and is based in Bogota, Colombia.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Anders Bylund]

  Shares of digital music specialist Pandora Media (NYSE: P  ) have taken a plunge today, dipping as low as 3%.

  The catalyst for this minor panic? Instant-messaging expert Twitter confirmed that it bought out privately held song-recommendation service We Are Hunted and will launch its own music service in the near future.

• [By Rick Munarriz]

  There was more going on beyond the share-price gyrations, though. Sirius XM's short interest dropped to its lowest level of the year.�Pandora (NYSE: P  ) announced more milestones in auto integration. And royalty details behind Apple's (NASDAQ: AAPL  ) upcoming iTunes Radio also emerged.

• [By Monica Gerson]

  Pandora Media (NYSE: P) announced its plans to sell 14 million shares of common stock, including 4 million shares from current stockholders. Pandora shares tumbled 4.54% to $22.90 in the after-hours trading session.

Hot Up And Coming Companies To Buy Right Now: Unilever NV (UNA)

Unilever N.V. (NV) is a supplier of fast moving consumer goods. The two parent companies, NV and Unilever PLC (PLC), together with their group companies, operate as the Unilever Group (Unilever). The Company�� four product areas are Personal Care, Foods, Refreshment and Home Care. The Company's personal care, which includes sales of skincare and haircare products, deodorants and oral care products; foods, which includes sales of soups, bouillons, sauces, snacks, mayonnaise, salad dressings, margarines and spreads; refreshment, which includes sales of ice cream, tea-based beverages, weight-management products and nutritionally enhanced staples sold in developing markets and home care, which includes sales of home care products, such as laundry tablets, powders and liquids, soap bars and a range of cleaning products. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Inyoung Hwang]

  Unilever (UNA) slipped 2.8 percent to 27.94 euros after saying sales growth slowed as trading in emerging markets deteriorated at a faster rate. Underlying group sales for the three months will rise 3 percent to 3.5 percent, the maker of Lipton tea and Dove soap said late yesterday in a statement. That compares with 5 percent growth in both the first half and second quarter.

• [By Adi Narayan]

  Unilever (UNA) fell short on its public offer to raise its majority holding in Hindustan Unilever Ltd. (HUVR) to 75 percent, ending up with about a two-thirds stake after some shareholders of the Mumbai-based company opted not to sell.

Hot Up And Coming Companies To Buy Right Now: New Oriental Education & Technology Group Inc.(EDU)

New Oriental Education & Technology Group Inc. provides private educational services primarily in the People?s Republic of China. It offers a range of educational programs, services, and products consisting primarily of English and other foreign language training; test preparation courses for admissions and assessment tests; primary and secondary school education; development and distribution of educational content; software and other technology; and online education. The company?s language training courses primarily consist of various types of English language training courses, and other foreign languages, including German, Japanese, French, Korean, and Spanish. It offers test preparation courses for language and entrance exams used by educational institutions in the United States, the People?s Republic of China, and commonwealth countries. The company also operates primary and secondary schools in Yangzhou. In addition, New Oriental Education & Technology Group Inc. deve lops and edits content for educational materials for language training and test preparation, such as books, software, CD-ROMs, magazines, and other periodicals. It distributes these materials through various distribution channels consisting of own classrooms and bookstores, as well as third-party distributors. Further, the company offers various online education programs on its Web site, koolearn.com. Additionally, it provides consulting services to help students through the application and admission process for overseas educational institutions, as well as post-secondary educational programs to help students seek career opportunities; and operates two pre-schools. The company offers educational services under the ?New Oriental? brand name. As of May 31, 2010, it offered education programs, services, and products through a network of 48 schools, 319 learning centers, and 25 bookstores. The company was founded in 1993 and is headquartered in Beijing, the People?s Republic of China.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Jake L'Ecuyer]

  Equities Trading DOWN
  Shares of New Oriental Education & Technology Group (NYSE: EDU) were 8.55 percent to $23.76 after the company reported FQ3 results. New Oriental's quarterly net income surged 50.2% y/y to US$42.1 million versus US$28.0 million.

Hot Asian Stocks To Watch Right Now

The ultra-luxury market has been a strong performer in recent years. As companies such as Michael Kors (NYSE: KORS  ) and Coach have expanded their product lines and focused on Asian operations, the stocks have attracted a plethora of investors, with the former up more than 130% in two years. One segment that tends to be neglected among analysts, though, is the art world. There are two major players in big art auctions -- Sotheby's (NYSE: BID  ) and Christie's. Let's look at the publicly traded option to see how it compares with other luxury stocks.

Soft art
Investors seemingly haven't been too interested in the big auction houses since the financial crisis because the art market has been relatively weak. Whether the market is coming back or not is up for debate, with some analysts saying we are at a natural turnaround point, while others forecast remaining tepidity. I am inclined to agree with the former, as the economy picks up overall and ultra-high-net-worth individuals increase their big spending. Additionally, the rapid ascent of wealthy Chinese will continue to spur the art market in the next several years.

Hot Chemical Companies To Own In Right Now: NET Servicos de Comunicacao S.A.(NETC)

Net Servicos de Comunicacao S.A., through its subsidiaries, provides cable television, Internet access, and voice services in Brazil. It offers cable television services under the ?NET? brand name through various cable networks located in the largest cities of Brazil. The company also offers broadband Internet access services under the ?NET VIRTUA? brand name by using Embratel's IP backbone infrastructure. In addition, it provides voice services under the ?NET FONE VIA EMBRATEL? brand name jointly with Embratel. Further, the company offers integrated video, broadband, and voice services. Net Servicos de Comunicacao S.A. was founded in 1994 and is headquartered in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Vanina Egea] offers bundled services and has aggressively expanded its Internet and TV subscriber base in the state.

  Investing for Long-term Growth

  Looking forward, Telef贸nica Brasil is investing in technology and network expansion to further empower its competitive position. The firm is expanding its 3G network based on CDMA EV-DO and HSPA technologies, which provide a great advantage over its peers. Further, it expects to benefit from the growth opportunities in the 4G market. Consequently, it has signed a deal with Ceragon Networks Ltd. (CRNT) to deploy the superfast 4G network nationwide.

  A Valuable Stock

  Telef贸nica Brasil has a healthy balance sheet with strong cash flow generation (up to 9,576 million in 2013 from 3,488 million in 2011) and reasonable debt levels. Its net debt-to-EBITDA ratio is of 0.17 times and it has a debt- to-equity ratio of 0.2 against its peers��average of 0.9. Its financial strength and a robust dividend have attracted investment gurus like Charles Brandes (Trades, Portfolio) and David Dreman (Trades, Portfolio), who have recently incorporated the company to its portfolio.

  Considering the stock�� trading price of 14.6x its trailing earnings compared to the peer group average of 16.90x, and a compelling dividend yield of 7.30 with a payout ratio of 1.1 (against its competitors��median of 3.53 and 0.62, respectively), I believe this stock is a worthy investment opportunity with excellent growth potential.

  Disclosure: Vanina Egea holds no position in any stocks mentioned.

  Also check out: Charles Brandes Undervalued Stocks Charles Brandes Top Growth Companies Charles Brandes High Yield stocks, and Stocks that Charles Brandes keeps buyingAbout the author:Vanina EgeaA fundamental analyst at Lone Tree Analytics

  Visit Vanina Egea's Website

  Currently 5.00/512345

  Rating: 5.0/5 (1 vote)

  Voters: Subscribe via Email Subscribe RSS Comments Please leave your comment: $(do

Hot Asian Stocks To Watch Right Now: USA Compression Partners LP (USAC)

USA Compression Partners, LP, incorporated on June 07, 2011, through its wholly owned subsidiary USA Compression Partners, LLC (Operating Subsidiary) and Operating Subsidiary�� wholly owned subsidiary USAC Leasing LLC, primarily provides natural gas compression services under term contracts with customers in the oil and gas industry, using natural gas compressor packages that it designs, engineers, operates and maintains. As of September 30, 2013, the Company had approximately 1,162,353 of fleet horsepower.

The Company provides compression services for a monthly service fee. As part of its services, the Company engineers, designs, operates service and repair its fleet of compression units and maintain related support inventory and equipment. The fleet of compression units that it owns and uses to provide compression services consists of engineered compression units that utilize standardized components, principally engines manufactured by Caterpillar, Inc. and compressor frames and cylinders manufactured by Ariel Corporation.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Jake L'Ecuyer]

  USA Compression Partners LP (NYSE: USAC) shares tumbled 6.80 percent to $24.95 after the company priced 6.6 million units at $25.59 per unit.

  Take-Two Interactive Software (NASDAQ: TTWO) was down, falling 3.32 percent to $19.95 after the company issued a weak outlook. For the first quarter, the company expected an adjusted loss of $0.35 to $0.25 per share on revenue of $120 million to $125 million. However, analysts expected a loss of $0.12 per share on revenue of $209.6 million.

• [By Traders Reserve]

  For USA Compression Partners (USAC), it is all in the name ��the company provides natural gas compression services to the extraction industry.

  This is a volume-dependent business and volume is booming. USA Compression Partners��revenue was up 20% in 2012 and will be up that much or more when final numbers from 2014 come in. Third=quarter results were terrific: revenue was up almost 24% year over year and adjusted cash flow, the basis of the dividend, was up more than 29% year over year. The yield is currently 6.7% and will probably go higher. Ignore the P/E. This is a growth and dividend story. Take a look.

• [By Robert Rapier] There were a half a dozen initial public offerings (IPOs) by master limited partnerships in the first half of the year, and all but one are now in the green while one has nearly doubled in value.
  
  The first MLP IPO of 2013 debuted on Jan. 15. USA Compression Partners (NYSE: USAC), which I mentioned in last week’s issue, provides compression services for the oil and gas industry. Units have advanced 36 percent since the IPO, and at the current price yield 7.3 percent.
  
  The day after the USA Compression Partners IPO, CVR Refining (NYSE: CVRR) made its debut.  CVRR was spun off from CVR Energy (NYSE: CVI), and both companies remain majority-owned by Carl Icahn. CVR Refining’s primary assets are two refineries located in Kansas and Oklahoma with a combined processing capacity of approximately 185,000 barrels per day (bpd). These refineries are strategically located near the major Cushing, Oklahoma shipment and storage hub, with easy access to discounted feedstock from the nearby Permian basin, as well as the Bakken shale and Canadian oil sands.
  
  But refiners have struggled with diminished margins in 2013 because of a much lower Brent-WTI differential. After the recently concluded second quarter, CVRR declared a distribution of $1.35 per unit, bringing its per-unit distributions for the first half of the year to $2.93. At the same time, CVR Refining lowered its annual distribution target to a range of $4.10 to $4.80 per unit. This was lower than the outlook issued in March, when it foresaw annual distributions of $5.50 to $6.50. CVRR units slid on the news, and are presently trading slightly below the $25 IPO price. The lower end of the revised forecast implies distributions of $1.17 per unit in the second half of the year, for a forward annualized yield of 10 percent based on the recent $23.50 unit price.
  
  SunCoke Energy Partners (NYSE: SXCP) was the third IPO to debut during a very busy third week of January. SXCP is the first M
• [By Robert Rapier]

  USA Compression Partners (NYSE: USAC) was the first MLP IPO of 2013, debuting on Jan. 15, and advancing 36 percent since. USAC is unique in the MLP space in providing compression services for the oil and gas industry. The way this works is that a natural gas producer, for example, will contract with USAC on a long-term fixed-fee basis to compress the natural gas so that it can be delivered via pipeline to customers. USAC installs compression equipment to move the gas from the well to its destination. Its customer base is scattered across the important natural gas-bearing shales like the Barnett and the Marcellus. At the current price, units yield 7.3 percent. Coverage for the second quarter distribution was 90 percent[1] , but the partnership expects full year DCF coverage of 110 percent.

Hot Asian Stocks To Watch Right Now: Internet Gold Golden Lines Ltd.(IGLD)

Internet Gold ? Golden Lines Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, provides communications services in Israel. The company offers a range of telecommunication operations and services, including domestic fixed-line, cellular and international communication services, multi-channel television, satellite broadcasts, Internet services, customer call centers, maintenance and development of communications infrastructures, provision of communications services to other communications providers, television and radio broadcasts, and supply and maintenance of equipment on customer premises. It also provides data services, server and Web site hosting services, technical maintenance and support services, networking and system services, outsourcing and out-tasking services, security and risk management solutions, and IP based services; media services, which include the sale of advertising on its Web sites; and sale of products and services on the Internet. The company was formerly known as Euronet Golden Lines (1992) Ltd. and changed its name to Internet Gold ? Golden Lines Ltd. in June 1999. The company was founded in 1992 and is headquartered in Ramat Gan, Israel. Internet Gold ? Golden Lines Ltd. is a subsidiary of Eurocom Communications Ltd.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Garrett Cook]

  On Wednesday, the telecommunications services sector proved to be a source of strength for the market. Leading the sector was strength from Internet Gold Golden Lines (NASDAQ: IGLD) and NQ Mobile (NYSE: NQ).

• [By Garrett Cook]

  On Wednesday, the telecommunications services sector proved to be a source of strength for the market. Leading the sector was strength from Internet Gold Golden Lines (NASDAQ: IGLD) and NQ Mobile (NYSE: NQ).

Hot Asian Stocks To Watch Right Now: Amkor Technology Inc.(AMKR)

Amkor Technology, Inc. provides outsourced semiconductor packaging and test services in the United States and internationally. It offers package formats and services using wirebonding and flip chip interconnect technologies that connect the die to the package carrier. The company?s package carriers include leadframe packages that utilize metal and place the electrical interconnect leads to the system board around the perimeter of the package; substrate packages, which utilize a laminate as the package carrier; and wafer-level packages. It provides chip scale packages comprising stacked chip scale packages for chipsets and memory applications; package-on-package solutions for the integration of logic and memory in a single footprint; and system-in-package modules that integrate two or more chips and passive device elements into a single package. The company also offers ball grid array packages comprising flip chip ball grid array packages that are used with silicon nodes f or small devices and other applications; and plastic ball grid array packages, which use wirebond technology. In addition, it provides other packaging services, such as wafer bumping services. Further, the company offers semiconductor testing services, including wafer testing or probe, final testing, strip testing, and end-of-line test services; and specialized logistical services, such as security certification and anti-counterfeit measures. It primarily serves the communications, consumer, computing, networking, automotive, and industrial markets. Amkor Technology, Inc. was founded in 1968 and is headquartered in Chandler, Arizona.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Alex Planes]

  What: Shares of Amkor Technology (NASDAQ: AMKR  ) are up by over 10% today after beating expectations on both top and bottom lines in its first-quarter earnings report.

• [By Louis Navellier]

  Amkor Technologies (AMKR) outsources semiconductor packaging and test services both in the U.S. and around the world. Amkor has 16 facilities with over 5.5 million square feet of space in seven countries right now. Analysts expected the company to have a very weak first quarter, but Amkor exceeded expectations by a wide margin.

• [By Monica Gerson]

  Amkor Technology (NASDAQ: AMKR) shares gained 1.63% to touch a new 52-week high of $7.46. Amkor Technology's PEG ratio is 0.94.

  Abraxas Petroleum (NASDAQ: AXAS) shares gained 2.94% to reach a new 52-week high of $4.55. Abraxas Petroleum shares have jumped 93.01% over the past 52 weeks, while the S&P 500 index has gained 17.50% in the same period.

Hot Asian Stocks To Watch Right Now: Nestle SA (NESN.VX)

Nestle SA is a Swiss Company engaged in the nutrition, health and wellness sectors. It is the holding company of the Nestle Group, which comprises subsidiaries, associated companies and joint ventures throughout the world. It has such business units as Food and Beverage, Nestle Waters and Nestle Nutrition. It is also active in the pharmaceutical sector. It divides its products into Powdered and liquid beverages, Water, Milk products and Ice cream, Nutrition, Prepared dishes and cooking aids, Confectionery, PetCare and Pharmaceutical products. In February 2011, the Company acquired CM&D Pharma Ltd.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Michael Calia]

  Post Holdings Inc.(POST) agreed to acquire the PowerBar and Musashi brands from Nestle SA(NESN.VX), further expanding the cereal maker’s position in the active nutrition category.

Hot Asian Stocks To Watch Right Now: Signet Jewelers Limited(SIG)

Signet Jewelers Limited operates as a specialty jewelry retailer in the United States, the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, and the Channel Islands. The company retails jewelry, watches, and associated services. As of January 28, 2012, it operated a network of 1,318 stores in 50 states in the United States that trade nationally in malls and off-mall locations as ?Kay Jewelers?, and regionally under various mall-based brands, as well as operated as destination superstores under the ?Jared The Galleria Of Jewelry? trade name. The company also operated a network of 535 stores in the United Kingdom, including 14 stores in the Republic of Ireland and 3 in the Channel Islands under the ?H.Samuel?, ?Ernest Jones?, and ?Leslie Davis? trade names in high street locations and shopping malls. Signet Jewelers Limited was founded in 1950 and is based in Hamilton, Bermuda.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By John Kell]

  Signet Jewelers Ltd.(SIG) agreed to buy smaller rival Zale for about $690 million, significantly expanding the jewelry retailer’s presence in North America. Signet will offer $21 in cash for each Zale share, representing a 41% premium over Tuesday’s closing price. Zale shares jumped to $20.87 premarket and Signet climbed 12% to $88.40.

• [By Rich Duprey]

  Specialty jeweler�Signet Jewelers� (NYSE: SIG  ) announced yesterday its third-quarter dividend of $0.15 per share, the same rate it's paid for the past two quarters after raising the payout 25%, from $0.12 per share.

• [By Reuters]

  Julio Cortez/AP NEW YORK -- Many U.S. retailers had to ramp up promotions last month as shoppers continued to watch their spending during the holiday season, hitting profits at several chains. L Brands (LB) cut its earnings forecast for the holiday quarter Thursday after reporting disappointing December sales at its Victoria Secret and La Senza chains. The company said it had to offer more deals than expected, the second month in a row it has had to do so. Family Dollar Stores (FDO) and teen retailer Zumiez (ZUMZ), which both reported sales declines for December, also slashed their profit forecasts. Even retailers that saw big sales gains, such as Kay Jewelers parent Signet Jewelers (SIG), weren't spared. "Additional discounting was necessary in a highly promotional retail environment," Signet Chief Executive Officer Mike Barnes said in a statement. A group of nine U.S. retailers in the Thomson Reuters same-store sales index are expected Thursday to report a sales rise of 1.9 percent in December at stores open at least a year, well below the 7.2 percent increase of a year earlier. Including drugstore chains Walgreen (WAG) and Rite Aid (RAD), analysts estimate the rise at 2.7 percent. Gap (GPS) will report after the markets close Thursday. Faced with reticent shoppers worried about their job prospects and modest economic growth, retailers offered more discounts during the holiday season than a year earlier. Between Nov. 3 and Jan. 4, eight retailers, including Walmart Stores (WMT), Target (T) and Macy's (M) , increased the number of circulars published by 6 percent and sent 57 percent more promotional emails, according to data prepared for Reuters by MarketTrack. Retailers also had to deal with shoppers who were less willing to go into stores: Data firm ShopperTrak this week said foot traffic had dropped 14.6 percent this holiday season. Walgreen, whose comparable sales of general merchandise rose 2.5 percent in December, said fewer shoppers had com

• [By Sara Murphy]

  As part of the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, representatives from Intel (NASDAQ: INTC  ) , Motorola Solutions (NYSE: MSI  ) , Ford (NYSE: F  ) (NYSE: F  ) , and Signet Jewelers (NYSE: SIG  ) participated in a round-table discussion on responsible minerals sourcing, hosted by the Enough Project at the Center for American Progress. Each of these companies has developed robust systems that aim to eliminate the terrible human cost associated with the minerals they need to make their products. They are working with the Enough Project, an NGO that works to provide a framework for best practices.

Best Retail Stocks To Invest In Right Now

J. C. Penney Company, Inc. (NYSE: JCP) is acting like a company which might not be doomed after all. The troubled department store retail giant offered preliminary guidance on its month ending November 30, 2013 and the numbers were pretty stellar considering that the Black Friday numbers were weak at many stores.

The company’s comparable store sales grew by a sharp 10.1% in November of 2013 versus November of 2012. Its e-commerce sales online were called strong and running well ahead of last year. This is also said to be consistent with the prior month’s trend, although the comparable store sales gain in October was a mere 0.9%.

CEO Mike Ullman said that the company is encouraged by the early performance of its giftable items, especially among its private brands such as Modern Bride, St. John’s Bay and a.n.a. Here is where things may get tricky. J.C. Penney said that customers “took advantage of exciting promotions for gift buying for their loved ones as well as for themselves.” Another mention was made that the environment will remain as competitive as ever.

Top 10 Valued Companies To Watch For 2015: Express Scripts Holding Co (ESRX)

Express Scripts Holding Company, incorporated in 2011, provides healthcare management and administration services on behalf of its clients, which include health maintenance organizations (HMOs), health insurers, third-party administrators, employers, union-sponsored benefit plans, workers compensation plans, and government health programs. The Company operates in two segments: Pharmacy Benefit Management (PBM) and Emerging Markets (EM). PBM services include network claims processing, home delivery services, patient care and direct specialty and fertility home delivery to patients, benefit plan design consultation, drug utilization review, formulary management, drug data analysis services, distribution of injectable drugs to patients homes and physicians offices, bio-pharma services, and fulfillment of prescriptions to low-income patients through manufacturer-sponsored patient assistance programs. EM segment provides distribution of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies to providers and clinics, healthcare account administration and implementation of consumer-directed healthcare solutions. In September 2013, it announced the acquisition of the SmartD Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (PDP).

On July 20, 2011, Express Scripts, Inc. (ESI) entered into a merger agreement (the Merger Agreement) with Medco Health Solutions, Inc. (Medco). During the year ended December 31, 2011, it reorganized its FreedomFP line of business from its EM segment into its PBM segment. On April 2, 2012, the Company completed the Merger Agreement, and after which ESI and Medco became the wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company. The Company�� customers include HMOs, health insurers, third-party administrators, employers, union-sponsored benefit plans, government health programs, office-based oncologists, renal dialysis clinics, ambulatory surgery centers, primary care physicians, retina specialists and others.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Lu Wang]

  Express Scripts Holding Co. (ESRX) declined 4.5 percent to $60.88, the lowest since May. The largest U.S. processor of prescription drug claims reduced its 2013 cash flow forecast, citing delays in some non-client integration activities.

• [By Adam Levine-Weinberg]

  Strong results, modest outlook
  Rite Aid's profit was driven by three major one-time or short-term impacts. First, the company gained a number of new customers from Walgreen's dispute with pharmacy benefits manager Express Scripts (NASDAQ: ESRX  ) . Walgreen's stores rejoined the Express Scripts network as of Sept. 15, and customers are beginning to trickle back, but Rite Aid still saw a significant benefit from the dispute in fiscal year 2013. On Rite Aid's Thursday morning conference call, executives estimated the full-year benefit at $70 million�-- more than half of the company's fiscal year 2013 profit.

• [By Stephen Quickel]

  In the healthcare sector, we are restoring two previously successful picks to our recommended list: Alexion Pharmaceuticals (ALXN) and pharmacy benefits leader Express Scripts (ESRX).

• [By Dan Caplinger]

  Next Monday, Express Scripts (NASDAQ: ESRX  ) will release its latest quarterly results. The key to making smart investment decisions on stocks reporting earnings is to anticipate how they'll do before they announce results, leaving you fully prepared to respond quickly to whatever inevitable surprises arise. That way, you'll be less likely to make an uninformed kneejerk reaction to news that turns out to be exactly the wrong move.

Best Retail Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Vitamin Shoppe Inc (VSI)

Vitamin Shoppe, Inc., incorporated on September 27, 2002, is a specialty retailer and direct marketer of vitamins, minerals, herbs, specialty supplements, sports nutrition and other health and wellness products. During the fiscal year ended December 29, 2012 (fiscal 2012), the Company marketed over 400 different brands, as well as its own brands, which include Vitamin Shoppe, BodyTech and True Athlete. The Company sells its products through two segments: retail and direct. In the Company's retail segment, the Company had a total of 286 new stores during the fiscal 2012. As of January 26, 2013, the Company operated 579 stores in 42 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Ontario, Canada, primarily located in high-traffic regional retail centers. In the Company's direct segment, the Company sells its products directly to consumers through the Internet, primarily at www.vitaminshoppe.com. On February 14, 2013, Vitamin Shoppe Mariner, Inc. acquired Super Supplements, Inc.

Retail

The Company's retail segment includes its retail store format. Its retail stores are is located in diverse geographic and demographic markets, ranging from urban locations in New York City, to suburban locations in Plantation, Florida and Manhattan Beach, California. As of January 26, 2013, the Company leased the property for all of its 579 stores. The Company's primary warehouse and distribution center and corporate headquarters are consolidated into a leased, 230,000 square-foot facility.

Products

The Company offers a selection of vitamins, minerals, herbs, homeopathic remedies, specialty supplements, such as fish oil, probiotics, glucosamine and Co Q10, sports nutrition, weight management, as well as natural bath and beauty, pet supplements and options for a healthy home. The Company's offers includes approximately 17,500 stock keeping units (SKUs) from over 400 brands. The Company offers products to its assortment in its Vitamin Shoppe, BodyTech, True Athlete and O! ptimal Pet brands, which include products, such as Ultimate Man, Ultimate Women, Whey Tech Pro 24 and Natural Whey Protein. The Company also offers an assortment from national brands, such as Optimum Nutrition, USP Labs, Garden of Life, Cytosport, Nature's Way, Solaray and Solgar. This assortment is designed to provide the Company's customers with a selection of available product in order to help them achieve their health and wellness goals.

The vitamin and mineral product category includes multi-vitamins, which many consider to be a foundation of a healthy regimen, lettered vitamins, such as Vitamin A, C, D, E, and B-complex, along with trace minerals, such as calcium, magnesium, chromium and zinc. Certain herbs can be taken to help support specific body systems, including ginkgo to support brain activity and milk thistle to help support liver function, as well as other less common herbs, such as holy basil for stress support and blood sugar control and black cohosh for menopause support. Herbal products include whole herbs, standardized extracts, herb combination formulas and teas.

Categories of specialty supplements include omega fatty acids, probiotics and condition specific formulas. Certain specialty supplements, such as organic greens, psyllium fiber and soy proteins, are taken for added support during various life stages. Folic acid is specifically useful during pregnancy. Super antioxidants, such as coenzyme Q-10, grapeseed extract and pycnogenol, are taken to address specific conditions. High ORAC (oxygen radical absorptive capacity) fruit concentrates like gogi, mangosteen, pomegranate and blueberry are taken to prevent oxygen radical damage. Other specialty supplement formulas are focused to support specific organs, biosystems and body functions. The Company offers approximately 3,000 SKUs in sports nutrition.

The Company's other category include natural beauty and personal care, diet and weight management supplements, natural pet food, and low carb foo! ds. Natur! al beauty and personal care products offer an alternative to traditional products that often contain synthetic and/or other ingredients that the Company's customers find objectionable. The Company offers approximately 3,000 SKUs for its other category. The Company's natural pet products include nutritionally balanced foods and snacks along with condition specific supplements such as glucosamine for joint health. Its variety of diet and weight management products range from low calorie bars, drinks and meal replacements to energy tablets, capsules and liquids.

The Company competes with Vitamin World, GNC, Whole Foods, Costco, Wal-Mart, Rite-Aid, Walgreens, Amazon.com, Puritan's Pride, Vitacost.com, Bodybuilding.com, Doctors Trust, Swanson and iHerb.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  Barclays upgraded share s of Vitamin Shoppe (VSI) today, expressing a confidence in management that was, well, heartwarming.

  Barclays’ analysts Meredith Adler and Sean Kras call Vitamin Shoppe’s management team “thoughtful, deliberate and disciplined” and praise their ability to diversify the business. As a result, they upgraded Vitamin Shoppe to Overweight from Equal Weight two days after Vitamin Shoppe released its earnings.

  But Adler and Kras also spent a good number of words explaining what Vitamin Shoppe isn’t–specifically, it’s not GNC Holdings (GNC):

  [Vitamin Shoppe] said it saw no fundamental change in consumer demand, nor did it feel much pressure from the bad media reports about things like multi-vitamins and fish oil, unlike GNC. [Vitamin Shoppe] has a much broader offering than GNC, however, so weakness in any one category rarely has a major impact on�[Vitamin Shoppe's] overall sales the way it does at GNC. Conversely, it benefits less when there are few very successful products. For example, diet is a far smaller part of the sales mix at�[Vitamin Shoppe] than at GNC. Last year diet had some strong products, but this year there are fewer. GNC�� comps were stronger than�[Vitamin Shoppe's] last year, but we like the stability of�[Vitamin Shoppe's] business, especially in the current environment.

  Shares of Vitamin Shoppe have gained 1.8% to $43.42 at 3:24 p.m., while GNC has risen 0.8% to $37.43.

• [By John Udovich]

  Vitamin Shoppe Inc (NYSE: VSI), Books-A-Million, Inc (NASDAQ: BAMM) and Perfumania Holdings, Inc (NASDAQ: PERF) have the dubious distinction of being�the worst performing small cap�specialty retail stocks for this year (according to Finviz.com) with losses of 4.85% and�3% and a gain of 0.61%, respectively, since the start of the year (See my previous article: This Year�� Best Performing Small Cap Specialty Retail Stocks? UNTD, TA & HZO). I should mention that the definition of specialty retail stocks might vary from one stock screener to another, but what�� clear is that these three small cap retail stocks have been heading in the wrong direction for investors for much of this year. �With that in mind, what sort of performance should investors expect from these small cap specialty retail stocks on Black Friday and for the all important holiday season? Here is what you need to be aware of:

Best Retail Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Natural Grocers By Vitamin Cottage Inc (NGVC)

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc., incorporated on April 9, 2012, is a specialty retailer of natural and organic groceries and dietary supplements. The Company operates within the natural products retail industry. The Company offers products and brands, including a selection of natural and organic food, dietary supplements, body care products, pet care products and books.

The Company offers its customers an average of approximately 18,000 store-keeping units (SKUs) of natural and organic products per store, including an average of approximately 7,000 SKU of dietary supplements. As of June 30, 2012, the Company operated 55 stores in 11 states, including Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah and Wyoming, as well as a bulk food repackaging facility and distribution center in Colorado. The size of its stores varies from 5,000 selling square feet to 14,500 selling square feet, and a new store averages 9,500 selling square feet.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Brian Stoffel]

  Much has been made recently about new entrants into the organic/natural food space in America. While Sprouts Farmers Market� (NASDAQ: SFM  ) , The Fresh Market (NASDAQ: TFM  ) , and Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage� (NYSE: NGVC  ) attempt to use Whole Foods' blueprint, Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT  ) is teaming up with Wild Oats to offer more organic goods in its discount stores.

• [By David Mamos]

  The Fresh Market Inc. (Nasdaq: TFM), Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage Inc. (NYSE: NGVC), and privately held Trader Joe's are others crowding into the field.

Best Retail Stocks To Invest In Right Now: McKesson Corp (MCK)

McKesson Corporation, incorporated on July 7, 1994, delivers pharmaceuticals, medical supplies and healthcare information technologies. The Company operates in two segments: McKesson Distribution Solutions segment and McKesson Technology Solutions segment. The McKesson Distribution Solutions segment distributes drugs, medical-surgical supplies and equipment and health and beauty care products throughout North America. The McKesson Technology Solutions segment delivers enterprise clinical, patient care, financial, supply chain, strategic management software solutions, pharmacy automation for hospitals, as well as connectivity, outsourcing and other services, including remote hosting and managed services, to healthcare organizations. In February 2013, the Company completed acquisition of Pss World Medical Inc. In February 2014, McKesson Corporation announced that its ownership in Celesio AG exceeds 75% interest.

Distribution Solutions

McKesson Distribution Solutions consists of the businesses, which include United States Pharmaceutical Distribution, McKesson Canada, Medical-Surgical Distribution, McKesson Specialty Health and McKesson Pharmacy Systems and Automation. United States Pharmaceutical Distribution business supplies pharmaceuticals and/or other healthcare-related products to customers in three primary customer channels: retail national accounts (including national and regional chains, food/drug combinations, mail order pharmacies and mass merchandisers); independent retail pharmacies, and institutional healthcare providers (including hospitals, health systems, integrated delivery networks, clinics and alternate site providers). This business also provides solutions and services to pharmaceutical manufacturers. This business sources materials and products from a range of different suppliers, including the production of certain generic pharmaceutical drugs through a contract-manufacturing program.

The Company�� United States pharmaceutical distribution b! usiness operates and serves thousands of customer locations through a network of 28 distribution centers, as well as a primary redistribution center, a strategic redistribution center and two repackaging facilities, serving all 50 states and Puerto Rico. It invests in technology and other systems at all of its distribution centers to enhance safety and reliability and provide the product availability for its customers. In addition, it offers Mobile ManagerSM, which integrates portable handheld technology with Acumax Plus to give customers complete ordering and inventory control. The Company also offers McKesson ConnectSM, an Internet-based ordering system that provides item lookup and real-time inventory availability, as well as ordering, purchasing, third-party reconciliation and account management functionality. Together, these features help ensure customers have the right products at the right time for their facilities and patients.

The offerings of the McKesson United States Pharmaceutical Distribution business by customer group can be categorized as retail national accounts, independent retail pharmacies and institutional healthcare providers. Retail National Accounts is a business solutions that help national account customers increase revenues and profitability. Solutions include Central Fill, Redistribution Centers, EnterpriseRx, RxPak, Inventory Management, McKesson OneStop Generics and ExpressRx Track.

Independent Retail Pharmacies is a solutions for managed care contracting, branding and advertising, merchandising, purchasing, operational efficiency and automation that help independent pharmacists focus on patient care while improving profitability. Solutions include Health Mart, AccessHealth, McKesson Reimbursement Advantage, McKesson OneStop Generics, EnterpriseRx, Sunmark, FrontEdge and McKesson Sponsored Clinical Services (SCS) Network. Institutional Healthcare Providers is a electronic ordering/purchasing and supply chain management systems that help customers ! improve f! inancial performance, increase operational efficiencies and deliver better patient care. Solutions include McKesson Pharmacy Optimization, Fulfill-Rx, Asset Management, SKY Packaging, McKesson Plasma and BioLogics, McKesson OneStop Generics and McKesson 340B Solution Suite and Macro Helix.

Medical-Surgical Distribution business provides medical-surgical supply distribution, equipment, logistics and other services to healthcare providers including physicians' offices, surgery centers, extended care facilities, homecare and occupational health sites through a network of distribution centers within the United States. This business is a provider of supplies to the full range of alternate-site healthcare facilities, including physicians' offices, clinics and surgery centers (primary care), long-term care, occupational health facilities and homecare sites (extended care). McKesson Specialty Health business provides solutions for oncology and other specialty practices operating in communities across the country, as well as for pharmaceutical and biotech suppliers who manufacture specialty drugs and vaccines.

The Company provides direct-to-physician specialty distribution services, ensuring supply chain safety and delivery of specialty drugs in manufacturer recommended conditions. Third party logistics (3PL), are offered primarily for vaccine distribution, including its exclusive distributor relationship in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Vaccines for Children program. The Company also offer its industry Lynx integrated technologies, the iKnowMed Electronic Health Record, and clinical and practice management tools, all of which help community practices improve inventory management, practice workflow and reimbursement processes, as well as deliver business efficiencies and clinical-decision support. McKesson Specialty Health works with manufacturers across all phases of the product development and commercialization lifecycle, including clinical research, to optim! ize deliv! ery of complex medication to patients.

McKesson Pharmacy Systems and Automation business supplies integrated pharmacy management systems, automated dispensing systems and related services to retail, outpatient, central fill, specialty and mail order pharmacies. Its primary approach is to provide the customer with a pharmacy management system that suits the particular needs of their business operation.

Technology Solutions

The Company�� Technology Solutions segment provides a portfolio of software, automation, support and services to help healthcare organizations. This segment also includes its InterQual clinical criteria solution, claims payment solutions and network performance tools. Technology Solutions markets its products and services to integrated delivery networks, hospitals, physician practices, home healthcare providers, retail pharmacies and payers. The product portfolio for the Technology Solutions segment is designed to address a range of healthcare clinical and business performance needs ranging from medication safety and information access to revenue cycle management, resource utilization and physician adoption of electronic health records (EHR). Technology Solutions consists of businesses, which include McKesson Health Solutions, Enterprise Medical Imaging and Ancillary Solutions, RelayHealth, Revenue Management Solutions, Enterprise Information Solutions, Hospital Automation and International Technology.

McKesson Health Solutions services and software products is designed to manage the cost and quality of care for payers, providers, hospitals and government organizations. Solution sets include InterQual Criteria for clinical decision support and utilization management; Claims payment solutions to facilitate accurate and efficient medical claim payments; Business intelligence tools for measuring, reporting and improving clinical and financial performance; Network management tools to enable health plans to transform the performance of ! their net! works, and RelayHealth financial solutions to facilitate communication between healthcare providers and patient aggregate data for claims management and trend analysis, and optimize revenue cycle management processes.

The Company offers medical imaging and information management systems for healthcare enterprises, including a picture archiving communications system, a radiology information system and a cardiovascular information system. The Company�� enterprise approach to medical imaging enables organizations to take advantage of specialty-specific workstations, while building an integrated image repository that manages all of the images and information captured throughout the care continuum. Through its vendor-neutral RelayHealth and its intelligent network, the Company provides health information exchange solutions that streamline clinical and administrative communication between patients, providers, payers, pharmacies, manufacturers, government and financial institutions. RelayHealth helps to accelerate the delivery of care and improve financial performance through online consultation of physicians by patients, electronic prescribing by physicians, and point-of-service resolution of pharmacy claims by payers.

The Company help providers focus their resources on delivering healthcare while managing their revenue cycle operations and information technology through a suite of managed services. Services include full and partial revenue cycle outsourcing, remote hosting and business office administration. The Company also provides a solution for physician practices of all sizes, whether they are independent or employed, that includes software, revenue cycle outsourcing and connectivity services. Software solutions include practice management and EHR software for physicians of every size and specialty. The Company provides clinical and financial information systems for hospitals and health systems of all sizes. These systems are designed to improve the safety and quality of pati! ent care ! and improve clinical, financial and operational performance. Clinical functionality includes a data repository, care planning, physician order entry and documentation, nursing documentation with bar-coded medication administration, pharmacy, surgical management, emergency department and ambulatory EHR systems, and a Web-based physician portal. Automation solutions include technologies that help hospitals re-engineer and improve their medication use processes. The Company provides patient administration systems and clinical products to health and social care systems of all sizes in the United Kingdom and other European countries.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Laura Brodbeck]

  Thursday

  Earnings Expected From: Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE: XOM), McKesson Corporation (NYSE: MCK), ConocoPhillips (NYSE: COP), Anheuser-Busch Inbev SA (NYSE: BUD), DIRECTV (NASDAQ: DTV), AstraZeneca PLC (NYSE: AZN) Economic Releases Expected: Japanese manufacturing PMI, eurozone CPI, Spanish current account, eurozone unemployment rate, Italian CPI, French PPI, German retail sales

  Friday

• [By jaggom]

  There�� strong acceptance for SDDC (Software Defined Data Center) of VMware. NSX which is VMware�� network virtualization platform is being adopted by Global brands such as McKesson (MCK), Starbucks (SBUX), Medtronic (MDT), Best Buy (BBY), and China Telecom (CHA) to make their networks more agile and efficient.

Best Retail Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Pier 1 Imports Inc (PIR)

Pier 1 Imports, Inc. (Pier 1 Imports), incorporated in April 30, 1986, is a global importer of imported decorative home furnishings and gifts. As of March 2, 2013, the Company had 1,062 stores in the United States and Canada. During the fiscal year ended March 2, 2013 (fiscal 2013), the Company opened 22 new Pier 1 Imports stores and closed 12 stores. The Company operates regional distribution center facilities in or near Baltimore, Maryland; Columbus, Ohio; Fort Worth, Texas; Ontario, California; Savannah, Georgia, and Tacoma, Washington. The specialty retail operations of the Company consist of retail stores and e-Commerce operations conducting business under the name Pier 1 Imports, which sell a range of furniture, decorative home furnishings, dining and kitchen goods, candles, gifts and other specialty items for the home.

As of March 2, 2013, the Company operated 982 Pier 1 Imports stores in the United States and 80 Pier 1 Imports stores in Canada. During fiscal 2013, the Company supplied merchandise and licensed the Pier 1 Imports name to Grupo Sanborns, which sold Pier 1 Imports merchandise primarily in a store within a store format in 49 Sears Mexico stores and one store in El Salvador. The stores consist of freestanding units located near shopping centers or malls and in-line positions in major shopping centers. Pier 1 Imports operates in all major United States metropolitan areas and many of the primary smaller markets.

Decorative Accessories

This merchandise group constitutes the range of category of merchandise in Pier 1 Imports��sales mix. These items are imported primarily from Asian and European countries, as well as some domestic sources. This merchandise group includes decorative accents, lamps, vases, dried and artificial flowers, baskets, ceramics, dinnerware, bath and fragrance products, candles, seasonal and gift items.

Furniture

This merchandise group consists of furniture and furniture cushions to be used in livin! g, dining, office, kitchen and bedroom areas, sunrooms and on patios. Also included in this group are wall decorations and mirrors. These goods are imported from a variety of countries such as Vietnam, Malaysia, Brazil, Thailand, China, the Philippines, India and Indonesia, and are also obtained from domestic sources. This merchandise group is made of metal or handcrafted natural materials, including rattan, pine, beech, rubberwood and selected hardwoods with either natural, stained, painted or upholstered finishes.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Demitrios Kalogeropoulos]

  The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJINDICES: ^DJI  ) has lost a modest 17 points in pre-market trading, suggesting a lower start to the stock market today. Stocks could take a breather after logging their biggest daily gain in over a month yesterday. Still, Rite Aid (NYSE: RAD  ) , Family Dollar (NYSE: FDO  ) , and Pier 1 Imports (NYSE: PIR  ) were all on the move in pre-market trading after posting quarterly earnings results.

• [By Jake L'Ecuyer]

  Equities Trading DOWN
  Shares of Pier 1 Imports (NYSE: PIR) were down 11.84 percent to $20.56 after the company reported weak December sales and lowered its outlook.

• [By Laura Brodbeck]

  Thursday

  Earnings Expected From: ConAgra Foods, Inc. (NYSE: CAG), Oracle Corporation (NASDAQ: ORCL), Pier 1 Imports, Inc. (NYSE: PIR), Rite Aid Corporation (NYSE: RAD) Economic Releases Expected: British retail sales, U.S. housing starts, U.S. initial jobless claims, U.S. continuing jobless claims, Federal Reserve rate decision

  Friday

Best Retail Stocks To Invest In Right Now: AutoZone Inc.(AZO)

AutoZone, Inc. retails and distributes automotive replacement parts and accessories. The company?s stores offer various products for cars, sport utility vehicles, vans, and light trucks, including new and remanufactured automotive hard parts, maintenance items, accessories, and non-automotive products. Its automotive hard parts product line includes A/C compressors, batteries and accessories, belts and hoses, carburetors, chassis, clutches, CV axles, engines, fuel pumps, fuses, ignition, lighting, mufflers, starters and alternators, water pumps, radiators, and thermostats. The company?s maintenance items include antifreeze and windshield washer fluid; brake drums, rotors, shoes, and pads; chemicals, including brake and power; steering fluid, oil, and fuel additives; oil and transmission fluids; oil, air, fuel, and transmission filters; oxygen sensors; paint and accessories; refrigerant and accessories; shock absorbers and struts; spark plugs and wires; and windshield wiper s. Its discretionary product line comprises air fresheners, cell phone accessories, drinks and snacks, floor mats and seat covers, mirrors, performance products, protectants and cleaners, sealants and adhesives, steering wheel covers, stereos and radios, tools, and wash and wax products. The company also offers commercial sales program that provides the delivery of parts and other products to local, regional, and national repair garages, dealers, service stations, and public sector accounts. In addition, it sells the ALLDATA brand automotive diagnostic and repair software through the Website, alldata.com; and automotive hard parts, maintenance items, accessories, and non-automotive products through the Website, autozone.com. As of May 7, 2011, the company operated 4,467 stores in the United States and Puerto Rico, and 261 stores in Mexico. AutoZone, Inc. was founded in 1979 and is based in Memphis, Tennessee.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Geoff Gannon] >Dun and Bradstreet (DNB) are examples. All have great track records for business and stock price growth long term so this appears to be a strategic decision to finance through debt rather than equity. My question is at what point can an investor judge that this practice is no longer creating value but adding risk to the investment? There can obviously be too much leverage. However when money is cheap to borrow and ROIC is high this seems like a great way to create value for shareholders, to just borrow at 3% and buy stock with an ROIC over 20%, but how much is too much?

  Thank you,

• [By Jake L'Ecuyer]

  Top Headline
  AutoZone (NYSE: AZO) reported a gain in its fiscal second-quarter profit. AutoZone's quarterly profit surged to $192.8 million, or $5.63 per share, versus a year-ago profit of $176.2 million, or $4.78 per share. Its net sales rose to $1.99 billion versus $1.86 billion. However, analysts were expecting earnings of $5.57 per share on sales of $1.98 billion. AutoZone's US same-store sales jumped 4.3% in the quarter.

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

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

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Ning Jia]

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