Shares of CSX (CSX) were slipping Thursday afternoon, after an analyst downgrade citing lack of catalysts for the railroad giant.
Barclays��Brandon Oglenski and Keith Mori cut their rating on the stock from Overweight to Equal Weight and lowered their target price by $2 to $30. They write that while CSX is still the cheapest in the sector, they see marginal upside for the stock given a limited growth outlook in 2015. They also note that a difficult start to 2014 implies further headwinds, as CSX�� cost and margin performance has lagged peers in recent periods, and ��fficiency gains could be masked in the near-term as the network regains fluidity.��/p>
Their downgrade also relates to dynamics in the coal industry:
CSX shareholders have sustained a volatile ride in the past two years, dominated by the loss of nearly $800mm in coal revenue. Dynamics have improved in the near term for domestic coal consumption, but pending environmental regulations and soft export markets make for a difficult long-term outlook. Based on our analysis of future headwinds, we estimate coal revenues could decline a further $380 to $500mm in the coming years. We are encouraged at CSX�� pace of expansion beyond coal markets, which has totaled nearly $1bn in additional revenue or 12% of growth in two years. However, growth has been insufficient to create favorable earnings outcomes given coal�� relatively high profitability. Beyond the near term, coal headwinds signal another slow growth year in 2015, driving our downgrade to Equal Weight.
Best Biotech Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Cellular Dynamics International Inc (ICEL)
Cellular Dynamics International, Inc., incorporated on November 16, 2007, develops and manufactures fully functioning human cells in industrial quantities to precise specifications. The Company�� iCell Operating System (iCell O/S) includes true human cells in multiple cell types (iCell products), human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and custom iPSCs and iCell products (MyCell products). Customers use its iCell O/S products, among other purposes, for drug discovery and screening; to test the safety and efficacy of their small molecule and biologic drug candidates; for stem cell banking; and in researching cellular therapeutics. The Company�� iCell product line includes four different cell types: cardiomyocytes, neurons, hepatocytes and endothelial cells. The Company is actively developing an additional seven different cell types. iCell products are a consumable designed to be used once and then reordered.
The Company manufactures its iCell products from its iPSCs. An iPSC is a cell that has the ability both to replicate indefinitely and to be transformed into any cell type in the human body. The Company�� iCell O/S consists of six products, which include iCell Cardiomyocytes, iCell Neurons, iCell Endothelial Cells, iCell Hepatocytes and MyCell.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By John Udovich]
Stem cells may not be in the news much�as the sector has moved beyond the use of embryotic�ones, but small cap stem cell stocks Cellular Dynamics International Inc (NASDAQ: ICEL), International Stem Cell Corp (OTCMKTS: ISCO) and BioRestorative Therapies (OTCBB: BRTX) have been fairly active over the past several trading days as ICEL went public, ISCO raised additional funding and BRTX grabbed more attention:
10 Best Cheapest Stocks To Buy For 2014: Solarwinds Inc.(SWI)
SolarWinds, Inc. designs, develops, markets, sells, and supports enterprise information technology (IT) infrastructure management software for IT professionals in various organizations in the United States and internationally. The company offers enterprise-class IT management products, including Network Performance Monitor, a server-based fault and performance management platform to minimize network downtime; Network Performance Monitor modules, a series of add-ons; network configuration manager to automate the processes of network device discovery, network inventory management, and network change management; user device tracker, a server-based switch port management tool; scalability engines to increase the scale of a number of the products; and enterprise operations console to provide web-based views of various instances of Network Performance Monitor modules and Application Performance Monitor. Its enterprise-class network and IT management products also comprise Applic ation Performance Monitor, a server-based availability and performance management system for applications and server infrastructure; patch manager to automate the process of deploying, managing, and reporting on patches and configuration settings; and synthetic end user monitor to capture the user steps of any web application and monitor the end-user experience; storage manager that combines reporting, monitoring, and notification on the performance of storage resources; backup profiler to provide a consolidated view of the status of backup operations; virtualization manager to manage various aspects of virtual server infrastructure; and log and event manager to automate the collection and interpretation of logs. In addition, the company provides free tools, such as desktop, laptop, server-based, or internet-based applications; and tools and toolsets for specific solutions of routine and complicated tasks. The company was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in Austin, Texas .
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Hilary Kramer]
Next Page
Tech Stocks That’ll Survive: SolarWinds (SWI)SolarWinds (SWI), contrary to what you might think from its name, is not a solar company. It is a software company with a presence in both virtualization and security, and offers solid profit potential thanks to dedicated customers and a growth rate that is already outpacing the overall industry.
- [By Travis Hoium]
What: Shares of SolarWinds (NYSE: SWI ) dropped 14% today as investors reacted to the company's acquisition plans.
So what: Yesterday, the company announced it will buy N-able, a cloud-based IT infrastructure company, for $120 million. This is expected to reduce 2013 earnings and there's no guarantee the acquisition will pay off, so investors sold off shares today. �
10 Best Cheapest Stocks To Buy For 2014: Vocera Communications Inc (VCRA)
Vocera Communications, Inc. (Vocera), incorporated on February 16, 2000, is a provider of mobile communication solutions. The Company�� solutions consist of its Voice Communication, Messaging and Care Transition solutions. Its Voice Communication solution, which includes a communication badge and a software platform, enables users to connect with other hospital staff. The Company�� Messaging solution delivers text messages and alerts directly to and from smartphones. Its Care Transition solution is a voice and text-based software application that captures, manages and monitors patient information when responsibility for the patient is transferred or handed-off from one caregiver to another, or when the patient is discharged from the hospital. Users can communicate with others using the Vocera communication badge or through Vocera Connect client applications available for BlackBerry, iPhone and Android smartphones, as well as Cisco wireless Internet protocol (IP) phones and other mobile devices. In January 2014, Vocera Communications Inc announced the acquisition of mVisum.
Communication solution can also be integrated with nurse call and other clinical systems to alert hospital workers to patient needs. The Company�� solutions are deployed in over 800 hospitals and healthcare facilities, including hospital systems, hospitals, and clinics, surgery centers and aged-care facilities. During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company had shipped over 400,000 communication badges to its customers. The Company outsources the manufacturing of its products. Vocera offers a range of services, including clinical workflow design, wireless assessment, solution configuration, training and project management. It also provides a classroom-based curriculum for systems administrators, information technology professionals and clinical educators. The Company provides around-the-clock technical support to its customers through its support centers in San Jose, California, and Reading, United Kingdom.!
Voice Communication solution
The Company�� Voice Communication solution consists of a software platform that connects communication devices, including its hands-free, wearable, voice-controlled communication badges, Vocera-branded smartphones and third-party mobile devices that use its software applications to become part of the Vocera system. The system transforms the way mobile workers communicate by enabling them to connect with the right person simply by the name, function or group name of the person they want to reach, often while remaining at the point-of-care. Its system responds to over 100 voice commands.
Vocera�� Voice Communication solution is a software platform that runs on its customers��Windows-based servers. In addition, it controls the calling and messaging functions of the mobile client devices and maintains profiles for users and groups that enable customization of workflow patterns for each customer. The Company�� communication badge is a wearable device that operates over customers��wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) networks. The badge is worn clipped to a shirt or on a lanyard. It can be used to conduct hands-free communication. It enables two-way voice conversations without the need to remember a phone number or use a handset. Its badge also incorporates automatic diagnostic mechanisms that feed data on wireless network performance back to the software platform for reporting and diagnosis of problems. In October 2011, it introduced the Vocera B3000 badge. In 2012, the Company added Cisco wireless IP phones to the list of mobile devices it supports.
Messaging solution
The Company�� Messaging solution delivers text messages, alerts and other information, directly to and from smartphones. Its solution consists of a software platform and client applications that run on BlackBerry, iPhone or Android devices. Its Messaging solution includes a range of client applications, including Alert, Chat and Commander.
Care! Transition Solution
The Company�� platform, which includes modules for patient transfers, shift changes, physician sign-outs and patient and family information exchanges, allows hospitals to standardize and monitor patient hand-offs. Its Care Transition solution can be deployed through either a hosted software-as-a-service model or as a server-on-site model and has been deployed by over 120 hospitals.
The Company competes with Cisco Systems, Ascom and Polycom.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Evan Niu, CFA]
What: Shares of Vocera Communications (NYSE: VCRA ) have gotten slaughtered by 38% today after the company reported earnings.
So what: Revenue in the first quarter came in at $22.4 million, which translated into a non-GAAP net loss of $0.07 per share. Both figures were significantly worse than the $24.3 million in revenue and $0.02 per share adjusted loss that the Street was expecting. CEO Bob Zollars conceded that management was disappointed with the results.
- [By Victor Selva]
On Dec.24, Mario Gabelli, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GAMCO Investors, Inc. added Communications Systems Inc. (JCS) at an average price of $11.05 and currently holds 330,172 shares of the stock. It was the 5th time he added the stock during this year, which makes me feel that he is betting in favor of a positive future for the consumption of network capacity.
Recommendations of the Board
Communications Systems is engaged in the manufacture and sale of modular connecting and wiring devices for voice and data communications, digital subscriber line filters, and structured wiring systems, and through its Transition Networks business unit in the manufacture of media and rate conversion products for telecommunications networks.
Few months ago the firm announced�a series of actions to increase revenues and improve profitability. The first change was to operate as a holding company, monitoring and supporting all the business units: Suttle, Transition Networks (TN) unit and JDL Technologies. With this ��ew format�� each unit will operate with a high degree of autonomy. This will result in the reduction of labor costs, the emphasizing of accountability in the units as well as better recognition of performance. "While difficult decisions for the Board, we believe the changes we have taken to restructure our parent company as a holding company and to focus on individual business unit performance is in the best interest of our shareholders and will increase shareholder value" said Curtis A. Sampson, the Company's Board Chair and Interim CEO. Furthermore, strategic investments in the TN unit such as marketing, sales and product development will boost revenues in the future.
Severe Warning Signs
Not all are good news, we found three severe warning signs issued by GuruFocus: Piotroski F-Score of 2 is low, which usually implies poor business operation; revenue has been in decline over the past 3 years and operating margin has been in 5-year - [By gurujx]
Vocera Communications Inc (VCRA) Reached the 3-year Low of $12.33
The prices of Vocera Communications Inc (VCRA) shares have declined to close to the 3-year low of $12.33, which is 64.4% off the 3-year high of $32.97.
10 Best Cheapest Stocks To Buy For 2014: Teekay Corporation(TK)
Teekay Corporation engages in the marine transportation of crude oil and gas in Bermuda and internationally. Its Shuttle Tanker and FSO segment operates shuttle tankers, and floating storage and off-take (FSO) units for offloading and transportation of cargo from oil field installations to onshore terminals; and provides floating storage services for oil field installations. The company?s FPSO segment provides floating production, processing, and storage services through floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) units. Its Liquefied Gas segment comprises liquefied natural gas (LNG) and liquefied petroleum gas carriers. The company?s Conventional Tanker segment operates conventional crude oil and product tankers that are employed on long-term fixed-rate time-charter contracts. As of December 31, 2010, its fleet consisted of 151 vessels, including 11 vessels under construction. The company serves energy and utility companies, oil traders, oil and LNG consumers, p etroleum product producers, government agencies, and various other entities that depend upon marine transportation. Teekay Corporation was founded in 1973 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Ben Levisohn]
Shares of Teekay (TK) have surged more than 15% this morning after the shipping company announced a new dividend policy after yesterday’s close. Deutsche Bank’s Amit Mehrotra think the news is good enough to be worthy of an upgrade for Teekay:
ReutersWe are upgrading our recommendation on shares of Teekay Corp. to Buy from Hold, and raising our 12-month price target to $90 from $68. The revision reflects the company’s bold new dividend strategy outlined after today’s market close and ahead of its analyst day tomorrow. The new plan includes an 80% increase in its annual dividend effective 1Q15 (to $2.25 at the midpoint vs. $1.265 today), and a policy aimed at linking future div increases to cash flow growth at its two MLP subsidiaries [Teekay LNG Partners (TGP) & Teekay Offshore Partners (TOO)]. The result should be 20%/year grow in Teekay’s dividend for the foreseeable future, which together with today’s increase, easily justify a $90+ share price in the relatively near-term.
Investors clearly like the news. Shares of Teekay have soared 15% to $67.40 at 10:56 a.m., while Teekay LNG Partners has tricked up 0.3% to $43.56 and Teekay Offshore Partners is off 1.3% at $33.48.
- [By Lisa Levin]
Teekay (NYSE: TK) shares rose 13.26% to reach a new 52-week high of $66.10 after the company adopted a new dividend policy and announced its plans to increase dividend by 75%-80%.
- [By Lisa Levin]
Teekay (NYSE: TK) surged 14.67% to $66.92. The volume of Teekay shares traded 1390% higher than normal. Teekay adopted a new dividend policy and announced its plans to increase dividend by 75%-80%.
10 Best Cheapest Stocks To Buy For 2014: Curtiss-Wright Corporation (CW)
Curtiss-Wright Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, designs, manufactures, and overhauls precision components and systems. It operates in three segments: Flow Control, Motion Control, and Metal Treatment. The Flow Control segment designs, manufactures, and distributes engineered products, including valves, pumps, motors, generators, instrumentation, shipboard systems, and control electronics that manage the flow of liquids and gases, generate power, provide electronic operating systems, and monitor or provide critical functions for naval defense, power generation, oil and gas, and general industrial markets. The Motion Control segment designs, develops, manufactures, and maintains mechanical actuation and drive systems, specialized sensors, motors, electronic controller units, and embedded computing components and control systems for ground defense, aerospace defense, commercial aerospace, and general industrial markets. The Metal Treatment segment provides metallu rgical processing services comprising shot peening, laser peening, specialty coatings and heat treating for commercial and defense aerospace, oil and gas, power generation, automotive, transportation, construction equipment, and miscellaneous metal working industries. The company operates primarily in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. Curtiss-Wright Corporation was founded in 1929 and is headquartered in Parsippany, New Jersey.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Shauna O'Brien]
On Monday, Curtiss-Wright Corp. (CW) announced that it has completed its acquisition of Arens Controls, LLC for $98 million.
The newly acquired business will operate under CW’s Controls segment. David C. Adams, President and CEO of CW noted: “The acquisition of Arens complements our previous acquisitions of Williams Controls and PG Drives, further strengthening and growing Curtiss-Wright’s existing industrial controls business.”
“This is another step toward our vision of being the supplier of choice for operator control subsystems and critical drivetrain components in specialty vehicles. As a leading designer and manufacturer of critical vehicle controls technologies, Arens’ complementary products and long-standing customer relationships position Curtiss-Wright for increased penetration within the commercial and off-road vehicle markets. Additionally, this acquisition allows us to leverage our global manufacturing footprint to create margin expansion opportunities,” Adams added.
Curtiss-Wright shares were down 46 cents, or 1.00%, during Monday morning trading. The stock is up 39% YTD.
10 Best Cheapest Stocks To Buy For 2014: TheStreet Inc (TST)
TheStreet Inc. (TheStreet), incorporated on April 2, 1982, is a digital financial media company. The Company provides users, subscribers and advertisers with a range of content and tools through a range of online, social media, tablet and mobile channels. The Company's subscription products include paid Web services, such as RealMoney, RealMoney Pro, Options Profits, Actions Alerts PLUS, Chat On TheStreet and Stocks Under $10. In addition to its subscription products, the Company�� premium services business also includes information services revenue from its RateWatch business, which maintains an updated database of financial rate and fee data collected from more than 90,000 financial institutions (at the branch level), including certificate of deposit, money market account, savings account, checking account, home mortgage, home equity loan, credit card and auto loan rates. In September 2012, it acquired The Deal LLC from Wasserstein & Co.
The Company's advertising-supported properties include TheStreet, Stockpickr, MainStreet and BankingMyWay. TheStreet generates advertising revenue from its content through the sale of a range of advertising placements, including banner, tile, contextual, performance-based and interactive advertisement and sponsorship placements in its advertising-supported Web sites, as well as on select paid subscription sites; advertisement placements in its free email newsletters and stand-alone emails sent on behalf of its advertisers to its registered users, and advertisements in its video programming, TheStreet services for mobile and tablet devices, RSS feeds, blogs and in its podcasts.
The Company competes with The Wall Street Journal Digital Network, CNN Money, Forbes.com, Reuters.com, Bloomberg.com, CNBC.com, Yahoo! Finance, AOL Money & Finance, MSN Money, CNBC, the Fox Business Channel, Standard & Poor's, Morningstar, Lipper, Informa and SNL Kagan.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Eric Volkman]
TheStreet's (NASDAQ: TST ) asset list is slightly longer following the financial media company's latest acquisition. The company announced that it bought several properties from DealFlow Media in order to compliment its offerings. Those assets are The DealFlow Report and The Life Settlements Report, both newsletters, and PrivateRaise, a database.
10 Best Cheapest Stocks To Buy For 2014: US Ecology Inc.(ECOL)
US Ecology, Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides waste treatment, disposal, recycling, and transportation services to commercial and government entities in the United States. The company offers treatment and disposal services for radioactive, hazardous, polychlorinated biphenyl, and non-hazardous industrial wastes. Its customers include oil refineries, chemical production facilities, manufacturers, electric utilities, steel mills, biotechnology companies, military installations, waste brokers/aggregators, and medical and academic institutions. The company was formerly known as American Ecology Corporation and changed its name to US Ecology, Inc. in February 2010. US Ecology, Inc. was founded in 1952 and is headquartered in Boise, Idaho.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Seth Jayson]
US Ecology (Nasdaq: ECOL ) is expected to report Q1 earnings on April 25. Here's what Wall Street wants to see:
The 10-second takeaway
Comparing the upcoming quarter to the prior-year quarter, average analyst estimates predict US Ecology's revenues will increase 20.4% and EPS will grow 19.0%. - [By Damian Illia]
As we can see, the firm has a higher ROE than Amrep Corporation (AXR) but is well below the one registered by US Ecology Inc. (ECOL) and Cintas Corporation (CTAS).
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