Sunday, May 31, 2015

Sallie Mae Fined $96 Million for Bilking Military on Student Loans

Sallie Mae, the servicer of federal and private student loans, must pay $96.6 million in restitution and penalties to the Department of Justice and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. for systematically violating the legal rights of U.S. servicemembers.

The DOJ said Tuesday that the federal government filed its first lawsuit against owners and servicers of student loans for violating the rights of servicemembers eligible for benefits and protections under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA).

The FDIC announced the same day that it determined that Sallie Mae violated federal law prohibiting unfair and deceptive practices in regards to student loan borrowers by: Inadequately disclosing its payment allocation methodologies to borrowers while allocating borrowers' payments across multiple loans in a manner that maximizes late fees; and misrepresenting and inadequately disclosing in its billing statements how borrowers could avoid late fees.

The FDIC orders require Sallie Mae Bank and Navient Corp. to pay civil penalties totaling $6.6 million and to pay restitution of approximately $30 million to harmed borrowers.

The three entities must also fund a $60 million settlement fund with the DOJ to provide remediation to servicemembers.

SLM Corp. (commonly known as Sallie Mae ) spun off its loan servicing operation on April 30 into a separate, publicly traded entity now called Navient Corp.

Navient is the entity that owns approximately $140 billion in federal and private student loans and services loans on behalf of Sallie Mae and other parties, such as the U.S. Department of Education. In total, Navient services $300 billion. Sallie Mae is a bank that originates private education loans and offers savings accounts, certificates of deposit and money market accounts. Sallie Mae owns approximately $6.5 billion of private education loans.

A Navient spokesperson explained that as part of today’s settlement, Sallie Mae will pay $3.3 million in fines to the FDIC; Navient is responsible for funding all other liabilities related to these consent orders, including the $60 million referenced in the Department of Justice’s news release and the $30 million in restitution under the consent order from the FDIC.

The United States’ complaint alleges that three defendants, collectively known as Sallie Mae, engaged in “a nationwide pattern or practice, dating as far back as 2005, of violating the SCRA by failing to provide members of the military the 6% interest rate cap to which they were entitled.”

The complaint further alleges that defendants Sallie Mae Inc. and SLM DE Corp. also violated the SCRA by improperly obtaining default judgments against servicemembers.

Holly Petraeus, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau assistant director, Office of Servicemember Affairs, said in a statement that she has been “concerned for some time about the way that military personnel are treated by their student loan servicers.”

Sallie Mae, she continued, “gave servicemembers the runaround and denied them the interest-rate reduction required by law. This behavior is unacceptable. And it’s particularly troubling from a company that benefits so generously from federal contracts.”

A 2012 report from the CFPB found that servicemembers faced serious hurdles in accessing their student loan benefits, including the provisions of the SCRA which caps the interest rate on pre-existing student loans and other consumer credit products at 6% while the servicemember is on active duty.

“Servicers were not providing them with clear and accurate information about their loan repayment options,” the report found. The CFPB said that it has “heard from military borrowers, including those in combat zones, who were denied interest-rate protections because they failed to resubmit unnecessary paperwork.” These kinds of obstacles, the report said, “prevent servicemembers from taking advantage of the full range of protections they have earned through their service to this country.”

Top Gas Utility Companies To Invest In 2016

The CFPB says that it has partnered with the Department of Defense to create better awareness of the rights and options for servicemember student loan borrowers. The CFPB also developed a guide for servicemembers who have student loans. The guide contains clear information on the various ways student loans can be repaid. The Bureau began accepting student loan complaints in March 2012. Servicemembers who have an issue with their servicers should submit a complaint to the CFPB.

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Check out JPMorgan Pledges $20M for Veteran Initiatives on ThinkAdvisor.

Thursday, May 28, 2015

Best Construction Companies To Buy For 2016

Best Construction Companies To Buy For 2016: Boral Ltd (BLD)

Boral Limited (Boral), is engaged in the manufacture and supply of building and construction materials in Australia, the United States and Asia. The Company's operating segments include Construction Materials & Cement, Building Products, Boral Gypsum, and Boral USA. The Construction Materials & Cement is engaged in quarries, concrete, asphalt, transport, landfill, property, cement and concrete placing. The Building Products segment is engaged in Australian bricks, roof tiles, masonry, timber products and windows. The Boral Gypsum involves Australian and Asian plasterboard. The Boral USA is engaged in Bricks, cultured stone, roof tiles, fly ash, concrete and quarries. Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Eric Lam]

    Ballard Power (BLD), which designs and manufactures hydrogen fuel cells, slumped 15 percent to C$1.42, the biggest decline since March. The company yesterday said it will sell about 9 million units at $1.40 a unit for proceeds of about $12.6 million. The cash generated will be used to fund working capital, support growth and general corporate purposes, the company said.

  • source from Top Stocks For 2015:http://www.topstocksblog.com/best-construction-companies-to-buy-for-2016.html

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Top 5 Value Stocks To Buy For 2016

Top 5 Value Stocks To Buy For 2016: Dollar Tree Inc.(DLTR)

Dollar Tree, Inc. operates discount variety stores in the United States and Canada. Its stores offer merchandise primarily at the fixed price of $1.00. The company operates its stores under the names of Dollar Tree, Deal$, Dollar Tree Deal$, Dollar Giant, and Dollar Bills. Its stores offer consumable merchandise, including candy and food, and health and beauty care, as well as household consumables, such as paper, plastics, household chemicals, in select stores, and frozen and refrigerated food; variety merchandise, which includes toys, durable housewares, gifts, party goods, greeting cards, softlines, and other items; and seasonal goods, such as Easter, Halloween, and Christmas merchandise. As of April 30, 2011, it operated 4,089 stores in 48 states and the District of Columbia, as well as 88 stores in Canada. The company was founded in 1986 and is based in Chesapeake, Virginia.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By ANUP SINGH]

    Dollar Tree (NASDAQ: DLTR  ) is among the most successful single-price-point retailers in the U.S. It operates more than 4,842 stores across 48 states in the U.S. and five Provinces in Canada. The chart below shows that the company has been performing consistently well over the past five years.

  • [By Ben Levisohn]

    Shares of Supervalu have dropped 8.3% to $6.31 at 2:59 p.m., within spitting distance of Goldman’s $6 target price, while competitors Family Dollar Stores (FDO) has gained 0.2% to $70.16,Dollar General(DG) has fallen 0.4% t0 $59.02,Dollar Tree (DLTR) is off 1% to $59.33 and Wal-Mart (WMT) is little changed at $79.19.

  • [By Lawrence Meyers]

    This isnt some growing new industry set to take the world further into the 21st century. Its an old concept that hasnt innovated, wont innovate, and will slowly but surely die out over this century. When I walk into a Walgreens, I see a miniature Target (TGT), a more expensive Doll! ar Tree (DLTR), and a provider of prescriptions in a world where everything is becoming mail order.

  • [By Jon C. Ogg]

    Deutsche Bank is making a change in its coverage of dollar store themes on Monday: Dollar Tree Inc. (NASDAQ: DLTR) was raised to Buy from Hold and Family Dollar Stores Inc. (NYSE: FDO)was downgraded to Hold from Buy, but the price target was raised to $74 from $70.

  • source from Top Stocks To Buy For 2015:http://www.topstocksforum.com/top-5-value-stocks-to-buy-for-2016-2.html

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Hot Dow Dividend Companies To Buy For 2016

Hot Dow Dividend Companies To Buy For 2016: Wolverine World Wide Inc.(WWW)

Wolverine World Wide, Inc. designs, manufactures, sources, markets, licenses, and distributes branded footwear, apparel, and accessories. It offers industrial work shoes, boots, uniform shoes, outdoor sports footwear, rugged casual footwear, lifestyle footwear, sandals, and closed-toe products. It also provides outdoor apparel, and work and rugged casual apparel; and accessories, such as packs, bags, and luggage, as well as eyewear, gloves, handbags, socks, watches, and plush toys. The company offers its products under various brand names, including Bates, Cat Footwear, Chaco, Cushe, Harley-Davidson Footwear, Hush Puppies, HyTest, Merrell, Patagonia Footwear, Sebago, Soft Style, and Wolverine. It sells its products to a range of retail customers, which comprise department stores, national chains, catalogs, specialty retailers, mass merchants, Internet retailers, governments, and municipalities in the United States, Canada, and Europe. The company also markets its products in approximately 190 countries and territories through company-owned wholesale operations, licensees, and distributors. It also licenses its brands for use on non-footwear products. As of December 31, 2011, the company operated 101 retail stores in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom; and operated 42 consumer-direct Websites. Further, it markets pigskin leather, and purchases raw pigskins from other source. Wolverine World Wide, Inc. was founded in 1883 and is based in Rockford, Michigan.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Will Ashworth]

    Wolverine World Wide(WWW) simply isn’t the same company it was a year ago — and its record third-quarter results are proof. WWWcompleted a $2 billion acquisition of Collective Brands last year, adding the Sperry Top-Sider, Saucony, Stride Rite and Keds brands to its portfolio.

  • [By Michael Lewis]

    Two of the bi! ggest shoe companies available to investors, Deckers Outdoor (NASDAQ: DECK  ) and Wolverine Worldwide (NYSE: WWW  ) , have experienced great growth in recent periods, with the former posting a 20% stock gain on the day it released earnings last week. Both companies have made fantastic accretive brand purchases and renovations over the past year, and both should continue to grow at appealing rates. Unfortunately for investors, both also appear to be fully valued stocks The question for investors going forward regards whether the companies' phenomenal successes can sustain the lofty valuations imparted by an ever-myopic market.

  • [By Chuck Carnevale]

    Wolverine World Wide (WWW): A Faster Growing Global Marketer of Footwear

    Our third example, Wolverine World Wide, moves farther up the growth chain with earnings averaging 9.4% per annum. Nevertheless, we once again see the strong relationship and close correlation between stock price and earnings over the long run. Perhaps due to the faster earnings growth rate, we do see several periods where the companys price earnings ratio has deviated significantly above the 15 standard, indicating overvaluation. Nevertheless, just as we saw with our first two examples, stock price inevitably and soon moves back into alignment with earnings.

  • source from Top Penny Stocks For 2015:http://www.seekpennystocks.com/hot-dow-dividend-companies-to-buy-for-2016-2.html

Monday, May 25, 2015

5 Best High Dividend Stocks To Own For 2015

Popular Posts: 5 Cheap Dividend Stocks to Buy5 Stocks to Buy in April4 Medical Marijuana Stocks to Dump Now Recent Posts: 5 High-Yield, Large-Cap Dividend Stocks to Buy PHOT Suspended by SEC – Sell Your Marijuana Stocks (While You Still Can) Yes, You SHOULD Kill BlackBerry Phones to Save BBRY View All Posts

It’s hard to beat dividend stocks like real estate investments trusts (REITs) and master limited partnerships (MLPs) for high dividend yields, but since those payouts flow directly from earnings, their income streams can be volatile. (Hey, as with everything else in investing and life, there’s no such thing as a free lunch.)

Hot International Stocks To Buy Right Now: Gas Natural Inc. (EGAS)

Gas Natural Inc. engages in the distribution and sale of natural gas to residential, commercial, and industrial customers in Montana, Wyoming, North Carolina, and Maine. The company distributes approximately 30 billion cubic feet of natural gas to approximately 63,500 customers through regulated utilities operating in Montana, Wyoming, Maine, North Carolina, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. It also markets approximately 1.3 billion cubic feet of natural gas to commercial and industrial customers in Montana and Wyoming, and manages midstream supply and production assets for transportation customers and utilities. In addition, the company owns a 48% working interest in 160 natural gas producing wells and gas gathering assets. Further, it owns the Shoshone interstate and the Glacier gathering natural gas pipelines located in Montana and Wyoming. The company was formerly known as Energy, Inc. and changed its name to Gas Natural Inc. in July 2010. Gas Natural Inc. was founded in 1909 an d is headquartered in Great Falls, Montana.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By David Dittman]

    Gas Natural Inc (NYSE: EGAS) distributes and sells natural gas to approximately 73,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers through regulated utilities operating in Montana, Wyoming, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maine, North Carolina and Kentucky.

5 Best High Dividend Stocks To Own For 2015: Johnson Outdoors Inc.(JOUT)

Johnson Outdoors Inc., together with its subsidiaries, designs, manufactures, and markets seasonal outdoor recreation products used primarily for fishing, diving, paddling, and camping. Its Marine Electronics segment offers battery powered fishing motors for trolling or primary propulsion; sonar and GPS equipment for fish finding and navigation; downriggers for controlled-depth fishing; leisure boat navigation technology; and lake charts. The company?s Outdoor Equipment segment provides consumer tents, sleeping bags, camping furniture, and other recreational camping products; commercial tents, such as party tents and accessories, including lighting systems, interior lining options, and mounting brackets; heavy-duty tents and lightweight backpacking tents for the military, including modular general purpose tents, rapid deployment shelters, and lightweight one and two person tents; and military tent accessories, such as fabric floors, as well as field compasses and digital instruments, and performance measurement instruments. This segment also acts as a subcontract manufacturer for other providers of military tents. It primarily serves camping and backpacking specialty stores, sporting goods stores, catalog and mail order houses, general rental stores, and tent erectors. Its Watercraft segment offers canoes, kayaks, accessories, paddles, and personal flotation devices. The company?s Diving segment manufactures and markets a line of underwater diving and snorkeling equipment, including regulators, buoyancy compensators, dive computers and gauges, wetsuits, masks, fins, snorkels, and accessories for technical and recreational divers. This segment also offers diving gear to dive training centers, aquariums, and resorts. Johnson Outdoors Inc. operates primarily in the United States, Europe, Canada, and the Pacific Basin. The company was founded in 1985 and is headquartered in Racine, Wisconsin.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Peter Graham]

    The Q3 2014 earnings report for small cap golf stock Callaway Golf Co (NYSE: ELY), a potential peer of sporting goods or sporting equipment stocks like Toronto listed�Performance Sports Group Ltd (NYSE: PSG) and Johnson Outdoors Inc (NASDAQ: JOUT), is scheduled for after the market closes on Thursday (October 23rd). Aside from the Callaway Golf earnings report, it should be said that Performance Sports Group Ltd reported Q1 2015 on October 9th (revenues were up 28% to $197.1 million) while the estimated release date for the Q4 2014 Johnson Outdoors Inc earnings report is�October 31st. However, Callaway Golf is the last publicly traded�pure play golf equipment stock�giving investors direct exposure to the game���especially since Dicks Sporting Goods Inc (NYSE: DKS)�recently took a $20.4 million pretax golf restructuring charge and plans to focus more attention on other sports.

5 Best High Dividend Stocks To Own For 2015: Park Electrochemical Corporation(PKE)

Park Electrochemical Corp., an advanced materials company, engages in the development, manufacture, marketing, and sale of high-technology digital and radio frequency/microwave printed circuit materials products principally for the telecommunications, Internet infrastructure, and high-end computing markets. It also provides advanced composite materials, parts, and assemblies for the aerospace markets; and involves in the design and manufacture of composite aircraft and space vehicle parts. The company?s printed circuit materials are used to fabricate complex multilayer printed circuit boards and other electronic interconnect systems, including back-planes, wireless packages, high speed/low-loss multilayers, and high density interconnects. It operates in North America, Europe, and Asia. The company was founded in 1954 and is headquartered in Melville, New York.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By James E. Brumley]

    You can put American Assets Trust, Inc. (NYSE:AAT) and Park Electrochemical Corp. (NYSE:PKE) on your watchlist, if not in your portfolio. These two stocks are the best of the best among names you've probably not heard of. Just because you haven't heard of a stock, however, doesn't mean it can't dole out nice rewards. Indeed, I'm convinced the more obscure names like PKE and AAT are the market's best trading opportunities specifically because they're picks off the beaten path - the trades aren't crowded yet.

  • [By Rich Duprey]

    Printed-circuit materials maker�Park Electrochemical (NYSE: PKE  ) announced yesterday its second-quarter dividend of $0.10 per share, the same rate it's paid since 2009.

5 Best High Dividend Stocks To Own For 2015: Morningstar Inc.(MORN)

Morningstar, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides independent investment research to investors worldwide. The company operates in two segments, Investment Information and Investment Management. The Investment Information segment offers data, software, and research products and services for individual investors, financial advisors, and institutional clients. It provides Licensed Data, a set of investment data spanning various investment databases, including real-time pricing data available through electronic data feeds; Morningstar Advisor Workstation, a Web-based investment planning system; Morningstar.com, a membership service and Internet advertising space; Morningstar Direct, a Web-based institutional research platform; integrated Web tools to build customized Websites or enhance existing sites; Morningstar Principia, a CD-ROM-based investment research and planning software; Morningstar commodity data that provides data and analytics for the energy, financial, and agriculture sectors; equity and corporate credit research; and Morningstar structured credit ratings and research services. This segment also offers various financial communications materials, real-time data and desktop software, investment software, and investment indexes, as well as various print and online publications. The Investment Management segment offers various products and services, such as Investment Consulting that focuses on investment monitoring and asset allocation for funds of funds, including mutual funds and variable annuities; Retirement Solutions comprising the Morningstar Retirement Manager and Advice by Ibbotson platforms; and Morningstar Managed Portfolios, a asset management service includes series of mutual fund, exchange-traded fund, and stock portfolios. This segment serves banks, brokerage firms, insurance companies, mutual fund companies, and retirement plan sponsors and providers. Morningstar, Inc. was founded in 1984 and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.

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

    Hannah Yoon/Bloomberg via Getty Images TORONTO -- BlackBerry (BBRY) reported a smaller quarterly loss on Friday and flashed encouraging signals about its hard-pressed smartphone business as well as its software and services sales, spurring a 7 percent jump in its shares. The Canadian company, a smartphone pioneer pushed to the margins by Apple's (AAPL) iPhone and devices running Google's (GOOG) Android software, is now focusing more on software and services than on hardware as it works through a drawn-out turnaround. On the services front, the company reported a huge number of conversions into its heavily promoted new mobile device management platform in its second quarter. But BlackBerry's hardware unit also offered hopeful news, posting an adjusted profit for the first time in five quarters, helped by lower manufacturing costs and strong demand for its low-end Z3 handsets in emerging markets. The Waterloo, Ontario-based company notched revenue growth from the previous quarter in North America, but sales slipped elsewhere. Its total revenue was down more than 40 percent from a year earlier. "Broadly speaking, they're doing the right things ... but that revenue number is getting real small," said BGC Partners analyst Colin Gillis. BlackBerry shares were up 7.6 percent at C$11.70 on the Toronto Stock Exchange and up 7.4 percent at $10.51 on Nasdaq. John Chen, who became BlackBerry's chief executive officer in November, said the company has already taken 200,000 orders for its new squared-screened Passport smartphone, which went on sale on Wednesday and sold out on Amazon.com (AMZN) within six hours. In his turnaround plan, Chen has moved rapidly to cut costs, sell certain assets and strengthen the company's balance sheet. He said revenue declines are likely near a nadir, with growth likely to begin in calendar 2015 with the sales of new products and services. Software Growth Eyed Chen told analysts and reporters on a conference call that he expects

  • [By Reuters]

    Mark Lennihan/APAbercrombie & Fitch CEO Michael Jeffries An Abercrombie & Fitch shareholder urged the teen apparel retailer to replace Chief Executive Officer Mike Jeffries after his contract expires in February, failing which the company should look to sell itself. Engaged Capital, which owns less than 1 percent of the company's shares, said in a letter to the board Tuesday that the expiration of Jeffries' term is an opportunity for the board to set a new direction for the company. Engaged Capital, a young activist investment firm led by former Relational Investors managing director Glenn Welling, said a sale of the company to a private equity buyer may represent the best option for shareholders. "However, as we have learned through discussions with industry insiders and private equity firms, Mr. Jeffries' presence represents a major stumbling block to a transaction," the activist investment firm said in the letter. Abercrombie's (ANF) shares, which have lost about 30 percent of their value this year, rose 6.4 percent to $36.20 by midday. Analysts have raised concerns about the company's ability to revitalize its merchandise, citing management's focus on cost-cutting, marketing and distribution instead of product and design. "A little fresh blood would definitely benefit the company," Morningstar (MORN) analyst Bridget Weishaar told Reuters. However, she said the board has been very supportive of Jeffries. "So, I'd be highly doubtful if this letter changes anything." Engaged Capital said there appeared to be no qualified successor within the company to replace 69-year-old Jeffries, who has been CEO for 16 years. His current contract includes a clause that he would receive over $100 million if the company changes control. Jeffries owned about 1.3 percent of Abercrombie's shares as of July 30. The company wasn't immediately available for comment. Engaged Capital said it owned about 400,000 shares of Abercrombie. The company has about 76.4 mil

  • [By WWW.DAILYFINANCE.COM]

    Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty Images NEW YORK -- Amazon's trademark smile icon is becoming more of a grimace. The world's largest online retailer reported a wider third-quarter loss than analysts expected and gave a disappointing holiday forecast. Investors are increasingly irked by Amazon's strategy of investing heavily in new products and services to spur revenue growth while reporting quarter after quarter of losses or thin profit. Amazon's (AMZN) stock price tumbled 11 percent after the results came out Thursday. That's on top of the 22 percent decline the stock has already suffered this year. Chief Financial Officer Thomas Szkutak said the company had to be "selective" in taking on new projects. For years, Amazon's strategy has been spending the money it makes to grow and expand into new areas. It launched a smartphone, the Fire, this summer and has been offering a set-top video-streaming device, a streaming video service and several tablets and e-book readers. The company has also been investing in services for its $99-a-year loyalty program, Prime. It has added a grocery delivery services and music streaming for Prime members as well as offering original TV shows such as the critically acclaimed "Transparent" starring Jeffrey Tambor. But all of those initiatives cost money and time to develop. And not all of them have been hits. The company's splashy launch of its Fire phone was quickly followed by mediocre reviews and a steep price cut to entice buyers. Amazon said it took a charge of $170 million related to "inventory evaluation and supplier commitment costs" for the Fire, although it didn't give further details. Amazon has about $83 million of Fire phone inventory at the end of the quarter. So investors are increasingly signaling that Amazon needs to work harder at turning a profit. "The market was looking for more in terms of revenue and operating income and the fourth-quarter outlook," said Morningstar (MORN) analyst R.J. Hottovy. "It

Best Biotech Stocks For 2016

Best Biotech Stocks For 2016: Furiex Pharmaceuticals Inc (FURX)

Furiex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a drug development collaboration company. The Companys product pipeline includes two marketed products and three programs in development, including late-stage compounds, in multiple therapeutic areas. Its programs include Priligy, Alogliptin Nesina, Alogliptin/Actose Combination, Alogliptin/Metformin Combination, Fluoroquinolone, Mu Delta and PPD 10558. In November 2011, it acquired full exclusive license rights to develop and commercialize the compound MuDelta under its existing development and license agreement with Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V.

Priligy (dapoxetine) is a drug developed for the on-demand treatment of premature ejaculation (PE). Dapoxetine is a short-acting, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) designed to be taken only when needed one to three hours before sexual intercourse is anticipated rather than every day. Nesina (alogliptin) is a drug for the oral treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Alogliptin is a DPP-4 inhibitor that slows the inactivation of incretin hormones glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP).

Fluoroquinolone drug candidate is a Phase II-ready novel fluoroquinolone antibiotic that is being developed by the Company for the treatment of complicated skin and skin structure infections, such as abscesses that occur deep in the skin layers and respiratory infections. This antibiotic has a spectrum of activity and is able to treat methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections. The Company is developing both oral and intravenous (IV) formulations. The Company is developing Mu Delta for treatment of diarrheal predominant irritable bowel syndrome (d-IBS). The Company is conducting a Phase II study on an oral formulation of Mu Delta.

The Company is developing PPD 10558 for the treatment of dyslipidemia. PPD 10558 has shown muscle safety in preclinical studies by minimiz! ing the deliv ery of the drug to the muscle. The Company has filed an inve! stigational new drug (IND) application with the United States Food and Drug Association and completed five clinical studies.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Jake L'Ecuyer]

    Top Headline
    Forest Laboratories (NYSE: FRX) announced its plans to buy Furiex Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: FURX) for up to $1.46 billion. Forest will pay around $95 per share, or around $1.1 billion in cash. Forest Labs will also pay up to $30 per share, or around $360 million in a contingent value right. The deal is projected to close in the second or third quarter of 2014.

  • [By John Udovich]

    Yesterday, small cap drug development collaboration company Furiex Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ: FURX) surged 129.91% after announcing that its experimental drug had alleviated diarrhea and abdominal pain caused by irritable bowel syndrome in two studies, meaning its worth taking a closer look at the stock because thats a condition that effects millions of people (with no other effective drug to treat it) plus take a look at theperformance of biotech benchmarks iShares NASDAQ Biotechnology Index ETF (NASDAQ: IBB) and SPDR S&P Biotech ETF (NYSEARCA: XBI).

  • [By Lisa Levin]

    Furiex Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: FURX) shares moved up 28.41% to $102.92. The volume of Furiex Pharmaceuticals shares traded was 2285% higher than normal. Forest Labs (NYSE: FRX) announced its plans to buy Furiex Pharma for up to $1.46 billion.

  • [By Michael Calia]

    Furiex Pharmaceuticals Inc.(FURX) said its treatment for diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome showed simultaneous improvements in stool consistency and abdominal pain in two Phase III studies. The drug developer’s shares surged 78% to $82 in recent premarket trading.

  • source from Top Penny Stocks For 2015:http://www.seekpennystocks.com/best-biotech-stocks-for-2016.! html

Sunday, May 24, 2015

Top 5 Gas Utility Companies To Watch In Right Now

Top 5 Gas Utility Companies To Watch In Right Now: 1st NRG Corp (FNRC)

1st NRG Corp., incorporated on January 18, 1988, is an exploration and production company. The Company is engaged in the development of the Clabaugh Ranch Field, which is a project developing and producing coal bed methane reserves (CBM). This project includes a development of 6,025 gross acres in the Powder River Basin in northeast Wyoming. The Company is expanding its activities into unconventional shale through a participation agreement covering approximately 7,000 acres initially and subsequently acquired acreage covering an Area of Mutual Interest in South Eastern Ohio. Its production revenues are entirely from the natural gas produced at Clabaugh Ranch.

The targeted coal seams in the Powder River Basin are part of the Tongue River Member of the Fort Union formation and have been mapped as natural resource developments and exploration have occurred throughout the region. The Company has 42 drilled wells, which have encountered developed coal seams in the Werner, Upper and Lower Smith, Wyodak/Anderson Lower, Gates and Wall formations. In total the Company has identified 515 separate coals seams for development of which only 126 (42 wells X 3 seams) have been completed.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Peter Graham]

    What's the Catch With Quantum Energy Inc? According to various disclosures, transactions of $2k and $3.5k have or will occur to mention Quantum Energy in various investment newsletters. On Friday, Quantum Energy released the pricing of its recently announced $5,000,000 BDC funding to be arranged by Data Capital Corp (DCC) where the latter has agreed to assist the former in the formation of a Business Development Company (BDC) by forming Quantum Funding, Inc. as a BDC to raise an initial $5,000,000 Upon receipt of the funding, Quantum Funding, Inc. will then be acqu! ired as a subsidiary by QEGY in a share exchange where the $5,000,000 subsidiary will be acquired for 10,000,000 shares of newly issued restricted common stock for a valuation of $0.50 cents per share. Otherwise and early in the month, Quantum Energy announced it was shifting its focus from the West Texas Barnett Shale fields to North Dakota with the opening of an office in Williston, North Dakota. H owever, a quick look on Google Finance (as there are no up to date financials on Yahoo! Finance) reveals Quantum Energy has no revenues; a net loss of $0.01M (most recent reported quarter), net income of $2.01M and a net loss of $0.02M for the past three fiscal quarters; and $0.01M in cash to cover $0.34M in current liabilities at the end of last August. Then again, the recent financing deal could get things moving for Quantum Energy next year.

    1st NRG Corp (OTCMKTS: FNRC) Gives a Drilling and Production Update

    Small cap 1st NRG Corp is an exploration and production company currently developing and producing coal bed methane reserves (CBM) in Wyoming. On Friday, 1st NRG Corp fell 25% to $0.0003 for a market cap of $5.02 million plus FNRC is down 97.1% since the start of the year and down 99.8% since July 2010 according to Google Finance.

  • source from Top Stocks For 2015:http://www.topstocksblog.com/top-5-gas-utility-companies-to-watch-in-right-now.html

Saturday, May 23, 2015

10 Best US Stocks To Watch Right Now

10 Best US Stocks To Watch Right Now: SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust (DIA)

Diamonds Trust, Series 1 (the Trust) is a unit investment trust. The Trust was created to provide investors with the opportunity to purchase units of beneficial interest in the Trust representing proportionate undivided interests in the portfolio of securities consisting of substantially all of the component common stocks, which comprise the Dow Jones Industrial Average (the DJIA). The Trusts objective is to provide investment results that, before expenses, generally correspond to the price and yield performance of the DJIA.

The Trust's holdings consist of the 30 stocks in the DJIA, which is designed to capture the price performance of 30 United States blue-chip stocks. The Trust ended its fiscal year on October 31, 2007, with a 12-month return of 17.72% on net asset value as compared to the DJIA return of 17.94%. As of October 31, 2007, some of the Trusts investments included 3M Co., Alcoa, Inc., Altria Group, Inc., American Express Co., American Intern ational Group, Inc., AT&T, Inc., Boeing Co., Caterpillar, Inc., Citigroup, Inc. and Coca-Cola Co.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Markos Kaminis]

    The testimony of Chairman Bernanke to the Joint Economic Committee and the FOMC Meeting Minutes release that followed set stocks in motion downward, and raised a specter of doubt in Fed wisdom. The SPDR S&P 500 (SPY), SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average (DIA) and the PowerShares QQQ (QQQ) closed the period lower by 1.0%, 0.2% and 1.2%, respectively, but the week was much more tumultuous than the end result makes it to appear.

  • [By Tom Aspray]

    The technical picture last Wednesday allowed for two scenarios and, as of Friday, there is not enough evidence to be confident whether the large-cap Spyder Trust (SPY) and SPDR Dow Industrials (DIA) are going to join the Powershares QQQ Trust (QQQ) on the downside.

  • [By Jon C. Ogg]

    Kee! p in mind that the DJIA itself actually lose 0.2% in this last week. The SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average (NYSEArca: DIA), which aims to track the DJIA, turned in a loss of -0.127%. The difference here is that the ETF can close on a bid price or an ask price, and there can be some miniscule tracking error on top of the SPDR management fee.

  • source from Top Stocks To Buy For 2015:http://www.topstocksforum.com/10-best-us-stocks-to-watch-right-now-4.html

Thursday, May 21, 2015

5 Best Semiconductor Stocks To Watch For 2016

5 Best Semiconductor Stocks To Watch For 2016: NeoPhotonics Corp (NPTN)

NeoPhotonics Corporation, incorporated on October 31, 1996, is a designer and manufacturer of photonic integrated circuit (PIC)-based modules and subsystems for bandwidth-intensive, high-speed communications networks. The Company has a portfolio of over 300 products, including products that enable data transmission at 10 gigabytes per second, 40 gigabytes per second and 100 gigabytes per second, agility products, such as reconfigurable optical add/drop multiplexers (ROADMs) that allocate bandwidth to adjust for volatile traffic patterns, and access products that provide high-bandwidth connections to more devices and people over fixed and wireless networks. In October 2011, the Company acquired Santur Corporation. In June 2013, it announced first shipments of optical transceiver modules out of its new, high capacity factory in Dongguan, Guangdong Province, China.

The Companys products are categorized in 34 product families. The Company sells its products t o the network equipment vendors globally, including ADVA AG Optical Networking Ltd., Alcatel-Lucent SA, Ciena Corporation (including its recent acquisition of Nortels Metro Ethernet Networks business), Cisco Systems, Inc., FiberHome Technologies Group, ECI Telecom Ltd., Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson, Fujitsu Limited, Harmonic, Inc., Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd., Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, NEC Corporation, Nokia Siemens Networks B.V. and ZTE Corporation.

The Company competes with Finisar Corporation, JDS Uniphase Corporation, MRV Communications, Inc., NTT Electronics Corporation and Sumitomo Electric Device Innovations, Inc.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Anders Bylund]

    Close competitor NeoPhotonics (NYSE: NPTN  ) soared 15% higher. Larger rival JDS Uniphase (NASDAQ: JDSU  ) jumped 7.9% to become the fastest gainer on the S&P 500. If Ciena can beat its own expectations in selling In! ternet backbone equipment to a bevy of major telecoms, its chief rivals must eventually follow suit. JDS is only one month removed from its latest quarterly report, which sent shares diving 7% overnight (but all was forgiven a week later). NeoPhotonics also reported in early May, but didn't make any waves then.

  • source from Top Stocks To Buy For 2015:http://www.topstocksforum.com/5-best-semiconductor-stocks-to-watch-for-2016.html

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Hot Industrial Conglomerate Companies To Watch For 2015

Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX  ) is back with more first-run programming this week. Lions Gate's (NYSE: LGF  ) Orange Is the New Black, a serialized drama about a women's penitentiary, will make its entire first season available through Netflix's popular streaming platform on Thursday.

Unlike Netflix rival Amazon.com (NASDAQ: AMZN  ) that didn't greenlight production of new shows until running pilots past its viewers, Netflix is so confident about the new show's prospects after initial critical raves that it has already ordered a second season.

In this video, longtime Fool contributor Rick Munarriz explains why this show is so important to Netflix after successes earlier this year with original programming.

The television landscape is changing quickly, with new entrants like Netflix and Amazon.com disrupting traditional networks. The Motley Fool's new free report "Who Will Own the Future of Television?" details the risks and opportunities in TV. Click here to read the full report!

Top 10 Dow Dividend Stocks To Own Right Now: Smiths Group PLC (SMGKF.PK)

Smiths Group plc is a technology company. It has five divisions: Smiths Detection, Smiths Medical, John Crane, Smiths Interconnect and Flex-Tek. The Company and its subsidiaries develop, manufacture, sale and support advanced security equipment, including trace detection, millimeter-wave, infrared, biological detection and diagnostics; mechanical seals, seal support systems, engineered bearings, power transmission couplings and specialist filtration systems, and medical devices aligned to specific therapies, principally airway, pain and temperature management, and vascular access. It also develops, manufactures, sells and supports specialized electronic and radio frequency products for the global wireless telecommunications, aerospace, defense, space, medical, rail, test and industrial markets, and engineered components, including ducting, hose assemblies and heating elements. In May 2011, it acquired the entire issued share capital of SDBR Comercio De Equipamentos De Seguanca LTDA. Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Daniel Lauchheimer]

    Currently, three main companies supply security equipment to the TSA - Safran (SAFRY.PK), Smiths (SMGKF.PK), and Level-3 Holdings (LLL). All three of these companies sell the whole range of their products to the TSA, with an ETD offering included. Recently, however, a new company, Implant Sciences Corporation (IMSC.PK) received approval from the TSA to begin selling their ETD equipment to airport security professionals. This approval has opened the door for IMSC to begin taking some market share away from the more established players in the US and beyond.

Hot Industrial Conglomerate Companies To Watch For 2015: Hitachi Ltd (HTHIF)

Hitachi, Ltd. is a diversified company. Information and Telecommunication System segment offers system integration services and automated teller machines. Electricity System segment offers power generation systems. Social and Industrial System segment offers industrial machinery. Electronic Device and System segment offers liquid crystal displays. Construction segment offers hydraulic shovels and wheel loaders. High Functional Material segment offers electric wires and cables. Automotive System segment offers engine management and in-car information systems. Component and Device segment offers information record media and batteries. Digital Media and Consumer Product segment offers optical disk drives and refrigerators. Financial Service segment offers leasing and loan services. On March 1, 2014, it fully acquired Hitachi Medical Corp. On April 1, 2014, it transferred and integrated its air conditioning systems construction, and elevator and escalator businesses into two subsidiaries. Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By MARKETWATCH]

    LOS ANGELES (MarketWatch) -- Japanese stocks rose as trading began Wednesday, with the Nikkei Stock Average (JP:NIK) climbing 1.7% to 15,234.83, a strong advance after four days of declines. Aiding the export-heavy market was a rise in the U.S. dollar against the yen above the 楼103 level as the yen's safe-haven appeal waned alongside worries about emerging markets. Among exporters, Honda Motor Co. (JP:7267) (HMC) and Toyota Motor Corp. (JP:7203) (TM) shares tacked on 2.4% and 1.5%, respectively, and Hitachi Ltd. (JP:6501) (HTHIF) shot higher by 4.8%. But shares of Advantest Corp. (JP:6857) (ADTTF) dropped 9.3% after the electronics maker widened its full-year forecast. It now expects a net loss of 35.9 billion yen ($347.19 million), compared with a previous forecast for a loss of 2.5 billion yen.

  • [By MARKETWATCH]

    LOS ANGELES (MarketWatch) -- Japanese stocks opened sharply higher Monday, with the Nikkei Stock Average (JP:NIK) advancing 1.1% to 14,242.86 after falling 2.8% Friday, as end-of-the-week gains for U.S. shares and some earnings news helped lift the market. The Topix also saw solid gains, up 0.8% in early moves. Major advances included a 2.5% rise for Hitachi Ltd. (JP:6501) (HTHIF) , a 4.1% surge for Mitsubishi Motors Corp. (JP:7211) (MMTOF) , and a 2.6% improvement for KDDI Corp. (JP:9433) (KDDIF) after the Nikkei business daily said the telecom will report a 50% increase for operating profit in the fiscal first half compared to a year earlier. Sony Corp. (JP:6758) (SNE) added 2% after scoring a Credit Suisse upgrade to outperform. Shares of NTT DoCoMo Inc. (JP:9437) (NTDMF) traded 1.1% higher after posting above-forecast quarterly results Friday, while JFE Holdings Inc. (JP:5411) (JFEEF) fell 3.2% after the steel producer also reported earnings.

  • [By MARKETWATCH]

    LOS ANGELES (MarketWatch) -- A rising Japanese yen and weak results from Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) overnight sent Tokyo-listed shares lower in early Thursday trade, with the Nikkei Stock Average (JP:NIK) falling 0.4% to 14,363.59, while the Topix also lost 0.4%. With the U.S. dollar remaining below the 98-yen level amid concerns about the health of China's largest banks, some currency-sensitive shares extended their losses after driving the Nikkei Average down 2% in the previous session. Among them, trading house Mitsui & Co. (JP:8031) (MITSY) fell 1.3%, retail major J. Front Retailing Co. (JP:3086) lost 1.2%, auto maker Nissan Motor Co. (JP:7201) (NSANY) retreated 0.6%, and Fujitsu Ltd. (JP:6702) (FJTSY) traded 1% lower. The below-forecast quarterly results and outlook cut from U.S. construction-equipment maker Caterpillar sent its Japanese rivals tumbling, with Komatsu Ltd. (JP:6301) (KMTUF) dropping 3.5% and Hitachi Construction Macheriny Co. (JP:6305) (HTCMF) falling 3.1%. On the upside, Hitachi Ltd. (JP:6501) (HTHIF) soared 5.4% after raising its profit and revenue guidance for the fiscal first hal

  • [By MARKETWATCH]

    LOS ANGELES (MarketWatch) -- Japanese stocks struggled early Thursday, keying off a weak close for Wall Street on investor concerns about a pullback in monetary stimulus. The Nikkei Stock Average (JP:NIK) shed 25 points, or 0.2%, to 15,889.77, and the broader Topix shed less than 0.1%. Yen strength on Wednesday left the Nikkei with its first loss in five sessions. Outperforming the broader market Thursday were shares of Hitachi Ltd. (JP:6501) (HTHIF) as they climbed 1.6%. The U.K. government has agreed to support loan financing for Hitachi's development of a new nuclear power reactor at an existing nuclear power station on the island of Anglesey, North Wales.

Hot Industrial Conglomerate Companies To Watch For 2015: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd (MHVYF)

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. is a diversified manufacturer. The Energy and Environment segment offers boilers, turbines, gas turbines, diesel engines, water wheels, windmills, nuclear power equipments, nuclear power peripheral devices, among others. The Traffic and Transportation segment offers various ships, including cruise ships, liquefied natural gas (LNG) ships, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) ships, car ferry, special purpose vessels, automobile carriers, oil tankers, container ships and others, as well as marine structures, among others. The Defense and Space segment offers ships, fighters, helicopters, aircraft fuselage parts, defense aircraft engines, induction flying objects, torpedoes, among others. The Machinery and Equipment systems segment offers waste treatment and exhaust gas treatment equipments, transportation equipments, steel machinery, compressors, bridges, among others. As of March 31, 2014, the Company had 290 subsidiaries and 39 associated companies. Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By WWW.MARKETWATCH.COM]

    LOS ANGELES (MarketWatch) -- Japan's Nikkei Average (JP:NIK) traded 0.5% higher in the early minutes Tuesday, extending the previous day's 0.9% advance, with the market getting some support from overnight gains for U.S. shares and a slightly weaker yen (dollar at 楼101.56 vs. 楼101.40 at Monday's open). Among the gainers, Toshiba Corp. (JP:6502) (TOSYY) rose 1.7%, Hitachi Ltd. (JP:6501) (HTHIF) gained 1.5%, NEC Corp. (JP:6701) (NIPNF) improved by 2.5%, Bridgestone Corp. (JP:5108) (BRDCF) added 2.7% to extend gains over the past couple weeks following the company's purchase of U.S.-based Masthead Industries, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. (JP:7011) (MHVYF) traded 1.1% higher as a Wall Street Journal report said the industrial major's Mitsubishi Aircraft unit had reached a tentative deal to sell 40 jets for the planned revival of defunct U.S. carrier Eastern Air Lines Group Inc. Auto makers were firmer as well, with Nissan Motor Co. (JP:7201) (NSANY) up 1.3%, Toyota Motor Corp. (JP:7203) (TM) up 0.5%, and Honda Motor Co. (JP:7267)

Hot Industrial Conglomerate Companies To Watch For 2015: Wartsila Oyj Abp (WRT1V.HE)

Wartsila Oyj Abp is a Finland-based company. Its operations are divided into four segments: Power Plants, Ship Power, Services and PowerTech. The Power Plants segment offers multi-fuel solutions for power generation markets, such as gas power plants, dual-fuel power plants, oil power plants and liquid biofuel power plants, among others. The Ship Power segment offers a range of products and services to both shipyards and ship owners, such as medium-speed and low-speed engines, seals and bearings, automation systems, ship design and ballast water treatment systems, among others. The Services segment offers solutions, such as basic support, installation and commissioning, performance optimization and upgrades, among others. The PowerTech segment comprises research and development for medium-speed engines and other operations, with a focus on gas, environmental solutions and Smart Power Generation drives. It has operations in more than 160 locations in over 70 countries around the world. Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Robert Wall var popups = dojo.query(".socialByline .popC"); popups.forEach(fu]

    The British company tried to strengthen its maritime engine business through a $10 billion takeover of Finland�� W盲rtsil盲 Oyj (WRT1V.HE) which rebuffed Rolls-Royce’s preliminary approach. The attempted acquisition of a company of that size surprised investors who hadn�� realized expansion was on management�� agenda so soon after its full takeover of Tognum, a German engineering company originally acquired in partnership with Daimler.

Hot Industrial Conglomerate Companies To Watch For 2015: Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd (KWHIY)

Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd (KHI), incorporated on October 15, 1896, is a global manufacturer of transportation equipment and industrial goods. KHI manufactures ships, rolling stock, aircraft and jet engines, gas turbine power generators, environmental and industrial plants, and range of manufacturing equipment and systems. KHI also produces consumer products, such as Kawasaki-brand motorcycles and personal watercraft. KHI�� business is divided into seven operations: shipbuilding, rolling stock and construction machinery, aerospace, gas turbines and machinery, plant and infrastructure engineering, consumer products and machinery, and hydraulic machinery.

Kawasaki Shipbuilding Corporation, which is the company of this segment, is engaged in building gas carriers and submarines, which require advanced design and construction technologies. It offers

a range of liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers, extending from small carriers with cargo tank capacities of 19,000 cubic meters to large carriers with capacities of 177,000 cubic meters. It also developed and offered in its lineup a pressure build-up type LNG carrier for short distance and small-volume transportation. The Company�� shipbuilding operations include products, such as LNG carriers, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) carriers, container ships, very large crude carriers (VLCCs) and other types of tankers, bulk carriers, high speed vessels, submarines, maritime application equipment.

KHI�� rolling stock production systems are located in Hyogo and Harima in Japan and in Lincoln, Nebraska, and Yonkers, New York, in United States. Kawasaki completed its light rail vehicle (LRV), dubbed SWIMO. It also is developing efSET (Environmentally Friendly Super Express Train) which achieves a service speed of 350 kilometers per hour (km/h). Regarding the construction machinery business, Kawasaki has arranged a business alliance with Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd., and TCM Corporation. As of April 1, 2009, the Compa! ny split off its construction machinery business as a wholly owned subsidiary of KHI, KCM Corporation.

KHI is the prime contractor for the development of the MOD�� large-scale XP-1 and C-X aircraft. In the commercial aircraft field, KHI delivered a test model of Boeing�� 787 Dreamliner passenger aircraft. KHI is a partner corporation in the development and production of the 787 Dreamliner.

The Gas Turbines & Machinery segment has a range of products for the energy and transportation equipment field. KHI focuses to expand its global business by offering solutions for its customers that include a lineup of in-house developed gas turbines together with product support and maintenance. During the year ended December 31, 2008, the 8MW-class power-generating capacity Kawasaki Green Gas Engine had 4,000 hours of operational testing.

The plant and infrastructure engineering segment encompasses the operations of Kawasaki Plant Systems, Ltd. (K Plant), which undertakes projects to supply energy-related, industrial infrastructure, environmental preservation systems and equipment, and the operations of the parent company�� Industrial Facilities and Tunneling Equipment Division, which mainly focuses on LNG tanks and diverse other storage tanks along with shield machines and tunnel-boring machines. The Anhui Conch Kawasaki Energy Conservation Equipment Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (CKM) is engaged in the manufacturing of PH boiler parts that are employed in waste heat power plants. CKM has commenced the manufacturing and sales of environmental preservation related products, including cement plant components, such as vertical mills, boilers for waste heat recovery power generation systems, and waste gasification systems and sewage treatment systems that can be integrated with cement kilns to enable municipal waste recycling.

The consumer products and machinery segment includes the manufacture of motorcycles, all terrain vehicles (ATVs), utility vehicles, personal! watercra! ft, general purpose gasoline engines and industrial robots. In the motorcycle line, Kawasaki launched the ZRX1200 DAEG and the Ninja ZX-6R. In the cruiser segment, Kawasaki launched its Vulcan 1700 series with developed engine and chassis. This series includes the Vulcan 1700 Voyager, a full-dress V-twin engine tourer with a load of long-distance touring equipment. In the utility vehicle category, KHI equipped the Teryx 750 series with an electronic fuel injection system, mainly for recreational use. The MULE utility-oriented vehicle series was restyled with the launch of the MULE 4010 series.

The hydraulic machinery operations include Kawasaki Precision Machinery Ltd. (KPM). It has five manufacturing and marketing facilities, which comprises KPM�� headquarters plant and the facilities

of Kawasaki Precision Machinery (U.K.) Limited; Kawasaki Precision Machinery (U.S.A.), Inc.; China based Kawasaki Precision Machinery (Suzhou) Ltd.; and Korea-based Flutek, Ltd.

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

    LOS ANGELES (MarketWatch) -- Japanese stocks have ended with losses in every session this week, and sure enough, the Nikkei Average (JP:NIK) was down 0.6% in early Friday trade, though off an opening 0.8% defecit, while the Topix carried a 0.7% loss. Overnight losses for the U.S. and further strength in the yen (with the dollar falling to 楼101.28 from 楼101.56 a day earlier) helped drag the market lower, as did results from Fast Retailing Co. (JP:9983) (FRCOF) , the shares of which hold the heaviest weighting on Nikkei Average. Fast Retailing said that while its Uniqlo brand was doing great business, weakness for its J Brand luxury demin label helped send September-May profit down 4% and prompted another cut to Fast's full-year outlook. Consequently, its shares traded 0.7% lower, though rivals Takashimaya Co. (JP:8233) and J. Front Retailing Co. (JP:3086) (JFROF) also saw losses of 0.6% and 0.5%, respectively. Among other decliners, Sony Corp. (JP:6758) (SNE) lost 0.7%, Toshiba Corp. (JP:6502) (TOSYY) fell 2.1%, Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd. (JP:7012) (KWHIY) fell 1.5%, Toyota Motor Corp. (JP:7203) (TM) and Nissan Motor Co. (JP:7201)

Hot Industrial Conglomerate Companies To Watch For 2015: Siemens AG (SI)

Siemens AG (Siemens), incorporated on August 28, 1996, is a globally operating technology company with core activities in the fields of energy, healthcare, industry and infrastructure. Siemens business activities focus on four sectors, Energy, Healthcare, Industry and Infrastructure & Cities. These sectors form four of Siemens reportable segments. In addition to the four sectors, Siemens has two additional reportable segments: Equity Investments and Siemens Financial Services (SFS). The Energy sector comprises four divisions: Power Generation, Wind Power, Power Transmission and Energy Service. The Healthcare Sector includes four divisions: Imaging & Therapy Systems, Clinical Products, Diagnostics and Customer Solutions; and one sector-led Business Unit, Audiology Solutions. The Industry sector consists of three divisions: Industry Automation, Drive Technologies and Customer Services; and one sector-led Business Unit, Metals Technologies. The Infrastructure & Cities sector consists of five divisions: Rail Systems, Mobility and Logistics, Low and Medium Voltage, Smart Grid, and Building Technologies. In July 2013 Siemens sold its stake in the Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN) joint venture to Nokia and OSRAM Licht AG was spun off from Siemens.

Industry

The Industry Sector offers a broad spectrum of products, solutions and services that help customers use resources and energy. The Sector�� integrated technologies and holistic solutions primarily address industrial customers, particularly those in the process and manufacturing industries. The portfolio spans industry automation, industrial software, drive products and services, system integration, and solutions for industrial plant businesses. The Industry Sector consists of three Divisions: Industry Automation, Drive Technologies and Customer Services. The Sector also includes a sector-led Business Unit, Metals Technologies. In addition to its Sector-level financial results, Industry also breaks out financial results for the Indust! ry Automation Division and the Drive Technologies Division. The Industry Automation Division offers a range of standard products and system solutions for automation technologies used in the manufacturing and process industries. The Division�� offerings include automation systems and software, motor controls, machine-to- machine communication products, sensors, product and production lifecycle management products, and software for simulating and testing mechatronic systems. The Drive Technologies Division offers products and comprehensive systems across the entire drive train. These offerings are customized to the respective application and include numerical control systems, inverters, converters, motors (geared and gearless), drives and couplings. In addition, Drive Technologies supplies integrated automation systems for machine tools and production machines. The Division also offers integrated lifecycle solutions and services for industries such as shipbuilding, cement, mining, and pulp and paper. The Customer Services Division offers a comprehensive portfolio of services and supports industrial customers.

Energy

The Energy Sector offers a spectrum of products, solutions and services for generating and transmitting power, and for extracting, converting and transporting oil and gas. The Fossil Power Generation Division offers products and solutions for fossil-based power generation. The Division concentrates on products and solutions for gas and steam turbines, turbo generators, heat recovery steam generators including control systems, with an emphasis on combined-cycle power plants. It also develops solutions for instrumentation and control systems for all types of power plants and for use in power generation. The Wind Power Division manufactures wind turbines for onshore and offshore applications, including both geared turbines and direct drive machines. The product portfolio is based on four product platforms, two for each of the onshore and offshore applications. The Oil ! & Gas Div! ision has a comprehensive portfolio of rotating machinery (gas turbines, steam turbines, compressors with associated equipment) and electrical, instrumentation and telecommunication (EIT) solutions. The Power Transmission Division provides customers with turnkey power transmission solutions as well as discrete products, systems and related engineering and services. It covers high-voltage transmission solutions, power and distribution transformers, high-voltage switching and non-switching products and systems, and alternating and direct current transmission systems. The Energy Service Division offers comprehensive services for products, solutions and technologies, covering performance enhancements, maintenance services, customer trainings and consulting services for the Divisions Fossil Power Generation, Wind Power and Oil & Gas. The Wind Power Division is active in both the onshore and the offshore market segments globally. Power Transmission Division is expanding infrastructure in emerging countries, equipment replacement and modernization in mature economies, and integration of renewable energies.

Healthcare

The Healthcare Sector offers customers a comprehensive portfolio of medical solutions across the treatment chain-ranging from medical imaging to in-vitro diagnostics to interventional systems and clinical information technology systems-all from a single source. In addition, the Sector provides technical maintenance, professional and consulting services, and, together with Financial Services (SFS), financing to assist customers in purchasing the Sector�� products. The Healthcare Sector includes four Divisions: Imaging & Therapy Systems, Clinical Products, Diagnostics and Customer Solutions. The Sector also includes one sector-led Business Unit, Audiology Solutions. In addition to its Sector-level financial results, Healthcare also separately breaks out financial results for the Diagnostics Division.

The Imaging & Therapy Systems Division provides large-scale! medical ! devices for diagnostic imaging and for image-guided therapies. Imaging equipment includes computed tomographs, magnetic resonance imaging equipment, angiography systems for diagnostics, and positron emission tomography. The Clinical Products Division mainly comprises the business with ultrasound and X-ray equipment including mammography. The Diagnostics Division offers products and services in the area of in-vitro diagnostics. The Division�� product portfolio represents a comprehensive range of diagnostic testing systems and consumables, including offerings for clinical chemistry and immunodiagnostics, molecular diagnostics, hematology, hemostasis, microbiology, point-of-care testing and clinical laboratory automation solutions. The Customer Solutions Division provides healthcare information technology (HIT) systems. It is responsible for the Sector�� service business and customer relationship management on a global level.

Equity Investments

The Equity Investments comprises equity stakes held by Siemens that are accounted for by the equity method, at cost or as current available-for-sale financial assets and for strategic reasons are not allocated to a Sector, SFS, Centrally managed portfolio activities, Siemens Real Estate (SRE), Corporate items or Corporate Treasury. Its main investments within Equity Investments are its stake of 50% in BSH Bosch and Siemens Hausgerate GmbH (BSH), its stake of 17% in OSRAM Licht AG (OSRAM) as well as its 49% stake in Enterprise Networks Holdings B.V. (EN).

Financial Services

Financial Services provides a variety of financial services and products to other Siemens units and their customers and to third parties. SFS has three strategic pillars: supporting Siemens units with finance solutions for their customers, managing financial risks of Siemens and offering third-party finance services and products. SFS��business can be divided into capital business and fee business. The Commercial Finance Business Unit offers! a compre! hensive range of solutions for equipment financing, leasing, rental and related financing for equipment supplied by Siemens or third-party providers. The Venture Capital Business Segment�� main task, together with Siemens��Sectors, is to identify and finance young companies worldwide. The Treasury Business Unit operates the global Corporate Treasury of the Siemens Group, with SFS employee�� thereby managing liquidity, cash and financial risks (interest, foreign exchange, commodities) on behalf of Corporate Treasury. The Financing & Investment Management Business Unit manages fee-based receivables and offers investment management services. The Insurance Business Unit acts primarily as an insurance broker for Siemens and external customers.

Infrastructure & Cities

The Infrastructure & Cities Sector offers a range of technologies for the sustainability of metropolitan centers and urban infrastructures worldwide, such as integrated mobility solutions, building and security systems, power distribution equipment, smart grid applications and low and medium-voltage products. The Sector consists of five Divisions: Rail Systems; Mobility and Logistics; Low and Medium Voltage; Smart Grid; and Building Technologies. The Rail Systems Division comprises Siemens��rail vehicle business, encompassing the entire spectrum of rolling stock-including high-speed trains, commuter trains, passenger coaches, metros, people movers, light rail vehicles, locomotives, bogies, traction systems and rail-related services. The Mobility and Logistics Division primarily provides products, solutions (including IT solutions) and services for rail transportation operating systems, such as central control systems, interlockings and automated controls. The Division also provides offerings for road traffic, including traffic detection, information and guidance systems.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Abu Bakr Hussain]

    NSN is a joint venture with Siemens (SI) in the field of telecoms infrastructure. Its chief competitors are the likes of Alcatel-Lucent (ALU), Ericsson (ERIC) and yes, Huawei. As the latter is a rather opaquely-owned Chinese company, we cannot use it to help create a valuation for NSN. However, I believe using the first two companies mentioned is sufficient to give us a decent indication of NSN's true value.

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Ron Burgundy disses Dodge Durango

When your looking for plugs from an edgy comedian, you better be prepared for a rough ride.

That's what Chrysler Group may be finding about now with Ron Burgundy, the red-coated anchorman character played by Will Ferrell. He went on Conan O'Brien's show on TBS in character last week and took mock potshots at the family hauler he has been promoting in ads, reports Larry P. Vellequette, writing in Automotive News.

"It's a terrible car," Ferrell as Burgundy tells O'Brien. "They gave me one for free, and I drove it four feet and the thing cracked in half."

But Conan protests, saying people are buying the big crossover because of Burgundy's endorsement.

"Well, I got paid. They're suckers. I'm just the messenger. I'm not in there tinkering around with lug nuts," Ferrell, star of yet-another Anchorman movie featuring Burgundy coming soon, says.

Who knows? Chrysler may be loving the attention, good or bad. Surveys are already showing that the Ferrell-as-Burgundy ads and webisodes are breaking through with consumers. In them, Ferrell touts aspects of the vehicle like a roomy glove compartment.

But he hasn't gone negative -- until now. And while you and us get the joke, some may wonder whether all potential Dodge buyers are on board.

Top 10 Healthcare Technology Companies For 2016

Top 10 Healthcare Technology Companies For 2016: Bank of South Carolina Corp.(BKSC)

Bank of South Carolina Corporation operates as the holding company for The Bank of South Carolina that provides commercial banking products and services to individuals, and small and medium-sized businesses in South Carolina. The company accepts a range of deposit products, which include checking accounts, negotiable order of withdrawal accounts, savings accounts, individual retirement accounts, and other time deposits, such as daily money market accounts and longer-term certificates of deposit. It also offers various commercial loans, including secured and unsecured loans for working capital, business expansion, and purchasing machinery and equipment; mortgage loans; industrial loans; real estate loans; loans to individuals for household, family, and other personal expenditures; and other loans, including overdrafts. In addition, the company provides Internet banking services, including online bill pay and remote deposit capture; credit cards; check card services; and saf e deposit boxes, letters of credit, travelers checks, direct deposit of payroll, social security and dividend payments, and automatic payment of insurance premiums and mortgage loans. Further, it offers a courier service and ACH origination service as part of its deposit services for commercial customers; and a portfolio of wealth management/trust, investment, and retirement services. The company has four banking house locations in Charleston, Summerville, and Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina. It serves customers in Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties. The company was founded in 1986 and is headquartered in Charleston, South Carolina.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Marc Bastow]

    Financial institutions holding company Bank of South Carolina (BKSC) raised its dividend 8.3% to 13 cents per share, payable on Oct. 31 ! to shareholders of record as of Oct. 7.
    BKSC Dividend Yield: 3.72%

  • source from Top Stocks For 2015:http://www.topstocksblog.com/top-10-healthcare-technology-companies-for-2016.html

Monday, May 18, 2015

Best Japanese Stocks To Own For 2016

Best Japanese Stocks To Own For 2016: Forum Energy Technologies Inc (FET)

Forum Energy Technologies, Inc. incorporated on May 10, 2005, is an oilfield products company, serving the subsea, drilling, completion, production and infrastructure sectors of the oil and natural gas industry. The Company designs and manufactures products, and engage in aftermarket services, parts supply and related services that complement its product offering. It operates in two segments: Drilling and Subsea Segment and Production and Infrastructure Segment. In December 2012, the Company acquired Merrimac Manufacturing, Inc. (Merrimac). In May 2013, the Company acquired Blohm + Voss Oil Tools from STAR Capital Partners Limited. In July 2013, Forum Energy Technologies Inc acquired Moffat 2000 Ltd.

Drilling and Subsea Segment

The Company designs and manufactures products and provides related services to the drilling, well construction, completion, intervention and subsea construction and services markets. Through this segment, it offers Subsea Technologies, including robotic vehicles and other capital equipment, specialty components and tooling, a range of complementary subsea technical services and rental items, and applied products for subsea pipelines. It offers Drilling Technologies which include capital equipment and a range of products consumed in the drilling and well intervention process. It offers Downhole Technologies, including cementing and casing tools, completion products, and a range of downhole protection solutions.

The Company designs and manufactures subsea capital equipment; specialty components and tooling; and applied products for subsea pipelines; and it also provides a suite of complementary subsea technical services and rental items. It has a core focus on the design and manufacture of unmanned submarines, remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), as well as other specialty s! ubsea vehicles. The Company's brands include its Perry and Sub-Atlantic vehicle brands. Its related technical services complement its vehicle offering by providing the m! arket with a selection of critical product solutions and rental items that enhance its customers' ability to operate in harsh subsea environments. The market for subsea ROVs can be segmented into three classes of vehicles based on size and category of operations: large work-class vehicles for subsea construction activities; drilling-class vehicles for use around an offshore rig, and observation-class vehicles for inspection and light manipulation. The Company is a provider of work-class and observation-class vehicles.

The Company manufactures ROV components, such as a range of Sub-Atlantic branded ROV thrusters. It designs and manufactures thrusters for incorporation into its own vehicles, as well for sale to other ROV manufacturers. It also designs and manufactures a tether management system (TMS). It also provides a suite of subsea tooling, both industry standard and custom designed for subsea applications. Industry standard tooling includes hot stabs, cable cutters, torque tools and indicators.

The vehicle-related subsea products, its Offshore Joint Services (OJS) brand is a provider of applied protective coatings on rigid subsea pipeline field joints, spools, and structures. Its VisualSoft product line provides another related technical product that reinforces in subsea vehicles and products. It sells or rents VisualWorks and VisualDVR Digital Video Systems that provide a solution for digital video capture, playback, processing and reporting of pipeline, structural or other inspection survey data. These products are often used in conjunction with the operation of inspection class ROVs or diving personnel when conducting survey work.

Geoscience Earth and Marine Science (GEMS) is its geophysical and geotechnical engineering group that provides consulting services to the oil and gas, a! nd marine! industries. It provides an interpretation service based on the analysis of third party subsea data provided by clients. The business has broadened into managing every p! hase of p! roject development, including scope of work, liaising with data acquirers, interpretation and analysis. Its primary customer base consists of oil and gas operator producers.

The Company provides both drilling consumables and capital equipment, including powered and manual tubular handling equipment, specialized torque equipment, customized offline crane systems, drilling data acquisition management systems, pumps, valves, manifolds, drilling fluid-end components, pressure control equipment for both coiled tubing and wireline well intervention operations and a broad line of items consumed in the drilling process. The Company has a core focus on products that enhance its customers' handling of tubulars on the drilling rig.

The Company designs and manufactures specialized torque equipment and related control systems for tubular connections, including high torque stroking, or bucking, units, fully rotational torque units, portable torque units for f ield deployment. In addition the Company designs and manufactures a range of rig-based offline activity cranes, multi-purpose cranes and personnel transfer solutions.

The Company's pressure control products used for well intervention operations are sold directly to oilfield service companies and equipment rental companies. These products include both coiled tubing and wireline blowout preventers and their accessories. It also conduct aftermarket refurbishment and recertification services for pressure control equipment. The Company also designs and manufactures a range of consumable parts for pumps on drilling rigs, well servicing rigs, pressure pumping units, and hydraulic fracturing systems, along with top drive parts. The Company also manufacture data acquisition products that include integrated drill floor instrumentation and moni! toring sy! stems. These systems provide real-time monitoring and logging of drilling data to drilling contractors and oil and gas producers on the rig and at remote locations.

! The Compa! ny manufacture a broad line of downhole products that are consumed during the well construction, completion and production enhancement process. Through its Davis-Lynch downhole well construction and completion tools product line, it designs and manufactures products used in the construction of oil and gas wells. It designs and manufactures a range of centralizers, float equipment, stage cementing tools, inflatable packers, flotation collars, cementing plugs, fill and circulation tools for running casing, casing hangers and surge reduction equipment.

The Company manufactures a line of downhole completion tools, including composite plugs and wireline flow-control products. Its composite plugs are primarily used for zonal isolation during multi-stage hydraulic fracturing in horizontal and vertical wells. It offers l range of downhole protection solutions.

Production and Infrastructure Segment

The Company designs and manufactures products and pro vide related equipment and services to the well stimulation, completion, production and infrastructure markets. Through this segment, the Company suppllies Flow Equipment, including well stimulation consumable products and related recertification and refurbishment services; Production Equipment, including well site production equipment, process equipment and specialty pipeline construction equipment; and Valve Solutions, which includes a range of industrial and process valves.

The Company provides a range of high pressure flow equipment used by well stimulation, or pressure pumping, companies during the stimulation, intervention and flowback process. It focuses on consumable products that experience high rates of wear and replacement. The Company designs and manufactures pressure control plug, choke and relief valves, swivel j! oints, pu! p joints and integral fittings, manifolds and manifold trailers, as well as triplex and quintuplex fluid-end assemblies.

The Company surface Production Equipment product line p! rovides e! ngineered process systems and field services for capital equipment used at the wellsite, for production processing, and at the refinery. It serves the upstream, midstream and downstream segments in oil and gas production equipment and services. The Company engineers fabricates and installs tanks, separators, packaged production systems and American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and American Petroleum Institute (API) coded and non-coded pressure vessels, skidded vessels with gas measurement, modular process plants, header and manifold skids, process and flow control equipment and separators to help clean and process oil or gas as it travels from the wellhead and along the transmission line to the refinery.

The Company design, manufacture and provide a wide range of industrial valves that principally serve the upstream, midstream and downstream markets of the oil and gas industry. In addition its valve solutions serve general industrial, power and process industry customers as well as the mining industry. It also provides ball, gate, globe, check and butterfly valves across a range of sizes and applications.

The Company competes with Cameron International Corporation and FMC Technologies, Inc.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Wax]

    Posted-In: Markets Trading Ideas

      Most Popular Top Stocks Under $5 For 2014 Earnings Expectations For The Week Of January 6: Alcoa And More Barron's Recap: Market Beaters #PreMarket Primer: Monday, January 6: Asia Plunges ! Apple Pu! rchases SnappyLabs For Undisclosed Sum Stocks To Watch For January 6, 2014 Related Articles (FET) Forum Enegy Technologies - Leaning on the Lectern Around the Web, We're Loving...
  • [By Seth Jayson]

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

  • source from Top Stocks For 2015:http://www.topstocksblog.com/best-japanese-stocks-to-own-for-2016.html

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Posh pickup trucks can top $70,000

Pickups aren't just for electricians and farmers anymore. The workhorse vehicles have evolved into show horses.

Automakers are scrambling to add features like cooled seats and heated steering wheels as shoppers show the sky's the limit for what people will pay for a pickup. Prices for luxury pickups can top $70,000.

"I've had Porsches, and this truck is the best vehicle I've ever owned. It's just a dream, said Jack Lockhart of his $69,305 Ford F-450 King Ranch heavy-duty pickup. "They can take the keys from my cold, dead fingertips."

The retired University of California Irvine telecom specialist and his wife have logged 10,000 miles in their mammoth rig since May.

Ford and GMC pioneered the segment more than a decade ago with special editions like the F-150 Harley-Davidson and Sierra Denali.

"Our customers feel good about being successful, and they want people to know it," said John Swanson, a salesman at Somerset Buick GMC in Troy.

Luxury pickup models are proliferating, and the industry wants in on the action.

Chevrolet created a new high-end package called the High Country for its 2014 Silverado pickup. Prices start at $45,100, even before buyers add options such as a power sunroof and DVD/BluRay player for the rear-seat entertainment system.

Toyota has added two deluxe versions of its Tundra full-size pickup — one with a Western theme, the other targeted at buyers along the east and west coasts. Prices start at $47,230.

"Automakers profit hugely" from luxury pickups, said Jim Hall, managing director of 2953 Analytics. "The incremental cost of adding the new materials and features is way short of what they can charge for the trucks."

The features automakers pack into this new generation of luxury pickups seem limited only by designers' imaginations. Ram's Laramie Longhorn boasts rare wood trim with a unique grain created when the walnut trees grew around strands of barbed wire on a cattle ranch.

"We have not discovered if there's a ce! iling to this market," Ford truck group marketing manager Doug Scott said. "We anticipated the Platinum model would be 3% of F-150 sales. It's been more than twice that."

Prices for a four-wheel drive 2013 F-150 Platinum start at $50,225. Ford offers five premium trim levels — Lariat, Platinum, King Ranch, Limited and the SVT Raptor off-road sport truck.

"Ford segments the market very finely to suit the individual buyer," said Bob Wheat, general sales manager of Village Ford in Dearborn. "People who spend that kind of money on a truck like to personalize it."

There's no Harley-Davidson model yet, but don't be surprised if the deluxe package that started the luxury pickup bonanza in 1999 returns.

"It makes sense for automakers to capitalize on their core customers' desire for more luxurious, better-equipped trucks," said Edmunds.com senior analyst Jessica Caldwell.

Luxury models account for 30% of F-150 sales and more than half of Ford's bigger and more profitable Super Duty medium-duty pickups.

Sales of Ram luxury models have nearly tripled (up 162%) since 2009, said Bob Hegbloom, chief of Chrysler's Ram brand.

"I don't know if we've seen the upper end of the trend yet," Hegbloom said. Ram has sold 37% more of its luxury models this year compared with 25% for Ram overall and 23% for the total pickup market.

"Pickups have really evolved over the last decade," said Mike Sweers, chief engineer of the Toyota Tundra. "Capability is still the No. 1 reason people buy pickups, but people want the same level of comfort and features they get in luxury cars and SUVs."

While other automakers use multiple trim levels to appeal to luxury-minded truck buyers around the country, GM has two different brands. The GMC Sierra Denali has a large and loyal following, accounting for about 16% of Sierra sales.

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"It's roomy, quiet and comfor! table," S! ierra marketing manager Kenn Bakowski said. "That appeals to affluent people who can buy any vehicle and need the functionality of a pickup."

Chevy added the Silverado High Country "because our customers were ready to move up" in price, said Lloyd Biermann, Chevrolet pickup marketing manager. About 30% of Chevy's full-size pickups already sold for more than $40,000.

"It makes sense to give loyal Chevrolet customers a place to move up to," Biermann said.

Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Pep Boys Still Needs a Tune-Up

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- On more than one occasion, I've raised concerns about what appears to be constant misdirection at Pep Boys (PBY). The company's been leaking oil for as long as I can remember.

But it hasn't always been its fault. Given the lackluster results from rivals Advance Auto Parts (AAP) and AutoZone (AZO), it is fair to say Pep Boys, which has been marred with weak same-store sales and eroding margins, has not been alone in its struggles.

I won't deny that after a couple of tune-ups, management had made meaningful progress. But I'm still concerned by the air being sucked out of the company's operating model. Not to mention, Wal-Mart (WMT), which has an auto services business of its own, is beginning to encroach more on Pep Boys' merchandise business and its services revenue.

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However, with shares of Pep Boys now up more than 22% year to date, the Street assumes the company will eventually get its house in order. But that has always been a big bet. It's not the first time investors have chosen a favorite, even if the business model looks flawed. But Pep Boys, which has become a perpetual turnaround story for 15 years, no longer deserves the type of pass that it has gotten. [Read: Dramatic 48-Hour Shift in Apple Sentiment] After what was another disastrous quarter, during which the company missed on both revenue and earnings, I have to wonder if investors, who have shown incredible faith in this company, are not being taken for a ride. Bulls will likely disagree. Look, I appreciate that the U.S. is still dealing with some economic challenges -- many of which have adversely impacted not only Pep Boys' operation, but that of other retailers. To that end, as with Wal-Mart and McDonald's (MCD), I'm willing to give Pep Boys the benefit of the doubt, accepting that consumers might have postponed vehicle repairs due to the weak economy. But here's the thing: I said this same thing regarding Pep Boys not only last year, but also several months ago. After Monday's debacle, which included a 9-cents earnings miss and a revenue shortfall, there's no place today for Pep Boys to hide.

What's more, given the fact there continues to be an obvious divergence in the company's service/merchandise model, management should now seek to do what the numbers say should have been done several years ago -- kill merchandise. This is the only way to get Pep Boys back to solid growth. It's costing too much money to compete with Wal-Mart's lower prices.

For instance, while same-store sales did decline again this quarter by 1.3%, the service business still grew -- albeit modestly by 0.2%. The merchandise business, however, declined year- over-year by 1.7%. But when looking at the merchandise business on a GAAP basis, the same-store number is even worse, coming in at decrease of 2.6% year over year. [Read: Understanding Obamacare: 4 Things You Need to Know ]

Essentially, that part of the business, from which Wal-Mart has been stealing share, is not carrying its weight. I don't believe that management has made it clear how it plans to turn things around and get back the leverage that it needs. Plus, consumers have long complained that Pep Boys stores are, in most cases, in "undesirable locations." I don't know if I necessarily agree with that. But I don't think this is the sort of reputation that serves the interest of sales growth.

To date, I doesn't seem like management has publicly discussed what (if anything) it plans to do about its "locale" status. But after the company's purchase last week of 17 Discount Tire Centers from AKH Company, it's clear that Pep Boys certainly "loves L.A." This acquisition, which now brings the total of Pep Boys stores in the U.S. to 750, means that 20% of the stores (150) are now located in California. If this deal was an answer to Pep Boys' dubious store image, it may work. But given the expectations presumed in the stock price, I will be more impressed if the 17 new stores can help drive better revenue and comps. To the extent this deal can bring better store efficiency and space utilization, it's not out of the question to expect Pep Boys to generate better long-term cash flow. But that's a big if. As I've said, after so many long battles with failed improvement attempts this is still a company that has been in a perpetual turnaround mode for almost two decades. Management has not shown that it can repair the engine, at least not without an excruciating waiting period. To that end, until there are clearer signs of progress, I can't in good conscience recommend this stock. At the time of publication, the author held no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Follow @saintssense This article was written by an independent contributor, separate from TheStreet's regular news coverage.

Richard Saintvilus is a co-founder of StockSaints.com where he serves as CEO and editor-in-chief. After 20 years in the IT industry, including 5 years as a high school computer teacher, Saintvilus decided his second act would be as a stock analyst - bringing logic from an investor's point of view. His goal is to remove the complicated aspect of investing and present it to readers in a way that makes sense. His background in engineering has provided him with strong analytical skills. That, along with 15 years of trading and investing, has given him the tools needed to assess equities and appraise value. Richard is a Warren Buffett disciple who bases investment decisions on the quality of a company's management, growth aspects, return on equity, and price-to-earnings ratio. His work has been featured on CNBC, Yahoo! Finance, MSN Money, Forbes, Motley Fool and numerous other outlets. Follow @saintssense