Hot Prefered Companies For 2014

The business of cutting paychecks for other folks' employees isn't what it used to be -- and lately, one stock in this business has been underperforming the stock market as a whole, and performing particularly poorly relative to its peers: Automatic Data Processing (NASDAQ: ADP  ) . Why?

Three reasons.

ADP stock is worse than average
ADP shares have been on a bit of a tear these past 12 months, outperforming not just the S&P 500 in general, but also rivals Paychex (NASDAQ: PAYX  ) and Intuit (NASDAQ: INTU  ) in particular. It's a bit of a mystery, however, understanding why investors like ADP stock so much.

Turns out, when you stack up ADP stock against its two smaller rivals, there's actually precious little to recommend it. ADP's P/E ratio of 24 is no bargain. It's roughly equal to the 24-ish P/E at Paychex, and a bit more expensive than the 22 P/E at Intuit.

Hot Prefered Companies For 2014: Medallion Financial Corp.(TAXI)

Medallion Financial Corp., through its subsidiaries, operates as a specialty finance company in the United States. The company engages in originating, acquiring, and servicing loans that finance taxicab medallions and various types of commercial businesses. It offers commercial loans to finance the purchase of the equipment and related assets necessary to open a new business, or the purchase or improvement of an existing business; asset-based loans to small businesses; and secured mezzanine loans to businesses in various industries, including manufacturing and various service providers. The company also raises deposits; originates consumer loans for the purchase of recreational vehicles, boats, motorcycles, trailers, and hearing aids; and conducts other banking activities. In addition, it provides other debt, mezzanine, and equity investment capital to companies in various industries. The company was founded in 1995 and is headquartered in New York, New York.

Hot Prefered Companies For 2014: Ames National Corporation(ATLO)

Ames National Corporation, a multibank holding company, provides commercial banking services primarily within the central Iowa counties of Boone, Marshall, Polk, and Story. The company offers a range of deposit services, including checking accounts, savings accounts, and time deposits of various types ranging from money market accounts to longer-term certificates of deposit. Its loan portfolio comprises short and medium-term commercial and residential real estate loans, agricultural and business operating loans and lines of credit, equipment loans, vehicle loans, personal loans and lines of credit, home improvement loans, and mortgage loans for sale into the secondary market. The company also offers cash management services, merchant credit card processing, safe deposit boxes, wire transfers, direct deposit of payroll and social security checks, and automated teller machine access. In addition, it offers trust, Internet banking, and investment brokerage services. The compa ny was founded in 1903 and is based in Ames, Iowa.

Top 5 Stocks To Invest In 2014: Kestrel Gold Inc (KGC.V)

Kestrel Gold Inc., a gold exploration company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, evaluation, and development of mineral properties primarily in Canada and Argentina. It primarily explores for gold and copper deposits. The company�s principal properties include the King Solomon Dome project located in Yukon Territory, Canada; and the Huachi project located in the Andean Pre-cordillera mountains of the San Juan Province of Argentina. It also holds 100% interest in the Condoryacu and Maria Amalia mining properties in Argentina. The company was formerly known as Bling Capital Corp. and changed its name to Kestrel Gold Inc. in June 2010. Kestrel Gold Inc. was incorporated in 2007 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada.

Hot Prefered Companies For 2014: Smith(wh)

WH Smith PLC operates retail stores under the Travel and High Street names primarily in the United Kingdom. The company sells newspapers, magazines, books, confectionery, and impulse products, as well as entertainment products. It also offers a range of books, stationery, magazines, and gifts through whsmith.co.uk; and personalized cards and gifts through funkypigeon.com. The company operates approximately 561 travel units and 612 high street stores in various locations, including high streets, shopping centers, airports, train stations, motorway service areas, hospitals, and workplaces. It also has operations in the Republic of Ireland, Denmark, India, Australia, and Oman. The company was founded in 1792 and is based in Swindon, the United Kingdom.

Hot Prefered Companies For 2014: PHI Inc.(PHII)

PHI, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides helicopter transportation services to the integrated energy, and independent exploration and production companies primarily in the Gulf of Mexico and internationally. The company operates in three segments: Oil and Gas, Air Medical, and Technical Services. The Oil and Gas segment provides helicopter services to oil and gas exploration and production companies, and other offshore oil service companies primarily for routine transportation of personnel and equipment; transportation of personnel during medical and safety emergencies; and evacuation of personnel during the threat of hurricanes and other adverse weather conditions. The Air Medical segment provides air medical transportation services for hospitals and emergency service agencies in 17 states. The Technical Services segment offers helicopter repair and overhaul services for existing flight operations customers. It also operates 5 aircrafts for the National Science Foundation in Antarctica. As of December 31, 2011, it owned or operated 259 aircrafts, including 167 aircrafts by Oil and Gas segment, 86 aircrafts by Air Medical segment, and 6 for other operations. The company was formerly known as Petroleum Helicopters, Inc. and changed its name to PHI, Inc. in December 2005. PHI, Inc. was founded in 1949 and is based in Lafayette, Louisiana.

Hot Prefered Companies For 2014: MWI Veterinary Supply Inc.(MWIV)

MWI Veterinary Supply, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the distribution of animal health products to veterinarians in the United States and the United Kingdom. It primarily offers pharmaceuticals, vaccines, parasiticides, diagnostics, capital equipment, supplies, specialty products, veterinary pet food, and nutritional products. The company?s pharmaceutical products include anesthetics, analgesics, antibiotics, ophthalmics, and hormones; vaccine products consist of small animal, equine, and production animal biologicals; and parasiticides are used for control of fleas, ticks, flies, mosquitoes, and internal parasites. Its diagnostics products comprise consumable in-clinic tests for detecting heartworm, lyme, feline leukemia, and parvovirus, as well as consumable products for measuring blood chemistry, electrolyte balance, and cell counts; capital equipment products include anesthesia machines, surgical monitors, diagnostic equipment, dental machines, cage s, lights, and x-ray machines; and supplies consists of syringes, instruments, bandages, IV products, surgical consumables, grooming materials, and other small equipment items. The company?s veterinary pet foods products include foods for specialty diets and premium pet foods; and nutritional products comprise dietary supplements, vitamins, dental chews, and specialty treats. As of September 30, 2011, it served approximately 24,000 veterinary practices in the United States; and 1,500 veterinary practices in the United Kingdom. The company was formerly known as MWI Holdings, Inc. and changed its name to MWI Veterinary Supply, Inc. in April 2005. MWI Veterinary Supply, Inc. was founded in 1976 and is headquartered in Boise, Idaho.