Monday, June 30, 2014

Best Defensive Companies To Own In Right Now

Best Defensive Companies To Own In Right Now: USA Technologies Inc.(USAT)

USA Technologies, Inc. supplies cashless, remote management, reporting, and energy management solutions for the unattended point of sale market primarily in the United States. The company offers networked devices and associated services that enable the owners and operators of stand-alone distributed assets, such as vending machines, kiosks, personal computers, photocopiers, and laundry equipment the ability to remotely monitor, control, and report on the results of these distributed assets, as well as the ability to offer their customers cashless payment options. Its products include Intelligent Vending, an ePort connect solution for the vending industry; Kiosk, an ePort solution that offers an electronic payment option and Web-based remote monitoring and management for various kiosk types; eSuds, a solution for the commercial laundry industry; Business Express, which provides self-service business center solutions to the hotel and motel industry; and ePort Transact soluti on for the self-service business center devices, such as printers and copy machines. The company also manufactures and sells energy conservation products comprising VendingMiser, CoolerMiser, VM2IQ and CM2IQ, SnackMiser, and PlugMiser for various existing equipment, including refrigerated vending machines and glass front coolers. USA Technologies, Inc. was founded in 1992 and is based in Malvern, Pennsylvania.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Monica Gerson]

    USA Technologies (NASDAQ: USAT) is projected to report its Q3 earnings at $0.00 per share on revenue of $10.63 million.

    P&F Industries (NASDAQ: PFIN) is expected to report its quarterly results.

  • [By Monica Gerson]

    USA Technologies (NASDAQ: USAT) is estimated to report its Q4 earnings at $0.02 per share on revenue of $9.89 million.

    Vail! Resorts (NYSE: MTN) is projected to post a Q4 loss at $1.71 per share on revenue of $117.82 million.

  • source from Top Stocks For 2015:http://www.topstocksblog.com/best-defensive-companies-to-own-in-right-now-2.html

5 Best Machinery Stocks To Own For 2015

5 Best Machinery Stocks To Own For 2015: Flowserve Corp (FLS)

Flowserve Corporation, incorporated on May 1, 1912, is a manufacturer and aftermarket service provider of flow control systems. The Company develops and manufacture precision-engineered flows control equipment integral to the movement, control and protection of the flow of materials in its customers' critical processes. The Company operates in three segments: Engineered Product Division (EPD), which includes long leads time, custom and other engineered pumps and pump systems, mechanical seals, auxiliary systems and replacement parts and related services, Industrial Product Division (IPD), which includes pre-configured engineered pumps and pump systems and related products and services, and Flow Control Division (FCD), which includes engineered and industrial valves, control valves, actuators and controls and related services. Effective December 10, 2013, Flowserve Corp acquired Innovative Mag-Drive LLC.

Through the Company's manufacturing platform and global n etwork of Quick Response Centers (QRCs), the Company offers an array of aftermarket equipment services, such as installation, advanced diagnostics, repair and retrofitting. The Company's product portfolio of pumps, valves, seals, automation and aftermarket services supports global infrastructure industries, including oil and gas, chemical, power generation and water management, as well as certain general industrial markets where the Company's products and services add value. The Company sells its products and services to more than 10,000 companies, including some of the engineering, procurement and construction firms (EPC), original equipment manufacturers, distributors and end users.

Engineered Product Division

The Company designs, manufactures, distributes and services engineered pumps and pumps systems, mechanical seals, auxiliary systems, replacement parts and related equipment. The business primarily consists of long lead time, en! gineered, conf igured products, which require extensive test requirements a! nd project management skills. EPD products and services are primarily used by companies that operate in the oil and gas, power generation, chemical, water management and general industries. The Company markets its pump and mechanical seals products through its global sales force and its regional QRCs and service and repair centers or through independent distributors and sales representatives. A portion of the Company's mechanical seal products are sold directly to original equipment manufacturers for incorporation into rotating equipment requiring mechanical seals. The Company's pump products are manufactured in a range of metal alloys and with a variety of configurations to meet the critical operating demands of the Company's customers.

The Company also manufactures a gas-lubricated mechanical seal that is used in high-speed compressors for gases pipelines and in the oil and gas production and process markets. The Company's products are manufactured at 29 plants worl dwide, nine of which are located in Europe, 11 in North America, four in Asia Pacific and five in Latin America. The Company also conducts business through strategic foreign joint ventures. The Company has six unconsolidated joint ventures that are located in China, India, Japan, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates, where a portion of its products are manufactured, assembled or serviced in these territories. The Company manufactures more than 40 different active types of pumps and approximately 185 different models of mechanical seals and sealing systems.

The Company's EPD products include between bearings pumps, which include single case- axially split, single case- radially split, double case; overhung pumps, which includes api process; positive displacement pumps, which includes multiphase, reciprocating and screw; mechanical seals and seal support systems, which includes gas barrier seals and dry-running seals,! and spec! ialty produc ts, which includes nuclear pumps, nuclear seals, cryogenic p! umps, cry! ogenic liquid expander, hydraulic decoking systems, and API slurry pumps. The Companys EPD Brand Names include BW Seals, Byron Jackson, Calder Energy Recovery Devices, Cameron, Durametallic, Five Star Seal, Jeumont-Schneider, and Interseal. EPD Services includes provision of engineered aftermarket services through its global network of 128 QRCs, some of which are co-located in manufacturing facilities, in 41 countries. Its EPD service personnel provide a comprehensive set of equipment services for flow management control systems, including installation, commissioning, repair, advanced diagnostics, re-rate and retrofit programs, machining and comprehensive asset management solutions. The Company provides asset management services and condition monitoring for rotating equipment through special contracts with many of its customers that reduce maintenance costs.

Industrial Product Division

The Company designs , manufactures, distributes and services pre-configured engineered pumps and pumps systems, including submersible motors, for industrial markets. IPD's standardized, general purpose pump products are primarily utilized by the oil and gas, chemical, water management, power generation and general industries. The Company's products are manufactured in 12 manufacturing facilities, three of which are located in the United States and six in Europe. IPD operates 20 QRCs worldwide, including 11 sites in Europe, three in the United States , five in Asia Pacific and one in Latin America. The Company manufactures approximately 40 different active types of pumps available in a wide range of metal alloys and non-metallics with a variety of configurations. The products includes Overhung, which includes Chemical Process ANSI and ISO, Industrial Process , and Slurry and Solids Handling ; Specialty Products, which includes Molten Salt VTP Pump, Submersible Pump, Thruster, Geothermal Deepwell, and Barge ! Pump; Bet! ween Bearings, whic h includes Single Case- Axially Split and Single Case- Radia! lly Split! ; Vertical, which includes Wet Pit, Deep Well Submersible Motor, Slurry and Solids Handling, and Sump; Positive Displacement, which includes Gear. The Companys brands include Aldrich, Durco, IDP, Pacific, Pleuger, Scienco, Sier Bath, Western Land Roller, TKL, Worthington, and Worthington-Simpson. The Company markets its pump products through its worldwide sales force and its regional service and repair centers or through independent distributors and sales representatives. The Company provide an array of aftermarket services including product installation and commissioning services, spare parts, repairs, re-rate and upgrade solutions, advanced diagnostics and maintenance solutions through its global network of QRCs.

Flow Control Division

The Companys FCD designs, manufactures, distributes and services a portfolio of industrial valve and automation solutions, including isolation and control valves, actuation, controls and related equipment. In a ddition, FCD offers energy management products, such as steam traps, boiler controls and condensate and energy recovery systems. FCD products are used to control, direct and manage the flow of liquids and gases and are an integral part of any flow control system. The Company's valve products are often customized and engineered to perform specific functions within each customer's unique flow control environment. The Company's flow control products are primarily used by companies operating in the chemical (including pharmaceutical), power generation (nuclear, fossil and renewable), oil and gas, water management and general industries (including aerospace, pulp and paper and mining). FCD has 58 sites worldwide, including 25 principal manufacturing facilities ( five of which are located in the United States and 13 of which are located in Europe) and 33 QRCs, including three consolidated joint ventures. A small portion of the Company's valves are a! lso produ! ced through an unconsol idated joint venture in India.

The Company's pr! oducts ar! e used in a variety of applications, from general service to the severe and demanding services, including those involving high levels of corrosion, extreme temperatures and/or pressures, zero fugitive emissions and emergency shutdown. The Company's smart valve and diagnostic technologies integrate sensors, microprocessor controls and software into high performance integrated control valves, digital positioners and switchboxes for automated on/off valve assemblies and electric actuators. These technologies permit real-time system analysis, system warnings and remote indication of asset health. These technologies have been developed in response to the growing demand for reduced maintenance, improved process control efficiency and digital communications at the plant level. The Company's valve automation products encompass a range of pneumatic, electric, hydraulic and stored energy actuation designs to take advantage of whatever power source the customer has available.

The Companys products includes valve automation systems, control valves, ball valves, gate valves, globe valves, check valves, lined plug valves, lubricated plug valves, diagnostic software, digital positioners, pneumatic positioners, intelligent positioners, pneumatic actuators, hydraulic actuators, diaphragm actuators, direct gas and gas-over-oil actuators. steam traps, boiler controls, digital communications, and valve and automation repair services. The Companys brands include Accord, Anchor/Darling, Argus, Atomac, Durco, Edward, Flowserve, Gestra, Kammer, Limitorque, McCANNA/MARPAC, NAF, NAVAL, Noble Alloy, Norbro, Nordstrom, PMV, Serck Audco, Schmidt Armaturen, Valbart, Valtek, Vogt, and Worcester Controls. The Company provides equipment maintenance services for flow control systems, including advanced diagnostics, repair, installation, commissioning, retrofit programs and field machining capabilities.

The Compa! ny compet! es with Sulzer Pumps, Eba ra Corp., SPX Corp., Eagle Burgmann, A. W. Chesterton Co. an! d AES Cor! p, John Crane Inc., and Weir Group Plc, ITT Industries, KSB Inc., Sulzer Pumps, Pentair Ltd., Cameron International Corp., Emerson Electric Co., General Electric Co. and Crane Co.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Jim Jubak]

    So, why did shares of Flowserve (FLS) soar 5.7%, yesterday?

    Sure, the maker of all things that move water and other fluids beat Wall Street earnings projections for the fourth quarter by 6 cents a share (after excluding one-time charges) and revenue climbed 4.6% year over year, matching analyst estimates.

  • source from Top Penny Stocks For 2015:http://www.seekpennystocks.com/5-best-machinery-stocks-to-own-for-2015.html

Sunday, June 29, 2014

Top 5 Up And Coming Companies To Own For 2015

Top 5 Up And Coming Companies To Own For 2015: Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank Egypt SAE (ADIB)

Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank Egypt SAE, formerly National Bank for Development (NBD), is an Egypt-based public shareholding company engaged in the provision of retail, corporate and investment banking services through a network of 69 branches located across Egypt. The Banks products and services are structured into four segments: the Personal banking segment includes current and saving account, investment account, club finance, charitable accounts and sukuk, among others; the Microfinance segment includes microfinance program; the Wholesale banking segment includes corporate banking, financial institutions and trade, cash management and corporate finance, and the Treasury segment includes foreign exchange, sharia-compliant products and market analysis/updates. In January 2014, the Company sold 11,619,575 shares representing 77.46% stake in National Company for Glass and Crystals share capital to Abu Dhabi Islamic Financial Investments Holding. Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Gregor Stuart Hunter]

    Tirad Mahmoud, the chief executive of Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB), has warned of "irrational exuberance" in the UAE's corporate lending market, saying companies are seeking to lower borrowing costs by so much that banks may no longer find it appealing to lend.

  • source from Top Penny Stocks For 2015:http://www.topstocksforum.com/top-5-up-and-coming-companies-to-own-for-2015.html

Top Trucking Stocks To Own Right Now

Although we don't believe in timing the market or panicking over market movements, we do like to keep an eye on big changes -- just in case they're material to our investing thesis.

What: Shares of trucking company Arkansas Best (NASDAQ: ABFS  ) revved up the engine, and jumped as much as 17% after announcing its ABF Freight Systems employees had ratified a five-year collective bargaining agreement.

So what: According to Arkansas Best's press release, not only did the collective bargaining agreement pass, but it also passed a majority of the supplements in the ABF National Master Freight Agreement. There are still a few items left to be voted on over the near term, but this vote clears the way for Arkansas Best to be price competitive once again with its peers.

Now what: This agreement has seriously been far too long in coming, but it's precisely what Arkansas Best needs to get the company back to profitability. With the labor agreement ratified, Arkansas Best will not have to shed any jobs, and can utilize its pricing power and a stabilization in fuel costs to its advantage. The labor union gray cloud was the final piece of the puzzle left that I felt would make Arkansas Best a great company, and was the primary impetus behind my selection of the trucking company for my One Person's Trash Is Another Person's Treasure portfolio. While I still have high hopes for Arkansas Best, I'd probably temper my expectations a bit with the company having doubled in just three months.

Best Electric Utility Stocks For 2015: Liberty Media Corp (LMCB)

Liberty Media Corporation, formerly Liberty Spinco, Inc., incorporated on August 10, 2012, focuses on the media, communications and entertainment industries through its ownership of interests in subsidiaries and other companies. Its businesses and assets include consolidated subsidiaries, Atlanta National League Baseball Club, Inc. and TruePosition, Inc., its equity affiliates Sirius XM Radio Inc. and Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. and minority investments in public companies such as Barnes & Noble, Inc., Time Warner Inc., Time Warner Cable, Inc., Viacom Inc. and Sprint Nextel Corporation. On January 11, 2013, Liberty Media Corporation and Starz announced the completion of the spin-off of Liberty from Starz. In connection with the spin-off, Liberty changed its name from Liberty Spinco, Inc. to Liberty Media Corporation. In January 2013, the Company announced that it held approximately 50.7% interest of Sirius XM Radio Inc. In May 2013, Liberty Media Corp acquired a 27.38% stake in Charter Communications Inc.

Atlanta National League Baseball Club, Inc., or ANLBC, a wholly owned subsidiary, owns and operates the Atlanta Braves Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise and five minor league baseball clubs (the Gwinnett Braves, the Mississippi Braves, the Rome Braves, the Danville Braves and the GCL Braves). TruePosition is a wholly owned subsidiary that develops and markets technology for locating wireless phones and other wireless devices enabling wireless carriers, application providers and other enterprises to provide E-911 services domestically and other location-based services to mobile users both domestically and worldwide. Sirius XM Radio Inc. (Sirius) broadcasts its music, sports, entertainment, comedy, talk, news, traffic and weather channels in the United States on a subscription fee basis through its two satellite radio systems. Subscribers can also receive certain of its music and other channels over the Internet, including through applications for mobile devices.

Sir! ius XM Radio Inc. satellite radios are primarily distributed through automakers (OEMs), retail locations nationwide, and through its Website. Sirius offers a dynamic programming lineup of commercial-free music, sports, entertainment, talk, news, traffic and weather. The channel line-ups for its services vary in certain respects and are available at siriusxm.com. Sirius offers a selection of music genres, ranging from rock, pop and hip-hop to country, dance, jazz, Latin and classical. Within each genre it offers a range of formats, styles and recordings. Sirius offers a range of national, international and financial news, including news from BBC World Service News, Bloomberg Radio, CNBC, CNN, FOX News, HLN, MSNBC, NPR and World Radio Network. Barnes & Noble, Inc., is a content, commerce and technology company providing customers easy and convenient access to books, magazines, newspapers and other content across its multi-channel distribution platform. As of April 28, 2012, Barnes & Noble operated 1,338 bookstores in 50 states, including 647 bookstores on college campuses, operates one of the Internet's e-Commerce sites and develops digital content products and software.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Wallace Witkowski]

    Liberty Media (LMCA) � (LMCB) �class A shares fell 3% to $141.06 on light volume.

Top Trucking Stocks To Own Right Now: Lennar Corp.(LEN)

The third largest U.S. homebuilder by revenue reported exceptional Q3 results, as its earnings more than quadrupled, primarily as a result of an increase in new-home demand. The reported net income of 40c was well ahead of last year's 11c, and the forecasted 28c.

According to the company's CEO, Stuart Miller, "The homebuilding business is beginning to revert to normal, and that's a positive for the U.S. economy in general, which is in turn good for sustained recovery in the housing market. Overall demand has been improving and we've seen a consistent sales pace at improving prices."

LEN's contract backlog, which is an indicator of future sales, rose by a whopping 79% on a YoY basis. Its average selling price of delivered homes also increased to $258,000 from last year's $247,000.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By WALLSTCHEATSHEET]

    Lennar�� stock-price momentum has shifted in the wrong direction as interest rates have slowly headed higher. To simplify the future potential of Lennar, if interest rates head back down, then Lennar is a great investment. If interest rates continue to increase, then Lennar is a bad investment. And if interest rates gradually move higher (a realistic possibility), then nobody really knows the answer. However, if interest rates gradually move higher, then they will eventually reach a point where most consumers (not investors) won�� be able to afford a home (see weak consumer). That being the case, how can Lennar possibly be�a winning long-term investment? Lennar would be a winning long-term investment if rates were already at reasonable levels and the consumer was strong. However, that isn�� the environment we��e currently living in.

  • [By Ben Levisohn]

    Consider: KB Home (KBH) and DR Horton (DHI) have dropped 29% during the past six months, while PulteGroup (PHM) has declined 24% and Lennar (LEN) is off 20%.

  • [By John Maxfield]

    We're also starting to see the proceeds of the nascent recovery reflected in the earnings of homebuilders. Last week, Lennar (NYSE: LEN  ) and KB Home� (NYSE: KBH  ) , two of the nation's largest homebuilders, reported markedly improved results. Lennar's home deliveries shot up by 36% on a year-over-year basis while KB Home's increased by 39%. And in PulteGroup's (NYSE: PHM  ) first-quarter earnings release in April, its chief executive officer observed that homebuyers are "feeling a greater sense of urgency given the combination of limited product inventory and rising prices found in many markets throughout the country."

Top Trucking Stocks To Own Right Now: Penn National Gaming Inc.(PENN)

Penn National Gaming, Inc. and its subsidiaries own and manage gaming and pari-mutuel properties in the United States. It operates approximately 27,000 gaming machines; 500 table games; and 2,000 hotel rooms in 23 facilities in 16 jurisdictions, including Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ontario. The company was formerly known as PNRC Corp. and changed its name to Penn National Gaming, Inc. in 1994. Penn National Gaming, Inc. was founded in 1982 and is based in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Paul Ausick]

    Stocks on the Move: BlackBerry Ltd. (NASDAQ: BBRY) is down 16.4% at $6.50 after announcing that no buyout bid will be forthcoming. Penn National Gaming Inc. (NASDAQ: PENN) is down 76.7% at $13.75 after spinning-off its real-estate holdings into a REIT. Suntech Power Holdings Co. Ltd. (NYSE: STP) is up 15.5% at $1.53 following the acquisition of its major operations in Wuxi.

  • [By Lisa Levin]

    Penn National Gaming (NASDAQ: PENN) shares fell 1.71% to reach a new 52-week low of $12.05. Penn National Gaming is expected to report its Q4 results on February 6.

  • [By Will Ashworth]

    Although Penn National Gaming (PENN) completed the spinoff of its real estate assets on Nov. 1, 2013, Gaming and Leisure Properties��(GLPI) shares have traded since mid-October. The only pure-play Casino REIT was created to provide PENN shareholders with two investments: gaming and real estate. Both businesses would be able to focus on what they do best with shareholders better off as a result. I can�� argue with the rationale.

  • [By Will Ashworth]

    Famed investor Leon Cooperman sold his position in Penn National Gaming (PENN) in the fourth quarter of 2013, replacing it with a 2.2 million shares of GLPI, the real estate spinoff the casino operator took public through a 1-for-1 share distribution last November. Its first acquisition came one month later when it paid $140 million for a casino in East St. Louis. Pure-play REITs come in all shapes and sizes, but never before has there been one in the casino business.

Top Trucking Stocks To Own Right Now: Akamai Technologies Inc.(AKAM)

Akamai Technologies, Inc. provides content delivery and cloud infrastructure services for accelerating and improving applications over the Internet in the United States and internationally. The company offers application and cloud performance solutions to enhance the operation of the applications used by enterprises to connect with their employees, suppliers, and customers. Its solutions include Web Application Accelerator, which enables enterprises to run various applications; and IP Application Accelerator that is designed to optimize the performance, availability, and real-time sensitivity associated with IP-enabled applications delivered over Internet-related protocols. The company also provides video and software solutions that are designed to enable enterprises to execute their large file management and distribution strategies, which include media delivery solution to entertainment industry; and electronic software delivery solution that handles the distribution of s oftware for its customers. In addition, it offers Website optimization services for accelerating business-to-consumer Websites that integrate collaborative content and applications into their online architecture; security and protection solutions that address the Internet security requirements; and network operator solutions, which provide custom solutions to commercial and government customers. Further, the company provides mobile content adaptation solution; and advertising decision solutions that enable advertisers, agencies, publishers, and networks to buy and sell advertising, as well as network data feeds, Website analytics, and business performance management services. It markets and sells its services and solutions through direct sales and services organization; and through active channel partners. Akamai Technologies, Inc. was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By WALLSTCHEATSHEET]

    Akamai Technologies provides new cloud services and computing technology that is being adopted at increasing rates by companies and consumers worldwide. The stock has been quiet in recent times but is now trading at the top-end of a multi-year range. Over the last four quarters, Akamai Technologies has seen increasing earnings and revenue figures that have kept investors excited. Relative to its peers and sector, Akamai Technologies has been a year-to-date performance leader. Look for Akamai Technologies to OUTPERFORM.

  • [By Damian Illia]

    Akamai Technologies Inc. (AKAM) is engaged in providing content delivery and cloud infrastructure services for accelerating and improving the delivery of content and applications over the Internet.

  • [By Lee Jackson]

    Akamai Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: AKAM) has been able to offer scalable benefits associated with offloading services from client infrastructures, allowing clients to have fewer hard assets in place while providing an ongoing revenue stream for Akamai. This translates into more than 125,000 servers operating dedicated, hybrid cloud and true cloud servers to provide IT and, increasingly, security services in a vast array of companies across a widely diversified group of industries. With an impressive client list that grows each quarter, the company is firing on all cylinders. The Thomson/First Call price objective for the stock is $53.50. Akamai closed Thursday at $51.16.

  • [By WALLSTCHEATSHEET]

    Akamai Technologies provides technology products and services to a growing user base in a number of industries around the world. The stock has been performing well in recent years and looks to be getting ready to see higher prices. Earnings and revenue numbers have been shows excellent signs of growth which has really pleased investors. Relative to its strong peers and sector, Akamai Technologies has been an average year-to-date performer. Look for Akamai Technologies to continue to OUTPERFORM.

Top Trucking Stocks To Own Right Now: Aflac Incorporated(AFL)

Aflac Incorporated, through its subsidiary, American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus (Aflac), provides supplemental health and life insurance. The company offers various voluntary supplemental insurance products, including cancer plans, general medical indemnity plans, medical/sickness riders, care plans, living benefit life plans, ordinary life insurance plans, and annuities in Japan. It also provides loss-of-income products, such as life and short-term disability plans; and products designed to protect individuals from depletion of assets, which comprise hospital indemnity, fixed-benefit dental, vision care, accident, cancer, critical illness/critical care, and hospital intensive care plans in the United States. The company sells its products through sales associates and brokers, affiliated corporate agencies, independent corporate agencies, and individual agencies. Aflac Incorporated was founded in 1955 and is headquartered in Columbus, Georgia.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Chuck Saletta]

    Who showed us the money?
    On Monday, supplemental insurance giant AFLAC (NYSE: AFL  ) paid $9.45 in dividends to the IPIG portfolio. This was the company's third consecutive dividend at $0.35 per share. If it follows its previous trends, we can expect another payment at that level before it gets reviewed for potential increase.

Top Trucking Stocks To Own Right Now: MediSwipe Inc (MWIP)

MediSwipe Inc., formerly Cannabis Medical Solutions Inc., incorporated in February 18, 1997, offers a transaction processing and security solutions for the medical and healthcare industries, using traditional, Internet Point-of-Sale (POS), e-commerce and mobile (wireless) payment solutions. The Company's electronic payment processing suite of services will enable clients to accept all credit cards, in store or online, debit and automated teller machine (ATM) cards and ACH check drafts for payment whether a retail, service, mail-order or Internet merchant. The Company�� card-based processing services enable merchants to process both traditional card-present, or swipe, transactions, as well as card-not-present transactions. The Company also operates online payment processing services, gift and loyalty card program programs and prepaid debit cards for consumers through 800 Commerce Inc., the Company's subsidiary, under the domain name www.800Commerce.com .

The Company offers MasterCard prepaid cards branded with corporations��brands. The Company offers a line of merchant services for the healthcare sector, including, Visa, MasterCard and merchant accounts, debit & credit card transaction processing, cash advance, gift/loyalty card programs and POS terminals through its��private banking network. 800 Commerce electronic payment processing and additional services enables the Company's clients to accept all credit cards, as well as debit and ATM cards for payment whether a retail, service, mail-order or Internet merchant. The 800 Commerce Suite of e-Commerce Services Include Merchant Processing Customized Solutions; Private Label Gateway; Credit Card Acceptance; Debit/ATM Card Acceptance; Private Label Debit Card Issuance; Internet Processing; Gift, Payroll and Loyalty Cards; Check Services; Wireless/Mobile Payment Platforms; Web Development and consulting, and ACH.

The Company competes with First Data Corporation, Total System Services, Global Payments, Authorize.net and Bank! of America's BA Merchant Services.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Dan Burrows]

    MediSwipe (MWIP) has tripled, with MWIP stock up 200%. Cannabis Science (CBIS) is closing in on quadrupling, as CBIS stock gained 273%. And GreenGro Technologies (GRNH)? Brace yourself, because GRNH stock is up over 1,000% … including an 18% so far today.

  • [By Dan Burrows]

    But it doesn’t end there. Investors should run away from all OTC marijuana stocks, including Medical Marijuana (MJNA), Cannabis Science (CBIS), CannaVest (CANV), MediSwipe (MWIP) and GreenGro Technologies (GRNH). As the SEC warns:

Saturday, June 28, 2014

Hot Freight Stocks To Watch Right Now

Hot Freight Stocks To Watch Right Now: Heartland Express Inc (HTLD)

Heartland Express, Inc. (Heartland), incorporated on August 8, 1986, is a short-to-medium haul truckload carrier. The Company provides regional dry van truckload services through its regional terminals plus its corporate headquarters. The Company transports freight for shippers and generally earns revenue based on the number of miles per load delivered. The Company's primary traffic lanes are between customer locations east of the Rocky Mountains. The Company is a holding company of Heartland Express Inc. of Iowa, Heartland Express Services, Inc., Heartland Express Maintenance Services, Inc. and A & M Express, Inc. Heartland operates nine specialized regional distribution operations in Atlanta, Georgia; Carlisle, Pennsylvania; Chester, Virginia; Columbus, Ohio; Jacksonville, Florida; Kingsport, Tennessee; Olive Branch, Mississippi; Phoenix, Arizona, and Seagoville, Texas. The Company operates maintenance facilities at all regional distribution operating centers along wit h shop only locations in Fort Smith, Arkansas and O'Fallon, Missouri. In November 2013, Heartland Express Inc acquired 100% of the stock of Gordon Trucking, Inc.

The Company's operations department is responsible for maintaining the continuity between the customer's needs and Heartland's ability to meet those needs by communicating customer's expectations to the fleet management group. They are charged with development of customer relationships, ensuring service standards, coordinating proper freight-to-capacity balancing, trailer asset management, and daily tactical decisions pertaining to matching the customer demand with the appropriate capacity within geographical service areas. They assign orders to drivers based on well-defined criteria, such as driver safety and United States Department of Transportation (the DOT) compliance, customer needs! and service requirements, on-time service, equipment utilization, driver time at home, operational effici ency, and equipment maintenance needs. Fleet management is r! esponsible for driver management and development. Their responsibilities include meeting the needs of the drivers within the standards that have been set by the organization and communicating the requirements of the customers to the drivers on each order to ensure successful execution. Serving the short-to-medium haul market (500 miles average length of haul in 2012) permits the Company to use primarily single, rather than team drivers and dispatch loads directly from origin to destination without an intermediate equipment change other than for driver scheduling purposes.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Ben Levisohn]

    Shares of Heartland Express (HTLD) rose today despite being cut by Stifel Nicolaus for valuation reasons.

    Bloomberg News

    Shares of Heartland Express have gained 50% this year, trumping the 38% rise in Con-Way (CNW) and the 29% advance in J.B. Hunt Transport Services (JBHT) but lagging Old Dominion Freight Lines (ODFL) and Swift Transportation (SWFT).

    That big gain was enough for Stifel’s John Larkin say no mas and cut his rating on Heartland Express. They explain why:

    Downgrading from Buy to Hold as the company’s shares appear fully and fairly valued. In fact, shares have recently traded through our 12-month fair value estimate of $19 (or 16.0x our 2015 EPS estimate of $1.15 plus ~$0.68 per share NPV of future cash tax benefits).

    Rating change is primarily valuation based as well as from our view that most transportation equities are trading ahead of the still mediocre underlying freight market fundamentals.

    BB&T’s Thomas Albrecht and team, who upgraded Heartland Express to Buy from Hold yesterday, explain why they think the stock will do just fine regardless of the economy:

    Heartland is an intriguing play upon both a slow-growth eco! nomy and ! a rapidly growing one (along with tight capacity). Many carriers are only able to thrive in the latter environment. With HTLD we believe that even in a sluggish economy it has a self-generating EPS story through the integration and growth of Gordon. Q3’13, a very difficult quarter for TL carriers, saw HTLD post a 79.3% OR versus 83.3%.

    The timing of the Gordon deal seems ideal, similar to the Great Coastal acquisition in mid-2002. Back then the TL market was stabilizing, but had yet to really take off, which occurred in the back half of 2003. Those 4-5 quarters allowed HTLD to assess customers, integrate operations, consolidate facilities and get ready for the next cycle. By the time that occurred HTLD was ready to take advantage of the capacity

  • [By Ben Levisohn]

    Heartland Express (HTLD) has dropped 2.2% to $19.12 after it was cut to Hold from Buy at Stifel Nicolaus.

    Allergan (AGN) was upgraded to Outperform from Market Perform at Wells Fargo.

  • [By Lauren Pollock]

    Heartland Express Inc.(HTLD), a trucking firm steered by the Gerdin family, agreed to acquire another family controlled peer, Gordon Trucking Inc., in a transaction valued at about $300 million. Shares climbed 12% to $16.05 in light premarket trading.

  • [By Jake L'Ecuyer]

    Equities Trading UP
    Heartland Express (NASDAQ: HTLD) shot up 19.72 percent to $17.14 after the company reported that it has acquired Gordon Trucking for $300 million.

  • source from Top Stocks For 2015:http://www.topstocksblog.com/hot-freight-stocks-to-watch-right-now.html

Top Transportation Stocks To Invest In Right Now

Even as Federal Reserve policymakers seemed unsure of the immediate direction of the global economy, debating whether disinflation could be an issue in the short term at their meeting March 18-19, most of them expected inflation would return to 2 percent in the next few years, according to minutes of the gathering released April 9.

But just when within the next two years inflation would start rising has been a point of debate, and the fact that producer prices exceeded economist expectations this week reinforced the idea that policymakers, for all their good intentions, may not time interest rates correctly to contain runaway inflation, as historically has been the case.

And this situation also clearly calls for the need to have investments that can simultaneously enhance earnings and protect against inflation, which can appear more suddenly than policymakers have forecasted. Energy infrastructure or midstream Master Limited Partnerships (MLPs) can deliver this investment flexibility, offering investors exposure to the shale boom or commodity price rises, tax benefits, and most MLPs’ contracts are protected against the producer price increases we saw this month.

The prices businesses receive for their goods and services rose in March, defying a long stretch of subdued inflation across the U.S. economy, according to the Wall Street Journal. The producer price index for final demand, which measures changes in prices for everything from food and machinery to warehousing and transportation services, rose a seasonally adjusted 0.5% from February, the Labor Department reported on April 11. The index rose 0.6%, excluding the volatile categories of food and energy.

Economists surveyed by the Wall Street Journal had expected the index to rise a more modest 0.1%, and predicted a 0.2% increase excluding food and energy. The index fell 0.1% in February, unchanged from the Labor Department’s initial estimate. The PPI for final demand was up 1.4% in March from a year earlier! , the biggest year-over-year increase since last August.

The PPI measures the prices businesses receive from buyers such as governments, consumers and other businesses. The Labor Department overhauled the report this year to measure a much broader swath of the U.S. economy.

Hot Railroad Companies To Own For 2015: SEACOR Holdings Inc (CKH)

SEACOR Holdings Inc, incorporated on November 7, 1989, is a global provider of equipment and services primarily supporting the offshore oil and gas and marine transportation industries. The Company offers customers a diversified suite of services, including offshore marine, aviation, inland river, marine transportation, crisis and emergency management preparedness and response solutions, commodity trading and logistics and offshore and harbor towing. On March 19, 2012, J.F. Lehman & Company acquired National Response Corporation and its affiliated businesses NRC Environmental Services, SEACOR Response, and SEACOR Environmental Products (collectively NRC) from the Company. In January 2013, the Company sold its energy trading division, SEACOR Energy Inc. to Par Petroleum Corporation. On January 31, 2013, it completed the spin off its Era Group Inc unit (Era).

Offshore Marine Services

The Company�� Marine operates a diversified fleet of vessels, servicing the offshore oil and gas exploration, development, and production industry worldwide.The Company�� marine provides its customers with the assembly of offshore vessel services in the global offshore oil and gas industry, including transport of personnel, platform supply, offshore accommodation, intervention, maintenance and repair support, standby safety services, anchor handling and mooring services, wind farm support, lift boat services, offshore construction support, well enhancement support, and lightering services.

Aviation Services

The Company�� aviation services subsidiary, Era Group (Era), is the helicopter operators globally. ra supports the oil and gas industry in the United States Gulf of Mexico, Alaska, and internationally. Era provides air medical services, firefighting support, flightseeing tours in Alaska, and Search and Rescue and Emergency Medical Services. Era's affiliate, Era Training Center, offers flight training services. Era also markets and distributes specialty helicopter! equipment and accessories.

Inland River Services

The Company�� Inland River Services group owns and operates modern river transportation equipment; owns covered and open hopper barges, 10,000 and 30,000 barrel tank barges, deck barges, inland river towboats and smaller harbor boats; and provides ancillary services along the United States Inland River Waterways and the Parana-Paraguay and the Magdalena River Systems in South America. SCF Marine operates a fleet of hopper barges along the United States Inland River Waterways and South America, transporting agricultural, industrial, and project cargoes. The liquid division, Supercritical Fluid (SCF) Liquids, is a integrated towboat and tank barge company, specializing in the transportation of chemical, clean, and dirty products. Gateway Terminals is among the newest ethanol and petroleum storage terminals on the Mississippi River, with a capacity of 400,000 barrels and the ability to receive and transfer products by barge, unit train, and truck.

Marine Transportation Services

The Company�� ocean shipping and harbor towing subsidiary, SEACOR Ocean Transport, is an owner and operator of equipment engaged in oil transportation, bunkering, harbor towing, Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminal support, short sea shipping and logistics, and third-party ship management services. Through all aspects of its operations, SEACOR Ocean Transport focuses to provide its customers with marine transportation solutions.

Commodity Trading and Logistics

The Company�� Commodity Trading and Logistics group specializes in the purchase, storage, transportation, and sale of agricultural and energy commodities, which include renewable fuels, blendstocks, sugar, rice, and salt. The Agricultural group is primarily focused on the global sourcing and logistics of sugar, rice, salt, and other dry bulk products. The Energy group is primarily focused on the domestic trading and transportation of physical e! thanol an! d clean blendstocks.

Harbor and Offshore Towing Services

The Company�� ocean shipping and harbor towing subsidiary, SEACOR Ocean Transport, is an operator of equipment engaged in oil transportation, bunkering, harbor towing, LNG terminal support, short sea shipping and logistics, and third-party ship management services. The harbor towing services group, Seabulk Towing, is a tugboat operator with operations along the Gulf Coast and Southeastern seaboard port system from Cape Canaveral, Florida, to Port Arthur, Texas. Seabulk Island Transport owns and operates four ocean tugs and five ocean liquid tank barges.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Seth Jayson]

    Margins matter. The more Seacor Holdings (NYSE: CKH  ) keeps of each buck it earns in revenue, the more money it has to invest in growth, fund new strategic plans, or (gasp!) distribute to shareholders. Healthy margins often separate pretenders from the best stocks in the market. That's why we check up on margins at least once a quarter in this series. I'm looking for the absolute numbers, so I can compare them to current and potential competitors, and any trend that may tell me how strong Seacor Holdings's competitive position could be.

  • [By Traders Reserve]

    For investors who want a piece of this developing trend, Transocean and Seadrill are two of the bigger players in this arena. Other offshore drillers/rig operators are Noble (NE) and Ensco (ESV). Companies that provide services to offshore drillers and benefit from increases in exploration and drilling activity are Gulfmark Offshore (GLF), Hornbeck (HOS), Seacor (CKH) and Tidewater (TDW).

Top Transportation Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Phillips 66 Partners LP (PSXP)

Phillips 66 Partners LP, incorporated on February 20, 2013, owns, operates, develops and acquires primarily fee-based crude oil, refined petroleum product and natural gas liquids (NGL) pipelines and terminals and other transportation and midstream assets. The Company�� initial assets consist of the three systems, which include Clifton Ridge crude system, Sweeny to Pasadena products system and Hartford Connector products system. A refined petroleum product pipeline, terminal and storage system extending from Phillips 66�� Sweeny refinery in Old Ocean, Texas, to its refined petroleum product terminal in Pasadena, Texas, and ultimately connecting to the Explorer and Colonial refined petroleum product pipeline systems and other third-party pipeline and terminal systems.

A crude oil pipeline, terminal and storage system located in Sulphur, Louisiana, that is the primary source for delivery of crude oil to Phillips 66�� Lake Charles refinery. A refined petroleum product pipeline, terminal and storage system located in Hartford, Illinois, that distributes diesel and gasoline produced at the Wood River refinery (a refinery owned by a joint venture between Phillips 66 and Cenovus Energy Inc.) to third-party pipeline and terminal systems, including the Explorer refined petroleum product pipeline system.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Robert Rapier]

    MLPs have been on a tear lately, and one of the hottest of them all has been Phillips 66 Partners (NYSE: PSXP). The partnership is comprised of midstream assets dropped down from its sponsor, the refiner Phillips 66 (NYSE: PSX).

  • [By Aimee Duffy]

    More to come
    In addition to earnings season, two new midstream MLPs joined the fray this week, as Phillips 66 Partners (NYSE: PSXP  ) and Marlin Midstream Partners�both held initial public offerings. Phillips 66 Partners had the market really moving on Tuesday, climbing more than 29% on its first day of trading. Marlin Midstream was more or less a dud, falling 2.5% when it made its debut on Friday.

Top Transportation Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Tallgrass Energy Partners LP (TEP)

Tallgrass Energy Partners, LP incorporated on February 6, 2013, is a limited partnership company. It provides natural gas transportation and storage services for customers in the Rocky Mountain and Midwest regions of the United States through its Tallgrass Interstate Gas transportation system and processing services for customers in Wyoming through its Midstream Facilities. The Company operates in two segments: Gas Transportation and Storage and Processing. The Gas Transportation and Storage segment is engaged in ownership and operation of interstate natural gas pipelines and related natural gas storage facilities that provide services to third-party natural gas distribution utilities and other shippers. The Processing segment is engaged in ownership and operation of natural gas processing and treating facilities that produce natural gas liquids and residue gas that is sold in local wholesale markets or delivered into pipelines for transportation to additional end markets.

The Company provides processing services for customers in Wyoming through its Casper and Douglas natural gas processing and West Frenchie Draw natural gas treating facilities. The Casper and Douglas plants have combined capacity of 138.5 138.5 MMcf/d. The Company has its operations in Lakewood, Colarado. The Company owns and natural gas processing plants in Casper and Douglas, Wyoming and a natural gas treating facility at West Frenchie Draw, Wyoming through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Tallgrass Midstream, LLC.

The Company competes with Kinder Morgan and Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline, Inc.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Aimee Duffy]

    Tallgrass Energy Partners (NYSE: TEP  ) followed closely behind, going public on May 14. This midstream company picked up some of Kinder Morgan Energy Partners'�western-based natural gas assets when KMP was forced to divest them to receive the Department of Justice's blessing on the El Paso acquisition.

  • [By Robert Rapier]

    Tallgrass Energy Partners (NYSE: TEP) is a midstream limited partnership that provides natural gas transportation and storage services in the Rocky Mountain and Midwest regions of the US. The partnership launched on May 13, 2013 and in late June increased EBITDA guidance above analysts’ expectations, causing units to climb nearly 21 percent by year-end. In December TEP reiterated guidance for 1.2x distribution coverage for the entire year. The partnership recently declared a distribution of $0.3150 per unit for the fourth quarter of 2013 – a 5.9 percent increase from the Q3 2013 distribution. TEP’s annualized yield based on the most recent distribution is 4.8 percent, its current EV is $1.28 billion and its total debt/equity (mrq) is 30.5 percent.

  • [By Robert Rapier] There were a half a dozen initial public offerings (IPOs) by master limited partnerships in the first half of the year, and all but one are now in the green while one has nearly doubled in value.

    The first MLP IPO of 2013 debuted on Jan. 15. USA Compression Partners (NYSE: USAC), which I mentioned in last week’s issue, provides compression services for the oil and gas industry. Units have advanced 36 percent since the IPO, and at the current price yield 7.3 percent.

    The day after the USA Compression Partners IPO, CVR Refining (NYSE: CVRR) made its debut.  CVRR was spun off from CVR Energy (NYSE: CVI), and both companies remain majority-owned by Carl Icahn. CVR Refining’s primary assets are two refineries located in Kansas and Oklahoma with a combined processing capacity of approximately 185,000 barrels per day (bpd). These refineries are strategically located near the major Cushing, Oklahoma shipment and storage hub, with easy access to discounted feedstock from the nearby Permian basin, as well as the Bakken shale and Canadian oil sands.

    But refiners have struggled with diminished margins in 2013 because of a much lower Brent-WTI differential. After the recently concluded second quarter, CVRR declared a distribution of $1.35 per unit, bringing its per-unit distributions for the first half of the year to $2.93. At the same time, CVR Refining lowered its annual distribution target to a range of $4.10 to $4.80 per unit. This was lower than the outlook issued in March, when it foresaw annual distributions of $5.50 to $6.50. CVRR units slid on the news, and are presently trading slightly below the $25 IPO price. The lower end of the revised forecast implies distributions of $1.17 per unit in the second half of the year, for a forward annualized yield of 10 percent based on the recent $23.50 unit price.

    SunCoke Energy Partners (NYSE: SXCP) was the third IPO to debut during a very busy third week of January. SXCP is the first M

Top Transportation Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Costamare Inc (CMRE)

Costamare Inc. (Costamare), incorporated on April 21, 2008, is an international owner of containerships, chartering the Company�� vessels to liner companies. As of February 22, 2013, it had a fleet of 57 containerships aggregating approximately 332,000 twenty feet equivalent unit (TEU). During the year ended December 31, 2012, its fleet consisted of 47 vessels in the water, aggregating approximately 242,000 TEU. The Company�� containerships operate primarily under multi-year time charters.

As of February 22, 2013, the average (weighted by TEU capacity) remaining time-charter duration for its fleet of 57 containerships was 5.1 years. During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company�� vessels were managed by at least one of Costamare Shipping, CIEL and Shanghai Costamare. The Company�� customers include international liner companies, including A.P. Moller-Maersk, COSCO, Evergreen Marine, Hapag Lloyd, HMM, MSC and ZIM.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Jonas Elmerraji]

    Thinks aren't looking quite so auspicious for shares of small-cap Greek shipping stock Costamare (CMRE). Greek equities enjoyed some buoyancy this year, the result of getting oversold due to headline risk during the economic crisis in the Eurozone. But this stock's down days don't look behind it yet.

    That's because Costamare is currently forming the bearish opposite of the bullish pattern in NTT: a descending triangle. CMRE's setup is formed by downtrending resistance above shares and horizontal support down at $16.75 that shares are getting pushed down into. A move through $16.75 is the signal to sell this stock.

    Whenever you're looking at any technical price pattern, it's critical to think in terms of buyers and sellers. Triangles, rectangles, and other price pattern names are a good quick way to explain what's going on in this stock, but they're not the reason it's tradable. Instead, it all comes down to supply and demand for shares.

    That support line at $16.75 is a price where there's an excess of demand of shares; in other words, it's a place where buyers have been more eager to jump in and buy at lower levels than sellers have been to unload them. That's what makes the move below it so significant -- a breakdown indicates that sellers are finally strong enough to absorb all of the excess demand below that price level. Wait for that signal to happen before you bet against CMRE.

  • [By Rich Duprey]

    Containership owner and provider�Costamare (NYSE: CMRE  ) announced yesterday its second-quarter dividend of $0.27 per share, the same rate it's paid since late 2011.

  • [By Seth Jayson]

    Costamare (NYSE: CMRE  ) reported earnings on July 24. Here are the numbers you need to know.

    The 10-second takeaway
    For the quarter ended June 30 (Q2), Costamare missed estimates on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

Friday, June 27, 2014

Top 10 Medical Stocks To Watch Right Now

Although we don't believe in timing the market or panicking over market movements, we do like to keep an eye on big changes -- just in case they're material to our investing thesis.

What: Shares of ICU Medical (NASDAQ: ICUI  ) �-- a medical device maker in the fields of infusion therapy, oncology, and critical care -- soared as much as 17% on a report that the company could be exploring a sale.

So what: According to a Bloomberg News report that cites people familiar with the matter, ICU Medical has employed JPMorgan Chase�to help it explore a sale that could yield a buy price of greater than $1 billion. As you might expect, neither ICU Medical nor JPMorgan Chase could be reached for comment.

Now what: Almost two years ago to the day that I included ICU Medical as one of my 10 small caps to rule them all because of its history of consistent growth, the opportunity that an aging population would present in terms of future growth, its large cash pile, and the potential that it may attract a buyer. Thus far that prognostication has been spot on with the share price having doubled and rumors swirling that it may indeed be looking to be purchased. This is a win-win for shareholders either way, because they either get the immediate pop of a buyout, or -- as I predicted -- ICU will continue higher over the long run as an aging population requires greater medical device usage.

Top 5 Cheap Stocks To Buy For 2015: Haemonetics Corp (HAE)

Haemonetics Corporation, incorporated on August 29, 1985, is a healthcare company engaged in providing blood management solutions to its customers. The Company�� portfolio of integrated devices, information management and consulting services offers blood management solutions for each facet of the blood supply chain, helping improve clinical outcomes and reduce costs for blood and plasma collectors, hospitals, and patients around the world.The Company serves three markets: manufacturers of plasma derived pharmaceuticals, blood collectors and hospitals. Plasma includes plasma collection devices and consumables. Blood Center includes blood collection and processing devices and consumables. Hospital includes surgical blood salvage and blood demand diagnostic devices and consumables. Software Solutions includes information technology platforms and consulting services provided to all three markets. On April 30, 2013, the Company acquired of certain assets of Hemerus LLC.

The Company helps its customers create and maintain a safe and efficient blood supply chain. Specifically, it develops and markets a wide range of systems used with plasma and blood donors that collect and process blood into its components using both manual and automated methods. It also develops and markets a variety of systems to hospitals that automate the cleaning and reinfusion of a surgical patient's blood during surgery, automate the tracking and distribution of blood in the hospital, and enhance blood diagnostics. The Company sells information technology platforms to promote efficient and compliant operations for all of its customer groups. The Company provides consulting services to reduce costs and improve operating efficiencies in blood management. . Its products and services help prevent a transfusion to a patient who does not need one and provide the right blood product, at the right time, in the right dose to the patient who does.

Plasma

Human plasma is collected and processed by bio-ph! armaceutical companies into therapeutic and diagnostic products that aid in the treatment of immune diseases and coagulation disorders. While plasma is also used to aid patients with extreme blood loss, such as trauma victims, this portion of its business solely focuses on plasma's pharmaceutical uses. Automated plasma collection technology allows for the safe and efficient collection of plasma. The Company manufactures and market plasma collection devices and respective disposables, but do not make plasma-derived pharmaceuticals.

The Company�� portfolio of products and services is designed to support multiple facets of plasma collector operations. The Company with its PCS brand automated plasma collection technology, more plasma can be collected during any one donation event because the other blood components are returned to the donor through the sterile disposable sets used for the plasma donation procedure. The Company offers one stop shopping to its plasma collection customers, enabling them to source from them the full range of products necessary for plasma collection and storage, including PCS brand plasma collection equipment and consumables, plasma collection containers, and intravenous solutions. It also offers a robust portfolio of integrated information technology platforms for plasma customers to manage their donors, operations, and supply chain. Its products automate the donor interview and qualification process; streamline the workflow process in the plasma center; provide the controls necessary to evaluate donor suitability; determine the ability to release units collected; and manage unit distribution.

Blood Center

The Company offers automated blood component and manual whole blood collection systems to blood collection centers to collect blood products.The Company markets the MCS (Multicomponent Collection System) brand apheresis equipment which is designed to collect specific blood components integrated from the donor. Utilizing t! he MCS au! tomated platelet collection protocols, blood centers collect one or more therapeutic doses of platelets during a single donation by a volunteer blood donor. The MCS two-unit protocol or double red cell collection device helps blood collectors optimize the collection of red cells by automating the blood separation function, eliminating the need for laboratory processing, and enabling the collection of two units of red cells from a single donor thus maximizing the amount of red cells collected per eligible donor and helping to mitigate red cell shortages in countries where this problem exists. Blood collectors can also use the MCS system to collect one unit of red cells and a jumbo (double) unit of plasma, or one unit of red cells and one unit of platelets from a single donor. The MCS plasma protocol providing the possibility to collect 600-800ml of plasma for transfusion to patients or for pharmaceutical industry use completes the comprehensive portfolio of different blood component collection options on this device.

The Company offers a portfolio of products for manual whole blood collection and processing. Haemonetics' portfolio of disposable whole blood collection and component storage sets offer flexibility in collecting a unit of whole blood and the subsequent production and storage of the red blood cell, platelet, and/or plasma products, including options for in-line or dockable filters for leukoreduction of any blood component. In addition Acrodose product line provides a closed system for the pooling, storage, and bacteria testing of leukoreduced whole blood derived platelet concentrates, an Acrodose Platelet, that is transfusion ready for the hospital. Use of Acrodose platelets lowers hospital handling costs by eliminating the need for pooling and bacteria testing at the hospital.

The Company with ACP(Automated Cell Processor) brand offers a small bench-top solution to automate the washing and freezing of red cell components in the lab. The automated red cell was! hing proc! edure removes plasma proteins within the red cell units to provide a safer product for transfusion to frequently transfused patients, neonates, or patients with a history of transfusion reactions. The automated glycerolization and deglycerolization steps are required to prepare red cells for frozen storage. Freezing the red cell units can expand the shelf life of these products up to 10 years. Customers utilize this technology to implement strategic red cell inventories for catastrophe cases, storage of rare blood types, or enhanced inventory management.

Hospital

The Company offers a range of blood management solutions that significantly improve a hospital's systems for acquiring blood, storing it in the hospital, and dispensing it efficiently and correctly. Its products and integrated solution platforms help hospitals optimize performance of blood acquisition, storage, and distribution.The Company�� TEG Thrombelastograph Hemostasis Analyzer system is a blood diagnostic instrument that measures a patient's hemostasis or the ability to form and maintain blood clots.

The Cell Saver system is a surgical blood salvage system targeted to procedures that involve rapid, high-volume blood loss, such as cardiovascular surgeries. It has become the standard of care for high blood-loss surgeries. During the year ended December 31,2012, the Company launched the Cell Saver Elite system, which is autotransfusion option to minimize allogeneic blood use for surgeries with medium to high blood loss. The OrthoPAT surgical blood salvage system is targeted to procedures, such as orthopedic, that involve slower, lower volume blood loss that often occurs well after surgery. The cardioPAT system is a surgical blood salvage system targeted to open heart surgeries when there is less blood loss during surgery, but where the blood loss continues post-surgery. These systems are designed to remain with the patient following surgery, to recover blood and produce a washed red cell produ! ct for au! totransfusion. Their Quick-Connect feature permits customers to utilize the blood processing set selectively, depending on the patient's need.

The Company�� IMPACT Online Web-based software platform, which monitors and measures improvements in a hospital�� blood management practices, provides hospitals with a baseline view of their blood management metrics and helps monitor transfusion rates. Business consulting solutions are offered to support process and blood management efforts. It also provides blood management assessment tools to hospitals that enables its customers to monitor their progress in order to continually improve their blood management performance.

Software Solutions

The Companby has a suite of integrated software solutions for improving efficiencies and helping ensure donor and patient safety. This includes solutions for blood drive planning, donor recruitment and retention, blood collection, component manufacturing and distribution, transfusion management, and remote blood allocation. For its plasma customers, it also provides information technology platforms for managing donors and information associated with the collection of plasma products within fractionation facilities.

The Company�� software solutions , including information technology platforms and consulting services can be combined with its devices and sold through its plasma, blood center, and hospital sales forces. The Company�� software products help hospitals track and safely deliver stored blood products. SafeTrace Tx is its software solution that helps manage blood product inventory, perform patient cross-matching, and manage transfusions. In addition, its BloodTrack suite of solutions manages tracking and control of blood products from the hospital blood center through to transfusion to the patient. Smart refrigerators located in or near operating suites, emergency rooms, and other parts of the hospital dispense blood units with secure control and autom! ated trac! eability for efficient documentation. With its offerings, hospitals are better able to manage processes across the blood supply chain and identify increased opportunities to reduce costs and enhance processes. Its software solutions, such as its SafeTrace and El Dorado Donor donation and blood unit management systems, span blood center operations and automate and track operations from the recruitment of the blood donor to the disposition of the blood product. Its Hemasphere software solution provides support for more efficient blood drive planning, and Donor Doc and e-Donor software help to improve recruitment and retention.

The Company competes with Fenwal, Inc., Terumo BCT ,Caridian BCT, Rotem, MAK Systems, Mediware, MacoPharma , Medtronic, Fresenius, Sunquest Information Systems and Sorin Biomedica.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Holly LaFon]

    Haemonetics (HAE) is the market leader in blood management products for collection centers and hospitals. The company's equipment and related consumables allow collection centers to separate blood into the components of plasma, red cells and white cells. Hospital-based products include blood diagnostics, devices to salvage patient blood during surgery and software to manage blood supply. Earnings temporarily declined due to two product quality issues that management of Haemonetics has stated have been remedied. In our opinion, earnings growth may be expected to accelerate in the next few years as Haemonetics rolls out its automated whole blood collection solution to collection centers. Relative to the existing manual process, the company's automated solution speeds up the collection process and reduces discard rates. Cost and efficiency gains become more important to collection centers as hospitals better manage their blood supply. We believe the company is a compelling value at 12x our $3.50 estimate of earnings power.

Top 10 Medical Stocks To Watch Right Now: Durata Therapeutics Inc (DRTX)

Durata Therapeutics, Inc., incorporated on November 4, 2009, is a pharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of therapeutics for patients with infectious diseases and acute illnesses. The Company enroll and dose patients in two global Phase III clinical trials with its product candidate, dalbavancin, for the treatment of patients with acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (abSSSI). Dalbavancin is an intravenous antibiotic product candidate designed for once-weekly dosing. In addition to abSSSI, the Company focuses on the development of dalbavancin for additional indications, including osteomyelitis, diabetic foot infection and pneumonia.

As of December 31, 2011, Dalbavancin had already completed three Phase III clinical trials, in which more than 1,000 patients in total received dalbavancin. Dalbavancin achieved its primary efficacy endpoint of non-inferiority in each of these three completed Phase III clinical trials when compared to linezolid, cefazolin or vancomycin, three of the standard-of-care agents for uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections (uSSSI), and complicated skin and skin structure infections (cSSSI). Its two ongoing Phase III clinical trials are designed to compare dalbavancin to vancomycin, with an option to switch to oral linezolid, under the new FDA draft guidance.

The Company competes with Pfizer, Cubist Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Theravance, Inc., Forest Laboratories, Inc., Sanofi-Aventis Ltd., The Medicines Company, Trius Therapeutics, Inc., Cempra, Inc., Rib-X Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Paratek Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Nabriva Therapeutics AG, Tetraphase Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Furiex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Bob's Stocks]

    Durata Therapeutics (DRTX) is developing Dalbavancin, a once a week, intravenous antibiotic product candidate, for the treatment of patients with acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections, or ABSSSI. The company is expected to file a NDA (New Drug Application) at any moment and MAA (Marketing Authorization Application) at the end of 2013.

  • [By Lisa Levin]

    Durata Therapeutics (NASDAQ: DRTX) shares climbed 5.30% to $14.18. The volume of Durata Therapeutics shares traded was 861% higher than normal. The FDA Advisory Committee unanimously recommended the approval of Durata's Dalvance.

Top 10 Medical Stocks To Watch Right Now: CareFusion Corp (CFN)

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

Medical Systems Segment

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

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

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

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

Procedural Solutions Segment

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

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

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

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Anna Prior]

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

Top 10 Medical Stocks To Watch Right Now: Elite Pharmaceuticals Inc (ELTP)

Elite Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Elite), incorporated on October 1, 1997, is a specialty pharmaceutical company principally engaged in the development and manufactures of oral, controlled-release products, using technology and the development and manufacture of generic pharmaceuticals. Elite has four products: Phentermine 37.5 milligram tablets, Methadone 10 milligram tablets, Lodrane D Immediate Release capsules and Hydromorphone Hydrochloride 8 milligram tablets. During the fiscal years ended March 31, 2012 (Fiscal 2011), the Company manufactured and sold Lodrane 24 and Lodrane 24D (the Lodrane Extended Release Products).

The Company has a pipeline of additional generic drug candidates under active development, including, without limitation, ELI-154, a once-a-day oxycodone product and ELI-216, an abuse resistant oxycodone product which utilizes the Company�� propriety formulation for abuse resistant products utilizing the pharmacological approach (Elite�� Abuse Resistant Technology). ECR Pharmaceuticals (ECR), a wholly owned subsidiary of Hi-Tech Pharmacal, Inc. and the owner and marketer of the Lodrane Extended Release Products. Elite also purchased from Mikah Pharma LLC, an approved Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) for Naltrexone 50 milligram tablets.

For ELI-154, Elite has developed a once-daily oxycodone formulation using its technology. An investigational new drug application (IND) has been filed and Elite has completed two pharmacokinetic studies in healthy subjects that compared blood levels of oxycodone from dosing ELI-154 and the twice-a-day product that is on the market, OxyContin marketed in the United States by Purdue Pharma LP. ELI-216 utilizes the Company's abuse-deterrent technology that is based on a pharmacological approach. ELI-216 is a combination of a narcotic agonist, oxycodone hydrochloride, in a sustained-release formulation intended for use in patients with moderate to severe chronic pain, and an antagonist, naltrexone hydrochloride, formulat! ed to deter abuse of the drug. Products utilizing the pharmacological approach to deter abuse such as Suboxone, a product marketed in the United States by Reckitt Benckiser Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and Embeda, a product marketed in the United States by Pfizer, have been approved by the United States Food & Drug Administration (FDA). ELI-216 demonstrates a euphoria-blocking effect when the product is crushed. Elite has developed ELI-154 and ELI-216 and retains the rights to these products.

The Company competes with Collegium Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Purdue Pharma LP, Acura Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Durect Corporation, Mylan Laboratories, Inc., Par Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Alkermes, Inc., Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd., Aptalis Pharma, Impax Laboratories, Inc., and Watson Pharmaceuticals.

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

    Exactly one month ago today I penned some bullish thoughts on Elite Pharmaceuticals Inc. (OTCBB:ELTP). If you're familiar with the company - or a regular reader of this site - then you may know why that sounds a little "off." See, at the time, ELTP shares were falling rather quickly, giving up all the gains they had made just a few days before. Almost needless to say, my premise was not a well received one. Let's just say I received some "colorful disagreements" by being optimistic about the biopharma company.

  • [By CRWE]

    Today, ELTP has shed (-8.01%) down -0.009 at $.101 with 4,629,899 shares in play thus far (ref. google finance Delayed: 1:00PM EDT September 16, 2013).

    Elite Pharmaceuticals, Inc. previously reported the first quarter of fiscal year 2014 ended June 30, 2013. Manufacturing and profit split revenues comprised almost all of Elite’s quarterly revenues and totaled $717k for the quarter, an increase of 41% from the prior year. This growth is attributed to the launch of two new products during the quarter, Phentermine 15mg and 30mg capsules, combined with strong year-on-year growth of the Elite’s Hydromorphone 8mg tablets and contract manufactured Methadone 10mg product lines.

  • [By James E. Brumley]

    Judging from the company it's keeping Green Automotive Co. (OTCMKTS:GACR) may have just made its way into the upper echelon of small cap stock opportunities. The electric car company joins Elite Pharmaceuticals Inc. (OTCBB:ELTP), Amarantus Bioscience Holdings, Inc. (OTCBB:AMBS), and only three other companies as Wall-Street.com's "Best 6 Stocks" for January of 2014. As one of the top information resources for investors - particularly in terms of information regarding small and micro cap stocks - being named among the site's top pick is an accolade for AMBS, ELTP, and GACR. Even more impressive is that Green Automotive Co. was the only consumer-goods name among those six. Amarantus Bioscience Holdings and Elite Pharmaceuticals are biotechnology names... an industry that can and often does attract a lot of attention just by the nature of the business. The other three names making the "Best 6" list were an energy explorer, a power-management technology manufacturer, and prescription/medical food producer. For an electric car manufacturer to make the list speaks quite highly of GACR.

Top 10 Medical Stocks To Watch Right Now: TESARO Inc (TSRO)

TESARO, Inc. (TESARO), incorporated in March 2010, is a development-stage, oncology-focused biopharmaceutical company for cancer patients. The Company focuses on rolapitant and TSR-011 product. The Company�� marketed products and product candidates in development treat cancer through non-specific damage to cellular components or alter cell metabolism or internal repair mechanisms to the demise of cancer cells.

Rolapitant

Rolapitant is a potent and long-acting neurokinin-1, or NK-1, receptor antagonist is in Phase III clinical trials for the prevention of chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). It is in Phase III clinical trials. CINV, if not prevented by prophylaxis, has the potential to afflict up to 90% or more of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, depending upon the type of chemotherapy administered the dosing schedule of the chemotherapy, and the patients' age and gender, among other predisposing factors. Prolonged nausea and vomiting may result in unwanted weight loss, dehydration and malnutrition, as well as hospitalization. The Company has in-licensed the rights to rolapitant from OPKO Health, Inc.

TSR-011

TSR-011 is an orally available ALK inhibitor in preclinical development. ALK is known to be involved in certain types of cancers, including subsets of NSCLC, neuroblastoma and lymphoma. For patients in these subsets, the ALK gene is fused to an activating partner or contains point mutations, resulting in constitutive activation of ALK and the growth of cancer cells and tumor development. Inhibition of ALK in these cancer cells results in cell death and tumor growth inhibition or regression. In August 2011, the United States Food and Drug Administration approved the first ALK inhibitor, developed by Pfizer Inc., Xalkori (crizotinib), which was approved for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC that are ALK positive.

The Company competes with GlaxoSmithKline plc, Roche Holding Ltd! . and Sanofi S.A.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Ben Levisohn]

    Werber and Eckhard’s favorites include Gilead (GILD) and Celgene (CELG), and they find the “risk/reward…compelling” in Medivation (MDVN) and Tesaro (TSRO).

  • [By Jake L'Ecuyer]

    Equities Trading UP
    Tesaro (NASDAQ: TSRO) shares shot up 18.28 percent to $28.40 after the company reported successful primary and secondary endpoints in final Phase 3 trial for rolapitant.

  • [By Keith Speights]

    Positive response
    Clovis wasn't the only company to bring good news about an ovarian cancer drug to ASCO. TESARO� (NASDAQ: TSRO  ) announced phase 1 results for�niraparib. Shares of the biotech jumped 16% for the week.

  • [By Brian Pacampara]

    Based on the aggregated intelligence of 180,000-plus investors participating in Motley Fool CAPS, the Fool's free investing community, biopharmaceutical company TESARO (NASDAQ: TSRO  ) has received the dreaded one-star ranking.

Top 10 Medical Stocks To Watch Right Now: Opt-Sciences Corp (OPST)

Opt-Sciences Corporation, incorporated on November 1956, conducts its business through its wholly owned subsidiary, O and S Research, Inc. The Company deposits anti-glare and/or transparent conductive optical coatings on glass used primarily to cover instrument panels in aircraft cockpits. It also provides full glass cutting, grinding and painting operations, which augment its optical coating capabilities. Its products are designed to enable pilots to read aircraft instruments in direct sunlight or at night or in covert situations using appropriate night vision filters or to protect the instruments from electromagnetic interference. The Company�� business is dependent on a robust commercial, business, and regional aircraft market and to a lesser degree the military aircraft market. It generally has a four to twelve week delivery cycle depending on product complexity, available plant capacity and required lead time for specialty raw materials, such as polarizers or filter glass.

The Company�� offers incorporate an optical coating of some type. Its primary coatings are for aircraft cockpit display applications and consist of its anti-reflection coating used for glare reduction and its transparent conductive coating used for electromagnetic interference shielding. In addition, it also offers a full range of other specialty instrument glass, including night vision filter glass, circular polarizers, touchpads, glass sandwiches for liquid crystal displays (LCDs) as well as other custom designed specialty glass components and assemblies. It uses its technology to apply a micro thin optical non-glare and/or conductive coating to the glass. Both processes utilize the deposit of a thin film of metal or metal oxide on the surface of the glass. The process takes place in a heated vacuum chamber. It heats the deposited material to over 1800 degrees Centigrade causing it to evaporate.

The Company competes with JDSU, Mod A Can, Dontech, Schott Glass and Hoya Optics

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Geoff Gannon] ng>Micropac

    Micropac is 76% owned by Heinz-Werner Hempel. He�� a German businessman. You can see the German company he founded here. He�� had control of Micropac for a long-time. I don�� have an exact number in front of me. But I would guess it�� been something like 25 years.

    ADDvantage

    ADDvantage Technologies is controlled by the Chymiak brothers. See the company�� April 4 press release explaining their decision to turn over the CEO position to an outsider. Regardless, the Chymiaks still control 47% of the company. Ken Chymiak is now chairman. And David Chymiak is still a director and now the company�� chief technology officer. Clearly, it�� still their company.

    By the way, the name ADDvantage Technologies has nothing to do with the Chymiaks. Today�� AEY really traces its roots to a private company called Tulsat. The Chymiak brothers acquired that company about 27 years ago. So, effectively, when you buy shares of AEY you are buying into a 27-year-old family-controlled company.

    That�� pretty typical in the world of net-nets.

    Solitron

    Solitron Devices is 29% owned by Shevach Saraf. He has been the CEO for 20 years. The post-bankruptcy Solitron has never known another CEO. Before the bankruptcy, Solitron was a much bigger, much different company. So even though we are not talking about the founder here ��and even though 70% of the company�� shares are not held by the CEO ��we��e still talking about a company where one person has a lot of control. Solitron only has three directors. Saraf is the chairman, CEO, president, CFO and treasurer. Neither of the other two directors joined the board within the last 15 years. So, we aren�� talking about a lot of tumult at the top.

    In fact, profitable net-nets seem to be especially common candidates for abandoning the responsibilities of a public company without actually getting taken private.

    OPT-Sciences

    This company is controlled by Arthu

Top 10 Medical Stocks To Watch Right Now: Taro Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd (TARO)

Taro Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., incorporated in 1959, is a science-based pharmaceutical company. The Company develops manufactures, and markets prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) pharmaceutical products, primarily in the United States, Canada and Israel. The Company also develops and manufactures active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), primarily for use in its finished dosage form products. The Company�� primary areas of focus include pediatric creams and ointments, liquids, capsules and tablets, mainly in the dermatological and topical, cardiovascular, neuropsychiatric and anti-inflammatory therapeutic categories. The Company operates through three companies: Taro Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (Taro Israel), and two of its subsidiaries (including indirect), Taro Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Taro Canada) and Taro U.S.A. The Company markets more than 180 pharmaceutical products in over 25 countries.

Taro Israel manufactures more than 160 finished dosage form pharmaceutical products for sale in Israel and for export. It produces APIs used in the manufacture of finished dosage form pharmaceutical products. It markets and distributes generic products in the local Israeli market. Taro Israel�� primary product lines include dermatology, prescription and OTC semi-solid products (creams, ointments and gels) and liquids; cardiology and neurology, prescription oral dosage products; oral analgesics, both prescription and OTC, and OTC oral and nasal sprays and ophthalmic products.

Taro Canada manufactures more than 70 finished dosage form pharmaceutical products for sale in Canada and for export. It markets and distributes generic products in the local Canadian market. Its product line includes dermatology: prescription and OTC semi-solid products (creams, ointments and gels) and liquids, cardiology, oncology, gastrointestinal and neurology: prescription oral and injects able dosage products, and allergy (antihistamine): OTC oral dosage products.

Taro U.S.A markets! and distributes generic products in the United States market. Its primary product lines include dermatology: prescription and OTC semi-solid products (creams, ointments and gels) and liquids, cardiology and neurology: prescription oral dosage products, and other prescription and OTC products.

The Company competes with Bristol-Myers Squibb, GlaxoSmithKline, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer/Wyeth, Valeant, Galderma, Merck/Schering-Plough, Teva Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Mylan Laboratories, Perrigo Company, Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals Inc., Sandoz Pharmaceuticals, Merck Canada Inc., Pfizer Canada Inc., Janssen Inc., Schering-Plough Canada, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc., GlaxoSmithKline Inc., Bayer Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb Canada, Apotex Inc., Teva Canada Limited, Mylan Pharmaceuticals ULC, Sandoz Canada Incorporated, Pharmascience Inc., Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Perrigo Israel Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Dexxon Ltd., Rafa Laboratories Ltd., Bayer AG, Eli Lilly and Company, Merck & Co., Inc. and Pfizer Inc.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Ben Levisohn]

    Teva has dropped 7.7% to $37.85 today at 3:23 p.m. but doesn’t seem to be spreading though the generic drug space. Taro Pharmaceuticals (TARO) ha gained 1.1% to $79, while Actavis (ACT) has gained 1.2% to $156.25 and Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories (RDY) has advanced 1% to $40.24. Mylan (MYL) has dropped 0.7% to $38.40.

Top 10 Oil Service Stocks To Watch Right Now

Weatherford International (NYSE: WFT  ) is going through an identity crisis of sorts that I'm surprised hasn't raised some legal red flags or caused more concern on Wall Street. The company maintains its main operational office in Houston, was formerly legally based in Bermuda, moved to Switzerland in 2009, and now seeks the greener pastures of Ireland to operate at lower costs and further attract top talent. What's going on here? Is Weatherford gaming the system, or�is it�possibly hiding something? One thing's for sure, this is perfectly legal but something sure doesn't smell right since tax shelters are increasingly being vilified in political circles here in the�United States. Ireland has also been under pressure to make�its tax structures harder to abuse by multinational corporations.�

The oil services player has been looking to capitalize on the favorable tax structure that�the Swiss have benefited for years and years. With greater international scrutiny of Swiss tax laws as well as top executive and board member pay, Weatherford is now hoping to incorporate in Ireland while maintaining its tax domicile in Switzerland. Keep in mind that�tech companies like Apple, Google, and even Facebook�all take advantage of Ireland's favorable tax rate environment. That doesn't make it right for Weatherford to follow�the same�path.�

Best China Stocks To Invest In 2015: Ambassadors Group Inc. (EPAX)

Ambassadors Group, Inc. provides educational travel experiences and online education research materials worldwide. Its Ambassador Programs and Other segment offers educational travel services to students and professionals. The company�s BookRags segment provides online research in the form of book summaries, critical essays, study guides, lesson plans, film summaries, biographies, literary criticisms, and references to encyclopedia articles. It offers People to People Ambassador Programs for the development and conducting of programs to grade school and high school students; and for the development, marketing, and operation of programs for professionals, college students, and athletes. The company also provides People to People Student Ambassador Programs, which offer educational opportunities for grade school, middle school, and high school students to visit foreign destinations to learn about the history, government, economy, and culture of such countries, as well as pr ovides educational and entertaining travel experience. In addition, it offers People to People Sports Ambassador Programs; and People to People Leadership Summit and World Leadership Forum Programs that provide domestic travel experiences for grade school, middle school, and high school students emphasizing leadership, community involvement, and government education. The company also offers People to People Citizen Ambassador Programs, which provide professionals to travel abroad to meet and exchange ideas with foreign citizens. In addition, it offers Discovery Student Adventures, a teacher recruited student travel program that provides opportunities for grade school, middle school, and high school students to visit destinations emphasizing adventure and scientific exploration. Further, the company operates bookrags.com, an educational Website. Ambassadors Group, Inc. was founded in 1967 and is headquartered in Spokane, Washington.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By CRWE]

    Ambassadors Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:EPAX), a leading provider of educational travel experiences, reported that its board of directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.06 per share, which will be paid on June 7, 2012 to all common shareholders of record on May 24, 2012.

Top 10 Oil Service Stocks To Watch Right Now: Ferrellgas Partners L.P. (FGP)

Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. engages in the distribution and sale of propane, and related equipment and supplies primarily in the United States. It transports propane to propane distribution locations, tanks on customers� premises, or to portable propane tanks delivered to retailers. The company conducts its portable tank exchange operations under the Blue Rhino brand name through a network of independent and partnership-owned distribution outlets. The company�s propane is primarily used for space heating, water heating, cooking, outdoor cooking using gas grills, crop drying, irrigation, weed control, and other propane fueled appliances; as an engine fuel for power vehicles and forklifts; and as a heating or energy source in manufacturing and drying processes. It serves approximately 1 million residential, industrial/commercial, portable tank exchange, agricultural, wholesale, and other customers in 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. As of July 31, 2012, it had 924 propane distribution locations. The company also engages in the wholesale marketing of propane appliances; sale of refined fuels; and provision of common carrier services. Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. was founded in 1939 and is headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Sue Chang]

    Ferrellgas Partners (FGP) �is forecast to report fiscal third-quarter earnings of 63 cents a share.

  • [By Monica Gerson]

    Ferrellgas Partners LP (NYSE: FGP) is expected to report its Q2 earnings at $0.85 per share on revenue of $722.07 million.

    American Midstream Partners LP (NYSE: AMID) is estimated to post a Q4 loss at $0.30 per share on revenue of $89.74 million.

Top 10 Oil Service Stocks To Watch Right Now: American States Water Co (AWR)

American States Water Company (AWR), incorporated on February 25, 1998, is the parent company of Golden State Water Company (GSWC) and American States Utility Services, Inc. (ASUS) and its subsidiaries (Fort Bliss Water Services Company (FBWS), Terrapin Utility Services, Inc. (TUS), Old Dominion Utility Services, Inc. (ODUS), Palmetto State Utility Services, Inc. (PSUS) and Old North Utility Services, Inc. (ONUS)). AWR operates in three segments: water, electric and contracted services. Within the segments, AWR has two principal business units, water and electric service utility operations, conducted through GSWC, and contracted services conducted through ASUS and its subsidiaries.

GSWC is a California public utility company engaged principally in the purchase, production and distribution of water in 75 communities in 10 counties in the State of California. GSWC also provides electric service to the City of Big Bear Lake and surrounding areas in San Bernardino County, California through its Bear Valley Electric Service (BVES) division. GSWC served 255,657 water customers and 23,379 electric customers as of December 31, 2012. ASUS, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, has contracted with the United States government to provide water and/or wastewater services at various military installations, including the operation, maintenance, renewal and replacement of the water and/or wastewater systems, pursuant to 50-year firm, fixed-price contracts. As of December 31, 2012, GSWC�� physical properties consisted of water transmission and distribution systems which included 2,786 miles of pipeline together with services, meters and fire hydrants and approximately 425 parcels of land.

As of December 31, 2012, GSWC owned 244 wells, of which 188 are active operable wells equipped with pumps with an aggregate production capacity of approximately 202.7 million gallons per day. GSWC has 63 connections to the water distribution facilities of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern Cali! fornia (MWD), and other municipal water agencies. GSWC�� storage reservoirs and tanks have an aggregate capacity of approximately 111 million gallons. GSWC owns no dams. GSWC�� electric properties are located in the Big Bear area of San Bernardino County, California. As of December 31, 2012, GSWC owned and operated 29.6 miles of overhead 34.5 kilovolt transmission lines, 1.4 mile of underground 34.5 kilovolt transmission lines, 179.6 miles of 4.16 kilovolt or 2.4 kilovolt distribution lines, 53.2 miles of underground cable, 13 sub-stations and a natural gas-fueled 8.4 megawatt peaking generation facility. GSWC also has franchises, easements and other rights of way for the purpose of constructing and using poles, wires and other appurtenances for transmitting electricity.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By MONEYMORNING]

    American States Water Co. (NYSE: AWR) is one of the best examples I can think of. Its current payout of 2.88% may not seem like much when compared to the likes of a Kinder Morgan Energy Partners LP (NYSE: KMP) at 6.5%, but when you consider that AWR has increased its dividend for the last 59 years, you begin to understand why this is pivotal to building your wealth, especially now.

  • [By Insider Monkey]

    American States Water (AWR), meanwhile, is another dividend giant that has seen bullish insider activity of late. The Western US-focused water utilities company has raised dividends in 59 straight years and currently offers a yield of 2.9%. Somewhat astoundingly, American's payout ratio (47%) is still below its industry's average (59%), so the dividend growth doesn't look set to end anytime soon.

  • [By Michael Flannelly]

    On Tuesday, analysts at Brean Capital upgraded American States Water Co (AWR), as they now believe the shares have reached an attractive entry point.

    The analysts upgraded AWR from “Hold” to “Buy” and see shares reaching $28. This price target suggests an 11% upside to the stock’s Monday closing price of $25.22.

    Brean Capital analyst Michael Gaugler said, “The shares have fallen to a price level that we now consider attractive, and our sum-of-the-parts valuation indicates fair value is $28 based on our 2014 EPS forecasts. We recommend investors begin accumulating positions under the $25.50 price level to allow sufficient (10%) upside (excluding dividends) to our target price.”

    “We acknowledge that the current environment for utility stocks in terms of interest rate impacts is less than ideal. However, we note the shares of AWR (and our other utility coverage names) have traded at higher P/E multiples when the general level of interest rates was much higher. We see the impact of higher rates as short term and negligible, particularly when we look closely at AWR’s ability to continue to raise its dividend payout versus the peer group by using free cash flow from the ASUS business,” Gaugler added.

    American States Water shares were up 72 cents, or 2.85%, during early morning trading on Tuesday. The stock is up 8% year-to-date.

  • [By MONEYMORNING]

    If you're buying a stock for income, note that, along with how much money you expect it to kick off. That way you can look back years from now and really appreciate something like an American States Water (NYSE: AWR) pick, which has increased its dividend for 59 years.

Top 10 Oil Service Stocks To Watch Right Now: Dow Treasuries(DV)

DeVry Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides educational services worldwide. The company operates various institutions, including Advanced Academics, American University of the Caribbean, Becker Professional Education, Carrington College and Carrington College California, Chamberlain College of Nursing, DeVry Brasil, DeVry University, and Ross University. These institutions offer an array of programs in business, healthcare, and technology, as well as serve students in middle school through postsecondary education, and accounting and finance professionals. It offers career-oriented associate, bachelor?s, and master?s degree programs in technology, science, business, arts, and nursing; medical and veterinary medical education; and undergraduate and graduate programs focused in business management, nursing, law, and engineering, as well as online learning solutions for middle and high school education. The company also prepares students for careers in healthcare th rough certificate, associate, and bachelor?s degree programs; and candidates for the certified public accountant examination, chartered financial analyst professional certification examinations, and the project management professional certification examination, as well as provides continuing professional education programs and seminars in accounting and finance. DeVry Inc. was founded in 1931 and is headquartered in Downers Grove, Illinois.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Bill Smith]

    Competition
    ESI competes with many other for-profit ventures, including:
    Other for-profit educators, such as: Strayer (STRA), Apollo (APOL), DeVry (DV), Capella (CPLA), Corinthian Colleges (COCO), and Career Education Corporation (CECO)Traditional colleges/universitiesCommunity colleges
    Sales, EBITDA and Earnings
    ESI has steadily increased revenue and earnings. In the last decade they've grown revenue at 20.8%; EBITDA at 34.4%; FCF at 22.5%, and Book Value at 8.5%.

  • [By Holly LaFon]

    We initiated one new position in the third quarter, Aarons (AAN), and purchased shares in several existing investments, including small amounts in Apollo Group (APOL) and Devry (DV) and a larger increase in Arris Group (ARRS). We have written about the for-profit education companies in previous letters, so please refer to those letters should you want to familiarize yourself with APOL or DV.

Top 10 Oil Service Stocks To Watch Right Now: Tim Hortons Inc.(THI)

Tim Hortons Inc. develops, franchises, and operates quick service restaurants primarily in Canada and the United States. Its restaurants serve coffee and other hot and cold beverages, baked goods, sandwiches, soups, and other food products. As of April 03, 2011, the company and its restaurant owners operated 3,169 restaurants in Canada and 613 restaurants in the United States under the Tim Hortons name; and had 274 primarily self-serve licensed locations in the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom Tim Hortons Inc. was founded in 1964 and is based in Oakville, Canada.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Eric Volkman]

    Tim Hortons (NYSE: THI  ) will have a new nameplate on the door of its chief executive's office starting this summer. The company announced that it has named Marc Caira as CEO, effective July 2. He succeeds Paul House, who will remain in his post as chairman of the board.

  • [By Chad Fraser]

    Tim Hortons (NYSE: THI) is Canada’s leading coffee chain, with 3,468 outlets in the country, as well as 807 in the U.S. and 29 in the Middle East.

  • [By Nickey Friedman]

    Growth continues to turn from good to better for Tim Hortons' (NYSE: THI  ) competitors Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX  ) , Dunkin' Brands Group (NASDAQ: DNKN  ) , and Krispy Kreme Doughnuts (NYSE: KKD  ) . Though Little Timmy has lagged behind, that could change, beginning with the five-year strategic plan the company will outline on Feb. 25.

  • [By Rich Duprey]

    Canadian restaurant chain�Tim Horton's� (NYSE: THI  ) �declared today�its regular quarterly dividend of $0.26 per share, slightly higher than the $0.2534 per share it paid back in February.�

Top 10 Oil Service Stocks To Watch Right Now: Tauriga Sciences Inc (TAUG)

Tauriga Sciences, Inc., formerly Immunovative, Inc., incorporated on April 18, 2001, is a development-stage company. The Company along with Constellation Diagnostics, Inc. (Constellation) focuses on establishing a joint venture partnership to develop and commercialize a imaging-based diagnostic technology for use in predictive and preventative oncology.

The Company has rights to commercialize AlloStim and AlloVax. As of March 31, 2013 the Company did not have any revenues.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Peter Graham]

    Small cap health care or personal care stocks Axxess Pharma Inc (OTCMKTS: AXXE), Radiant Creations Group Inc (OTCBB: RCGP) and Tauriga Sciences Inc (OTCMKTS: TAUG) have recently been attracting attention in various investment newsletters or in investor alerts. Some of the attention may have to do with paid promotions that two of these small caps have been the subject of. So how healthy are these three small cap health care or personal care orientated stocks? Here is a checkup:

  • [By Peter Graham]

    Small cap marijuana stocks IMD Companies Inc (OTCMKTS: ICBU), Tauriga Sciences Inc (OTCMKTS: TAUG), ML Capital Group Inc (OTCBB: MLCG) and Lexaria Corp (OTCMKTS: LXRP) are aiming to give investors a high with their latest news. However, only one of these small cap marijuana stocks appears to be the subject of minor paid promotion or investor relations type of activities. So will investors and traders alike get a high off of these small caps? Here is a quick reality check:

Top 10 Oil Service Stocks To Watch Right Now: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd (SSNLF.PK)

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. mainly engaged in the production of consumer electronic products. It operates in two divisions: DMC division, which is divided into consumer electronics (CE) and information technology & mobile communications (IM) businesses, as well as DS division, which is divided into semiconductor and liquid crystal display (LCD) businesses. Its CE business engages in the production of color televisions (CTVs), monitors, air conditioners, refrigerators and others. Its IM business engages in the production of printers, computers, handhold phones (HHPs) such as feature phones, smart phones and others, and network systems, among others. Its semiconductor business engages in the production of semiconductors, such as memories, system large scale integrated circuits (LSIs) and others. Its LCD business engages in the production of thin film transistor (TFT) LCDs and organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), among others.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Justin Jaynes]

    A few days ago, I would have probably said when the Xbox 1 or PS4 launch. Now I'm changing my guess to the end of this month (source: PCWorld.com). According to PC World, Samsung's (SSNLF.PK) Ativ 9 Lite will start reaching customers on "July 28th." Based on conflicting reports between many tech sites, my initial thought was that Samsung would simply launch different flavors of SKUs. Now, according to articles such as the PC World article I am quoting, it is now described as a custom designed chip.

  • [By George Kesarios]

    I am sure that Samsung (SSNLF.PK) would give an arm and a leg to be able to have its own fully fledged ecosystem. Like I have said before, it knows that eventually it will have to give up Android, because Google will eventually be a direct competitor. While I do not foresee Samsung putting in a bid for BlackBerry, I simply want to point out that an independent (and established) ecosystem is not an easy thing to come by these days. How many companies out there that are for sale come with an ecosystem?

  • [By Yasir Idrees]

    Nokia (NOK), one of the biggest names in the smartphones industry, has been struggling for quite some time now in getting back its position as the leader in mobile phones. The company lost out to the rapid technological changes and the shift from traditional mobile phones to touchscreen smartphones. Apple (AAPL), along with BlackBerry (BBRY) and Samsung (SSNLF.PK), did most of the damage to Nokia's position since 2007. Since then, Nokia has never looked like the company that it used to be.