Best International Stocks To Watch For 2014

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Fixed-Rate Mortgage Rate Spike Subsides

Chesapeake Announces $1 Billion in Asset Sales

June Job Growth Clocks In at 188,000, Beating Estimate

Zoetis to Expand Nebraska Plant

Crude Oil Inventories Fall 2.6%

Initial Jobless Claims Drop 1.4%

Trade Deficit Widens to $45 Billion for May

Services Sector Index Slumps for June

Apple to Fund Solar Plant to Power Data Center in Nevada

S&P Downgrades Nokia

Boeing's Order Book Expands Post-Paris Airshow

lululemon athletica Chairman Paring Stake in Company

Magna International's Top Strategist Steps Down

Restoration Hardware Shareholders to Sell Shares

Unemployment Rate Unchanged at 7.6% for June

Zynga Gives Mattrick $5 Million Sign-On Bonus

Acacia Research Switches CEOs

Top 10 Financial Stocks To Watch Right Now: Ellington Financial LLC (EFC)

Ellington Financial LLC (EFC) is a specialty finance company, which specializes in acquiring and managing mortgage-related assets. As of December 31, 2011, its targeted assets included residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS), backed by prime jumbo, Alternative A-paper (Alt-A), manufactured housing and subprime residential mortgage loans (non-Agency RMBS); RMBS for which the principal and interest payments are guaranteed by a United States Government agency or a United States Government-sponsored entity (Agency RMBS); mortgage-related derivatives; commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS), commercial mortgage loans and other commercial real estate debt, and corporate debt and equity securities and derivatives. It also acquires and manages other types of mortgage-related assets and financial assets, such as residential whole mortgage loans, asset-backed securities (ABS), backed by consumer and commercial assets, non-mortgage-related derivatives and real property.

Non-Agency RMBS

The Company acquires non-Agency RMBS backed by prime jumbo, Alt-A, manufactured housing and subprime residential mortgage loans. Its non-Agency RMBS holdings include investment-grade and non-investment grade classes. Non-Agency RMBS are debt obligations issued by private originators of or investors in residential mortgage loans. Non-Agency RMBS are issued as CMOs and are backed by pools of whole mortgage loans or by mortgage pass-through certificates. Non-Agency RMBS are securitized in senior/subordinated structures, or in excess spread/over-collateralization structures. In senior/subordinated structures, the subordinated tranches absorb all losses on the underlying mortgage loans before any losses are borne by the senior tranches.

Agency RMBS

The Company�� assets in this asset class consist of whole pool pass-through certificates, the principal and interest of which are guaranteed by Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), Federal Home Loan Mortgage Cor! poration (Freddie Mac), or Government National Mortgage Association (Ginnie Mae), and which are backed by adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs), hybrid ARMs or fixed-rate mortgages. Mortgage pass-through certificates are securities representing undivided interests in pools of mortgage loans secured by real property where payments of both interest and principal, plus pre-paid principal, on the securities are made monthly to holders of the security, in effect passing through monthly payments made by the individual borrowers on the mortgage loans that underlie the securities, net of fees paid to the issuer/guarantor and servicers of the securities. Whole pool pass-through certificates are mortgage pass-through certificates that represent the entire ownership of a pool of mortgage loans.

In addition to investing in specific pools of Agency RMBS, the Company utilizes forward-settling purchases and sales of Agency RMBS where the underlying pools of mortgage loans are to be announced mortgage-backed securities (MBS) (TBAs). Pursuant to these TBA transactions, it agrees to purchase or sell, for future delivery, Agency RMBS with certain principal and interest terms and certain types of underlying collateral. It uses TBAs for hedging purposes. It engages in TBA transactions for purposes of managing certain risks associated with its long Agency RMBS and its non-Agency RMBS.

Mortgage-Related Derivatives

The Company takes long and short positions in various mortgage-related derivative instruments, including credit default swaps. A credit default swap is a credit derivative contract in which one party (the protection buyer) pays an ongoing periodic premium (and often an upfront payment as well) to another party (the protection seller) in return for compensation for default (or similar credit event) by a reference entity. In this case, the reference entity can be an individual MBS or an index of several MBS, such as an ABX Index, PrimeX or a CMBX Index.

CMBS

CMBS ar! e mortgage-backed securities collateralized by loans on commercial properties. CMBS issued are fixed rate securities backed by fixed rate loans made to multiple borrowers on a range of property types, though single-borrower CMBS and floating-rate CMBS have also been issued. Commercial mortgage loans are loans secured by liens on commercial properties, including retail, office, industrial, hotel and multifamily properties. Commercial real estate loans may also be structured into more complicated senior/subordinate structures, including those providing for multiple B-Note or multiple mezzanine loan senior/subordinate components.

Corporate Debt and Equity Securities and Derivatives

For hedging purposes, the Company takes short positions in corporate debt and equity (including indices on corporate debt and equity) by entering into derivative contracts, such as credit default swaps, total return swaps and options. These hedges reference corporations (such as financial institutions that have substantial mortgage-related exposure) or indices whose performance has a degree of correlation with the performance of its portfolio. Given this correlation, a short position with respect to such corporations or indices provides a hedge to its portfolio of MBS as a whole.

Other Assets

The Company from time to time acquires other mortgage-related and financial assets, which include residential whole mortgage loans, ABS backed by consumer and commercial assets and real property. It also acquires real property interests, such as single family and multifamily residential properties.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Luke Jacobi]

  Ellington Financial LLC (NYSE: EFC) was down, falling 4.4 percent to $23.53 after the company priced 8 million shares at $23.92 per share.

  Commodities

  Although equities have been flat, the same cannot be said for the commodity market. Crude futures shot higher Wednesday, following yesterday’s sharp sell off. At last check, WTI futures were up 2.7 percent to $95.37 and Brent futures gained 2.1 percent to $102.45.

Best International Stocks To Watch For 2014: Blue Nile Inc.(NILE)

Blue Nile, Inc. operates as an online retailer of diamonds and fine jewelry worldwide. Its fine jewelry selection includes diamond, gemstone, platinum, gold, pearl and sterling silver jewelry, and accessories, as well as wedding bands, earrings, necklaces, pendants, bracelets, and watches. Blue Nile, Inc. sells its products through the Web sites bluenile.com, bluenile.ca, and bluenile.co.uk. The company was formerly known as Internet Diamonds, Inc. and changed its name to Blue Nile, Inc. in November 1999. Blue Nile, Inc. was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in Seattle, Washington.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Holly LaFon]

  We think the next chapter of Internet growth will be driven by increasing broadband penetration and mobile 3G rollouts globally. Baron invests in the global Internet in two ways: 1) U.S. based Internet companies that have substantial international businesses, and 2) foreign based Internet companies. Several Baron portfolio holdings such as Google, Inc. and priceline.com, Inc. receive 50% or more of their revenues outside the U.S., and we think the faster growth of Internet access in emerging economies will be a substantial benefit to these companies. Other Baron portfolio companies such as LinkedIn Corp. (LNKD) and Blue Nile, Inc. (NILE) are also accelerating their efforts to penetrate international markets in 2012 and beyond.

Best International Stocks To Watch For 2014: Autobytel Inc.(ABTL)

Autobytel Inc. operates as an automotive marketing services company in the United States. It assists automotive retail dealers and manufacturers to market and sell new and used vehicles to consumers through its online purchase request referrals, dealer marketing products and services, and online advertising programs and data products. The company provides vehicle purchase request programs, including new vehicle purchase request program, which allows consumers to submit requests for pricing and availability of specific makes and models; used vehicle purchase request program that allows consumers to search for used vehicles according to specific search parameters, such as the price, make, model, mileage, year, and location of the vehicle; and finance purchase request program designed to provide consumers the opportunity to obtain vehicle financing and other services from dealers or finance institutions. Its network of company-owned consumer-facing automotive Websites compris e Autobytel.com, which provide consumers the information and tools to aid them with their automotive purchase decisions and the ability to submit inquiries requesting dealers to contact the consumers for purchasing or leasing vehicles. In addition, the company provides products and services that assist dealers in connecting with in-market consumers and closing vehicle sales. The company, formerly known as Autobytel.com Inc., was founded in 1995 and is headquartered in Irvine, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Louis Navellier]

  Here are some candidates for some “best of the best” stock picks that should do well and help lead you to a profitable 2014.

  ‘Best of the Best’ Stock Picks #1: Autobytel (ABTL)

  Autobytel (ABTL) is an automotive marketing services company that helps dealers find customers through its online referral services. ABTL provides vehicle lead programs, including new vehicle search, which essentially allows you and I to submit requests for things like price and availability of specific makes and models of different automobiles. Autobytel also has a used vehicle lead program that allows people to similarly search for used cars.

• [By Jake L'Ecuyer]

  Leading and Lagging Sectors
  In trading on Wednesday, cyclical consumer goods & services shares were relative leaders, up on the day by about 0.41 percent. Meanwhile, top gainers in energy sector included Autobytel (NASDAQ: ABTL), with shares up 20.6 percent, and VisionChina Media (NASDAQ: VISN), with shares up 15.5 percent.

• [By Anna Prior]

  Autobytel Inc.(ABTL) raised its first-quarter revenue estimate as it incorporates its recently completed acquisition of AutoUSA. Shares rose 3.9% to $12.50 premarket.

Best International Stocks To Watch For 2014: Next Generation Energy Corp (NGMC)

Next Generation Energy Corp., incorporated on November 21, 1980, is an independent oil and natural gas company engaged in the exploration, development, and production of natural gas properties located onshore in the United States. On March 22, 2011, the Company purchased all of the membership interests of Knox Gas, LLC. Knox Gas, LLC owns a lease of 100 acres, which contains five drilled wells; a lease of 20.2 acres, which contains two drilled wells; a lease of 700 acres which contains no wells, and a lease of 400 acres, which contains three drilled wells.

The wells owned by Knox Gas were part of a larger field of 135 wells that was developed by Heartland Resources, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively Heartland), and were operated by Heartland Operating Company, Inc., a subsidiary of Heartland Resources, Inc. During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company had no revenues.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Peter Graham]

  Next Generation Energy Corp (OTCMKTS: NGMC) and Dutch Gold Resources, Inc (OTCMKTS: DGRI) are the latest small cap stocks to announce their entry into the marijuana business while peer Endocan Corp (OTCMKTS: ENDO) sees some paid promotions or investor relations activities, but otherwise remains quiet. So will investors and traders alike achieve a high with any of these small cap marijuana stocks? Here is a quick reality check:

Best International Stocks To Watch For 2014: Safe Bulkers Inc(SB)

Safe Bulkers, Inc. provides marine drybulk transportation services worldwide. The company transports various bulk cargoes, primarily coal, grain, and iron ore. As of July 15, 2011, it had a fleet of 16 drybulk vessels, with an aggregate carrying capacity of 1,443,800 deadweight tons. The company?s fleet consists of Panamax, Kamsarmax, Post-Panamax, and Capesize class vessels, as well as 11 further contracted additional drybulk new build vessels to be delivered at various times through 2014. Safe Bulkers, Inc. was incorporated in 2007 and is based in Athens, Greece.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Dan Caplinger]

  On Wednesday, Safe Bulkers (NYSE: SB  ) will release its latest quarterly results. The key to making smart investment decisions on stocks reporting earnings is to anticipate how they'll do before they announce results, leaving you fully prepared to respond quickly to whatever inevitable surprises arise. That way, you'll be less likely to make an uninformed knee-jerk reaction to news that turns out to be exactly the wrong move.

• [By Jon C. Ogg]

  Safe Bulkers Inc. (NYSE: SB) was raised to Buy all the way up from Underperform for a two-notch upgrade, and the price target was raised to $8 from $6, at BofA/Merrill Lynch.

• [By James E. Brumley]

  The recent strength from Sino-Global Shipping America, Ltd. (NASDAQ:SINO) and the now-renewed strength from Safe Bulkers, Inc. (NYSE:SB) would suggest those two stocks are among the very best ways to play the rebound currently unfurling in the shipping sector. And to be fair, both are fine companies in their own right. The top play in the dry goods maritime shipping arena, however, may well be Diana Shipping Inc. (NYSE:DSX). No, DSX isn't one of the fun and exciting small caps in the maritime shipping space. But, there's a lot to be said for size and stability, which SB and SINO can't offer.

Best International Stocks To Watch For 2014: Qantas Airways Ltd (QUBSF)

Qantas Airways Limited is engaged in the operation of international and domestic air transportation services, the provision of freight services and the operation of a Frequent Flyer loyalty program. The Company�� main business is the transportation of customers using two complementary airline brands: Qantas and Jetstar. It also operates subsidiary businesses, including other airlines, and businesses in specialist markets, such as Q Catering. The Company operates in four segments: Qantas Domestic, Qantas International, Qantas Loyalty and Qantas Freight. Qantas Domestic includes Australian domestic passenger flying business of Qantas Brands. Qantas International includes the International passenger flying business of Qantas Brands. Qantas Loyalty Operates the Qantas customer loyalty program. In April 2014, Qantas Airways Ltd announced that Westpac Banking Corporation and its associated companies ceased to be a substantial share holder of the Company. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By MARKETWATCH]

  LOS ANGELES (MarketWatch) -- Australian stocks lost hold of early gains Monday. Retailer shares traded mostly weaker, but an advance for miners limited the losses after many base-metals futures rose on the back of better-than-expected U.S. jobs data. The S&P/ASX 200 (AU:XJO) slipped 0.1% to 5,182.40 after opening higher. In early moves, Myer Holdings Ltd. (AU:MYR) fell 0.7%, David Jones Ltd. (AU:DJS) (DVDJF) lost 1.1%, and Harvey Norman Holdings Ltd. (AU:HVN) (HNORY) traded 1% lower. In the mining space, BHP Billiton Ltd. (AU:BHP) (BHP) added 0.5%, Rio Tinto Ltd. (AU:RIO) (RIO) rose 0.7%, Alumina Ltd. (AU:AWC) (AWCMF) improved by 1%, and Oz Minerals Ltd. (AU:OZL) (OZMLF) jumped 2.2%. Shares of Qantas Airways Ltd. (AU:QAN) (QUBSF) rose briefly but then moved the flat line, holding firm after sharp losses last week. Chris Bowen, who serves as the Labor Party's shadow treasurer, said the struggling airline was "effectively" too big to fail. Meanwhile, shares of QBE Insurance Group Ltd. (AU:QBE)

• [By MARKETWATCH]

  LOS ANGELES (MarketWatch) -- Stocks in Australia fell early Thursday, pressured by a drop in the country's currency to a three-month low below 90 U.S. cents, and by losses on Wall Street overnight on concerns about tapering of monetary stimulus. The S&P/ASX 200 (AU:XJO) fell 28 points, or 0.5%, to 5,246, led by losses in the heavily weighted financial sector. There, shares of Westpac Banking Corp. (AU:WBC) (WEBNF) lost 1.2%, National Australia Bank Ltd. (AU:NAB) (NAUBF) declined 1%, and Australia & New Zealand Banking Group (AU:ANZ) (ANEWF) shed 0.7%. Shares of Qantas Airways Ltd. (AU:QAN) (QUBSF) sank 14% after the company warned it expects to post an underlying loss before tax of $250 million to $300 million for the six months ending Dec. 31. The carrier said trading conditions saw a marked deterioration, particularly in November with both passenger loads and yields "below the already negative trends for the year to date."