Top 5 Healthcare Equipment Stocks To Buy Right Now

"Find what turns you on."�- Warren Buffett

Get your head out of the gutter. When Buffett spoke those words at�Berkshire Hathaway's (NYSE: BRK-A  ) (NYSE: BRK-B  ) annual meeting, he was responding to a question about what advice he'd give to himself if he could go back 50 years and give himself some advice. And with that quip, Buffett was referring to finding something that "turns you on" to do for a living.�

Buffett's right-hand man Charlie Munger didn't disagree. He piled on: "You gotta work where you're turned on." Not that that comment did anything to squelch the innuendo.

It's hard to argue the importance of that if you're trying to live a satisfied life. But this isn't just solid life guidance, it's also a reminder of an critical aspect of Berkshire: Just how much Buffett and Munger love what they do. There's a reason that Fortune's Carol Loomis titled her most recent book about Buffett "Tap Dancing to Work."

Top 5 Healthcare Equipment Stocks To Buy Right Now: Affirmative Insurance Holdings Inc.(AFFM)

Affirmative Insurance Holdings, Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates as a distributor and producer of non-standard personal automobile insurance policies and related products and services for individual consumers in the United States. It offers liability-only policies that comprise bodily injury liability coverage, property damage liability coverage, and personal injury protection coverage and/or medical payment coverage. The company also provides full coverage policies, which include collision coverage for damage to the insured vehicle as a result of a collision with another vehicle or object; comprehensive coverage for damages to the insured vehicle as a result of theft, hail, and vandalism; and optional coverages, such as towing, rental reimbursement, and special equipment. In addition, Affirmative Insurance Holdings, Inc. sells third-party non-standard personal automobile insurance policies; and complementary insurance products underwritten by third-party insurance companies, including homeowners and renters insurance, motorcycle and recreational vehicle coverage, vehicle protection, and travel protection; and non-insurance products and services, which comprise towing, motor club memberships, hospital indemnity insurance, and bond cards. Affirmative Insurance Holdings, Inc. distributes its products through independent agencies, unaffiliated underwriting agencies, and retail agencies, as well as through premium finance companies. The company was formerly known as Instant Insurance Holdings, Inc. Affirmative Insurance Holdings, Inc. was founded in 1998 and is based in Addison, Texas.

Top 5 Healthcare Equipment Stocks To Buy Right Now: Manitou Gold Inc (MTU.V)

Manitou Gold Inc. engages in the acquisition, exploration, and advancement of gold properties in Canada. It holds interests in various properties located in northwestern Ontario. The company is headquartered in Sudbury, Canada.

Top Oil Companies To Invest In 2014: Pilot Gold Inc (PLGTF)

Pilot Gold Inc. (Pilot Gold) is an exploration-stage, gold exploration company. The Company is engaged in the acquisition and exploration of mineral properties located primarily in the United States and Turkey. The Company is focused on the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral resource properties. The Company�� three assets include the TV Tower gold-silver-copper exploration property (TV Tower) with 60% interest and Kinsley gold projects in Nevada, and a 40% interest in the Halilaga copper-gold porphyry project. The Company�� portfolio includes gold and copper-gold projects in Nevada and in Turkey. The Company�� pipeline projects consists of the Brik, Viper, Regent and New Boston projects, plus 11 additional properties in Nevada and one in Turkey. Teck Resources Limited's Turkish subsidiary is Pilot Gold's 60% joint venture partner for projects in Turkey. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Christopher Barker]

  As I stated on my blog at Motley Fool CAPS back in September, I consider Pilot Gold a must-own stock for discerning gold investors. After selling Fronteer Gold with its strategic Long Canyon asset in Nevada to Newmont Mining (NYSE: NEM  ) for $2.3 billion, the pilots have landed on the gold yet again! Pilot Gold launched as a spin-off from that watershed Fronteer transaction, retaining a joint-venture stake with partner Teck Resources (NYSE:TCK  ) in a pair of important gold-bearing properties in Turkey. The Haligaga project already sports an encouraging preliminary economic assessment outlining an after-tax net present value (7% discount rate) of $474 million with an internal rate of return of 20%. Accordingly, Pilot's current market capitalization of $175 million stands at a discount to the estimated value of the company's 40% share of Haligaga alone. Accounting for Pilot's substantial treasury of $43 million, that discount grows deeper still.

Top 5 Healthcare Equipment Stocks To Buy Right Now: Firstbank Corporation(FBMI)

Firstbank Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides commercial banking products and services. It accepts checking, savings, and time deposits. The company also provides commercial, mortgage, agricultural, real estate, real estate mortgage, real estate construction, home improvement, automobile, and consumer loans. In addition, it offers trust, security brokerage, and title insurance services, as well as armored car services. The company operates 53 branch offices in central Michigan. Firstbank Corporation was founded in 1894 and is headquartered in Alma, Michigan.

Top 5 Healthcare Equipment Stocks To Buy Right Now: Perficient Inc.(PRFT)

Perficient, Inc. provides information technology consulting services to various enterprise companies primarily in the United States. The company designs, builds, and delivers business-driven technology solutions using third party software products. Its solutions include business integration and service oriented architectures, enterprise portals and collaboration, custom applications, and technology platform implementations, as well as customer relationship management, enterprise performance management, enterprise content management, and business intelligence solutions. The company?s solutions enable its clients to operate a real-time enterprise that adapts business processes and the systems that support them to meet the changing demands of marketplace. Perficient, Inc. was founded in 1997 and is headquartered in Saint Louis, Missouri.

10 Best Performing Stocks To Buy For 2014

Every quarter, many money managers have to disclose what they've bought and sold, via "13F" filings. Their latest moves can shine a bright light on smart stock picks.

Today, let's look at SAC Capital Advisors, run by Steven Cohen. SAC is one of the biggest hedge fund companies around, with a reportable stock portfolio totaling $20.7 billion�in value as of March 31, 2013. A company doesn't generally grow that large without performing well, and indeed, Cohen has reportedly averaged returns of roughly 30% annually�over two decades.

The company has been in the news a lot lately, though, due to an insider-trading scandal. Cohen recently received a subpoena to testify before a grand jury, and is reportedly considering closing his operations to outside investors as part of a proposed deal. The statute of limitations on this case may bring things to a close by the end of July, so we can expect more clarity by then.

10 Best Performing Stocks To Buy For 2014: Linamar Corp Com Npv (LNR.TO)

Linamar Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, designs, develops, and manufactures precision metallic components, modules, and systems for vehicle and power generation markets worldwide. It offers various engine systems, including engine assemblies and engine modules; sub-assemblies and modules for gas and diesel engines used in cars and light trucks; engine components and assemblies used in commercial medium and heavy duty trucks; functional prototypes and sub-assemblies for engine development; cylinder head modules; short-block modules; water, oil, and vacuum pump assemblies and systems; turbocharger assemblies; balance shaft modules; and common rail modules. The company also offers various engine components comprising cylinder blocks and assemblies, cylinder heads and complete head assemblies, camshaft assemblies, crankshaft assemblies, connecting rods, intake manifolds, gears, flywheels, covers and housings, liners and pistons, injectors, and cases. In addition, it provides transmission modules and sub-assemblies for transmission/driveline configurations, such as shafts and shaft/shell assemblies, clutch modules and assemblies, transfer case assemblies, power take off units, housings and covers, differential assemblies, and planetary carrier assemblies. Further, the company offers various precision components comprising valve bodies, gears and pinions, torque converters, pumps, axles, transmission drive shafts, cases and housings, suspension knuckles and assemblies, and steering gear housings and assembling, as well as gears for engine, transmission, and driveline automotive applications. Additionally, it provides product design, development, testing, and engineering services; scissor lifts, boom lifts, and telehandlers; hydraulic cylinders and fluid management systems; transportation services; and lawnmowers and utility trailers. The company was founded in 1966 and is based in Guelph, Canada.

10 Best Performing Stocks To Buy For 2014: Messina Minerals Inc. (MMI.V)

Messina Minerals Inc. engages in the acquisition and exploration of mineral properties primarily in Canada. The company explores primarily for zinc, lead, copper, silver, and gold deposits. It principally holds 100% interests in the Tulks South property consisting of 713 mineral claims covering 17,835 hectares located in central Newfoundland; and the Long Lake property comprising 351 mineral claims covering 8,784 hectares located in Newfoundland. The company was formerly known as Mishibishu Gold Corporation and changed its name to Messina Minerals Inc. in January 2003. Messina Minerals Inc. was founded in 1978 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.

Top Bank Companies To Invest In 2014: Cascade Microtech Inc.(CSCD)

Cascade Microtech, Inc. designs, develops, manufactures, and markets wafer probing and test socket solutions for the electrical measurement and testing of high performance chips. It offers a range of product lines, including probe stations, analytical probes, production probe cards, test sockets, and various services. The engineering probe station is used in conjunction with analytical probes to test chips in wafer form for forming a probing system; and analytical probes, production probe cards, and test sockets electrically connect test equipment to the chips under test and are sold as consumable test tooling, which are mounted into production or engineering probe stations. The company also offers Pyramid Probe card product line for use in wireless chip applications, as well as probe station accessories, including thermal control systems, microscopes, lasers, cameras, special cables, and connectors and other items. In addition, it provides installation and maintenance ser vices. The company sells its products to semiconductor manufacturers, test subcontractors, research organizations, and designers through a combination of manufacturers? representatives, distributors, and direct sales people primarily in the United States, the Asia Pacific, and Europe. Cascade Microtech, Inc. was founded in 1983 and is headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon.

10 Best Performing Stocks To Buy For 2014: Vivo Participacoes S.A.(VIV)

Telecomunicacoes de Sao Paulo S.A.-TELESP provides fixed-line telecommunications services to residential and commercial customers in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Its services include local voice services, such as activation, monthly subscription, measured service, and public telephones; intraregional, interregional, and international long-distance voice services; data services comprising broadband services; pay TV services through direct to home satellite technology and land based wireless technology multichannel multipoint distribution service; and network services, such as interconnection and rental of facilities, as well as other services consisting of extended maintenance, caller identification, voice mail, cell phone blockers, computer support, and antivirus for Internet service subscribers. The company also offers multimedia communication services, such as audio, data, voice and other sounds, images, and texts and other information. In addition, it provides interc onnection services to cellular service providers and other fixed telecommunications companies through the use of its network. Further, the company offers telecommunications solutions and IT support designed to address the needs and requirements of companies operating various types of industries, including retail, manufacturing, services, financial institutions, and government. Telecomunicacoes de Sao Paulo S.A.-TELESP provides its products and services through person-to-person sales, telesales, indirect channels, Internet, and door-to-door sales. As of December 31, 2010, its telephone network included 11.3 million fixed lines in service, including residential, commercial, and public telephone lines; 3.3 million broadband clients; and 0.5 million pay TV clients. The company was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Telecomunicacoes de Sao Paulo S.A.-TELESP is a subsidiary of Telefonica S.A.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Kennedy]

  Vivo Participacoes (VIV) is acting within the wireless communications industry. The company has a market capitalization of $34.3 billion, generates revenues in an amount of $9.9 billion and a net income of $1.5 billion. It follows P/E ratio is 10.4 and forward price to earnings ratio 10.4, Price/Sales 3.5 and Price/Book ratio 2.4. Dividend Yield: 11.8 percent. The return on equity amounts to 21.6 percent.

10 Best Performing Stocks To Buy For 2014: Air T Inc.(AIRT)

Air T, Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides overnight air cargo, ground equipment sales, and ground support services. Its Overnight Air Cargo segment offers small package overnight airfreight delivery services on a contract basis to the air express delivery services industry. The company?s Ground Equipment Sales segment manufactures, sells, and services aircraft ground support and other specialized equipment products, including aircraft deicers, scissor type lifts, military and civilian decontamination units, glycol recovery vehicles, and other special purpose mobile equipment. This segment offers its products to domestic and international passenger and cargo airlines, ground handling companies, the United States Air Force and Navy, airports, and industrial customers. Its Ground Support Services segment provides ground support equipment maintenance and facilities maintenance services to domestic airlines and aviation service providers. As of March 31, 2010, the company operated 80 cargo aircrafts under dry-lease service contracts in the United States and the Caribbean. Air T, Inc. was founded in 1980 and is based in Maiden, North Carolina.

10 Best Performing Stocks To Buy For 2014: Carpentaria Exploration Ltd(CAP.AX)

Carpentaria Exploration Limited engages in the exploration and development of base, precious metals, and bulk commodities in Australia. The company has interests in iron ore, tin, gold, copper, and coal exploration projects in New South Wales and Queensland. It principally focuses on Hawsons Iron Project, which is covered by two exploration tenements located south of Broken Hill. The company was formerly known as Sunmustard Pty, Ltd. and changed its name to Carpentaria Exploration Limited in April 2007. Carpentaria Exploration Limited was incorporated in 2000 and is based in Brisbane, Australia.

10 Best Performing Stocks To Buy For 2014: Met-Pro Corporation (MPR)

Met-Pro Corporation manufactures and sells product recovery and pollution control equipment for the purification of air and liquids, fluid handling equipment, and filtration and purification products. The company�s Product Recovery/Pollution Control Technologies segment provides solutions and products for product recovery and pollution control applications in metal finishing and plating, wastewater treatment, composting, food processing, ethanol production, chemical, petrochemical, printed circuit, semiconductor, steel pickling, battery manufacturing, groundwater remediation, automotive, aerospace, furniture, painting, electronics, printing, and pharmaceutical industries. Its Fluid Handling Technologies segment manufactures horizontal, vertical, and in-tank centrifugal pumps used for the pumping of acids, brines, caustics, bleaches, seawater, waste liquids, and high temperature liquids for industrial and commercial applications. This segment serves various industrial mark ets, including the chemical, petrochemical, refinery, pharmaceutical, plastics, pulp and paper, and food processing industries, as well as commercial users, such as hospitals, universities, and laboratories. The company�s Mefiag Filtration Technologies segment designs, manufactures, and sells filtration systems. Its Filtration/Purification Technologies segment offers chemicals for the treatment of municipal drinking water systems, and boiler and cooling tower systems; cartridges and filter housings; filtration products for industrial air and liquid applications; custom pleaters, filter cartridges, and standard filters; and water treatment compounds. The company markets and sells its products through its personnel, distributors, representatives, agents, regional sales managers, market-based distributors, and original equipment manufacturers in the United States and internationally. Met-Pro Corporation was founded in 1966 and is headquartered in Harleysville, Pennsylvania.

10 Best Performing Stocks To Buy For 2014: Quest Software Inc.(QSFT)

Quest Software, Inc. designs, develops, markets, distributes, and supports enterprise systems management software products worldwide. The company provides database management products, including Toad for Oracle and cloud databases; benchmark factory for databases, to conduct database workload replay, industry-standard benchmark testing, and scalability testing; Toad Data Modeler; and Stat for Oracle E-Business suite, a change management and version control solution. It also offers performance monitoring products comprising Foglight End User Business Analysis suite; Foglight for Oracle E-Business suite; Foglight for Oracle; and vFoglight for performance monitoring and capacity management of complex VMware ESX and Hyper-V environments. In addition, the company offers data protection products, such as vRanger; NetVault Backup that safeguards data and applications in physical and virtual environments; NetVault Replicator, a data replication solution; NetVault FastRecover, whic h enables instant recovery after corruption or data loss; NetVault Smartdisk. Further, it provides windows server management products consisting of MessageStats; Server Administrator for SharePoint; Coexistence Manager for Notes; Migrator for Cloud Email; and Migration Manager for SharePoint. Additionally, the company offers identity and access management products, which include Enterprise Single Sign-on; ActiveRoles Server; Quest One Identity Manager; Access Manager; Defender; Password Manager to reset forgotten passwords securely; and Privilege Manager for Unix. It also provides product maintenance and technical support services; and pre and post sales consulting services, as well as education and training services. The company markets its products and services through its direct sales organization and telesales organization, as well as through value added resellers and distributors. Quest Software, Inc. was founded in 1987 and is headquartered in Aliso Viejo, California.< /p>

10 Best Performing Stocks To Buy For 2014: Argosy Minerals Inc (CUFS)

Argosy Minerals Limited engages in the acquisition and exploration of precious and base metal projects primarily in Africa. It holds an exploration license for an iron ore prospect in south-east Sierra Leone; and three exploration licenses for chromite prospects in Sierra Leone. The company was incorporated in 1985 and is based in Nedlands, Australia.

10 Best Performing Stocks To Buy For 2014: Prospect Capital Corporation(PSEC)

Prospect Capital Corporation is a mezzanine finance and private equity firm that specializes in late venture, middle market, mature, mezzanine, buyouts, recapitalizations, growth capital, development, and bridge transactions. It makes secured debt and equity investments. The firm typically invests across all industry sectors, with a particular expertise in the energy and industrial sectors. It invests in oil and gas production, coal production, materials, industrials, consumer discretionary, information technology, utilities, pipeline, storage, power generation and distribution, renewable and clean energy, oilfield services, healthcare, food and beverage, education, business services, and other select sectors. The firm prefers to invest in the United States and Canada. It seeks to invest between $5 million to $50 million in companies with EBITDA between $$ million and $75 million, sales value up to $500 million, and enterprise value of up to $250 million. The firm also co- invests for larger deals. It seeks control acquisitions by providing multiple levels of the capital structure. Prospect Capital Corporation was founded in 1988 and is based in New York, New York.

National-Oilwell: Like 'pickaxes to miners'

National-Oilwell Varco (NOV) is a provider of equipment and components used in oil and gas drilling and production operations, oilfield services, and supply chain integration services to the upstream oil and gas industry.

The firm is a leader not a follower. While other companies fight to claim the largest oil reserves, Indeed, the company is like the shrewd businessmen that sold "pickaxes to gold miners" during the Gold Rush.

The company supplies the oil drilling industry with rigs and other supplies essential to produce oil and natural gas. From beginning to end, the company is involved in the process and gets paid regardless of whether resources were discovered or not.

The company is the largest supplier of rig equipment with close to a 60% market share. Order for its rig technology exceeded $3 billion this past quarter, the second highest ever.

NOV doesn't simply sell a rig as a one-time fee and is out of the picture. The company remains an integral player in the maintenance and upkeep of the rig replacing parts and upgrading the equipment.

The company greatly benefits from wear and tear on the rig, which inevitably accumulates from being placed in very stressful conditions. NOV has as much as $12.9 billion in backlog from agreement and contracts for its services.

NOV recently acquired Robbins & Myers for $2.5 billion. By taking over its smaller rival, the company has further increased its dominance as the market leader in the industry.

The acquisition allows NOV to strengthen its position in other product lines such as blowout preventers (a crucial to safety machine to shut off a well in case of an emergency).

The company recognizes an opportunity to tighten its grip on other oil related industries…it has bolstered its portfolio through diversification further distancing itself from its competition.

The company has steadily increased its revenues over the past 10 years from $2 billion in 2003 to $20 billion this past year. It is sitting on $3.5 billion in cash. Its financial flexibility has allowed the company to engage in several acquisitions boasting its portfolio.

In addition, the company has used its favorable cash situation to implement a solid dividend payout over the last several years. The company announced a doubling of its dividend this past quarter. The company has paid out more than $1 billion in dividend over the past 4 years.

Microsoft Expands Iowa Data Center for $678 Million

Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT  ) is expanding its West Des Moines Data Center in Iowa for the third time, according to a press release from the Greater Des Moines Partnership released today. The new addition will have a minimum investment of $677.6 million, and comes four years after Microsoft opened its first Des Moines data center in 2009.

Microsoft General Manager of Data Center Services Christian Belady said in a statement today:

Microsoft has enjoyed a strong working relationship with the state of Iowa and West Des Moines and we are excited about our latest expansion project. The expansion of the West Des Moines data center is a win-win, bringing both new jobs to Iowa while supporting the growing demand for Microsoft's cloud services. The new facility is designed to provide fast and reliable services to customers in the region and features our latest efficient data center thinking.

Code-named "Project Mountain" by the Iowa Economic Development Authority, the final agreement includes eligibility for up to $20 million in tax credits. "Local incentives" from West Des Moines were also approved, but financial details were not disclosed in the release.

The center will focus primarily on Microsoft's cloud services. Construction is expected to begin later this year, with the expansion completed by 2016.

It's been a frustrating path for Microsoft investors, who've watched the company fail to capitalize on the incredible growth in mobile over the past decade. However, with the release of its own tablet, along with the widely anticipated Windows 8 operating system, the company is looking to make a splash in this booming market. In a new premium report on Microsoft, a Motley Fool analyst explains that while the opportunity is huge, so are the challenges. The report includes regular updates as key events occur, so make sure to claim a copy of this report now by clicking here.

Whisper Number Impact: Earnings Preview For General Mills

General Mills (GIS) is expected to report earnings on Wednesday, June 26th. The whisper number is $0.52, one cent behind the analysts' estimate. Whispers range from a low of $0.47 to a high of $0.55. GIS has a 67% positive surprise history (having topped the whisper in 22 of the 33 earnings reports for which we have data).

Earnings history:

- Beat whisper: 24 qtrs
- Met whisper: 3 qtrs
- Missed whisper: 14 qtrs

Our primary focus is on post earnings price movement. Knowing how likely a stock's price will move following an earnings report can help you determine the best action to take (long or short). In other words, we look at what happens when the company beats or misses the whisper number expectation.

The table below indicates the average post earnings price movement within a one and thirty trading day timeframe:

(click to enlarge)

The strongest price movement of +0.8% comes within twenty trading days when the company reports earnings that beat the whisper number, and +0.5% within ten trading days when the company reports earnings that miss the whisper number. The overall average price move is positive (beat the whisper and see strength, miss and see strength) when the company reports earnings, but the moves are limited.

The table below indicates the most recent earnings reports and short-term price reaction:

(click to enlarge)

In the comparable quarter last year the company reported earnings in-line with the whisper number. Following that report the stock realized a 3.3% gain in five trading days. Last quarter the company reported earnings seven cents ahead of the whisper number. Following that report the stock realized a 9.2% gain in thirty trading days. Overall historical! data indicates the company to be (on average) a positive price reactor when the company reports earnings.

Enter your expectation and view more earnings information here, or let us know your expectation in the comments section below.

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Since 1998, WhisperNumber.com has been tracking and publishing "crowd sourced estimates" for earnings. We call these earnings expectations whisper numbers. Our whisper numbers are gained from individual investors and traders just like you that have registered with our site. While the whisper number itself is an important part of our analysis, a company's "price reaction" to beating or missing the whisper number expectation is the key. On average, companies that exceed the whisper are "rewarded," while companies that miss are "punished" following an earnings report. Trading on whispers is a technical play on market psychology, rather than a bet on a company's fundamental strengths.

Source: Whisper Number Impact: Earnings Preview For General Mills

Disclosure: I have no positions in any stocks mentioned, and no plans to initiate any positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. (More...)

Guru Networks Sell Social Investing to Copycat Traders

Internet social networks that let users follow investments the way they track status updates on Facebook are attracting record interest, turning top performers into market stars for individual investors.

Accounts at Tel Aviv-based EToro, the largest social-investment network, have climbed to 2.85 million from 1.75 million in 2011. ZuluTrade in New York says users have more than tripled since 2011. About 17 percent of brokerages serving individuals offer the ability to copy other users' trades, according to a survey of 254 firms compiled by Aite Group LLC between October 2012 and April 2013.

In contrast to the secrecy that exists elsewhere in the investment world, where hedge funds protect their strategies and brokerages keep identities of private-banking clients confidential, the networks make positions visible to everyone. Users of EToro can duplicate bets made by the top traders, known as gurus, who may have as many as 100,000 followers and 10,000 copiers, raising concerns among professional investors.

"I don't mind sharing what I'm doing," said Santosh Tiwari, a 37-year-old technology consultant from Reading, England who became an EToro guru as bets on the British pound helped produce a return of 11 percent over the past 12 months. "EToro has evolved into such a big network, it has become a rich information source."

Disrupt Markets

Gurus may be able to disrupt markets as thousands of followers buy or sell the same securities, according to Justin Urquhart Stewart at Seven Investment Management Ltd. in London. Traders may just be seeing "glimpses of someone's portfolio" without being privy to a guru's overall trading strategy, Urquhart Stewart, who helps oversee about $6.8 billion, said in a telephone interview on June 3.

Copying someone based on past performance can be dangerous, according to Raimund Saxinger, a fund manager at Frankfurt-Trust Investment GmbH, which oversees about $22 billion.

"If you have a big universe to cho! ose from, someone will always look good, just by the laws of numbers," Saxinger said in a telephone interview from Frankfurt on June 19. "It reminds me of Barton Biggs's account of a national coin-flipping contest where, after six months, there would be 32 contestants left from 200 million entrants. These 32 gurus would be interviewed on their finger-flipping technique and whether they used a special nail polish."

Biggs, the Morgan Stanley strategist who predicted the bull markets in U.S. stocks that began in 1982 and 2009 and urged investors to sell technology shares in the late 1990s before the dot-com bubble burst, died last year.

'Survivorship Bias'

Gains in global equities over the past four years may have increased the potential for "survivorship bias" to create a distorted picture of leading gurus' skills, Saxinger said .

"I'm not sure if people are looking at the performance of trading gurus on a risk-adjusted basis," he said. "Investors need to take into account the risks taken by these gurus in order to obtain the returns that they make."

While gurus can earn as much as $10,000 a month in commissions for attracting people to duplicate their trades, they are often motivated by peer status in addition to money, according to Yoni Assia, EToro's founder and chief executive officer.

"Knowing that there are thousands of users who think you're special in some way or other gives people the chance to experience a sense of self-fulfillment," Assia said. "Most investment houses do not want to open up their customer base. On EToro, you can see who is buying and selling."

Mirror Trading

Social-investment networks started appearing in the middle of the last decade. Most focused on currency trading at first, as foreign-exchange markets allow 24-hour trading in highly liquid assets. Tradency Inc., a company founded by Lior Nabat, began offering a mirror-trading platform in 2005. EToro, which started in 2007, made technol! ogy stock! s such as Google Inc. and Apple Inc. available to its users in September last year and plans to add trading in well-known consumer companies.

Social investing attracts younger users and has a potential audience of hundreds of millions, according to Aite Group. Most clients have an interest in finance without the time or resources to be classed as a professional investor, Assia said.

ZuluTrade, a social network focused on currencies, says its user base has jumped 280 percent since 2011 to 500,000 members. Transaction volume reached about $40 billion a month, according to the company.

'Strawberry Rhubarb'

Collective2 allows customers to copy more than 15,000 trading programs designed by other subscribers. The systems have names such as "EUR Scalper" and "Strawberry Rhubarb FX" and can make buying and selling decisions for foreign exchange, equities and derivatives.

A program called "sp500-trading.com" trades U.S. stock-index futures and claims an annual return of 75 percent. The "enigma24 Eurostoxx" system focuses on European equity derivatives and has posted an 8 percent annual loss.

"The Internet is great at breaking down barriers to entry, particularly in the financial world where going to the right schools and university still carry so much weight," Matthew Klein, CEO of Collective2 in New York, said in a phone interview. "If you are a genius who has developed a trading-software program in a basement in Moscow, you can use C2 as a distribution channel for the program you have developed to brokerages across the globe."

Virtual Money

At EToro, which plans to move its head office to London next week, clients can set up an account in minutes via their Facebook login. After practicing with virtual money, funds are deposited with a credit card. A minimum of $50 is required to start trading for real. Traders must also upload a copy of their passport and a utility bill.

"We don't think it is a fad," Assia said. "Soci! al invest! ing democratizes the world of investment. It allows people to see when people succeed and when they fail. You find all the secrets of the market."

EToro acts as a market maker, using derivatives known as contracts for difference to provide its users with exposure to stocks. CFDs are a leveraged product that allow people to bet on the movement of a stock without owning shares. The social investment network reached 50 million trades by users in May, 64 percent of which were copied.

Tiwari says becoming a guru felt like a natural progression and the status gives "validation" to his skills. He has about 3,500 copy traders and 72,000 followers, having used EToro since 2008, Tiwari said in a phone interview.

S&P Bets

Tiwari has a second account where he makes bets on the Standard and Poor's 500 Index and Germany's DAX Index (DAX). He doesn't encourage people to follow these trades as he's just "trying out new ideas." The DAX climbed 1.1 percent to 7,899.65 at 10:22 a.m. in Frankfurt today.

Julio Rus Fernandez, a guru from Spain who trades under the name Malsolo, is a firefighter who has about 7,600 copy traders and has become a celebrity on EToro, according to Assia. Describing himself on his EToro profile page as a part-time trader, Fernandez writes that he takes on little leverage, using technical and fundamental analysis to place bets on global currency markets.

"We invited him to attend a user event in Barcelona where he was warmly welcomed by all those attending, who wanted to finally meet him," Assia said. "Malsolo is very much liked by the community and he regularly engages with his tribe to maintain and build his relationship."

Javier Paz, a senior analyst at Aite Group in Boston, said social investing allows inexperienced investors to benefit from the wisdom of crowds. He is concerned about the amount of borrowing traders use to increase the size of their bets.

'Dumb People'

"Crowd sourcing gives members of ! community! linked insight as they pick up insight from each other," Paz said in a phone interview. "Leverage means they risk losing a large portion of their original investment, which typically is a few hundred dollars. Leverage can be akin to using a credit card. Smart people will make use of it in an intelligent way, dumb people will just use it too much."

Collective2's Klein said social investment networks need to promote responsible investing so uninformed traders don't suffer large losses. Users of EToro, which has obtained authorization under the U.K.'s Financial Conduct Authority, can see the performance of a guru over the past year and the company is considering lengthening that, Assia said.

Social-network users still may not have sufficient information to judge the returns of fellow traders, according to David Jones, chief market strategist at IG, a London-based firm that offers spread betting, a way of placing wagers on stocks without owning them.

Closed Positions

"Some companies only show the trading history of closed positions," Jones said in a telephone interview on June 5. "A profit and loss could be skewed if some positions are still open. Maybe you are not seeing the true performance picture."

Alexander Thirlby, 37, a software developer for Microsoft Corp. in London, discovered EToro via an advertisement on Facebook. Copying the positions of more experienced traders has proved a winning investment strategy, Thirlby said.

"You get access to a vast amount of experience," Thirlby said in a telephone interview. "The social network brings into play the wisdom of crowds. If you are going into battle, it is better to do it with 1,000 people."

Top 10 Defensive Companies To Invest In Right Now

Against the current economic and fiscal backdrop, the most prudent course of action is to focus on large-cap consumer and information technology stocks that are less vulnerable to unexpected political shocks and the market�� ups-and-downs.

However, investors worried about the contractionary effects of ��equestration��don�� have to sit on the sidelines. They can take a defensive stance and still enjoy growth.

Accordingly, our latest ��est Buy��is Home Depot (HD), from the Growth Portfolio�� consumer discretionary sleeve. The stock is a timely play on rising home prices and the pick-up in construction activity.

Top 10 Defensive Companies To Invest In Right Now: MakeMyTrip Limited(MMYT)

MakeMyTrip Limited, an online travel company, provides travel products and solutions in India and the United States. Its products and services include air tickets, hotels, packages, rail tickets, bus tickets, car hire, and ancillary travel requirements, such as travel insurance and visa processing. The company, through its Website, makemytrip.com, allow travelers to research, plan, and book a range of travel services and products in India and internationally. MakeMyTrip Limited also provides its products and services through other technology-enhanced distribution channels, such as call centers, travel stores, and travel agents? network. Its customers comprise leisure travelers and small businesses. The company was formerly known as International Web Travel Private Limited and changed its name to MakeMyTrip Limited in April 2010. MakeMyTrip Limited was founded in 2000 and is based in Gurgaon, India.

Top 10 Defensive Companies To Invest In Right Now: Cadence Design Systems Inc (CDNS.O)

Cadence Design Systems, Inc. (Cadence) develops electronic design automation (EDA), software, hardware, and silicon intellectual property (IP). Cadence licenses software and IP, sells or leases hardware technology and provides engineering and education services worldwide to help manage and accelerate electronics product development processes. The Company�� customers use its products and services to design and develop complex integrated circuits (ICs) and electronics systems. The Company combines its products and technologies into platforms for four design activities: Functional Verification; Digital IC Design and Implementation; Custom IC Design and Verification, and System Interconnect Design. It sells software using three license types: subscription, term and perpetual. It also offers a number of fee-based services, including engineering and education services. In June 2010, Cadence acquired Denali Software, Inc. (Denali). In May 2011, it acquired Altos Design Autom ation, Inc. On July 11, 2011, the Company acquired Azuro, Inc. In July 2012, the Company acquired Sigrity, Inc.

The four Cadence design platforms are branded as Incisive functional verification, Encounter digital IC design, Virtuoso custom design and Allegro system interconnect design. In addition, the Company augments these platform product offerings with a set of design for manufacturing (DFM), products that service both the digital and custom IC design flows. These solutions and their constituent elements are marketed to users who specialize in areas, such as system design and verification, functional verification, logic design, digital implementation, custom IC design and printed circuit board (PCB), and IC package / SiP design.

Functional Verification

Cadence�� functional verification offerings consist of two categories: Logic Verification and System Design and Verification. Logic Verification offering consists of planning, pro perty checking, testbench simulation, verification IP, and! e! nvironment capabilities within the Incisive functional verification platform. This offering enables the Company�� customers to employ enterprise-level verification process automation, including metric-driven verification planning, process tracking and management. System Design and Verification offerings consist of hardware-assisted verification with emulation and acceleration, including the verification computing platform Palladium XP, Palladium and Xtreme platforms, system-level design capabilities, verification IP, estimation of system-on-chip (SoC), consulting services, and methodologies. The QuickCycles program allows customers access to its simulation acceleration and emulation products, either on their secure Internet site or remotely over a secure network connection. The products obtained through the acquisition of Denali include verification IP, memory models, and design IP.

Digital IC Design and Implementation

Cadence�� Digital IC offe rings are used by its customers to create logical representations of a digital circuit or IC. The Company�� Digital IC offerings include two categories: Logic Design and Physical Implementation. Logic Design offering consists of formal verification, equivalency checking, synthesis and test capabilities within the Encounter digital IC design platform and property checking, simulation, and environment capabilities within the Incisive functional verification platform. This offering provides chip planning, design, verification and test technologies and services to customers across all digital design end markets. Physical Implementation offering consists of a range of the Encounter digital IC design platform capabilities. The Physical Implementation offering includes timing analysis, signal integrity, power analysis, extraction, physical verification, and place and route capabilities within the Encounter digital IC design platform. It enables the customers to create a physical representation of logic models, analyze electrical and ! physi! ca! l chara! cteristics of a design and prepare a design for manufacturing.

Custom IC Design and Verification

Cadence�� Custom IC Design and Verification offerings are used by its customers to create schematic representations of circuits down to the transistor level for analog, mixed-signal, custom digital, memory and radio frequency (RF) designs. These logical representations are verified using simulation tools optimized for each type of design. The offering includes the environment, IC layout and simulation capabilities within the Virtuoso custom design platform. Other tools in the Custom IC portfolio are used to prepare the designs for manufacturing.

System Interconnect Design

Cadence�� System Interconnect Design offerings are used by its customers to develop printed circuit board (PCBs), and IC packages. The offerings include the capabilities within the Allegro system interconnect design platform: PCB, IC package, SiP, des ign management and collaboration. The Company�� offerings also include the simulation capability within the Virtuoso custom design platform. These offerings enable engineers who are responsible for the capture, layout and analysis of advanced PCB and IC packages to design electronic products across the domains of IC, IC package and PCB. For PCB customers, the Company provides the OrCAD family of offerings that is marketed worldwide through a network of resellers.

The Company competes with Synopsys, Inc., Mentor Graphics Corporation and Magma Design Automation, Inc.

Top Insurance Stocks To Own For 2014: OptimumBank Holdings Inc.(OPHC)

OptimumBank Holdings, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for OptimumBank that provides community banking products and services to individuals and corporate customers in Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties, Florida. Its deposit products include demand interest-bearing and noninterest-bearing accounts, money market deposit accounts, NOW accounts, and time deposits, as well as direct deposits. The company also provides residential and commercial real estate loans, and consumer loans to individuals and small businesses, and other organizations. In addition, it offers credit cards, cash management, notary services, money orders, night depository, travelers? checks, cashier?s checks, domestic collections, savings bonds, bank drafts, automated teller services, drive-in tellers, and banking by mail services. Further, the company provides Internet banking services. It conducts operations from its Fort Lauderdale headquarters and three branch offices in Fort Lauder dale, Plantation, and Deerfield Beach. The company was founded in 2000 and is headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Top 10 Defensive Companies To Invest In Right Now: First Niagara Financial Group Inc.(FNFG)

First Niagara Financial Group, Inc. operates as the holding company for First Niagara Bank, N.A. that provides retail and commercial banking, and other financial services to individuals, families, and businesses. It offers retail deposit accounts, which include savings, negotiable order of withdrawal, checking, money market, and certificate of deposit accounts, as well as provides business savings and checking, money market, cash management accounts, and municipal deposit accounts. The company?s loan portfolio comprises commercial real estate and multi-family loans; commercial business loans; residential real estate loans; home equity loans; and consumer loans consisting of indirect mobile home loans, and personal secured and unsecured loans. It also sells insurance products, including commercial and personal insurance, surety bond, life, disability, and long-term care coverage products. In addition, the company offers risk management consulting services comprising altern ative risk and self-insurance services, claims investigation and adjusting services, and third party administration services for self insured workers? compensation plans. Further, it provides employee benefits plan and compensation consulting services. Additionally, First Niagara Financial Group offers wealth management services that manage client funds utilizing various third party investment vehicles consisting of stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and annuities, as well as other investment products, such as individual retirement accounts, education savings plans, and retirement plans. As of December 31, 2010 it operated 257 bank branches, including 115 in Upstate New York and 142 branches in Pennsylvania. The company was founded in 1870 and is based in Buffalo, New York.

Top 10 Defensive Companies To Invest In Right Now: Navidea Biopharmaceuticals Inc (NAVB)

Navidea Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (Navidea), formerly Neoprobe Corporation, incorporated in 1983, is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of precision diagnostic agents. As of December 31, 2011, the Company�� radiopharmaceutical development programs included Lymphoseek (Lymphoseek, Kit for the Preparation of Technetium Tc99m for Injection), a radiopharmaceutical agent for lymph node mapping; AZD4694, an imaging agent, and RIGScan, a tumor antigen-specific targeting agent. In January 2012, the Company executed an option agreement with Alseres Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Alseres) to license [123I]-E-IACFT Injection, also called Altropane, an Iodine-123 radiolabeled imaging agent, being developed as an aid in the diagnosis of Parkinson�� disease, movement disorders and dementia. In August 2011, the Company sold its gamma detection device line of business (the GDS Business) to Devicor Medical Products, Inc.

Lymphoseek

Navidea�� pipeline includes clinical-stage radiopharmaceutical agents used to identify the presence and status of disease. Lymphoseek (Kit for the Preparation of Technetium Tc99m for Injection) is a lymph node targeting agent intended for use in intraoperative lymphatic mapping (ILM) procedures and lymphoscintigraphy employed in the overall diagnostic assessment of certain solid tumor cancers. The lymph system is a component of the body�� immune system. The key components of the lymph system are lymph nodes-small anatomic structures that contain disease-fighting lymphocytes, filter lymph of bacteria and cancer cells, and signal infection in response to heightened levels of pathogens. In Navidea�� Phase III clinical studies of Lymphoseek, it detected over 99% of positive nodes identified by vital blue dye (VBD). As of December 31, 2011, Navidea, in co-operation with UC, San Diego affiliate (UCSD), completed or initiated five Phase I clinical trials, one multi-center Phase II trial and three multi-center Phase II trials inv! olving Lymphoseek. Two Phase III studies were completed in subjects with breast cancer and melanoma. During the year ended December 31, 2011, data from NEO3-09 were released, which indicated that all primary and secondary endpoints for the study were met. As of December 31, 2011, third Phase III clinical trial for Lymphoseek in subjects with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (NEO3-06) was in progress.

AZD4694

AZD4694 is a Fluorine-18 labeled precision radiopharmaceutical candidate for use in the imaging and evaluation of patients with signs or symptoms of cognitive impairment such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). It binds to beta-amyloid deposits in the brain that can then be imaged in positron emission tomography (PET) scans. Amyloid plaque pathology is a required feature of AD and the presence of amyloid pathology is a supportive feature for diagnosis of probable AD. Patients who are negative for amyloid pathology do not have AD. AZD4694 has been studied in several clinical trials. Clinical studies through Phase IIa have included more than 80 patients to date, both suspected AD patients and healthy volunteers. No significant adverse events have been observed. Results suggest that AZD4694 has the ability to image patients quickly and safely with high sensitivity.

RadioImmunoGuided Surgery

As of December 31, 2011, RIGScan had been studied in a number of clinical trials, including Phase III studies. Navidea has conducted two Phase III studies, NEO2-13 and NEO2-14, of RIGScan in patients with primary and metastatic colorectal cancer, respectively. Both studies were multi-institutional involving cancer treatment institutions in the United States, Israel, and the European Union.

The Company competes with Pharmalucence, Eli Lilly, Bayer Schering, General Electric and GE Healthcare.

Top 10 Defensive Companies To Invest In Right Now: Raven Industries Inc.(RAVN)

Raven Industries, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, manufactures various products for industrial, agricultural, energy, construction, and military/aerospace markets primarily in North America. It operates in four segments: Applied Technology, Engineered Films, Aerostar, and Electronic Systems. The Applied Technology segment designs, manufactures, sells, and services precision agriculture products and information management tools enabling growers to enhance farm yields. Its products include field computers, application controls, GPS-guidance and assisted-steering systems, automatic boom controls, and yield monitoring planter controls, as well as an integrated real time kinematic and information platform called Slingshot. This segment sells its products to original equipment manufacturers, as well as through after market distributors. The Engineered Films segment produces rugged reinforced plastic sheeting for industrial, construction, geomembrane, and agricultural appli cations. It sells plastic sheeting to independent third-party distributors through its sales force. The Aerostar segment sells high-altitude research balloons and tethered aerostats for government and commercial research. It produces military parachutes, uniforms, and protective wear for the U.S. government agencies as a subcontractor; and other sewn and sealed products on a contract basis. The Electronic Systems segment provides electronics manufacturing services for commercial customers. It manufactures assemblies, including avionics, communication, environmental controls, and other products. The company was founded in 1956 and is headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Top 10 Defensive Companies To Invest In Right Now: Klondike Gold Corp. (KG.V)

Klondike Gold Corp. engages in the acquisition and exploration of mineral properties in Canada. The company primarily explores for gold, silver, copper, lead, sullivan type, and zinc deposits. It holds interests in various properties located in British Columbia, Ontario, and Yukon. The company was founded in 1978 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.

Top 10 Defensive Companies To Invest In Right Now: UTStarcom Inc.(UTSI)

UTStarcom Holdings Corp. designs and sells Internet protocol (IP)-based telecommunications infrastructure products to telecommunications service providers and operators worldwide. It provides solutions in IPTV, interactive (iD) TV, Internet TV, and broadband, as well as related installation and maintenance services. It offers multimedia communications products, including RollingStream, an IPTV solution that enables a service provider to deliver broadcast television and on-demand video services to residential and commercial premises over a switched network architecture; mSwitch, a next generation network solution that enables service providers to migrate from existing circuit platforms to a next generation IP-based switch architecture, or to launch new applications in new deployment environments that have no legacy infrastructure; and a personal access system, as well as provides related consulting, technical, project, quality, and maintenance support-level services. The co mpany also provides broadband infrastructure products comprising broadband access products consisting of multi-service access node products; digital subscriber line (DSL) products, such as DSL modems, set-top boxes, and voice over the internet devices for residential and business customers; and gigabit Ethernet passive optical network products, as well as optical transport products, including packet optical transport network products, multi-service transport platform, and resilient packet ring. It sells its products through direct sales, original equipment manufacturers, distributors, resellers, agents, and licensees primarily in China, Japan, India, and other Asian markets; the United States; Latin America; and Europe. The company was formerly known as UTStarcom, Inc. and changed its name to UTStarcom Holdings Corp. in June 2011. UTStarcom Holdings Corp. was founded in 1991 and is headquartered in Beijing, China.

Top 10 Defensive Companies To Invest In Right Now: CSG Systems International Inc.(CSGS)

CSG Systems International, Inc. provides business support solutions primarily to the communications industry. Its suite of solutions comprises Advanced Convergent Platform, a billing and customer care, and business optimization platform; Singleview suite, an integrated customer care, billing, and real-time rating and charging solution; Total Service Mediation (TSM) framework supports offline, and real-time mediation requirements, as well as service activation; and Wholesale Business Management (WBM) solution, a wholesale settlement and routing solution that handles various types of traffic consisting of voice, data, and content. The company?s solutions also include customer interaction management solutions that deliver interactive voice, SMS/text, print, email, Web, and fax messages on behalf of clients; analytics and intelligence services suite delivers an approach for enhancing the customer experience, increasing sales opportunities, and optimizing business; and Content Direct solutions, which enable content providers to manage subscriber preferences and offer digital content. It also licenses software products, such as WBM solution, TSM, and Singleview products; and offers professional services to implement these software products. The company also provides its services to financial services, healthcare, utilities, entertainment, and content distribution industries. It operates in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. The company was founded in 1994 and is headquartered in Englewood, Colorado.

Top 10 Defensive Companies To Invest In Right Now: U.S. Bancorp(USB)

U.S. Bancorp, a financial services holding company, provides various banking and financial services in the United States. It generates various deposit products, including checking accounts, savings accounts, money market savings, and time certificates of deposit accounts. The company originates a portfolio of loans comprising commercial loans and lease financing; commercial real estate; residential mortgage; and retail loans consisting of credit cards, retail leasing, home equity and second mortgages, and other retail loans. It also offers wholesale lending, equipment finance, small-ticket leasing, depository, treasury management, capital markets, foreign exchange, and international trade services to middle market, large corporate, commercial real estate, and public sector clients. In addition, U.S. Bancorp provides telebanking and automated teller machine (ATM) services, as well as cash management services. The company, through other subsidiaries, provides trust, private banking, financial advisory, investment management, retail brokerage services, insurance, and custody and fund services; and payment services, including consumer and business credit cards, stored-value cards, debit cards, corporate and purchasing card services, consumer lines of credit, and merchant processing. U.S. Bancorp primarily serves individuals, estates, foundations, business corporations, and charitable organizations. It operates a network of approximately 3,031 banking offices and 5,310 ATMs. The company was founded in 1863 and is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Philip van Doorn]

  U.S. Bancorp (USB_) of Minneapolis, for example, recorded a 2012 operating return on average assets (ROA) of 1.62%, according to Thomson Reuters Bank Insight, making it one of the best performers among large-cap banks. This performance was not an aberration, as the company was in the top five for return on average equity among actively traded U.S. bank stocks from the beginning of 2006 through the third quarter of 2012.

Can These Hail Marys Save NVIDIA Stock?

Frustrated with its lack of wins in the mobile market, chip designer NVIDIA (NASDAQ: NVDA  ) came up with a new strategy: License your graphics designs to other mobile processor builders.

NVIDIA's high-performance graphics solutions tend to crush competing designs from Qualcomm  (NASDAQ: QCOM  ) and PowerVR, but only in terms of raw performance. The picture is far murkier when you include factors like battery life and pricing. NVIDIA probably doesn't stand much of a chance at breaking into Qualcomm's products, given that the big Q likes to design its own graphics systems. But maybe Samsung or Apple would consider replacing their creaky PowerVR licenses with NVIDIA ones?

If that idea doesn't pan out, NVIDIA is also about to launch an Android-based handheld gaming system. Have you heard of the NVIDIA Shield, which launches on June 27? No? That's probably not a good sign. Nintendo can breathe easy; its dominant 3DS system's market share safe from harm this time.

NVIDIA stock has underperformed the market in the long run and traded sideways over the last year. The company could use a big win right now, or maybe two. In the video below, Fool contributor Anders Bylund explains what NVIDIA's pair of Hail Mary plays mean for investors. Spoiler alert: It's not good news.

It's incredible to think just how much of our digital and technological lives are almost entirely shaped and molded by just a handful of companies. Find out "Who Will Win the War Between the 5 Biggest Tech Stocks?" in The Motley Fool's latest free report, which details the knock-down, drag-out battle being waged by the five kings of tech. Click here to keep reading.

New CFO of American Express Gets a Healthy Pay Package

As noted in a recent Fool news article, American Express (NYSE: AXP  ) has named Jeffrey Campbell as its new executive vice president and CFO, effective later this summer. In a current SEC filing, American Express detailed Campbell's pay package, which could total as much as $20.5 million when fully vested, including salary, incentives, grant awards, and restricted stock and options.

As per the SEC filing, Campbell's compensation will include a $1 million base salary and participation in American Express' annual incentive program with a "guidance value" of $3.5 million, though that is pro-rated for 2013, in addition to its long-term incentive program valued at $2.5 million in restricted stock and options. Campbell will receive his first long-term incentive award July 31 and will be fully vested by Q1 of 2016.

An American Express "portfolio grant" is also part of Campbell's compensation package. The grant, worth as much as $1.5 million, will be awarded upon hire and will be fully vested in February 2016.

In addition to the salary, incentive, and grant, Campbell will also be given "sign-on" compensation, including a portfolio grant vesting in February 2015 and valued at $3 million, and a sign-on grant of restricted stock and options valued at $5 million when received, vesting in three years. A sign-on cash award of $4 million, payable in two annual installments beginning on Campbell's first anniversary, and participation in American Express' executive benefit plans round out his compensation package.

Biotechs Take a Dive After a Standout Start to 2013

Are investors hitting the brakes on biotech? The biotech sector's one of the most boom-or-bust areas for investors, where fortunes can be won or lost. For most of the first half of 2013, it seemed the former was true, as the Nasdaq Biotechnology Index soared by double-digit percentage growth.

Over the past five days, however, the index shed nearly 5%, part of a 7% drop over the past month. Should investors be worried about this volatile sector, or are the past week's losses a remote event you should discount? Let's look at why some of the biotech index's big names were on the move this week.

Even biotechs can't escape Bernanke
To be fair to biotech investors, the entire market took a beating this week behind Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's announcement that the central bank could explore tapering back quantitative-easing bond buying later this year if the economy continues to improve. That won't affect the biotech market much, but in a classic overreaction from Wall Street, the sector fell with every other one on Wednesday and Thursday.

Onyx Pharmaceuticals' (NASDAQ: ONXX  ) fall this week offers one example. Onyx shares plunged more than 9% over the past five days despite little news from the company. In fact, Onyx had been doing quite well with a double-digit gain year-to-date before this week; the company commands two strong oncology drugs that it's partnered on with Bayer in kidney cancer treatment Nexavar and colorectal cancer therapy Stivarga, the latter of which Onyx predicts will reach blockbuster status, with peak sales in excess of $1 billion. All this week's drop means for investors is a dip to buy this promising stock cheaper.

That's not the case for the week's biggest loser, however. Idenix Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: IDIX  ) shares plunged by more than 31% this week after Friday's 30% nosedive, completely wiping out this stock's year-to-date gains. Thank the FDA for this one. after the agency requested more safety information from the company's developmental hepatitis-C oral drug IDX20963. The drug's still in preclinical stages, but the FDA put clinical holds on two of Idenix's drugs last year, making this a very unwelcome trend at the company as competitors move ahead in the oral hep-C market.

Medivation (NASDAQ: MDVN  ) shares also were hit hard this week, falling 7.8% over the past five days. Shares fell 8% alone on Monday, after Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ  ) agreed to purchase Aragon Pharmaceuticals in a $1 billion deal. It wasn't a game-changer for J&J, considering Aragon's developmental prostate cancer therapy ARN-509 is in phase 2 trials, although if the company can advance the drug to a regulatory victory down the road, it could one day fill in for J&J's current blockbuster oncology drug Zytiga after its patent expires.

Analysts think the drug can one day become a rival to Medivation's recently approved prostate cancer pill Xtandi, however. J&J expects the prostate cancer market to grow over time, perhaps allowing both drugs to co-exist -- a view supported by Citi analyst Yaron Weber, who expects Xtandi eventually to command 40% of the market. In all, the acquisition, even by a company as powerful as J&J, isn't a deal-breaker for Medivation.

Building up for the long term
While you can certainly make huge gains in biotech and pharmaceuticals, the best investing approach is to choose great companies and stick with them for the long term. The Motley Fool's free report "3 Stocks That Will Help You Retire Rich" names stocks that could help you build long-term wealth and retire well, along with some winning wealth-building strategies that every investor should be aware of. Click here now to keep reading.

10 Best Media Stocks To Own For 2014

It takes money to make money. Most investors know that, but with business media so focused on the "how much," very few investors bother to ask, "How fast?"

When judging a company's prospects, how quickly it turns cash outflows into cash inflows can be just as important as how much profit it's booking in the accounting fantasy world we call "earnings." This is one of the first metrics I check when I'm hunting for the market's best stocks. Today, we'll see how it applies to Semtech (Nasdaq: SMTC  ) .

Let's break this down
In this series, we measure how swiftly a company turns cash into goods or services and back into cash. We'll use a quick, relatively foolproof tool known as the cash conversion cycle, or CCC for short.

Why does the CCC matter? The less time it takes a firm to convert outgoing cash into incoming cash, the more powerful and flexible its profit engine is. The less money tied up in inventory and accounts receivable, the more available to grow the company, pay investors, or both.

10 Best Media Stocks To Own For 2014: Charter Communications Inc.(CHTR)

Charter Communications, Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides entertainment, information, and communications solutions to residential and commercial customers in the United States. The company offers cable video programming services, such as basic and digital video, premium channels, OnDemand, pay-per-view, high definition television, digital video recorder, and online video services; Internet services; Charter.net, which provides multiple e-mail addresses, as well as various entertainment, games, news, and sports content; and telephone services. It also provides broadband communications solutions, such as Internet access, data networking, fiber connectivity to cellular towers and office buildings, video entertainment services, and business telephone services under the Charter Business brand name to business and carrier organizations. As of December 31, 2011, the company served approximately 4.1 million video customers; approximately 3.5 million Internet customers; appr oximately 1.7 million telephone customers; and approximately 476,200 commercial primary service units. Charter Communications, Inc. was founded in 1999 and is based in St. Louis, Missouri.

10 Best Media Stocks To Own For 2014: Thomson Reuters Corp(TRI)

Thomson Reuters Corporation provides intelligent information for businesses and professionals worldwide. The company allows market participants to connect, access content, and trade in a secure environment through Thomson Reuters Eikon desktop, Thomson Reuters Elektron network, content integration and management technology, content feeds and databases, and transactions infrastructure solutions that support buy- and sell-side customers to trade in foreign exchange, fixed income and derivatives, equities, exchange-traded instruments, and commodities and energy markets. It also offers information, analytics, workflow, and technology solutions to buy-side and off-trading floor customers; access to liquidity in over-the-counter markets, trade execution, and connections for market participants and financial professionals? communities; and a suite of solutions offering informed outcomes to regulated industries and law firms. In addition, the company provides critical information , decision support tools, and software and services to legal, investigation, business, and government professionals; integrated tax compliance and accounting software and services for accounting and law firms, corporations, and government professionals; intellectual property and scientific resources that enable its customers to discover, develop, and deliver innovations; and data analytics, and performance benchmarking solutions and services to healthcare sector. Further, it offers coverage of global, regional, and national news in 20 languages covering politics, business, finance, entertainment, lifestyle, technology, health, science, and sports; and engages in advertising-supported direct-to-consumer publishing activities of Reuters.com and its network of Websites, mobile applications, and electronic out-of-home displays. The company was formerly known as The Thomson Corporation and changed its name to Thomson Reuters Corporation in April 2008. The company is headquartered in New York, New York.

5 Best Dividend Stocks To Buy Right Now: Time Warner Inc.(TWX)

Time Warner Inc. operates as a media and entertainment company in the United States and internationally. It operates in three segments: Networks, Filmed Entertainment, and Publishing. The Networks segment provides domestic and international networks, premium pay and basic tier television programming services, and digital media properties, which primarily consist of brand-aligned Websites. Its premium pay television services consist of the multi-channel HBO and Cinemax premium pay television services. This segment provides programming to cable system operators, satellite service distributors, telephone companies, and other distributors; sells advertising; and licenses original programming to domestic and international television networks. The Filmed Entertainment segment produces and distributes feature films, television and other programming, and videogames; distributes home video products; and licenses rights to its feature films, television programming, and characters. T he Publishing segment publishes magazines and books; and operates various Websites, as well as engages in marketing services and direct-marketing businesses. This segment publishes magazines on style and entertainment, lifestyle, news, and sports. The company?s brands include TNT, TBS, CNN, HBO, Cinemax, Warner Bros., New Line Cinema, People, Sports Illustrated, and Time. Time Warner Inc. was founded in 1985 and is headquartered in New York, New York.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Cutler]

  Miller holds $247 Million of TWX shares. TWX returned 28.3% during the past year. Miller reduced his Time Warner stake by 14% in the 4th quarter. TWX gained 14% since then, outperforming the SPY by 8.3 percentage points.

10 Best Media Stocks To Own For 2014: DISH Network Corporation(DISH)

DISH Network Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides direct broadcast satellite (DBS) subscription television services in the United States. It offers programming that includes approximately 280 basic video channels, 60 Sirius satellite radio music channels, 30 premium movie channels, 35 regional and specialty sports channels, 2,800 local channels, 250 Latino and international channels, and 55 channels of pay-per-view content. The company also offers local HD channels in approximately 160 markets and 215 national HD channels; and receiver systems, including a small satellite dish, digital set-top receivers, and remote controls. In addition, it provides DISHOnline.com, which enables DISH Network subscribers to watch 150,000 movies, television shows, clips, and trailers; DISH Remote Access that enables subscribers to remotely manage their DVRs using compatible mobile devices, such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops through their broadband-connected receiver; and Go ogle TV that enables DISH Network subscribers to search the Internet, check email, interact with social media, and find additional online programming content while simultaneously watching television. As of March 31, 2011, the company had approximately 14.191 million customers. DISH Network provides receiver systems and programming through direct sales channels; and independent third parties, such as small satellite retailers, direct marketing groups, local and regional consumer electronics stores, nationwide retailers, and telecommunications companies. The company was founded in 1980 and is headquartered in Englewood, Colorado.

10 Best Media Stocks To Own For 2014: Liberty Global Inc.(LBTYA)

Liberty Global, Inc. provides video, broadband Internet, and telephony services primarily in Europe and Chile. The company offers broadband services over cable distribution systems, including video, broadband Internet, and telephony; and video services through direct-to-home satellite, or through multichannel multipoint distribution systems. Its analog video services comprise basic and expanded basic programming; and digital cable services include basic and premium programming, digital video recorders, and high definition programming, as well as pay-per-view programming, such as video-on-demand and near video-on-demand. In addition, the company offers voice-over-Internet-protocol and circuit-switched telephony services, as well as mobile telephony services using third-party networks. Further, it owns programming networks that provide video programming channels to multi-channel distribution systems owned by the company and the third parties. As of December 31, 2011, the com pany owned and operated networks that passed 33,262,100 homes; and served 18,405,500 video subscribers, 8,159,300 broadband Internet subscribers, and 6,225,300 telephony subscribers. Liberty Global, Inc. was founded in 2004 and is based in Englewood, Colorado.

10 Best Media Stocks To Own For 2014: CBS Corporation(CBS)

CBS Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a mass media company in the United States and internationally. The company?s Entertainment segment distributes a schedule of news and public affairs broadcasts, sports, and entertainment programming; produces, acquires, and distributes programming, including series, specials, news, and public affairs; produces and distributes theatrical motion pictures across various genres; and operates online content networks for information and entertainment. Its Cable Networks segment owns and operates multiplexed channels that offers subscription program services, including recently released theatrical feature films, original series, documentaries, boxing, mixed martial arts and other sports-related programming, and special events; and CBS College Sports Network, a 24-hour cable program service related to college sports. This segment also owns and manages Smithsonian Networks, which operates Smithsonian Channel, a basic cab le service in the United States. The company?s Publishing segment publishes and distributes adult and children?s consumer books in printed, audio, and digital formats. Its Local Broadcasting segment owns 29 broadcast television stations; owns and operates 130 radio stations in 28 U.S. markets and related online properties; and owns local Websites that combine television and radio local media brands online to provide the latest news, traffic, weather, and sports information, as well as local discounts, directories, and reviews. The company?s Outdoor segment sells advertising space on various media, including billboards, transit shelters and other street furniture, buses, rail systems, mall kiosks, stadium signage, and in retail stores. CBS Corporation was founded in 1986 and is headquartered in New York, New York.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Matthew Scott]

  The price of CBS (NYSE: CBS) stock has increased nearly than eight times in two years, jumping from $2.99 on March 9, 2009 to $25.04 at the end of the first quarter this year. Broadcasting advertising revenues have increased over the last two years and CBS has content choices in multiple genres that will likely be advertising winners for the foreseeable future. CBS Sports continues to be a leader, and the broadcaster has top entries Survivor and Amazing Race in the reality show area, top dramas such as the CSI series and the hot new series Hawaii Five-O, and it even had the top comedy Two and a Half Men before Charlie Sheen imploded. With all these shows expected back next year, ad revenues should continue to be strong.

10 Best Media Stocks To Own For 2014: Discovery Communications Inc(DISCA)

Discovery Communications, Inc. operates as a non fiction media and entertainment company worldwide. The company provides original and purchased programming across various distribution platforms. Its content covers science, exploration, survival, natural history, sustainability of the environment, technology, docu-series, anthropology, paleontology, history, space, archaeology, health and wellness, engineering, adventure, lifestyles, forensics, civilization, and current events. The company owns and operates nine national television networks in the United States, including Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Science Channel, Investigation Discovery, Military Channel, Planet Green, Discovery Fit & Health, and Velocity. Discovery Communications also has interests in Oprah Winfrey Network, a pay-television network and Web site; The Hub that features original programming, game shows, and live-action series and specials; and 3net, a three-dimensional network. In addition, it o ffers network branded Web sites, and mobile and video-on-demand services; and distributes various national and pan-regional television networks. Further, the company develops and sells curriculum-based products and services to public and private K-12 schools, such as access to an online VOD service that includes curriculum-based tools, professional development services, and student assessment and publication of hardcopy curriculum-based content; and postproduction audio services to motion picture studios, independent producers, broadcast networks, cable channels, advertising agencies, and interactive producers. As of December 31, 2011, it operated approximately 150 distribution feeds in 40 languages. The company is headquartered in Silver Spring, Maryland.

10 Best Media Stocks To Own For 2014: Time Warner Cable Inc(TWC)

Time Warner Cable Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a cable operator in the United States. It offers video, high-speed data, and voice services over its broadband cable systems to residential and commercial customers. The company provides a range of video services, including on-demand, high-definition (HD), and digital video recorder (DVR) services; residential high-speed data services with connection to the Internet; wireless mobile broadband Internet services; and digital phone services to residential customers. It offers video programming tiers and music services; high-speed data, networking, and transport services; and commercial digital phone service to small and medium-sized businesses under the Time Warner Cable Business Class brand. Further, Time Warner Cable Inc. sells advertising to various national, regional, and local customers. As of June 30, 2011, the company served approximately 14.5 million residential and commercial customers in the New Yor k State, the Carolinas, Ohio, southern California, and Texas. Time Warner Cable Inc. is based in New York, New York.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By John Reese]

  Time Warner Cable, Inc. (NYSE:TWC): On 3/31/11 Viking Global Investors reported holding 7,721,684 shares with a market value of $550,864,908. This comprised 4.75% of the total portfolio. On 6/30/11, Viking Global Investors held 9,058,812 shares with a market value of $706,949,697. This comprised 5.92% of the total portfolio. The net change in shares for this position over the two quarters is 1,337,128. About the company: Time Warner Cable, Inc. offers cable television subscription services.? The Company also offers Internet access and voice over Internet protocol telephone services.

10 Best Media Stocks To Own For 2014: News Corporation(NWSA)

News Corporation operates as a diversified media company worldwide. Its Cable Network Programming segment produces and licenses news, business news, sports, general entertainment, and movie programming for distribution through cable television systems and direct broadcast satellite operators primarily in the United States, Latin America, Europe, and Asia. The company?s Filmed Entertainment segment produces and acquires live-action and animated motion pictures for distribution and licensing in entertainment media, as well as produces and licenses television programming worldwide. Its Television segment operates 27 broadcast television stations in the United States. The company?s Direct Broadcast Satellite Television segment distributes programming services via satellite and broadband directly to subscribers in Italy. Its Publishing segment provides newspapers and information services, such as publishing national newspapers in the United Kingdom, approximately 146 newspapers in Australia, and a metropolitan and a national newspaper in the United States; book publishing services, including the publishing of English language books worldwide; and integrated marketing services comprising the publishing of free-standing inserts, which are marketing booklets containing coupons, rebates, and other consumer offers, as well as provides in-store marketing products and services, primarily to consumer packaged goods manufacturers in the United States and Canada. The company also sells advertising, sponsorships, and subscription services on the company?s various digital media properties and outdoor advertising space on various media primarily in Russia and eastern Europe; and provides data systems and professional services that enable teachers to use data to assess student progress and deliver individualized instructions. News Corporation was founded in 1922 and is headquartered in New York, New York.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By ChemTrade]

  News Corp. (NASDAQ:NWSA): On 3/31/11 Viking Global Investors reported holding 20,075,700 shares with a market value of $352,930,804. This comprised 3.05% of the total portfolio. On 6/30/11, Viking Global Investors held 27,358,266 shares with a market value of $484,241,329. This comprised 4.06% of the total portfolio. The net change in shares for this position over the two quarters is 7,282,566. About the company: News Corporation is a diversified global media company.? The Company’s operations include the production and distribution of motion pictures and television programming.? The Company provides television, direct satellite, and cable broadcasting and the publication of newspapers, magazines, books and promotional inserts.

• [By Jonas Elmerraji]

  Nearest Support: $32
  
  Catalyst: Earnings Beat/Spinoff

  Media conglomerate News Corp. (NWSA) is up more than 4% this afternoon following an earnings beat for its third quarter of fiscal 2013 and plans to spin off the firm's publishing arm. News Corp.'s TV unit fared well in the third quarter, buoyed by especially strong performance at cable network Fox News, and shares gapped up before this morning's open as a result. That pushed the $77 billion stock to new 52-week highs.

  Making new highs is significant from an investor psychology standpoint because it means that everyone who has bought shares in the last year is sitting on gains. As a result, the "back to even" mentality is less of a concern than it would be for a name with a higher proportion of shareholders sitting on losses. Traders who aren't too risk-averse may want to consider buying NWSA here.

10 Best Media Stocks To Own For 2014: DIRECTV(DTV)

DIRECTV provides digital television entertainment in the United States and Latin America. The company provides direct-to-home (DTH) digital television services, as well as multi-channel video programming distribution services in the United States. It offers various channels of digital-quality video entertainment and CD-quality audio programming directly to subscribers' homes or businesses, as well as video-on-demand services; and approximately 160 national high-definition television channels and 4 3D channels. The company also provides premium professional and collegiate sports programming, such as the NFL SUNDAY TICKET package, which allows subscribers to view the NFL games. In addition, it offers DTH digital television services in Latin America and the Caribbean, including Puerto Rico. The company provides its local and international programming under the DIRECTV and SKY brand names. As of December 31, 2010, it served approximately 19.2 million subscribers in the United States; and 8.9 million subscribers in Latin America. The company was founded in 1990 and is based in El Segundo, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Scott Rothbort]

  DirecTV(DTV) provides digital home entertainment to over 27 million direct subscribers and nearly 4 million partnered subscribers in the U.S. and Latin America. The company added nearly 2 million subscribers in 2011. ARPU (average revenue per subscriber) increased 3.5% in the U.S. and nearly 12% in Latin America so far this year. Earnings are expected to grow by over 30% in both 2011 and 2012. The stock sells at just 10.5 times 2012 estimates.

  Compare that with forward price-to-earnings for competitors such as Time Warner Cable(TWC), at 11.2; Cablevision(CVC), at 11.4; and Comcast(CMCSA), 11.5. The stock is an excellent generator of cash flow. That said, if there is one issue I have with DirecTV management, it is its insistence on increasing leverage to repurchase stock.

  DirecTV's raw beta is 0.85.

  DirecTV, one of George Soros' top holdings, was also one of Warren Buffett's 6 New Investments in the most recently reported quarter.

Top 10 Small Cap Companies To Invest In Right Now

There's a certain thrill involved with holding small cap stocks in your portfolio. After all,�given the relatively tiny size of their underlying businesses, these are the stocks which often hold the greatest prospects for growth over the long run.

To be sure, who wouldn't love to see his or her portfolio explode to the upside as today's small caps become tomorrow's massively profitable industry giants?

So what's the catch? Small-cap stocks tend to be much more volatile than their larger brethren. As a result, as long as nothing has happened to significantly change your buying thesis, you need to be willing to stick it out through thick and thin to realize truly substantial long-term gains.

With that in mind, here are two small cap stocks which are trading significantly below their 52-week-highs, and why I think you should buy them before they bounce back:

Top 10 Small Cap Companies To Invest In Right Now: Achillion Pharmaceuticals Inc.(ACHN)

Achillion Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, engages in the discovery, development, and commercialization of treatments for infectious diseases. The company focuses on the development of antivirals for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C; and the development of antibacterials for the treatment of resistant bacterial infections. Its drug candidates for the treatment of chronic HCV include ACH-1625, a protease inhibitor, which is in phase IIa clinical trial for the treatment of chronic HCV; ACH-2684, a pangenotypic protease inhibitor, which is in phase I clinical trial for the treatment of chronic HCV infection; and NS5A inhibitors for the treatment of chronic HCV infection, including ACH-2928, which is to enter a phase I clinical trial, as well as various additional NS5A inhibitors in preclinical development. Its pipeline of product candidates also includes ACH-702 and ACH-2881 for drug resistant bacterial infections; elvucitabine for HIV infection; and AC H-1095 for HCV infection. The company was founded in 1998 and is based in New Haven, Connecticut.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Brian Nichols]

  Achillion is an odd play because it has both the most upside and the most downside of any stock on this list. The company's developing and testing its hepatitis C treating drug, ACH-1625, which is currently in phase II. The results of initial testing have consisted of ups and downs, but after many years and a long process, ACH-1625, appears to be on the right track for an FDA approval.

  The upside in shares of ACHN comes from two places: encouraging data from trials and its likelihood of being acquired. In my opinion, ACHN has a very high chance of being acquired in the next 6 months. Both Pharmasset (VRUS) and Inhibitex (INHX) were acquired over the last 5 months with insanely large premiums. VRUS was purchased at a 81% premium and INHX for a 182% premium. ACHN is perhaps the most speculative, but it could also be purchased the cheapest.

  The stock's recently pulled back after a downgrade and is trading much lower over the last couple weeks. The stock's trend reminds me so much of INHX; the month following the VRUS acquisition when INHX traded higher by nearly 300%. But then after the one-month gain, INHX lost its momentum and traded lower by 40% before being acquired with a 182% premium. INHX traded higher after the VRUS purchase because investors thought it would also be acquired, because of its hepatitis C candidate. ACHN is following the same trend, from November 12 till January 13 the stock more than doubled, but has since retraced.

  At $10 I think ACHN is a buy, it does have a good HCV candidate, and I believe that big pharma will bid to acquire ACHN in the near future. However, the risk in ACHN is if the company's not acquired, then it could have significant loss over the next year. But in a competitive biotechnology industry I believe the reward is worth the risk, and that a large pharma company will take the chance and purchase ACHN in an attempt to stay competitive and capitalize on the trend of investors being bullish on HCV treating drugs.

• [By Wyatt Research]

  The developer of treatments for infectious diseases has seen its shares rise 280 percent in the past year, and last month had a successful sale of 1.44 million more shares that raised $60.9 million.

Top 10 Small Cap Companies To Invest In Right Now: EZchip Semiconductor Limited(EZCH)

EZchip, a fabless semiconductor company, engages in the development and marketing of Ethernet network processors for networking equipment. Its products include network processor chips, evaluation boards and network-processor based systems, and development software toolkits. The company offers network processors for use in forming the silicon core of networking equipment, such as switches and routers; and for voice, video and data integration in various applications. Its network processors are single-chip solutions, which enable its customers to design multi-port line cards, such as processing and classification engines, traffic managers, media access controllers, as well as a range of specialized hardware blocks that accelerate various functions. The company offers Evaluation systems which enable customers to test NPU-based systems; and toolkits that assist customers in creating, verifying, and implementing solutions based on its network processors. It provides a library f eaturing data plane code for a range of applications, which include Metro Ethernet protocols, Multi-Protocol Label Switching, IPv4 and IPv6 routing, Access Control Lists, GPON/EPON OLT functionality, Network Address Translation, and Server Load Balancing. The company sells its products directly, and through contract manufacturers and distributors to network equipment vendors. It markets its products in Israel, China, Hong Kong, the Far East, Canada, the United States, and Europe. The company was formerly known as LanOptics Ltd. and changed its name to EZchip Semiconductor Ltd. in July 2008. EZchip Semiconductor Ltd. was founded in 1989 and is based in Yokneam, Israel.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Paul]  

  Known for designing high-speed networking equipment chips. They had a solid first quarter as revenue gained 38% and now they are sitting on $75 million of cash with no expenses or debt. I believe this is a strong technology bet and I place a target of $30.

Top Growth Companies To Own For 2014: bebe stores inc.(BEBE)

bebe stores, inc. engages in the design, development, and production of women?s apparel and accessories. Its products include a range of separates, tops, dresses, active wear, and accessories in career, evening, casual, and active lifestyle categories. The company markets its products under the bebe, BEBE SPORT, bbsp, and 2b bebe brand names targeting 21 to 34-year-old woman. As of July 2, 2011, it operated 252 retail stores, and an online store at bebe.com in the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Japan, and Canada, as well as 60 international licensee operated stores in south east Asia, the United Arab Emirates, Israel, Russia, Mexico, and Turkey. The company was founded in 1976 and is headquartered in Brisbane, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Wyatt Research]

  The women's apparel retailer reported fiscal fourth-quarter sales and same-store sales both rose 7 percent. The stock is up 30 percent year-to-date.

Top 10 Small Cap Companies To Invest In Right Now: Texas Instruments Incorporated(TXN)

Texas Instruments Incorporated engages in the design and sale of semiconductors to electronics designers and manufacturers worldwide. The company?s Analog segment offers high-performance analog products comprising standard analog semiconductors, such as amplifiers, data converters, and interface semiconductors; high-volume analog and logic products; and power management semiconductors and line-powered systems. Its Embedded Processing segment includes DSPs that perform mathematical computations to process and enhance digital data; and microcontrollers, which are designed to control a set of specific tasks for electronic equipment. The company?s Wireless segment designs, manufactures, and sells application processors and connectivity products. Its Other segment offers smaller semiconductor products, which include DLP products that are primarily used in projectors to create high-definition images; and application-specific integrated circuits. This segment also provides handhe ld graphing and scientific calculators, as well as licenses technologies to other electronic companies. The company serves the communications, computing, industrial, consumer electronics, automotive, and education sectors. Texas Instruments Incorporated sells its products through a direct sales force, distributors, and third-party sales representatives. It has collaboration agreements with PLX Technology Inc.; Neonode, Inc.; and Ubiquisys Ltd. The company was founded in 1938 and is headquartered in Dallas, Texas.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Paul Goodwin]  

  How do they make their money? TXN makes the PA Duplexer Module and the CDMA PA that goes into every iPhone. With a PEG ratio of 0.2 reveals huge discount compared to peers. This is a cash rich company and one I feel will be a strong performer within the next year.

• [By Fabian]

  Texas Instruments investment returned 46.3% during the past year. The amount of investment is $403 Million. Miller reduced his TXN holdings by 25% during the last quarter of 2010. Since then the stock returned 11.1%. David Tepper also bought TXN during the third quarter.

Top 10 Small Cap Companies To Invest In Right Now: OmniVision Technologies Inc.(OVTI)

OmniVision Technologies, Inc. designs, develops, and markets semiconductor image-sensor devices. The company offers CameraChip image sensors, which are single-chip solutions that integrate various functions, such as image capture, image processing, color processing, signal conversion, and output of a processed image or video stream for use in various consumer and commercial mass-market applications; and CameraCube imaging devices that are image sensors with integrated wafer-level optics. It also provides companion chips used to connect its image sensors to various interfaces, including the universal serial bus and other industry standard interfaces; and companion digital signal processors that perform compression in standardized still photo and digital video formats. In addition, the company designs and develops software drivers for Linux, Mac OS, and Microsoft Windows, as well as for embedded operating systems, such as Blackberry OS, Palm OS, Symbian, Windows CE, Windows Embedded, and Windows Mobile. Its products are used in mobile phones, notebooks, Webcams, digital still and video cameras, commercial and security and surveillance, and automotive and medical applications, as well as in entertainment devices. The company sells its products directly to original equipment manufacturers and value added resellers, as well as indirectly through distributors worldwide. OmniVision Technologies, Inc. was founded in 1995 and is based in Santa Clara, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Karim]  

  They make the 5-megapixel sensors in the camera of every iPhone. Along with this they carry a strong balance sheet and upbeat earnings expectations boding well for future growth.

Top 10 Small Cap Companies To Invest In Right Now: China Metro-Rural Holdings Limited(CNR)

China Metro-Rural Holdings Limited, through its subsidiaries, primarily engages in the development and operation of agricultural logistics and trade centers in northeast China. It also involves in purchasing, processing, assembling, merchandising, and distributing pearls and jewelry products. The company markets its pearls and jewelry products to wholesale distributors and mass merchandisers in Europe, the United States, Hong Kong, and other parts of Asia. In addition, it develops, sells, and leases residential and commercial properties in Hong Kong and the People?s Republic of China. The company is based in Tsimshatsui, Hong Kong.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Wyatt Research Staff]

  The stock moved significantly higher in mid-January and traded in a fairly tight range ever since. However, that could change soon. China's agricultural exports to Japan will grow if radiation continues to seep into the food chain.

  China exported $593 million worth of agricultural goods to Japan last year.

Top 10 Small Cap Companies To Invest In Right Now: Voyager Oil & Gas Inc.(VOG)

Voyager Oil & Gas, Inc. engages in the exploration and production of oil and gas in the United States. It primarily focuses on oil shale resource prospects in Montana, North Dakota, Colorado, and Wyoming. As of May 17, 2011, the company controlled approximately 141,500 net acres in the five primary prospect areas comprising 28,000 net acres targeting the Bakken/Three Forks in North Dakota and Montana; 14,200 net acres targeting the Niobrara formation in Colorado and Wyoming; 800 net acres targeting a Red River prospect in Montana; 33,500 net acres in a joint venture targeting the Heath Shale formation in Musselshell, Petroleum, Garfield, and Fergus counties of Montana; and 65,000 net acres in a joint venture in the Tiger Ridge gas field in Blaine, Hill, and Chouteau counties of Montana. It supplies energy and fuel for industrial, commercial, and individual consumers. The company is based in Billings, Montana.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By SmallCap Investor]

  Shares of this explorer, which has operations in the Western U.S., crossed back above $3 and have risen 40 percent in the past month, amid increasing investor interest in companies drilling in the Bakken region.

Top 10 Small Cap Companies To Invest In Right Now: OCZ Technology Group Inc(OCZ)

OCZ Technology Group, Inc. designs, develops, manufactures, and distributes computer components for computing devices and systems worldwide. It primarily offers solid state drives, flash memory storage, memory modules, thermal management solutions, AC/DC switching power supply units, and computer gaming solutions. The company?s products are used in industrial equipment and computer systems; computer and computer gaming solutions; mission critical servers and high end workstations; personal computer (PC) upgrades to extend the useable life of existing PCs; high performance computing and scientific computing; video and music editing; home theatre PCs and digital home convergence products; and digital photography and digital image manipulation computers. OCZ Technology Group, Inc. offers its products to retailers, on-line retailers, original equipment manufacturers, systems integrators, and distributors. The company was founded in 2002 and is headquartered in San Jose, Califo rnia.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Wyatt Research]

  The maker of solid state drives for computers reported revenue more than doubled and posted adjusted net income of 1 cent per share. It predicted a full-year revenue rise of at least 65 percent. The share price has jumped 210 percent in the past year.

Top 10 Small Cap Companies To Invest In Right Now: ATA Inc.(ATAI)

ATA Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides computer-based testing services in the People?s Republic of China. It offers services for the creation and delivery of computer-based tests utilizing its test delivery platform, proprietary testing technologies, and testing services; and provides logistical support services relating to test administration. The company?s computer-based testing services are used for professional licensure and certification tests in various industries, including information technology (IT) services, banking, securities, teaching, and insurance. Its e-testing platform integrates various aspects of the test delivery process for computer-based tests ranging from test form compilation to test scoring, and results analysis. ATA also provides career-oriented educational services, such as single course programs, degree major course programs, and pre-occupational training programs focusing on preparing students to pass IT and other vocational certification tests; test preparation and training programs and services to test candidates preparing to take professional certification tests in securities, futures, banking, insurance and teaching industries; online test preparation and training platform for the securities and banking industries; and test preparation software for the teaching industry. In addition, the company offers HR select employee assessment solution, an online system that utilizes its proprietary software and an inventory of test titles to help employers improve the efficiency and accuracy of their employee recruitment process. As of March 31, 2010, it had contractual relationships with 1,988 ATA authorized test centers. The company serves Chinese governmental agencies, professional associations, IT vendors, and Chinese educational institutions, as well as individual test preparation services. ATA Inc. was founded in 1999 and is based in Beijing, the People?s Republic of China.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Wyatt Research Staff]

  The Chinese-based educator spiked higher recently after it exceeded analysts' expectations. Revenue and adjusted earnings soared 78% and 269%, respectively. Its long-term annual growth rate is 15%.

  Analysts at Zacks Investment Research upgraded shares from "neutral" to "outperform". 

Top 10 Small Cap Companies To Invest In Right Now: Sify Technologies Limited(SIFY)

Sify Technologies Limited provides enterprise and consumer Internet services primarily in India. The company offers various corporate network/data services comprising e-commerce and network connectivity solutions, such as end-to-end services network, application, and security services; voice origination and termination services; co-location and managed hosting services; and system integration services for data centre build, hardware distribution, security solutions, and turnkey projects. It also provides application services, including SLEMS and Microsoft Exchange messaging platforms; I-test for online assessment and LiveWire, which enable management of training processes across the organization; document management system for the management of documents electronically; and Forum, a forward supply chain solution. In addition, the company operates e-Ports that offer browsing, chat, email, gaming, utility bill payment, travel ticketing, hotel booking, mobile recharge, Intern et telephony, and online share trading services; and portals, which provide news, views, reviews, interactions, and services in the areas of movies, sports, finance, food, videos, astrology, online games, shopping, and travel, as well as offers content offerings and broadband services. Further, it provides infrastructure management services, such as network management, datacenter and helpdesk outsourcing, desktop and storage outsourcing, IT security outsourcing, LAN and WAN outsourcing, database and telecom outsourcing, and application monitoring and management services to automotive, chemical, media, and financial enterprises; and virtualization design, integration, and deployment services for servers, storage, networks, and end user clients. Sify has approximately 1,278 e-Ports in 200 towns and cities; and serves 1,06,000 broadband subscribers through 1500 cable TV Operators. The company, formerly known as Sify Limited, was founded in 1995 and is based in Chennai, India. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Wyatt Research Staff]

  Shares of SIFY skyrocketed last week after the company announced a new partnership with Saudi telecom. SIFY will provide ICT services to the Middle East's largest telecom carrier.

  Shares of the Indian-based internet and network services have doubled over the past four months.