RSS Feed  |
LONDON (The Deal) -- The U.K.'s Vodafone Group (VOD) late Thursday, Sept. 11, said it had clinched the minimum 75% acceptances level needed to take over Kabel Deutschland, ending a nervous few days for the wireless telecom during which hedge funds flocked to the German target. Maneuvering by hedge funds including Elliott Associates LP, which took a 10.9% Kabel stake, and by Davison Kempner Capital Management LLC, sparked fears the offer could collapse unless Vodafone raised its offer. The Newbury, England company is flush with cash after agreeing earlier this month to sell its 45% stake in Verizon Wireless to Verizon Communications (VZ) for $130 billion. It offered €84.50 per share for Kabel, or €87 including an already declared dividend for the fiscal year ended March 31. That values the stock at €7.7 billion ($10.2 billion). [Read: The 5 Dumbest Things on Wall Street This Week: Sept. 13] Top Telecom Companies To Own In Right Now: IDT Corp (IDT) IDT Corporation (IDT), incorporated on March 15, 1996, is a multinational holding company with operations primarily in the telecommunications industry. The Company operates in two segments: Telecom Platform Services and Consumer phones Services, which comprise its IDT Telecom division. Telecom Platform Services provides telecommunications services, including prepaid and rechargeable calling products and international long distance traffic termination, as well as various payment services. Consumer Phone Services provides consumer local and long distance services in the United States. All other segments include Zedge Holdings, Inc. (Zedge), which owns and operates an on-line platform, including Android app, that allows users to share and obtain content to personalize mobile phones and tablets; Fabrix T.V., Ltd. (Fabrix), a software development company specializing in cloud-based video processing, storage and delivery; IDT Spectrum, which holds, leases and sells fixed wireless spectrum; Innovative Communications Technologies, Inc. (ICTI), which holds intellectual property primarily related to voice over Internet protocol (VoIP), technology and the licensing and other businesses related to this intellectual property; the Company's real estate holdings, and other smaller businesses. On October 28, 2011, the Company completed the Genie Energy spin-off. In July 2013, Straight Path Communications Inc announced its spin-off from IDT Corporation. Telecom Platform Services IDT markets and distributes multiple communications and payment services across four business categories, including retail communications, wholesale termination services, payment services and hosted platform solutions. Retail Communications provides international long-distance calling products primarily to immigrant communities worldwide, with markets in the United States and Europe. These products include the Company's Boss Revolution Pinless product (an international calling service sold through the Boss Revolution ! payment platform), as well as many of its disposable calling card brands, including Boss, La Leyenda and Feliz, and mobile apps, including PennyTalk. Wholesale Termination Services is a global telecom carrier, terminating international long distance calls around the world for Tier 1 fixed line and mobile network operators, as well as other aggregators through the Company's network of 800-plus carrier interconnects. Payment Services provides payment offerings, such as international mobile top-up, or IMTU, as well as gift cards in both the United States and Europe. IMTU enables customers to purchase minutes for a prepaid mobile telephone in another country. IMTU is available in both traditional cards, as well as on the Company's Boss Revolution payment platform. Payment Services also includes reloadable prepaid debit cards and bank identification number (BIN) sponsorship services offered in Europe by IDT Financial Services through the Company's Gibraltar-based bank. Hosted Platform Solutions provides customized communications services that leverage the Company's networks, platforms and/or technology to cable companies and other operators. The Company�� Boss Revolution payment platform is an online portal that can be accessed via a regular Web browser and utilized to sell a range of the Company's products and services. During the fiscal year ended July 31, 2012, the Company added domestic mobile top-up (DMTU) offerings. The Company sells its traditional calling cards under the La Leyenda, Boss, Playball, GOOOL, RED, Feliz, PT-1 and PennyTalk brand names, among others, providing telephone access to more than 230 countries and territories. As of July 31, 2012, IDT sold more than 1,000 different calling cards in the United States and more than 800 different cards abroad, with specific cards featuring favorable rates to specific international destinations. The Company's calling cards are marketed primarily to the ethnic and immigrant communities in the United States, Europe, Asia, Latin America! and Afri! ca. Consumer Phone Services The Company provides its bundled local/long distance phone service in 11 states, marketed under the brand name IDT America. The Company's bundled local/long distance service, offered predominantly to residential customers, includes unlimited local, regional toll and domestic long distance calling and popular calling features. A second plan is available, providing unlimited local service with the Company's long distance included for as low as 3.9 cents per minute. IDT also offers stand-alone long distance service throughout the United States. As of July 31, 2012, the Company had approximately 10,500 active customers for its bundled local/long distance plans and approximately 45,200 customers for its long distance-only plans. The Company competes with AT&T,Verizon, InComm, Blackhawk Network and Coinstar. Advisors' Opinion: - [By Seth Jayson]
IDT (NYSE: IDT ) reported earnings on June 6. Here are the numbers you need to know. The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended April 30 (Q3), IDT met expectations on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share. - [By Monica Gerson]
IDT (NYSE: IDT) is projected to report its Q4 earnings at $0.28 per share on revenue of $397.40 million. Xyratex (NASDAQ: XRTX) is expected to post its Q3 earnings at $0.05 per share on revenue of $209.31 million.
Top Telecom Companies To Own In Right Now: Telecom Italia SpA (TIT) Telecom Italia SpA is an Italy-based company engaged in the communications sector. It operates in the fixed and mobile national and international telecommunications sector. Its activities are divided into five business units. The Domestic unit provides telephone and data services on fixed line and mobile networks for retail voice customers and wholesale operators, as well as develop fiber optic networks. The Brazil unit offers mobile services using Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) and Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) technologies. The Argentina unit operates in fixed telecommunications through Telecom Argentina and in mobile telecommunications through Telecom Personal, and in Paraguay it operates in mobile telecommunications through Nucleo. The Media unit produces of multimedia music platforms, satellite channels and television broadcasting platforms. The Olivetti unit operates in the sector of office products and services for Information Technology. Advisors' Opinion: - [By Sarah Jones]
Telecom Italia SpA (TIT) increased 6.3 percent to 61.4 euro cents. The Italian phone company that�� exploring a separation of its fixed-line assets is considering a sale of an initial 30 percent stake in the new company to state lender Cassa Depositi e Prestiti, two people familiar with the matter said.
Eutelsat Communications SA is a France-based holding company that provides fixed satellite services. It provides four types of services, including broadcast services, such as direct-to-home and professional broadcasting; broadband services, comprising broadband Internet access; telecoms and data services to ensure permanent communications links from all points of the globe, establish or restore communications in an emergency and multicast content; as well as mobile and maritime communications, such as fleet management and on- and off-shore broadband maritime communications. It operates a fleet of satellites covering Europe, the Middle East, North and sub-Saharan Africa, as well as parts of Asia and the Americas. In January 2014, it acquired Satelites Mexicanos, S.A. de C.V. and together with SES SA have completed the sale to EchoStar Corp. of Solaris Mobile Ltd. Advisors' Opinion: - [By Sofia Horta e Costa]
Eutelsat Communications SA (ETL) declined 6.2 percent to 21.02 euros after predicting sales will grow by more than 2.5 percent for the year 2013 to 2014. The company, which operates 31 satellites, forecast growth of more than 5 percent for the following two years through June 2016. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut its price target for the stock to 24 euros from 33 euros, saying analysts��will probably reduce their estimates following the company�� revised guidance.
Top Telecom Companies To Own In Right Now: Level 3 Communications Inc.(LVLT) Level 3 Communications, Inc. engages in the communications business in North America and Europe. It offers network and Internet services, including transport services, high speed Internet protocol services, dedicated Internet access, virtual private network services, and dark fiber services, as well as managed modem, an outsourced, turn-key infrastructure solution; and colocation services. The company also provides various media services, comprising Vyvx services that provide audio and video feeds over fiber or satellite; content delivery network services; media delivery services to customers seeking to manage, protect, and monetize content delivered over the Internet; a range of local and long distance voice services, such as voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) and traditional circuit-switch based services; and VoIP Enhanced Local, a VoIP service that enables broadband cable operators, IXCs, VoIP providers, and other companies operating their own switching infrastructure to launch IP-based local and long-distance voice services through a broadband connection. Level 3 Communications? media services also consist of SIP Trunking, a VoIP-based local phone service; Local Inbound service that terminates traditional telephone network originated calls to Internet Protocol termination points; Primary Rate Interface, a TDM local phone service that could be configured in various ways; Long Distance services portfolio comprising local and long distance transport and termination services; and Toll Free services portfolio, which terminate toll free calls that are originated on the traditional telephone network. As of December 31, 2010, its network encompassed approximately 68,000 intercity route miles in North America and an intercity network covering approximately 13,000 miles across Europe. Further, it sells coal primarily through long-term contracts with public utilities. The company was founded in 1884 and is headquartered in Broomfield, Colorado. Advisors' Opinion: - [By Holly LaFon]
Company Dell Inc. (DELL) Chesapeake Energy (CHK) DirecTV (DTV) Loews (L) Walt Disney (DIS) Aon Plc (AON) The Travelers Companies (TRV) Level 3 Communications (LVLT) FedEx (FDX) Bank of New York Mellon (BK)
Learn more about Mason and his views on the present economy in his second-quarter letter here. See his portfolio here. - [By Rick Munarriz]
Finally, we have Level 3 Communications (NYSE: LVLT ) besting the pros on the bottom line. Despite posting revenue that dipped slightly sequentially and year over year, the provider of Web-based communications services posted an adjusted loss of just $0.13 a share. - [By Seth Jayson]
Level 3 Communications (NYSE: LVLT ) is expected to report Q2 earnings on July 31. Here's what Wall Street wants to see: The 10-second takeaway
Comparing the upcoming quarter to the prior-year quarter, average analyst estimates predict Level 3 Communications's revenues will expand 0.2% and EPS will remain in the red.
Top Telecom Companies To Own In Right Now: QUALCOMM Incorporated(QCOM) QUALCOMM Incorporated engages in the development, design, manufacture, and marketing of digital wireless telecommunications products and services. The company operates in four segments: Qualcomm CDMA Technologies (QCT), Qualcomm Technology Licensing (QTL), Qualcomm Wireless and Internet (QWI), and Qualcomm Strategic Initiatives (QSI). The QCT segment develops and supplies code division multiple access (CDMA)-based integrated circuits and system software for wireless voice and data communications, multimedia functions and global positioning system products. The QTL segment grants licenses to use portions of its intellectual property portfolio comprising patent rights useful in the manufacture and sale of wireless products, such as products implementing cdmaOne, CDMA2000, WCDMA, CDMA TDD, GSM/GPRS/EDGE, and/or OFDMA standards and their derivatives The QWI segment consists of Qualcomm Internet Services that provides content enablement services for the wireless industry and pu sh-to-talk and other products and services for wireless network operators; Qualcomm Government Technologies, which offers development, hardware, and analytical services to the United States government agencies involving wireless communications technologies; Qualcomm Enterprise Services that provides satellite and terrestrial-based two-way data messaging, position reporting, wireless application services, and managed data services to transportation and logistics companies and other enterprise companies; and Firethorn, which builds and manages software applications that enable mobile commerce services. The QSI segment makes strategic investments to support the worldwide adoption of CDMA- and OFDMA-based technologies and services. QUALCOMM Incorporated primarily operates in China, South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, and the United States. The company was founded in 1985 and is based in San Diego, California. Advisors' Opinion: - [By Jared Cummans]
Qualcomm, Inc. (QCOM) reported its first quarter earnings just after today’s closing bell, delighting investors with a solid EPS victory and strong guidance. QCOM Earnings in Brief The company reported EPS of $1.26, a solid eight cents above the $1.18 that�analysts�had predicted. Revenues came in a little light at $6.6 billion, just under the predicted $6.69 billion. Net income was down 2% year-over-year but up 25% from the previous quarter. The company predicted FY2014 guidance to fall between $5.00 and $5.20, above analysts’ predictions of $4.95 to $5.15. CEO Commentary CEO Dr. Paul E. Jacobs had this to say on the report: “We are pleased with the start to our fiscal year, with record results in quarterly revenues, device sales reported by licensees and MSM chip shipments.�Looking forward, we expect our performance to reflect the continued strong global growth of smartphones, our chipset leadership position and our competitive strengths in 3G/4G technologies and products.” QCOM ‘s Dividend The company made no change to its dividend policy, as it announced a quarterly dividend of $0.35 per share on 1/22/2014. That dividend will be paid on 3/26/2014 to shareholders on record as of 3/5/2014. Stock Performance Though revenues came up just a bit shy, strong 2014 guidance propelled the stock higher in after-hours trading, as QCOM jumped as much as 2.2% following the news. - [By Chris Neiger]
The rumors are growing that Apple is on the cusp of releasing its iWatch, but while investors are impatiently waiting for the company to enter the wearables market, Samsung (NASDAQOTH: SSNLF ) , Sony (NYSE: SNE ) , Qualcomm (NASDAQ: QCOM ) and others are already firmly in the smartwatch space.
Top Telecom Companies To Own In Right Now: T-Mobile US Inc (TMUS) T-Mobile US, Inc., formerly MetroPCS Communications, Inc., incorporated on March 10, 2004, is a wireless telecommunications carrier, which offers wireless broadband mobile services primarily in metropolitan areas in the United States, including the Atlanta, Boston, Dallas/Fort Worth, Detroit, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Orlando/Jacksonville, Philadelphia, Sacramento, San Francisco and Tampa/Sarasota metropolitan areas. Its flagship brands include T-Mobile and MetroPCS. As of December 31, 2012, it held licenses for wireless spectrum suitable for wireless broadband mobile services covering a total population of 144 million people in and around many of the metropolitan areas in the United States. It provides its services using code division multiple accesses (CDMA) networks using 1xRTT technology and evolution data optimized (EVDO) and fourth generation long term evolution (4G LTE). The Company has roaming agreements with other wireless broadband mobile carriers that allow them to offer its customers service in many areas when they are outside its service area. These roaming agreements, together with the area it serve with its own networks, allows its customers to receive service in an area covering over 280 million in total population under the Metro USA brand. The Company sells products and services to customers through its Company-owned retail stores, as well as indirectly through relationships with independent retailers and third party dealers. Its service allows its customers to place unlimited local calls from within its local service area and to receive unlimited calls from any area while in its service area, for a flat-rate monthly service fee. For additional usage fees, it also provide certain other value-added services. All of these plans require payment in advance for one month of service. If no payment is made in advance for month of service, service is suspended at the end of the month that was paid for by the customer and, if the customer does not pay within 30 day! s, the customer is terminated. It believes its service plans differentiate them from the more complex plans and long-term contract requirements of traditional wireless carriers. The Company voice services allow customers to place voice calls to, and receive calls from, any telephone in the world, including local, domestic long distance, and international calls. Its voice services also allow customers to receive and make calls while they are located in areas served by its networks and in those geographic areas served by the networks of certain other wireless broadband mobile carriers with whom it has roaming arrangements. The Company�� data services include text messaging services (domestic and international); multimedia messaging services; mobile Internet access; mobile instant messaging; location-based services; social networking services; push e-mail; multimedia streaming and downloads; and services provided, depending on the network and locale, through the Binary Runtime Environment for Wireless, or BREW, Blackberry, Windows, and the Android platforms, such as ringtones, ring back tones, games, content, and applications. The Company�� Custom calling features offers custom calling features, including caller ID, call waiting, three-way calling and voicemail. Its Advanced handsets sells a variety of feature phones, and increasingly, smartphones, predominately manufactured by nationally recognized manufacturers for use on its network, including models that have cameras, include HTML browsers, play music, play streaming audio, display streaming video and downloaded video, and have other features facilitating digital data. It sells a variety of handsets using vendor or handset specific operating systems, such as BREW, Blackberry, Windows, and the Android operating system. The Company provides its wireless broadband mobile services using paired personal communications services (PCS), spectrum and advanced wireless services, or AWS, spectrum. In addition, it holds a! license ! for 12 MHz of paired 700 MHz Lower Band A spectrum in the Boston-Worcester, MA/NH/RI/VT basic economic area (BEA), which, unless it receives a waiver from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), of the four year construction requirements, it plans to construct in the first half of 2013. In each of its metropolitan areas where irt provides service. As of December 31, 2012, it holds between 10 mega hertz (MHz) and 60 MHz of paired spectrum and on average it has approximately 22 MHz of paired spectrum in the metropolitan areas it serves. In the aggregate, as of December 31, 2012, it offers wireless broadband mobile services using its own network. The Company operates 1xRTT CDMA networks in all of the metropolitan areas it serves and it has upgraded its networks to 4G LTE in all of metropolitan areas. It also has deployed EVDO at selected high use sites in its CDMA network to increase network data capacity to meet the growing data needs of iy customers. Its network includes a mobile switching center (for CDMA), enhanced packet core (for 4G LTE), and IP core. These serve several purposes, including routing traffic, managing call handoffs, and managing access to the public switched telephone network (for CDMA) or the Internet (CDMA and 4G LTE). These network elements also provide access to voicemail and other value-added services, base stations (for CDMA) or eNodeBs (for 4G LTE), cell sites or distributed antenna system (DAS), nodes, and backhaul facilities, which carry traffic to and from its cell sites and its switching or enhanced packet core facilities, consisting of a combination of dedicated circuits, cable, fiber, and microwave facilities. Its cell sites in the network are co-located, meaning its equipment is located on leased facilities that are owned by third parties who retain the right to lease the locations to additional carriers and in many cases other wireless broadband mobile service providers already have facilities at such locations. The switching centers and na! tional op! erations center provide around-the-clock monitoring of its network. Its switches connect to the public switched telephone network through fiber rings leased from third-parties, which transmit originating and terminating traffic between its equipment and local exchange and long distance carriers. It also has negotiated interconnection agreements with relevant local exchange carriers, or LECs, in its service areas. It uses third-party providers for domestic and international long distance services, international SMS interconnection with the public switched network and other carriers, roaming services, and the majority of its backhaul services. The Company competes with AT&T, Verizon Wireless, Sprint Nextel, T-Mobile USA , Deutsche Telekom, Clearwire, Dish Network , Time Warner Cable, Comcast, Cox Communications, Cricket Communications, Leap Wireless International and Google. Advisors' Opinion: - [By Dan Caplinger]
MetroPCS (NYSE: TMUS ) , up 34%
In the fast-moving mobile revolution, the prepaid service that MetroPCS has traditionally relied on seemed backward by comparison. But when No. 4 network player T-Mobile made a bid for the company back in October, the company suddenly gained the prospect of becoming a major player in the industry. - [By Evan Niu, CFA, Eric Bleeker, CFA, and Chris Hill]
In the following video, Fool analysts Evan Niu and Eric Bleeker look at the good, the bad, and the ugly in Apple's earnings. Beyond better-than-expected iPhone sales, the storyline was really how the company continues outperforming in America. In this quarter's report, the addition of T-Mobile (NYSE: TMUS ) provided some new tailwinds to growth. As far as the "bad" and "ugly," the two look at Apple's first year-over-year decline in tablets and weakness in Greater China and what might be causing results in those areas that were worse than expected.� - [By Doug Ehrman]
While there has always been healthy competition between the major wireless carriers, to date, the heart of the smartphone wars has been between devices. In March, T-Mobile (NYSE: TMUS ) became the first to take a meaningful step away from phone subsidies, setting in motion what is becoming the next major battle for your smartphone consumption dollars. With AT&T (NYSE: T ) and Verizon's (NYSE: VZ ) recent announcements �of their own "early upgrade" plans, the conflict is intensifying. - [By Douglas A. McIntyre]
T-Mobile (NASDAQ: TMUS) had a difficult 2012, losing scores of subscribers and receiving poor marks for customer service. But it had a much better 2013. In May, the company added 9 million new customers when it acquired Metro PCS. It has continued to add customers due to a new strategy that splits phone payments from service fees.
Top Telecom Companies To Own In Right Now: Vivendi SA (VIVHY) Vivendi SA (Vivendi), incorporated on December 18, 1987, is a communications and entertainment company. As of December 31, 2009, the Company had six business segments: Activision Blizzard, Universal Music Group, SFR, Maroc Telecom Group, GVT (Holding) S.A. (GVT) and Canal+ Group. Activision Blizzard develops, publishes and distributes interactive entertainment software, online or on other media (such as console and personal computer (PC)). Universal Music Group is engaged in the sale of recorded music (physical and digital media), exploitation of music publishing rights, as well as artist services and merchandising. SFR is engaged in the phone services (mobile, broadband Internet and fixed) in France. Maroc Telecom Group is a telecommunication operator (mobile, fixed and Internet) in Africa, principally in Morocco, as well as in Mauritania, Burkina Faso, Gabon and Mali. GVT is a Brazilian fixed and broadband operator. Canal+ Group is engaged in publishing and distribution of pay-television mainly in France, in both analog and digital (terrestrially, via satellite or ADSL), as well as film production in Europe. In July 2013, Vivendi SA and Universal Music Group announced the completion of the sale of Parlophone Label Group to Warner Music Group Corp. On November 13, 2009, Vivendi acquired an aggregate of 29.9% of GVT�� outstanding voting shares from Swarth Investments LLC, Swarth Investments Holdings LLC and Global Village Telecom (Holland) BV. In addition, Vivendi acquired from third parties an additional 8% interest in GVT's outstanding shares. On December 28, 2009, Canal+ Group, Vivendi�� subsidiary, acquired TF1�� 9.9% interest in the capital of Canal+ France. On July 31, 2009, Maroc Telecom acquired 51% controlling interest in Sotelma. On August 27, 2009, CID, a company 40% owned by SFR and 60% by other financial investors, acquired the 62% interest in 5 sur 5. Advisors' Opinion: Top Telecom Companies To Own In Right Now: NII Holdings Inc.(NIHD) NII Holdings, Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides wireless communication services under the Nextel brand name to businesses and individuals in Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Peru, and Chile. Its services include mobile telephone service; Nextel Direct Connect service, which allows subscribers to talk to each other on a push-to-talk basis for private one-to-one calls or on group calls. The company also provides value-added services, including text messaging services; mobile Internet services; e-mail services; location-based services, such as the use of global positioning system technologies; digital media services; and a set of applications available via its content management system and the Android open application market. In addition, it offers business solutions, such as security, work force management, logistics support, and other applications to improve productivity; and international roaming services. NII Holdings, Inc. sells its products and services through direct sales representatives, indirect sales agents, retail stores, kiosks, and Website. The company was formerly known as Nextel International, Inc. and changed its name to NII Holdings, Inc. in December 2001. NII Holdings, Inc. was founded in 1995 and is based in Reston, Virginia. Advisors' Opinion: - [By Evan Niu, CFA]
What: Following a 25% jump on Wednesday, shares of NII Holdings (NASDAQ: NIHD ) are soaring again today after the rumored sale has been made official. - [By James E. Brumley]
The search for bullish trading ideas isn't exactly a simple task today, given the bearish environment. That makes the solid bullishness from NII Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:NIHD) just that much sweeter. In fact, the chart looks so good and so healthy - in spite of Monday's marketwide drubbing - NIHD may be worth a shot.
As China enters a new phase of economic development, characterized by slower growth, analysts begin to wonder about the future of companies deeply related to state activities. Common knowledge indicates that as the economy's growth slows down, activities at the industries associated with that growth will slow too. Nonetheless, that simple take on economics can be deceiving and an analysis of Sinopec (SIN) will uncover considerable growth opportunities. The reasoning is the following. First, the Chinese economy will not stop growing. Second, the slowdown is not a product of model exhaustion, but a mere capacity readjustment. Third, the oil and gas industry will remain a key to continue growing for the Chinese economy. And the priority placed upon the oil and gas is where growth opportunities for the industry lie. Gurus are divided over this position, but their trading activities on Sinopec have not ceased. Rumors About No Growth For fiscal 2013, Sinopec reported that operating profit was up 9.7% year-on-year, and net profit attributable to equity shareholders was up 5.8% year-on-year. Moreover, the firm saw stable growth in oil and gas production in the upstream business, while achieving an oil reserve replacement ratio of over 100%. Additionally, improvements in the refined oil pricing mechanism returned the business to operating profit, at the same time that retail volume and sales of high value added oil products were increased. Last, the chemical segment adjusted raw material structure and lowered raw material cost. Those results, as expressed by the same report were achieved with an economic environment where the world economy slowly recovered while economic growth for China slowed down. The offset of the environment is a direct consequence of increasing exploration and development activities in five key areas of China, optimization of product mix according to market conditions, focusing market strategy on high-octane gasoline and jet fuel sales while introducing premium products ahead of competitors, and adjusted facility utilization rate and production plan for the chemicals segment. During 2013, Sinopec saw a drop on capital expenditure of 7% when compared to projections made at the beginning of the year. The exploration and production segment accounted for 50% of total expenditures, while refining and marketing accounted for another 25%. The remaining share was distributed mostly between acquisitions and the chemicals segment. Looking Ahead For the upcoming year, Sinopec expects a continuing recovery of the world economy with a Chinese economy growing steadily. And as expressed in the introduction, management expects a growing domestic demand for oil products and chemicals. Also, the firm expects a shift in the structure of consumption, a trend already being addressed by management. Amid all the good market signs, and managerial decisions to improve Sinopec's overall performance, there are a few issues that must be addressed. Given the not totally free nature of the Chinese economy, the company is exposed to price controls by government officials. The obvious impact of these measures is reduced profits, especially in this particular industry where the state plays a major a role. Additionally, domestic areas continue to reach maturity while offshore and abroad opportunities continue to be scarce. The company is also characterized as downstream weighted, implying a second competitive disadvantage against western industry peers. Currently trading at 9.1 times its trailing earnings, Sinopec carries a 14% discount to the industry average. Gurus have mostly divested away from this stock, with Renaissance Technologies and Sarah Ketterer (Trades, Portfolio) being the high rollers. However, their transactions are strictly short sighted as evidenced by their continuous and simultaneous purchases and sales. Hence, taking a position with long-term prospects is not recommendable given the current strict state control on profit. Disclosure: Vanina Egea holds no position in any of the mentioned stocks. About the author:Vanina EgeaA fundamental analyst at Lone Tree Analytics Visit Vanina Egea's Website | Currently 5.00/512345 Rating: 5.0/5 (1 vote) | Voters: |
 Subscribe via Email  Subscribe RSS Comments Please leave your comment: More GuruFocus Links | Latest Guru Picks | Value Strategies | | Warren Buffett Portfolio | Ben Graham Net-Net | | Real Time Picks | Buffett-Munger Screener | | Aggregated Portfolio | Undervalued Predictable | | ETFs, Options | Low P/S Companies | | Insider Trends | 10-Year Financials | | 52-Week Lows | Interactive Charts | | Model Portfolios | DCF Calculator | RSS Feed  | Monthly Newsletters | | The All-In-One Screener | Portfolio Tracking Tool | MORE GURUFOCUS LINKS | Latest Guru Picks | Value Strategies | | Warren Buffett Portfolio | Ben Graham Net-Net | | Real Time Picks | Buffett-Munger Screener | | Aggregated Portfolio | Undervalued Predictable | | ETFs, Options | Low P/S Companies | | Insider Trends | 10-Year Financials | | 52-Week Lows | Interactive Charts | | Model Portfolios | DCF Calculator | | RSS Feed | Monthly Newsletters | | The All-In-One Screener | Portfolio Tracking Tool | SNP STOCK PRICE CHART  90.21 (1y: +0%) $(function(){var seriesOptions=[],yAxisOptions=[],name='SNP',display='';Highcharts.setOptions({global:{useUTC:true}});var d=new Date();$current_day=d.getDay();if($current_day==5||$current_day==0||$current_day==6){day=4;}else{day=7;} seriesOptions[0]={id:name,animation:false,color:'#4572A7',lineWidth:1,name:name.toUpperCase()+' stock price',threshold:null,data:[[1364446800000,89.938],[1364792400000,89.646],[1364878800000,90.192],[1364965200000,88.662],[1365051600000,88.769],[1365138000000,87.269],[1365397200000,87.4],[1365483600000,87.992],[1365570000000,87.738],[1365656400000,88.269],[1365742800000,87.262],[1366002000000,83.346],[1366088400000,84.615],[1366174800000,82.2],[1366261200000,82.577],[1366347600000,83.792],[1366606800000,83.792],[1366693200000,82.577],[1366779600000,83.508],[1366866000000,83.692],[1366952400000,83.408],[1367211600000,84.2],[1367298000000,85.046],[1367384400000,83.615],[1367470800000,83.646],[1367557200000,83.938],[1367816400000,84.077],[1367902800000,85.115],[1367989200000,86.992],[1368075600000,85.469],[1368162000000,85.777],[1368421200000,84.908],[1368507600000,85.331],[1368594000000,85.146],[1368680400000,84.446],[1368766800000,84.923],[1369026000000,85.554],[1369112400000,85.146],[1369198800000,83.923],[1369285200000,83.015],[1369371600000,81.608],[1369717200000,82.185],[1369803600000,80.308],[1369890000000,80.554],[1369976400000,78.315],[1370235600000,79.862],[1370322000000,79.315],[1370408400000,77.623],[1370494800000,77.392],[1370581200000,76.408],[1370840400000,73.277],[1370926800000,72.754],[1371013200000,71.654],[1371099600000,72.131],[1371186000000,70.838],[1371445200000,72.354],[1371531600000,73.054],[1371618000000,70.623],[1371704400000,67.185],[1371790800000,68.477],[1372050000000,65.954],[1372136400000,67.723],[1372222800000,68.862],[1372309200000,69.692],[1372395600000,70.385],[1372654800000,69.538],[1372741200000,68.16],[1372827600000,67.42],[1373000400000,67.88],[1373259600000,68.06],[1373346000000,68.65],[1373432400000,69.48],[1373518800000,72.14],[1373605200000,70.99],[1373864400000,71.11],[1373950800000,71.43],[1374037200000,72.3],[1374123600000,71.9],[1374210000000,72.47],[1374469200000,72.5],[1374555600000,75.61],[1374642000000,75.36],[1374728400000,75.79],[1374814800000,75.53],[137! 5074000000,73.59],[1375160400000,73.77],[1375246800000,74.29],[1375333200000,75.1],[1375419600000,75.35],[1375678800000,74.7],[1375765200000,73.58],[1375851600000,71.86],[1375938000000,72.92],[1376024400000,73.07],[1376283600000,75.18],[1376370000000,75.62],[1376456400000,75.9],[1376542800000,75.41],[1376629200000,75.16],[1376888400000,75.36],[1376974800000,74.65],[1377061200000,72.97],[1377147600000,74.58],[1377234000000,75.07],[1377493200000,74.48],[1377579600000,73.73],[1377666000000,73.44],[1377752400000,72.83],[1377838800000,71.98],[1378184400000,76.38],[1378270800000,76.31],[1378357200000,76.96],[1378443600000,77.94],[1378702800000,80.33],[1378789200000,80.26],[1378875600000,79.12],[1378962000000,77.83],[1379048400000,78],[1379307600000,79.19],[1379394000000,79.32],[1379480400000,80.87],[1379566800000,80.89],[1379653200000,79.5],[1379912400000,79.73],[1379998800000,78.71],[1380085200000,78.74],[1380171600000,79.65],[1380258000000,79.29],[1380517200000,78.29],[1380603600000,78.68],[1380690000000,79.47],[1380776400000,79.56],[1380862800000,80.46],[1381122000000,79.97],[1381208400000,78.95],[1381294800000,79.35],[1381381200000,80.37],[1381467600000,81.1],[1381726800000,81],[1381813200000,80.11],[1381899600000,80.35],[1381986000000,80.45],[1382072400000,80.54],[1382331600000,80.39],[1382418000000,80.67],[1382504400000,78.37],[1382590800000,77.91],[1382677200000,77.6],[1382936400000,76.64],[1383022800000,80.25],[1383109200000,79.4],[1383195600000,80.37],[1383282000000,81.41],[1383544800000,82.57],[1383631200000,82.91],[1383717600000,82.39],[1383804000000,80.85],[1383890400000,81.04],[1384149600000,81.72],[1384236000000,82.45],[1384322400000,81.35],[1384408800000,82.01],[1384495200000,85.69],[1384754400000,89.86],[1384840800000,90.15],[1384927200000,89.19],[1385013600000,89.8],[1385100000000,86.76],[1385359200000,87.51],[1385445600000,86.02],[1385532000000,87.19],[1385704800000,86.28],[1385964000000,84.6],[1386050400000,84.04],[1386136800000,83.91],[1386223200000,84.16],[1386309600000,86.23],[1386568800! 000,86.14! ],[1386655200000,86.53],[1386741600000,82.18],[1386828000000,82.24],[1386914400000,83.7],[1387173600000,83.26],[1387260000000,82.08],[1387346400000,83.56],[1387432800000,80.97],[1387519200000,80.7],[1387778400000,80.03],[1387864800000,81.35],[1388037600000,81.34],[1388124000000,82.48],[1388383200000,81.3],[1388469600000,82.17],[1388642400000,79.93],[1388728800000,78.67],[1388988000000,77.24],[1389074400000,77],[1389160800000,76.23],[1389247200000,74.9],[1389333600000,75.8],[1389592800000,75.19],[1389679200000,76.88],[1389765600000,76.62],[1389852000000,76.27],[1389938400000,77.23],[1390284000000,81.8],[1390370400000,82.87],[1390456800000,80.31],[1390543200000,79.47],[1390802400000,79.87],[1390888800000,79.99],[1390975200000,78.27],[1391061600000,79.05],[1391148000000,78.83],[1391407200000,77.76],[1391493600000,78.18],[1391580000000,76.07],[1391666400000,74.98],[1391752800000,75.45],[1392012000000,74.53],[1392098400000,77.09],[1392184800000,77.39],[1392271200000,77.26],[1392357600000,78.49],[1392703200000,77.02],[1392789600000,83.51],[1392876000000,86.68],[1392962400000,84.3],[1393221600000,83.42],[1393308000000,82.08],[1393394400000,84.86],[1393826400000,87.21]
Lexington Corporate Properties Trust operates as a self-managed and self-administered real estate investment trust (REIT). The company acquires, owns, and manages a portfolio of office, industrial, and retail properties net-leased to corporate tenants in the United States. It also provides investment advisory and asset management services to institutional investors in the net lease area. As of June 30, 2005, the company operated 185 properties and managed 2 properties. Lexington Corporate Properties Trust has elected to qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes. As a REIT, it would not be taxed on the portion of its income, which is distributed to shareholders, provided it distributes at least 90% of its taxable income. The company was founded in 1991 and is based in New York City. Advisors' Opinion: - [By Brad Thomas]
Compared with the public REIT peers, I believe that Chambers Street will compare favorably to W.P. Carey (WPC) and Lexington Realty Trust (LXP). Both of these REITs own larger box assets and they both have conservative and well-positioned balance sheets. Here is a snapshot of Chambers Street's capitalization: - [By Eric Volkman]
Lexington Realty Trust (NYSE: LXP ) is acting like a relaxed landlord that doesn't want or need to modify the rent. The company is maintaining its dividend policy by declaring a $0.15-per-share distribution for its current quarter, to be paid on or about July 15 to shareholders of record as of June 28. That amount matches the firm's previous three distributions, the most recent of which was paid in April. Prior to that, the real estate investment trust dispensed $0.125 per share. - [By CRWE]
Lexington Realty Trust (NYSE:LXP), a real estate investment trust (REIT) focused on single-tenant real! estate investments, reported that it would release its third quarter 2012 results the morning of Tuesday, November 6, 2012. Lexington will conduct a teleconference that same day at 11:00 a.m., Eastern Time. source from Top Stocks Blog:http://www.topstocksblog.com/top-dividend-stocks-to-invest-in-right-now.html
No, says Credit Suisse analyst Ravi Mehrotra and team, when contemplating the recent drops in Gilead Sciences (GILD), Biogen Idec (BIIB), Celgene (CELG) and their ilk. They explain why:  When looking at the overall picture, it is clear that the biotech bull markets of1999/2000 and 2013/2014 are notably different (now driven by an appetite for EPS growth vs. genomics/tech then, now valuation is arguably not stretched relative to other sectors). However, we also highlight that there are some similarities between this bull market and the last (generalist in-flows and preclinical public companies), which could drive some lingering market nervousness. In keeping with our (still standing) “generalist GARPy inflow hypothesis” we remain confident of the >25% large-cap biotech sector’s medium-term EPS growth rate (vs. high single-digit for the S&P500). In our view, unless we see a fundamental disappointment in the "leadership" companies, we think valuation of (at least the large caps within) the biotech sector is supported and actually provides room for upside. We note that if we see a further 10.5% decline in the stock across the large caps it would place the sector at 2015 PE parity to the S&P (with >4x the EPS growth). Large cap biotech is now trading at a 2015 and 2016 PE discount to the S&P500! Mehrotra’s prefers Biogen Idec, Gilead Sciences and Celgene among large-cap biotech stocks. Shares of Biogen Idec have dropped 1% to $309.37 today at 11:34 a.m., while Gilead Sciences has gained 0.9% to $72.74 and Celgene has advanced 1.5% to $143.55.
This featured recommendation is a classic value stock; the company is a leading global investment management firm structured as a master limited partnership, explains J. Royden Ward, editor of Cabot Benjamin Graham Value Investor. AllianceBernstein Holding LP (AB) offers high quality research and diversified investment services to institutional investors and private clients in major global markets. The company is one of the largest US investment advisors, with assets under management totaling $445 billion, as of January 31. AllianceBernstein significantly increased its size with the October 2000 acquisition of Sanford Bernstein, a leading US-based, value-oriented investment manager, for $3.5 billion in cash and stock. France-based AXA owns 64% of AllianceBernstein LP. One-third of AB's assets under management belong to clients domiciled outside the US. AB's Institutional Services actively manage stock and bond accounts for institutions, mutual funds, including Alliance Mutual Funds, and investments for well-heeled clients. The company's Retail Services unit offers investment management to other individual investors. AB has begun a major turnaround. The company produced weak sales and earnings from 2008 through mid-2012, caused by poor investment advice to its debt and equity institutional clients. During the past 12 months, though, the company's investment advice to clients has been among the best in the industry. AB's new success has attracted many new clients seeking market-beating returns in the debt and equity markets. Sales advanced 7% and EPS rebounded 39% during the 12 months ended December 31, 2013. Lower costs and higher performance fees helped earnings to surge. The company's turnaround should strengthen during the next 12 months. My forecast includes a revenue increase of 8% and an EPS advance of 18% to 2.12. AB's dividend, which is directly correlated to profits, is now 29% higher than a year ago and provides a very high yield of 8.4%. Dividend payments should climb further during the next 12 months. At 13.3 times latest EPS, and with a huge dividend yield, AB shares are clearly undervalued. I expect AB to reach my minimum sell price target of $33.40 within two years. Subscribe to Cabot Benjamin Graham Value Investor here… More from MoneyShow.com: Banking Expert Banks on Regionals BofI: Peter Lynch-style Buy Buyback Expert Banks on People's United
Next Generation Energy Corp (OTCMKTS: NGMC) and Dutch Gold Resources, Inc (OTCMKTS: DGRI) are the latest small cap stocks to announce their entry into the marijuana business while peer Endocan Corp (OTCMKTS: ENDO) sees some paid promotions or investor relations activities, but otherwise remains quiet. So will investors and traders alike achieve a high with any of these small cap marijuana stocks? Here is a quick reality check: Next Generation Energy Corp (OTCMKTS: NGMC) Intends to Find a Gusher in Marijuana Small cap Next Generation Energy Corp is a holding company specializing in oil and natural gas assets but now the company plans to focus on the acquisition of retail and cultivation licenses throughout North America, as well as the development of a national brand. On Friday, Next Generation Energy Corp fell 2.39% to $0.0571 for a market cap of $7.19 million plus NGMC is up 13.5% over the past year and down 88.6% since December 2010 according to Google Finance.  What's the Catch With Next Generation Energy Corp? According to various disclosures, transactions of $2k, $7.5k, $15k and $18.5k have or will occur to mention Next Generation Energy Corp in various investment newsletters. One week ago, Next Generation Energy Corp announced that its Board of Directors had approved a plan to redirect resources and to focus its core business on the fast growing medical marijuana industry with the initial focus to be on the acquisition of retail and cultivation licenses throughout North America, as well as the development of a national brand. The CEO commented that: "NextGen isn't just another company entering the Medical Marijuana industry, which has proven to be very exciting for investors in recent months. We are undertaking a very sophisticated business plan that has been in development over the last five years. As more states are legalizing marijuana and there is significantly more discussion on the use of marijuana for medical purposes, we are convinced that now is the time to launch our very aggressive platform." And: "Our turn-key DMS services will include real estate management, marketing, product training, staffing, sales training, facilities management, security systems to include armed guards, video surveillance, loss prevention systems, and a full suite of cloud based IT solutions to manage all aspects of the supply chain from seed to sale. We recognize the significant growth opportunities in the medical marijuana industry and are aggressively seeking to capitalize on these opportunities as the sector continues to evolve." A quick look at Next Generation Energy Corp's financials show why a change of direction might be necessary as the company has reported no revenues; net income of $443k (most recent reported quarter), a net loss of $1,725k, net income of $13k and a net loss of $1,595k for the past four reported quarters; and $1k in cash to cover $1,141k in current liabilities at the end of last September. Dutch Gold Resources, Inc (OTCMKTS: DGRI) Intends to Find Gold in Marijuana Small cap Dutch Gold Resources intends to provide financial services, including merchant banking, merchant services and business services with a specific focus in the emerging "cannabis industry." On Friday, Dutch Gold Resources fell 10% to $0.0009 for a market cap of $2.24 million plus DGRI is up 350% over the past year and down 99.4% over the past five years according to Google Finance.  What's the Catch With Dutch Gold Resources, Inc? According to various disclosures, no transactions have occurred to mention Dutch Gold Resources in various investment newsletters. Last Thursday, Dutch Gold Resources announced that it had entered the financial and business services industry with a special focus on the medical marijuana sector. Dutch Gold Resources believes there are opportunities in merchant services and transaction facilitation and it intends to build platforms to support retail sales and to build brand loyalty programs. Hence, Dutch Gold Resources intends to identify and connect alternative lenders with potential borrowers by establishing state specific platforms to insure compliance within each state plus the company has identified distinct business services that will be needed as marijuana entrepreneurs launch and grow their businesses. A quick look at Dutch Gold Resources' financials on Google Finance and Yahoo! Finance reveals the most recent ones date from the end of September 2012 – meaning investors don't have much to go on here. Endocan Corp (OTCMKTS: ENDO) Has Been Quiet Lately Small cap Endocan Corp is currently developing new natural products based on innovative formulations to utilize the unique and potent benefits of the cannabis and hemp plants. On Friday, Endocan Corp fell 5.58% to $0.0897 for a market cap of $7.79 million plus ENDO is down 20.6% over the past year and up 6,800% over the past five years according to Google Finance.  What's the Catch With Endocan Corp? According to various disclosures, a transaction or transactions of $10k has or will occur to mention Endocan Corp in various investment newsletters. However, Endocan Corp has actually been quiet since early February when the company issued a press release to say that they were "delighted" that the US Congress and President Obama appear on the verge of approving the first key law to legalize hemp cultivation and advanced research on a federal level (Note: On January 29, 2014, the US House of Representatives approved the "farm bill" that contains a provision for certain cultivation of industrial hemp for research in a number of US states). Endocan Corp also issued "shareholder guidance" concerning an multi-year, strategic growth agreement with Medicine Dispensing Systems, a wholly owned subsidiary of Medbox Inc (OTCMKTS: MDBX), that was announced on August 20, 2013. Under that agreement, Endocan Corp will be bringing proprietary cannabinoid-based products and formulations to market in state-approved regulatory environments with dispensaries to be branded by the company while using the advanced, patented 'Medbox' dispensing technology. However, the latest financials for Endocan Corp date from the end of March 2013 – meaning the company has some catching up to do.
Despite what can best be described as a�soft economy, small cap trucking stocks YRC Worldwide, Inc (NASDAQ: YRCW), Arkansas Best Corporation (NASDAQ: ABFS), Frozen Food Express Industries, Inc (NASDAQ: FFEX), Saia Inc (NASDAQ: SAIA) and USA Truck, Inc (NASDAQ: USAK) have been trucking some pretty impressive returns since the start of the year. In fact, these small cap trucking stocks are up anywhere from 72% to 150% or so since the start of the year despite the slow economy. Certainly trucking stocks provide a good indicator of how the economy is doing, but might investors be�jumping the gun by pushing up these trucking stocks? Here is what you need to know about all five: YRC Worldwide, Inc. One of the largest transportation service providers in the world, YRC Worldwide is the holding company for a portfolio of brands that include YRC Freight, YRC Reimer, New Penn, Holland and Reddaway. Investors should be aware that YRC Worldwide narrowly averted bankruptcy in its fiscal 2009 financial year when it successfully persuading bondholders to exchange their $470 million in bond notes for roughly 94% of the company�� shares while in�September 2011,�the company completed a financial restructuring which essentially wiped out shareholder equity. Last week, YRC Worldwide sank after it reported earnings and missed Wall Street expectations when it reported $1.24 billion in revenue verses the�$1.26 billion Wall Street was expecting. YRC Worldwide reported a net loss that narrowed to $15.1 million, or $1.72 per share, from $22.6 million or $3.21 per share for the same period last year, but that loss was far higher than Wall Street�� expectations. The company also said�it has�retained Credit Suisse to help refinance debt or recapitalize the company���something that is probably not a good sign. On Thursday, small cap YRC Worldwide fell 7.36% to $16.74 (YRCW has a 52 week trading range of $5.20 to $36.99 a share) for a market cap of $195.43 million plus the stock is up 149.8% since the start of the year, up 221.9% over the past year and down 99.7% over the past five years. Top 5 Transportation Stocks To Own For 2014: Expeditors International of Washington Inc.(EXPD) Expeditors International of Washington, Inc. provides logistics services in the United States and internationally. The company?s services include consolidation or forwarding air and ocean freight; distribution management; vendor consolidation; cargo insurance; purchase order management; and customized logistics information. Its airfreight services comprise the procurement of shipments from its customers; determination of the routing; consolidation of shipments bound for a particular airport distribution point; and selection of the airline for transportation to the distribution point. The company also offers breakbulk services that include receiving and breaking down consolidated airfreight lots and arranging for distribution of the individual shipments. Its ocean freight and ocean services include ocean freight consolidation; and handling full container loads. In addition, the company acts as a customs broker, who assists importers to clear shipments through customs by pre paring required documentation, calculating and providing for payment of duties on behalf of the importer, arranging for any required inspections by governmental agencies, and arranging for delivery; and provides other value added services at destination, such as warehousing and product distribution, time definite transportation, and inventory management. Further, it offers custom clearances for goods moving by rail and truck between the United States, Canada, and/or Mexico; and customs consulting services The company?s customers primarily include retailers, distributors of consumer electronics, department store chains, clothing and shoe wholesalers, manufacturers, and catalogue stores. Expeditors International of Washington, Inc. was founded in 1979 and is based in Seattle, Washington. Advisors' Opinion: - [By Rich Smith]
This series, brought to you by Yahoo! Finance, looks at which upgrades and downgrades make sense, and which ones investors should act on. Today, three new ratings in the shipping sphere are grabbing headlines, as investment banker RBC Capital Markets upgrades UPS (NYSE: UPS ) to outperform, but cuts both FedEx (NYSE: FDX ) and shipping facilitator Expeditors International (NASDAQ: EXPD ) to underperform. - [By Rich Duprey]
Global logistics specialist Expeditors International (NASDAQ: EXPD ) announced yesterday that the company's CEO would retire effective�March 1.� - [By Ben Levisohn]
Like everyone else, Deutsche Bank’s Justin Yagerman starts with his reservations: FedEx has gained 28% during the past three months, trumping the United Parcel Service�� (UPS) 14% advance, the 1.1%rise in�J.B. Hunt Transport Services�(JBHT) and the 3.9% loss in�Expeditors International of Washington�(EXPD).
Top 5 Transportation Stocks To Own For 2014: MPLX LP (MPLX) MPLX LP, incorporated on March 27, 2012, is a fee-based limited partnership formed by Marathon Petroleum Corporation to own, operate, develop and acquire crude oil, refined product and other hydrocarbon-based product pipelines and other midstream assets. The Company�� assets consist of a 51% indirect interest in a network of common carrier crude oil and product pipeline systems and associated storage assets in the Midwest and Gulf Coast regions of the United States. The Company generates revenue by charging tariffs for transporting crude oil, refined products and other hydrocarbon-based products through its pipelines and at its barge dock and fees for storing crude oil and products at its storage facilities. The Company is also the operator of additional crude oil and product pipelines owned by Marathon Petroleum Corporation and its subsidiaries (MPC) and third parties, for which it is paid operating fees. The Company�� assets consist of a 51% partner interest in Pipe Line Holdings, an entity which owns a 100.0% interest in Marathon Pipe Line LLC (MPL) and Ohio River Pipe Line LLC (ORPL), which in turn own: a network of pipeline systems, which includes approximately 962 miles of common carrier crude oil pipelines and approximately 1,819 miles of common carrier product pipelines extending across nine states. This network includes approximately 153 miles of common carrier crude oil and product pipelines, which it operates under long-term leases with third parties; a barge dock located on the Mississippi River near Wood River, Illinois, and crude oil and product tank farms located in Patoka, Wood River and Martinsville, Illinois and Lebanon, Indiana; and a 100.0% interest in a butane cavern located in Neal, West Virginia, which serves MPC�� Catlettsburg, Kentucky refinery. Crude Oil Pipeline Systems The Company�� crude oil pipeline systems and related assets are positioned to support crude oil supply options for MPC�� Midwest refineries, whic! h receive imported and domestic crude oil through a range of sources. Imported and domestic crude oil is transported to supply hubs in Wood River and Patoka, Illinois from a range of regions, including Cushing, Oklahoma on the Ozark pipeline system; Western Canada, Wyoming and North Dakota on the Keystone, Platte, Mustang and Enbridge pipeline systems, and the Gulf Coast on the Capline crude oil pipeline system. The Company�� Patoka to Lima crude system is comprised of approximately 76 miles of 20-inch pipeline extending from Patoka, Illinois to Martinsville, Illinois, and approximately 226 miles of 22-inch pipeline extending from Martinsville to Lima, Ohio. This system also includes associated breakout tankage. Crude oil delivered on this system to MPC�� tank farm in Lima can then be shipped to MPC�� Canton, Ohio refinery through MPC�� Lima to Canton pipeline, to MPC�� Detroit refinery through MPC�� undivided joint interest portion of the Maumee pipeline, and its Samaria to Detroit pipeline, or to other third-party refineries owned by BP, Husky Energy, and PBF Energy in Lima and Toledo, Ohio. The Company�� Catlettsburg and Robinson crude system is consisted of the pipelines: Patoka to Robinson and Patoka to Catlettsburg. Its Patoka to Robinson pipeline consists of approximately 78 miles of 20-inch pipeline, which delivers crude oil from Patoka, Illinois to MPC�� Robinson, Illinois refinery. Its Patoka to Catlettsburg pipeline consists of approximately 140 miles of 20-inch pipeline extending from Patoka, Illinois to Owensboro, Kentucky, and approximately 266 miles of 24-inch pipeline extending from Owensboro to MPC�� Catlettsburg, Kentucky refinery. Crude oil can enter this pipeline at Patoka, and into the Owensboro to Catlettsburg portion of the pipelines at Lebanon Junction, Kentucky, from the third-party Mid-Valley system. The Company�� Detroit crude system is consisted of Samaria to Detroit and Romulus to Detroit. Its Samaria to Detroit pi! peline co! nsists of approximately 44 miles of 16-inch pipeline that delivers crude oil from Samaria, Michigan to MPC�� Detroit, Michigan refinery. This pipeline includes a tank farm and crude oil truck offloading facility located at Samaria. The Company�� Romulus to Detroit pipeline consists of approximately 17 miles of 16-inch pipeline extending from Romulus, Michigan to MPC�� Detroit, Michigan refinery. Its Wood River to Patoka crude system is consisted of two pipelines: Wood River to Patoka and Roxanna to Patoka. Its Wood River to Patoka pipeline consists of approximately 57 miles of 22-inch pipeline, which delivers crude oil received in Wood River, Illinois from the third-party Platte and Ozark pipeline systems to Patoka, Illinois. The Company�� Roxanna to Patoka pipeline consists of approximately 58 miles of 12-inch pipeline, which transports crude oil received in Roxanna, Illinois from the Ozark pipeline system to its tank farm in Patoka, Illinois. Product Pipeline Systems The Company�� product pipeline systems are positioned to transport products from five of MPC�� refineries to MPC�� marketing operations, as well as those of third parties. These pipeline systems also supply feedstocks to MPC�� Midwest refineries. These product pipeline systems are integrated with MPC�� expansive network of refined product marketing terminals, which support MPC�� integrated midstream business. The Company�� Gulf Coast product pipeline systems include Garyville products system and Texas City products system. The Company�� Garyville products system is consisted of approximately 70 miles of 20-inch pipeline, which delivers refined products from MPC�� Garyville, Louisiana refinery to either the Plantation Pipeline in Baton Rouge, Louisiana or the MPC Zachary breakout tank farm in Zachary, Louisiana, and approximately two miles of 36-inch pipeline that delivers refined products from the MPC tank farm to Colonial Pipeline in Zachary. The Company�� Texas City products system is comprised of approximately 39 miles of 16-inch pipeline that delivers refined products from refineries owned by MPC, BP and Valero in Texas City, Texas to MPC�� Pasadena breakout tank farm and third-party terminals in Pasadena, Texas. The system also includes approximately three miles of 30- and 36-inch pipeline that delivers refined products from MPC�� Pasadena breakout tank farm to the third-party TEPPCO and Centennial pipeline systems. The Company�� Midwest product pipeline systems include Ohio River Pipe Line (ORPL) products system, Robinson products system and Louisville Airport products system. The Company�� ORPL products system is consisted of Kenova to Columbus, Canton to East Sparta, East Sparta to Heath, East Sparta to Midland, Heath to Dayton, and Heath to Findlay. The Company�� Kenova to Columbus pipeline consists of approximately 150 miles of 14-inch pipeline that delivers refined products from MPC�� Catlettsburg refinery to MPC�� Columbus, Ohio area terminals. Its Canton to East Sparta pipeline consists of two parallel pipelines, which connect MPC�� Canton, Ohio refinery with its East Sparta, Ohio breakout tankage and station. The first pipeline consists of approximately 8.5 miles of six-inch pipeline that delivers products (distillates) from Canton to East Sparta. The second pipeline consists of approximately 8.5 miles of six-inch bi-directional pipeline, which can deliver products (gasoline) from Canton to East Sparta or light petroleum-based feedstocks from East Sparta to Canton. The Company�� East Sparta to Heath pipeline consists of approximately 81 miles of eight-inch pipeline that delivers products from its East Sparta, Ohio breakout tankage and station to MPC�� terminal in Heath, Ohio. The Company�� East Sparta to Midland pipeline consists of approximately 62 miles of eight-inch bi-directional pipeline, which can deliver products and light petroleum-based feedstocks betwe! en its br! eak-out tankage and station in East Sparta, Ohio and MPC�� terminal in Midland, Pennsylvania. MPC�� Midland terminal has a marketing load rack and is able to connect to other Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-area terminals through a pipeline owned by Buckeye Pipe Line Company, L.P. and a river loading/unloading dock for products and petroleum feedstocks. This pipeline can also transport products to MPC�� terminals in Steubenville and Youngstown, Ohio through a connection at West Point, Ohio with a pipeline owned by MPC. The Company�� Heath to Dayton pipeline consists of approximately 108 miles of six-inch pipeline, which delivers products from MPC�� terminals in Heath, Ohio and Columbus, Ohio to terminals owned by CITGO and Sunoco Logistics Partners, L.P. in Dayton, Ohio. This pipeline is bi-directional between Heath and Columbus for product deliveries. Its Heath to Findlay consists of approximately 100 miles of eight- and 10-inch pipeline, which delivers products from MPC�� terminal in Heath, Ohio to MPC�� pipeline break-out tankage and terminal in Findlay, Ohio. Robinson products system is consisted of Robinson to Lima, Robinson to Louisville, Robinson to Mt. Vernon, Wood River to Clermont, Dieterich to Martinsville and Wabash Pipeline System. The Company�� Robinson to Lima pipeline consists of approximately 250 miles of 10-inch pipeline, which delivers products from MPC�� Robinson, Illinois refinery to MPC terminals in Indianapolis, Indiana, as well as to MPC terminals in Muncie, Indiana and Lima, Ohio. Its Robinson to Louisville pipeline consists of approximately 129 miles of 16-inch pipeline, which delivers products from MPC�� Robinson, Illinois refinery to two MPC and multiple third-party terminals in Louisville, Kentucky. In addition, these products can supply MPC and Valero terminals in Lexington, Kentucky through the Louisville to Lexington pipeline system owned by MPC and Valero. The Company�� Robinson to Mt. Vernon pipeline consists of ap! proximate! ly 79 miles of 10-inch pipeline that delivers products from MPC�� Robinson, Illinois refinery to a MPC terminal located on the Ohio River in Mt. Vernon, Indiana. It leases this pipeline from a third party under a long-term lease. The Company�� Wood River to Clermont pipeline consists of approximately 153 miles of 10-inch pipeline extending from MPC�� terminal in Wood River, Illinois to Martinsville, Illinois, and approximately 156 miles of 10-inch pipeline extending from Martinsville, Illinois to Clermont, Indiana. This pipeline also includes approximately 9.5 miles of pipelines utilized for the local movement of products in and around Wood River, Illinois, and Clermont, Indiana. The Company�� Dieterich to Martinsville pipeline consists of approximately 40 miles of 10-inch pipeline, which delivers products from the termination point of Centennial Pipeline to Martinsville, Illinois. From Martinsville, these products (including refinery feedstocks) can be distributed to MPC�� Robinson, Illinois refinery or to other destinations through our other pipeline systems. Its Wabash Pipeline System consists of three interconnected pipeline pipelines: approximately 130 miles of 12-inch pipeline extending from MPC�� terminal in Wood River, Illinois to Champaign, Illinois (the West leg); approximately 86 miles of 12-inch pipeline extending from MPC�� Robinson, Illinois refinery to Champaign (the East leg), and approximately 140 miles of 12- and 16-inch pipeline extending from the junction with the East and West legs in Champaign to MPC�� terminals in Griffith, Indiana and Hammond, Indiana. This pipeline system delivers products to MPC�� tanks at Martinsville, Champaign, Griffith and Hammond. This pipeline system also delivers products to tanks owned by Meier Oil Company at Ashkum, Illinois. The Wabash Pipeline System connects to other pipeline systems in the Chicago area through a portion of the system located beyond MPC�� Griffith terminal. The Company�� Louisville airport product! s system ! consists of approximately 14 miles of eight- and six-inch pipeline, which delivers jet fuel from MPC�� Louisville, Kentucky refined product terminals to customers at the Louisville International Airport. Other Major Midstream Assets The Company�� butane cavern is located in Neal, West Virginia, across the Big Sandy River from MPC�� Catlettsburg, Kentucky refinery. This storage cavern has approximately 1.0 million barrels of storage capacity and is connected to MPC�� Catlettsburg refinery. Rail access to the storage cavern is also available through connections with the refinery. The Company�� barge dock is located on the Mississippi River in Wood River, Illinois and is used both for crude oil barge loading and products barge unloading. The barge dock is connected to its Wood River tank farm by approximately two miles of 14-inch pipeline, which transfers crude oil from the tank farm to the dock, and two 10-inch pipelines, which are each approximately two miles long and transfer products and feedstocks from the dock to the tank farm. This dock generates revenue through a FERC tariff, which is collected for the transfer and loading/unloading of crude oil and products. It also owns tank farms located in Patoka, Martinsville and Wood River, Illinois and Lebanon, Indiana, which it uses for storing both crude oil and products. These storage assets are integral to the operation of its pipeline systems in those areas. Advisors' Opinion: - [By Aimee Duffy]
Phillips 66 (NYSE: PSX ) and its master limited partnership Phillips 66 Partners (NYSE: PSXP ) have made the headlines recently, because of how high PSXP climbed during its first day of trading. It isn't the first refiner to find success with an MLP spinoff -- Marathon Petroleum's (NYSE: MPC ) spinoff�MPLX (NYSE: MPLX ) is up more than 16% year to date -- and it doesn't look as if it will be the last. In this video, Fool.com contributor Aimee Duffy looks at Valero's (NYSE: VLO ) recent affirmation of its plan to convert its logistics assets into an MLP. - [By Robert Rapier]
Two things PSXP has going for it are that it has no debt, and is likely to be able to grow future distributions. But there are other midstream MLPs that have little or no debt and are also in position to grow distributions, but with a higher yield than PSXP. Marathon Petroleum’s (NYSE: MPC) midstream affiliate MPLX (NYSE: MPLX) also has essentially no debt, but a slightly higher yield of 2.9 percent.
C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc., a third-party logistics company, provides multimodal freight transportation services and logistics solutions to companies in various industries worldwide. It offers freight transportation services through its contractual relationships with various transportation companies, including motor carriers, railroads, air freight carriers, and ocean carriers. The company has contractual relationships with approximately 49,000 transportation companies. Its transportation and logistics services include truckload, less-than-truckload, intermodal, ocean, and air freight transportation, as well as transportation management, customs brokerage, and warehousing services. In addition, it engages in buying, selling, and marketing fresh produce to grocery retailers, restaurants, produce wholesalers, and foodservice distributors under the Fresh 1 and OurWorld Organics names, as well as under Tropicana, Welch?s, Mott?s, and Glory Foods names. Further, the company provides spend management and payment processing services through a platform that facilitates funds transfer, vendor payments, fuel purchasing, and online expense management primarily for motor carriers and truck stop chains. It operates through a network of 232 branch offices in North America, Europe, Asia, South America, Australia, and the Middle East. C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. was founded in 1905 and is headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Advisors' Opinion: - [By Gary Jakacky]
Only one company convincingly jumped thru all the hoops: C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. (CHRW). If only one of the companies in IYT appear to be undervalued, it might give you pause about how brightly the ETF will shine in the very near future. - [By Mark Hulbert]
The stocks are C.H. Robinson Worldwide (CHRW) �, a freight-transportation company; chip maker Cirrus Logic (CRUS) �; independent oil company Forest Oil (FST) �; investment bank Greenhill & Co. (GHL) �; Intrepid Potash (IPI) �, a fertilizer company; retailer J.C. Penney (JCP) �; Quest Diagnostics (DGX) �, a medical diagnostic company; Strayer Education (STRA) �, a for-profit college; Tower Group International (TWGP) �, an insurance company; and Windstream Holdings (WIN) �, a rural telecommunications firm. - [By Lisa Levin]
CH Robinson Worldwide (NASDAQ: CHRW) shares fell 0.70% to touch a new 52-week low of $50.61. CH Robinson's trailing-twelve-month profit margin is 3.26%.
Top 5 Transportation Stocks To Own For 2014: Bollore SA (BOL) Bollore SA is a France-based holding company which operates in 110 countries. The Company is active in several divisions: Bollore Africa Logistics, including freight forwarding, stevedoring, shipping lines and railways; Bollore Logistics with a presence in five continents; Bollore Energie which supplies domestic fuel and petroleum products; IER which designs, manufacture and markets terminals for controlling and reading tickets; Plastic Films for condensers, capacitors and packaging; Batteries and Supercapacitors, Electric Vehicles; Autolib��which offers a network of electric car rental; Communication and Media, which launched Digital Terrestial Television (DTT); Plantations because the Company owns oil palm and rubber plantations, through the Socfin Group and Financial Assets. As of September 27, 2012, the Company acquired minority stake in Vivendi SA and sold Direct 8 and Direct Star to Canal Plus SA. In January 2014, it acquired the outstanding 51% stake of LCN. Advisors' Opinion: Top 5 Transportation Stocks To Own For 2014: World Point Terminals LP (WPT) World Point Terminals, LP, incorporated on April 19, 2013, is a fee-based Delaware limited partnership formed to own, operate, develop and acquire terminals and other assets relating to the storage of light refined products, heavy refined products and crude oil. WPT GP, LLC is the general partner of the Company. It operates in a single reportable segment consists primarily of the fee-based storage and terminaling services it performs under contracts with its customers. The Company�� storage terminals are located in the East Coast, Gulf Coast and Midwest regions of the United States and, as of May 31, 2013, had a combined available storage capacity of 12.4 million barrels. The Company provides terminaling and storage of light refined products, such as gasoline, distillates and jet fuels; heavy refined products, such as residual fuel oils and liquid asphalt, and crude oil. Most of its terminal facilities are located on waterways, and have truck racks. Several of its terminal facilities also have rail or pipeline access. As of May 31, 2013, approximately 93% of its available storage capacity was under contract. The Company generates revenue from Storage Services Fees, Ancillary Services Fees and Additive Services Fees. Storage Services Fees are its customers pay base storage services fees, which are fixed monthly fees paid at the beginning of each month to reserve storage capacity in its tanks and to compensate it for receiving up to a base product volume on their behalf. The Company charges ancillary services fees to its customers for providing services, such as heating, mixing and blending its customers��products that are stored in its tanks; transferring its customers��products between its tanks; at its Granite City terminal, adding polymer to liquid asphalt, and rail car loading and dock operations. The Company generates revenue from fees for injecting generic gasoline, gasoline, lubricity, red dye and cold flow additives to its customers��products. Advisors' Opinion: - [By Robert Rapier]
World Point Terminals (NYSE: WPT) owns and operates terminals and other assets for the storage of light refined products, heavy refined products and crude oil. World Point’s storage terminals are located in the East Coast, Gulf Coast and Midwest regions of the US. The partnership debuted on Aug. 9, and units have gained 2 percent since. The partnership agreement provides for a minimum quarterly distribution of $1.20 per unit on an annualized basis. At the recent closing price of $19.64/unit, this equates to a minimum annualized yield of 6.1 percent.
- [By John Emerson]
Berman pioneered the idea of the World Poker Tour (WPT) and sold the concept to the Travel Channel. Watching poker on television had always been boring since the viewing audience could not see the down cards which the players held. Berman remedied that problem by allowing a camera to expose the down cards to the TV audience. That idea suddenly transformed Texas Holdem into a fascinating spectator�� sport. By the end of 2003 the stock had reached its book value of 15 dollars a share and I decided to take my profits, perhaps a bit prematurely. The stock quickly climbed to about 30 dollars a share on sheer momentum.
PartnerRe Ltd. (PartnerRe), incorporated in August 24, 1993, is the ultimate holding company for its international reinsurance group. The Company provides reinsurance on a global basis through its wholly owned subsidiaries, including Partner Reinsurance Company Ltd. (PartnerRe Bermuda), Partner Reinsurance Europe plc (PartnerRe Europe) and Partner Reinsurance Company of the U.S. (PartnerRe U.S.). Its risks reinsured include property, casualty, motor, agriculture, aviation/space, catastrophe, credit/surety, engineering, energy, marine, specialty property, specialty casualty, multiline and other lines and mortality, longevity and health. The Company also offers alternative risk products, which include weather and credit protection to financial, industrial and service companies on a global basis. In January 2013, the Company acquired Presidio Reinsurance Group, a United States-based specialty accident and health reinsurance and insurance writer. In March 2013, the Company ann ounced the formation of Lorenz Re Ltd. The Company provides reinsurance for its clients in approximately 150 countries globally. Through its branches and subsidiaries, the Company provides reinsurance of non-life and life risks to ceding companies (primary insurers, cedants or reinsureds) on either a proportional or non-proportional basis through treaties or facultative reinsurance. The Company operates in three segments: Non-life, Life and Corporate and Other. Its Corporate and Other segment is consisted of the capital markets and investment related activities of the Company, including principal finance transactions, insurance-linked securities and strategic investments, and its corporate activities, including other operating expenses. Non-life Segment The Non-life segment is divided into four sub-segments, North Am! erica, Global (Non-the United States) Property and Casualty (Global (Non-the United States) P&C), Global (Non-the United States) Specialty and Catastrophe. The North America sub-seg! ment includes agriculture, casualty, motor, multiline, property, surety and other risks generally originating in the United States. The Global (Non-the United States) P&C sub-segment includes casualty, motor and property business generally originating outside of the United States. The Global (Non-the United States) Specialty sub-segment business include agriculture, aviation/space, credit/surety, energy, engineering, marine, specialty casualty, specialty property and other lines. The Catastrophe sub-segment is consisted of the Company's catastrophe line of business. The Company reinsures, primarily on a proportional basis, agricultural yield and price/revenue risks related to flood, drought, hail and disease related to crops, livestock and aquaculture. The Company provides specialized reinsurance protection for airline, general aviation and space insurance business on a proportional basis and through facultative arrangements. The Company's space business re lates to coverages for satellite assembly, launch and operation for commercial space programs. Its casualty business includes third party liability, employers' liability, workers' compensation and personal accident coverages written on both a proportional and non-proportional basis, including structured reinsurance of casualty risks. The Company provides property catastrophe reinsurance protection, written on a non-proportional basis, against the accumulation of losses caused by windstorm, earthquake, tornado, tropical cyclone, flood or by any other natural hazard, which is covered under a property policy. Credit reinsurance, written on a proportional basis, provides coverage to commercial credit insurers, and the surety line relates to bonds and other forms of security written by specialized surety insurers. The Company provides reinsurance cov! erage for! the onshore oil and gas industry, mining, power generation and pharmaceutical operations on a proportional basis and t hrough facultative arrangements. The Company p! rovides r! einsurance for engineering projects globally, predominantly on a proportional treaty basis and through facultative arrangements. The Company provides reinsurance protection and technical services relating to marine hull, cargo, transit and offshore oil and gas operations on a proportional or non-proportional basis. The Company's motor business includes reinsurance coverages for third party liability and property damage risks arising from both passenger and commercial fleet automobile coverages written by cedants. This business is written predominantly on a proportional basis. The Company's multiline business provides both property and casualty reinsurance coverages written on both a proportional and non-proportional basis. Property business provides reinsurance coverage to insurers for property damage or business interruption losses resulting from fires, catastrophes and other perils covered in industrial, commercial property and homeowners' policies, and are written on both a proportional and non-proportional basis. The Company's predominant exposure under these property coverage is to property damage. The Company's property reinsurance treaties exclude certain risks, such as war, nuclear, biological and chemical contamination, radiation and environmental pollution. The Company provides specialized reinsurance protection for non-the United States casualty business. This reinsurance protection is offered on a proportional, non-proportional or facultative basis. The Company provides specialized reinsurance protection for non-the United States property business. This reinsurance protection is offered on a proportional, non-proportional or facultative basis. The Company's Non-life business is produced both through brokers and through direct relationships with insurance com! panies. I! n North America, business is written through brokers, while globally, the business is written on both a direct and broker basis.< /p> Life Segment The Company's Life ! segment i! ncludes the mortality, longevity and health lines of business written primarily in the United Kingdom, Ireland and France. The Company provides reinsurance coverage to life insurers and pension funds to against individual and group mortality and disability risks. Mortality business is written on a proportional basis through treaty agreements. Mortality business is subdivided into death and disability covers (with various riders) written in Continental Europe, term assurance and critical illness (TCI) written in the United Kingdom and Ireland, and guaranteed minimum death benefit (GMDB) written in Continental Europe. The Company also writes certain treaties on a non-proportional basis in France. The Company provides reinsurance coverage to employer sponsored pension schemes and life insurers who issue annuity contracts offering long-term retirement benefits to consumers, who seek protection against outliving their financial resources. The Company's longevity p ortfolio is subdivided into standard and non-standard annuities. The non-standard annuities are annuities sold to consumers with aggravated health conditions and are underwritten on an individual basis. The Company provides reinsurance coverage to life insurers with respect to individual and group health risks. The Company's Life business is produced both through brokers and through direct relationships with insurance companies. During the year ended December 31, 2011, one cedant accounted for 13% of the Life segment's total gross premiums written and one broker, the Aon Group (including the Benfield Group), accounted for 16% of the Life segment's total gross premiums written. The Company competes with Munich Re, Swiss Re, Everest Re, Hannover Re, SCOR, Transatlantic, Arch Capital, Axis Capital and XL Group. Adv! isors' Opinion: - [By Marc Bastow]
International insurance holding company PartnerRe Ltd. (PRE) raised its quarterly dividend 5% to 67 cents per share, payable on Feb. 28 to shareholders of record as of Feb. 18.
PRE Dividend Yield: 2.72% source from Top Stocks Blog:http://www.topstocksblog.com/top-10-financial-companies-to-invest-in-right-now.html
|
Robert Shiller on Market Bubbles and Busts
