Upcoming Trial Data for Inovio and OncoSec Add to Market’s Interest in Electroporation

Recently presented data from a preclinical study performed using Inovio Pharmaceuticals' (NYSE: INO) DNA vaccine against the H7N9 strain of avian influenza (bird flu) garnered some interest and buying momentum in INO, although investors seemed even more impressed after the release of the peer-reviewed publication analyzing the data from 2 Phase I trials for Inovio's PENNVAX-B vaccine, which was delivered using Inovio's CELLECTRA electroporation device. PENNVAX induced a strong T-cell response in 89% of the patients that had received three doses of the vaccine plus a signaling protein called Interleukin-12, inducing a best-in-class immune system response against HIV.

In light of the data, INO is up 93% in the last month of trading and hit a recent 52-week high of $1.57/share. Although the stock has pulled back, investors who are bullish on the stock now have more detailed Phase I clinical data supporting their position.

Although the data are from Phase I trials, they demonstrate quite clearly that the delivery of DNA plasmids into mammalian cells via electroporation – in vivo – truly works as intended. This is exciting for biotech investors due to the broad range of possibilities introduced by DNA vaccination.

Another company that has benefitted from Inovio's newfound attention is OncoSec Medical (OTC: ONCS) – a newer "offshoot" company that uses a similar but distinctly different electroporation device known as the OncoSec Medical System (OMS) that is based on Inovio's technology. The specific amplitude and frequency of the OMS electroporation is calibrated such that plasmid delivery into solid tumor masses is fully optimized, while CELLECTRA electroporation is less specialized and focus more on the vaccination of skin cells. The cross-license agreement made between Inovio and Oncosec also covers the two devices for their distinctly different applications.

The two companies also have significant upside potential in the coming months based on catalysts for their most important development programs.

Inovio – Phase II Cervical Dysplasia Data for VGX-3100

The link between Human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer has been well established with past research, although significant unmet demand still remains for more effective vaccines to prevent cervical dysplasia caused by HPV in patients that already contracted the virus. Current treatment is limited to HPV prevention. The VGX-3100 program aims to prevent cervical cancer by inducing a strong immune response against precancerous cells that have been mutated by a HPV infection. The activated T-cells may be able to eliminate – or at least regress the cervical cancer.

Phase II data for the VGX-3100 program is expected in the first quarter of 2014, which will provide more data on the extent of the immune response induced by the VGX-3100 DNA construct and the CELLECTRA electroporation device.

Inovio has already reached a market capitalization of $232 M at the time of writing, which limits the stock's upside but establishes Wall Street's initial confidence in the commercial viability of DNA vaccines. Given strong Phase II data, Inovio should be able to move above a $300 M valuation and stay there.

OncoSec – Phase II Melanoma Data for ImmunoPulse

ImmunoPulse is the name OncoSec uses to refer to the therapy that was developed using the OMS with a plasmid designed to code for Interleukin-12. IL-12, which was mentioned earlier, is a signaling protein that plays a vital role the body's natural immune system response. ImmunoPulse is currently being developed for three separate indications: late-stage melanoma, Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), and cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma. These are all in Phase II development, although it's worth noting that the melanoma indication is the furthest developed of the three and has recently completed enrollment for its 25-patient trials.

In multiple past trials Interleukin-12 was demonstrated to be an efficacious anti-cancer therapy (particularly melanoma), although it was always constrained by its safety profile. Patients who received the most effective doses of recombinant IL-12 saw unacceptable hepatotoxicity, and other adverse side effects which prevented its widespread use by doctors. Through the use of plasmids, OncoSec is able to introduce similarly high levels of IL-12 into patients without any apparent signs of toxicity.

"OncoSec put ImmunoPulse through a 24-patient Phase I safety trial to determine the profile of plasmid interleukin-12 paired with electroporation with the Oncosec Medical System. Robust expression of IL-12 – as high as 2,813 pg/g (convertible to 2,813 ng/kg) was seen in patients who received the highest dosing of IL-12 plasmid at 1.6 mg/mL on day 11. Mean IL-12 expression in two three-patient cohorts receiving the highest dosage were  1,124 and 870 ng/kg respectively, surpassing the limits of recombinant IL-12 injections."

(Source)

Interim response data from the nearly-completed Phase II melanoma trial is expected in Q3 2013, while the full data is expected in Q4 2013 or Q1 2014. The market generally disregards Phase I data, implying that a continuation of the good results seen in Phase I trials with ImmunoPulse will draw significant attention to OncoSec and the commercial potential in melanoma, MCC and cutaneous lymphoma. In particular, investors are looking for significant responses in malignant melanoma tumors that are distant from the electroporation and IL-12 injection sites, which would imply that ImmunoPulse generates a systemic (rather than local) immune response. Since this is very difficult to achieve with tolerable doses of Interleukin-12, it's implied that ImmunoPulse will make IL-12 viable for oncologists treating late-stage melanoma patients that have subpar or compromised organ function.

OncoSec is trading at a $36.6 M valuation at the time of writing, which reflects the market's skepticism over the company's technology and commercial viability. Positive Phase II data is likely to have a bigger percentage-based impact on Oncosec's valuation, since it would put the company "on the radar" for larger biotech investors. This effect could double the stock pretty easily within the next year, although investors buying now are exposing themselves to a double-edged sword.

China ship spare parts B

Please forward this email to the Purchasing manager(Purchasing departments) or the General Manager, Thank you in advance.

Dear Sir/Madam,

Good day,

I am T beg, Supply Manager of TANG MARINE SERVICE CO., LIMITED, We are a ship spare parts supplier from China.


Range of Spare parts:

1. MAIN & AUX. ENGINE£¨ Man-B&W£¬Wartsila£¬Yanmar£¬Daihatsu£¬Sulzer£¬Mak£¬ Niigata£¬SKL etc.£©

2. PURIFIER£¨Alfa-Laval, Westfalia, Tomoe, Mitsubishi etc.£©

3. AIR COMPRESSOR£¨ Yanmar, Tanabe, Hatlapa, Matsubara etc.£©

4. TURBOCHARGER£¨ABB, Mitsubishi, Man-B&W, Napier etc.£©

5. GOVERNOR£¨ Woodward etc.£©

6. PUMP£¨Heihin, Taiko ,Naniwa etc.£©


GENUINE OEM CHINA MADE OTHER COUNTRY MADE


Reliable quality and competitive pricing.


Our Major clients: Norbulk, StarBulk, A.P.-Moller, Anglo-Eastern Group, Bernhard Schulte Ship management Group, Fleet Shipmanagement, Norden, V. Ships Group etc


Hope be a business partner of your company.


Sent enquiry to me. let's talk details.


Thanks & Regards,


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

T beg

Supply Manager | TANG MARINE SERVICE CO., LIMITED

T: +86 335 8582484 (Landline) | T: +86 18830452087 (Mobile)
F: +86 335 8582484
E: supply@tangmarine.cn | W: www.tangmarine.cn
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

China ship spare parts A

Please forward this email to the Purchasing manager(Purchasing departments) or the General Manager, Thank you in advance.

Dear Sir/Madam,

Good day,

I am T beg, Supply Manager of TANG MARINE SERVICE CO., LIMITED, We are a ship spare parts supplier from China.


Range of Spare parts:

1. MAIN & AUX. ENGINE£¨ Man-B&W£¬Wartsila£¬Yanmar£¬Daihatsu£¬Sulzer£¬Mak£¬ Niigata£¬SKL etc.£©
2. PURIFIER£¨Alfa-Laval, Westfalia, Tomoe, Mitsubishi etc.£©
3. AIR COMPRESSOR£¨ Yanmar, Tanabe, Hatlapa, Matsubara etc.£©
4. TURBOCHARGER£¨ABB, Mitsubishi, Man-B&W, Napier etc.£©
5. GOVERNOR£¨ Woodward etc.£©
6. PUMP£¨Heihin, Taiko ,Naniwa etc.£©


GENUINE OEM CHINA MADE OTHER COUNTRY MADE


Reliable quality and competitive pricing.

Our Major clients: NorBulk, StarBulk, A.P.-Moller, Anglo-Eastern Group, Bernhard Schulte Ship management Group, Fleet Shipmanagement, Norden, V. Ships Group etc

Hope be a business partner of your company.

Sent enquiry to me. let's talk details.


Thanks & Regards,


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

T beg

Supply Manager | TANG MARINE SERVICE CO., LIMITED

T: +86 335 8582484 (Landline) | T: +86 18830452087 (Mobile)
F: +86 335 8582484
E: supply@tangmarine.cn | W: www.tangmarine.cn
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hot Cheap Stocks To Watch For 2016

Hot Cheap Stocks To Watch For 2016: Partner Communications Company Ltd.(PTNR)

Partner Communications Company Ltd. provides various telecommunications services in Israel. It offers cellular telephony services on GSM/GPRS and UMTS/HSDPA networks. The company also provides basic services, including domestic mobile calls, international dialing, roaming, voice mail, short message services, intelligent network services, content based on its cellular portal, data and fax transmission, and other services. In addition, it offers Internet services provider services that provides access to the Internet, as well as home WiFi networks; value added services, such as anti-virus and anti-spam filtering; and transmission services; and Web video on demand services, music tracks, and games. Further, the company provides voice over broadband and primary rate interface fixed-line telephone services; and data capacity services. Additionally, it offers content services comprising voice mail, text, and multimedia messaging, as well as downloadable wireless data application s, including ring tones, music, games, and other informational content; and sells handsets, phones, routers, and related equipment. The company markets its products through its sales centers, business sales representatives, traditional networks of specialized dealers, and non-traditional networks of retail chains and stores under the Orange brand name. Partner Communications Company Ltd. was founded in 1997 and is headquartered in Rosh Ha-ayin, Israel.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Garrett Cook]

  In trading on Monday, telecommunications services shares were relative laggards, down on the day by about 0.35 percent. Meanwhile, top decliners in the sector included Cellcom Israel Ltd. (NYSE: CEL), down 5 percent, and Partner Communications Company Ltd. (NASDAQ: PTNR), off 3.9 percent.

• [By Eddie Staley]

  Telecommu! nications services shares jumped around 1.19 percent in today’s trading. Top gainers in the sector included NQ Mobile (NYSE: NQ), China Unicom (Hong Kong) (NYSE: CHU), and Partner Communications Company (NASDAQ: PTNR).

source from Top Stocks For 2015:http://www.topstocksblog.com/hot-cheap-stocks-to-watch-for-2016.html

The Effect Of Fed Tapering On The Economy, Housing And Stocks

The Fed met yesterday afternoon to discuss the state of the economy and decide if they would begin the process of tapering (i.e.; reducing its $85 billion per month asset purchase program). After a brief meeting, they decided to wait. Although a number of individuals were fully convinced the Fed would begin to taper this month, I have consistently written that the Fed would not begin tapering in September.

Why? Primarily because the U.S. economy remains weak and there are a few potentially significant risks in doing so. Of course, the time will come when the Fed will begin to reduce its asset purchases. How will this impact the financial markets? Perhaps more important, have the financial markets become so accustomed to the Feds easy money policy that the addiction is deeply ingrained?  In other words, has the stock market consumed so much punch that the withdrawals will be severe?

It seems reasonable to assume that the actual process of tapering will be slow and gradual with the goal of minimizing any potential market disruptions. This is precisely where the difficulty resides. After all, everyone understands that the Fed cannot continue expanding the money supply at the current rate. Therefore, the key issue is to taper with the least amount of market disruption. I suspect this will include sending up trial balloons to gauge the market's reaction to various Fed actions, executing the tapering process, and having contingency plans in place to address any significant issues which may arise. In short, it will require a thorough PR campaign, but with much higher stakes.

Tapering And Higher Interest Rates

Most believe that tapering will result in an increase in interest rates, especially at the longer end of the yield curve. This could have two detrimental effects. The first would be higher mortgage rates. In this scenario, the housing recovery which is critical to a thriving economy, could slow drastically. Therefore, tapering at the present time would be risky. Another issue has to do with the federal budget. If tapering does indeed lead to higher interest rates, the increased cost to the federal budget would be a considerable impediment to fiscal policy health. I heard an interesting statistic recently that said that if interest rates were to rise by one percentage point, it would completely erase the budget savings created from the sequester.

Remember the sequester? If Congress didn't come to an agreement on the budget by a specified date, automatic budget cuts would ensue. Well, Congress did not and budget cuts were implemented. Again, a one percent rise in interest rates could effectively wipe this out.

Some speculate that any delay on the part of the Fed may be politically motivated as it would help the incumbent party by keeping interest rates low. Only a few people actually know the truth. The rest of us are left to speculate. Personally, I view this issue as one which affects the entire nation not just one political party. Sure, if the Fed did taper, and interest rates rose, and the housing market recovery stalled, and the federal government deficit and debt spiked, at election time, the Republicans would surely have all fingers pointed at the Democrats, and they may even gain seats in Congress.

However, if they couldn't pull off a victory in the last presidential election when the unemployment rate was at 8.2%, and given the fact that Obama was the first incumbent to be reelected when the unemployment rate was above 8.0% in the modern era, I'm not terribly confident that the Republicans would actually benefit. That said, if the federal government is forced to pay more to service its debt, it could have a detrimental effect on every taxpayer in this and future generations. For the record, I am very concerned with the amount of debt amassed by Presidents Obama and Bush. But the fact remains that higher rates will hurt everyone. Everyone except investors who rely on interest income.

A Final Word On Tapering

Even when the Fed actually begins to taper they will remain "highly accommodative." In essence, they will not raise short-term interest rates for quite some time. Recently, when the Fed merely hinted that they might begin to taper, stocks sold off sharply. The conclusion is that our economy remains weak, stocks are highly sensitive, and investors must remain cautious.

When will the Fed begin to taper? Some say December, but remember that's during the peak of the holiday season, a period when the economy typically does well. This "seasonality" makes it difficult to determine if the economy is really improving or just experiencing a Christmas boost. Therefore, even though it's quite possible the Fed will taper later this year, I don't believe they will until 2014.

Despite the fact that many U.S. stock markets are reaching record highs investors need to have a plan in place to protect against a sharp decline. Whether it's trailing stop orders, options, or some other hedge, we are not out of the woods quite yet. In the interim, with GDP under 2.0%, are stocks getting a little ahead of themselves? Perhaps. Which may be another reason investors need to keep a sharp eye on their risk assets and protect them in the event of a severe decline. Keep in mind that at some point the Fed will remove the punch bowl, the party will end, and the probability for a decline in stocks is high.

Top Japanese Companies To Invest In 2016

Top Japanese Companies To Invest In 2016: FXCM Inc. (FXCM)

FXCM Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides online foreign exchange (FX) trading and related services to retail and institutional customers worldwide. It operates in two segments, Retail Trading and Institutional Trading. The company acts as an agent between retail customers and a collection of global banks and financial institutions by making foreign currency markets for customers trading in foreign exchange spot markets. It offers spot FX trading in approximately 58 currency pairs; enables non-U.S. customers to trade contract for differences that include contracts for metals, fixed income, energy and stock indices; and provides spread betting trading to the United Kingdom customers. The company also offers equity and equity option trading for customers outside of the United States to trade equity and options on the United Kingdom, continental Europe, and the United States markets. FXCM Inc. offers its customers access to over-the-counter FX markets through its propriet ary technology platform. The company was incorporated in 2010 and is headquartered in New York, New York.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Anna Prior]

  FXCM Inc.(FXCM) said its fourth-quarter profit dropped slightly amid a muted trading environment, although results beat Wall Street expectations. FXCM makes most of its top line from customers using its software to trade currencies online.

• [By John Udovich]

  Small cap stocks FXCM Inc (NYSE: FXCM), Gain Capital Holdings Inc (NYSE: GCAP) and up and coming Indo Global Exchanges PteLtd (OTCMKTS: IGEX) all offer online trading platforms to retail or institutional traders and investors. Certainly if you have found yourself trading more lately or if markets become more volatile, trading platforms are going to be the big winners. With that in mind, here is a close look at these three s! mall cap trading platform stocks: 

source from Top Stocks For 2015:http://www.topstocksblog.com/top-japanese-companies-to-invest-in-2016-2.html

China ship spare parts supplier

Please forward this email to the Purchasing manager(Purchasing departments) or the General Manager, Thank you in advance.

Dear Sir/Madam,

Good day to u,

I am T beg, Supply Manager of TANG MARINE SERVICE CO., LIMITED, We are a ship spare parts supplier from China.


Support brand range of Spare parts:

1. MAIN & AUX. ENGINE（ Man-B&W，Wartsila，Yanmar，Daihatsu，Sulzer，Mak， Niigata，SKL etc.）

2. PURIFIER（Alfa-Laval, Westfalia, Tomoe, Mitsubishi etc.）

3. AIR COMPRESSOR（ Yanmar, Tanabe, Hatlapa, Matsubara etc.）

4. TURBOCHARGER（ABB, Mitsubishi, Man-B&W, Napier etc.）

5. GOVERNOR（ Woodward etc.）

6. PUMP（Heihin, Taiko ,Naniwa etc.）


GENUINE OEM CHINA MADE OTHER COUNTRY MADE


Reliable quality and competitive pricing.


Our Major clients: Norbulk, StarBulk, A.P.-Moller, Anglo-Eastern Group, Bernhard Schulte Ship management Group, Fleet Shipmanagement, Norden, V. Ships Group etc


Hope be a business partner of your company.


Sent enquiry to me. let's talk details.


Thanks & Regards,


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

T beg

Supply Manager | TANG MARINE SERVICE CO., LIMITED

T: +86 335 8582484 (Landline) | T: +86 18830452087 (Mobile)
F: +86 335 8582484
E: supply@tangmarine.cn | W: www.tangmarine.cn
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

aeqeke7

Top 5 International Stocks To Buy For 2016

Top 5 International Stocks To Buy For 2016: India Fund Inc (IFN)

The India Fund, Inc. (the Fund), incorporated on December 27, 1993, is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company. The Fund's investment objective is long-term capital appreciation. It invests in Indian equity securities. At least 80% of the Fund's total assets are invested in equity securities of Indian companies. Its portfolio includes common stocks, warrants and short-term investments. The India Fund, Inc. operates through a branch in the Republic of Mauritius.

The India Fund, Inc. invests in a range of industries, including computer software and programming, computer services, finance, diversified industries, building and construction, cement, chemicals, electronics and electrical equipment, extractive industries, engineering, diversified financial services, petroleum-related industries, pharmaceuticals, steel and telecommunications. Aberdeen Asset Management Asia Limited is the Fund's investment manager.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Jon C. Ogg]

  The India Fund Inc. (NYSE: IFN) is a closed-end fund that trades often at severe discounts or premiums to the net asset value. Its gain is only 0.9% to $18.03, and the 52-week trading range of $16.88 to $24.10 implies that it has recovered only 7% off of its recent lows. It currently trades at a discount of 11% to its NAV according to CEFA.com.

• [By Jon C. Ogg]

  WisdomTree India Earnings Fund (NYSEMKT: EPI) is down yet another 2.7% at $13.05, and it hit a new low of $13.00 on Wednesday against a high of $20.50. The PowerShares India (NYSEMKT: PIN) is down another 2.5% at $13.54, and it hit a new low with its 52-week range now at $13.50 to $19.66. The India Fund Inc. (NYSE: IFN) is a closed-end fund rather than an exchange traded fund (ETF), and it is down almost 1.75% at $16.95, with its shares hitting a new m! ultiyear low of 416.88, against a 52-week high of $24.10.

• [By Jon C. Ogg]

  The India Fund Inc. (NYSE: IFN) is down another 5% at $17.55 against a 52-week range of $17.53 to $24.10. CEFA.com shows that it trades at roughly a 9.4% discount to its net asset value.

source from Top Stocks For 2015:http://www.topstocksblog.com/top-5-international-stocks-to-buy-for-2016.html

Apple Wasted Its Time Making Over iOS 7

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- I'm not a tech nerd and I didn't consult with TheStreet's Tech Editor Chris Ciaccia before penning this article, therefore I reserve the right to be 150% wrong or misguided on this first part.

With all the talk about how Apple (AAPL) should proceed with updates to its enormously successful product pipeline, few people have expressed this sentiment: iPhone Does Not Need to Be Revolutionary.

There's this media-hyped misnomer that the competition ploughs ahead so hard and fast that Apple needs to keep up. Bull. Apple revolutionized a handful of industries over the last several years; at this point, it merely needs to keep up with itself and its happy customers.

Save the revolution for your bed and an entirely different category such as the living room. For iPhone and iPad in particular, I don't want to see much change. I want to see the products improve from practical standpoints. For example (and this is where the first paragraph qualifier comes in), why can't my iPhone figure out whether it should use a cellular or WiFi connection? I'm tired of the prompts, getting put onto networks that don't work and the general uncertainty. Apple knows where I am. It tracks my behavior. It knows everything that happens on my phone as it happens. Why can't it be smarter? Or give me the option to make it smarter by seamlessly switching between cellular and WiFi, particularly when I am in familiar places such as my neighborhood. That's the type of thing Apple needs to address. (Or make Calendar better, because it's still horrible). While I generally like iOS 7, I can't help but think it's change for the sake of change. The navigation is improved. So has Siri. And iTunes Radio is here. But iOS hardly required a mediocre cosmetic makeover. On one hand, I commend Tim Cook for what he said in Thursday morning's BloombergBusinessweek article: There never was a cheap iPhone! It's great that he reads my stuff. Obviously. It's uncanny! But, it's even better, on a more serious note, that the media regurgitates what Cook says after the fact as opposed to being honest and thoughtfully analytical with you in the first place. Cook is also spot on about the split in the smartphone market and the general tendency for consumer electronics to cluster at the low end and higher end. He's correct to not worry about the low end, serving only the people who want -- and are willing to pay for -- the best experience possible. That's the Apple way. And it's great to finally hear Cook expressing it in a manner that does Steve Jobs's legacy justice. Cook is saying This is who we are. It works. And who the hell are you or anybody else to suggest we change? I just wish he would allow that attitude to permeate through all of Apple the way Jobs used to. That means ignoring people like David Einhorn and Carl Icahn. It also means not changing anything (too drastically) -- software or hardware -- that works so well and has millions of people obsessively hooked. Follow @rocco_thestreet --Written by Rocco Pendola in Santa Monica, Calif.

Best Building Product Companies To Buy Right Now

Best Building Product Companies 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.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Louis Navellier]

  A great example of these small banks with big potential is Firstbank Corp. (FBMI), a $155 million market-cap stock that operates 53 branch offices in central Michigan. Firstbank provides commercial banking products and services, including traditional deposit accounts and loans tailored to meet the needs of its business customers. FBMI also offers trust, security brokerage and title insurance services, and even armored car services. This bank stock has been rated an “A” all year, and the fundamentals just keep getting better. FBMI shares remain a “strong buy” at current prices.

source from Top Stocks For 2015:http://www.topstocksblog.com/best-building-product-companies-to-buy-right-now-5.html

Top Airline Stocks To Own Right Now

Top Airline Stocks To Own Right Now: Virgin Australia Holdings Ltd (VBHLF)

Virgin Australia Holdings Limited (VAH) is an Australia-based company engaged in the development and operation of domestic and international airlines. VAHs fleet includes ATR-72, Embraer 190, Boeing 737-700, Boeing 737-800, AIRBUS A330 and Boeing 777-300ER. It product includes Airbus A330 Business Class. During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012, the Company carried 19,468,929 guests on 216 city pairs to 52 destinations, and operated 162,817 flights. On February 22, 2012, under the proposal, all of the shares in the international airline business of Virgin Australia were transferred to a new holding company, Virgin Australia International Holdings Pty Ltd. In April 2013, it acquired 100% of the issued share capital in Skywest Airlines Ltd. In July 2013, Virgin Australia Holdings Limited announced that it has acquired 60% interest of Tiger Airways Australia Pty Limited from Tiger Airways Holdings Limited. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By MARKETWATCH]

  LOS ANGELES (MarketWatch) -- Australian stocks gave ground in early Friday trading, with banks broadly lower after overnight losses in the U.S., where investors worried that better-than-expected data would prompt the Federal Reserve to roll back stimulus soon. The S&P/ASX 200 (AU:XJO) lost 0.4% to 5,178.30, as National Australia Bank Ltd. (AU:NAB) (NAUBF) fell 1.8%, Australia & New Zealand Banking Group (AU:ANZ) (ANEWF) lost 0.8%, and Macquarie Group Ltd. (AU:MQG) (MCQEF) retreated 1.3%. Among the resource shares, losses for gold both in New York and in early Asian electronic! trade helped send Evolution Mining Ltd. (AU:EVN) (CAHPF) down 1.9% and Kingsgate Consolidated Ltd. (AU:KCN) (KSKGF) off 4.5%, though Newcrest Mining Ltd. (AU:NCM) (NCMGF) held the drop to 0.4%. Oil prices managed a modest gain, however, resulting in a 0.2% rise for Oil Search Ltd. (AU:OSH) (OISHF) and Karoon Gas Australia Ltd. (AU:KAR) (KRNGF) , while Woodside Petroleum Ltd. (AU:WPL)

source from Top Stocks To Buy For 2015:http://www.topstocksforum.com/top-airline-stocks-to-own-right-now-4.html

10 Best Income Stocks To Invest In 2016

10 Best Income Stocks To Invest In 2016: MedCAREERS Group Inc (MCGI)

MedCareers Group, Inc., incorporated on December 30, 2004, focus is to develop and build value through its wholly owned subsidiary Nurses Lounge (www.nurseslounge.com), an online professional network and communication source for nurses and organizations connected to the nursing community. On August 10, 2010, MedCareers acquired the workabroad.com Website from Steve Elisberg (Workabroad.com Website).

The Nurses Lounge is a professional network for nursing professionals providing relevant content and information and professional networking. Nurses can subscribe to Lounges created by nursing schools, nurse associations, employers, specialties and more to receive email updates of relevant news, events and other info. Professional networking is a place for nurses to connect with colleagues and network on a professional level.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Peter Graham]

  Last Friday, small cap stocks MedCAREERS Group Inc (OTCMKTS: MCGI), USmart Mobile Device Inc (OTCMKTS: UMDI) and Drinks Americas Holdings, Ltd (OTCMKTS: DKAM) were all over the place with the first two sinking 54% and 48.05%, respectively, while the last one rose 10.81%. It should be mentioned that all three small cap stocks have been the subject of paid promotions albeit none of these stocks have been over promoted. So where can investors and traders expect these stocks to head this week? Here is a quick look at what you might expect:

  MedCAREERS Group Inc (OTCMKTS: MCGI) Gets Additional Commitments to Join Its Subsidiary

  Small cap MedCAREERS Group aims to develop and build value through its wholly-owned subsidiary Nurses Lounge, Inc., an online professional network and communication source for nurses that offers a 21st century solution to recruitment and information that cannot be accomplished on a static nursing sc! hool or association website. On Friday, MedCAREERS Group sank 54% to $0.0575 for a market cap of $3.03 million plus MCGI is up 161.4% since the start of the year and down 93.9% over the past five years according to Google Finance.

• [By Peter Graham]

  While small cap green or renewable energy type of stocks have been the flavor of the month for many stock promoters (and sometimes still are), small cap health care stocks like PPJ Enterprise (OTCMKTS: PPJE), Plantation Development Corp (OTCMKTS: BRMA) and MedCAREERS Group Inc (OTCMKTS: MCGI) have also started to get some notice lately – perhaps because Obamacare has been topping the news lately. However, are these small cap health care stocks a better bet for investors or for their promoters? Here is a quick reality check and a checkup:

source from Top Stocks For 2015:http://www.topstocksblog.com/10-best-income-stocks-to-invest-in-2016.html

PIMCO’s El-Erian Sees Tiny Taper at Fed Meeting, Yellen as Frontrunner

PIMCO’s Mohamed El-Erian says that he expects a drop — or taper — of about $10 billion to $15 billion in the level of the government’s monthly asset purchases when the Federal Open Market Committee meets Tuesday and Wednesday.

The Fed’s current leader, Ben Bernanke, is expected to step down in January, when his second term as chairman expires. A top candidate for the job, Larry Summers, withdrew his name for the post on Sunday amid growing opposition among Democrats.

“Suddenly, Janet Yellen has regained her status as frontrunner; that signals to the market more policy continuity, which the market takes well,” El-Erian (left), PIMCO CEO and co-CIO, said on CNBC early Monday. “The yield curve gets anchored, you get a bull steepener, the front end does well, repression of volatility, the equity market, the credit market like that, and [what] you get is a broad-based rally, and that’s what we’re getting this morning.”

(Other names batted around, observers say, include former Fed Vice Chairman Donald Kohn and former Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner.)

Investors may enjoy the Yellen rally, but whoever is ultimately chosen for the post “won’t have as much room for maneuver as people expect,” El-Erian noted.

Over the next 12 months, the market expert predicts three things to happen at the Fed with respect to quantitative easing.

“First, they will taper. They’ll taper small to begin with, but they will taper,” he said, coming down from the current $85 billion-a-month bond-buying level.

Second, the Fed is “likely to favor the mortgage market, which means they’ll taper more with Treasuries in proportional terms,” El-Erian noted.

Third, he believes, the Fed will give itself “quite a bit of wiggle room” due to future uncertainly. In addition, it will “strengthen the forward guidance in order to minimize the impact on markets of the taper.”

Once this process is over, the PIMCO executive said, “I don’t think you’re going to see an increase in interest rates, because the economy remains weak. We’re nowhere near escape velocity.”

This week’s expected taper is not related to any declared “victory on the economy,” El-Erian says. “It’s because they’re worried about what Mr. Bernanke has called the costs and risks, the collateral damage, if you like, of using such a blunt instrument to impact markets.

Future Focus

While the Fed succeeded in “buying time for the system,” El-Erian explains, its approach has become increasingly ineffective: “You cannot repress interest rates forever in a modern market system without causing damage, and I think the Fed realizes that. That’s why it’s likely to engage on the taper.”

Bernanke’s replacement will have to wrestle with the question of rising interest rates and related matters in the medium term, experts say.

Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, began circulating a letter in late July calling on President Barack Obama to appoint Yellen. It was signed by 20 Senate Democrats. More than half of the Democratic women in the U.S. House signed a separate letter requesting Yellen’s nomination.

On Sunday, a group of more than 450 economists sent a letter to Obama supporting Yellen in a campaign organized by the Institute for Women’s Policy Research. The list included Robert Shiller of Yale, Alan Blinder of Princeton, Lawrence Kotlikoff of Boston University, Alice Rivlin of Brookings, Christina and David Romer of UC Berkeley, and Joseph Stiglitz of Columbia.

A week ago, it was reported that Lael Brainard, under secretary for international affairs at the Treasury Department, is under consideration for a vacancy at the Federal Reserve.

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Check out these related stories on ThinkAdvisor:

Best Casino Companies To Buy For 2016

Best Casino Companies To Buy For 2016: PhilWeb Corp (WEB)

PhilWeb Corporation is a Philippines-based Internet gaming company. The Company focused its activities on building its Internet-based products and services. The Company is engaged in providing products and services within a particular economic environment. It operates in two geographical segments: domestic operations and foreign operations. Its subsidiaries include BigGame, Inc., operates Internet casino station operations; Premayo sa Resibo, Inc., develops and markets computer systems, applications, programs and operates gaming platforms; PhilWeb Casino Corporation, develops, engages and maintains gaming systems and applications for all types of casino operations; e-Magine Gaming Corporation, develops technology, and PhilWeb Leisure & Tourism Corporation, establishes, operates and maintains leisure and tourism-oriented activities. Effective December 13, 2013, ePLDT Inc, a wholly owned unit of Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co acquired a 27.283% interest in Philweb Corp. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Geoff Gannon]

  Always touchable money is cash. For individuals, there's little reason for it not to be a simple bank account, money market fund, etc. For most investors, you can just let this stock sit in your brokerage account. Many brokers will sweep unused cash into a money market account or other form of savings where it can earn a tiny amount of interest for you while staying totally liquid. One advantage of keeping cash in this form is that you can look at your cash and stock positions on the same (web)page any time you want. So, for example, if you know you want to keep 10% of your portfolio in cash you can see that you have $12,000 in cash as part of your $120,000 brokerage account and that means you are right on target with your liquidity goal.

source from Top Stocks To Buy For 2015:http://www.topstocksforum.com/best-casino-companies-to-buy-fo! r-2016.html

Top 5 Mid Cap Stocks To Buy Right Now

Top 5 Mid Cap Stocks To Buy Right Now: Demand Media Inc. (DMD)

Demand Media, Inc. operates as an Internet media and domain services company worldwide. The company focuses on an Internet-based model for the professional creation and distribution of content at scale. It offers content and media, and registrar services. The company's content and media services include creating media content primarily consisting of text articles and videos, and delivering together with its social media and monetization tools to the company's owned and operated Websites and mobile applications, and network of customer Websites and their mobile applications to publishers, brands, and retailers. Its content and media services are delivered through the company's content and media platform, which includes its content creation studio, social media applications, and a system of monetization tools designed to match content with advertisements. The company deploys its content and media platform to it's owned and operated Websites, such as eHow.com, LIVESTRONG.CO M, and Cracked.com, as well as to Websites operated by its customers. Its registrar service offering provides domain name registration and related value added services, such as third-party Website security services, identification protection services, Web hosting plans, customizable email accounts, and business listing services to resellers, including small businesses, e-commerce Websites, Internet service providers, Web-hosting companies, and retail consumers. Demand Media, Inc. was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in Santa Monica, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Lisa Levin]

  Demand Media (NYSE: DMD) shares reached a new 52-week low of $4.23. Demand Media is expected to announce its Q1 results on May 8, 2014.

  Express (NYSE: EXPR) shares fell 2.49% to touch a new 52-week low of $14.28. Express shares have dropped 14.83% over t! he past 52 weeks, while the S&P 500 index has gained 20.97% in the same period.

• [By Roberto Pedone]

  One under-$10 Internet services player that's starting to move within range of triggering a near-term breakout trade is Demand Media (DMD), which focuses on an Internet-based model for the professional creation and distribution of content at scale. This stock has been hit hard by the bears so far in 2013, with shares off by 44%.

  If you take a look at the chart for Demand Media, you'll notice that this stock has recently formed a triple bottom over the last month, with shares finding buying interest at $4.80, $4.72 and $4.88 a share. Shares of DMD have now started to spike higher off those support levels, and the stock is quickly moving within range of triggering a near-term breakout trade.

  Traders should now look for long-biased trades in DMD if it manages to break out above some near-term overhead resistance levels at $5.39 to $5.46 and then once it takes out its 50-day moving average at $5.76 a share with high volume. Look for a sustained move or close above those levels with volume that hits near or above its three-month average action of 681,665 shares. If that breakout hits soon, then DMD will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at $6.50 to $7 a share. Any high-volume move above $7.14 would then give DMD a chance to re-fill some of its previous gap down zone from June that started near $8.50 a share.

  Traders can look to buy DMD off any weakness to anticipate that breakout and simply use a stop that sits right below some key near-term support levels at $4.88 or at $4.72 a share. One can also buy DMD off strength once it clears those breakout levels with volume and then simply use a stop that sits a comfortable percentage from your entry point.

• [By Benjamin Pimentel]

  Shares of Demand Media (DMD)  shed almost 9% afte! r the com! pany announced that Chief Executive Richard Rosenblatt was stepping down.

• [By Wallace Witkowski]

  Demand Media Inc. (DMD)  shares declined 0.3% to $5.84 in light volume after the company said it had accepted the resignation of its chief executive, Richard Rosenblatt, effective Oct. 31.

source from Top Stocks For 2015:http://www.topstocksblog.com/top-5-mid-cap-stocks-to-buy-right-now.html

5 Best Bank Stocks To Own Right Now

Citigroup, Inc. (NYSE: C) is one of five banks which were not given approval for their proposed capital plans filed with the Federal Reserve. This means that the bank will still be limited on stock buybacks and on a dividend announcement.

Wednesday’s news was based upon the stress tests that were issued a week ago. The Federal Reserve is showing that Citi’s plan was rejected� due to deficiencies in its capital planning practices. This includes Citi’s ability to project its revenues and losses and to adequately measure its financial exposure under very adverse conditions.

Citi and four other banks – Zions Bancorp (NASDAQ: ZION), Banco Santander (NYSE: SAN), HSBC Holdings PLC (NYSE: HSBC) for its North American operations, Royal Bank of Scotland PLC (NYSE: RBS) – will have to resubmit their plans with the Fed, and then they must get approval in writing from the Fed to increase buybacks and dividends. The foreign banks that failed will be restricted from paying higher dividends back to their parent companies.

Best Defense Stocks To Own For 2016: GAIN Capital Holdings Inc (GCAP)

GAIN Capital Holdings Inc. (GAIN Capital) is an independent provider of online forex trading. GAIN Capital offers online trading services, specializing in foreign exchange (FX), contracts for difference (CFDs) and equities to retail and institutional traders worldwide. GAIN Capital provides execution, clearing, custody and technology products and services to an institutional client base, including asset managers, broker/dealers and other financial services firms. GAIN Capital�� trading services include FOREX.com, GAIN GTX, GAIN Securities and Asset Management. In September 2012, it acquired Open E Cry, LLC from optionsXpress Holdings, Inc., which is a subsidiary of The Charles Schwab Corporation. Effective September 24, 2013, GAIN Capital Holdings Inc acquired the entire share capital of Global Futures & Forex Ltd, a provider of retail forex and derivative trading services.

FOREX.com

GAIN Capital�� FOREX.com is used by self-directed retail traders and professional money managers in over 140 countries worldwide. FOREX.com provides a range of trading interfaces, such as FOREXTrader PRO, Website Trading, FOREXTrader Mobile and MetaTrader4.

GAIN GTX

GAIN GTX offers a range of automated and manual strategies on both the buy and sell side. Automated trading strategies can be programmed and executed using a Java or Financial Information Exchange (FIX)-based Academic Performance Index (API). It is used by individual traders, hedge funds and financial institutions.

GAIN Securities

GAIN Securities is a brokerage firm offering customers access to a full suite of investment products and trading services, including equities, equity and FX options, exchange traded funds (ETFs), mutual funds and fixed income. It is used by individual investors.

Asset Management

GAIN Capital's Managed Forex Account Program (MAC) is offered by GAIN Capital Asset Management LLC (GCAM, LLC). MAC provides qualified institutional i! nvestors access to the FX market.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By The GeoTeam]

  We also look for companies going through defining events that can significantly change their growth trajectory. One of these situations is a transformative acquisition, such as one that Gain Capital Holdings (GCAP) is in the process of consummating. We coded GCAP a GeoBargain on June 6, 2013, at $5.30. On June 12, 2013 we released our bullish thesis for GCAP on Seeking Alpha, "Double Your Gains With Gain Capital Holdings." Fast forward just 3 months from the time of our release and the stock has lived up to our title, returning investors over 100% so far.

• [By John Udovich]

  Small cap stocks FXCM Inc (NYSE: FXCM), Gain Capital Holdings Inc (NYSE: GCAP) and up and coming�Indo Global Exchanges PteLtd (OTCMKTS: IGEX) all offer online trading platforms to retail or institutional traders and investors. Certainly if you have found yourself trading more lately or if markets become more volatile, trading platforms are going to be the big winners.�With that in mind, here is a close look at these three small cap trading platform stocks:�

5 Best Bank Stocks To Own Right Now: Morgan Stanley (INR)

Morgan Stanley, incorporated on January 10, 1981, is a global financial services company that, through its subsidiaries and affiliates, provides its products and services to a range of clients and customers, including corporations, governments, financial institutions and individuals. The Company is a financial holding company. The Company operates in three segments: Institutional Securities, Global Wealth Management Group and Asset Management. The Company provides financial advisory and capital-raising services to a group of corporate and other institutional clients worldwide. As of December 31, 2011, the Company�� Global Wealth Management Group had $1,649 billion in client assets. The Company�� Asset Management business segment offers clients an array of equity, fixed income and alternative investments and merchant banking services. In December 2013, the Company announced that it has sold the majority of its global physical oil trading operations to Rosneft' NK OAO.

Institutional Securities

The Company provides financial advisory and capital-raising services primarily through wholly owned subsidiaries that include Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC (MS&Co.), Morgan Stanley & Co. International plc and Morgan Stanley Asia Limited, and certain joint venture entities that include Morgan Stanley MUFG Securities Co., Ltd. (MSMS) and Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities Co., Ltd. (MUMSS). The Company, primarily through these entities, also conducts sales and trading activities worldwide, as principal and agent, and provides related financing services on behalf of institutional investors. The Company manages and participates in public offerings and private placements of debt, equity and other securities worldwide. The Company is an underwriter of common stock, preferred stock and other equity-related securities, including convertible securities and American depositary receipts (ADRs). The Company is also an underwriter of fixed income securities, including investment-grade debt, non-i! nvestment-grade instruments, mortgage-related and other asset-backed securities, tax-exempt securities and commercial paper and other short-term securities.

The Company provides corporate and other institutional clients worldwide with advisory services on matters, such as mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, corporate restructurings, recapitalizations, spin-offs, exchange offers and leveraged buyouts and takeover defenses, as well as shareholder relations. The Company also provides advice concerning rights offerings, dividend policy, valuations, foreign exchange exposure, financial risk management strategies and financial planning. In addition, the Company provides advice and services regarding project financings and provides advisory services in connection with the purchase, sale, leasing and financing of real estate. The Company provides loans or lending commitments, including bridge financing, to selected corporate clients through its subsidiaries, including Morgan Stanley Bank, N.A (MSBNA).

The Company conducts sales, trading, financing and market-making activities on securities and futures exchanges and in over-the-counter (OTC) markets worldwide. The Company�� Institutional Securities sales and trading activities consists of Equity Trading; Fixed Income and Commodities; Clients and Services; Research, and Investments. The Company acts as principal (including as a market-maker) and agent in executing transactions worldwide in equity and equity-related products, including common stock, ADRs, global depositary receipts and exchange-traded funds. The Company�� equity derivatives sales, trading and market-making activities cover equity-related products worldwide, including equity swaps, options, warrants and futures overlying individual securities, indices and baskets of securities and other equity-related products. The Company also issues and makes a principal market in equity-linked products to institutional and individual investors.

The ! Company t! rades, invests and makes markets in fixed income securities and related products globally, including, among other products, investment and non-investment grade corporate debt, distressed debt, bank loans, the United States and other sovereign securities, emerging market bonds and loans, convertible bonds, collateralized debt obligations, credit, currency, interest rate and other fixed income-linked notes, securities issued by structured investment vehicles, mortgage-related and other asset-backed securities and real estate-loan products, municipal securities, preferred stock and commercial paper, money-market and other short-term securities. The Company is a dealer of the United States federal government securities and a member of the selling groups that distribute various the United States agency and other debt securities. The Company is also a dealer or market-maker of government securities in European, Asian and emerging market countries.

The Company trades, invests and makes markets globally in listed futures and OTC swaps, forwards, options and other derivatives referencing, among other things, interest rates, currencies, investment grade and non-investment grade corporate credits, loans, bonds, the United States and other sovereign securities, emerging market bonds and loans, credit indexes, asset-backed security indexes, property indexes, mortgage-related and other asset-backed securities and real estate loan products. The Company trades, invests and makes markets in foreign currencies, such as the British pound, Canadian dollar, euro, Japanese yen and Swiss franc, as well as in emerging markets currencies. The Company trades these currencies on a principal basis in the spot, forward, option and futures markets.

The Company advises on investment and liability strategies and assists corporations in their debt repurchases and tax planning. The Company invests and makes markets in the spot, forward, physical derivatives and futures markets in several commodities, including ! metals (b! ase and precious), agricultural products, crude oil, oil products, natural gas, electric power, emission credits, coal, freight, liquefied natural gas and related products and indices. The Company is a market-maker in exchange-traded options and futures and OTC options and swaps on commodities, and offers counterparties hedging programs relating to production, consumption, reserve/inventory management and structured transactions, including energy-contract securitizations and monetization. The Company is an electricity power marketer in the United States and owns electricity-generating facilities in the United States and Europe.

The Company owns TransMontaigne Inc. and its subsidiaries, a group of companies operating in the refined petroleum products marketing and distribution business, and owns a minority interest in Heidmar Holdings LLC, which owns a group of companies that provide international marine transportation and the United States marine logistics services. The Company provides financing services, including prime brokerage, which offers, among other services, consolidated clearance, settlement, custody, financing and portfolio reporting services to clients trading multiple asset classes. In addition, the Company�� institutional distribution and sales activities are overseen and coordinated through Clients and Services.

The Company�� research department (Research) coordinates worldwide across all of the Company�� businesses and consists of economists, strategists and industry analysts who engage in equity and fixed income research activities and produce reports and studies on the United States and global economy, financial markets, portfolio strategy, technical market analyses, individual companies and industry developments. The Company from time to time makes investments that represent business facilitation or other investing activities. From time to time, the Company may also make investments and capital commitments to public and private companies, funds and oth! er entiti! es. The Company�� Operations and Information Technology departments provide the process and technology platform that supports Institutional Securities sales and trading activity, including post-execution trade processing and related internal controls over activity from trade entry through settlement and custody, such as asset servicing.

Global Wealth Management Group

The Company�� Global Wealth Management Group, which includes the Company�� 51% interest in Morgan Stanley Smith Barney Holdings LLC (MSSB), provides financial services to clients. During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company had a network of more than 17,500 global representatives in approximately 765 locations. Global Wealth Management Group professionals serve individual investors and small-to-medium sized businesses and institutions with focus on ultra-high-net-worth, high-net-worth and affluent investors. Global representatives are located in branches across the United States. Outside the United States, Global Wealth Management Group offers financial services to clients in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Australia, Canada and Latin America.

The Company�� Global Wealth Management Group provides clients with an array of financial solutions, including products and services from the Company, Citigroup Inc. (Citi) and third-party providers, such as insurance companies and mutual fund families. Global Wealth Management Group provides brokerage and investment advisory services covering various types of investments, including equities, options, futures, foreign currencies, precious metals, fixed income securities, mutual funds, structured products, alternative investments, unit investment trusts, managed futures, separately managed accounts and mutual fund asset allocation programs. Global Wealth Management Group also engages in fixed income principal trading, which primarily facilitates clients��trading or investments in such securities. In addition, Global Wealth Management Group offers ! education! savings programs, financial and wealth planning services, and annuity and other insurance products.

Global Wealth Management Group offers its clients access to several cash management services through various banks and other third parties, including deposits, debit cards, electronic bill payments and check writing, as well as lending products through affiliates, such as Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association (MS Private Bank) and MSBNA, including securities-based lending, mortgage loans and home equity lines of credit. Global Wealth Management Group also provides trust and fiduciary services, offers access to cash management and commercial credit solutions to qualified small- and medium-sized businesses in the United States, and provides individual and corporate retirement solutions, including individual retirement accounts and 401(k) plans and the United States and global stock plan services to corporate executives and businesses. Global Wealth Management Group provides clients a variety of ways to establish a relationship and conduct business, including brokerage accounts with transaction-based pricing and investment advisory accounts with asset-based fee pricing.

Asset Management

The Company's portfolio managers located in the United States, Europe and Asia manage investment products ranging from money market funds to equity and fixed income strategies, alternative investment and merchant banking products in developed and emerging markets across geographies and market cap ranges. The Company offers a range of alternative investment, real estate investing and merchant banking products for institutional investors and high net worth individuals. The Company�� alternative investments platform includes funds of hedge funds, funds of private equity funds and portable alpha strategies. The Company�� alternative investments platform also includes minority interest in Lansdowne Partners, Avenue Capital Group and Traxis Partners LP. The Company�� real e! state and! merchant banking businesses include its real estate investing business, private equity funds, corporate mezzanine debt investing group and infrastructure investing group.

The Company acts as general partner of, and investment adviser to, its alternative investment, real estate and merchant banking funds. The Company provides investment management strategies and products to institutional investors worldwide, including corporations, pension plans, endowments, foundations, sovereign wealth funds, insurance companies and banks through a range of pooled vehicles and separate accounts. It also provides sub-advisory services to various unaffiliated financial institutions and intermediaries. The Company offers open-end and alternative investment funds and separately managed accounts to individual investors through affiliated and unaffiliated broker-dealers, banks, insurance companies, financial planners and other intermediaries. Closed-end funds managed by the Company are available to individual investors through affiliated and unaffiliated broker-dealers. The Company also distributes mutual funds through a range of retirement plan platforms. Internationally, the Company distributes traditional investment products to individuals outside the United States through distributors and distributes alternative investment products through affiliated broker-dealers and banks. The Company�� Operations and Information Technology departments provide or oversee the process and technology platform required to support its asset management business. Support activities include transfer agency, mutual fund accounting and administration, transaction processing and certain fiduciary services on behalf of institutional, intermediary and high net worth clients.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Jon C. Ogg]

  Market Vectors Indian Rupee/USD ETN (NYSEMKT: INR) and WisdomTree Indian Rupee (NYSEMKT: ICN) are both performing poorly as well in the currency exchange traded note (ETN) world, although their trading volume is too thin to monitor.

5 Best Bank Stocks To Own Right Now: Customers Bancorp Inc (CUBI)

Customers Bancorp, Inc. (Customers Bancorp), incorporated in April 2010, through its wholly owned subsidiary Customers Bank (the Bank), provides financial products and services to small businesses, not-for-profits and consumers through its fourteen branches in Southeastern Pennsylvania (Bucks, Berks, Chester and Delaware Counties), Rye, New York (Westchester County) and Hamilton, New Jersey (Mercer County). Customers Bank also provides liquidity to the mortgage market worldwide through the operation of its mortgage warehouse business. As of December 31, 2011, Customers Bancorp had total assets of $2.08 billion, including net loans (including held for sale loans) of $1.50 billion, total deposits of $1.58 billion. The Company offers a range of banking products and financial services to its commercial and consumer customers in Suburban Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Central New Jersey and Southeastern New York. It offers a range of lending products to cater to its customers��needs, including small business loans, mortgage warehouse loans, multi-family and commercial real estate loans, residential mortgage loans and consumer loans. It also offers traditional depository products, including commercial and consumer checking accounts, non-interest-bearing demand accounts, money market deposit accounts, savings accounts and time deposit accounts and cash management services. On September 17, 2011, Customers Bank became a wholly owned subsidiary of Customers Bancorp. On September 17, 2011, Customers Bancorp acquired Berkshire Bancorp, Inc. and its subsidiary Berkshire Bank. In May 2013, Customers Bancorp Inc merged with CMS Bancorp Inc.

Lending Activities

The Company focuses its lending efforts to the lending areas, such as commercial lending, which includes business, small business and multi-family and commercial real estate lending; specialty Lending, which include warehouse lending, and consumer lending, which include local market mortgage lending and home equity lending. It also pr! ovide warehouse financing worldwide and multi-family lending in the Mid-Atlantic States.

The Bank�� commercial lending is segmented into three groups, which include multi-family and commercial real estate, business banking and small business banking. The small business banking platform originates loans, including small business administration loans, through the branch network sales force and a team of dedicated small business relationship managers. During the year ended December 31, 2011, it originated and closed $121.5 million of multi-family loans commitments. As of December 31, 2011, it had $536.9 million in commercial loans outstanding, comprising approximately 35.3% of its total loan portfolio (which includes loans held for sale). During 2011, it originated and closed $167.7 million of commercial loans and commitments. As of December 31, 2011, loans in its warehouse lending portfolio, as well as loans held for sale totaled $794.3 million outstanding, comprising approximately 52.3% of its total loan portfolio (which includes loans held for sale). During the year ended December 31, 2011, it funded $7.7 billion of mortgage loans under warehouse facilities.

The Company offers a range of deposit products to its customers, including checking accounts, savings accounts, money market accounts and other deposit accounts, including fixed-rate, fixed-maturity retail time deposits ranging in terms from 30 days to five years, individual retirement accounts, and non-retail time deposits consisting of jumbo certificates greater than or equal to $100,000. As of December 31, 2011, its deposit portfolio was consisted of 54.9% of core deposits. Its financial products include Internet banking, wire transfers, electronic bill payment, lock box services, remote deposit capture services, courier services, merchant processing services, cash vault, controlled disbursements, positive pay and cash management services (including account reconciliation, collections and sweep accounts).

! Sources o! f Fund

The Company offers a range of deposit accounts, including checking, savings, money market and time deposits. Deposits are obtained primarily from its service area. As of December 31, 2011, the total deposits grew to $1.58 billion.

Investment Activities

The Company�� investment securities portfolio consists of United States Treasury, government agency and mortgage-backed securities (guaranteed by an agency of the United States government and non-agency guaranteed), municipal securities, domestic corporate debt, and asset-backed securities. In addition to generating revenue, it maintains the investment portfolio to manage interest rate risk, provide liquidity, provide collateral for other borrowings and diversify the credit risk of earning assets. As of December 31, 2011, $79.1 million of its investment securities were classified as available for sale (AFS). As of December 31, 2011, the fair value of its investment securities portfolio was approximately $409.9 million. As of December 31, 2011, it held $319.5 million of investment securities that were classified as held to maturity (HTM).

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Rich Smith]

  Wyomissing, Pa.-based Customers Bancorp (NASDAQ: CUBI  ) has a new CFO.

  On Tuesday, Customers Bancorp announced that Interim Chief Financial Officer James D. Hogan�intends to retire from the bank on Aug. 13. Replacing Hogan will be Robert E. Wahlman, a new hire from Doral Financial, who will join Customers initially in the post of executive vice president on Aug. 5, and then be promoted to permanent CFO on the 13th.

5 Best Bank Stocks To Own Right Now: Independent Bank Group Inc (IBTX)

Independent Bank Group, Inc., incorporated on September 20, 2002, is bank holding company. Through its wholly owned subsidiary, Independent Bank (Bank), a state chartered bank, the Company provides a range of commercial banking products and services for businesses, professionals and individuals. Commercial lending products includes owner-occupied commercial real estate loans, interim construction loans, commercial loans (such as Small Business Administration (SBA) guaranteed loans, business term loans, equipment financing and lines of credit) to a diversified mix of small and midsized businesses, and loans to professionals, particularly medical practices. Retail lending products include residential first and second mortgage loans, and consumer installment loans such as loans to purchase cars, boats and other recreational vehicles. On April 1, 2012, it acquired I Bank Holding Company and its bank subsidiary, and on October 1, 2012, it acquired The Community Group and its bank subsidiary. As of March 18, 2013, it operated 30 banking offices in 26 communities in two market regions located in the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area and in the greater Austin area. Independent Bank operates 30 banking offices throughout North and Central Texas. In December 2013, the Company announced that it has completed the acquisition of Collin Bank, Plano, Texas. In January 2014, Independent Bank Group, Inc. acquired Live Oak Financial Corp. and its subsidiary, Live Oak State Bank.

Lending Activities

Its loans are primarily real estate secured loans spread among a variety of types of borrowers, including owner occupied offices for small businesses, medical practices and offices, retail operations, and multi-family properties. Its loans are diversified geographically throughout its Dallas/North Texas region (approximately 55%) and its Austin/Central Texas region (approximately 45%). As of December 31, 2012, it had total loans of approximately $1.4 billion

The Company is primarily a real es! tate secured lender. It originates real estate loans to finance commercial property that is owner-occupied, as well as commercial property owned by real estate investors. The total amount of owner-occupied commercial real estate loans outstanding as of December 31, 2012, was $353.5 million, or 25.6% of its loan portfolio. The total amount of commercial real estate loans outstanding as of December 31, 2012, excluding owner-occupied properties, was $295 million, or 21.4% of its loan portfolio. The real estate securing its existing commercial real estate loans includes a variety of property types, such as owner-occupied offices/warehouses/production facilities, office buildings, healthcare facilities, hotels, mixed-use residential/commercial, retail centers, multifamily properties, restaurants, churches and assisted living facilities.

The Company�� construction portfolio includes loans to small and midsized businesses to construct owner-user properties, and, to a much lesser extent, loans to developers of commercial real estate investment properties and residential developments. These loans are typically disbursed as construction progresses and carry interest rates that vary with the prime rate. As of December 31, 2012, the outstanding balance of its construction loans was $97.3 million, or 7.1% of its total loan portfolio. It offers first and second mortgage loans to its individual customers primarily for the purchase of primary and secondary residences. As of December 31, 2012, the outstanding balance of one-to four-family real estate secured loans, including home equity loans, represented $315.3 million, or 22.9%, of its total loan portfolio. Residential real estate loans held for sale of $9.2 million at December 31, 2012, were also included in this category.

The Company makes single-family interim construction loans to home builders and individuals to fund the construction of single family residences. Such loans are secured by the real property being built and are made based! on its a! ssessment of the value of the property on an as-completed basis. As of December 31, 2012, the outstanding balance of its single-family interim construction loans was $67.9 million, or 4.9% of its total loan portfolio. The Company originates commercial loans to small businesses and professionals, in particular, medical practices, located in its market areas. These loans are primarily term loans to purchase capital equipment and small loans for working capital and operational purposes. As of December 31, 2012, it had outstanding commercial loans, of $169.9 million, or 12.3% of its total loan portfolio.

The Company�� agricultural loan portfolio primarily includes loans secured by real property used for agricultural purposes. It provides loans for the acquisition of farm and ranch land, as well as the construction of buildings upon agricultural real estate. On a more limited basis, it offers agricultural equipment financing and crop production loans which are secured by crops, equipment, and crop insurance. The total amount of agricultural loans outstanding at December 31, 2012, was $40.1 million, or 2.9% of its total loan portfolio. The Company offers a variety of consumer loans, such as installment loans to purchase cars, boats and other recreational vehicles. Its consumer loans typically are part of an overall customer relationship designed to support the individual consumer borrowing needs of its commercial loan and deposit customers. As of December 31, 2012, it had outstanding $39.5 million of consumer loans, or 2.9% of its total loan portfolio. The Company also engages in the origination of residential loans sold into the secondary market. Its mortgage originations were $177.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2012. It sells all of the originated mortgages to institutional purchasers shortly after closing.

Investment Activities

The types and maturities of securities purchased are primarily based on its liquidity and interest rate sensitivity position! s. As of ! December 31, 2012, investment securities held were United States Treasury securities, government agency securities, obligations of state and municipal subdivisions, Residential mortgage backed securities, and corporate bonds.

Sources of Funds

Deposits are the Company�� principal source of funds for use in lending and other general banking purposes. The Company provides a range of deposit products and services, including a variety of checking and savings accounts, debit cards, online banking, mobile banking, eStatements and bank-by-mail and direct deposit services. It also offers business accounts and management services, including analyzed business checking, business savings, and treasury management services. As of December 31, 2012, it had total deposits of approximately $1.4 billion. In addition to deposits, it utilizes Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) advances either as a short-term funding source or a longer-term funding source and to manage its interest rate risks on its loan portfolio. The maximum amount of short-term FHLB advances it had outstanding at any month end during the year ended December 31, 2012, was $16.0 million. The Company�� FHLB borrowings totaled $164.6 million as of December 31, 2012. Its FHLB advances are collateralized by assets, including a blanket pledge of certain loans with a carrying value of $524.8 million and FHLB stock. As of December 31, 2012, it had $92.7 million in undisbursed advance commitments (letters of credit) with the FHLB.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Markus Aarnio]

  2. Independent Bank Group (IBTX) operates as a bank holding company for Independent Bank that provides commercial banking products and services for small to medium size businesses, professionals, and individuals in North and Central Texas.

Best Gas Utility Companies To Buy Right Now

Best Gas Utility Companies To Buy Right Now: Cinedigm Digital Cinema Corp(CIDM)

Cinedigm Digital Cinema Corp. provides technology solutions, financial advice and guidance, and software services to content owners and distributors, and movie exhibitors in the United States. The company engages in the ownership and licensing of digital systems to theatrical exhibitors; and provides monitoring, billing, collection, verification, and other management services to the company?s Phase I Deployment and Phase II Deployment, as well as to exhibitors, who purchase their own equipment. It also develops and licenses software to the theatrical distribution and exhibition industries; and provides applications service provider service, and software enhancements and consulting services. In addition, the company distributes movie features, trailers, and other alternative content to movie theaters and other venues with digital cinema equipment through satellite, hard drives, and broadband; and provides non-theatrical satellite based distribution of content into various o ut of home networks and other channels. Further, it provides content marketing and distribution services to alternative and theatrical content owners, and theatrical exhibitors, as well as offers in-theatre advertising services. The company was formerly known as Access Integrated Technologies, Inc. and changed its name to Cinedigm Digital Cinema Corp. in October 2009. Cinedigm Digital Cinema Corp. was founded in 2000 and is headquartered in Morristown, New Jersey.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Wallace Witkowski]

  Cinedigm Corp. (CIDM) retreated 10% to $2.84 on light volume after the media-content distributor said it was launching an unspecified secondary offering of its Class A shares.

• [By Monica Gerson]

  Cinedigm (NASDAQ: CIDM) slipped 14.87% to $2.69 after the company announced a proposed ! public offering of common stock.

  Walter Energy (NYSE: WLT) shares tumbled 12.98% to $7.91 after the company priced $200 million of 9.5% Senior Secured Notes and $350 million of Senior Secured Second Lien PIK Toggle Notes.

source from Top Stocks To Buy For 2015:http://www.topstocksforum.com/best-gas-utility-companies-to-buy-right-now-2.html

Short Sellers Retreat from GameStop, Rite Aid (AVP, GME, ...

Top 5 Integrated Utility Stocks To Own For 2016

Overall, the short interest moves in troubled retail companies were mixed again during the latter weeks of June.

Avon Products (NYSE: RAD) saw the number of their shares sold short decrease by more than 10 percent.

Short sellers also shied away from Barnes & Noble (NYSE: SVU) between the June 14 and June 28 settlement dates.

But the short interest in J.C. Penney (NYSE: JCP), Office Depot (NYSE: ODP), Pacific Sunwear (NASDAQ: PSUN) and RadioShack (NYSE: RSH) was essentially flat compared to the previous period.

And the number of shares sold short in Bebe Stores (NASDAQ: BEBE), OfficeMax (NYSE: OMX) and Sears Holdings (NASDAQ: SHLD) increased somewhat in that time.

Here is a quick look at how Avon Products, GameStop and Rite Aid have fared and what analysts expect from them.

Avon Products

This beauty and personal care products purveyor saw short interest decline about 10 percent in the latter weeks of the month to around 8.80 million shares. The number of shares sold short was about two percent of the total float, and days to cover fell to less than two for the first time since April.

Avon has a market capitalization of more than $9 billion and a dividend yield near 1.1 percent. The consensus forecast for the current quarter calls for year-over-year growth in earnings per share (EPS) but flat revenues. The long-term EPS growth forecast is more than 24 percent, but the return on equity is in negative territory.

Of the 16 analysts who follow the stock that were surveyed by Thomson/First Call, just six recommend buying shares; the rest recommend holding them. Their mean price target, or where they expect the share price to go, is about 12 higher than the current share price. That target would be a new 52-week high.

The share price pulled back about eight percent during the period, but! it is now up about 50 percent year-to-date. The stock has outperformed competitor Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG) and the S&P 500 over the past six months, but it underperformed Revlon (NYSE: REV).

GameStop

Short interest in this Grapevine, Texas-based specialty retailer dropped more than 17 percent to more than 28.95 million shares, the lowest number of shares sold short in it the past year. It represented more than 25 percent of the float. Days to cover rose to about eight.

GameStop rallied after Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) capitulated on the rental of Xbox One games. The video game retailer has a market cap of about $5 billion and a dividend yield near 2.6 percent. The long-term EPS growth forecast is more than 13 percent, but the return on equity is in the red.

The consensus recommendation of the analysts surveyed is to buy GameStop shares, and it has been for at least three months. But the share price has overrun their mean price target, though the most optimistic individual price target suggests there is about 21 percent potential upside.

The share price is up about 15 percent from a month ago, after reaching a multiyear high last week. Over the past six months, the stock has outperformed the likes of Amazon.com (NASDAQ: AMZN) and Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT), as well as the broader markets.

Rite Aid

Shares sold short in this drugstore operator fell about 15 percent in the period to around 36.73 million, on the highest average daily volume so far this year. Shares sold short represented more than four percent of the float, but the days to cover is only one.

Rite Aid has more the 4,600 stores, and a new CEO was appointed in June. The company's market cap is more than $2.0 billion. Its long-term EPS growth forecast is about eight percent, and its price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio is less than the industry average. Here too the return on equity is in the red.

Half of the eight analysts polled recommend buying shares, and the other four recommend ho! lding the! m. Analysts see little upside potential, as their mean price is only marginally higher than the current share price. However, the street-high target suggests there is about 20 percent potential upside.

The share price has retreated about 11 percent in the past month. But it is still about 100 percent higher than at the beginning of the year. The stock has outperformed competitors CVS Caremark (NYSE: CVS) and Walgreen (NYSE: WAG), as well as the S&P 500, over the past six months.

(c) 2013 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

Best Casino Stocks To Invest In Right Now

Whether or not "sell in May and walk away" will play out this year remains to be seen as the S&P 500 rallied to a new all-time record high to begin this week. For skeptics like me, that's an opportunity to see whether companies have earned their current valuations.

Keep in mind that some companies�deserve�their current valuations. Take Waste Management (NYSE: WM  ) , for instance, which has rallied ever since reporting its first-quarter results last week. The company's internal revenue growth from yield for its collection and disposal operations came in at a two-year high, 1.4%, and the company modestly improved its adjusted year-over-year EPS. Trash disposal and recycling are necessity businesses and make Waste Management a solid long-term buy.

Still, other companies might deserve a kick in the pants. Here's a look at three companies that could be worth selling.

Time to make the switch
If I could name a sector that I'd certainly tread lightly around considering that consumers are tightening their wallets, it would be the casino sector. Casino companies rely on loose wallets and vacations to drive profits. This is why I feel it could be the time to say goodbye to casino and race track operator Pinnacle Entertainment (NYSE: PNK  ) near its 52-week high.

Best Heal Care Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Caesars Entertainment Corp (CZR)

Caesars Entertainment Corporation, incorporated on November 2, 1989, is a diversified casino-entertainment provider. The Company�� business is primarily conducted through a wholly owned subsidiary, Caesars Entertainment Operating Company, Inc. (CEOC), although certain material properties are not owned by CEOC. As of December 31, 2012, it owned, operated, or managed, through various subsidiaries, 52 casinos in 13 United States states and seven countries. The majority of these casinos operate in the United States, primarily under the Caesars, Harrah��, and Horseshoe brand names, and in England. In November 2012, the Company sold its Harrah's St. Louis casino to Penn National Gaming, Inc. In December 2012, the Company purchased all of the net assets of Buffalo Studios, LLC, a social and mobile games developer and owner of Bingo Blitz.

The Company�� casino entertainment facilities include 33 land-based casinos, 11 riverboat or dockside casinos, three managed casinos on Indian lands in the United States, one managed casino in Cleveland, Ohio, one managed casino in Canada, one casino combined with a greyhound racetrack, one casino combined with a thoroughbred racetrack, and one casino combined with a harness racetrack. The Company�� land-based casinos include nine in England, two in Egypt, one in Scotland, one in South Africa and one in Uruguay. As of December 31, 2012, its facilities had an aggregate of approximately three million square feet of gaming space and approximately 43,000 hotel rooms. In southern Nevada, Caesars Palace, Harrah�� Las Vegas, Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino, Bally�� Las Vegas, Flamingo Las Vegas, Paris Las Vegas, Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino, The Quad Resort & Casino (formerly the Imperial Palace Hotel and Casino), Bill�� Gamblin��Hall & Saloon, and Hot Spot Oasis are located in Las Vegas and draw customers from throughout the United States. Harrah�� Laughlin is located near both the Arizona and California borders and draws customers primarily from! the southern California and Phoenix metropolitan areas and, to a lesser extent, from throughout the United States through charter aircraft. In northern Nevada, Harrah�� Lake Tahoe and Harveys Resort & Casino are located near Lake Tahoe and Harrah�� Reno is located in downtown Reno. These facilities draw customers primarily from northern California, the Pacific Northwest, and Canada.

The Company�� Atlantic City casinos, Harrah�� Resort Atlantic City, Showboat Atlantic City, Caesars Atlantic City, and Bally�� Atlantic City, draw customers primarily from the Philadelphia metropolitan area, New York, and New Jersey. Harrah�� Philadelphia (formerly Harrah's Chester) is a combination harness racetrack and casino located approximately six miles south of Philadelphia International Airport and draws customers primarily from the Philadelphia metropolitan area and Delaware. The Company�� Chicagoland dockside casinos, Harrah�� Joliet in Joliet, Illinois, and Horseshoe Hammond in Hammond, Indiana, draw customers primarily from the greater Chicago metropolitan area. In southern Indiana, it owns Horseshoe Southern Indiana, a dockside casino complex located in Elizabeth, Indiana, which draws customers primarily from northern Kentucky, including the Louisville metropolitan area, and southern Indiana, including Indianapolis. In Louisiana, the Company owns Harrah�� New Orleans, a land-based casino located in downtown New Orleans, which attracts customers primarily from the New Orleans metropolitan area. In northwest Louisiana, Horseshoe Bossier City, a dockside casino, and Harrah�� Louisiana Downs, a thoroughbred racetrack with slot machines, both located in Bossier City, cater to customers in northwestern Louisiana.

The Company owns the Grand Casino Biloxi, located in Biloxi, Mississippi, which caters to customers in southern Mississippi, southern Alabama, and northern Florida. Harrah�� North Kansas City dockside casino draws customers from the Kansas City metropolitan ar! ea. Harra! h�� Metropolis is a dockside casino located in Metropolis, Illinois, on the Ohio River, drawing customers from southern Illinois, western Kentucky, and central Tennessee. Horseshoe Tunica, Harrah�� Tunica, and Tunica Roadhouse Hotel & Casino, dockside casino complexes located in Tunica, Mississippi, are approximately 30 miles from Memphis, Tennessee and draw customers primarily from the Memphis area and, to a lesser extent, from throughout the United States through charter aircraft. Horseshoe Casino and Bluffs Run Greyhound Park, a land-based casino and pari-mutuel facility, and Harrah�� Council Bluffs Casino & Hotel, a dockside casino facility, are located in Council Bluffs, Iowa, across the Missouri River from Omaha, Nebraska. At Horseshoe Casino and Bluffs Run Greyhound Park, the Company owns the assets other than gaming equipment, and leases these assets to the Iowa West Racing Association (IWRA), a nonprofit corporation, and it manages the facility for the IWRA under a management agreement expiring in October 2024. The license to operate Harrah�� Council Bluffs Casino & Hotel is held jointly with IWRA, the qualified sponsoring organization.

The Conrad Resort & Casino located in Punta Del Este, Uruguay (the Conrad), draws customers primarily from Argentina and Uruguay. In November 2012, the Company announced that it had entered into a definitive agreement with Enjoy S.A. (Enjoy) to form a strategic relationship in Latin America. Under the terms of the agreement, Enjoy will acquire 45% of Baluma S.A., its subsidiary, which owns and operates the Conrad, and the Company will become a 10% shareholder in Enjoy upon consummation of the agreement. Upon the closing of the transaction, which is subject to certain conditions, including the receipt of all regulatory and governmental approvals, Enjoy will assume primary responsibility for management of the Conrad. Enjoy will have the option to acquire the remaining stake in Baluma S.A. between years three and five following closing. The cl! osing of ! the transaction remains subject to a number of conditions, including regulatory and governmental approvals in both Uruguay and Chile.

The Company owns four casinos in London: the Sportsman, the Golden Nugget, The Playboy Club London, and The Casino at the Empire. Its casinos in London draw customers primarily from the London metropolitan area, as well as international visitors. The Company also owns Alea Nottingham, Alea Glasgow, Alea Leeds, Manchester 235, Rendezvous Brighton, and Rendezvous Southend-on-Sea in the provinces of the United Kingdom, which primarily draw customers from their local areas. Pursuant to a concession agreement, it also operates two casinos in Cairo, Egypt, The London Club Cairo (which is located at the Ramses Hilton) and Caesars Cairo (which is located at the Four Seasons Cairo), which draw customers primarily from other countries in the Middle East. Emerald Safari, located in the province of Gauteng in South Africa, draws customers primarily from South Africa. It owsn and operates Bluegrass Downs, a harness racetrack located in Paducah, Kentucky.

The Company owns three casinos for Indian tribes: Harrah�� Phoenix Ak-Chin, located near Phoenix, Arizona, Harrah�� Cherokee Casino and Hotel, and Harrah�� Rincon Casino and Resort, located near San Diego, California. The Company manages Caesars Windsor, located in Windsor, Ontario, which draws customers primarily from the Detroit metropolitan area, Horseshoe Cleveland casino in Ohio, which it manages for Rock Ohio Caesars LLC (ROC), a venture with Rock Ohio Ventures, LLC (Rock Gaming), in which it has a 20% equity interest, and the Horseshoe Cincinnati casino in Ohio for ROC for a fee under a management agreement that will expire in March 2033. It also has a minority interest in Sterling Suffolk Racecourse, LLC (Suffolk Downs), which owns a horse-racing track in Boston, Massachusetts, and the right to manage a future gaming facility. The Company also owns ans operates a golf course on 175 acres of prime real! estate t! hrough a land concession on the Cotai strip in Macau.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Travis Hoium]

  At its core,�Caesars Entertainment (NASDAQ: CZR  ) is an extremely flawed company. It has a huge presence in the struggling regional gaming market, it has no exposure to gaming's biggest market, Macau, and it has $21.3 billion of debt strangling it. So how has it gained 130% this year, easily outpacing more profitable rivals? �

• [By John Kell and Lauren Pollock var popups = dojo.query(".socialByline .popC"); ]

  Caesars Entertainment Corp.(CZR) outlined plans to offer 7 million shares. The casino company is facing a crippling debt load following its leveraged buyout. Shares slid 7.2% to $19.56 premarket.

• [By Matt Thalman]

  While all the major casino operators will benefit from a recovering Las Vegas, this market probably won't produce any massive growth for the industry anytime soon. Double-digit growth rates will still probably only be seen in Macau, but since MGM Resorts (NYSE: MGM  ) and Caesars Entertainment (NASDAQ: CZR  ) control such a large portion of the hotel rooms and casino floor space in Las Vegas, news that the city is recovering should help.

Best Casino Stocks To Invest In Right Now: MGM Resorts International(MGM)

MGM Resorts International, through its subsidiaries, primarily owns and operates casino resorts in the United States. The company?s resorts offer gaming, hotel, dining, entertainment, retail, and other resort amenities. It also owns and operates golf courses and a golf club. As of December 31, 2010, the company owned and operated 15 properties located in Nevada, Mississippi, and Michigan; and has 50% investments in 4 other casino resorts in Nevada, Illinois, and Macau. In addition, MGM Resorts International has an agreement with the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, which owns and operates a casino resort in Connecticut, to carry the ?MGM Grand? brand name. The company was formerly known as MGM MIRAGE and changed its name to MGM Resorts International in June 2010. MGM Resorts International was founded in 1986 and is based in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Paul Ausick]

  In the U.S., casinos with significant exposure to Macau are also taking a hit. Las Vegas Sands is down the least, at about 1.3% at the noon hour Tuesday. MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) is down nearly 2%, Wynn Resorts Ltd. (NASDAQ: WYNN) is down about 2.6%, and Melco Crown Entertainment Ltd. (NASDAQ: MPEL) is down about 4.5%.

• [By Dan Caplinger]

  The real question is whether Zynga can hold off experienced casino operators if online gambling becomes a reality. Already, alliances are forming, with Boyd Gaming (NYSE: BYD  ) and MGM Resorts (NYSE: MGM  ) having linked up with bwin.party -- the same company Zynga tapped for its real-money Zynga Poker -- to help Boyd take advantage of newly legal online gambling in New Jersey. Zynga has the obvious edge with its social savvy, but established casino companies will have huge incentives to defend their turf if Zynga starts to make a serious dent in the industry.

• [By M. Joy, Hayes]

  Industry trends
  Other businesses in the industry also have copious related-party transactions. In particular, founder-led businesses Wynn Resorts (NASDAQ: WYNN  ) and Boyd Gaming (NYSE: BYD  ) �reported a large number of such transactions in their 2013 proxies, including employment of relatives, employee use of company services, and employee use of company-owned property. MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM  ) , on the other hand, didn't have to report any related-party transactions in its 2013 proxy.

Best Casino Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Wynn Macau Ltd (WYNMF)

Wynn Macau, Limited is a holding company. The Company, along with its subsidiaries, is a developer, owner and operator of destination casino gaming and entertainment resort facilities in Macau. Its operating subsidiary, Wynn Resorts (Macau) S.A. (WRM), owns and operates destination casino resort Wynn Macau in Macau. As of December 31, 2011, it had 265,000 square feet of casino space, offering 24-hour gaming with a range of games, and two luxury hotel towers with 1,008 spacious rooms and suites. It also offers eight casual and fine dining restaurants, 54200 square feet of stores and boutiques, such as Bvlgari, Chanel, Dior, Gucci, Hermes, Hugo Boss, Louis Vuitton, Miu Miu, Piaget, Prada, Rolex, Tiffany, Vacheron Constantin, Van Cleef & Arpels, Versace, Vertu and others, two health clubs and spas, a salon, a pool, and lounges and meeting facilities. As of December 31, 2011, its subsidiaries included Wynn Resorts International, Ltd., Wynn Resorts (Macau) Holdings, Ltd. and others. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By MARKETWATCH]

  HONG KONG (MarketWatch) -- Hong Kong stocks sold off early Thursday after the Federal Reserve decided to further taper stimulus, and after a final reading of China's manufacturing PMI contracted. The Hang Seng Index (HK:HSI) sank 1.5% to 21,815.04 in holiday-shortened trading. Tech stocks retreated, as Chinese PC maker Lenovo Group Ltd. (HK:992) (LNVGF) dropped 5.3%, failing to get a lift from news that it plans to acquire the Motorola handset business from Google Inc. (GOOG) for $2.91 billion as Lenovo aims for a bigger presence in the U.S. market. Software developer Kingsoft Corp. (HK:3888) (KSFTF) fell 1.9% and Internet giant Tencent Holdings Ltd. (HK:700) (TCTZF) dropped 1.5%. Casino stocks also declined. Sands China Ltds. (HK:1928) (SCHYF) , the Hong Kong-listed unit of Las Vegas Sands Corp. (LVS) , slipped 0.2%, despite financial results that showed Sands China's net income increased 40% year-on-year to $467 million in the fourth quarter. Melco Crown Entertainment Ltd. (HK:6883) (MPEL) slumped 3.2%, and both Wynn Macau Ltd. (HK:1128) (WYNMF) and MGM China Holdings Ltd. (HK:2282)

Best Casino Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Monarch Casino & Resort Inc (MCRI)

Monarch Casino & Resort, Inc. (Monarch), incorporated in 1993, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Golden Road Motor Inn, Inc. (Golden Road), owns and operates the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa(the Atlantis), a hotel/casino facility in Reno, Nevada. Monarch�� other wholly owned subsidiaries, High Desert Sunshine, Inc. (High Desert) and Golden North, Inc. (Golden North), each own separate parcels of land located adjacent to the Atlantis. The Company owns and operates the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa, which is located approximately three miles south of downtown in the area of Reno, Nevada. The Atlantis features approximately 61,000 square feet of casino space; a hotel with 824 guest rooms and suites; ten food outlets; an enclosed year-round pool with waterfall; an outdoor pool; a health spa; two retail outlets offering clothing and resort gift shop merchandise; a full service salon for men and women; an 8,000 square-foot family entertainment center; and approximately 52,000 square feet of banquet, convention and meeting room space. During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company acquired 1.5 acre parcel of developable land contiguous to the Riviera Black Hawk Casino.

In April 2012, it acquired Riviera Black Hawk, Inc.

The Atlantis Casino offers approximately 1,450 slot and video poker machines; approximately 39 table games, including blackjack, craps, roulette and others; a race and sports book; keno and a poker room. The Atlantis includes three contiguous high-rise hotel towers with 824 rooms and suites. The Atlantis includes three contiguous high-rise hotel towers with a total of 824 rooms and suites. The first of the three hotel towers contains 160 rooms and suites in 13 stories. The 19-story second hotel tower contains 278 rooms and suites. The third tower contains 386 rooms and suites in 28 stories.

The Atlantis hotel rooms feature designs and furnishings consistent with the Northern Nevada market, as well as nine-foot ceilings (most standard hotel rooms have eig! ht-foot ceilings), which create an open and spacious feel. The third hotel tower features a four-story waterfall with an adjacent year-round swimming pool in a climate controlled, five-story glass enclosure, which shares an outdoor third floor pool deck with a seasonal outdoor swimming pool and year round whirlpool. A full-service salon (the Salon at Atlantis) overlooks the third floor sundeck and outdoor seasonal swimming pool and offers salon-grade products and treatments for hair, nails, skincare and body services for both men and women. A health spa is located adjacent to the swimming areas, which offers treatments and amenities. The hotel rooms on the spa floor are designated as spa rooms and feature decor that is themed consistent with the spa. Certain spa treatments are also available in spa floor hotel rooms. The hotel also features glass elevators rising the full 19 and 28 stories, of the respective towers providing views of the Reno area and the Sierra Nevada mountain range.

The Atlantis has eight restaurants, two gourmet coffee bars and one snack bar. It includes 160-seat Atlantis Steakhouse gourmet restaurant; the 200-seat upscale Bistro Napa featuring a centrally located wine cellar; the Oyster Bar restaurant in the Sky Terrace offering fresh seafood, soups and bisques made to order; the Sushi Bar, also in the Sky Terrace, offering a variety of fresh raw and cooked sushi specialties, including all-you-can-eat lunch and dinner selections. The Oyster Bar and Sushi Bar can accommodate up to 139 guests; The 178-seat 24-hour Purple Parrot coffee shop; the 122-seat Cafe Alfresco restaurant serving a full menu, pizzas prepared in a wood-fired, brick oven and a variety of gelato deserts; the 170-seat Manhattan Deli restaurant specializing in piled-high sandwiches, soups, salads and desserts; two gourmet coffee bars, offering specialty coffee drinks, pastries and desserts made fresh daily in the Atlantis bakery; a snack bar and soda fountain serving ice cream and arcade-style refreshmen! ts.

The Sky Terrace is a structure with a diamond-shaped, blue glass body suspended approximately 55 feet, and spanning 160 feet across, South Virginia Street. The Sky Terrace connects the Atlantis with additional parking on its 16-acre site across South Virginia Street from the Atlantis. The structure rests at each end on two 100-foot tall Grecian columns with no intermediate support pillars. The interior of the Sky Terrace contains the Oyster Bar, the Sushi Bar, a video poker bar, banks of slot machines and a lounge area with oversized leather sofas and chairs.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  Monarch Casino & Resort (MCRI) fell 15% to $18.71 after revenue missed forecasts today.

  Stamps.com (STMP) fell 6.2% today ahead of its earnings results. It beat earnings after the close today.

Best Casino Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Pinnacle Entertainment Inc.(PNK)

Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. owns, develops, and operates casinos, and related hospitality and entertainment facilities in the United States. It operates casinos, such as L'Auberge du Lac in Lake Charles, Louisiana; River City Casino and Lumiere Place in St. Louis, Missouri; Boomtown New Orleans in New Orleans, Louisiana; Belterra Casino Resort in Vevay, Indiana; Boomtown Bossier City in Bossier City, Louisiana; and Boomtown Reno in Reno, Nevada. The company also operates River Downs racetrack in southeast Cincinnati, Ohio. As of May 26, 2011, it operated seven casinos and one racetrack. The company was formerly known as Hollywood Park, Inc. and changed its name to Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. in February 2000. Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. was founded in 1935 and is based in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Travis Hoium]

  What: Shares of Ameristar Casinos (NASDAQ: ASCA  ) and Pinnacle Entertainment (NYSE: PNK  ) fell as much as 11% today after the government brought into question the merger of the two companies.

• [By Sean Williams]

  Time to make the switch
  If I could name a sector that I'd certainly tread lightly around considering that consumers are tightening their wallets, it would be the casino sector. Casino companies rely on loose wallets and vacations to drive profits. This is why I feel it could be the time to say goodbye to casino and race track operator Pinnacle Entertainment (NYSE: PNK  ) near its 52-week high.

• [By Grace L. Williams]

  First up is Pinnacle Entertainment (PNK). CEO Anthony Michaal Sanfilippo bought 23,000 shares of the Las Vegas-based gaming company for $505,800. InsiderScore notes this is his first purchase in nearly two years and writes, ��fter shares retreated more than 15% from a six-year high and with an activist hedge fund pushing the casino operator to spin off its real estate into a REIT, Sanfilippo stepped up with his first purchase. [He put] a fresh $500,000 into the stock at a price two times his cost basis of previous buys.��/p>

• [By Dan Radovsky]

  Pinnacle Entertainment (NYSE: PNK  ) has reached an agreement in principle with the Bureau of Competition of the Federal Trade Commission that would allow the company to complete its proposed acquisition of Ameristar Casinos (NASDAQ: ASCA  ) , Pinnacle announced today.