Shelby brings back GT to hop up Ford Mustang

LOS ANGELES -- The Shelby GT is back -- and it's hotter than ever.

For Ford Mustang fanciers who want more power and to have their car stand out from the crowd, the aftermarket firm founded by the late automotive entreprenuer Carroll Shelby has put the Shelby GT back in its lineup. It was unveiled Thursday at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

How powerful? The stock 2014 Mustang GT is boosted to 430 horsepower or by adding a supercharger and calling it a GT/SC, to 624 horsepower. At a demonstration of the car for USA TODAY last week, the car was easily capable of burning rubber and tearing through corners with ease.

"You can go from a boulevard cruiser to a boulevard bruiser all in one," says Gary Patterson, a vice president of Shelby. The modifications "really substantially change the performance characteristics of the car."

The new Shelby GT harkens back to 2007 when Shelby, through an agreement with Ford Racing, customized Mustangs at its Las Vegas shop to be transformed into Shelby GTs. It is not to be confused with Ford's own Shelby GT 500, a trim level of the present Mustang.

Now, drivers have to buy a Ford Mustang GT, which lists for a starting price of $30,900, before delivery charges, and either arranged to have it shipped to Shelby or take one there themselves. It can become a Shelby GT for an additional $14,995 or a GT/SC for $27,995.

The upgrades include a racing suspension, special exhaust system, a short-throw shifter, racing stripes and other touches. Although modified, the cars are designed to be legal in all states and don't need to run on special, and expensive, racing fuel.

It's All About the Kids: Companies That Target Youngsters

Investing is always challenging, particularly when you are trying to diversify your portfolio.

Most investors probably don't relish thinking of investing as a game, even though that is exactly what it is. But investing in toy and game companies can add some much-needed diversity to your portfolio. It can also help make your personal bottom line something to brag about to the other kids at the playground -- the "other kids" being fellow investors on the "playground" that is Wall Street.

While investing in the game and toy market is nothing new, it is common for investors to push these kinds of companies to the back of the proverbial line until the Christmas holiday season, when they tend to see higher revenues relative to the rest of the year.

But there are a number of companies that are good investment bets year-round, and that can add a little fun and pep to your portfolio. Some of the more sought-after ones:

Build-A-Bear Workshop (NYSE: BBW).  Unlike traditional toy manufacturers that make toys and games and distribute them to retailers, Build-A-Bear has flipped the toy-making concept on its ear. The idea of making a stuffed animal from scratch has taken the toy market by storm, and has carved out a nice little niche market for the company.

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The whole idea behind and challenge in marketing to people who don't have any money to spend, i.e. children, is to getting them to convince the people who do have money, i.e. their parents, to spend that money on your product. And creating your own stuffed animal practically from scratch is a concept that has a proven appeal to both children and their parents – and not just around the holidays either.

Hasbro (NASDAQ: HAS). Among the many factors this iconic toy and game manufacturer has going for it, and something that gives it a significant advantage over the competition, is its history. For 90 years Hasbro has been a driving force in the toy manufacturing industry. Recently, however, it's had to rely on a major marketing promotion to boost sales -- such as its partnership with Dreamworks and Paramount Pictures in conjunction with the release of the Transformers films. These kinds of promotions notwithstanding, Hasbro is still near the top of the toy manufacturing game and makes a solid addition to any portfolio.

Mattel (NASDAQ: MAT). Much like Hasbro, Mattel is, for all intents and purposes, a household name and thus a very big player in the toy and game industry. The company has a nearly six percent yield on free cash flow over the last decade, and the company's 2013 third quarter report posted six percent year-over-year quarterly sales growth -- to put it just over the $2 billion mark with a profit increase of 16 percent. Any way you slice it, Mattel is a tested, tried, and true stock pick for 2013.

Posted-In: children children's products Christmas shopping season holiday shopping season retail teddy bears Toys And Games IndustryNews Guidance Markets Best of Benzinga

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

  Around the Web, We're Loving... Learn to Use Trading Platforms Like Hedge Fund Traders do Rumsfeld: Denial of Benefits to Fallen Soldiers' Families 'Inexcusable' Come See How the Pro's Trade in this Exclusive Webinar Facebook, Baidu Lead Big Caps Beating Shutdown What Should You Know About AMZN? Most Popular First Solar, SolarCity Face Rising Short Interest (FSLR, RSOL, SCTY) Apple's New OS Logging Huge Adoption Numbers Why You Could Short Groupon Should You Trade the Twitter IPO? (TWTR) Short Interest In Facebook Falls, In Groupon Rises (FB, GRPN, ZNGA) Lawsuit Against Apple, Google and Others Gains Class Action Status Related Articles (BBW + HAS) It's All About the Kids: Companies That Target Youngsters UPDATE: Monness Crespi Hardt Upgrades Hasbro on Strong Visibility Into Sales, Earnings Growth Market Wrap for Monday, October 21: Dow Closes Down, S&P and Nasdaq Close Up Mid-Afternoon Market Update: JC Penney Falls on Massive Volume Following Imperial Capital Price Target Mid-Day Market Update: Hasbro Surges On Upbeat Earnings; Gannett Shares Tumble Mid-Morning Market Update: Markets Mixed; McDonald's Posts Higher Q3 Profit View the discussion thread. Partner Network #marketfy-ae-block { display: none; border: 2px solid #0a3f75; overflow: hidden; width: 300px; height: 125px; text-align: center; background-color: #45719E; position: relative; z-index: 1; } #marketfy-ae-block a { display: block; width: 300px; height: 125px; position: relative; z-index: 2; color: #ffffff; text-decoration: none; } #marketfy-ae-block-countdown-text { color: #f9fc99; padding: 0px 0 0 0; font-size: 19px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19px; } #marketfy-ae-block-countdown-text-start { font-size: 12px; } #marketfy-ae-block-countdown { padding: 5px 0 5px 0; font-size: 26px; } #marketfy-ae-block-signup { padding: 5px 47px; } #marketfy-ae-block-signup:hover { background-color: #457a1a; } #marketfy-ae-block #marketfy-ae-block-logo { display: block; padding: 3px 0 0 0; margin: 0; } #marketfy-ae-block-logo { text-indent: -9999px; } #marketfy-ae-block-free { display: block; position: absolute; top: 7px; right: -23px; width: 80px; height: 16px; line-height: 16px; text-align: center; opacity: 1; -webkit-transform: rotate(45deg); -moz-transform: rotate(45deg); -ms-transform: rotate(45deg); transform: rotate(45deg); font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; color: #333333; background-color: yellow; z-index: 500; text-shadow: 1px 1px #999999; } #marketfy-ae-block-arrow { position: relative; width: 60px; height: 60px; z-index: 10; margin: -80px 0 13px -21px; } #marketfy-ae-block-arrow img { height: 60px; width: auto; } Marketfy's International
Traders & Investors Summit

'Fiat Chrysler Automobiles' is new name, stock

A merged Fiat and Chrysler Group is to be called Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, and shares will be traded on the New York Stock Exchange by Oct. 1, according to the company.

Combining Fiat and Chrysler will be done by forming what's called Dutch NewCo to own the automakers, then renaming it Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V.

That would seem to make it a Netherlands company, but it wiil be considered a U.K. company for tax purposes. Its stock also will trade on the Milan exchange.

CHRYSLER PROFITS: Money-losing Fiat buoyed by Chrysler earnings

Neither Chrysler headquarters in Auburn Hills, Mich., not Fiat h.q. in Turin, Italy, was named the pricipal h.q. That prickly issues remains to be settled. Switching to the U.S. would cause a firestorm of controversy in Italy, where Fiat is the largest private employer.

Nor would it be cheered if the main h.q. were moved overseas.

CEO Sergio Marchionne likes to say the h.q. is on an airplane. He travels between the two countries often, sleeping on planes during the trips.

The company's top exeuctives are similarly eclectic, and maintain offices in Auburn Hills, Turin and other cities around the globe.

FCA says it will keep major research, engineering and financial operations in Turin, as well as at Auburn Hills.

Describing the new configuration in a conference call, Marchionne several times said it would be able to "move at the speed of light" to take advantage of financial and auto-market conditions, and to move new vehicles into showrooms.

Though Chrysler is healthy and Fiat is losing money -- common in economically foundering parts of Euorpe -- there would be no layoffs in Italy.

Last time Chrysler was taken over by a foreign maker was when Daimler-Benz said it was orchestrating a "merger of equals" with Chrysler in 1998 in a transaction then valued at $37 billion. Daimler CEO Juergen Schrempp later acknowledged that was false.

In a 2000 interview with the Financial Times, he said the deal was b! illed as a merger of equals "for psychological reasons" and that Chrysler actually was a "division" of Daimler.

Daimler beggared the U.S. maker. Cerberus Capital and a group of investors paid Daimler $7.4 billion for 80% of Chrysler in 2007 and the automaker wound up in government-scripted Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization in 2009.

Here's how Fiat describes the latest merger in an explanation for analysts: "A satutory reverse merger of Fiat S.p.A. into a wholly owned Dutch NewCo to be renamed Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. (upon closing of merger, N.V. will issue common shares with 1:1 exchange ratio)."

Fiat S.p.a. shareholders can opt out of the new company. They'll be paid for their shares a price equal to the average trading price for six months.

E TRADE Financial Corporation (ETFC) Earnings Preview About to Be Bid Lower?

E TRADE Financial Corporation (NASDAQ:ETFC) will report its fourth quarter and full year 2013 financial results after the close of the U.S. financial markets on Thursday, January 23, 2014. The Company will host a conference call to discuss the results at 5:00 p.m. EST.

Wall Street anticipates that the discount broker will earn $0.19 per share for the quarter, which is way, way better than last year's loss of $0.65 per share. iStock expects the financial services company to beat Wall Street's consensus number. The iEstimate is $0.20; a penny better than the street's outlook.

E TRADE is a financial services company, which provides online brokerage and related products and services primarily to individual retail investors under the brand E*TRADE Financial. The Company also provides investor-focused banking products, primarily sweep deposits and savings products, to retail investors.

[Related -E*TRADE Financial Corporation (NASDAQ:ETFC): Insider Buying: This Director Throws Darts.]

 Much like many investors' trading accounts, E Trade's recent earnings history has been checkered with some winners and spectacular losers. In the last four years, the company has topped the street's expectations a half-dozen times by an average of 65% with a range of 18.18% to 209%.

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Meanwhile… ETFC missed six times by -20.37% to -900%. All-in-all, the average bearish surprise was -334.92%. – making for cringe worthy headlines.

[Related -E TRADE Financial Corporation (ETFC): E*TRADE Put Options In Play As Shares Slide]

Despite E TRADES crazy, home run or strikeout earnings record, the earnings-driven stock performance has a strong history of rewarding investors. In the three days circling the EPS announcement, shares have moved up an average of 8.69% for 10 of the last 16 quarters. The trade turned in as little as a 2.10% return and topped out at 28%.

That leaves six times when ETFC faltered for disappointing investors. The stock backed up an average of -7.10% for the half-dozen red reaction with a range of -1.60% to -14.40%.

The key metric for discount brokers is Daily Average Revenue Trades (DARTs). On this account, the financial service company is rolling. October 2013 DARTs were up 8.6% compared to September 2013 and increased 28.5% versus October 2012.

November DARTs built on October's success by adding 2.3% and smoking November 2012 by 25.5%. The discount trading business is booming, which is what you would expect in a year that went straight up.

On Tuesday, January 21, 2014, competitor TD Ameritrade Holding Corp. (NYSE:AMTD) released earnings and reported, "DART numbers are at levels we've not seen in over two years." By our calculations, AMTD's Daily Average Revenue Trades increased at approximately 7.43% quarter-over-quarter.

Depending on December, iStock expect to see similar numbers from E TRADE, which would probably translate into an EPS surprise that tops the iEstimate.

Overall: E TRADE Financial Corporation (ETFC) EPS price-sensitivity and robust business suggests strong results and a possible winning trade Thursday afternoon. 

Using Nadex Spreads to Help You Trade Canadian Dollar Interest News

Last Wednesday, the Bank of Canada announced it was keeping its interest rates steady at one percent.

The Canadian central bank's staying with the status quo was expected, as they have not changed the rate since 2010.

Even with the rate change being kept the same other statements caused a massive move in the USD/CAD forex pair. 

What is Forex TIP: Forex, also known as FX and Foreign Exchange, is buying one currency in exchange for another. For example, if you travel from the U.S. to Canada you might go to the foreign exchange booth at the airport and provide them U.S. dollars. They'll then provide you the equivalent value at that time in Canadian dollars.

With the USD/CAD currently at 1.10 -- for every $1.00 in US dollars you gave them they would give you $1.10 in Canadian dollars.  These values fluctuate and you can trade these nearly every single day of the week. And you don't have the large $25,000 account size requirement to do shorter term day trades like you do in stocks.

Speculators try to grab some of the move that is expected right after the announcement is made. Others sit back and let the news come out and be over with before they get back into the markets.

The issue is, you and the speculators honestly have no idea which way the market will move when the Canadian rate statement is announced. But what you can know is how far the USD/CAD moves on average when this statement comes out right after the release. Using the weekly economic outlook calendar you would have known that the projected move on USD/CAD when the Bank of Canada makes its rate statement is 85 pips. (See Economic Outlook HERE)

What is a Pip TIP: (A pip is a minimum increment move; i.e., on stock a "cent" is a minimum increment move. So one could say a pip on a stock is .01. It is simply the last digit the trading instrument is quoted in. The term pip is used on forex, and as you are dealing with multiple currency pairs it's easier to say "pip" than "cent aussie," "Canadian cent," etc... On a stock .01 is worth 1 cent. So when a stock movs .01 the value goes up or down by 1 cent. On Nadex spreads a pip is worth $1.00 no matter what instrument it is. So when the forex pair moves by .0001 then the value goes up or down by $1.00. This is a benefit in the North American Derivatives Exchange, or Nadex, as you don't have to deal with currency conversion at all when trading Forex).

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With a straddle you don't have to sit aside and watch the move, you don't have to pick direction, you just need to have an expected movement at a specified time in either direction.

So instead of trying to be a guru and pick direction, or sitting aside and missing out on the move, you could also a simple straddle using Nadex spreads. When you do a straddle so long as the market moves far enough in either direction you could have profited on the trade doing a Nadex Straddle.

The North American Derivatives Exchange is based out of Chicago and is regulated by the U.S. Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). Nadex allows traders to trade binaries and spreads on foreign exchange (forex) markets, U.S. and International Stock Indices, and Commodities like gold and oil.

Leverage And Low Risk Tip: Trading forex allows you to trade with large leverage, depending on the broker of up to 50:1. So you have $50 of buying power leverage of $50 for every $1.00 put up to trade. Unfortunately, leverage can cut both ways -- but with Nadex the leverage can not only be 50:1 but even much higher, and the leverage works for you but not against you. The reason is, with Nadex all risk is capped and your risk never increases from the initial risk, no matter how far the market moves against you. 

So How Do You Do A Straddle On Nadex?

At approximately 8 AM ET the USD/CAD was trading right around 1.0960. You could have then entered a 3 PM expiring straddle trade.

1) Buy The Upper Spread

Bought the upper 1.0960 to 1.1160 3 PM ET spread  at around 8 AM ET for a price of 1.0980.

Risk is calculated on a bought spread as simply the difference between where you buy and the floor (lower strike of the spread) The floor is 1.0960 though bought price is 1.0980 - this makes the risk .0020 or 20 pips every pip is worth $1.00 so your risk is $20  Reward is calculated on a bought spread as simply the difference between the ceiling (higher strike of the spread) and the price you buy the spread.  The ceiling on this spread is 1.1160 and you bought at 1.0980 - this makes the max reward potential .0180 or 180 pips with every pip worth a dollar that is a profit potential of $180.

2) Sell The Lower Spread

Sold the lower 1.0760-1.0960 3 PM ET spread at around 8 AM ET for a price of 1.0950

Risk is calculated on a sold spread as simply the difference between the ceiling (upper strike of the spread) and where you sell the spread. The ceiling was 1.0960 and you sold at 1.0950 this makes the risk .0010 or 10 pips every pip is worth $1.00 so your risk is $10.  Reward is calculated on a sold spread as simply the difference between where you sold the spread and the floor (lower of the spread) The floor on this spread is 1.0760 and you sold at 1.0950 - this makes the max reward potential .0190 or 190 pips with every pip worth a dollar that is a profit potential of $190.

3) Calculate the Max Risk

Combined the max risk on the trade is $30 ($20 on the long and $10 on the short side). And there is plenty of profit potential for a 1-to-1 or higher profit on the trade.

4) Calculate A 1 to 1 Profit Ratio 

For a 1-to-1 take profit you would simply take the total risk, plus the risk on either side, to know where to take profit for 1-to-1. Pretend your total risk is $30, plus $10 risk on the short side. You need to make $40 on the bought side for a 1-to-1, as you are counting on the short side loosing the $10, netting you a $30 profit.

You can also look at that in reverse; saying the total risk is $30 plus $20 risk on the long side. You need to make $40 on the sold side for a 1-to-1, as you are counting on the long side losing the $20, netting you a $30 profit. Now you need to add 40 pips to the price you bought the upper spread at and set that as your take profit ,to sell it to exit. Bt $300. 

For Example

Add 40 pips to the price you bought the upper spread at and set that as your take profit to sell it to exit. Bought the  1.0960 to 1.1160 3 PM ET at 1.0980 once filled set a take profit to sell it back at 1.1020.

Likewise, you need to subtract 50 pips for the price on the one you sold and set a order to take profit to buy it back at as your take profit to exit. Sold the 1.0760-1.0960 3 PM ET at 1.950. Once filled set a take profit to buy it back at 1.0900.

(Note: we are just talking one straddle at $30 -- you could do 1, 10, 100 etc... to multiply out the value, risk, and profit potential)

5) Before Entering Check Your Range

The range on the average move is 85 pips so add 85 pips to where the market is and subtract 85 pips from where the market is and ensure your take profits are within the expected range.

For Example:

Market USD/CAD at approx 1.0962 at 8 AM ET.  

85 pips above this is 1.1047 (this is higher than our take profit on the long side of 1.1020 so the long trade is also within our range).

85 pips below this price is 1.0877 (this is lower than our take profit of 1.0900 on the short trade so it is within the range.

So how did the trade work out?

In the chart below the trade was entered, the market took off and you easily surpassed the 1.1020 take profit goal -- giving you your 1-to-1 take profit. And you had the ability, if so desired, to trail your stops for a reward potential of greater than 1-to-1. If you held to expiration the market expired at 1.0820 so the profit would have been approximately $102 on the

Packaging Corp Of America to Acquire Boise for $1.995B (PKG,BZ)

Containerboard producer Packaging Corp Of America (PKG) announced on Monday that it has agreed to purchase all outstanding shares of Boise Inc. (BZ) for $1.995 billion.

PKG will acquire the outstanding shares of the packaging and paper product company for $12.55 per share, totalling $1.995 billion. This amount includes $714 million of outstanding indebtedness of BZ.

Together the two companies have brought in $5.5 billion in sales and $879 million in EBITDA over the last year. PKG’s containerboard capacity is expected to grow from $2.6 million tons to $3.7 million tons with the purchase of BZ.

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PKG’s Executive Chairman Paul Stecko commented: "The acquisition is an excellent fit, both geographically and strategically, with unique and substantial synergies. It provides the containerboard that PCA needs to support our strong corrugated products growth. The DeRidder containerboard mill is low cost, located in a very good wood basket and, after the D2 machine conversion, provides almost one million tons of primarily lightweight containerboard. The combined company is expected to generate strong financial results and strong cash flow which will be used to pay down debt as well as to continue to return value to our shareholders."

Packaging Corp Of America shares were up $5.96, or 10.93%, during pre-market trading Monday. The stock is up 42% YTD.

Boise shares were up $2.66, or 26.71% during premarket trading Monday. The stock is up 25% YTD.

10 Best Trucking Stocks To Watch Right Now

The transportation sector refers to the general category of stocks relating to the transportation of goods or customers. The transportation sector is vast and comprises a wide range of individual industries, including major and regional airlines (also known collectively as air services), railroads, shipping firms, ocean freight haulers, trucking and firms more indirectly related to transportation such as supply chain management firms and other logistics providers.

Transportation Industry Overview

In aggregate, the value added by the transportation industry as a percentage of U.S. GDP was 3% as of 2012. This average has been steady since approximately 1998. As you might imagine, the sector is economically sensitive and driven primarily by overall economic trends in the U.S. and world. When consumers and businesses spend less, the transportation industry suffers. Conversely, transportation firms see increases in activity when the economy is improving or in full swing at the business cycle's peak.

The Key Players

Each industry in the transportation sector contains a few key, dominant players. The Dow Jones Transportation Index is a leading sector index that contains 20 ��lue chips��or dominant, bellwether firms, which are listed below:

Ticker Company NYSE:ALK Alaska Air Group Nasdaq:CHRW C.H. Robinson Worldwide NYSE:CSX CSX Corp. NYSE:CNW Con-way NYSE:DAL Delta Air Lines Nasdaq:EXPD Expeditors International of Washington NYSE:FDX FedEx NYSE:GMT GATX Nasdaq:JBHT J.B. Hunt Transport Services Nasdaq:JBLU JetBlue Airways NYSE:KSU Kansas City Southern NYSE:KEX Kirby Nasdaq:LSTR Landstar System NYSE:MATX Matson NYSE:NSC Norfolk Southern NYSE:R Ryder System NYSE:LUV Southwest Airlines NYSE:UNP Union Pacific NYSE:UAL United Continental Holdings NYSE:UPS United Parcel Service Additionally, the S&P Transportation Select Industry index provides information about the sector. The average market capitalization for the 42 key players in the index is $9 billion and ranges from $400 million to $82 billion. This indicates the sector is diverse overall, though the top players in the Dow Jones Transportation Index exert outsized influence on total sector trends.

S&P TRANSPORTATION SELECT INDUSTRY INDEX Number of Constituents 42 Inception Date June 18, 2006 CONSTITUENT TOTAL MARKET CAP [US$ MILLIONS] Maximum Market Cap

10 Best Trucking Stocks To Watch Right Now: Laurion Mineral Exploration Inc (LME.V)

Laurion Mineral Exploration Inc., an exploration development company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, evaluation, and development of gold and base metal properties in the United States and Canada. It has an option to acquire a 100% interest in the Bell Mountain property located in Nevada; a 100% interest in 15 contiguous mining leases located in Irwin, Walters, Elmhirst, and Pifher Townships in the Beardmore area, Ontario; and a 100% interest in 13 mining claims totalling 179 units located in Pifher and Elmhirst Townships, Ontario. The company also has an option to acquire a 100% interest in 4 mining leases totaling 29 hectares in Elmhirst Township; and a 100% interest in 21 claim units totalling 135 hectares in Walter and Elmhirst Townships, Ontario. In addition, it has a strategic alliance agreement with Kiska Metals Corporation and certain of its affiliates to acquire a 51% interest in the Midlothian project located in the Township of Midlothian, Ontario. The c ompany was formerly known as Laurion Gold Inc. and changed its name to Laurion Mineral Exploration Inc. in October 2006. Laurion Mineral Exploration Inc. was incorporated in 1945 and is based in Toronto, Canada.

10 Best Trucking Stocks To Watch Right Now: Reece Australia Ltd (REH.AX)

Reece Australia Limited engages in the import, wholesale, distribution, marketing, and retail of plumbing and bathroom products in Australia and New Zealand. The company�s bathroom products include accessories, basins, bath spouts, baths, spas, heated towel rails, hot water units, mirrors, showerbases, shower cubicles and bath screens, shower outlets, taps, toilets and bidets, vanities and bathroom furniture, wastes and plugs, and water flow control products. Its plumbing products comprise hot water units, rainwater tanks, pipe and fittings, clips and pipe supports, valves, pumps, tools and hardware, workwear and safety gears, macerators, water filters, air conditioning units, ducting and ventilation products, fire service, tap and cistern spares, gas spares, commercial bathroom ware, material safety data sheets, and hydronic heating and flashing products. The company also offers kitchen and laundry products consisting of kitchen and bathroom appliances, kitchen sinks, la undry trough and cabinets, and taps. In addition, it provides heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC-R) products and services to HVAC-R contractors; and irrigation products, such as turf, agricultural sprays and drippers, valves, pipe and fittings, pumps, automatic controllers, professional outdoor lighting, and a range of water saving products for the landscape, commercial, and agricultural industries. Further, the company offers various products and services for underground pipe networks, including water mains, gas mains, sewer mains, telecommunications, electrical, and fire services; and onsite services for builders, commercial plumbers, and developers. It serves customers in the trade, retail, professional, and commercial markets through a network of 453 trading outlets. The company was formerly known as H.J. Reece Limited and changed its name to Reece Australia Limited in 1987. Reece Australia Limited was founded in 1919 and is based in Burwood, Australia.

Top Communications Equipment Stocks To Buy Right Now: AstraZeneca PLC (AZN)

AstraZeneca PLC (AstraZeneca), incorporated on June 17, 1992, is a global biopharmaceutical company. AstraZeneca discovers, develops and commercializes prescription medicines for six areas of healthcare: Cardiovascular, Gastrointestinal, Infection, Neuroscience, Oncology, and Respiratory and Inflammation. It has a range of medicines that includes treatments for illnesses, such as its antibiotic, Merrem/Meronem and Losec/Prilosec for acid related diseases. AstraZeneca�� products include Crestor, Atacand,Seloken/Toprol-XL, Plendil, Onglyza, Zestril, Symbicort and Zoladex. The Company owns and operates a range of research and development (R&D), production and marketing facilities worldwide. AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries, including China, Mexico, Brazil and Russia. On August 31, 2011, the Company completed the sale of the Astra Tech business to DENTSPLY International Inc. On June 19, 2012, the Company acquired Ardea Biosciences Inc (Ardea), a biotechnology company in San Diego, California. In July 2012, the Company acquired a portfolio of neuroscience assets from Link Medicine Corporation. In August 2012, Alliance Pharma plc�� wholly owned subsidiary, Alliance Pharmaceuticals Limited, acquired the antimalarial brands Paludrine, Avloclor and Savarine from AstraZeneca UK Limited. In August 2012, the Company and Bristol-Myers Squibb Company announced the acquisition of Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. by Bristol-Myers Squibb Company. In June 2013, the Company acquired Pearl Therapeutics.

Cardiovascular

The Company�� marketed products include Crestor (rosuvastatin calcium), Atacand2 (candesartan cilexetil), Seloken/Toprol-XL (metoprolol succinate), Tenormin (atenolol), Plendil (felodipine), Zestril3 (lisinopril dihydrate), Brilinta/Brilique (ticagrelor), and Axanum, (acetylsalicylic acid (ASA). Crestor1 is a statin used for the treatment of dyslipidaemia and hypercholesterolemia. In some markets, it is also indicated to slow the progression of atherosclerosis and to re! duce the risk of first cardiovascular (CV) events. Atacand2 is an angiotensin II antagonist used for the 1st line treatment of hypertension and symptomatic heart failure. Seloken/Toprol-XL is a beta-blocker once-daily tablet used for 24-hour control of hypertension and for use in heart failure and angina.

Tenormin is a cardioselective beta-blocker used for hypertension, angina pectoris and other CV disorders. Plendil is a calcium antagonist used for the treatment of hypertension and angina. Zestril3 is an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor used for the treatment of a wide range of CV diseases, including hypertension. Brilinta/Brilique is an oral antiplatelet for the treatment of acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Axanum is a fixed dose combination indicated for prevention of CV events in high-risk CV patients in need of daily low-dose ASA treatment and who are at risk of gastric ulcers.

The Company�� marketed products for diabetes include Komboglyze ((saxagliptin and metformin HCl), Kombiglyze XR (saxagliptin and metformin XR) and Onglyza (saxagliptin). Komboglyze is an immediate release fixed dose combination indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycaemic control in adult patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus inadequately controlled on their maximally tolerated dose of metformin alone or those already being treated with the combination of saxagliptin and metformin as separate tablets. Kombiglyze XR is an extended release fixed dose combination indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycaemic control in adults with Type 2 diabetes mellitus when treatment with both saxagliptin and metformin is appropriate. Onglyza is a DPP-IV inhibitor used for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes.

Gastrointestinal

AstraZeneca�� marketed products include Nexium (esomeprazole), Losec/Prilosec (omeprazole) and Entocort (budesonide). Nexium is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) used for the treatment of acid-related diseases to offer clini! cal impro! vements over other PPIs and other treatments. Losec/Prilosec is used for the short-term and long-term treatment of acid-related diseases. Entocort is a corticosteroid used for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. Nexium is marketed in approximately 120 countries and is available in oral (tablet/capsules and oral suspension) and intravenous (i.v.) dosage forms for the treatment of acid-related diseases.

Infection

The Company�� marketed products include Merrem/Meronem (meropenem), Cubicin (daptomycin) and FluMist/Fluenz (influenza vaccine live, intranasal). Merrem/Meronem is a carbapenem anti-bacterial used for the treatment of serious infections in hospitalised patients. Cubicin is a cyclic lipopeptide anti-bacterial used for the treatment of serious infections in hospitalised patients. FluMist/Fluenz is an intranasal live, attenuated, trivalent influenza vaccine.

Neuroscience

AstraZeneca�� marketed products include Seroquel IR (quetiapine fumarate), Seroquel XR (an extended release formulation of quetiapine fumarate), Zomig (zolmitriptan), Diprivan (propofol), Vimovo (naproxen/esomeprazole magnesium), Naropin (ropivacaine), Xylocaine (lidocaine) and EMLA (lidocaine and prilocaine). Seroquel IR is an atypical anti-psychotic drug used for the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder (mania, depression and maintenance). Seroquel XR is used for the treatment of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, MDD and in some territories for generalised anxiety disorder (GAD).

Zomig is used for the treatment of migraines with or without aura and Zomig Nasal Spray is indicated for the acute treatment of cluster. Diprivan is an intravenous general anaesthetic used in the induction and maintenance of general anaesthesia, for use in intensive care sedation and conscious sedation for surgical as well as diagnostic procedures. Vimovo is a fixed-dose combination of enteric-coated naproxen (an NSAID) with the gastroprotection of immediate release ! esomepraz! ole (a proton pump inhibitor) for the relief of signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis, and to decrease the developing of gastric ulcers in patients at risk of developing NSAID-associated gastric ulcers. Naropin is used as a long-acting local anaesthetic, for surgical anaesthesia and acute pain management. Xylocaine is a used short-acting local anaesthetic. EMLA is used as a local anaesthetic for topical application.

Oncology

AstraZeneca�� marketed products include Arimidex (anastrozole), Zoladex (goserelin acetate implant), Casodex (bicalutamide), Iressa (gefitinib), Faslodex (fulvestrant), Nolvadex (tamoxifen citrate) and Caprelsa (vandetanib). Arimidex is an aromatase inhibitor used for the treatment of early breast cancer. Zoladex, in one- and three-month depots, is a luteinising hormone-releasing hormone agonist used for the treatment of prostate cancer, breast cancer and certain benign gynaecological disorders. Casodex is an anti-androgen therapy used for the treatment of prostate cancer.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Brian Orelli]

  Competition
  Januvia faces direct competition from Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY  ) and AstraZeneca's (NYSE: AZN  ) Onglyza, which is in the same DPP-4 class of drugs. Onglyza�got off to a slow start, but the companies didn't give up pushing into Merck's stronghold on the oral diabetes market. The effort seems to be paying off. First-quarter sales of Onglyza were up 17% in the U.S., thanks to 8% higher prescriptions and a price boost. Worldwide sales of the drug, which goes by Kombiglyze elsewhere, were up 25% as the drug launched in new regions.

• [By Sean Williams]

  Exelixis (NASDAQ: EXEL  )
  Yesterday was a big day for Exelixis shareholders, as it gave them their first glimpse of Cometriq sales. Designed for the treatment of metastatic medullary thyroid cancer, or MTC -- a rare but particularly aggressive form of thyroid cancer -- Cometriq, which is Exelixis' first drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration, nearly tripled progression-free survival in trials relative to AstraZeneca's (NYSE: AZN  ) Caprelsa, the current standard of treatment (11.2 months compared to four months). Based on those stats alone, I expect Cometriq to take practically all sales from AstraZeneca in MTC.

• [By David O��ara]

  AstraZeneca� (LSE: AZN  ) (NYSE: AZN  ) is the 12th biggest company in the FTSE 100. It is a true blue chip. According to a large number of investment strategies, the shares should be bought today.

• [By Namitha Jagadeesh]

  AstraZeneca (AZN) Plc dropped 1.7 percent to 3,192.5 pence and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Plc lost 1.4 percent to 1,657.5 pence as Morgan Stanley lowered its recommendation on both drugmakers to underweight, the equivalent of sell, from equal weight. The brokerage said the shares have less potential to rally further compared with their peers. GlaxoSmithKline has surged 24 percent this year, while AstraZeneca has gained 9.7 percent.

10 Best Trucking Stocks To Watch Right Now: MusclePharm Corp (MSLP)

MusclePharm Corporation (MusclePharm), incorporated on August 4, 2006, is engaged in the business of providing personal fitness training using isometric techniques (Tone in Twenty). Muscle Pharm offers 12 products: Assault, Battle Fuel, Bullet Proof, Combat Powder, MuscleGel, Shred Matrix, Re-con, Armor-V, BCAA 3:1:2, ZMA Max, Glutamine and Creatine. MusclePharm is an expanding healthy life-style company that develops and distributes a full line of National Sanitation Foundation International and scientifically approved, nutritional supplements that are 100% free of any banned substances. MusclePharm products are sold in over 120 countries and available in over 5,000 United States retail outlets, including GNC, Vitamin Shoppe and Vitamin World. The Company also sells its products in over 100 online stores, including bodybuilding.com, amazon.com and vitacost.com.

Assault

Assault helps fight fatigue, boost performance, build muscle, increase intensity, hydrate muscles and feed muscles valuable, clinically-proven nutrients, such as ConCrete, Beta Alanine, BCAAs and Cinnulin. Assault is a safe pre-workout formula that increases strength, aerobic and anaerobic performance, reduces stomach fat and meets NFS and informed choice product standards for being free of banned substances.

Battle Fuel

Battle Fuel helps to increase lean mass and strength, improve endurance and energy levels, naturally detoxify and enhance aggressive mental focus. The herbal formula enhances and supports all things masculine to drive strength, power and lean muscle mass development. Battle Fuel also assists with recovery through an intense combination of cleansing agents and natural elements that reduce fatigue and improve cellular immunity.

Bullet Proof

Bullet Proof helps increase recovery effectiveness and hormonal up-regulation. It also improves lean muscle tissue growth and helps relieve some forms of pain.

Combat Powder

Combat! helps the body receive 25 grams of high quality protein, fuel fat loss, support healthy body composition, nourish lean muscle and speed up recovery. Combat is designed to help fill the gap in nutrition that athletes and super-active people may experience, to ensure their bodies are growing and recovering.

MuscleGel

MuscleGel helps in receiving more of the nutrients that body needs every day. Packed full of different proteins like building block amino acids, MuscleGel�� patented Pro-Fusion Technology gel format yields a fast-absorbing, highly bio-available source of next generation fitness food. For protein, carbohydrates and vitamins, MuscleGel delivers. It works on-the-go, fills athletes up and streams right to those parts of an athletes��body where nutrients are needed most.

SHRED Matrix

SHRED Matrix is superior for burning fat naturally, counteracting mood swings and helping athletes stay focused on weight loss and quick results. This 8-Stage Weight Loss System was specifically made for athletes and people who exercise regularly. As a total body diet, it sheds pounds, burns fat cells and attacks fat loss from every angle. While natural fat burners are at work, proven ingredients like Sugar Stop and the enzyme aid matrix keep athletes��appetites in check. Additionally, the formula is tuned so users won�� experience jitters or a crash.

Re-con

Re-con helps athletes recover quicker and more effectively, repair muscle cells, feed the body nutrients and grow stronger with ingredients, such as BCAAs, EAAs, cellular detoxifiers, muscle-loading carbohydrates and stress hormone regulators. This maximizes an athlete�� anabolic window, the post-workout phase where the body repairs and rebuilds tissue. Re-con promotes growth from every angle, delivering proteins and nutritious elements in their ideal forms.

Armor-V

Armor-V helps athletes receive a full dose of important vitamins and minerals, keeps v! ital orga! ns, such as the liver clean of toxins, recover faster and keep the body�� hormones balanced. This system was designed to meet the standards of high-performance athletes, who need a dedicated source of vitamins and minerals. Loaded with anti-oxidants and system optimizers derived from fruits and vegetables, Armor-V brings together organic, herbal and natural ingredients into a multi-nutrient complex that benefits active bodies.

BCAA 3:1:2

BCAA helps athletes receive ideal amounts of the Branched Chain Amino Acids (BCAA) Leucine, Isoleucine and Valine, from this patented ratio of 3:1:2, promote muscle development and maintenance, increase lean body mass and spur weight loss. BCAAs are part of the group of essential amino acids a body needs. Its patented 3:1:2 ratio is designed to release the ideal amounts of each amino acid both before and after a workout. This prevents muscle breakdown and leads to gains in body mass without losing weight.

ZMA Max

MusclePharm ZMA Max supports muscle growth and recovery, promotes deeper and more efficient sleep to maximize healing, tissue repair, anabolic hormone production and testosterone levels. It delivers the benefits of precise dosages and ZMA ingredient ratios and adds the synergistic effects of clinically-proven Fenugreek to support the balance of cholesterol levels, as well as increase of healthy libido function in women and men.

MP Glutamine

MusclePharm Core Series MP Glutamine supplement increases whole body glutamine status by enhancing an athlete�� uptake, bioavailability and digestion. Feeding the body a dedicated source of glutamine ultimately provides optimal muscle-tissue saturation through an range of three pure yet diverse nutritional glutamine complexes that delivers a substantial range of benefits.

Creatine

MusclePharm MP Core Series Creatine increases creatine status by enhancing uptake and bioavailability while fueling stamina, strength and le! an muscle! growth. Many athletes who engage in high-intensity/short duration exercises like weightlifting use creatine. The clinically-proven ingredient Cinnulin heightens absorption, which assists its five pure and diverse creatine complexes, delivering a range of benefits will launch directly into muscles. MP Creatine increases explosive energy, ATP energy and overall power.

The Company competes with Optimum Nutrition, Inc. (Optimum), Iovate Health Sciences, Inc. (IHS), Bio-Engineered Supplements and Nutrition, Inc. (BSN).

10 Best Trucking Stocks To Watch Right Now: ING Group N.V. (ISG)

ING Groep N.V., a financial services company, provides banking, investment, life insurance, and retirement services for individuals, families, small businesses, corporations, institutions, and governments worldwide. The company provides savings accounts, mortgage loans, consumer loans, credit card services, and investment products, as well as current account services and payments systems; life and non-life insurance products; asset management products and services; mortgage products; and risk management services. It also offers commercial banking products and services, including lending products, such as structured finance; payment and cash management, and treasury services; and specialized and trade finance, derivatives, corporate finance, debt and equity capital markets, leasing, factoring, and supply chain finance. In addition, the company provides individual endowment, and term and whole life insurance products, as well as traditional, unit-linked, and variable annuity life insurance products for individual and group customers; fire, motor, disability, transport, accident, and third party liability insurance products; employee benefits products and pension funds; retirement services, fixed annuities, mutual funds, and broker-dealer services; and disability insurance products and complementary services for employers and self-employed professionals comprising dentists, general practitioners, and lawyers. Further, the company offers investment management services. ING Groep N.V. operates a network of approximately 280 branches in the Netherlands; and 773 branches in Belgium. The company was founded in 1991 and is headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. ING Groep N.V. is a subsidiary of Stichting ING Aandelen.

10 Best Trucking Stocks To Watch Right Now: KOFAX PLC ORD GBP0.025(KFX.L)

Kofax plc develops and markets capture driven business process automation solutions worldwide. The company provides enterprise software solutions, such as Kofax Capture for capturing documents from paper and electronic sources; Kofax Transformation Modules to classify and separate documents, and extract and validate information; Kofax e-Transactions to send and receive electronic invoices without paper; Kofax Front Office Server that triggers back office business processes from front office equipment; and Kofax Monitor to monitor and analyze the performance of capture systems. It also offers Kofax Communication Server, which enables the automated exchange of business critical information linking devices, including MFPs, fax, phone systems, and email and SMS, as well as applications comprising ERP and CRM systems, and Kofax Capture; Kofax Express that captures paper documents into archives; and Kofax VRS Elite, a scanner that automatically examines documents and applies the correct settings to deliver scanned images. In addition, the company provides Atalasoft DotImage SDK, a photo and document imaging toolkit for the Microsoft .NET platform that enables image scanning, viewing, annotation, compression, and processing for customized desktop or Web applications; MarkView for Accounts Payable, which is used for transaction processing; MarkView AP Advisor to control financial functions; and SupplierExpress that processes invoice capture and entry, as well as professional, training, and support services. Further, it offers industry solutions for banking, mortgage processing, insurance, government, business process outsourcing, and health care segments; Microsoft Sharepoint solutions; business processes, such as invoice processing, digital mailroom, and medical claims processing; and resources, including case studies, white papers, customers, blogs, webinars, newsletter, and video testimonials. Kofax plc was founded in 1985 and is headquartered in Irvine, California.

10 Best Trucking Stocks To Watch Right Now: Bloomsbury Pubshng(BMY.L)

Bloomsbury Publishing Plc operates as an independent publishing house. It engages in publishing books; and developing electronic databases. The company publishes media and electronic reference materials, children and educational books, fiction and non-fiction books, audio books, dictionaries, ornithology books, nautical books, photocopiable books, and literary books, as well as provides public library online service. It also publishes research in archaeology, classics, ancient history, and ancient philosophy, as well as reference works. In addition, the company involves in the sale of publishing and distribution rights, sponsorship, and database contracts. Bloomsbury Publishing Plc sells its products in the United Kingdom, North America, Continental Europe, and Australia. The company was founded in 1986 and is based in London, the United Kingdom.

10 Best Trucking Stocks To Watch Right Now: Hillenbrand Industries Inc. (HRC)

Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc. manufactures and provides medical technologies and related services for the health care industry worldwide. It offers patient support system, safe mobility and handling solutions, medical equipment rental services, surgical products, and information technology solutions, as well as non-invasive therapeutic products for acute and chronic medical conditions. The company rents and sells patient support systems, which include various bed systems, and integrated and non-integrated therapeutic bed surfaces for use in high, mid, and low acuity settings; and non-invasive therapeutic products and surfaces for the prevention and treatment of various acute and chronic medical conditions, including pulmonary, wound, and bariatric conditions. It also provides rentals and health care provider asset management services for moveable medical equipment, such as ventilators, defibrillators, intravenous pumps, and patient monitoring equipment; mobility solutions, inclu ding lifts and other devices used to move patients; architectural products comprising headwalls and power columns; and health care furniture solutions. In addition, the company develops and markets various communications technologies and software solutions primarily to improve patient safety at the point of care; and surgical products, including a range of positioning devices for use in shoulder, hip, spinal, and lithotomic surgeries, as well as platform-neutral positioning accessories for operating room tables. It sells its products primarily to acute and extended care health care facilities through direct sales force and distributors. The company was formerly known as Hillenbrand Industries, Inc. and changed its name to Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc. in March 2008. Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc. was founded in 1969 and is headquartered in Batesville, Indiana.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Stephen Simpson, CFA]

  On the antennas side, PCTEL antennas can be used in a wide variety of applications from mobile radio to WiFi to GPS and machine-to-machine communication. PCTEL management defines the company's core addressable market as a 5% to 10% slice of a $30 billion market for process automation, smart grid, public safety, fleet management, and enterprise WLAN. Companies ranging from Harris (HRC) to Deere (DE) to Cisco (CSCO) have used PCTEL antennas, and Cisco incorporates the company's antennas into their higher-end wireless products.

10 Best Trucking Stocks To Watch Right Now: Sylogist Ltd.(SYZ.V)

Sylogist Ltd. provides financial enterprise information management systems, system connectivity solutions, and portal applications to municipal, education, and private sector customers in Canada and the United States. The company?s Enterprise Systems division offers a suite of software applications, including Web-based solutions, collaborative meeting management products, and employee and citizen self-service applications that allow municipalities, utilities, and school districts to manage their financial, human resources, and operational requirements; and implementation services. It delivers its solutions as customer installed solutions, or supplies in a software-as-a-service format. The company?s Connectivity division provides Sylobridge to connect transactional sub-systems to various enterprise resource planning systems; and Syloway mobile software, which is used in inventory and manufacturing control, logistics, work order management, and automated data capture appli cations. Sylogist Ltd. is headquartered in Calgary, Canada.

5 Best Medical Stocks To Watch Right Now

In this video, David Williamson reviews Johnson & Johnson's latest earnings report. The over-the-counter and nutritional business both grew, as did the pharma division, with a blood thinner holding its own and a new diabetes drug that looks promising. Medical devices saw a 10% uptick, but that was considered a disappointment in light of recent acquisitions.

David says he's neutral on the stock, but he also notes its 2.9% dividend and thinks it could prove to be a safe long-term investment. Check out the video for more details.

Is bigger really better?
Involved in everything from baby powder to biotech, Johnson & Johnson has its critics convinced that the company is spread way too thin. If you want to know whether J&J is nothing but a bloated corporate whale -- or a well-diversified giant that's perfect for your portfolio -- check out the Fool's new premium report outlining the Johnson & Johnson story in terms that any investor can understand. Claim your copy by clicking here now.�

5 Best Medical Stocks To Watch Right Now: EntreMed Inc (ENMD)

EntreMed, Inc. (EntreMed), incorporated in 1991, is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company. EntreMed's drug candidate is ENMD-2076, an Aurora A and angiogenic kinase inhibitor for the treatment of cancer. ENMD-2076 has completed Phase I studies in patients with advanced solid tumors, multiple myeloma and leukemia and is completing data for a multi-center Phase II study in patients with platinum resistant ovarian cancer. The Company�� other product candidates have includes MKC-1, ENMD-1198 and 2-methoxyestrdiol (2ME2, Panzem) for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

ENMD-2076 is a novel orally-active, Aurora A/angiogenic kinase inhibitor with potent activity against Aurora A and multiple tyrosine kinases linked to cancer and inflammatory diseases. ENMD-2076 is relatively selective for the Aurora A isoform in comparison to Aurora B. Aurora kinases are key regulators of the process of mitosis, or cell division, and are often over-expressed in human cancers. ENMD-2076 exerts its effects through multiple mechanisms of action, including anti-proliferative activity and the inhibition of angiogenesis. ENMD-2076 has demonstrated significant, dose-dependent preclinical activity as a single agent, including tumor regression, in multiple xenograft models (such as breast, colon, leukemia), as well as activity towards ex vivo-treated human leukemia patient cells.

5 Best Medical Stocks To Watch Right Now: Applied Nanotech Holdings Inc (APNT.OB)

Applied Nanotech Holdings, Inc., incorporated on May 22, 1989, is engaged in nanotechnology research and development business. The Company's nanotechnology research involves performing contract research and development services for others to develop products and materials for new applications, and then leveraging this research by applying it to other similar applications in other industries. The Company also develops intellectual property (IP) around its products and technologies. The Company develops five technology platforms: nanosensor technology; nanocomposites, based on carbon nanotube composites; thermal management materials; nanoelectronics applications, and electron emission activities, primarily in the display area. The Company's electron emission IP is divided into display activities and non-display activities. Applied Nanotech Holdings, Inc. is the parent company. Applied Nanotech, Inc. (ANI) is a subsidiary of ANHI. During the year ended December 31, 2012, t he Company formed EZDiagnostix, Inc., (EZDX).

Sensors

The Company develops sensors based on ion mobility sensor technology and differential mobility spectroscopy. The Company is involved in projects to develop Mercaptan and Methane sensors for uses in the natural gas industry. The Company is also applying this technology to other applications, including agricultural pathology, wound care, and breath analysis. The Company develops hydrogen sensor for use in the measurement of hydrogen in power transformer products. The Company develops carbon monoxide sensor that can last for 10,000 hours on a single battery. The Company's carbon nanotube technology is for use in biosensors. Sensors based on carbon nanotubes or other nanomaterials can be used to detect chemical, organic, or biological warfare agents, as well as explosives, hydrogen, ammonia and numerous other chemicals.

Nanocomposites

The Company is in the advanced stages of development of nanomaterials using carbon nanotube (CNT)! ! and other composites. Epoxies are used in industries with worldwide markets, with applications, including adhesives, paints, coatings, and composites. In addition to epoxy resins, the Company develops other types of resins, including polyesters and vinyl esters. Vinyl esters are used in a variety of industrial applications, including storage tanks, piping, and construction. The Company develops a process for coating nylon pellets with CNTs to improves electrical conductivity. Nylon 6 with improved electrical conductivity can be used for its anti-static qualities, electrostatic discharge, and electromagnetic/RF shielding.

Thermal Management

The Company markets thermal management material called CarbAl. CarbAl provides a passive thermal management solution for temperature control issues that plague electronics manufacturers. CarbAl is a carbon based metal nanocomposite comprised of 80% carbonaceous matrix and a dispersed metal component of 20% aluminu m. The Company also develops a simplified version of CarbAl based on graphite.

Conductive Inks

The Company develops aluminum and silver inks and pastes that is ideal for use in the production of solar cells. The Company also develops aluminum paste that can be used in current solar cell production.

The Company competes with Zyvex Performance Materials, GSI Creos, Amroy Europe, Ltd., DuPont and Ferro

Top 10 China Stocks To Buy Right Now: Prima BioMed Ltd (PBMD.W)

Prima BioMed Ltd is a biotechnology company is engaged in the development and commercialization of medical therapies with a focus on oncology. Its product candidates in development include Cvac, an autologous dendritic cell vaccine for ovarian cancer, monoclonal antibodies for multiple tumour types, and an oral formulation for the human papilloma virus (HPV), vaccine. Its product candidate Cvac is a dendritic cell therapy, for which it is conducting a Phase IIb trial for the treatment of ovarian cancer. Cvac is designed to target the tumour antigen mucin-1, which is expressed at high levels on different tumour types. It also has two preclinical product development programs. In May 2011, Prima BioMed GmbH, a 100 % owned subsidiary of Prima BioMed Ltd, was incorporated in Germany. In May 2011, Prima BioMed Middle East FZLLC, a 100 % owned subsidiary of Prima BioMed Ltd, was incorporated in the United Arab Emirates.

5 Best Medical Stocks To Watch Right Now: Cell Therapeutics Inc (CTIC)

Cell Therapeutics, Inc. (CTI), incorporated in 1991, develops, acquires and commercializes treatments for cancer. The Company�� research, development, acquisition and in-licensing activities concentrate on identifying and developing new ways to treat cancer. As of December 31, 2011, CTI focused its efforts on Pixuvri (pixantrone dimaleate) (Pixuvri), OPAXIO (paclitaxel poliglumex) (OPAXIO), tosedostat, brostallicin and bisplatinates. As of December 31, 2011, it developed Pixuvri, an anthracycline derivative for the treatment of hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. Another late-stage drug candidate of the Company, OPAXIO, is being studied as a potential maintenance therapy for women with advanced stage ovarian cancer, who achieve a complete remission following first-line therapy with paclitaxel and carboplatin. As of December 31, 2011, it also developed tosedostat in collaboration with Chroma Therapeutics, Ltd. (Chroma). On May 31, 2012, CTI completed its acquisition gaining worldwide rights to S*BIO Pte Ltd.'s (S*BIO) pacritinib.

Pixuvri

As of December 31, 2011, the Company developed Pixuvri, an aza-anthracenedione derivative, for the treatment of non-Hodgkin�� lymphoma (NHL), and various other hematologic malignancies, and solid tumors. Pixuvri was studied in the Company�� EXTEND, or PIX301, clinical trial, which was a phase III single-agent trial of Pixuvri for patients with relapsed, refractory aggressive NHL who received two or more prior therapies and who were sensitive to treatment with anthracyclines. On September 28, 2011, CTI announced that a second independent radiology assessment of response and progression endpoint data from its PIX301 clinical trial of Pixuvri was achieved with statistical significance. The results of the EXTEND trial met its primary endpoint and showed that patients randomized to treatment with Pixuvri achieved a significantly higher rate of confirmed and unconfirmed complete response compared to patients treated with standard chem! otherapy had a significantly increased overall response rate and experienced a statistically significant improvement in median progression free survival. Pixuvri had predictable and manageable toxicities when administered at the proposed dose and schedule in the EXTEND clinical trial in heavily pre-treated patients. In March 2011, the Company initiated the PIX-R trial to study Pixuvri in combination with rituximab in patients with relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Pixuvri has also been studied in patients with HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer who have tumor progression after at least two, but not more than three, prior chemotherapy regimens. In the second quarter of 2010, the NCCTG opened this phase II study for enrollment. The study is closed to accrual and results are expected to be reported by the NCCTG later in 2012.

OPAXIO

OPAXIO is the Company�� biologically-enhanced chemotherapeutic agent that links paclitaxel to a biodegradable polyglutamate polymer, resulting in a new chemical entity. As of December 31, 2011, the Company focused its development of OPAXIO on ovarian, brain, esophageal, head and neck cancer. OPAXIO was designed to improve the delivery of paclitaxel to tumor tissue while protecting normal tissue from toxic side effects. In November 2010, results were presented by the Brown University Oncology Group from a phase II trial of OPAXIO combined with temozolomide (TMZ), and radiotherapy in patients with newly-diagnosed, high-grade gliomas, a type of brain cancer. The trial demonstrated a high rate of complete and partial responses and a high rate of six month progression free survival (PFS). Based on these results, the Brown University Oncology Group has initiated a randomized, multicenter, phase II study of OPAXIO and standard radiotherapy versus TMZ and radiotherapy for newly diagnosed patients with glioblastoma with an active gene termed MGMT that reduces responsiveness to TMZ. A phase I/II study of OPAXIO combined with radi! otherapy ! and cisplatin was initiated by SUNY Upstate Medical University, in patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer.

Tosedostat

In March 2011, the Company entered into a co-development and license agreement with Chroma Therapeutics, Ltd. (Chroma), providing the Company with marketing and co-development rights to Chroma�� drug candidate, tosedostat, in North, Central and South America. Tosedostat is an oral, aminopeptidase inhibitor that has demonstrated anti-tumor responses in blood related cancers and solid tumors in phase I-II clinical trials. Interim results from the phase II OPAL study of tosedostat in elderly patients with relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) showed that once-daily, oral doses of tosedostat had predictable and manageable toxicities and results demonstrated response rates, including a high-response rate among patients who received prior hypomethylating agents, which are used to treat myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a precursor of AML.

Brostallicin

As of December 31, 2011, the Company developed brostallicin through its wholly owned subsidiary, Systems Medicine LLC, which holds rights to use, develop, import and export brostallicin. Brostallicin is a synthetic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) minor groove binding agent that has demonstrated anti-tumor activity and a favorable safety profile in clinical trials, in which more than 230 patients have been treated as of December 31, 2011. The Company uses a genomic-based platform to guide the development of brostallicin. A phase II study of brostallicin in relapsed, refractory soft tissue sarcoma met its predefined activity and safety hurdles and resulted in a first-line phase II clinical trial study that was conducted by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC).

The Company competes with Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Sanofi-Aventis, Pfizer, Roche Group, Genentech, Inc., Astellas Pharma, Eli Lilly and Company, Celgene, Telik, I! nc., TEVA! Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd. and PharmaMar.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By John Udovich]

  If you have not been watching the biotech sector lately, you should start paying attention as the sector along with small cap biotech stocks like Cell Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ: CTIC), BIND Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ: BIND) and TNI BioTech (OTCMKTS: TNIB) continue to produce a steady stream of good news for investors thanks to positive industry trends. Moreover, Ophthotech Corp (NASDAQ: OPHT), Foundation Medicine Inc (NASDAQ: FMI), Evoke Pharma and Fate Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ: FATE) are this week's biotech IPOs that will no doubt be watched closely by Wall Street and industry observers in general. With that in mind, consider the following biotech news or recent articles about the industry and the small cap players in it:

• [By John Udovich]

  Large and small cap cancer stocks Gilead Sciences, Inc (NASDAQ: GILD), Celgene Corporation (NASDAQ: CELG), Veracyte (NASDAQ: VCYT), Genomic Health, Inc (NASDAQ: GHDX), Cell Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ: CTIC) and MetaStat Inc (OTCMKTS: MTST) have all been producing a steady stream of news lately for biotech investors looking for a way to cash in on the growth in development of�cancer treatments. Just consider the following news:

• [By Nathalie Tadena]

  Among the companies with shares expected to actively trade in Friday’s session are Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc.(VNDA), Kimberly-Clark(KMB) and Cell Therapeutics(CTIC).

5 Best Medical Stocks To Watch Right Now: StemCells Inc (STEM)

StemCells, Inc. (StemCells), incorporated in August 1988, is engaged in the research, development, and commercialization of stem cell therapeutics and related tools and technologies for academia and industry. The Company is focused on developing and commercializing stem and progenitor cells as the basis for therapeutics and therapies, and cells and related tools and technologies to enable stem cell-based research and drug discovery and development. The Company�� primary research and development efforts are focused on identifying and developing stem and progenitor cells as potential therapeutic agents. The Company has two therapeutic product development programs, including its CNS Program, which is developing applications for HuCNS-SC cells, its human neural stem cell product candidate, and its Liver Program, which is characterizing the Company�� human liver cells as a therapeutic product.

CNS Program

The Company in its CNS Program, is in clinical development with its HuCNS-SC cells for a range of disorders of the central nervous system. The CNS includes the brain, spinal cord and eye. In February 2012, the Company had completed a Phase I clinical trial in Pelizeaus-Merzbacher Disease (PMD), a fatal myelination disorder in the brain.

The Company�� CNS Program is focused on developing clinical applications, in which transplanting HuCNS-SC cells protect or restore organ function of the patient before such function is irreversibly damaged or lost due to disease progression. The Company�� initial target indications are PMD, and more generally, diseases in which deficient myelination plays a central role, such as cerebral palsy or multiple sclerosis; spinal cord injury, disorders in which retinal degeneration plays a central role, such as age-related macular degeneration or retinitis pigmentosa. The Company�� product candidate, HuCNS-SC cells, is a purified and expanded composition of normal human neural stem cells. Its HuCNS-SC cells can be directly transp! lanted.

Liver Program

Liver stem or progenitor cells offer an alternative treatment for liver diseases. A liver cellular therapy or cell-based therapeutic provide or support liver function in patients with liver disease. The Company held a portfolio of issued and allowed patents in the liver field, which cover the isolation and use of both hLEC cells and the isolated subset, as well as the composition of the cells themselves.

The Company�� range of cell culture products, which are sold under the SC Proven brand, includes iSTEM, GS1-R, GS2-M, RHB-A, RHB-Basal, NDiff N2, and NDiff N2B27. Its iSTEM is a serum-free, feeder-free medium that maintains mouse embryonic stem cells in their pluripotent ground state by using selective small molecule inhibitors to block the pathways, which induce differentiation. RHB-A is a defined, serum-free culture medium for the selective culture of human and mouse neural stem cells and their maintenance and expansion as adherent cell populations. RHB-Basal is a defined, serum-free basal medium. When supplemented with specific growth factors, this media is formulated for the propagation and differentiation of adherent neural stem cells. RHB-Basal can also be tailored to specific-cell type requirements by the addition of customer preferred supplements.

The Company�� NDiff N2 is a defined serum-free scell culture supplement for the derivation, maintenance, expansion and/or differentiation of human and mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells and tissue-derived neural stem cells supplement. Its NDiff N2-AF is a serum-free and animal component-free version of NDiff N2. Its NDiff N2B27 is a defined, serum-free medium for the differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells to neural cell types. NDiff N27-AF is a serum-free and animal component-free version of NDiff N27. Its GS1-R is a serum-free media formulation shown to enable the derivation and long-term maintenance of true, germline competent rat embryonic stem cells without the add! ition of ! cytokines or growth factors. Its GS2-M is a defined, serum- and feeder-free medium for the derivation and long-term maintenance of true, germline competent mouse iPS cells.

The Company also markets a number of antibody reagents for use in cell detection, isolation and characterization. These reagents are also under the SC Proven brand and it includes STEM24, STEM101, STEM121 and STEM123. Its STEM24 is a human antibody that recognizes human CD24, also known as heat stable antigen (HSA), a glycoprotein expressed on the surface of many human cell types, including immature human hematopoietic cells, peripheral blood lymphocytes, erythrocytes and many human carcinomas. Its CD24 is also a marker of human neural differentiation. Its STEM101 is a human-specific mouse antibody that recognizes the Ku80 protein found in human nuclei. Its STEM121 is a human-specific mouse antibody that recognizes a cytoplasmic protein of human cells. Its STEM123 is a human-specific mouse antibody that recognizes human glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP).

The Company�� Other products marketed under SC Proven include total cell genomic DNA (gDNA), RNA and protein lysate reagents purified from homogenous stem cell populations for intra-comparative studies, such as Epigenetic fingerprinting, Southern, Western and Northern blots, PCR, RT-PCR and microarrays. This range of purified stem cell line lysates includes mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells propagated in SC Proven 2i inhibitor-based GS2-M media and mouse ES cell-derived and fetal tissue-derived neural stem (NS) cells propagated in SC Proven RHB-A media.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By James E. Brumley]

  When an investor thinks of spinal-related stem cell stocks, usually a name like Neuralstem, Inc (NYSEMKT: CUR) or StemCells Inc (NASDAQ: STEM) comes to mind. And well they should. STEM has logged some amazing breakthroughs in the field of spinal cord repair, while CUR has done the same. Not all back problems are spinal cord related though. In fact, most back problems - and therefore the most opportunity - are bone and disc related problems. That's where a young gun like BioRestorative Therapies (OTCBB: BRTX) can step in and make stem cell waves. BRTX has developed an approach to rejuvenate and revive failing spinal discs, potentially ending pain for millions of back-pain sufferers, and circumventing expensive spinal surgeries that are in increasing burden on insurance companies.

• [By John Udovich]

  The results of a recent Pew Center Poll regarding attitudes towards abortion and various forms of stem cell research could be a good sign for the stem cell industry along with small cap stem cell stocks like StemCells Inc (NASDAQ: STEM), NeoStem Inc (NASDAQ: NBS), Neuralstem, Inc (NYSEMKT: CUR),�International Stem Cell Corp (OTCMKTS: ISCO) and BioRestorative Therapies (OTCBB: BRTX). Basically, Americans think that having an abortion is a moral issue with 49% of American adults believing abortion is morally wrong, 23%�view it not as a moral issue and and 15% view it as morally acceptable. However and when Americans were asked about issues surrounding�human embryos, such as stem cell research or in vitro fertilization, as a matter of morality, their views were different.

Top 10 Financial Companies For 2014

In the last Neostem article we discussed some of the key events coming in 2014 that could significantly impact the share price, and we provided some superficial details on the company's structure and financial situation. This article will elaborate on what we view as the single most important catalyst for Neostem this year - the Phase II data release for AMR-001. We believe that it is excitement over the completed enrollment phase of this trial that has already driven shares of NBS 19% higher YTD (at time of writing).

PreSERVE-AMI

This is the Phase II trial for AMR-001 in ST Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction, or STEMI.

AMR-001 is a therapy made up of patient cells that are altered to rapidly increase perfusion to damaged tissue. This is a possible way to reduce damage to affected regions of heart muscle during the recovery stage of a heart attack. AMR-001 is quite unique in its therapeutic application, and it does not have a direct competitor. Because of this, the trial is only attempting to prove the efficacy of this autologous cell therapy against placebo.

Top 10 Financial Companies For 2014: Interm.cap(ICP.L)

Intermediate Capital Group PLC is a private equity firm specializing in mezzanine financing and mid-market investments in growth capital, restructuring, acquisitions, public to private transactions with or without private equity backing, management buyouts and management buyins, development capital, public quoted company finance, off-balance-sheet finance, refinancings and recapitalizations, and pre-IPO financing. The firm does not invest in property companies or start-ups. It seeks to invest in companies whose principal place of business is the European Union, Bulgaria, Romania, North America, and the Asia Pacific, including Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. The firm provides mezzanine financing in the range between ?15 million ($21.43 million) and ?500 million ($714.18 million) to firms with an enterprise values between ?250 million ($338.48 million) and ?1 billion ($1353.94 million). The firm seeks to acquire minority stak es. It generally structures its financing in the form of subordinated loan with equity warrants, as preference shares, convertible loan, leveraged loans, mezzanine loans, and CDOs. The firm provides loans for a maturity period between seven years and ten years with repayments to be made in one payment at final maturity. Its mezzanine investments are usually structured to provide a cash yield between three percent and four percent over the relevant interbank rate, plus an additional return to reflect the risk involved. The firm seeks to invest in debt. The firm is also a manager of third party mezzanine, CDO, and Institutional Client Funds. Intermediate Capital Group PLC was founded in 1989 and is based in London with additional offices across Europe, North America, and Asia.

Top 10 Financial Companies For 2014: Transpac Industrial Hldgs Ltd (T55.SI)

Transpac Industrial Holdings Limited, an investment holding company, provides venture capital to companies with capital appreciation potential in Asia. It invests in the securities of growing private companies principally located in China/Hong Kong SAR, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia. The company is based in Singapore.

Top 10 Gold Companies To Buy For 2014: Primco Management Inc (PMCM.OB)

Primco Management Inc., incorporated on October 14, 2010, is a development-stage company. The Company focuses on offering estate management services for its clients and retention on a range of properties including class A office space, industrial, manufacturing, and warehousing facilities as well as data centers and retail outlets for real estate users. In addition, it also focuses on offering consulting services, including site selection, feasibility studies, exit strategies, market forecasts, strategic planning, and research services. In February 2013, the Company announced that ESMG, Inc. took controlling interest in the Company through the acquisition of more than 80% interest of the Company. In February 2013, it purchased the music catalog of D&B Music. In May 2013, the Company acquired Top Sail Productions.

As of December 31, 2010, the Company did not have any operations. During the year ended December 31, 2010, it did not generate any revenues.

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Top 10 Financial Companies For 2014: HENDERSON GROUP PLC ORD GBP0.125(HGG.L)

Henderson Group plc is an asset management holding entity. Through its subsidiaries, the firm provides services to institutional, retail clients, and high net worth clients. It manages separate client-focused equity and fixed income portfolios. The firm also manages equity, fixed income, and balanced mutual funds for its clients. It invests in public equity and fixed income markets, as well as invests in real estate and private equity. Henderson Group plc was founded in 1934 and is based in London, United Kingdom with additional offices in Jersey, United Kingdom and Sydney, Australia.

Top 10 Financial Companies For 2014: Clearbridge Energy MLP Total Return Fund Inc (CTR)

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Top 10 Financial Companies For 2014: Dupont Fabros Technology Inc. (DFT)

DuPont Fabros Technology, Inc., a real estate investment trust (REIT), engages in the ownership, acquisition, development, operation, management, and lease of large-scale data center facilities in the United States. The company leases its data centers to the American and international technology companies to house, power, and cool the computer servers that support their critical business processes. It also provides certain technical services to tenants, including layout design and installation of electrical power circuits, data cabling, server cabinets and racks, computer room airflow analyses, and monitoring. As of December 31, 2011, the company owned and operated seven data centers located in Northern Virginia; one data center in suburban Chicago, Illinois; one data center in Piscataway, New Jersey; one data center in Santa Clara, California. DuPont Fabros Technology, Inc. has elected to be taxed as a REIT. As a REIT, it would not be subject to federal corporate income t axes if it distributes at least 90% of its taxable income to its stockholders. The company was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in Washington, District of Columbia.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Ong Kang Wei]

  For example, Digital Realty (DLR) is the undoubted leader in the data storage industry, with a market cap of $8.3B. Its other three competitors, DuPont Fabros (DFT), CoreSite Realty (COR) and CyrusOne (CONE), have market caps of $1.5B, $930M and $430M respectively. In addition, with the level of complexity involving Digital's business making it immensely difficult for companies to operate data centre facilities, the company is in a good position for future growth. The company also has a wide network of 595 tenants (significantly more than other competitors), including CenturyLink (CTL), AT&T and Morgan Stanley (MS). This further secures its long term business prospects and also its dominance over its competitors.

• [By Rich Duprey]

  Investors might find it fabulous that DuPont Fabros Technology� (NYSE: DFT  ) �has increased its second-quarter dividend, the third time in two years the payout has been increased.

• [By Rich Duprey]

  As noted last month, DuPont Fabros Technology�� (NYSE: DFT  ) �increased its�second-quarter dividend�25%, which will be paid on July 15 to shareholders of record on July 5. In addition to announcing this regular $0.25-per-share payout for its common stock, the data center operator also announced yesterday it would be paying dividends on two series of preferred stock, both of which will also be payable on July 15 to shareholders of record on July 5.

Top 10 Financial Companies For 2014: Augusta Capital Ltd (AUG.NZ)

Augusta Capital Limited, formerly Kermadec Property Fund Limited is engaged in the commercial and industrial property investment. Te Company operates in two segments: funds management and cleaning. The Company operates two divisions, including direct property investment and funds management. The Company in its direct property investment division holds and manages a portfolio of office and car parking properties in central Auckland. The Company�� funds management division is engaged in commercial property syndication. The Company, through Augusta Funds Management Limited, over 16 commercial property syndicates has been established. As of March 31, 2011, the Company had 100% interest in the shareholding in Metroclean Limited, a cleaning services Company.

Top 10 Financial Companies For 2014: 1st Constitution Bancorp(NJ)

1st Constitution Bancorp operates as a bank holding company for 1st Constitution Bank that provides community banking services to corporations, individuals, partnerships, and other community organizations in the central and northeastern New Jersey area. It offers various deposit products, including noninterest bearing demand deposits, interest bearing demand deposits, savings deposits, and time deposits, as well as certificates of deposit, and money market and NOW accounts. The company also provides a range of loan products comprising commercial loans for working capital, business expansion, and the purchase of equipment and machinery; construction loans to real estate developers for the acquisition, development and construction of residential subdivisions; residential consumer loans; term loans; lines of credit; loans secured by equipment and receivables; second mortgage home improvement loans; home equity lines of credit; and non-residential consumer loans for automobile s, recreation vehicles, and boats, as well as secured and unsecured personal loans, and deposit account secured loans. It provides its services through a network of 14 branches. The company was founded in 1989 and is based in Cranbury, New Jersey.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Monica Gerson]

  Nidec (NYSE: NJ) shares climbed 2.75% to $20.17. The volume of Nidec shares traded was 506% higher than normal. Nidec's trailing-twelve-month revenue is $9.42 billion.

Top 10 Financial Companies For 2014: Genesis Land Devel Com Npv (GDC.TO)

Genesis Land Development Corp., a real estate development company, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the acquisition, development, subdivision, construction, sale, and leasing of land, residential lots and homes, and commercial properties in Alberta and British Columbia. It operates in four divisions: Land Development, Single-Family Home Building, Multi-Family Home Building, and Commercial Development. The Land Development division principally develops residential lots in the cities of Calgary, Airdrie, Edmonton, and Cochrane, Alberta; and in Prince George, Kamloops, and Radium, British Columbia. The Single-Family Home Building division builds and sells single-family homes. The Multi-Family Home Building division builds town homes and apartment complexes. The Commercial division engages in selling, leasing, and developing commercial, industrial, and office properties. The company was formerly known as Genesis Capital Corp. and changed its name to Genesis Land Deve lopment Corp. in October 1998. Genesis Land Development Corp. was founded in 1997 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada.

Top 10 Financial Companies For 2014: Western Asset Global Partners Income Fund Inc. (GDF)

Western Asset Global Partners Income Fund Inc. operates as a close-ended fixed income mutual fund launched and advised by Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC. The fund is sub-advised by Western Asset Management Company. It primarily invests in the fixed income markets across the globe. The fund invests in high-yield U.S. and non-U.S. corporate debt securities and high-yield foreign sovereign debt securities. It benchmarks the performance of its portfolio against the Lehman Brothers U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Cap Index and the JPMorgan Emerging Markets Bond Index Global Index. The fund was formerly known as Salomon Brothers Global Partners Income Fund Inc. Western Asset Global Partners Income Fund was founded in 1993 and is based in the United States.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Chuck Carnevale]

  Our first example looks at Vectren Corp.�� historical earnings, a utility with a 15-year historical earnings growth rate that is below our 3% threshold established in Part 1. Note that fair valuation is calculated using Graham Dodd�� Formula (GDF) deriving a fair value PE of 13.8 (slightly below, but close to our PE 15 standard). However, a normal PE of 16 has been historically applied by Mr. Market. Therefore, valuation falls between a PE of 13.8 to 16, or well within a range of normalcy.

IMF director Lagarde hopeful U.S. will provide…

WASHINGTON — International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde said she hopes Congress will approve a transfer of money to an IMF program that allows the organization to respond more nimbly to economic crisis abroad.

Lagarde said she was disappointed that a $1.1 trillion U.S. budget proposal doesn't include the shift in funding for the IMF.

A Senate funding bill includes the money for the IMF, but a spending bill approved by the House Appropriations Committee on Tuesday rejected the Obama administration's request.

Congress' failure to include the 2010 quota and governance reforms in its legislation could weaken the U.S. influence in the IMF and as a world economic player, the Treasury Department has said.

"The IMF is critically important to U.S. economic and national security interests," Treasury spokeswoman Holly Shulman said.

"These reforms, which require no new U.S. financial commitment to the IMF, are critical to preserving the United States' leadership and influence at the IMF, and strengthening the IMF's financial and governance structures in which the United States has the largest share and veto power," she said.

Lagarde, who has been managing director of the IMF since July 2011, said she hoped the decision by the House committee can be resolved. She said she would find withdrawal of U.S. support for the reforms "extraordinary and disconcerting."

Conservative House Republicans oppose the IMF's efforts to shift power to emerging market countries such as China, India and Brazil.

"IMF's main mission is to help ensure financial stability in the world, which benefits all world economies, the U.S. being the largest and first among them," Lagarde said in a speech at the National Press Club. "I hope that sensible and common-sense judgment will prevail."

A 2010 agreement approved by the IMF's member countries pledged to double the fund's lending capacity to more than $730 billion.

"U.S. support is vital to that," she said.

! Lagarde said the global economic outlook for 2014 is positive, but world economies are performing below their potential.

"Global growth is still too low, too fragile, too uneven," she said.

Lagarde, 58, praised central bankers for keeping interest rates low as governments introduced economic stimulus packages to boost growth during the financial downturn. To enhance the growth and stabilize the world economies, central bankers must undo what they have done, "but slowly and properly timed," while governments reform their budgetary policies, she said.

Lagarde called the U.S. government shutdown last fall damaging to the world economy because it led to uncertainty and questions about whether the government can manage its finances. She said the budget deal is a step forward.

"We are all very pleased to see an orderly budget process is back on the Hill," Lagarde said. "Any deal is better than no deal."

Expect Turbulence After Airlines’ Strong Start

Just two weeks into 2014, and airline stocks are acting more like sexy biotech stocks than the airlines of old.

Associated Press

United Continental (DAL) has gained 20% since the start of the year, while American Airlines (AAL) and Delta Air Lines (DAL) have risen 15%. Southwest Airlines (LUV) has gained 11%.

Cowen’s Helane Becker and Conor Cunningham marvel at the strong start but worries about the impact of the bad weather:

In our 2014 outlook…we indicated we thought there were catalysts for airlines to trade higher; we didn’t expect it all in one week! Airlines reported very strong December traffic; as a result, we revised our 4Q13 EPS estimates higher…

The airlines cancelled +20k flights due to winter storms in the US Northeast/Midwest. We believe the industry impact to be $50MM to $100MM, with the higher end of the range more likely then we previously thought. As a result of the storms and cancelled flights, the airlines should see an artificial pop to PRASM. The PRASM increase is likely to be partially offset by an increase in costs, but airlines did not have fuel costs or landing fees while they were operating reduced schedules.

Top 5 Low Price Stocks For 2014

Morgan Stanley’s John Godyn and team expect “a year of strength.” The write:

Historically, 1Q tends to be a choppier quarter than 4Q for the stocks and some notable sources of PRASM volatility on the horizon – most impactful being the Easter shift – could very well trigger pullbacks throughout the quarter. But – we see an earnings season characterized by strong 4Q13 results and upbeat forward commentary. And – the longer-term outlook continues to be robust above and beyond even an increasingly bullish cons. as recent guidance updates and resulting stock momentum confirmed.

Cowen’s Becker and Cunningham make the case for United Continental:

United will look to begin to return capital to shareholders in 2015. The company will likely announce their plans in late 2014, with a combination of dividend and share repurchase program. United has put in place a plan to smooth out CAPEX, which should enable the company to systematically return capital to shareholders. We view a capital deployment plan as a major catalyst for the shares.

Shares of United Continental have gained 0.4% to $45.26 today at 12:05 p.m., while American Airlines has dropped 1% to $29.05, Southwest Airlines has fallen 0.8% to $20.86 and Delta Air Lines is off 0.1% at $31.45.