My top idea for conservative, income-oriented investors in the coming year is a closed-end fund that invests in public and privately-held companies doing work in the life sciences arena, writes Nate Pile of Nate's Notes.
The life sciences industry includes stocks in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, managed healthcare and medical equipment, and healthcare information technology and services.
This recommended fund��ambrecht & Quist Life Sciences Fund (HQL)��as also our top pick last year, and the fund rose 44% in 2013.
In addition to rising in value, the fund has a dividend policy of paying out 2% of its net asset value of each quarter.
By choosing to take this payout in the form of a dividend reinvestment, rather than cash, investors have done very well for themselves as they've watched, both the size of their holdings, and the share price itself, increase as the years have rolled by.
To be sure, you will always be able to get more bang for your buck by owning individual biotech stocks.
Top 10 Life Sciences Stocks To Watch For 2015: Interface Inc (TILE)
Interface, Inc., incorporated on August 28, 1981, is engaged in the business of design, production and sales of modular carpet, also known as carpet tile. The Company market modular carpet in over 110 countries under the brand names Interface and FLOR. The Company�� principal geographic markets are the Americas, Europe and Asia-Pacific. The Company manufactures carpet at two locations in the United States and at facilities in the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Thailand and China. The Company distributes its product through two primary channels direct sales to end users, and indirect sales through independent contractors or distributors. In August 2012, the Company sold its Bentley Prince Street business segment to an affiliate of Dominus Capital, L.P.
The Company�� modular carpet system, which is marketed under the global brands Interface and Heuga, utilizes carpet tiles cut in precise, dimensionally stable squares (usually 50 cm x 50 cm) or rectangles to produce a floorcovering that combines the appearance and texture of traditional soft floorcovering with the advantages of a modular carpet system. The Company�� GlasBac technology employs a fiberglass-reinforced polymeric composite backing that provides dimensional stability and reduces the need for adhesives or fasteners. The Company�� also make carpet tiles with a backing containing post-industrial and/or post-consumer recycled materials, which we market under the GlasBacRE brand. The Company also manufactures and sells two-meter roll goods that are structure-backed and offer many of the advantages of both carpet tile and broadloom carpet. The Company also sells its TacTiles carpet tile installation system, along with a range of adhesives and products for carpet installation and maintenance that are manufactured by a third party.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Seth Jayson]
Interface (Nasdaq: TILE ) reported earnings on April 24. Here are the numbers you need to know.
The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended March 31 (Q1), Interface missed estimates on revenues and missed estimates on earnings per share.
Top 10 Life Sciences Stocks To Watch For 2015: Ellie Mae Inc (ELLI)
Ellie Mae, Inc., incorporated October 14, 2007, is a provider of on-demand automation solutions for the mortgage industry. The Company offers an end-to-end solution, delivered using a Software-as-a-Service model that serves as the core operating system for mortgage originators and spans customer relationship management, loan origination and business management. It also hosts the Ellie Mae Network that allows Encompass users to electronically conduct business transactions with the lenders and settlement service providers they work with to process and fund loans. The Company's offerings include range of Encompass services and the DataTrac mortgage management software system. On August 15, 2011, it completed the acquisition of Del Mar Datatrac,Inc. (DMD).
Using the Company�� network technology, it has helped connect a fragmented world of mortgage bankers, mortgage brokers, community banks, credit unions, lenders, investors and service providers, all of which are integral to the origination and funding of residential mortgages. Its Encompass360 solutions include Encompass Product & Pricing Service; Ellie Mae Total Quality Loan Program; Encompass Compliance Service; Encompass Appraisal Service; Encompass CenterWise; Encompass Commissions; Encompass TPO WebCenter and Encompass Docs Solution.
Ellie Mae�� Total Quality Loan program helps in identifying compliance, income and fraud issues early in the origination process; help protect business from loan buy-backs, and fortify workflow and uncover and correct possible issues before you close the loan.Encompass Appraisal Service, integrated inside Encompass360, is that solution helps in completing order right from the loan file in Encompass360; import complete appraisal reports directly into eFolder, and customize appraisal workflow by type of loan and control, which its users can order appraisals. Its Encompass CenterWise wraps two essential Web and electronic document solutions into one unified package. Encompass Commissions is a ! commission management solution integrated inside Encompass360 that automates the calculation, reconciliation and communication of variable pay across your organization. Hosted Encompass360 Banker Edition users can connect directly with third-party originators (TPOs) without leaving Encompass360, and have them connect back in a secure, synchronized, and easy-to-use Web-based environment. Encompass Docs Solution provides a single, integrated application incorporating both initial disclosures and closing documents.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Lauren Pollock]
Among the companies with shares expected to actively trade in Friday’s session are WellCare Health Plans Inc.(WCG), First Solar Inc.(FSLR) and Ellie Mae Inc.(ELLI)
- [By Seth Jayson]
Ellie Mae (NYSE: ELLI ) reported earnings on April 30. Here are the numbers you need to know.
The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended March 31 (Q1), Ellie Mae beat slightly on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.
Top 5 Asian Companies To Watch For 2015: Penske Automotive Group Inc.(PAG)
Penske Automotive Group, Inc. operates as an automotive retailer. It sells new and used vehicles of approximately 40 vehicle brands; offers vehicle maintenance and repair services; and engages in the sale and placement of third-party finance and insurance products, third-party extended service contracts, and replacement and aftermarket automotive products. As of December 31, 2011, the company operated 320 retail automotive franchises, of which 166 franchises were located in the United States and 154 franchises are located outside of the United States primarily in the United Kingdom. It also has operations in Puerto Rico and Germany. Penske Automotive Group, Inc. was founded in 1990 and is headquartered in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Rich Duprey]
New- and user-car dealer�Penske Auto Group (NYSE: PAG ) announced today its second-quarter dividend of $0.16 per share, a 7% increase over the payout it made to investors last quarter of $0.15 per share.
- [By Seth Jayson]
Penske Automotive Group (NYSE: PAG ) reported earnings on April 29. Here are the numbers you need to know.
The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended March 31 (Q1), Penske Automotive Group missed estimates on revenues and beat slightly on earnings per share.
Top 10 Life Sciences Stocks To Watch For 2015: Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation(NTT)
Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides telecommunications services to residential and corporate customers in Japan. It offers fixed and mobile voice related services, IP/packet communications services, system integration and network system services, and other telecommunications related services; sells telecommunications equipment; and operates telephone networks. The company provides intra-prefectural and inter-prefectural communications, international communications, mobile telephone services, and related ancillary services; and data communications services, such as strategic planning, systems planning and systems design, and information communications systems and computer networks installation. It also engages in building maintenance, real estate property rental, systems development, leasing, and research and development activities. As of March 31, 2011, the company provided telephone and ISDN services to 34,884 thousand subs cribers; broadband services to 15,059 thousand FLET?S Hikari subscribers and 2,858 thousand FLET?S ADSL subscribers; and mobile phone services to 58,010 thousand subscribers. It also offered Plala Internet connection service to 3,101 thousand subscribers and Open Computer Network service to 8,234 thousand subscribers. Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation was founded in 1952 and is based in Tokyo, Japan.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By MARKETWATCH]
LOS ANGELES (MarketWatch) -- Japanese stocks opened lower Thursday, as gains for the yen and losses for Wall Street conspired to drive the Nikkei Stock Average (JP:NIK) down 1.2% to 15,333.35, extending Wednesday's 0.6% loss. The Topix fell 0.7%, with the U.S. dollar (USDJPY) slipping to 102.46 yen, down from around 楼102.80 at the start of the previous session, but off its lows in late Wednesday trade. Electronics firms and other techs helped lead the loss, with Sony Corp. (JP:6758) (SNE) falling 1.4%, Nikon Corp. (JP:7731) (NINOF) off 2.4%, and Alps Electric Co. (JP:6770) 1.8% lower. The Nikkei Asian Review reported Thursday that Japan looked set to post its first trade deficit for electronics goods this year. Shares of Yahoo Japan Corp. (JP:4689) (YAHOF) lost 1.4%, even as Bloomberg reported the firm was offering its stake in market-research firm Macromill Inc. (JP:3730) to U.S. private-equity firm Bain Capital at a premium to its most recent close. Shares of Macromill were untraded. Among gainers, Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp. (JP:9432) (NTT) rose 2.1%, following a 1.1% gain for its U.S.-listed shares.
- [By Damian Illia] t wireless service provider in the country with 62.2 million subscribers. And it also owns the two incumbent fixed-line operators, NTT East and NTT West, which account for a 50% market share. Moreover, it provides information and communications technology and data services, which the firm improved in 2010 by boosting its capabilities through the acquisition of Dimension Data and Keane.
A Narrow Moat
Its size and cost advantages have carved the firm a narrow economic moat. Apart from controlling half of Japan�� total wireline market, the company has a 43% market share of the wireless business. To manage such volume, Nippon has built the largest telecom networks in Japan, which support a higher percentage of calls, thus resulting in cost savings. Additionally, its scale provides it with a competitive upside when negotiating pricing discounts with suppliers.
Supporting Leadership
Nippon generates a healthy free cash flow of over JPY500 billion annually, which it diligently uses to keep an edge over competition. Thus, it was the first company to launch LTE services in 2010, which gave it a two-year advantage over its rivals. Since then, its improved network has boosted data usage as well as average revenue per user.
Furthermore, Nippon recently gained access to the iPhone, which earns the firm the opportunity to reverse its share losses in the youth market. Earlier, market share on the wireless side had declined in favor of competitor Softbank Corp. (SFTBF), which had exclusive rights to sell Apple Inc. (AAPL)�� iPhone in Japan.
On the other hand, the firm is near to completing the roll out of its fiber to the home network, which has a broader reach than its competitors. Moreover, it allows broadband speeds of 200 Mb/second, which is faster than cable operators��offering and a rarity among incumbent telecom operators.
Downsides
However positive for long-term growth, the building of its FTTH network depressed
Top 10 Life Sciences Stocks To Watch For 2015: Basilea Pharmaceutica AG (BSLN)
Basilea Pharmaceutica AG is a Switzerland-based company engaged in the research, development and commercialization of pharmaceutical products. The Company focuses on pharmaceutical products in the therapeutic areas of bacterial infections, fungal infections and oncology. The Company has a range of drugs to treat drug-resistant bacterial infections, systemic fungal infections and drug-resistant tumors. The Company�� anti-infectives, including isavuconazole and ceftobiprole are in late-stage clinical development, while the novel antibiotic, BAL30072 and the oncology compound, BAL101553 are in clinical phase I. The Company�� subsidiaries include Basilea Pharmaceutica China Ltd., Basilea Pharmaceuticals A/S, Basilea Pharma SAS, Basilea Pharmaceutica Deutschland GmbH, Basilea Pharmaceutica International Ltd., BPh Investitionen Ltd., Basilea Medical Ltd. and Basilea Pharmaceuticals Ltd. Advisors' Opinion:- [By Corinne Gretler]
Basilea Pharmaceutica AG (BSLN) increased 2.1 percent to 107.10 francs. The Swiss drug developer said the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted orphan-drug designation to its isavuconazole for the treatment of zygomycosis, a life-threatening fungal infection.
Top 10 Life Sciences Stocks To Watch For 2015: Intralinks Holdings Inc (IL)
IntraLinks Holdings, Inc. (IntraLinks), incorporated in June 1996, together with its subsidiaries, is a global provider of Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solutions for securely managing content, exchanging critical business information and collaborating within and among organizations. The Company�� cloud-based solutions enable organizations to control, track, search and exchange time-sensitive information inside and outside the firewall, all within a secure environment. The Company provide services to enterprises and governmental agencies in over 60 countries across a variety of industries, including financial services, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, consumer, energy, industrial, legal, insurance, real estate and technology. The Company sells its solutions directly through an enterprise sales team with industry-specific expertise and indirectly through a customer referral network and channel partners. In April 2013, it acquired MergerID. Concurrently, IntraLinks acquired PE-Nexus LLC.
The Company delivers its solutions through a cloud-based model where they are available on-demand over the Internet using a multi-tenant SaaS architecture in which a single instance of its software serves all of its customers. The Company provides its customers with various services, including access to its cloud-based IntraLinks Platform, access to one or more of its intraLinks exchanges, and related customer support and other services.
The Company competes with Merrill Corporation, RR Donnelley & Sons Company, EMC Corporation and International Business Machines Corp. (IBM).
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Seth Jayson]
IntraLinks Holdings (NYSE: IL ) reported earnings on May 8. Here are the numbers you need to know.
The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended March 31 (Q1), IntraLinks Holdings beat expectations on revenues and met expectations on earnings per share. - [By Lee Jackson]
IntraLinks Holdings Inc. (NYSE: IL) is a leading global software as a service (SaaS) provider of inter-enterprise content management and collaboration solutions. It recently launched Intralinks DealNexus, the largest global deal marketplace and professional network for qualified mergers and acquisitions (M&A) professionals. Intralinks DealNexus offers a secure and confidential way for dealmakers to find and engage the best buyers or capital partners, and it is used by more than 5,000 private equity firms, corporations, investment banks and advisors to intelligently connect and exchange deal opportunities. Wunderlich rates the company a stock to buy and has a $17 price objective. The consensus target is $12.The stock closed on Friday at $8.61.
Top 10 Life Sciences Stocks To Watch For 2015: Vocus Inc.(VOCS)
Vocus, Inc. provides cloud marketing software that enables businesses attract, engage, and retain customers in the United States, Europe, Asia, and Morocco. It offers a suite of software for social media marketing, search marketing, email marketing, and publicity. The company?s cloud marketing solutions include search marketing and news distribution solution that helps customers increase their online visibility and organic search engine rankings with press releases; and email marketing solution, which provides a method of keeping in touch with prospects and customers by using professional looking emails to send newsletters, special offers, and other useful content. Its cloud marketing solutions also comprise social media software solution that helps customers run social marketing campaigns, as well as monitor and analyze conversations across multiple social networks and other online Websites; and publicity solution, which offers media database, news monitoring, and analyt ics and publicity opportunities that help companies increase their media exposure, manage relationships with reporters, and monitor and analyze trends unfolding in the media. The company also provides professional services that consist of data migration, custom development, and training. Vocus, Inc. sells its products to the financial and insurance, technology, healthcare and pharmaceutical, and retail and consumer products industries, as well as government agencies, not-for-profit organizations, and educational institutions through its direct sales channels, indirect sales channels, and the Internet. Vocus, Inc. was founded in 1988 and is headquartered in Beltsville, Maryland.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Seth Jayson]
Vocus (Nasdaq: VOCS ) reported earnings on April 23. Here are the numbers you need to know.
The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended March 31 (Q1), Vocus met expectations on revenues and missed estimates on earnings per share. - [By The GeoTeam]
Our recent 2013 articles on SaaS companies Selectica (SLTC), E2open (EOPN), Responsys (MKTG), Vocus (VOCS), and ExactTarget (ET) highlighted such opportunities. The average return since the inception of our coverage currently stands at around 34% (55% at their highs).
Top 10 Life Sciences Stocks To Watch For 2015: Global Links Corp (GLCO)
Global Links Corp. (Global Links) is engaged in real estate acquisitions and development, real estate information services and international housing projects. The Company owns approximately 996 undeveloped residential lots in the Valle Vista Subdivision. This land consists of residential lots that have not yet been developed. The Company's office building comprises 9,300 square feet, which is acquired as an empty shell, in June 2004, and completed tenant improvements in October 2004. As at December 31, 2005, the Sunset Office Building is wholly occupied. The Company occupies 15% of the building; the remaining 85% is occupied by Southwest Title Company. In August 2013, Global Links Corp. announced that the formation of a wholly owned subsidiary named Domain Micro Homes.
During the year ended December 31, 2002, the Company decided to pursue the business of marketing electronic transactions by offering a suite of electronic products and proceeded to establish relationships with various companies that provide such products and others that specialize in the marketing of these products. During the year ended December 31, 2003, Global Links transferred all of the assets and liabilities relating to the business of marketing electronic transactions to its wholly owned subsidiary, Global Links Card Services, Inc. (GLCS). In December 2004, the Company sold all of its interests in GLCS to an unrelated corporation. Also during the year ended December 31, 2003, the Company merged with Capitol Group Holding Corporation and in addition to the marketing of electronic transactions products, the Company entered the business of real estate acquisitions and development, real estate information services and international housing projects.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Peter Graham]
Small cap stocks Green Endeavors Inc (OTCMKTS: GRNE), Global Links Corporation (OTCMKTS: GLCO) and Vitamin Blue Inc (OTCBB: VTMB) were all making noticeable moves at the end of last week. On Friday, Green Endeavors Inc rose 8.11% and Global Links Corporation rose 13.96% while Vitamin Blue Inc fell 10%. Of course, small cap OTC stocks making large single digit or double digit moves in either direction aren�� all that unusual. Moreover, all of these small caps have been the subject of paid promotions. With that in mind, here is a closer look at all three to help you decide on an investing or trading strategy:
Top 10 Life Sciences Stocks To Watch For 2015: Weingarten Realty Investors(WRI)
Weingarten Realty Investors operates as a real estate investment trust (REIT). The company engages in the management, acquisition, and development of real estate. It operates in two segments, Shopping Center and Industrial. The Shopping Center segment engages in the acquisition, development, and management of real estate, primarily anchored neighborhood and community shopping centers located in Texas, California, Louisiana, Arizona, Nevada, Arkansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Kansas, Colorado, Missouri, Illinois, Florida, North Carolina, Mississippi, Georgia, Utah, Kentucky, and Maine. Its customer base includes supermarkets, discount retailers, drugstores, and other retailers. The Industrial segment engages in the acquisition, development, and management of bulk warehouses and office/service centers. Its properties are located in Texas, Nevada, Georgia, Florida, California, and Tennessee. As of June 30, 2005, Weingarten Realty Investors owned or operated under long -term leases, directly or through its interest in joint ventures or partnerships, a total of 350 developed properties and 3 properties that are in various stages of development. Its properties include 294 shopping centers and 59 industrial properties. Weingarten Realty Investors qualifies as a REIT for federal income tax purposes. As a REIT, it would not be taxed on the portion of its income, which is distributed to shareholders, provided it distributes at least 90% of its taxable income. The company was founded in 1948 and is based in Houston, Texas.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Marc Bastow]
Shopping center real estate investment trust (REIT) Weingarten Realty (WRI) raised its quarterly dividend 6.6% to 32.5 cents per share, payable March 14 to shareholders of record as of March 6.
WGI Dividend Yield: 4.32%
Top 10 Life Sciences Stocks To Watch For 2015: Marquee Energy Ltd (MQL)
Marquee Energy Ltd. (Marquee), formerly Marquee Petroleum Ltd., is a junior oil and gas company engaged in the acquisition, exploration, development and production of petroleum and natural gas reserves in Western Canada. The Company is focused on the Cardium play of West Central Alberta in the Wilesden Green, Carrot Creek and South Pembina areas. As of December 31, 2011, the Company owned a total of approximately 174,420 gross acres (147,875 net acres) of oil and natural gas leases. In December 2013, it acquired all of the Western Canadian assets of Sonde Resources Corp. (Sonde), including all of its Southern Alberta properties. The Assets are primarily located in Marquee's core area at Michichi, Alberta immediately offsetting Marquee's lands and production. In March 2014, Marquee Energy Ltd completed the acquisition of strategic assets in its oil focused Michichi core area. Advisors' Opinion:- [By John Udovich] Sonde Resources Corp. An oil and gas exploration and production company based in Calgary, Alberta, Sonde Resources Corp held a global portfolio of high potential energy assets including producing oil and natural gas assets in Western Canada and offshore exploration property in North Africa.�Specifically, Sonde Resources Corp had�226,119 gross undeveloped acres in Western Canada and 750,000 acres in a Libya/Tunisia offshore licence. However and last November,�an agreement between Sonde Resources Corp and�Marquee Energy Ltd (CVE: MQL) was announced whereby�the latter�will acquire substantially all of the former���Western Canadian assets, including all of its Southern Alberta properties. These assets�are primarily located in Marquee's core area at Michichi, Alberta, immediately offsetting Marquee's lands and production. Under the deal which concluded at the end of last year, Sonde Resources Corp received 21,182,492 common shares of Marquee Energy Ltd plus $15 million cash with the�shares�being distributed to Sonde Resources Corp's shareholders and Sonde itself retaining the cash�received. In addition, Sonde Resources Corp will retain ownership of about 100,000 net acres of Western Canada exploration assets, split approximately equally between its Eaglesham area Wabamun play and west central Alberta Duvernay play.�Moreover, the company will continue to seek strategic alternatives for this Western Canada exploration acreage, including cash sales, farm-outs, other forms of merger, or other options. Otherwise, Sonde Resources Corp�� business�will focus on�the development of the Zarat field and exploration of the Joint Oil Block in North Africa. On Tuesday, small cap Sonde Resources Corp fell 1.83% to $0.530 (SOQ has a 52 week trading range of $0.51 to $2.11 a share) for a market cap of $29.72 million plus the stock is down 70.5% over the past year and down 55.8% over the past five years.
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