Top Stocks To Buy 2014: May 2014

Saturday, May 31, 2014

EMC: This Stock Can Help You Profit from Enterprise Cloud Growth

EMC (EMC) is one of the leading companies in data storage solutions. It also extends its hands at various other solutions such as data warehousing, business intelligent, and virtualization. It was surprised to see that some of its products like EMC Atmos, Vblock, Mozy and Syncplicity have gained enough traction in the market while the business moving to cloud of late.

Solid Performance

EMC has displayed a decent performance in the second-quarter as it revenue surged 6% to $5.61 billion year-on-year basis. Also it was good to notice that EMC's domestic revenue rose 4% to $3 billion that contributes approximately 53% of the total revenue. EMC also attained 8% growth in international revenue that came in at $2.7 billion, driven by its information infrastructure business, pivotal and VMware (VMW).

VMware is a pioneer in virtualization software and a subsidiary of EMC. EMC holds around 80% stake of VMware. VMware registered revenue growth of 11% in its latest quarter from the year ago period and posted an income of $244 million, a 28% jump. This strong growth has indeed contributed generously to the top and bottom line of EMC.

Growth Prospects

Later, a new company, Pivotal, was established as an amalgamation of various divisions and products from EMC and VMware. Pivotal's product portfolio will have Pivotal Labs, Cloud Foundry, Greenplum, Gem Fire, Cetas, Greenplum and Vfabix Suit (product of VMware). This strategic move was initiated so that EMC can concentrate on emerging market opportunities such as cloud application, security applications system and large scale data management system, which are its core business areas.

Also the investment of $105 million in Pivotal by General Electric (GE) made the stock more attractive to pick as this strategic investment will certainly boost its growth in the future and increase shareholder's value as EMC is recording steady growth in global market. Its revenue grew 12% in Asia Pacific and Latin America, while North America revenue was up by 4% and significant 6% rise was observed in the EMEA regions. Also EMC's revenue grew 18% in the BRIC nations.

Fundamentals

EMC projects total revenue of $23.5 billion for fiscal 2013 and is expecting a rise of 25.5% rise in non-GAAP operating margin. Also, Non-GAAP net income of $4 billion is expected for fiscal 2013. It expects cash flow of $6.8 billion from operating activities, and the free cash flow target is $5.5 billion.

EMC is determined to repurchase a total of $6 billion worth of shares by 2015 and this should have a positive effect on the EPS. Also Looking at the growth trajectory of EMC, the company should be able to at least match its estimates going forward. Moreover, its strategic investment in businesses such as XtremIO, ViPR and Pivotal should also help EMC in attaining its targets and increase its profitability in the coming years.

Competition

Its potential peer like NetApp (NTAP) that specializes in IT-enabled business solutions such as data security, cloud solutions, and data management systems posted weak performance in the recently declared quarter. Also its growth prospects do not look very enticing as it registered net revenue of $1.71 billion, a marginal increase of 0.8% from the previous quarter.

Also its operating expense increased 7.7% to $827.8 million from the year-ago quarter, which had an impact on its earnings that dipped 7.7% to $204.4 million. In addition to this, NetApp's operating margin also declined to 11.9% as compared to 13% in the year ago quarter.

Also, NetApp is very expensive at current levels. The company trades at a price-to-earnings multiple of almost 29x, while in comparison, EMC trades at a trailing P/E of 20. With quarterly revenue growth slowing down and earnings dropping, the valuation looks rich and investors are advised to stay away from NetApp.

Brocade Communications (BRCD) is another company that provides solutions similar to EMC, but it is a smaller player. Brocade earns 50% of its total revenue from its core service of storage area networks (SAN). However, it faced a 7% decline in revenue in the second quarter from the prior year period. This can be concerning for investors. With major players like Cisco (CSCO), Brocade faces fierce competition for its core business and the company might be in for tough times.

It looks like the company's management is aware of this and that's why they have been selling shares. Wall Tyler, a vice president at Brocade, recently sold around 97,000 shares. Given the recent revenue decline and probability of stiff competition, it is not surprising that an insider sold shares.

Conclusion

EMC's stake in VMware and the constant adoption of the cloud are expected to drive its growth in the future. Moreover, as seen above, the company is cheaper than peers such as NetApp and has a lucrative share repurchase plan in place. So, investors should consider putting their money in this stock if they are looking for a play on the cloud.

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Friday, May 30, 2014

What's behind the corporate food frenzy?

The ongoing food frenzy comes down to this: buy or be bought.

"Think of it as a Pac Man for companies," says Michael Silverstein, senior partner at the Boston Consulting Group. If you don't swallow someone else, they may swallow you.

Perhaps that's why even giant Tyson Foods got into the melee Thursday when it offered $50 a share — about $6.8 billion — in an all-cash deal to purchase Hillshire Brands, which makes Jimmy Dean sausage and Ball Park hot dogs. Earlier this week, Pilgrim's Pride offered about $6.4 billion for Hillshire. Never mind that earlier this month, in a possible move to thwart Pilgrim's Pride, Hillshire bid $4.2 billion for Pinnacle Foods.

Some major drivers behind the ongoing food fight are:

• Demand for growth. It's extremely expensive to create and grow new brands — particularly food brands. It's much cheaper to grow by purchasing a company with familiar brands. "They're looking to buy market share rather than build it," says David Lewis, senior vice president at the Astec Analytics division at SunGard Financial Systems.

• Desire to cut costs. When one company talks about "synergies" with another that typically means cost-cutting. The combined food companies can pay less for commodities, transportation and packaging, says Silverstein, "because they have more market power."

• Aim for cheap financing. Interest rates are so low right now that it's easier and cheaper to finance big deals with debt than at just about any other time, notes Gary Stibel, CEO of the New England Consulting Group.

• Lust for scale. Bigger food makers have more power with retailers and suppliers, Stibel says. "To hold on to your seat at the table with Wal-Mart, you'd better have scale."

• Opportunity to expand. Many food makers are eager to expand into adjacent categories "to build awareness across different areas of packaged food," says Farha Aslam, managing director at Stephens Inc.

• Desire to be defensive. Some food makers wa! nt their lead — or to stop certain competitors from gaining market share, Aslam says.

• Urge to merge. Amid the nation's estimated 13,000 food companies, there fewer than 1,000 that are true takeover, merger or acquisition targets, Silverstein says. Uniqueness of brand or product makes them targets. And the universe, he notes, is contracting.

Top 5 Services Stocks To Watch Right Now

• Need to feed egos. CEOs of major food companies know they'll be remembered for one of two things: the products they create or companies they acquire, Silverstein says. The latter is easier than the former.

• Chance to shine. For many consumers, protein, the chief food category involved in these current merger talks, is back on-trend, Stibel says. Now, for example, there are more nutritionally-focused offerings like antibiotic-free meats. "Protein is no longer the big, bad dude," he says.

Thursday, May 29, 2014

Casey’s: Back on Base, But Will It Score?

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It's been a mighty weird year for Casey's General Stores (CASY). The company has had some tough quarters, but just when things are looking bleak, the team got some runners on base and drove a few home.

Casey's has a concept I really like, in that it has 1,700 stores across 14 states, selling all manner of convenience-store products. The company is a rural operation at its core, with some 60% of stores in areas with fewer than 5,000 residents. The result is that it doesn't have a lot of competition as it might if it were ensconced in urban areas, so it becomes part of a quasi-oligopoly.

As a convenience store, it doesn’t have direct competition from Dollar Tree (DLTR) or Family Dollar (FDO) because these dollar stores aren't exclusively focused on food (and they have no gasoline or cigarette sales), and they're targeted at the folks who are trying to save money over convenience, not vice versa. The convenience angle is another reason why Walmart (WMT) and Costco (COST) aren’t competitors, since those behemoths are about a total shopping experience.

The company had a lot of work to do after disappointing investors in Q4. Revenues missed expectations, EPS came in 7% lower year-over-year, and operating margins fell, as did net margins. But its fiscal first quarter, the company slugged some solid hits into the outfield. Revenue exploded 13%, leading to a 43% increase in EPS.

But what was driving those increases?

The company began a partnership with Hy-Vee Stores, in which customers who purchase certain items at the stores can get a fuel discount credit at Casey's. The company stated it has an annual goal of increasing same-store gas sales 1.5%. This partnership contributed to a 3.2% comp increase, and average margin of 22 cents per gallon — well above the company's target of 15 cents.

Top Growth Companies To Watch For 2015

Grocery and other merchandise experienced strong growth, with comps up 6.1% vs. a 5% target, and average margin of 32.3% vs. a 32.7% target. Cigarette price reductions held back an even greater increase.

We all like prepared food and drink when hunger hits on the road. Comps lifted an astonishing 11.9% vs. a 9% target, and margins hit 62% vs. the 61.8% target. Category sales were up 16.5% total.

All these increases did come at the expense of increased operating costs (14%), as the company marketed its new initiatives and expanded to 24 hours in some locations.

Casey's doesn't seem to think the overall economic environment is going to impact their performance, as the company intends to build or acquire 75 to 100 stores this year. It's a strong vote of confidence that its particular niche is still a viable option for many Americans. This is also a good sign overall for the economy, in that folks in these communities still value convenience over price enough to push sales as much as they did.

There are tricks to this business. The company relies on commodities like cheese, the cost per pound of which increased 11% over the year, in order to make pizzas. Cigarette prices can fluctuate, as can gasoline prices.

The company sits on $190 million in cash and manageable debt of $819 million. I don’t like the $150 million increase in debt, but the company generated $138 million in operating cash flow this quarter, and only blew through $74 million in capex. Still, that capex will increase as it opens stores. So it'll be a race between maintaining cash flow to service debt. As long as numbers hit company targets, it should be fine.

Alas, Casey's stock remains much too expensive to purchase. Analysts see five-year growth at 10.4% annually, and on FY14 estimates of $3.67 with a 1.2% yield, that gives us a fair value of around $43. However, the stock currently trades at $71.

I'm not paying that much, even for a seat in the outfield bleachers.

As of this writing, Lawrence Meyers did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities. He is president of PDL Broker, Inc., which brokers financing, strategic investments and distressed asset purchases between private equity firms and businesses. He also has written two books and blogs about public policy, journalistic integrity, popular culture, and world affairs. Contact him at pdlcapital66@gmail.com and follow his tweets @ichabodscranium.

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Hot Paper Companies To Watch In Right Now

Hot Paper Companies To Watch In Right Now: Boise Inc (BZ)

Boise Inc., incorporated on February 1, 2007, is a manufacturer of packaging and paper products, including corrugated containers and sheets, containerboard, protective packaging products, imaging papers for the office and home, printing and converting papers, label and release papers, newsprint and market pulp. The Company operates in the United States, Europe, Mexico, and Canada. The Company operates in three segments: Packaging, Paper, and Corporate and Other. The Companys newsprint is sold primarily to newspaper publishers in the southern and southwestern the United States. During the year ended December 31, 2012, approximately 38% of the Companys uncoated freesheet paper was sold to OfficeMax Incorporated, its customer.

Packaging

In the Packaging segment, the Company manufactures and sells linerboard, containerboard, corrugated containers and sheets, protective packaging products, and newsprint. Linerboard is a paperboard, which when com bined with corrugating medium is used in the manufacture of corrugated sheets and containers. Corrugated sheets are containerboard sheets that are sold primarily to converters that produce a variety of corrugated products. Corrugated containers are corrugated sheets that have been fed through converting machines to create containers, which are used in the packaging of fresh fruit and vegetables, processed food, beverages, and other industrial and consumer products. Stock boxes are corrugated containers manufactured to pre-set dimensions.

Protective packaging products include multi-material customized packaging solutions, which may utilize kraft paper-based honeycomb corrugated packaging, foamed plastics, and air pocket packing materials Newsprint is a paper commonly used for printing newspapers, other publications, and advertising material. During the year ended December 31, 2012, its Packaging segment produced approximately 613,000 short tons of linerboard,! and its Paper segment produced approximately 135,000 short tons! of corrugating medium. It manufactures linerboard and newsprint on two machines at its mill in DeRidder, Louisiana. It also manufactures corrugated containers and sheets and protective packaging products at 26 plants located in North America and Europe.

Paper

In its Paper segment, the Company manufactures and sells three general categories of products: communication-based papers; packaging-based papers, and market pulp. Its communication-based papers include cut-size office papers, and printing and converting papers. Its Packaging-Demand-Driven Papers include Label and release papers, Flexible packaging papers, and Corrugating medium. Printing and converting papers are used by commercial printers or converters to manufacture envelopes, forms, and other commercial paper products.

Its packaging-based papers include label and release papers and corrugating medium. The Label and release papers include label facestocks, as well as release l iners. The coated and uncoated papers sold to customers create packaging products for food and nonfood applications. Market pulp is sold to customers in the open market for use in the manufacture of paper products. The Company manufactures its Paper segment products at three mills, all located in the United States.

Corporate and Other

The Companys Corporate and Other segment includes transportation assets, such as rail cars and trucks, which it uses to transport its products from its manufacturing sites. The Company provides transportation services not only to its own facilities but also, on a limited basis, to third parties. Rail cars and trucks are typically leased.

The Company competes with International Paper Company, Rock-Tenn Company, Georgia-Pacific LLC, Packaging Corporation of America, Longview Fibre Paper, Packaging, Inc, Green Bay Packaging Inc., KapStone Paper, TexCorr, L.P., Resolute Forest Product, SP Newsprint ! Co. and ! Domtar Corporation.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Christopher Freeburn]
Under the deal, which is expected to close during the fourth quarter, Packaging Corp. will pay $12.55 a share, or $1.27 billion, for Boise (BZ). That represents a 26% premium over the target’s last closing price, the Associated Press noted.
[By Ben Levisohn]
Packaging Corp. of America(PKG) has jumped 6.3% to $57.99 after it said it would buy Boise (BZ) for $1.28 billion. Boise has gained 26% to $12.55.
[By Paul Ausick]
Stocks on the move: Boise Inc. (NYSE: BZ) is up 26% at $12.55 following the companys acquisition by Packaging Corporation of America Inc. (NYSE: PKG) for $12.55 a share ($1.28 billion). Omeros Corp. (NASDAQ: OMER) is up 68.2% at $8.56 following an analyst upgrade. Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. (NYSEArca: NAK) is down 33.3% at $1.48 following an announcement from Anglo American plc that it was withdrawing from a massive copper mining project in Alaska.
[By David Sterman]
That was precisely the rationale behind Packaging Corp. of America's (NYSE: PKG) just-announced $2 billion (in cash and assumed debt) acquisition of rival Boise (NYSE: BZ). The deal will create a $6 billion (in sales) behemoth in the cardboard box industry.

source from Top Penny Stocks For 2015:http://www.seekpennystocks.com/hot-paper-companies-to-watch-in-right-now.html

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Best Dow Dividend Companies To Own For 2015

Expedia, Inc. (NASDAQ: EXPE) will report its third quarter results on�Oct. 30, 2013�via an earnings release and accompanying webcast. The earnings release will post after market close and the webcast will begin at�1:30 PM�Pacific Daylight Time /�4:30 PM�Eastern Daylight Time.

Expedia is the largest online travel company in the world, with an extensive brand portfolio that includes some of the world's leading online travel brands, including Expedia.com, Hotels.com, and Hotwire.

Wall Street expects Expedia to post earnings of to earn $1.35 a share, according to analysts polled by Thomson Reuters. The consensus estimate implies 2.3 percent growth from $1.32 cents it earned last year.

Expedia's earnings have topped Street view twice in the past four quarters. The consensus estimate has decreased by 2 cents in the past 90 days. In the past one month, one analyst has cut their view.

Best Dow Dividend Companies To Own For 2015: SkyWest Inc (SKYW)

SkyWest, Inc. (SkyWest), incorporated in 1972, through subsidiaries, SkyWest Airlines, Inc. (SkyWest Airlines) and ExpressJet Airlines, Inc. (ExpressJet) operates the regional airline in the United States. In addition, the Company provides ground handling services for other airlines throughout its system. The Company operates in two segments: SkyWest Airlines and ExpressJet. On December 31, 2011, its subsidiary, ExpressJet Airlines, Inc. (ExpressJet Delaware) was merged into its subsidiary, Atlantic Southeast Airlines, Inc. (Atlantic Southeast), with the surviving company named ExpressJet Airlines, Inc. (the ExpressJet Combination). ExpressJet includes the operations of Atlantic Southeast Airlines, Inc. (Atlantic Southeast) and ExpressJet Airlines, Inc. (ExpressJet Delaware), which is prior to the ExpressJet Combination.

As of December 31, 2011, SkyWest and ExpressJet offered scheduled passenger and air freight service with approximately 4,000 total daily departures to different destinations in the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. All of its flights are operated as Delta Connection, United Express, Continental Express, US Airways Express or Alaska under code-share arrangements with Delta, United Air Lines, Inc. (United), Continental Airlines, Inc. (Continental), US Airways Group, Inc. (US Airways) and Alaska Airlines (Alaska). As of December 31, 2011, its consolidated fleet consisted of a total of 732 aircraft, of which 443 were assigned to United and Continental, 268 were assigned to Delta, eight were in preparation for new code-share assignments, five were assigned to Alaska, four were subleased to affiliated entities, two were assigned to US Airways and two were subleased to unaffiliated entities. In addition, it provides electronic or paper copies of its filings free of charge upon request.

As of December 31, 2011, it operated two types of regional jet aircraft: the Bombardier Aerospace (Bombardier) regional jet, which include the 50-seat Bombardier CRJ20! 0 Regional Jet (the CRJ200), the 70-seat Bombardier CRJ700 Regional Jet (the CRJ700) and the 70-90-seat Bombardier CRJ900 Regional Jet (the CRJ900), and the 50-seat Embraer ERJ-145 regional jet (ERJ145). As of December 31, 2011, it also operated the 30-seat Embraer Brasilia EMB-120 turboprop (the Brasilia turboprop). During the year ended December 31, 2011, approximately 65.2% of the Company's aggregate capacity was operated under the United Express Agreements and Continental Express Agreement, approximately 33.6% was operated under the Delta Connection Agreements, approximately 0.9% was operated under the Alaska Capacity Purchase Agreement, approximately 0.1% was operated under the US Airways Express Agreement and approximately 0.2% was operated under a code-share agreement with AirTran Airways, Inc.

On November 17, 2011, SkyWest Airlines and US Airways entered into the SkyWest Airlines US Airways Express Agreement. As of December 31, 2011, SkyWest Airlines operated two CRJ200s under the SkyWest Airlines US Airways Express Agreement, flying a total of approximately ten US Airways Express flights per day between Phoenix and designated outlying destinations. On April 13, 2011, SkyWest Airlines and Alaska entered into the SkyWest Airlines Alaska Capacity Purchase Agreement. As of December 31, 2011, SkyWest Airlines operated five CRJ700s under the SkyWest Airlines Alaska Capacity Purchase Agreement, flying a total of approximately 30 Alaska flights per day between Seattle, Portland and designated outlying destinations.

As of December 31, 2011, SkyWest Airlines and ExpressJet scheduled the daily flights as Delta Connection carriers: 530 flights to or from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, 316 flights to or from Salt Lake City International Airport, 132 flights to or from Minneapolis International Airport, 94 flights to or from Memphis International Airport, 94 flights to or from Detroit International Airport and 8 flights to or from Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Inte! rnational! Airport.. As of December 31, 2011, SkyWest Airlines scheduled 15 daily flights as an Alaska carrier to or from Portland International Airport and 15 daily flights as an Alaska carrier to or from Seattle International Airport. As of December 31, 2011, SkyWest Airlines scheduled ten daily flights as an US Airways Express carrier to or from Phoenix International Airport.

As of December 31, 2011, SkyWest Airlines and ExpressJet scheduled the daily flights as a United or Continental Express carrier: 572 flights to or from Houston International Airport, 486 flights to or from Chicago O'Hare International Airport, 412 flights to or from Denver International Airport, 306 flights to or from San Francisco International Airport, 284 flights to or from Los Angeles International Airport, 214 flights to or from Newark International Airport, 148 flights to or from Washington Dulles International Airport, 128 flights to or from Cleveland International Airport and 64 flights to or from other airports. As of December 31, 2011, it operated 17 CRJ200s for United under a pro-rate agreement. The Company also operated one CRJ200 under a pro-rate agreement with Delta, as of December 31, 2011.

SkyWest Airlines

SkyWest Airlines provides regional jet and turboprop service primarily located in the midwestern and western United States. SkyWest Airlines offered approximately 1,650 daily scheduled departures as of December 31, 2011, of which approximately 1,110 were United Express flights, 500 were Delta Connection flights, 30 were Alaksa-coded flights and 10 were US Airways Express flights. SkyWest Airlines' operations are conducted from hubs located in Chicago (O'Hare), Denver, Los Angeles, Houston, Portland, Seattle, Phoenix, San Francisco and Salt Lake City. SkyWest Airlines' fleet as of December 31, 2011 consisted of 21 CRJ900s, all of which were flown for Delta; 96 CRJ700s, of which 70 were flown for United, 21 were flown for Delta and five were flown for Alaska; 153 CRJ200s, of which 82 ! were flown! for United, 61 were flown for Delta, eight were in preparation for service under a code-share agreement with US Airways and two were flown for US Airways; and 45 Brasilia turboprops, of which 35 were flown for United and 10 were flown for Delta.

As of December 31, 2011, SkyWest Airlines was conducting its Delta Connection operations pursuant to the terms of an Amended and Restated Delta Connection Agreement, which obligates Delta to compensate SkyWest Airlines for its direct costs associated with operating Delta Connection flights, plus a payment based on block hours flown (the SkyWest Airlines Delta Connection Agreement). SkyWest Airlines' United code-share operations are conducted under a United Express Agreement, pursuant to which SkyWest Airlines is paid primarily on a fee-per-completed block hour and departure basis, plus a margin based on performance incentives (the SkyWest Airlines United Express Agreement). During December 31, 2011, SkyWest Airlines entered into code-share agreements with Alaska and US Airways, pursuant to which SkyWest Airlines is paid primarily on a fee-per-completed block hour and departure basis, plus a fixed margin per aircraft each month.

ExpressJet

ExpressJet provides regional jet service principally in the United States, primarily from hubs located in Atlanta, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago (O'Hare), Denver, Houston, Newark and Washington Dulles. ExpressJet offered more than 2,100 daily scheduled departures as of December 31, 2011, of which approximately 650 were Delta Connection flights and 1,450 were Continental Express or United Express flights. As of December 31, 2011, the combined fleet of ExpressJet consisted of 10 CRJ900s, which were flown for Delta, 46 CRJ700s,which were flown for Delta, 113 CRJ200s, 99 of, which were flown for Delta and 14 of, which were flown for United and 242 ERJ145s, which were flown for United or Continental.

Under the terms of a Second Amended and Restated Delta Connection Agreement exec! uted betw! een Delta and Atlantic Southeast and to, which ExpressJet is a party (the ExpressJet Delta Connection Agreement), Delta has agreed to compensate ExpressJet for its direct costs associated with operating Delta Connection flights, plus, if ExpressJet completes a certain minimum percentage of its Delta Connection flights, a specified margin on such costs. Under the ExpressJet Delta Connection Agreement, excess margins over certain percentages must be returned to or shared with Delta, depending on various conditions. ExpressJet's Continental and United code-share operations are conducted under a Capacity Purchase Agreement between ExpressJet and Continental (the Continental CPA) and two United Express Agreements between ExpressJet and United (collectively, the ExpressJet United Express Agreements), pursuant to, which ExpressJet is paid by Continental or United, as applicable, primarily on a fee-per-completed block hour and departure basis, plus a margin based on performance incentives.

The Company competes with Air Wisconsin Airlines Corporation, American Airlines, Inc. Delta Air Lines, Inc. Compass Airlines, Alaska Air Group, Inc. Mesa Air Group, Inc., Pinnacle Airlines Corp., Republic Airways Holdings Inc. and Trans State Airlines, Inc.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Michele Lerner, The Motley Fool]
Alan Diaz/APAmerican Airlines did better at staying on schedule last year than it did in 2012, when it accused pilots of a work slowdown. DALLAS -- A big drop in customer complaints helped U.S. airlines post their best ratings ever even though more flights were late and more bags were mishandled, according to a report released Monday by university researchers. Virgin America topped the ratings, and three regional airlines scored at the bottom. Among the four biggest airlines, Delta Air Lines (DAL) ranked best followed by Southwest (LUV), American (AAL) and United (UAL), according to researchers from Wichita State University and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. The researchers have graded airlines since 1991 on government figures for on-time performance, mishandled bags, bumping passengers, and complaints filed with the U.S. Department of Transportation. Their key findings: On-Time Performance: Airlines operated 78.4 percent of their flights on time in 2013, down from 81.8 percent in 2012. Best: Hawaiian Airlines (HA); worst: American Eagle. Only two airlines improved: American Airlines and United. Bag Handling: The rate of lost, stolen or delayed bags rose 5 percent. Best: Virgin America; worst: American Eagle. Bumping: The rate of bumping passengers from flights fell 8 percent. Best: JetBlue Airways (JBLU); worst: SkyWest (SKYW). Complaints: Consumer complaints to the government dropped 15 percent in 2013 after rising 20 percent the year before. Best: Southwest Airlines; worst: Frontier (RJET). One of the report's authors, Wichita State business professor Dean Headley, credited the drop in complaints partly to United Airlines. The company suffered several computer-network outages and grounded hundreds of flights in 2012 when it combined the United and Continental computer networks after a merger, but "got their act together" in 2013, he said. Headley said the drop in complaints might also reflect "a certain amount of resignation" that "it's neve
[By DAILYFINANCE]
Lynne Sladky/AP WASHINGTON -- U.S. airlines scored their second best performance last year in the more than two decades that researchers have been measuring airline quality, with Virgin America the leader, says an annual report released Monday. The report ranked the 14 largest U.S. airlines based on on-time arrivals, mishandled bags, consumer complaints and passengers who were bought tickets but were turned away because flights were over booked. Airline performance in 2012 was the second highest in the 23 years that Wichita State University at Omaha in Nebraska and Purdue University in Indiana have tracked the performance of airlines. The airline's best year was 2011. Virgin America, headquartered in Burlingame, Calif., did the best job on baggage handling and had the second-lowest rate of passengers denied seats due to overbookings. United Airlines (UAL), whose consumer complaint rate nearly doubled last year, had the worst performance. United has merged with Continental Airlines, but has had rough spots in integrating the operations of the two carriers. The number of complaints consumers filed with the Department of Transportation overall surged by one-fifth last year to 11,445 complaints, up from 9,414 in 2011. "Over the 20 some year history we've looked at it, this is still the best time of airline performance we've ever seen," said Dean Headley, a business professor at Wichita State University in Kansas, who has co-written the annual report. The best year was 2011, which was only slightly better than last year, he said. Despite those improvements, it isn't surprising that passengers are getting grumpier, Headley said. Carriers keep shrinking the size of seats in order to stuff more people into planes. Empty middle seats that might provide a little more room have vanished. And more people who have bought tickets are being turned away because flights are overbooked. "The way airlines have taken 130-seat airplanes and expanded them to 150 seats to sque
[By Paul Quintaro]
Shares of Delta Air (NYSE: DAL) are down 3.6 percent at last check, shares of United Continental (NYSE: UAL) are down 3.8 percent, US Air (NYSE: LCC) shares down 2.8 percent, shares of Southwest (NYSE: LUV) down 2 percent, JetBlue (NASDAQ: JBLU) shares down 2 percent and shares of SkyWest (NASDAQ: SKYW) down nearly 4 percent.
[By Adam Levine-Weinberg]
Like other regional airlines, Republic Airways Holdings (NASDAQ: RJET ) has been hard hit by the growing U.S. pilot shortage. However, while rivals such as�SkyWest (NASDAQ: SKYW ) are struggling to stay in the black in this challenging environment, Republic's focus on more-profitable large regional jets is allowing it to boost earnings.

Best Dow Dividend Companies To Own For 2015: Golar LNG Partners LP (GMLP)

Golar LNG Partners LP (the Partnership), incorporated on September 24, 2007, is a limited partnership formed as a wholly owned subsidiary of Golar LNG Limited (Golar), an independent owner and operator of floating storage re-gasification units (FSRUs) and liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers, to own and operate FSRUs and LNG carriers under long-term charters. The vessels in its fleet are chartered to BG Group, Pertamina, Petrobras and Dubai Supply Authority. As of December 31, 2012, Golar owned its 2.0% general partner interest, all of its IDRs and a 49.9% limited partner interest in it. As of December 31, 2012, its fleet consisted of a 100% interest in the Golar Spirit, which is operating under a time charter with Petrobras; a 100% interest in the Golar Winter, which is operating under a time charter with Petrobras; a 100% interest in the Golar Freeze, which is operating under a time charter with Dubai Supply Authority (DUSUP), the purchaser of natural gas in Dubai; a 100% interest in the Methane Princess, which is operating under a time charter with BG Group PLC (BG Group), and a 60% interest in the Golar Mazo, an LNG carrier, which is operating under a time charter with PT Pertamina (Pertamina). In July 2012, Golar sold its interests in the companies that own and operate the floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) Nusantara Regas Satu to the Company. As of April 30, 2013, the Company has a fleet of four FSRUs and four LNG carriers. In November 2012, the Company acquired from Golar interests in subsidiaries that lease and operate the LNG carrier, the Golar Grand.

FSRU Charters

The Company provides the services of each of the Golar Spirit and the Golar Winter to Petrobras under separate time charter parties (or TCP) and operation and services agreements (OSAs). The TCPs and OSAs are interdependent and when combined have the same effect as the time charters for its LNG carriers. The services of the Golar Freeze are provided to DUSUP under a TCP. The Golar Spirit and ! Golar Winter charters also contained provisions giving Petrobras the option to purchase the vessels from it under certain circumstances.

LNG Carrier Charters

The Company provides the LNG marine transportation services of the Golar Mazo, Methane Princess and the Golar Maria under a time charters with LNG Shipping SpA. A time charter is a contract for the use of the vessel for a fixed period of time at a specified daily rate. Under a time charter, the vessel owner provides crewing and other services related to the vessel�� operation.

The Company competes with Royal Dutch Shell, BP, BG, Malaysian International Shipping Company, National Gas Shipping Company, Qatar Gas Transport Company, Excelerate Energy, Hoegh LNG, Exmar, Teekay LNG and MISC Berhad.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Robert Rapier]
Q: Golar (GMLP) has been doing well lately after an up/down and eventually flat year in 2013. �While sometimes diverging TGP performed about the same. Thoughts on any catalyst this year that might help GMLP start to trend up consistently?
[By Seth Jayson]
Golar LNG Partners Limited Partnership (Nasdaq: GMLP ) reported earnings on May 30. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended March 31 (Q1), Golar LNG Partners Limited Partnership met expectations on revenues and crushed expectations on earnings per share.

Top 5 Airline Stocks To Watch For 2015: ZELTIQ Aesthetics Inc (ZLTQ)

ZELTIQ Aesthetics, Inc. (ZELTIQ), incorporated on March 22, 2005, is a medical technology company. The Company is focused on developing and commercializing products utilizing its controlled-cooling technology platform. Its commercial product is the CoolSculpting System that reduces stubborn fat bulges. The Company generates revenues from capital sales of its CoolSculpting System and from procedure fees its physician customers pay for each CoolSculpting procedure they perform. As of March 31, 2011, it had an installed base of 346 and 475 CoolSculpting Systems worldwide and over 88,000 CoolSculpting procedures had been sold to its physician customers. The Company markets CoolSculpting to the dermatologists, plastic surgeons, and aesthetic specialists. As of March 31, 2011, ZELTIQ�� North American direct sales force consisted of 23 professionals, and over 88,000 CoolSculpting procedures were sold to ZELTIQ�� physician customers.

CoolSculpting System

ZELTIQ generates revenues from capital sales of its CoolSculpting System and from procedure fees its physician customers pay for each CoolSculpting procedure they perform. Capital sales of ZELTIQ�� CoolSculpting System include the CoolSculpting control unit and its CoolSculpting vacuum applicators. ZELTIQ generates procedure fees through sales of CoolSculpting procedure packs, which include its consumable gelpads and liners and a disposable computer cartridge that it markets as the CoolCard. The CoolCard contains enabling software that permits its physician customer to perform a fixed number of CoolSculpting procedures.

The CoolSculpting control unit is the base of the CoolSculpting System. ZELTIQ�� CoolSculpting control unit also contains software that tracks and collects data about each procedure performed and any error messages that may be generated during the procedure. CoolSculpting System includes three CoolSculpting vacuum applicators. ZELTIQ�� CoolSculpting procedure packs facilitate the pay-per-procedu! re feature of its CoolSculpting System. Its CoolSculpting procedure packs include CoolCard and its consumable gelpads and liners.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By CRWE]
ZELTIQ Aesthetics, Inc. (Nasdaq:ZLTQ), a medical technology company focused on developing and commercializing products utilizing its proprietary controlled-cooling technology platform, together with the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), reported that the Mercantile Court in Spain on May 4 ruled in their favor regarding the patent infringement lawsuit jointly filed in Spain against Clinipro and Aquaestetica, its Spanish distributor.
[By Jake L'Ecuyer]
ZELTIQ Aesthetics (NASDAQ: ZLTQ) was also up, gaining 6.44 percent to $18.68. Stifel Nicolaus initiated coverage on the stock with a Buy rating and a $28.00 price target.
[By John Udovich]
On Tuesday, small cap biotech stock Kythera Biopharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ: KYTH) surged around 25% after announcing that its ATX-101 REFINE-1 and REFINE-2 Phase III trials met all primary and secondary endpoints for the reduction of so-called double chins; but if investors missed out on that rally, small caps Zeltiq Aesthetics Inc (NASDAQ: ZLTQ), Solta Medical Inc (NASDAQ: SLTM) and Cynosure, Inc (NASDAQ: CYNO) each have a piece of the aesthetic market as well. In the case of Kythera Biopharmaceuticals, its ATX-101 can be injected to deal with double chins��meaning its less invasive than liposuction as the drug dissolves fat cells but leaves other tissue alone. JP Morgan has noted:

Best Dow Dividend Companies To Own For 2015: DTS Inc.(DTSI)

DTS, Inc. provides audio technologies that are incorporated into various consumer electronics devices worldwide. Its audio technologies enable the delivery and playback of clear and compelling high-definition audio. The company?s technologies are used in various product applications, including audio/video receivers, soundbars, Blu-ray disc players, DVD based products, personal computers, car audio products, video game consoles, network capable televisions, digital media players, set-top-boxes, mobile phones, tablets and home theater systems. It also offers products and services to motion picture studios, radio and television broadcasters, game developers, and other content creators to facilitate the inclusion of compelling and realistic DTS-encoded soundtracks in their content. In addition, the company provides a suite of audio processing technologies to enhance the entertainment experience in televisions, personal computers (PC), and mobile electronics. It serves home au dio/video, automotive, PC, broadcast, mobile electronics, professional content, and other consumer electronics markets. The company was formerly known as Digital Theater Systems, Inc. and changed its name to DTS, Inc. in May 2005. DTS, Inc. was founded in 1990 and is headquartered in Calabasas, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By WWW.DAILYFINANCE.COM]
www.fossil.com From the world's largest retailer stepping up with fresh financials to a maker of fashionable timepieces proving that it can still grow in this unwelcome climate for watchmakers, here are some of the things that will help shape the week that lies ahead on Wall Street. Monday -- Sounds Good DTS (DTSI) has carved a cozy living providing sound-enhancing technology in Blu-ray players, video game consoles and other devices. Despite its success, DTS is trading a lot closer to its 52-week low than its 52-week high. One thing holding it back is that it has failed to impress the market with its quarterly financials. It's coming off back-to-back quarters of falling short of Wall Street's profit expectations. It's against this setting that DTS will step up after Monday's market close to deliver its latest results. Will the streak of disappointment stretch to three quarters, or is DTS finally going to put out a report that looks as good as its audio technology sounds? We will know soon. Tuesday -- Fossil Fuel Fossil (FOSL) may seem to be toiling away in an industry worthy of its name. Aren't wristwatches dinosaurs? Who wears watches anymore when we have smartwatches to tell us the time. Folks with active lifestyles are saving their wrists for fitness bracelets. Well, Fossil is growing just nicely in this environment, thank you very much. When the trendy watchmaker reports on Tuesday analysts see revenue climbing 13 percent. They see top-line growth of 10 percent for all of 2014. Fossil's profitability isn't expected to clock in as nicely, but unlike DTS,we've seen Fossil blow Wall Street's profit targets away consistently over the past year. Wednesday -- Press Hard CafePress (PRSS) has been a disappointment for investors since going public at $19 two years ago. The stock opened higher on its first day of trading, but it's been mostly downhill for the shares, which now fetch less than a third of the initial public offering price. CafePress was hoping

Best Dow Dividend Companies To Own For 2015: SPDR S&P International Consumer Discretionary Sector ETF (IPD)

SPDR S&P International Consumer Discretionary Sector ETF (the Fund) seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the total return performance of the S&P Developed Ex-U.S. BMI Consumer Discretionary Sector Index (the Index), an index that tracks the consumer discretionary sector of developed global markets outside the United States. The Index represents the non-United States consumer discretionary sub-industry of developed countries included in the S&P Broad Market Index (the Global BMI Index). The Global BMI Index captures the full universe of institutionally investable stocks in developed and emerging markets with float-adjusted market capitalizations of at lease $100 million. The Fund�� investment advisor is SSgA Funds Management, Inc. Advisors' Opinion:

[By WilliamBriat]
The SPDR S&P International Consumer Discretionary Sector (NYSE: IPD) is an ETF that tracks the consumer discretionary sector of developed global markets. Holdings include luxury brand stock juggernaut LVMH Moët Hennessy – Louis Vuitton SA and Swedish luxury brand stock multinational retail clothing company H & M Hennes & Mauritz AB.

Best Dow Dividend Companies To Own For 2015: Cooper Companies Inc (COO)

The Cooper Companies, Inc., incorporated on March 4, 1980, is a global medical device company. The Company operates through two business units, CooperVision, Inc. and CooperSurgical, Inc. CooperVision is a global manufacturer providing products for contact lens wearers. CooperSurgical focuses on supplying women's health clinicians with products and treatment options to improve the delivery of healthcare to women.

CooperVision develops, manufactures and markets a range of monthly, two-week and single-use contact lenses, featuring advanced materials and optics. CooperVision's products are designed to solve vision challenges such as astigmatism, presbyopia and ocular dryness with a collection of spherical, toric and multifocal contact lenses. CooperVision's products are primarily manufactured at its facilities located in Hampshire, United Kingdom, Juana Diaz, Puerto Rico, and Scottsville, New York. CooperVision distributes products from West Henrietta, New York, Fareham, United Kingdom, Liege, Belgium, and various smaller international distribution facilities. Under the Biofinity brand, CooperVision has launched monthly silicone hydrogel spherical, toric and multifocal lens products. CooperVision has also launched two-week silicone hydrogel spherical and toric lens products under its Avaira brand. During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2013 (fiscal 2013), the Company launched MyDay, its single-use spherical silicone hydrogel lens, in Europe. CooperVision's Proclear line of spherical, toric and multifocal lenses are manufactured with omafilcon, a material that incorporates Phosphorylcholine (PC) Technology that helps enhance tissue-device compatibility.

CooperSurgical offers an array of products used in the care and treatment of women's health. The Company participates in the women's healthcare market through offering quality products, technologies and service to clinicians worldwide. CooperSurgical collaborates with clinicians to identify products and new technologies from dis! posable products to instruments and equipment. The result is a portfolio of products that aid in the delivery of improved clinical outcomes that healthcare professionals use routinely in the diagnosis and treatment of a wide spectrum of women's health issues.

The Company competes with Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc., CIBA Vision, Bausch & Lomb Incorporated, Boston Scientific, Johnson & Johnson's Ethicon Endo-Surgery and Ethicon Women's Health and Urology companies, Gyrus ACMI and Covidien.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Johanna Bennett]
Copper Cos (COO) shrank 6.5% to $125 after fiscal fourth-quarter earnings and the company�� full-year 2014 financial forecasts fell below expectations. For the period ended Oct. 31, Cooper earned $57.4 million, or $1.15 a share, down from $71.9 million, or $1.46 a share, in the prior-year period. Excluding impacts from a divestiture, adjusted earnings were $1.48, up from $1.47. Revenue gained 3.9% to $411.9 million. Excluding currency impacts, the growth was 7%. �For the new fiscal year, Cooper said it expects per-share earnings of $6.70 to $7 and revenue of $1.675 billion to $1.735 billion Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters were expecting $7 a share in profit and $1.71 billion in revenue.
[By Victor Selva]
The company has a very attractive current ratio of 33.03% which is higher than its comps: Becton Dickinson & Co (BDX), Cardinal Health Inc (CAH), Cooper Companies (COO) and Luxottica Group S.p.A. (LUX).
[By John Kell and Lauren Pollock var popups = dojo.query(".socialByline .popC"); ]
Cooper Cos.(COO) said its revenue jumped more than 6% in its fiscal first quarter, though its profit still fell as result of higher costs and expenses.
[By Chuck Carnevale]
The following example looking at Cooper Cos. Inc. (COO), and reveals a very cyclical company that provides insight into the PE equals 15 hypotheses that this series of articles has presented. Clearly, price follows earnings even when earnings are dropping, and interestingly, the market tends to apply our standard PE equals 15 even when this happens.

Best Dow Dividend Companies To Own For 2015: Aluminum Corporation of China Ltd(ACH)

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited engages in the manufacture and distribution of alumina, primary aluminum, and aluminum fabrication products in the People?s Republic of China and internationally. Its Alumina segment involves in the mining and purchasing of bauxite and other raw materials, refining of bauxite into alumina, and sale of alumina. This segment also produces and sells chemical alumina, including alumina hydroxide and alumina chemicals, and metal gallium. The company?s Primary Aluminum segment engages in smelting alumina to produce primary aluminum, principally ingots for use in general aluminum fabrication in the construction, power generation, automobile, packaging, machinery, and durable goods industries. This segment also produces and sells carbon products and aluminum alloy products. The Aluminum Fabrication segment involves in the production and sale of aluminum fabrication products, including casts, planks, screens, extrusions, forges, powder, and die castings for use in the construction, power generation, automobile, packaging, machinery, and durable goods industries. The Trading segment engages in the procurement and sale of alumina, primary aluminum, and aluminum fabrication products, as well as relevant metal products, and raw and ancillary materials. The company also engages in the manufacture and distribution of metal materials; sale of general machinery and equipment; production, acquisition, and distribution of limestone ore, aluminum magnesium ore, and related nonferrous metal products; aluminum smelting, manufacture, and distribution of nonferrous metals; and generation and supply of electricity, as well as in iron ore mining and coal mining activities. Aluminum Corporation of China Limited was founded in 2001 and is based in Beijing, China.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Dan Carroll]
Manufacturing's also fallen squarely into contraction territory and, as demand wanes in the sector, materials stocks dependent on China for growth will become more dangerous for investors. Chinese materials stocks are in an especially tight spot: the Aluminum Corporation of China (NYSE: ACH ) , also known as Chinalco, saw its shares plummet 9% this week alone, part of a 38% fall year to date as the aluminum market has declined. Chinalco will have a tough time ahead with cash drying up, lending cutting back, and manufacturing demand mired in contraction. Oversupply has also cut into this company's prospects, as high production of aluminum in earlier years is coming back to bite China now. It's hitting hard across Chinese materials stocks wherever oversupply is concerned, especially at giants such as Wuhan Iron and Steel, the fastest growing�of China's leading steel firms that dwarf U.S. competitors.
[By Dan Carroll]
Output at Chinese manufacturers�is declining and stockpiles of goods are increasing, according to HSBC's PMI reading. The combination is a storm of weak demand and oversupply for firms such as leading aluminum producer Chinalco (NYSE: ACH ) , which is already in a rut with the fall of aluminum prices around the world and global demand still weak. Chinalco slowed production recently to deal with falling demand, but with China representing�around 45% of the world's demand for the metal last year, falling demand in the world's second-largest economy is a killer blow to Chinalco and other powers in the industry. Until Chinese manufacturing can post a significant bounce-back, aluminum and other metals providers will be under serious pressure.

Best Dow Dividend Companies To Own For 2015: ICU Medical Inc.(ICUI)

ICU Medical, Inc. engages in the development, manufacture, and sale of medical technologies used in infusion therapy, oncology, and critical care applications. The company?s product line includes custom infusion systems, closed delivery systems for hazardous drugs, needleless infusion connectors, catheters, and cardiac monitoring systems. Its products enhance patient outcomes by preventing bloodstream infections, protecting healthcare workers and patients from exposure to infectious diseases or hazardous drugs, and monitoring the cardiac output of critical care patients. The company offers intravenous (I.V.) therapy lines consisting of a tube running from a bottle or plastic bag containing an I.V. solution to a catheter inserted in a patient?s vein for use in hospitals and ambulatory clinics; CLAVE product, a needleless I.V. connection device, which would be used with conventional peripheral or central vascular access systems for venous and arterial applications; custom infusion sets. It also provides critical care products that monitor vital signs and specific physiological functions of key organ systems, including disposable pressure-sensing devices, blood sampling systems, angiography kits, sensory catheters, pulmonary artery thermodilution catheters, and multi-lumen central venous catheters. In addition, the company provides TEGO for use in dialysis; a line of oncology products, including Spiros male luer connector device; the Genie vial access device; and custom I.V sets and ancillary products for chemotherapy. ICU Medical, Inc. sells its products to medical product manufacturers and independent medical supply distributors, as well as directly to the end customers worldwide. The company was founded in 1984 and is headquartered in San Clemente, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Seth Jayson]
ICU Medical (Nasdaq: ICUI ) is expected to report Q2 earnings around July 16. Here's what Wall Street wants to see:

The 10-second takeaway
Comparing the upcoming quarter to the prior-year quarter, average analyst estimates predict ICU Medical's revenues will increase 8.0% and EPS will expand 4.8%.

Best Dow Dividend Companies To Own For 2015: HSN Inc. (HSNI)

HSN, Inc., an interactive multi-channel retailer, provides retail experiences through various platforms, including television, online, mobile, catalogs, and retail and outlet stores. It markets and sells a range of third party and private label merchandise primarily in the United States. The company�s HSN segment offers jewelry, apparel and accessories, beauty and wellness products, housewares, home fashions, electronics, culinary, and fitness and other products directly to consumers through television home shopping programming broadcast on the HSN television networks, HSN.com Website, its mobile applications, and outlet stores. Its Cornerstone segment provides home furnishings, including indoor/outdoor furniture, window treatments, and other home related goods under the Frontgate, Ballard Designs, Grandin Road, and Improvements brands; and apparel and accessories under the Garnet Hill, TravelSmith, and Chasing Fireflies names through various branded catalogs and related Web sites. As of February 21, 2013, this segment distributed approximately 300 million catalogs; and operated 8 separate digital sale sites, and 11 retail and outlet stores. HSN, Inc. was founded in 1981 and is headquartered in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Lawrence Meyers]
Diller then spins off some of these entities into public companies, as he did with Home Shopping Network (HSNI) and timeshare company Interval Leisure Group (IILG). The company�� 52 week high was $80.64, it trades right now at $66. I�� love to make this one of my stocks to buy in the below the $50 mark, but IACI would be a bargain under $55.

Best Dow Dividend Companies To Own For 2015: NuPathe Inc.(PATH)

NuPathe Inc., a specialty pharmaceutical company, focuses on the development and commercialization of branded therapeutics for diseases of the central nervous system, including neurological and psychiatric disorders. The company?s advanced product candidate includes Zelrix an active single-use transdermal sumatriptan patch that is used for the treatment of migraine. Its proprietary product candidates in preclinical development stage comprise NP201 for the continuous symptomatic treatment of Parkinson?s disease; and NP202 for the long-term treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. NuPathe Inc. was founded in 2005 and is headquartered in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Vanina Egea] lli revealed owning a stake of 1,313,500 NuPathe Inc. shares, worth 0.01% of his portfolio. NuPathe Inc. has a market cap of $142 million; its shares are trading currently at around $4.3 with a P/B ratio of 18.4.

NuPathe is a specialty pharmaceutical company, focusing on the development and commercialization of branded therapeutics for neurological and psychiatric disorders. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (TEVA) announced a tender offer for all of the outstanding shares of common stock at a price of $3.65 per share in cash, and NuPathe stockholders will receive rights to receive additional cash payments of up to $3.15 per share The firm will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Teva, and common stock will cease to be traded on the Nasdaq following completion of the merger.

Hedge fund gurus have also been active in the company: Jim Simons (Trades, Portfolio) and Ronald Muhlenkamp (Trades, Portfolio) have invested in it.

ATMI Inc. (ATMI)

Gabelli reported a stake of 1,193,900 shares of ATMI Inc., sized at 0.22% of his portfolio, and 3.75% of the company. It has a market cap of $1.08 billion; its shares are trading at $34.04 with a P/E ratio of 28.6 and P/S ratio of 2.77.

ATMI supplies high performance materials, materials packaging and materials delivery systems for use in the manufacture of microelectronics devices worldwide. ATMI agreed to be acquired by Entegris (ENTG) for $1.15 billion, or $34 per share. The deal will provide a lot more of product offerings. The acquisition is expected to close during the second calendar quarter of 2014.

Hedge fund gurus have also been active in the company. Jim Simons (Trades, Portfolio), Arnold Schneider (Trades, Portfolio) and Paul Tudor Jones (Trades, Portfolio) have divested in it in the last quarter.

Nobility Homes Inc. (NOBH)

Finally, Gabelli reported owning 234.950 shares of Nobility Homes, sized at 5.97% of the company�� shares outstanding and 0.01% of Gabelli�
[By James E. Brumley]
It's not hard to find an attractive stock with the market is rallying - the rising tide lifts all stocks. The real test for a ticker is when the whole market is tanking (like Thursday), and a stock manages to make gains against the grain. Enter NuPathe Inc. (NASDAQ:PATH). This little biopharma stock is up 3% today, which isn't much, but given the market it's a virtual windfall. It's the reason for the rally - or lack of a reason to be more specific - that makes PATH such a compelling buy here.
[By Tess Stynes]
Endo Health Solutions Inc.(ENDP) agreed to acquire pharmaceutical company NuPathe Inc.(PATH) for about $105 million to gain the company’s new migraine treatment. Endo will acquire NuPathe for $2.85 per share, a 24% premium to its close of $2.30 on Friday. NuPathe shareholders will receive rights to receive additional cash payments of up to $3.15 per share if the company’s migraine treatment Zecuity meets certain sales milestones. NuPathe shares were up 51% at $3.48 in premarket trading.

Monday, May 26, 2014

4 Stocks Under $10 Making Big Moves

DELAFIELD, Wis. (Stockpickr) -- At Stockpickr, we track daily portfolios of stocks that are the biggest percentage gainers and the biggest percentage losers.

Stocks that are making large moves like these are favorites among short-term traders because they can jump into these names and try to capture some of that massive volatility. Stocks that are making big-percentage moves either up or down are usually in play because their sector is becoming attractive or they have a major fundamental catalyst such as a recent earnings release. Sometimes stocks making big moves have been hit with an analyst upgrade or an analyst downgrade.

Regardless of the reason behind it, when a stock makes a large-percentage move, it is often just the start of a new major trend -- a trend that can lead to huge profits. If you time your trade correctly, combining technical indicators with fundamental trends, discipline and sound money management, you will be well on your way to investment success.

With that in mind, let's take a closer look at a several stocks under $10 that are making large moves to the upside.

American Apparel

American Apparel (APP), designs, manufactures, distributes, retails and sells branded fashion basic apparel products, and clothing and accessories for women, men, children, and babies. This stock closed up 6.3% to 65 cents per share in Thursday's trading session.

Thursday's Range: $0.57-$0.66

52-Week Range: $0.46-$2.17

Thursday's Volume: 2.12 million

Three-Month Average Volume: 2.65 million

From a technical perspective, APP bounced sharply higher here right off its 50-day moving average of 61 cents per share with decent upside volume. This stock recently pulled back from 75 cents per share to Thursday's low of 57 cents per share with light downside volume. Market players should now look for a continuation move higher in the short-term if APP manages to take out Thursday's intraday high of 66 cents per share with high volume.

Traders should now look for long-biased trades in APP as long as it's trending above its 50-day at 61 cents per share and then once it sustains a move or close above 66 cents per share with volume that hits near or above 2.65 million shares. If that move kicks off soon, then APP will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at 75 to 82 cents per share.

Oi (OIBR) provides integrated telecommunication services for residential customers, companies and governmental agencies in Brazil. This stock closed up 2.5% to 85 cents per share in Thursday's trading session.

Thursday's Range: $0.82-$0.86

52-Week Range: $0.76-$2.34

Thursday's Volume: 22.83 million

Three-Month Average Volume: 14.72 million

From a technical perspective, OIBR jumped modestly higher here right above some near-term support at 80 cents per share with heavy upside volume. This stock has been downtrending badly for the last five months, with shares sliding lower from its high of $1.97 to its recent 52-week low of 76 cents per share. During that downtrend, shares of OBIR have been making mostly lower highs and lower lows, which is bearish technical price action. That said, shares of OIBR now look ready to rebound and potentially trigger a near-term breakout trade. That trade will hit if OIBR manages to take out Thursday's intraday high of 86 cents to more near-term overhead resistance at 90 cents per share with high volume.

Traders should now look for long-biased trades in OIBR as long as it's trending above some key near-term support levels at 80 cents to 76 cents per share and then once it sustains a move or close above those breakout levels with volume that hits near or above 14.72 million shares. If that breakout triggers soon, then OIBR will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at $1.02 to $1.08 a share. Any high-volume move above those levels will then give OIBR a chance to tag its 50-day moving average of $1.18 to more resistance at $1.27.

Endocyte

Endocyte (ECYT), a biopharmaceutical company, develops targeted therapies for the treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases in the U.S. This stock closed up 2.2% to $6.45 a share in Thursday's trading session.

Top 5 Financial Companies To Buy For 2015

Thursday's Range: $6.14-$6.48

52-Week Range: $6.01-$33.70

Thursday's Volume: 893,000

Three-Month Average Volume: 1.91 million

From a technical perspective, ECYT jumped higher here right above its recent 52-week low of $6.01 with lighter-than-average volume. This move higher on Thursday is starting to push shares of ECYT within range of triggering a major breakout trade. That trade will hit if ECYT manages to clear some near-term overhead resistance levels at $6.82 to $7.30 with high volume.

Traders should now look for long-biased trades in ECYT as long as it's trending above its 52-week low of $6.01 and then once it sustains a move or close above those breakout levels with volume that hits near or above 1.91 million shares. If that breakout hits soon, then ECYT will set up to re-fill some of its previous gap-down-day zone from earlier this month that started above $17.50.

Ciber

Ciber (CBR) operates as an information technology company. This stock closed up 6.8 % to $4.50 a share in Thursday's trading session.

Thursday's Range: $4.21-$4.54

52-Week Range: $3.08-$4.91

Thursday's Volume: 787,000

Three-Month Average Volume: 221,444

From a technical perspective, CBR bounced sharply higher here right above some near-term support at $4.13 and back above its 50-day moving average of $4.41 with heavy upside volume flows. This bounce higher on Thursday is quickly pushing shares of CBR within range of triggering a major breakout trade. That trade will hit if CBR manages to take out some key near-term overhead resistance levels at $4.64 to $4.73 and then once it takes out its 52-week high of $4.91 with high volume.

Traders should now look for long-biased trades in CBR as long as it's trending above some key near-term support levels at $4.13 or at $4.10 and then once it sustains a move or close above those breakout levels with volume that hits near or above 221,444 shares. If that breakout gets underway soon, then CBR will set up to enter new 52-week-high territory above $4.91, which is bullish technical price action. Some possible upside targets off that breakout are $5.50 to $6.

To see more stocks that are making notable moves higher, check out the Stocks Under $10 Moving Higher portfolio on Stockpickr.

-- Written by Roberto Pedone in Delafield, Wis.

Sunday, May 25, 2014

How Will Sodastream (SODA) Stock React To This Downgrade?

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Shares of Sodastream International Ltd. (SODA) were downgraded to "underweight" from "equal weight" at Barclays (BCS) with a $35.00 price target.

The stock is down -1.19% to $39.15 in pre-market trade.

Must Read: Warren Buffett's 25 Favorite Growth Stocks STOCKS TO BUY: TheStreet Quant Ratings has identified a handful of stocks that can potentially TRIPLE in the next 12 months. Learn more.

Separately, TheStreet Ratings team rates SODASTREAM INTERNATIONAL LTD as a Hold with a ratings score of C. TheStreet Ratings Team has this to say about their recommendation: "We rate SODASTREAM INTERNATIONAL LTD (SODA) a HOLD. The primary factors that have impacted our rating are mixed some indicating strength, some showing weaknesses, with little evidence to justify the expectation of either a positive or negative performance for this stock relative to most other stocks. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its revenue growth, largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures and good cash flow from operations. However, as a counter to these strengths, we also find weaknesses including a generally disappointing performance in the stock itself, feeble growth in the company's earnings per share and deteriorating net income." Highlights from the analysis by TheStreet Ratings Team goes as follows: SODA's revenue growth trails the industry average of 19.0%. Since the same quarter one year prior, revenues slightly increased by 0.5%. This growth in revenue does not appear to have trickled down to the company's bottom line, displayed by a decline in earnings per share. SODA's debt-to-equity ratio is very low at 0.07 and is currently below that of the industry average, implying that there has been very successful management of debt levels. Along with the favorable debt-to-equity ratio, the company maintains an adequate quick ratio of 1.05, which illustrates the ability to avoid short-term cash problems. The gross profit margin for SODASTREAM INTERNATIONAL LTD is rather high; currently it is at 55.84%. Regardless of SODA's high profit margin, it has managed to decrease from the same period last year. Despite the mixed results of the gross profit margin, the net profit margin of 1.50% trails the industry average. SODASTREAM INTERNATIONAL LTD has experienced a steep decline in earnings per share in the most recent quarter in comparison to its performance from the same quarter a year ago. Earnings per share have declined over the last year. We anticipate that this should continue in the coming year. During the past fiscal year, SODASTREAM INTERNATIONAL LTD reported lower earnings of $1.96 versus $2.09 in the prior year. For the next year, the market is expecting a contraction of 1.0% in earnings ($1.94 versus $1.96). The company, on the basis of change in net income from the same quarter one year ago, has significantly underperformed when compared to that of the S&P 500 and the Household Durables industry. The net income has significantly decreased by 85.3% when compared to the same quarter one year ago, falling from $12.08 million to $1.78 million. You can view the full analysis from the report here: SODA Ratings Report STOCKS TO BUY: TheStreet Quant Ratings has identified a handful of stocks that can potentially TRIPLE in the next 12 months. Learn more.

Saturday, May 24, 2014

Top 5 Wireless Telecom Companies To Invest In 2015

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Adobe Systems (ADBE) was the biggest gaining stock in the S&P 500 Wednesday as the company demonstrated that its strategy of shifting to the cloud with a subscription pricing model is working better than planned.

Shares were surging more than 6% to $51.22 after the company reported a sequential increase of 331,000 in paid Creative Cloud subscriptions to more than 1 million during its fiscal third-quarter, boosting subscription revenue by 73% to $299.4 million from a year ago.

CEO Shantanu Narayen said that the company's transition to the Creative Cloud subscription model from the traditional perpetual licensing business model was happening faster than expected. "Our customers are overwhelmingly choosing subscriptions," he said in a statement. The company expects Creative Cloud subscriptions to hit 4 million by the end of 2015. The Creative Cloud was launched in May 2012.

Top 5 Wireless Telecom Companies To Invest In 2015: Rewards Nexus Inc (ERNI)

Rewards Nexus Inc., formerly NIS Holdings Corp., incorporated on June 21, 2004, through its subsidiaries, operates in the loyalty/rewards industry. The Company has launched the Earn IQ rewards program, a consumer loyalty platform-coupled with marketing and advertising services for various industries.

The Company provides consumers with opportunities to interact and engage with online and mobile products. It primarily focuses on various business sectors, including the customer loyalty management market, the gift card industry, the online food ordering industry, and the marketing consulting industry

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Peter Graham]
Small cap stocks Rewards Nexus Inc (OTCMKTS: ERNI), MyEcheck Inc (OTCMKTS: MYEC) and ITonis Inc (OTCMKTS: ITNS) fell 29.6%, 18.92% and 9.09%, respectively, last Friday. Moreover, some of these small cap stocks are already making big moves again this morning - perhaps in part because they have all been the subject of recent paid promotions. So where are these small cap heading this week and for the long term? Here is a quick reality check:

Top 5 Wireless Telecom Companies To Invest In 2015: T-Mobile US Inc (TMUS)

T-Mobile US, Inc., formerly MetroPCS Communications, Inc., incorporated on March 10, 2004, is a wireless telecommunications carrier, which offers wireless broadband mobile services primarily in metropolitan areas in the United States, including the Atlanta, Boston, Dallas/Fort Worth, Detroit, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Orlando/Jacksonville, Philadelphia, Sacramento, San Francisco and Tampa/Sarasota metropolitan areas. Its flagship brands include T-Mobile and MetroPCS. As of December 31, 2012, it held licenses for wireless spectrum suitable for wireless broadband mobile services covering a total population of 144 million people in and around many of the metropolitan areas in the United States. It provides its services using code division multiple accesses (CDMA) networks using 1xRTT technology and evolution data optimized (EVDO) and fourth generation long term evolution (4G LTE).

The Company has roaming agreements with other wireless broadband mobile carriers that allow them to offer its customers service in many areas when they are outside its service area. These roaming agreements, together with the area it serve with its own networks, allows its customers to receive service in an area covering over 280 million in total population under the Metro USA brand. The Company sells products and services to customers through its Company-owned retail stores, as well as indirectly through relationships with independent retailers and third party dealers. Its service allows its customers to place unlimited local calls from within its local service area and to receive unlimited calls from any area while in its service area, for a flat-rate monthly service fee. For additional usage fees, it also provide certain other value-added services. All of these plans require payment in advance for one month of service. If no payment is made in advance for month of service, service is suspended at the end of the month that was paid for by the customer and, if the customer does not pay within 30 day! s, the customer is terminated. It believes its service plans differentiate them from the more complex plans and long-term contract requirements of traditional wireless carriers.

The Company voice services allow customers to place voice calls to, and receive calls from, any telephone in the world, including local, domestic long distance, and international calls. Its voice services also allow customers to receive and make calls while they are located in areas served by its networks and in those geographic areas served by the networks of certain other wireless broadband mobile carriers with whom it has roaming arrangements. The Company�� data services include text messaging services (domestic and international); multimedia messaging services; mobile Internet access; mobile instant messaging; location-based services; social networking services; push e-mail; multimedia streaming and downloads; and services provided, depending on the network and locale, through the Binary Runtime Environment for Wireless, or BREW, Blackberry, Windows, and the Android platforms, such as ringtones, ring back tones, games, content, and applications.

The Company�� Custom calling features offers custom calling features, including caller ID, call waiting, three-way calling and voicemail. Its Advanced handsets sells a variety of feature phones, and increasingly, smartphones, predominately manufactured by nationally recognized manufacturers for use on its network, including models that have cameras, include HTML browsers, play music, play streaming audio, display streaming video and downloaded video, and have other features facilitating digital data. It sells a variety of handsets using vendor or handset specific operating systems, such as BREW, Blackberry, Windows, and the Android operating system.

The Company provides its wireless broadband mobile services using paired personal communications services (PCS), spectrum and advanced wireless services, or AWS, spectrum. In addition, it holds a! license ! for 12 MHz of paired 700 MHz Lower Band A spectrum in the Boston-Worcester, MA/NH/RI/VT basic economic area (BEA), which, unless it receives a waiver from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), of the four year construction requirements, it plans to construct in the first half of 2013. In each of its metropolitan areas where irt provides service. As of December 31, 2012, it holds between 10 mega hertz (MHz) and 60 MHz of paired spectrum and on average it has approximately 22 MHz of paired spectrum in the metropolitan areas it serves. In the aggregate, as of December 31, 2012, it offers wireless broadband mobile services using its own network.

The Company operates 1xRTT CDMA networks in all of the metropolitan areas it serves and it has upgraded its networks to 4G LTE in all of metropolitan areas. It also has deployed EVDO at selected high use sites in its CDMA network to increase network data capacity to meet the growing data needs of iy customers. Its network includes a mobile switching center (for CDMA), enhanced packet core (for 4G LTE), and IP core. These serve several purposes, including routing traffic, managing call handoffs, and managing access to the public switched telephone network (for CDMA) or the Internet (CDMA and 4G LTE). These network elements also provide access to voicemail and other value-added services, base stations (for CDMA) or eNodeBs (for 4G LTE), cell sites or distributed antenna system (DAS), nodes, and backhaul facilities, which carry traffic to and from its cell sites and its switching or enhanced packet core facilities, consisting of a combination of dedicated circuits, cable, fiber, and microwave facilities.

Its cell sites in the network are co-located, meaning its equipment is located on leased facilities that are owned by third parties who retain the right to lease the locations to additional carriers and in many cases other wireless broadband mobile service providers already have facilities at such locations. The switching centers and na! tional op! erations center provide around-the-clock monitoring of its network. Its switches connect to the public switched telephone network through fiber rings leased from third-parties, which transmit originating and terminating traffic between its equipment and local exchange and long distance carriers. It also has negotiated interconnection agreements with relevant local exchange carriers, or LECs, in its service areas. It uses third-party providers for domestic and international long distance services, international SMS interconnection with the public switched network and other carriers, roaming services, and the majority of its backhaul services.

The Company competes with AT&T, Verizon Wireless, Sprint Nextel, T-Mobile USA , Deutsche Telekom, Clearwire, Dish Network , Time Warner Cable, Comcast, Cox Communications, Cricket Communications, Leap Wireless International and Google.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By GURUFOCUS]
T-Mobile (TMUS) ��We had the opportunity to establish a position in T-Mobile in November when the Company conducted a secondary offering at $25. The offering represented a favorable relative valuation versus peers, enhanced by recently improved relative operating performance and an attractive EBITDA growth trajectory.�
[By Sean Williams]
Can you hear me now?
The downside to the U.S. telecom and entertainment service provider business is that it's rife with competition. Verizon is one of only two behemoth domestic carriers -- the other being AT&T�-- that's really able to throw its weight around with regard to wireless pricing and flexibility. That doesn't stop the little guys from trying, however, as Sprint Nextel�agreed to a big investment by Japan's SoftBank, which will give it a majority stake in Verizon in exchange for billions of dollars to build out its 4G LTE network. Similarly, T-Mobile (NYSE: TMUS ) merged with MetroPCS to give the bigger service providers a run for their money, and it's been offering no-obligation iPhone contracts to lure new customers.
[By Adam Levy]
AT&T (NYSE: T ) added 566,000 postpaid customers in the fourth quarter. That was good enough to best Sprint (NYSE: S ) , but trailed Verizon (NYSE: VZ ) and T-Mobile (NYSE: TMUS ) . A huge number of those net new customers were tablet owners -- 440,000.
[By Jonathan Berr]
Shares of Sprint (S) and T-Mobile US (TMUS), which have been also-rans in the U.S. wireless market for as long as most people can remember, enjoyed spectacular 2013 returns as investors bet that the third- and fourth-largest players would combine forces to take on larger rivals Verizon (VZ) and AT&T (T).

Hot Regional Bank Companies To Own In Right Now: Tim Participacoes SA (TIMP3)

TIM Participacoes SA (TIM) is a Brazil-based holding company engaged in the telecommunications segment. Through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, TIM Celular SA (TIM Celular) and Intelig Telecomunicacoes Ltda (Intelig), it provides telecommunication services throughout Brazil. TIM Celular and Intelig are active as Public Switched Telephony Network (PSTN) providers in the local and national and international long-distance modalities in all Brazilian states. Additionally, the Company provides multimedia communication services and personal mobile services, mobile data services and a third generation (3G) network, as well as international roaming agreements, multimedia messaging services, blackberry services and sale of related equipment. Advisors' Opinion:

[By Jonathan Morgan]
Telecom Italia SpA (TIT) jumped 6.2 percent to 65.6 euro cents. The phone company that was stripped of its investment-grade rating is seeking at least 9 billion euros for its controlling stake in Brazilian wireless carrier Tim Participacoes SA (TIMP3), according to a person with direct knowledge of the matter.
[By Inyoung Hwang]
Telecom Italia climbed 5.2 percent to 64.2 euro cents, its highest price since May. The telecommunications operator would gain enough funds to improve its domestic business if it sells at least 4 billion euros ($5.4 billion) of shares or its stake in Tim Participacoes SA (TIMP3) in Brazil, according to Goldman Sachs.
[By Zahra Hankir]
Brazil�� Ibovespa extended its weekly decline to 3.3 percent. Mobile carrier Tim Participacoes SA (TIMP3) sank after parent Telecom Italia SpA (TIT)�� chief executive officer said its Brazilian assets are strategic, damping speculation the local unit will be sold.

Top 5 Wireless Telecom Companies To Invest In 2015: Vodafone Group PLC (VOD)

Vodafone Group Plc (Vodafone), incorporated in 1984, is a mobile communications company operating across the globe providing a range of communications services. The Company offers a range of products and services, including voice, messaging, data and fixed-line solutions and devices to assist customers in meeting their total communications needs. Vodafone has a global presence, with equity interests in over 30 countries and over 40 partner markets worldwide. It operates in three geographic regions: Europe, Africa and Central Europe; Asia Pacific, and the Middle East, and has an investment in Verizon Wireless in the United States. In October 2010, Vodafone Global Enterprise, the business within Vodafone, announced the acquisition of two telecom expense management (TEM) companies, Quickcomm and TnT Expense Management. In November 2011, the Company sold 24.4% interest in Polkomtel in Poland. In March 2012, Verizon Wireless, which is a joint venture of Verizon Communications Inc. and Vodafone, purchased the operating assets of Cellular One of Northeast Pennsylvania from the Company. In April 2012, its Netherlands-based division, Vodafone Libertel BV, acquired Telespectrum-DJ. On October 31, 2012, the Company acquired TelstraClear Limited. In May 2013, Vodafone Group Plc announced launch of its carrier services business unit.

In Europe, the Company�� mobile subsidiaries and joint venture operate under the brand name Vodafone. Its associate in France operates as SFR and Neuf Cegetel, and its fixed-line communication businesses operate as Vodafone, Arcor, Tele2 and TeleTu. Vodafone�� subsidiaries in Africa and Central Europe operate under the Vodafone brand, or in the case of Vodacom and its mobile subsidiaries, the Vodacom and Gateway brands. Its joint venture in Poland operates as Polkomtel and its associate in Kenya operates as Safaricom. The Company�� subsidiaries and joint venture in Fiji operate under the Vodafone brand, and its joint venture in Australia operates under the brands V! odafone and 3. The Company�� associate in the United States operates under the brand Verizon Wireless.

Vodafone has an international customer base with 370 million mobile customers across the world as of March 31, 2011. Vodafone also caters to all business segments ranging from small-office-home-office (SoHo) and small-medium enterprises (SMEs) to corporates and multinational corporations. Through its subsidiaries, Vodafone directly owns and manages approximately 2,200 stores around the world. The Company also has around 10,300 Vodafone-branded stores run through franchise and exclusive dealer arrangements.

The Company�� range of handsets covers all its customer segments and price points, and is available in a variety of designs. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011 (fiscal 2011), 14 new handsets were released under its own brand and it shipped 5.8 million. In addition to handsets, it supplies a range of connected smart devices. It supplies the iPhone in 19 markets. During fiscal 2011, the Company launched its USB stick based on 4G/LTE technology in Germany and Verizon Wireless launched in the United States.; Vodafone WebBox; a smartphone roaming data plan that allows the European customers to use their home data plan abroad for only 2 a day to access the Internet, emails and applications; the Android-powered Vodafone 845 and 945 devices; Vodafone TV services; Vodafone 252, which comes pre-loaded with Vodafone M-Pesa for mobile payment services and a prepaid balance indicator that helps customers to keep track of their phone credit to avoid overspending; Vodafone M-Pesa in South Africa, Qatar and Fiji; 3G services in India, and LTE services by acquiring LTE spectrum in Germany.

The Company is a carrier of mobile voice traffic in the world providing domestic, international and roaming voice services to more than 370 million customers. Its networks sent and received over 292 billion text, picture, music and video messages during fiscal 2011. The Company ! serves mo! re than 75 million customers with data services, which allow access to the Internet, email and applications on their phones, tablets, laptops and netbooks. The Company provides a range of data products, including Machine-to-machine (��2M�� connections, which allow devices to communicate with one another via built-in mobile SIM cards; Third party billing; Financial services; Near field communication (��FC��, and Mobile advertising. The Company, as of March 31, 2011, served 5.3 million M2M connections around the world. NFC allows communication between devices when they are touched together or brought within a few centimetres of each other. The Company has mobile advertising business in 18 countries with a range of capabilities. Over six million customers use its fixed broadband services in 13 markets to meet their total communications needs. In addition, through Gateway, it provides wholesale carrier services to more than 40 African countries. Other service revenue includes business managed services, such as secure remote network access, and revenue from mobile virtual network operators generated from selling access to its network at the wholesale level. The Company�� enterprise customers range from small-office-home-office (��oHo�� businesses and small to medium-sized enterprises (��MEs��, through to domestic and multinational companies. The Company has 34 million enterprise customers accounting for around 9% of all customers and around 23% of service revenue. The Company focuses on SoHos and SMEs to provide customers with integrated fixed and mobile communications solutions. Vodafone Global Enterprise manages the communication needs of over 560 of the multinational corporate customers. It provides a range of managed services, such as Central Ordering, Device Manager, Spend Manager Solutions, Invoice Manager, Vodafone Neverfail and Telecoms management. The Company offers a range of total communications applications, as well as services for enterprise and consumer customers. Vodafone Alw! ays Best ! Connected software enables customers to stay connected to the Internet on the available connection wherever they are by automatically managing the switching between connection types including mobile broadband, Wi-Fi and LAN. Vodafone PC Backup is an online back-up and restores service that enables users to remotely store data securely and automatically via their Internet connection.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Sam Robson]
LONDON -- Vodafone (LSE: VOD ) (NASDAQ: VOD ) has drawn first blood in the ongoing saga with Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ ) over the ownership of Verizon Wireless, after the U.S. telecoms Goliath relented after claiming initially that Wireless's dividend payout was not assured this year.
[By Dan Dzombak]
The positive results were led by Verizon Wireless, which grew by 8% and expanded its margins by 4%. Verizon Wireless is a joint venture between Verizon and Vodafone (NASDAQ: VOD ) , which owns 45%. There has been much speculation that Verizon might buy Vodafone's stake or perhaps buy all of Vodafone, but the company flatly denies that it will make a bid.
[By WALLSTCHEATSHEET]
Vodafone is a supplier of communications products and services worldwide. Increased regulation and a European recession have the company worried. However, the firm still managed to meet analyst expectations during a recent earnings report. The stock is currently sitting near the top of a range that it has been trying to break above. Over most of the last three years, investors in the company have been optimistic, as earnings and revenue figures have been mixed. Relative to its peers and sector, Vodafone has been a year-to-date performance leader. WAIT AND SEE what Vodafone does in coming quarters.

Top 5 Wireless Telecom Companies To Invest In 2015: Eutelsat Communications SA (ETL)

Eutelsat Communications SA is a France-based holding company that provides fixed satellite services. It provides four types of services, including broadcast services, such as direct-to-home and professional broadcasting; broadband services, comprising broadband Internet access; telecoms and data services to ensure permanent communications links from all points of the globe, establish or restore communications in an emergency and multicast content; as well as mobile and maritime communications, such as fleet management and on- and off-shore broadband maritime communications. It operates a fleet of satellites covering Europe, the Middle East, North and sub-Saharan Africa, as well as parts of Asia and the Americas. In January 2014, it acquired Satelites Mexicanos, S.A. de C.V. and together with SES SA have completed the sale to EchoStar Corp. of Solaris Mobile Ltd. Advisors' Opinion:

[By Sofia Horta e Costa]
Eutelsat Communications SA (ETL) declined 6.2 percent to 21.02 euros after predicting sales will grow by more than 2.5 percent for the year 2013 to 2014. The company, which operates 31 satellites, forecast growth of more than 5 percent for the following two years through June 2016. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut its price target for the stock to 24 euros from 33 euros, saying analysts��will probably reduce their estimates following the company�� revised guidance.