5 Best Food Stocks To Buy For 2014

The Consumer Price Index increased a seasonally adjusted 0.1% for May, according to a Labor Department report (link opens a PDF) released today.

After falling 0.4% for April on cheaper gasoline, analysts had expected a 0.2% bump for May's report.

Source: Labor Department.�

Cheaper energy prices were mostly responsible for both March's and April's drops, but May's 0.4% gain seems to have leveled out its overall effect. Gasoline prices remained constant, although natural gas utility prices bumped up 2.4%. The natural gas index notched its fourth consecutive increase. According to the report, over the past 12 months energy indexes are mixed, with the index for fuel oil falling 5.8% and the gasoline index down 4.1%, while the natural gas index has risen 14.2% and the electricity index is up 1.7%.

A 0.1% decrease in food prices for May also tempered April's 0.2% rise. Excluding food and energy prices, May's consumer price index clocked in at up 0.2%, on par with analyst predictions. Major movers included a "shelter index" increase of 0.3% (primarily due to higher rent), as well as a 2.2% increase in airline fares.

Top 10 Life Sciences Companies To Buy For 2015: Greenfield Farms Food Inc (GRAS)

Greenfield Farms Food, Inc., formerly Sweet Spot Games, Inc., is a consumer and wholesale driven producer of grassfed beef. As of March 2, 2011, the Company had product in 55 retail locations, 51 with Lowes Foods Stores throughout North and South Carolina, three retail locations with the Healthy Home Markets in Charlotte, North Carolina and one custom butcher, The Peach Stand located in Ft. Mill, South Carolina. On March 1, 2011, the Company executed a plan of exchange and merger and acquired Greenfield Farms Grassfed Beef, Inc., a North Carolina company. As of March 2, 2011, the Company and its collective group of producers represented over 2,500 acres in pasture under management and approximately 2,000 head of cattle. In November 2013, Greenfield Farms Food Inc acquired Carmela's Pizzeria.

The Company was established as a development-stage company, for developing online, multiplayer gaming applications. In February 2010, the Company abandoned the game development space.

The Company competes with White Oak Pastures (WOP).

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Peter Graham]

  Small cap stocks Greenfield Farms Food Inc (OTCMKTS: GRAS), International Stem Cell Corp (OTCMKTS: ISCO) and Redpoint Bio Corporation (OTCMKTS: RPBC) have all been getting some extra attention lately in various investment newsletters. However, none of these small cap stocks appear to have been the subject or paid promotions or investor relations activities. So does that make any of them good bets for traders and investors alike? Here is a quick look and a reality check:

5 Best Food Stocks To Buy For 2014: CannaVEST Corp (CANV)

CannaVEST Corp., formerly Foreclosure Solutions, Inc., incorporated on December 9, 2010, is engaged in the business of developing, producing, marketing and selling end consumer products to the nutriceutical industry containing the hemp plant extract, Cannabidoil (CBD). The Company produces raw ingredients for neutraceutical markets. This substance can be used with foods and nutritional supplements for consumer health and wellness benefits, as well as in the pharmaceutical industry. On March 4, 2013, the Company acquired KannaLife Sciences, Inc. On December 31, 2012, the Company acquired certain assets of PhytoSPHERE Systems, LLC (PhytoSPHERE). It also secured the license to the name PhytoSPHERE and PhytoSPHERE Systems for use in the development and commercialization of hemp-based products.

The Company focuses to develop applicable raw ingredients, and provide raw ingredients for the production and development of multiple existing and developing product applications. Its focus is to produce, market and distribute hemp-based consumer products, as well as acquire existing businesses involved in the industrial hemp industries.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Dan Burrows]

  But it doesn’t end there. Investors should run away from all OTC marijuana stocks, including Medical Marijuana (MJNA), Cannabis Science (CBIS), CannaVest (CANV), MediSwipe (MWIP) and GreenGro Technologies (GRNH). As the SEC warns:

5 Best Food Stocks To Buy For 2014: Freedom Foods Group Ltd (FNP)

Freedom Foods Group Limited (FNP) is an Australia-based company engaged in providing for specialized Needs in the Global Food Industry. The Company operates in Freedom Foods, operating in the manufacture, distribution and marketing of allergen free cereals and nutritional snacks and other food products under the Freedom Foods brand and dairy alternative beverages under the Australia�� Own and Freedom Foods brands. The Company�� Pactum Australia operates in the manufacture and distribution of Aseptic (long life) beverages and foods. The Company�� Specialty Seafood, operating in the distribution and marketing of canned Herring Sardines and Canned Alaskan Salmon under the Brunswick and Paramount brands. The Company has investment in A2 Corporation, operating in A2 branded dairy milk manufacture, marketing and distribution activities in Australia and International Markets. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Andrew Marder]

  It looks like Juicy Couture and Lucky Brand have become too burdensome for Fifth and Pacific (NYSE: FNP  ) to handle. The company is reportedly looking to sell off the brands, leaving its portfolio centered around the fast-rising Kate Spade brand. Lucky has had some success in the past year, though Juicy has languished, stuck with the velour tracksuits of yesterday. While Fifth and Pacific hasn't confirmed the rumors, the sale would make a lot of sense, and likely leave the company better off.

• [By Louis Navellier]

  Ralph Lauren Corp.’s largest competitors are Fifth & Pacific Companies (FNP) and The Jones Group (JNY). Of these three companies, Fifth & Pacific is currently the best buy right now due to superior buying pressure. Meanwhile, Jones Group is suffering from flat sales and deep-seated cash flow issues. I’ll discuss Ralph Lauren’s problems with attracting institutional investors shortly.

• [By Dan Caplinger]

  Another up-and-coming competitor is Juicy Couture, a brand of Fifth and Pacific (NYSE: FNP  ) , which plans to launch a new line of intimate apparel early next year. For Fifth and Pacific, getting Juicy Couture to perform better would mark the final step in its overall turnaround, with the company's other two major brands having already seen gains in comps recently.

• [By Dan Caplinger]

  Movado has put in place a number of lucrative partnerships, going beyond selling its own line of luxury watches by creating watch lines for other luxury retailers. By latching onto the success of fellow luxury retailers Coach (NYSE: COH  ) and the Juicy Couture division of Fifth & Pacific (NYSE: FNP  ) , Movado ensures that it's able to get customers from multiple sources targeting different demographics.

5 Best Food Stocks To Buy For 2014: Sprouts Farmers Market Inc (SFM)

Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. (Sprouts), incorporated on January 27, 2011, is a specialty retailer of natural and organic food focusing on health and wellness. The Company offers fresh produce, bulk foods, vitamins and supplements, grocery, meat and seafood, bakery, dairy, frozen foods, body care and natural household items. The Company�� product offerings focus on fresh, natural and organic foods. Natural foods can be defined as foods that are minimally processed and are free of synthetic preservatives, artificial sweeteners, colors, flavors and other additives, growth hormones, antibiotics, hydrogenated oils, stabilizers and emulsifiers. The Company categorize the over 7,000 range of products, it sells as perishable and non-perishable. Perishable product categories include produce, meat, seafood, deli and bakery. Non-perishable product categories include grocery, vitamins and supplements, bulk items, dairy and dairy alternatives, frozen foods, beer and wine, and natural health and body care.

The cornerstones of the Company�� business are fresh, natural and organic products. As of July 19, 2013, the Company opened 87 new stores while rebranding 43 Henry�� and 39 Sunflower stores to the Sprouts banner. The Company�� stores include Produce, Bulk Items, Vitamins and Supplements, Grocery, Meat, Seafood, Deli, Bakery, Dairy and Dairy Alternatives, Frozen Foods, Beer and Wine and Natural Health and Body Care.The Company offer its customers a farmers market open-feel environment consisting of an abundant and affordable offering of fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs, focused on appearance, flavor and value. The Company�� stores include a crafted selection of more than 450 ranges of scoopable nuts, fruits, trail mixes, grains, beans, cereals, coffee, tea, spices, candy and snacks featured in the center of the store. The Company�� stores feature more than 4,200 vitamins, supplements, natural remedies, functional food, lifestyle support, and herbal supplements. This department includes ! an extensive private label offering.

The Company�� grocery offering focuses on healthy options. The Company carries approximately 4,200 natural and organic products in its grocery aisles, including meal components, natural sodas and other beverages, snacks and bars, baking goods, baby, pet and household items such as detergent and paper towels, and earth-friendly mercantile items. The Company�� Olde Tyme Butcher Shops combine sourcing through its trusted supplier network, product variety and old-fashioned customer service. The Company offers a range of seafood favorites delivered up to six days a week. The Conpany feature a range of fresh deli specialties, including sliced deli meat, salads, dips, entrees, side dishes, fresh made to order sandwiches at value prices and an abundant selection of over 200 varieties of cheeses from around the world.

The Company��bakery offering includes artisan bread alongside a wide assortment of sandwich breads, rolls, tortillas, pitas, muffins, cookies and pies as well as sugar free, gluten free and low carbohydrate products. The Company�� dairy department features a selection of organic, natural and regionally sourced milk, yogurt (including Greek, Australian, organic, and soy-based), butter and eggs, as well as a full selection of vegan and vegetarian alternative dairy products. The Company�� freezer cases feature traditional and ethnic natural and organic entrees and side dishes, along with frozen vegetables, desserts and specialty items, such as gluten-free breads and non-dairy ice creams. The Company offers approximately 2,400 natural, cruelty-free health and beauty products, old-fashioned remedies and modern body care innovations, including facial care products and make up, skin, hair, dental, baby care and grooming products.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Teresa Rivas]

  Sprouts Farmers Market (SFM) more than doubled in its trading debut today, jumping to $36.52.

  The organic grocery chain’s initial public offering price was $18, ahead of the $14 to $16 range it had expected, and raised about $333 million.

  Goldman Sachs, Credit Suisse, and Bank of America Merrill Lynch were the lead underwriters of the deal.

  The company operates 163 stores, primarily in the southwestern U.S. Sales surged 113% year-over-year in fiscal 2011 and then 62% last year to $1.79 billion, according to Briefing.com.

  Larger rival Whole Foods Market (WFM) was inching down in recent trading; the company reported fiscal third-quarter earnings after the bell Wednesday.

• [By Matt Jarzemsky var popups = dojo.query(".socialByline .popC"); popups.forEach]

  It�� also an active period for sales of stock in already-public companies. Among other deals, Apollo Global Management LLC(APO) and other insiders in Sprouts Farmers Market Inc.(SFM) are offering 15 million shares�� roughly $511 million stake��n the grocer late Thursday.