Saturday, May 31, 2014

Why Caterpillar, IBM, and Exxon Mobil Held Back the Dow This Week

The Dow Jones Industrials (DJINDICES: ^DJI  ) had a strong week to finish the month of May, with the average emerging at an all-time record closing high on Friday. Gains in the Dow have been broad-based, with the vast majority of Dow component stocks rising for the week. But the Dow did leave a few lagging stocks behind, with Caterpillar (NYSE: CAT  ) , IBM (NYSE: IBM  ) , and ExxonMobil (NYSE: XOM  ) among the stocks that posted declines on an otherwise positive day for the market.

Source: Caterpillar.

Caterpillar fell 1.7% on the week, with most of the decline coming on Friday after Chief Information Officer Randy Krotowski announced that he would resign effective June 1. The CIO had only been with Caterpillar for two years, but the drop in the stock's price suggests how sensitive shareholders are to any signs of problems at the company. Still, Caterpillar's stock hadn't performed well even before the announcement, as the Dow component continues to struggle with weak demand for its heavy equipment, especially among mining-industry customers. The key to a Caterpillar rebound will likely be in North America, where conditions in the construction industry have improved dramatically and where prospects for future growth look most promising.

IBM declined 0.9% as investors reacted to the tech giant's investor day during the preceding week with a lack of enthusiasm. Even as IBM seeks to replace falling revenue from its hardware segment with higher-margin software and services, the Dow component faces ever-stronger competition from other tech companies with similar pedigrees of IT success. IBM's area of strength is in business analytics, as the big-data movement continues to draw enterprise customer demand. Even there, though, IBM's responsive investment in its Watson supercomputer line and other big-data initiatives involve substantial risks. Moreover, with IBM facing some security concerns about whether foreign buyers can trust its hardware not to be monitored by U.S. intelligence agencies, the Dow component will need to work to retain its strong international reputation.

Source: ExxonMobil.

ExxonMobil was down 0.8% despite moving forward with its partnership with Russian oil giant Rosneft on its planned Arctic drilling projects. Many had feared that Exxon would face a work stoppage or even forfeiture of its huge investment in Russia, but since sanctions don't yet cover Rosneft, Exxon was in a position to reaffirm its commitment to the project. Given the challenges that ExxonMobil has faced in coming up with economically viable new sources of oil and gas production, it's important for the oil giant to take advantage of every opportunity it has. Moreover, with an agreement to build a liquefied natural gas plant on the eastern coast of Russia, ExxonMobil will help Russia make greater use of its natural-gas resources and serve energy-hungry customers on the Pacific Rim. Still, with uncertainty about whether geopolitical events will stymie Exxon's efforts, shareholders remain nervous about the future.

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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.

>>5 Stocks Insiders Love Right Now

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.

>>5 Large-Cap Trades for All-Time Highs

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

Vical

Vical (VICL) is engaged in the research and development of biopharmaceutical products based on its DNA delivery technologies for the prevention and treatment of serious or life-threatening diseases. This stock closed up 2.4% to $1.25 a share in Thursday's trading session.

Thursday's Range: $1.22-$1.28

52-Week Range: $1.01-$4.51

Thursday's Volume: 1.27 million

Three-Month Average Volume: 1.04 million

From a technical perspective, VICL spiked modestly higher here back above its 50-day moving average of $1.24 with above-average volume. This spike higher on Thursday is starting to push shares of VICL within range of triggering a big breakout trade. That trade will hit if VICL manages to take out some near-term overhead resistance levels at $1.30 to $1.36 with strong upside volume. Keep in mind that taking out those levels will also push VICL back above its 200-day moving average of $1.29.

Traders should now look for long-biased trades in VICL as long as it's trending above some near-term support levels at $1.20 or at $1.16 and then once it sustains a move or close above those breakout levels with volume that hits near or above 1.04 million shares. If that breakout starts soon, then VICL will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at $1.50 to $1.60, or even $1.66 to $1.75.

Hercules Offshore

Hercules Offshore (HERO), together with its subsidiaries, provides shallow-water drilling and marine services to the oil and natural gas exploration and production industry worldwide. This stock closed up 2.2% to $4.55 a share in Thursday's trading session.

Thursday's Range: $4.45-$4.56

52-Week Range: $4.21-$7.96

Thursday's Volume: 6.74 million

Three-Month Average Volume: 4.15 million

From a technical perspective, HERO bounced notably higher here right off its 50-day moving average of $4.49 with strong upside volume flows. This stock recently formed a double bottom chart pattern at $4.34 to $4.32. Following that bottom, shares of HERO have now started to spike higher back above its 50-day and it's quickly moving within range of triggering a major breakout trade. That trade will hit if HERO manages to take out some near-term overhead resistance levels at $4.60 to $4.68 and then above more resistance at $4.72 with high volume.

Traders should now look for long-biased trades in HERO as long as it's trending above those double bottom support zones and then once it sustains a move or close above those breakout levels with volume that hits near or above 4.15 million shares. If that breakout triggers soon, then HERO will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at $4.86 to $4.98. Any high-volume move above those levels will then give HERO a chance to re-test or possibly take out its 200-day moving average of $5.84.

SFX Entertainment

SFX Entertainment (SFXE) is engaged in the production live events and digital entertainment content that focuses on the electronic music culture and other festivals. This stock closed up 2.5% to $7.34 a share in Thursday's trading session.

Thursday's Range: $7.15-$7.41

52-Week Range: $5.41-$13.39

Thursday's Volume: 482,000

Three-Month Average Volume: 780,419

From a technical perspective, SFXE rose modestly higher here right off its 50-day moving average of $7.13 with lighter-than-average volume. This move is quickly pushing shares of SFXE within range of triggering big breakout trade. That trade will hit if SFXE manages to take out Thursday's intraday high of $7.41 to some more key overhead resistance at $7.49 with high volume.

Traders should now look for long-biased trades in SFXE as long as it's trending above $7 or above $6.50 and then once it sustains a move or close above those breakout levels with volume that hits near or above 780,419 shares. If that breakout kicks off soon, then SFXE will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at $8.14 to $8.57, or even $9.

Cache

Cache (CACH) operates as a mall-based and online woman's specialty retailer of apparel and accessories in the U.S. This stock closed flat to $1.75 a share in Thursday's trading session.

Thursday's Range: $1.75-$1.84

52-Week Range: $1.15-$6.83

Thursday's Volume: 204,000

Three-Month Average Volume: 230,282

From a technical perspective, CACH moved within range of $1.84 on the upside and $1.75 on the downside in Thursday's trading session with decent volume. Despite the lack of movement to the upside, shares of CACH are still trending very close to triggering a major breakout trade. That trade will hit if CACH manages to take out some key near-term overhead resistance at $1.85 with high volume.

Traders should now look for long-biased trades in CACH as long as it's trending above some key near-term support at $1.72 and then once it sustains a move or close above $1.85 with volume that hits near or above 230,282 shares. If that breakout triggers soon, then CACH will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at $2.62 to its 50-day moving average of $2.72. Any high-volume move above those levels will then give CACH a chance to tag its next major overhead resistance levels at $3.40 to $3.63.

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.


RELATED LINKS:



>>4 Big Stocks on Traders' Radars



>>3 Stocks Rising on Unusual Volume



>>Warren Buffett Is Sick of These 4 Stocks

Follow Stockpickr on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook.

At the time of publication, author had no positions in stocks mentioned.

Roberto Pedone, based out of Delafield, Wis., is an independent trader who focuses on technical analysis for small- and large-cap stocks, options, futures, commodities and currencies. Roberto studied international business at the Milwaukee School of Engineering, and he spent a year overseas studying business in Lubeck, Germany. His work has appeared on financial outlets including

CNBC.com and Forbes.com.

You can follow Pedone on Twitter at www.twitter.com/zerosum24 or @zerosum24.


Friday, May 30, 2014

Top 10 Promising Stocks For 2015

Top 10 Promising Stocks For 2015: GNC Acquisition Holdings Inc. (GNC)

GNC Holdings, Inc. operates as a specialty retailer of health and wellness products. It operates through three segments: Retail, Franchise, and Manufacturing/Wholesale. The companys products include vitamins, minerals, and herbal supplement products, as well as sports nutrition products, diet products, and other wellness products. It also manufactures its branded products for various third parties. The company sells its products under GNC proprietary brands, including Mega Men, Ultra Mega, Total Lean, Pro Performance, and Pro Performance AMP, as well as under third-party brands. As of March 31, 2013, it had approximately 8,200 locations, including 6,200 retail locations in the United States; and franchise operations in 55 countries. The company sells its products through company-owned domestic retail stores, domestic and international franchise activities, third-party contract manufacturing, e-commerce, and corporate partnerships. It also offers its products at GNC.com, LuckyVitamin.com, and drugstore.com. GNC Holdings, Inc. was founded in 1935 and is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Ben Levisohn]

    The market, however, clearly hasn’t taken it that way, as Herbalife’s shares have dropped 4% to $70.21. Direct seller Avon Products (AVP) has fallen 1.2% to $20.67, while nutritional-product retailer GNC Holdings (GNC) has declined 1.6% to $53.81.

  • [By Tess Stynes var popups = dojo.query(".socialByline .popC"); popups.forEach(fu]

    GNC Holdings Inc.(GNC) lowered its full-year guidance and reported disappointing first-quarter results. The nutritional-products retailer attributed a same-store sales decline to severe winter weather. Shares fell 10% to $39.25 premarket.

  • [By Brian O'Connell]

    Right now, there seem to be two schools of thought on General Nutrition Centers, the health and! wellness retailer. CNBCs Jim Mad Money Cramer came out this week with a strong buy signal on GNC (NYSE: GNC). The stock is down big and I think business is about to turn, said Cramer. I’m a buyer.

    But last Monday, Credit Suisse stepped in and slashed its call on GNC from outperform to neutral. Retail analyst Gary Balter cited low visibility on the companys same-store sales for the reminder of 2014. Calling the stock sluggish, he downgraded GNCs target price to $51 per share.

    Im with Cramer, but more on that in a minute. According to the companys web site, GNC Holdings, Inc. operates as a specialty retailer of health and wellness products. The firm operates through three segments: retail, franchise, and manufacturing/wholesale. Its products include vitamins, minerals and herbal supplements, sports nutrition products, diet products, and other wellness products, and offers its own line of health and nutrition products, including Mega Men, Ultra Mega, Total Lean, Pro Performance, Pro Performance AMP, and Beyond Raw. GNC has 8,500 locations operating in the United States and internationally.

    GNCs stock currently trades at $45 per share, but its share price has declined by $7 in the past two months, mostly on profit concerns. So why do I see GNC as a buy? I just dont see profits as a problem with GNC. Revenues are strong, earnings per share is healthy, net income is rising, and franchise owners are clamoring to get their name on another GNC store.

    Revenues were up 8.6% in the last quarter (at $613 million), on a year-to-year comparison basis, and that figure clocks in well ahead of the industry average of 7.3%. Earnings per share is also well up on a year-to-year basis, with earnings at $2.72 prior to $2.29. The company estimates earnings to rise to $3. 23 in 2014.

    In

  • [By Monica Gerson]

    GNC Holdings (NYSE: GNC) reported that it has bought Discount Supplements in the United Kingdom. GNC Holdings shares dropped 1.71% to close at $54.70 yesterday.!

  • !

    source from Top Penny Stocks For 2015:http://www.seekpennystocks.com/top-10-promising-stocks-for-2015.html

Thursday, May 29, 2014

WHO: Too Many Humans 'Eating Themselves to Death'

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USA Fat World Mark Lennihan/AP LONDON -- Almost a third of the world is now fat, and no country has been able to curb obesity rates in the last three decades, according to a new global analysis. Researchers found more than 2 billion people worldwide are now overweight or obese. The highest rates were in the Middle East and North Africa, where nearly 60 percent of men and 65 percent of women are heavy. The U.S. has about 13 percent of the world's fat population, a greater percentage than any other country. China and India combined have about 15 percent. "It's pretty grim," said Christopher Murray of the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington, who led the study. He and colleagues reviewed more than 1,700 studies covering 188 countries from 1980 to 2013. "When we realized that not a single country has had a significant decline in obesity, that tells you how hard a challenge this is." Murray said there was a strong link between income and obesity; in developing countries, as people get richer, their waistlines also tend to start bulging. In many rich countries like the U.S. and Britain, the trend is reversed -- though only slightly. Murray said scientists have noticed accompanying spikes in diabetes as obesity has risen and that rates of cancers linked to weight, like pancreatic cancer, are also rising. The new report was paid for by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and published online Thursday in the journal, Lancet. Last week, the World Health Organization established a high-level commission tasked with ending childhood obesity. "Our children are getting fatter," Dr. Margaret Chan, WHO's director-general, said bluntly during a speech at the agency's annual meeting in Geneva. "Parts of the world are quite literally eating themselves to death." Earlier this year, WHO said that no more than 5 percent of your daily calories should come from sugar. "Modernization has not been good for health," said Syed Shah, an obesity expert at United Arab Emirates University, who found obesity rates have jumped five times in the last 20 years even in a handful of remote Himalayan villages in Pakistan. His research was presented this week at a conference in Bulgaria. "Years ago, people had to walk for hours if they wanted to make a phone call," he said. "Now everyone has a cellphone." Shah also said the villagers no longer have to rely on their own farms for food. "There are roads for [companies] to bring in their processed foods and the people don't have to slaughter their own animals for meat and oil," he said. "No one knew about Coke and Pepsi 20 years ago. Now it's everywhere." In Britain, the independent health watchdog issued new advice Wednesday recommending that heavy people be sent to free weight-loss classes to drop about 3 percent of their weight. It reasoned that losing just a few pounds improves health and is more realistic. About two in three adults in the U.K. are overweight, making it the fattest country in Western Europe. "This is not something where you can just wake up one morning and say, 'I am going to lose 10 pounds,'" said Mike Kelly, the agency's public health director, in a statement. "It takes resolve and it takes encouragement."

Look at May Auto Sales - No Wonder the Stock Market Is Up

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DETROIT (TheStreet) -- Forecasters see auto sales rising 3% to 7% this month, with the sales pace the highest it has been this year. They also see little impact so far on GM (GM) sales from the automaker's 14 million U.S. recalls this year.

The sales growth comes as the stock market is reaching record levels, underscoring the long relationship between the two, which is unsurprising given that both indicators track confidence in the economy's future.

Trends in the Dow Jones Industrial Average have correlated with trends in the seasonally adjusted annualized sales number 78% of the time since 2007, said Cars.com analyst Jesse Toprak. "This year we had a couple of months earlier in the year when they did not correlate, but over longer periods of time, in a series of months, we have never seen it not play out," he said.

Various forecasters including Toprak estimate the May SAAR at 16.1 million, "near the strongest of this cycle," wrote JPMorgan analyst Ryan Brinkman in a report issued Tuesday. A year earlier, the March SAAR was 15.4 million. "A 16.1 million reading would also represent the third straight month above 16 million and would suggest a strengthening in the underlying rate of demand rather than mere release of pent-up demand following unusually harsh winter weather in January and February," Brinkman wrote. Toprak said bad weather and lower-than-expected stock market performance hindered sales in the first quarter. "I think we have a bit of delayed demand being realized, and also very generous incentives in the marketplace because of the pile up of inventory," he said. As for GM, Cars.Com said it expects the automaker will post a 3.4% sales increase in May, slightly below the industry average of 4.1%. As a result, "their market share has shrunk," Toprak said. "In the short run, they won't be hurt too badly, but typically a year after a major recall there is a bit of a decline. What will happen from this point on depends on how much GM truly owns up to the issues and also on the experience customers have at the dealership when they take their car in."

Brinkman, however, wrote that he sees "no impact from GM's recent spate of recalls on either industry sales or GM or rival market share." Kelley Blue Book said Wednesday that May new car sales should rise 6.7%, wtih GM sales rising 7.1% and a SAAR of 16.1 million. TrueCar also foresees a May SAAR of 16.1 million and expects light-vehicle sales to rise 5.5% from the same month a year earlier, with incentives spending up 0.7% from the same month a year earlier. "The industry is back to the level we expected at the beginning of the year," said Larry Dominique, TrueCar executive vice president, in a prepared statement. GM's sales in May should rise about 6% year over year, TrueCar said. The firm also forecasts that Chrysler will gain 13.4%, with Ford (F) down 0.8% and Volkswagen down about 4%. The other top four manufacturers were all up about 6%, with Toyota (TM) up 6.3%. GM's market share rose marginally to 17.6%, up from 17.5% a year earlier, TrueCar said, even though GM incentive spending declined 6.6% during the same period. Meanwhile, J.D. Power also expects the May retail selling rate to be at 13.2 million units, the highest since May 2004. Affiliate LMC Automotive also foresees an overall May light-vehicle SAAR of 16.1 million. "The anticipated strong performance in May reflects the combination of strong underlying demand coupled with a quirk of the industry sales calendar, with the May sales month containing five weekends, compared with just four weekends last May," said analyst John Humphrey in a prepared statement. Written by Ted Reed in Charlotte, N.C.

To contact this writer, click here.

Follow @tedreednc

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Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Top Mid Cap Stocks To Invest In Right Now

Top Mid Cap Stocks To Invest In Right Now: InterDigital Inc.(IDCC)

Interdigital, Inc. engages in the design and development of digital wireless technology solutions. The company offers technology solutions for use in digital cellular and wireless products and networks, including 2G, 3G, 4G, and IEEE 802-related products and networks. It holds patents related to the fundamental technologies that enable wireless communications. The company licenses its patents to equipment producers that manufacture, use, and sell digital cellular and IEEE 802-related products; and licenses or sells mobile broadband modem solutions, including modem IP, know-how, and reference platforms to mobile device manufacturers, semiconductor companies, and other equipment producers that manufacture, use, and sell digital cellular products. InterDigital?s solutions are incorporated in various products comprising mobile devices, such as cellular phones, tablets, notebook computers, and wireless personal digital assistants; wireless infrastructure equipment, such as base stations; and components, dongles, and modules for wireless devices. The company was founded in 1972 and is headquartered in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Holly LaFon]

    The most disappointing investment in the portfolio for 2013 was InterDigital (IDCC). This stock declined approximately 28% during the year, despite posting roughly 25% operating margins. Our thesis on IDCC is that the company should benefit from its wireless technology patents as more smartphones and mobile tablets are connected to the in ternet. IDCC creates wireless technology, applies for patents for the technology it creates, and then licenses its technology to manufacturers who produce the aforementioned products. In the past, Nokia, Samsung, Apple, LG, and many other manufacturers hav e licensed the company's technology to use in their ! products and paid IDCC royalties.

  • [By James E. Brumley]

    Endeavor IP isn't the only publicly-traded intellectual property enforcement company out there. It is, however, the only one to focus on quality over quantity. Whereas other players like patent portfolio names like InterDigital, Inc. (NASDAQ:IDCC) and Vringo, Inc. (NASDAQ:VRNG) will literally buy patents by the hundreds - perhaps sometimes without even knowing what some of those patents even cover - in an effort to arm itself with any and every possible patent for any and every contingency. Most are likely worthless, which means companies like InterDigital or Vringo may have wasted shareholder money by buying IP that isn't capable of bearing revenue.

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

Top 10 High Tech Companies To Own For 2015

Top 10 High Tech Companies To Own For 2015: Ingles Markets Incorporated(IMKTA)

Ingles Markets, Incorporated operates a supermarket chain in the southeast United States. Its supermarkets offer food products, including grocery, meat and dairy products, produce, frozen foods, and other perishables; and non-food products, such as fuel, pharmacy products, health and beauty care products, and general merchandise, as well as provides private label items. The company?s stores also offer products and services, such as home meal replacement items, delicatessens, bakeries, floral departments, video rental departments, and greeting cards, as well as a selection of organic, beverage, and health-related items. In addition, it engages in the fluid dairy processing and shopping center rental businesses. The company operates 203 supermarkets, including 74 in Georgia, 69 in North Carolina, 36 in South Carolina, 21 in Tennessee, 2 in Virginia, and 1 in Alabama. As of September 24, 2011, it operated 74 in-store pharmacies and 70 fuel centers; owned and operated 70 shop ping centers of which 58 contain an Ingles supermarket; and owned 94 additional properties that contain a free-standing Ingles store; and owned 13 undeveloped sites. The company was founded in 1963 and is headquartered in Black Mountain, North Carolina.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Geoff Gannon]

    To understand a grocer any grocer it helps to have an understanding of the industry. Of all the real life ways different species of grocers differ. It helps to be able to look at Arden and Village and Ingles (IMKTA). It helps to see three different approaches. And see which elements of each work and which dont.

  • [By Dan Caplinger]

    Ingles Markets (NASDAQ: IMKTA  ) will release its quarterly report on Monday, and investors have been pleased to see shares of the regional grocery-store chain rise to levels not seen since before the financial crisis. Yet from its vantage in the Southeastern ! U.S., Ingles Markets has to be concerned about the impact that Kroger's (NYSE: KR  ) proposed buyout of Harris Teeter (NYSE: HTSI  ) might have on the competitive landscape in the region, with a potential threat to Ingles' future prospects looming over the company's stock.

  • [By Russ Krull]

    Ingles Markets (NASDAQ: IMKTA  ) rang up $700 million from 10-year, 5.75% high-yield notes. The money will fund a tender offer for all $575 million of its 2017 8.75% notes. At the tender offer price, retiring all the existing debt will cost about $600 million, and the deal will save Ingles about $10 million per year in debt service. Any money left after paying for the tender offer goes "to repay certain other debt, to fund capital expenditures and for general corporate purposes."

  • source from Top Penny Stocks For 2015:http://www.seekpennystocks.com/top-10-high-tech-companies-to-own-for-2015.html

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Top Financial Companies To Own In Right Now

Top Financial Companies To Own In Right Now: Sun Communities Inc (SUI)

Sun Communities, Inc. is a self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust (REIT). The Company leases individual parcels of land (sites) with utility access for placement of manufactured homes and recreational vehicles (RV) to its customers. It operates in two segments: Real Property Operations, and Home Sales and Rentals. The Real Property Operations segment owns, operates, and develops manufactured housing communities concentrated in the Midwestern, southern, and south-eastern United States and is in the business of acquiring, operating, and expanding manufactured housing communities. The Home Sales and Rentals segment offers manufactured home sales and leasing services to tenants and prospective tenants of its communities. In May 2011, it acquired Orange City RV Resort, a Florida RV community comprised of 525 developed sites. In February 2012, it acquired three additional Florida RV communities, Three Lakes RV resort, Blueberry Hill RV resort and Grand L ake Estates.

As of December 31, 2011, it owned and operated a portfolio of 159 properties located in 18 states, including 141 manufactured housing communities, eight RV communities, and 10 properties containing both manufactured housing and RV sites. As of December 31, 2011, the Properties contained an aggregate of 54,811 developed sites consisted of 47,935 developed manufactured home sites, 3,867 permanent RV sites, 3,009 seasonal RV sites, and approximately 6,400 additional manufactured home sites suitable for development. Most of the Properties include amenities oriented toward family and retirement living. Of the 159 Properties, 73 have more than 300 developed manufactured home sites, with the having 1,003 developed manufactured home sites. As of December 31, 2011, the Properties had an occupancy rate of 85.3 % excluding seasonal RV sites.

The Company's properties contain improvements similar to garden-style residential developments, including centralized entrances, paved streets, curbs and gutters, an! d parkways. In addition, these communities also often provide a number of amenities, such as a clubhouse, a swimming pool, shuffleboard courts, tennis courts and laundry facilities. The owner of each home on its Properties leases the site, on which the home is located. The Company owns the underlying land, utility connections, streets, lighting, driveways, common area amenities and other capital improvements. Some of the properties provide water and sewer service through public or private utilities, while others provide these services to residents from onsite facilities. Each owner within its properties is responsible for the maintenance of the home and leased site.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By John Udovich]

    Trailer parks may have a bad reputation, but Yahoo! Finance's Breakout segment was recently touting trailer parks as a hot new investment area – meaning its time for retail investors who don't want to invest in physical parks to start taking a closer look at trailer park stocks Equity Lifestyle Properties, Inc (NYSE: ELS), Sun Communities Inc (NYSE: SUI) and UMH Properties, Inc (NYSE: UMH). According to the segment, roughly 6% of Americans lived in trailer homes as of 2012 with the supply of designated trailer parks being quite low because no one wants one in their backyard. Anthony Effinger, the author of another article about trailer parks for Bloomberg, was quoted as saying:

  • [By Anna Prior]

    Sun Communities Inc.(SUI) said it has launched a public offering of 4.2 million shares and intends to use the proceeds to repay borrowings  under its credit facility. The real-estate investment trust also said it plans to use any remaining proceeds to fund possible future acquisitions of properties.

  • [By Bill Stoller]

    After a banner 2013, the overall m! arket has! had a challenging start to 2014. However, these four companies have been crushing it: Alexander Real Estate (NYSE: ARE  ) , BioMed Realty Trust (NYSE: BMR  ) , CommonWealth REIT (NYSE: CWH  ) , and Sun Communities (NYSE: SUI  ) early on in 2014 vs. the S&P 500. Their relative out-performance can also be seen when compared to the Vanguard REIT Index ETF (NYSEMKT: VNQ  ) a good yardstick to measure sector performance.

  • source from Top Stocks Blog:http://www.topstocksblog.com/top-financial-companies-to-own-in-right-now-3.html

Monday, May 26, 2014

Bitcoin flaw could allow group to wrest control of currency

bitcoin mining

University researchers say they've found an unnoticed defect in Bitcoin that could undermine the whole system, turning the decentralized currency into a centralized one.

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) Bitcoin has an inherent flaw that could allow a powerful few to wrest control of the now-decentralized currency. All it would take is a group of cheaters.

That's according to a research paper released Monday by Cornell University post-doctoral fellow Ittay Eyal and Professor Emin Gün Sirer.

The flaw is due to the nature of how bitcoins are created -- people "mine" them by solving a complex puzzle with their computers. If used correctly,the system is set up so that someone guesses correctly every 10 minutes, and the winner gets 25 bitcoins. Because people compete against one another for the digital currency, bitcoins are mostly evenly distributed.

But bitcoin miners could exploit a weakness in the system that would give them a greater chance of getting bitcoins than rival miners: Solving a puzzle gives miners a much higher chance of solving the next one, and those solutions are typically stored in a public log called a "blockchain."

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But solutions don't have to be publicized. If you solve a puzzle and keep it secret, you can start working on the next one and let everyone else keep mining in the wrong spot.

That unfair advantage becomes even more apparent when selfish, secretive miners group together and pool computing resources to solve puzzles. The bigger the group, the more frequently they win. If a group gets large enough, it could take control of the currency.

Related story: London Bitcoin exchange off to a rocky start

If that happens, bitcoins wouldn't be any different than dollars, yen and yuan -- currency whose supply is controlled by a powerful, central bank. The bitcoin control group could easily drive the value of the digital currency up or down by adding or withholding bitcoins from the system.

That could disrupt the very reason many have decided to use the four-year old currency, which represented a $2.6 billion market as of Monday morning. Many libertarians like the idea of a currency that has no government backing or centralized authority.

"No one wants to bring down Bitcoin," Eyal said. "But if you know you can increase your revenue by a bit, you're go! ing to join the selfish pool."

Despite rampant fluctuations in in valuation, the price of bitcoins barely budged after the report was made public.

How I make money mining bitcoins   How I make money mining bitcoins

In the report, Eyal and Sirer say there already exist groups of miners that are big enough to take advantage of their selfish mining theory. And while they haven't seen anyone engage in that kind of strategy yet, it could be happening in the shadows.

Related story: Bitcoin mania is back! But is it a bubble?

As a solution, Eyal and Sirer suggest a bitcoin mining rule change: The total mining power of one group shouldn't be able to exceed one-quarter of the mining power of the bitcoin mining community as a whole. That tweak, which could be implemented with a simple software update, would prevent any one group from taking total control of the currency.

There are currently 11.9 billion bitcoins in circulation. Some bitcoin users tend to get more attention, such as those illicit buyers at online black markets like the recently closed Silk Road. They tend to be drawn to the anonymous nature of the currency.

But bitcoins have also attracted some major business interests. Baidu (BIDU), a Chinese web services firm, recently started accepting bitcoin payments. And venture capital firms have begun investing in startups, like Circle Internet Financial, that make bitcoin payment tools. To top of page

Warren Buffett's Top 25 Stocks for 2014

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Warren Buffett is considered the most respected and successful investor. Often called "The Oracle of Omaha" for his impressive investing prowess, he is among the world's wealthiest people.

Buffett studied under the legendary Benjamin Graham at Columbia University who had a major impact on Buffett's life and investment strategies.

Buffett is chairman of Omaha, Nebraska-based Berkshire Hathaway Inc (BRK.A) which he built from a textile company into a major corporation with a market cap over $200 billion. Under Buffett's leadership, Berkshire shares averaged a 21.4% compounded annual gain in per share book value from 1965-2006.

He follows a value investing strategy that is an adaptation of Graham's approach: Discipline, patience and value consistently outperforms the market. His moves are followed by investors worldwide. Buffett seeks to acquire great companies trading at a discount to their intrinsic value, and to hold onto them for a long time. He will only invest in businesses that he understands, and always insists on a margin of safety. Regarding the types of businesses Berkshire likes to purchase, Buffett has said,"We want businesses to be one that we can understand, with favorable long-term prospects, operated by honest and competent people, and available at a very attractive price." What follows are Buffett's top 25 holdings as of March 31, 2014.

1. Wells Fargo & Co (WFC)

Shares Held by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway:  463,458,000
Value of Holdings:  $23.05 billion
Portfolio Weighting as of 3/31/2014:  21.8%

Wells Fargo & Co is a diversified financial services company. It provides retail, corporate and commercial banking services through banking stores and offices, the internet and other distribution channels to individuals, businesses and institutions.

Free Report: Jim Cramer's Best Stocks for 2014 TheStreet Ratings team rates WELLS FARGO & CO as a Buy with a ratings score of A. TheStreet Ratings Team has this to say about their recommendation:

"We rate WELLS FARGO & CO (WFC) a BUY. This is based on the convergence of positive investment measures, which should help this stock outperform the majority of stocks that we rate. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its solid stock price performance, growth in earnings per share, expanding profit margins, notable return on equity and increase in net income. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company shows weak operating cash flow." You can view the full analysis from the report here: WFC Ratings Report

2. Coca-Cola (KO)

Shares Held by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway:  400,000,000
Value of Holdings:  $15.46 billion
Portfolio Weighting as of 3/31/2014:  14.6%

Coca-Cola Co manufactures, distributes and markets non-alcoholic beverage concentrates and syrups.

Free Report: Jim Cramer's Best Stocks for 2014 TheStreet Ratings team rates COCA-COLA CO as a Buy with a ratings score of B+. TheStreet Ratings Team has this to say about their recommendation:

"We rate COCA-COLA CO (KO) a BUY. This is driven by a number of strengths, which we believe should have a greater impact than any weaknesses, and should give investors a better performance opportunity than most stocks we cover. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its good cash flow from operations, expanding profit margins, reasonable valuation levels and notable return on equity. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company has had lackluster performance in the stock itself." You can view the full analysis from the report here: KO Ratings Report

3. American Express Co (AXP)

Shares Held by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway:  151,611,000
Value of Holdings:  $13.65 billion
Portfolio Weighting as of 3/31/2014:  12.9%

American Express Co is a payments, network and travel company, which offers credit payment card products and travel-related services to consumers and businesses.

Free Report: Jim Cramer's Best Stocks for 2014

TheStreet Ratings team rates AMERICAN EXPRESS CO as a Buy with a ratings score of A. TheStreet Ratings Team has this to say about their recommendation:

"We rate AMERICAN EXPRESS CO (AXP) a BUY. This is based on the convergence of positive investment measures, which should help this stock outperform the majority of stocks that we rate. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its revenue growth, notable return on equity, impressive record of earnings per share growth, increase in net income and solid stock price performance. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company has had generally high debt management risk by most measures that we evaluated." You can view the full analysis from the report here: AXP Ratings Report

4. International Business Machines Corp (IBM)

Shares Held by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway:  68,355,000
Value of Holdings:  $13.15 billion
Portfolio Weighting as of 3/31/2014:  12.4%

International Business Machines Corp is an Information Technology (IT) company. It creates business value for clients and solves business problems through integrated solutions that leverage information technology & knowledge of business processes.

Free Report: Jim Cramer's Best Stocks for 2014 TheStreet Ratings team rates INTL BUSINESS MACHINES CORP as a Buy with a ratings score of B+. TheStreet Ratings Team has this to say about their recommendation:  "We rate INTL BUSINESS MACHINES CORP (IBM) a BUY. This is driven by a number of strengths, which we believe should have a greater impact than any weaknesses, and should give investors a better performance opportunity than most stocks we cover. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its notable return on equity and expanding profit margins. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company has had sub par growth in net income." You can view the full analysis from the report here: IBM Ratings Report

5. Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT)

Shares Held by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway:  58,052,000
Value of Holdings:  $4.43 billion
Portfolio Weighting as of 3/31/2014:  4.2%

Wal-Mart Stores Inc, operates retail stores in various formats under various banners. Its operations comprise of three reportable business segments, Walmart U.S., Walmart International and Sam's Club in three categories retail, wholesale and others.

Free Report: Jim Cramer's Best Stocks for 2014 TheStreet Ratings team rates WAL-MART STORES INC as a Buy with a ratings score of A. TheStreet Ratings Team has this to say about their recommendation:

"We rate WAL-MART STORES INC (WMT) a BUY. This is based on the convergence of positive investment measures, which should help this stock outperform the majority of stocks that we rate. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its revenue growth, good cash flow from operations, reasonable valuation levels, increase in stock price during the past year and notable return on equity. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company shows low profit margins." You can view the full analysis from the report here: WMT Ratings Report

6. Proctor & Gamble  (PG)

Shares Held by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway:  52,793,000
Value of Holdings:  $4.25 billion
Portfolio Weighting as of 3/31/2014:  4%

Procter & Gamble Co provides branded consumer packaged goods. It markets its products in about 180 countries through mass merchandisers, grocery stores, membership club stores, drug stores, department stores among others.

Free Report: Jim Cramer's Best Stocks for 2014 TheStreet Ratings team rates PROCTER & GAMBLE CO as a Buy with a ratings score of A. TheStreet Ratings Team has this to say about their recommendation:

"We rate PROCTER & GAMBLE CO (PG) a BUY. This is based on the convergence of positive investment measures, which should help this stock outperform the majority of stocks that we rate. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its good cash flow from operations, growth in earnings per share, increase in net income, largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures and expanding profit margins. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company has had somewhat disappointing return on equity." You can view the full analysis from the report here: PG Ratings Report

7. Exxon Mobile Corporation  (XOM)

Shares Held by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway:   41,130,000
Value of Holdings:  $4.01 billion
Portfolio Weighting as of 3/31/2014:  3.8%

Exxon Mobil Corporation is engaged in energy, involving exploration for, and production of, crude oil and natural gas, manufacture of petroleum products and transportation and sale of crude oil, natural gas and petroleum products.

Free Report: Jim Cramer's Best Stocks for 2014 TheStreet Ratings team rates EXXON MOBIL CORP as a Buy with a ratings score of A-. TheStreet Ratings Team has this to say about their recommendation:

"We rate EXXON MOBIL CORP (XOM) a BUY. This is based on the convergence of positive investment measures, which should help this stock outperform the majority of stocks that we rate. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its attractive valuation levels, good cash flow from operations, increase in stock price during the past year and largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company shows low profit margins." You can view the full analysis from the report here: XOM Ratings Report

8. U.S. Bancorp  (USB)

Shares Held by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway:  80,027,000
Value of Holdings:  $3.43 billion
Portfolio Weighting as of 3/31/2014:  3.2%

U.S. Bancorp is a multi-state financial holding company. It provides financial services through its subsidiaries, including lending and depository services, cash management, foreign exchange and trust and investment management services.

Free Report: Jim Cramer's Best Stocks for 2014 TheStreet Ratings team rates U S BANCORP as a Buy with a ratings score of A-. TheStreet Ratings Team has this to say about their recommendation:

"We rate U S BANCORP (USB) a BUY. This is based on the convergence of positive investment measures, which should help this stock outperform the majority of stocks that we rate. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its expanding profit margins, good cash flow from operations and solid stock price performance. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company has had sub par growth in net income." You can view the full analysis from the report here: USB Ratings Report

9. Direct TV  (DTV)

Shares Held by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway:  34,515,000
Value of Holdings:  $2.63 billion
Portfolio Weighting as of 3/31/2014:  2.5%

DirecTV is a provider of digital television entertainment in the United States and Latin America. It operates two direct-to-home, or DTH, business units: DIRECTV U.S. and DIRECTV Latin America.

Free Report: Jim Cramer's Best Stocks for 2014 TheStreet Ratings team rates DIRECTV as a Buy with a ratings score of B. TheStreet Ratings Team has this to say about their recommendation:

"We rate DIRECTV (DTV) a BUY. This is driven by a few notable strengths, which we believe should have a greater impact than any weaknesses, and should give investors a better performance opportunity than most stocks we cover. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its solid stock price performance, revenue growth, good cash flow from operations and expanding profit margins. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company has had sub par growth in net income." You can view the full analysis from the report here: DTV Ratings Report

10. DaVita Healthcare Partners Inc  (DVA)

Shares Held by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway:  37,621,000
Holdings Value:  $2.59 billion
Portfolio Weighting as of 3/31/2014:  2.4%

DaVita HealthCare Partners Inc operates kidney dialysis centers and provides related lab services mainly in dialysis centers and in contracted hospitals across the United States. It also operates other ancillary services and strategic initiatives.

Free Report: Jim Cramer's Best Stocks for 2014 TheStreet Ratings team rates DAVITA HEALTHCARE PARTNERS as a Buy with a ratings score of B+. TheStreet Ratings Team has this to say about their recommendation:  "We rate DAVITA HEALTHCARE PARTNERS (DVA) a BUY. This is driven by some important positives, which we believe should have a greater impact than any weaknesses, and should give investors a better performance opportunity than most stocks we cover. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its impressive record of earnings per share growth, compelling growth in net income, revenue growth, notable return on equity and good cash flow from operations. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company shows low profit margins." You can view the full analysis from the report here: DVA Ratings Report

11. Goldman Sachs Group Inc.  (GS)

Shares Held by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway:  12,632,000
Holdings Value:  $2.07 billion
Portfolio Weighting as of 3/31/2014:  2%

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. is a investment banking, securities and investment management firm. Its segments include Investment Banking, Trading and Principal Investments, Asset Management and Securities Services.

Free Report: Jim Cramer's Best Stocks for 2014 TheStreet Ratings team rates GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP INC as a Buy with a ratings score of B+. TheStreet Ratings Team has this to say about their recommendation:

"We rate GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP INC (GS) a BUY. This is driven by several positive factors, which we believe should have a greater impact than any weaknesses, and should give investors a better performance opportunity than most stocks we cover. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its attractive valuation levels and increase in stock price during the past year. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company has had sub par growth in net income." You can view the full analysis from the report here: GS Ratings Report

12. Moody's Corporation (MCO)

Shares Held by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway:  24,670,000
Holdings Value:  $1.95 billion
Portfolio Weighting as of 3/31/2014:  1.9%

Moody's Corporation is a provider of credit ratings, credit and economic related research, data and analytical tools, risk management software and quantitative credit risk measures, credit portfolio management solutions and training services.

Free Report: Jim Cramer's Best Stocks for 2014 TheStreet Ratings team rates MOODY'S CORP as a Buy with a ratings score of B. TheStreet Ratings Team has this to say about their recommendation:

"We rate MOODY'S CORP (MCO) a BUY. This is driven by multiple strengths, which we believe should have a greater impact than any weaknesses, and should give investors a better performance opportunity than most stocks we cover. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its revenue growth, notable return on equity, reasonable valuation levels, solid stock price performance and impressive record of earnings per share growth. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company has had generally high debt management risk by most measures that we evaluated." You can view the full analysis from the report here: MCO Ratings Report

13. Graham Holdings Co.  (GHC)

Shares Held by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway:  1,728,000
Holdings Value:  $1.21 billion
Portfolio Weighting as of 3/31/2014:  1.1%

Graham Holdings Co together with its subsidiaries, operates as a diversified education and media company in the United States and internationally.

Free Report: Jim Cramer's Best Stocks for 2014 TheStreet Ratings team rates GRAHAM HOLDINGS CO as a Buy with a ratings score of B+. TheStreet Ratings Team has this to say about their recommendation:

"We rate GRAHAM HOLDINGS CO (GHC) a BUY. This is driven by a number of strengths, which we believe should have a greater impact than any weaknesses, and should give investors a better performance opportunity than most stocks we cover. 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, solid stock price performance, impressive record of earnings per share growth and compelling growth in net income. Although no company is perfect, currently we do not see any significant weaknesses which are likely to detract from the generally positive outlook." You can view the full analysis from the report here: GHC Ratings Report

14. USG Corp (USG) 

Shares Held by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway:  34,890,000
Holdings Value:  $1.14 billion
Portfolio Weighting as of 3/31/2014:  1.1%

USG Corp, through its subsidiaries, is a manufacturer and distributor of building materials, producing products for use in new residential, new nonresidential and residential and nonresidential repair & remodel construction.

TheStreet Ratings team rates USG CORP as a Hold with a ratings score of C. TheStreet Ratings Team has this to say about their recommendation:

"We rate USG CORP (USG) 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, impressive record of earnings per share growth and compelling growth in net income. However, as a counter to these strengths, we also find weaknesses including generally higher debt management risk and poor profit margins." You can view the full analysis from the report here: USG Ratings Report

15. General Motors (GM)

Shares Held by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway:  30,000,000
Holdings Value:  $1.03 billion
Portfolio Weighting as of 3/31/2014:  0.98%

General Motors Company designs, builds and sell cars, trucks and automobile parts. The Company also provides automotive financing services through General Motors Financial Company, Inc.

Free Report: Jim Cramer's Best Stocks for 2014 TheStreet Ratings team rates GENERAL MOTORS CO as a Buy with a ratings score of B. TheStreet Ratings Team has this to say about their recommendation:

"We rate GENERAL MOTORS CO (GM) a BUY. This is driven by a few notable strengths, which we believe should have a greater impact than any weaknesses, and should give investors a better performance opportunity than most stocks we cover. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its revenue growth, good cash flow from operations, largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures and increase in stock price during the past year. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company has had sub par growth in net income." You can view the full analysis from the report here: GM Ratings Report

Top 10 Dividend Companies To Buy Right Now

16. Bank of New York Mellon Corp  (BK)

Shares Held by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway:  24,653,000
Holdings Value:  $870 million
Portfolio Weighting as of 3/31/2014:  0.82%

Bank of New York Mellon Corporation is a global investment company. Its business segments are: Investment Management and Investment Services. Its other segments includes credit-related services, the leasing portfolio, corporate treasury activities.

Free Report: Jim Cramer's Best Stocks for 2014 TheStreet Ratings team rates BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON CORP as a Buy with a ratings score of B. TheStreet Ratings Team has this to say about their recommendation:

"We rate BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON CORP (BK) a BUY. This is driven by a few notable strengths, which we believe should have a greater impact than any weaknesses, and should give investors a better performance opportunity than most stocks we cover. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its revenue growth, solid stock price performance, attractive valuation levels, expanding profit margins and compelling growth in net income. Although no company is perfect, currently we do not see any significant weaknesses which are likely to detract from the generally positive outlook." You can view the full analysis from the report here: BK Ratings Report

17. Chicago Bridge & Iron Co  (CBI)

Shares Held by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway:  9,551,000
Holdings Value:  $832 million
Portfolio Weighting as of 3/31/2014:  0.79%

Chicago Bridge & Iron Company provides conceptual design, technology, engineering, procurement, fabrication, construction and commissioning services to customers in the energy, petrochemical and natural resource industries.

Free Report: Jim Cramer's Best Stocks for 2014 TheStreet Ratings team rates CHICAGO BRIDGE & IRON CO as a Buy with a ratings score of A-. TheStreet Ratings Team has this to say about their recommendation:

"We rate CHICAGO BRIDGE & IRON CO (CBI) a BUY. This is based on the convergence of positive investment measures, which should help this stock outperform the majority of stocks that we rate. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its robust revenue growth, notable return on equity, solid stock price performance, impressive record of earnings per share growth and compelling growth in net income. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company shows low profit margins." You can view the full analysis from the report here: CBI Ratings Report

18. ConocoPhillips  (COP)

Shares Held by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway:  11,080,000
Holdings Value:  $779 million
Portfolio Weighting as of 3/31/2014:  0.74%

ConocoPhillips is engaged in exploration, development and production of crude oil and natural gas.

Free Report: Jim Cramer's Best Stocks for 2014 TheStreet Ratings team rates CONOCOPHILLIPS as a Buy with a ratings score of A-. TheStreet Ratings Team has this to say about their recommendation:

"We rate CONOCOPHILLIPS (COP) a BUY. This is based on the convergence of positive investment measures, which should help this stock outperform the majority of stocks that we rate. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its revenue growth, solid stock price performance, attractive valuation levels, good cash flow from operations and largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures. Although the company may harbor some minor weaknesses, we feel they are unlikely to have a significant impact on results." You can view the full analysis from the report here: COP Ratings Report

19. Phillips 66 (PSX)

Shares Held by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway:  9,741,000
Holdings Value:  $751 million
Portfolio Weighting as of 3/31/2014:  0.71%

Phillips 66 is a downstream energy company. The Company's segment includes Refining and Marketing (R&M), Midstream and Chemicals businesses. Its Chemicals business is conducted through its 50% interest in Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LLC.

Free Report: Jim Cramer's Best Stocks for 2014 TheStreet Ratings team rates PHILLIPS 66 as a Buy with a ratings score of B-. TheStreet Ratings Team has this to say about their recommendation:

"We rate PHILLIPS 66 (PSX) a BUY. This is driven by some important positives, which we believe should have a greater impact than any weaknesses, and should give investors a better performance opportunity than most stocks we cover. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its solid stock price performance, increase in net income, attractive valuation levels and largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company shows low profit margins." You can view the full analysis from the report here: PSX Ratings Report

20. Liberty Media Corporation  (LMCA)

Shares Held by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway:  5,300,000
Holdings Value:  $693 million
Portfolio Weighting as of 3/31/2014:  0.66%

Liberty Media Corporation is engaged in media, communications and entertainment industries. Through its subsidiaries and affiliates, it operates in North America.

Free Report: Jim Cramer's Best Stocks for 2014 TheStreet Ratings team rates LIBERTY MEDIA CORP as a Hold with a ratings score of C-. TheStreet Ratings Team has this to say about their recommendation:

"We rate LIBERTY MEDIA CORP (LMCA) 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 robust revenue growth, largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures and notable return on equity. However, as a counter to these strengths, we also find weaknesses including feeble growth in the company's earnings per share, deteriorating net income and weak operating cash flow." You can view the full analysis from the report here: LMCA Ratings Report

21. National Oilwell Varco Inc (NOV)

Shares Held by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway:  8,880,000
Holdings Value:  $691 million
Portfolio Weighting as of 3/31/2014:  0.65%

National Oilwell Varco, Inc., is a provider of equipment and components used in oil and gas drilling and production operations, oilfield services, and supply chain integration services to the upstream oil and gas industry

Free Report: Jim Cramer's Best Stocks for 2014 TheStreet Ratings team rates NATIONAL OILWELL VARCO INC as a Buy with a ratings score of A-. TheStreet Ratings Team has this to say about their recommendation:

"We rate NATIONAL OILWELL VARCO INC (NOV) a BUY. This is based on the convergence of positive investment measures, which should help this stock outperform the majority of stocks that we rate. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its solid stock price performance, revenue growth, largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures, attractive valuation levels and growth in earnings per share. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company has had somewhat disappointing return on equity." You can view the full analysis from the report here: NOV Ratings Report

22. M&T Bank Corp (MTB)

Shares Held by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway:  5,382,000
Holdings Value:  $653 million
Portfolio Weighting as of 3/31/2014:  0.62%

M&T Bank Corp is a New York business corporation and a bank holding company. The Company through subsidiaries provides individuals, corporations and other businesses, and institutions with commercial and retail banking services.

Free Report: Jim Cramer's Best Stocks for 2014 TheStreet Ratings team rates M & T BANK CORP as a Buy with a ratings score of A. TheStreet Ratings Team has this to say about their recommendation:

"We rate M & T BANK CORP (MTB) a BUY. This is based on the convergence of positive investment measures, which should help this stock outperform the majority of stocks that we rate. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its expanding profit margins and solid stock price performance. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company has had sub par growth in net income." You can view the full analysis from the report here: MTB Ratings Report

23. Viacom Inc (VIAB) Shares Held by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway:  7,607,000
Holdings Value:  $647 million
Portfolio Weighting as of 3/31/2014:  0.61%

Viacom Inc. (VIAB) is an entertainment content company that connects with audiences in over 160 countries and territories and creates compelling television programs, motion pictures, short-form video, applications, games, consumer products, social media and other entertainment content.

24. VeriSign Inc (VRSN)

Shares Held by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway:  11,686,000
Holdings Value:  $630 million
Portfolio Weighting as of 3/31/2014:  0.60%

VeriSign, Inc. is a provider of internet infrastructure services for the networked world. It provides network confidence & availability for mission-critical Internet services, such as domain name registry services & infrastructure assurance services.

Free Report: Jim Cramer's Best Stocks for 2014 TheStreet Ratings team rates VERISIGN INC as a Buy with a ratings score of B-. TheStreet Ratings Team has this to say about their recommendation:

"We rate VERISIGN INC (VRSN) a BUY. This is driven by some important positives, which we believe should have a greater impact than any weaknesses, and should give investors a better performance opportunity than most stocks we cover. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its revenue growth, expanding profit margins, increase in net income and impressive record of earnings per share growth. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company shows weak operating cash flow." You can view the full analysis from the report here: VRSN Ratings Report

25. Verizon Communications (VZ)

Shares Held by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway:  11,023,000
Holdings Value:  $524 million
Portfolio Weighting as of 3/31/2014:  0.50%

Verizon Communications Inc. is a provider of communications, information and entertainment products and services to consumers, businesses and governmental agencies. Its two segments are Wireless and Wireline.

Free Report: Jim Cramer's Best Stocks for 2014 TheStreet Ratings team rates VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS INC as a Buy with a ratings score of B. TheStreet Ratings Team has this to say about their recommendation:

"We rate VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS INC (VZ) a BUY. This is driven by multiple strengths, which we believe should have a greater impact than any weaknesses, and should give investors a better performance opportunity than most stocks we cover. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its revenue growth, notable return on equity, expanding profit margins, compelling growth in net income and impressive record of earnings per share growth. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company has had generally high debt management risk by most measures that we evaluated." You can view the full analysis from the report here: VZ Ratings Report

Friday, May 23, 2014

Top Tech Companies To Buy For 2015

Top Tech Companies To Buy For 2015: Progress Software Corporation(PRGS)

Progress Software Corporation operates as an enterprise software company worldwide. Its products include Progress OpenEdge platform, which offers development tools, application servers, application management tools, and an embedded database; Progress Orbix to address enterprise integration problems with standards-based solutions; and Progress ObjectStore, an object data management system to store data faster than relational database management system or file-based storage system. The company?s products also comprise Progress Responsiveness Process Management suite for business users; Progress Control Tower, an interactive business control panel; Progress Sonic, which comprises an enterprise messaging system and the enterprise service buses; Progress Actional that provides operational and business visibility, root cause analysis, and policy-based security and control of services; Progress Apama, which offers tools for creating, testing, and deploying strategies for applicat ions, including algorithmic trading, market aggregation, smart order routing, market surveillance and monitoring, and risk management; Progress Savvion BusinessManager, a business process management software; and Fuse products that provide customers with access to professional open source integration and messaging software. In addition, it offers Progress DataDirect Connect products, which provide data connectivity components; Progress DataDirect Shadow to provide foundation architecture for standards-based mainframe integration; and Progress Data Services product set that offers data integration for distributed applications. Further, the company provides maintenance, consulting, training, and customer support services. Progress Software Corporation sells its products to independent software vendors, original equipment manufacturers, and system integrators through direct sales force and independent distributors. The company was founded in 1981 and is ! based in Bedford, Massa c husetts.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Jake L'Ecuyer]

    Progress Software (NASDAQ: PRGS) shares tumbled 11.15 percent to $22.82 after the company issued a weak Q1 forecast.

    FireEye (NASDAQ: FEYE) was also down, falling 9.35 percent to $81.20 after the company's secondary offering lead to fear on the street.

  • source from USA Best Stocks:http://www.usabeststocks.com/top-tech-companies-to-buy-for-2015.html

Thursday, May 22, 2014

Top New Stocks To Watch Right Now

The next generation of millionaires are working hard for their fortunes and are generally optimistic, Fidelity found in its sixth Millionaire Outlook, released Monday.

Young millionaires are aware that much of their wealth is the result of an inheritance, but the survey found Gen X and Y millionaires are actively participating in growing it even more. Young investors averaged 30 trades per month, the survey found, and 73% said they’ve become more involved in the last five years.

“Gen X/Y millionaires are taking a dramatically different approach to their wealth than the older generations, signaling a new era of wealthy investors,” Bob Oros, executive vice president of Fidelity Institutional Wealth Services, said in a statement. “These next-generation millionaires, who have already surpassed their older counterparts in total assets, are likely to drive significant change among the investors who want to emulate them, the advisors who serve them and the financial services industry that supports them.”

Top New Stocks To Watch Right Now: KiOR Inc (KIOR)

KiOR, Inc. (KiOR), incorporated on July 23, 2007, is development- stage company. KiOR is a renewable fuels company engaged in producing cellulosic gasoline and diesel from abundant non-food biomass. Cellulosic fuel is derived from lignocellulose found in wood, grasses and the non-edible portions of plants. The Company generates hydrocarbons from renewable sources . Its end products are fungible hydrocarbon-based gasolines and diesels that can be used as components in formulating finished gasoline and diesel fuels, rather than alcohols or fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) such as ethanol or biodiesel. During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company commenced construction of its initial-scale commercial production facility in Columbus, Mississippi, designed to process 500 bone dry ton per day (BDT) of feedstock per day, As of December 31, 2011, the Company had not generated any revenues.

The Company has developed a process that converts non-food lignocellulose into gasoline and diesel that can be transported using the existing fuels distribution system for use in vehicles on the road. Its biomass-to-cellulosic fuel technology platform combines catalyst systems with fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) processes that have been used in crude oil refineries to produce gasoline. The biomass fluid catalytic cracking (BFCC) process operates at moderate temperatures and pressures to convert biomass in a matter of seconds into the renewable crude oil that can be processed using standard refining equipment into its cellulosic gasoline and diesel. In its demonstration unit the Company varies its volume output of gasoline from 37% to 61%, diesel from 31% to 55% and fuel oil from 8% to 9% from its renewable crude oil. The Company focuses on its commercialization efforts with respect to its gasoline and diesel. As of December 31, 2011, the Company had 76 pending original patent application families containing over 2,300 pending claims.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Nickey Friedman]

    It has not been a good year for biofuel producer KiOR (NASDAQ: KIOR  ) . Aside from the stock being down over 75%, the company has badly missed its guidance targets virtually every time, and its CFO quit without any explanation. Then, to top off the 12 months of disappointment, KiOR ended the year with another resignation and more production shortfalls.

  • [By Maxx Chatsko]

    KiOR (NASDAQ: KIOR  ) Here's a company that often gets associated with industrial biotech companies, but there are very few comparisons. Rather than encouraging microbes to pump out useful chemicals and fuels in biochemical processes, KiOR uses standard thermocatalytic reactions to turn wood chips and waste into drop-in fuels. The company does not produce cellulosic ethanol or biodiesel. The company produces chemically identical cellulosic gasoline and diesel, although current operations churn out fuel blendstocks. KiOR's first facility has an annual capacity of between 11-13 million gallons of fuels, while a larger facility will be three times that size. A modular platform and catalytic improvements will help boost economics and scale for future production.

Top New Stocks To Watch Right Now: Green Technology Solutions Inc (GTSO)

Green Technology Solutions Inc (GTSO), incorporated on February 22, 1991, is in the business of identifying and acquiring rights in early stage, green technologies, with the plan to develop these technologies into marketable products. The Company has identified several technology endeavors.

As of December 31, 2011, the Company has identified the advancement of mining technologies, with an emphasis on rare earth and precious metals mining applications, the development of additional markets for existing paint products that are being marketed in the United States, and smart grid technology. GTSO has also identified additional joint venture in China and South America.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By CRWE]

    Today, GTSO has shed (-10.51%) -0.0041 at $.0349 with 1,304,937 shares in play thus far (ref. google finance Delayed: 2:03PM EDT August 13, 2013).

    Green Technology Solutions, Inc. and its partner, Chilerecicla, are preparing to expand recycling operations into Bolivia.

    One of South America�� top recyclers of e-waste, Chilerecicla operates the first e-waste recycling plant in Southern Chile and maintains crucial relationships with overseas smelters, with the right to sell them as many recovered metals and minerals as GTSO and Chilerecicla can provide. With a feasibility study on the region now complete, the joint venture has targeted Bolivia as an ideal territory for growth.

  • [By CRWE]

    Today, GTSO surged (+10.29%) up +0.0035 at $.0375 with�55,329 shares in play thus far (ref. google finance Delayed: 12:20PM EDT August 27, 2013).

    Green Technology Solutions, Inc. is negotiating a potentially lucrative spot transaction with joint venture partner Chilerecicla to export a large quantity of e-waste to one of the largest smelters in the world.

    According to the terms of the spot transaction, GTSO joint venture partner Chilerecicla will collect several metric tons of e-waste from suppliers based in Bolivia and Chile, and then ship materials to a smelter overseas. The buyers consist of the world�� largest smelter, who has meticulously screened Chilerecicla to become one of its suppliers. The smelter has noted that its capacity to purchase e-waste from Chilerecicla exceeds our partner�� current e-waste forecast for the near and present future.

  • [By CRWE]

    Today, GTSO has shed (-5.66%) down -0.0018 at $.0300 with�22,150 shares in play thus far (ref. google finance Delayed: 11:34AM EDT July 3, 2013), but don�� let this get you down.

    Previously after forging a new joint venture, Green Technology Solutions, Inc. and Chilerecicla are already hard at work identifying new Latin American companies and locales ideally suited to the partnership�� ambitious expansion plans.

    The partnership has targeted Latin America for expansion because it�� a key emerging market in the booming global e-waste recycling and reuse services industry, which Transparency Market Research predicts accounted for more than $9 billion in 2012. The firm expects the worldwide e-waste market to reach $18 billion in 2017, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 13.2 percent from 2012 to 2017.

Top 5 China Stocks To Invest In 2015: Enertopia Corp (ENRT)

Enertopia Corp (Enertopia), incorporated on November 24, 2004, is engaged in medicinal marijuana business. The Company is diverse in its pursuit of business opportunities in several sectors, including: Medicinal Marijuana, Oil and Gas, Solar PV (Photovoltaic), Solar Thermal (Hot Water), Energy Retrofits and Recovery, and Solar powered Filtered Drinking Water.

The Company no longer has any material oil and gas resources. The Company operates in two segments: renewable energy, and mining exploration and developments, which are managed separately based on fundamental differences in their operations nature.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Peter Graham]

    What�� the Catch With Lexaria Corp? According to various disclosures, a transaction or transactions of $1k has or will occur to mention Lexaria Corp in various investment newsletters. Last Friday, Lexaria Corp announced it had closed its Private Placement financing announced on March 5 for gross proceeds of $1,272,000 ��higher than the originally announced $960,000 figure due to ��verwhelming demand.��Lexaria Corp will issue 10,600,000 common shares at US$0.12 and 10,600,000 full warrants that expire on September 21, 2016 with an exercise price of US$0.25. However, the company may also accelerate the expiry date of the warrants if the stock price trades above CAD$0.40 cents for 20 consecutive days at any time after 6 months and one day has elapsed. Otherwise and in early March, Lexaria Corp reported that its board of directors had decided to make a strategic entry into the medical marijuana business by way of an ��mportant Joint Venture��with Enertopia Corp (OTCQB: ENRT). Under the terms of the Agreement, Lexaria Corp had agreed to pay Enertopia 1 million restricted common shares in return for Enertopia's participation plus 500,000 restricted common shares ENRT�� Chairman in return for his participation on the Lexaria Advisory Board. Following the issuance of these shares, Lexaria Corp will have a total of 18,431,452 shares issued and outstanding and 21,256,452 shares fully diluted. A quick look at Lexaria Corp�� financials reveals revenues of $160k (most recent reported quarter), $241k, $251k and $253k for the past four quarters along with net losses of $102k (most recent reported quarter), $126k, $58k and $48k. At the end of last January, Lexaria Corp had $66k in cash to cover $1,415k in current liabilities and $59k in other liabilities. So aside from the income statement, investors might want to look more closely at Lexaria Corp�� financing terms.

Top New Stocks To Watch Right Now: Vestas Wind Systems A/S (VWS)

Vestas Wind Systems A/S is a Denmark-based company active within the wind power industry. The Company operates within four business areas: Finance, Sales, Manufacturing & Global Sourcing, and Technology & Service Solutions. The Finance business area focuses on business support services. The Sales business area is divided into six geographical units: Americas, Asia Pacific & China, Central Europe, Mediterranean, Northern Europe and Offshore. The Manufacturing & Global Sourcing business area is engaged in the manufacturing of assembly, blades, components, controls and generators. The Technology & Service Solutions business area is responsible for the engineering solutions, platform and product management, as well as service engineering, among others. As of December 31, 2012, the Company operated globally through a network of subsidiaries located in Denmark, Germany, Italy, China, the United States, Spain, Estonia, Sweden and Norway. Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Tom Stoukas]

    Vestas Wind Systems A/S (VWS) surged 11 percent to 66.30 kroner, its highest price since February 2012. Credit Suisse Group AG raised the world�� biggest wind-turbine maker to neutral from underperform, citing benefits from cost cuts.

  • [By Pato Kehoe]

    Within the power infrastructure segment, GE is especially keen on advancing in clean-energy products, such as gas and wind turbines. Wind turbines have contributed significantly to generating a solid competitive advantage, even allowing the firm to surpass the Danish industry giant Vestas Wind Systems (VWS), thanks to superior customer care and manufacturing expertise. Hence, the road seems paved for continued success in this new industry sector, which is bound to continue growing as clean energy becomes more popular.

Top New Stocks To Watch Right Now: Solar Thin Films Inc (SLTZ)

Solar Thin Films, Inc. is engaged in the business of designing, manufacturing and installation of thin-film amorphous silicon (a-Si) photovoltaic manufacturing equipment. The equipment is used in plants that produce photovoltaic thin-film a-Si solar panels or modules. The Company operates through its wholly owned subsidiary, Kraft Elektronikai Zrt (Kraft). Kraft is engaged in the design, development, manufacture, and installation of a-Si photovoltaic manufacturing equipment. The primary buyers of photovoltaic thin-film manufacturing equipment are businesses, as well as investment partnerships, engaged in the production of photovoltaic thin-film modules. In May 2010, the Company acquired Atlantis Solar LLC. In May 2013, Solar Thin Films Inc acquired Quality Resource Technologies Inc. In October 2013, Solar Thin Films Inc announced the sale of all of its ownership stake of Hungarian subsidiary, Kraft, R.t. (Kraft), to GJR Collectibles LLC.

Kraft has been providing equipment that is incorporated into a single manufacturing line capable of manufacturing a-Si solar modules that produce approximately 5megawatt (MW) of solar power annually. The Company focuses, directly and through joint ventures or alliances with other companies or governmental agencies, to sell equipment for and participate financially in solar power facilities using thin film a-Si solar modules or metallurgical and other crystalline solar modules as the power source to provide electricity to municipalities, businesses and consumers.

The Company competes with Applied Materials and Oerlikon.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Peter Graham]

    Small cap stocks Alliance Creative Group Inc (OTCMKTS: ACGX), Dale Jarrett Racing Adventure Inc (OTCMKTS: DJRT), Inscor Inc (OTCMKTS: IOGA) and Solar Thin Films Inc (OTCMKTS: SLTZ) have all been getting some attention lately in various investment newsletters and it should come as no surprise that two out of four of these stocks have been the subject of paid promotions ��which tend to benefit traders. However, two out of four of these stocks also have pretty good financials for being small cap OTC stocks and that might make them attractive to investors with a long term time horizon. So which of these stocks might make traders some profits in the short term and investors some profits over the longer term? Here is a closer look to help you decide:

Top New Stocks To Watch Right Now: SolarCity Corp (SCTY)

SolarCity Corporation (SolarCity), incorporated on June 21, 2006, is engaged in the design, installation and sale or lease of solar energy systems to residential and commercial customers, or sale of electricity generated by solar energy systems to customers. The Company sells renewable energy to its customers. As of December 12, 2012, the Company served customers in 14 states. The Company�� residential customers are individual homeowners and homeowners. The Company�� commercial customers represent several business sectors, including technology, retail, manufacturing, agriculture, nonprofit and houses of worship. The Company has installed solar energy systems for several government entities, including the the United States Air Force, Army, Marines and Navy, and the Department of Homeland Security. The Company purchases major components, such as solar panels and inverters directly from multiple manufacturers. As of September 30, 2012, its primary solar panel suppliers were Trina Solar Limited, Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Limited and Kyocera Solar, Inc., among others, and its primary inverter suppliers were Power-One, Inc., SMA Solar Technology, AG, Schneider Electric SA, Fronius International GmbH and SolarEdge Technologies, among others.

Solar Energy Products

The Company�� solar energy products include Solar Energy Systems, and SolarLease and power purchase agreement finance products. The major components of its solar energy systems include solar panels that convert sunlight into electrical current. Most of its solar energy customers choose to purchase energy from the Company pursuant to one of two payment structures: a SolarLease or a power purchase agreement. In both structures, the Company charges customers a monthly fee for the power produced by its solar energy systems. In the lease structure, this monthly payment is pre-determined and includes a production guarantee. In the power purchase agreement structure, the Company charges customers a fee per kilowatt! hour based on the amount of electricity actually produced by the solar energy system.

Energy Efficiency Products and Services

The Company�� energy efficiency products and services include home energy evaluation and energy efficiency upgrades. The Company sells home energy efficiency evaluations to new solar energy system customers and existing customers. The Company�� energy efficiency upgrade products and services address heating and cooling, air sealing, duct sealing, water heating, insulation, furnaces, weatherization, pool pumps and lighting. As of December 12, 2012, the Company had completed over 13,000 home energy evaluations and performed more than 2,000 energy efficiency upgrades.

Other Energy Products and Services

The Company�� other energy products and services include electric vehicle charging and energy storage. The Company installs electric vehicle (EV) charging equipment that it sources from third parties. SolarCity markets EV equipment to residential and commercial customers through retail partnerships with companies, such as The Home Depot, and through EV manufacturers and dealerships, such as its partnership with Tesla Motors, Inc. The Company is developing a battery management system built on its solar energy monitoring communications backbone. As of December 12, 2012, the Company had over 100 energy storage pilot projects under contract. As of December 12, 2012, the Company had sold over 750 charging stations.

Enabling Technologies

The Company�� enabling technologies include SolarBid Sales Management Platform, SolarWorks Customer Management Software, Energy Designer, Home Performance Pro and SolarGuard and PowerGuide Proactive Monitoring Solutions. SolarBid is a sales management platform, which incorporates a database of rate information by utility, sun exposure, roof orientation and a range of other factors to enable a detailed analysis and customized graphical presentation of each customer� �s savin! gs.

SolarWorks is the software platform the Company uses to track and manage project. Energy Designer is a software application its field engineering auditors use to collect pertinent site-specific design details on a tablet computer. Home Performance Pro is its energy efficiency evaluation platform that incorporates the United States Department of Energy�� Energy Plus simulation engine. Home Performance Pro collects and stores details of a building�� construction and energy use. SolarGuard and PowerGuide provide its customers a view of their home�� or business�� energy generation and consumption.

The Company competes with American Solar Electric, Inc., Astrum Solar, Inc., Petersen Dean, Inc., Real Goods Solar, Inc., REC Solar, Inc., Sungevity, Inc., Trinity Solar, Inc., Verengo, Inc., SunRun Inc. and Ameresco, Inc.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Paul Ausick]

    Stocks on the Move: Ariad Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: ARIA) is down 21.4% at $4.25. SolarCity Corp. (NASDAQ: SCTY) is up 23% at $47.16 on a higher forecast for 2014. Amarin Corp. plc (NASDAQ: AMRN) is down 20.1% at $5.09.

Top New Stocks To Watch Right Now: Gevo Inc (GEVO)

Gevo, Inc., incorporated in June 2005, is a renewable chemicals and advanced biofuels company. The Company is focused on the development and commercialization of alternatives to petroleum-based products. The Company operates in two segments: Gevo, Inc. Segment and Gevo Development/Agri-Energy Segment. Gevo, Inc. Segment is responsible for all research and development activities related to the future production of isobutanol, maintaining and protecting its intellectual property portfolio, developing future markets for its isobutanol and providing corporate oversight services. Its Gevo Development/Agri-Energy Segment is responsible for the production of ethanol and related products. In September 2010, the Company acquired a 22 MGPY ethanol production facility in Luverne, Minnesota that the Company intends to retrofit to produce isobutanol.

The Company�� isobutanol can also be converted by its customers into a range of hydrocarbons, which form the basis for the production of many products, including plastics, fibers, rubber and other polymers and hydrocarbon fuels, including jet and diesel fuel. Its technology platform consists of biocatalysts and a isobutanol separation unit. Together these technologies form the Gevo Integrated Fermentation Technology (GIFT). GIFT is designed to allow relatively low capital expenditure retrofits of existing ethanol facilities, enabling isobutanol production from a range of renewable feedstocks. The Company�� biocatalysts are microorganisms that have been designed to metabolize sugars to produce isobutanol.

GIFT consists of two components, biocatalysts which convert sugars derived from multiple renewable feedstocks into isobutanol through fermentation, and a separation unit which is designed to continuously separate isobutanol from water during the fermentation process. The Company developed its technology platform to be compatible with the existing approximately 20 BGPY of global operating ethanol production capacity, as estimated by the R! enewable Fuels Association (RFA).

The Company competes with Butamax Advanced Biofuels LLC (Butamax), BP p.l.c. (BP), E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Butalco GmbH, Cathay Industrial Biotech Ltd., METabolic EXplorer S.A., TetraVitae Bioscience, Inc., Cobalt Technologies, Inc., Green Biologics Ltd. Shell Oil Products US (Shell Oil), BP, DuPont-Danisco Cellulosic Ethanol LLC, Abengoa Bioenergy, S.A., POET, LLC, ICM, Mascoma, Range Fuels, Inbicon A/S, INEOS New Planet BioEnergy LLC, Coskata, Archer Daniels Midland Company, BlueFire Ethanol, Inc., KL Energy Corporation, ZeaChem Inc., Iogen Corporation, Qteros, Inc., and AE Biofuels, Inc.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Bryan Murphy]

    The so-called fundamentals, frankly, don't really matter for Entest BioMedical Inc. (OTCMKTS:ENTB) or Gevo, Inc. (NASDAQ:GEVO). Oh, both GEVO and ENTB are generating sales, but both are consistently taking losses. That's ok though, as for both companies right now, profits aren't really the point - it's the pipeline that matters.

  • [By Bryan Murphy]

    It was already hanging by a thread, and then only because it bounced back from an early-November plunge. But, with the action we've seen from Gevo, Inc. (NASDAQ:GEVO) since that now-failed recovery effort, it's pretty safe to say GEVO is beyond help/hope, if it falls under one more big line in the sand.... and it's looking like it's only a matter of time before that happens.

Top New Stocks To Watch Right Now: Building Turbines Inc (BLDW)

Building Turbines Inc (BTI), incorporated on November 17, 1997, is engaged in the designing and manufacturing rooftop mounted wind turbines. The patented BTI�� design is ideal for commercial applications and creates reliable, cost-effective, clean and on-site renewable electricity. The Company offers a different, patented wind turbine product that can bring the dream of clean, affordable wind energy to a reality. The turbine is mounted on a steel frame, it has a low profile, low maintenance needs, and creates almost no noise or vibration.

The Company�� design possesses these exemplary and robust structural, mechanical and electrical characteristics that are particularly important when mounting a renewable energy system onto a building's roof. The turbine can help office buildings, schools, warehouses, distribution centers, airports, hotels, and a variety of other buildings offset electricity purchased from the grid by creating it on-site from the wind. The turbine creates reliable, cost-effective and clean renewable electricity with little building modification required.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Peter Graham]

    Small cap green stocks Essential Innovations Technology Corp (OTCBB: ESIV), Building Turbines Inc (OTCMKTS: BLDW) and Kleangas Energy Technologies Inc (OTCMKTS: KGET) have all been getting some attention lately in various investment newsletters ��either because they were sinking, because of paid promotions or a combination of both. However, there aren�� many green stocks out there that have actually produced some green for investors in the form of profits. With that in mind, here is a quick reality check about all three green small cap stocks to help you decide whether any have the potential for long-term success:

  • [By Peter Graham]

    Small cap green stocks Building Turbines Inc (OTCMKTS: BLDW), Virtual Sourcing, Inc (OTCMKTS: PGCX) and Unseen Solar, Inc (OTCMKTS: PCWT) have been getting some attention lately in various investment newsletters in part because some ��reen�� is being paid out in the form of paid promotions or investor relation activity. Of course, there is nothing wrong with properly disclosed paid promotions, but you do need to remember that small cap stocks (especially those in new ��reen�� industries) already come with risk. With that in mind, here is a quick reality check about these three green small cap stocks and whether you can expect to see some green in the form of profits:

    Building Turbines Inc (OTCMKTS: BLDW) Has Secured a $5 Million Line of Credit

    Small cap Building Turbines Inc is focused on the design and manufacture of patented rooftop wind turbines as well as vertically integrating them into other renewable energy solutions to complete a total ��reen Energy Solution��for any urban environment. Building Turbines Inc�� subsidiary, Green City Planet, is also a premier provider of LED lighting and environmentally sound industrial solutions. On Friday, Building Turbines Inc fell 9.76% to $0.0370 for a market cap of $8.71 million plus BLDW is up 51% over the past year and down 87.2% since June 2011 according to Google Finance.

Top New Stocks To Watch Right Now: Osage Exploration and Development Inc (OEDV)

Osage Exploration and Development, Inc. (Osage) is an oil and natural gas exploration and production company with reserves and production in the country of Colombia and the state of Oklahoma. The Company�� pipeline is located in Colombia. The Companys focuses on developing its 28,000-acre Horizontal Mississippian block along the Nemaha Ridge in Logan County, Oklahoma, with their partners Slawson Exploration, and U.S. Energy Development Corp. The Company generates oil sales from its production operations in Colombia and in the state of Oklahoma and pipeline revenues from its Cimarrona property in Colombia. During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company drilled two salt water disposal wells and commenced drilling the Wolfe#1-29H, the Company�� horizontal Mississippian well in Logan County, Oklahoma. In January 2012, the Company began drilling the Krittenbrink 2-36H, the Company�� second well in Logan County.

The Company�� subsidiary, Cimarrona LLC, owns a 9.4% interest in certain oil and gas assets in the Guaduas field, located in the Dindal and Rio Seco Blocks that consist of 21 wells, of which seven are producing, that covers 30,665-acres in the Middle Magdalena Valley in Colombia, as well as a pipeline with a capacity of approximately 30,000 barrels of oil per day. The Cimarrona property, but not the pipeline, is subject to an Ecopetrol Association Contract (the Association Contract) whereby the Company pays Ecopetrol S.A. (Ecopetrol) royalties of 20% of the oil produced.

The Company has acquired oil and gas leases in Logan County, Oklahoma targeting the Mississippian formation. The Mississippian formation is located on the Anadarko Shelf in northern Oklahoma and south-central Kansas. The top of this expansive carbonate hydrocarbon system is encountered between 4,000 and 6,000 feet and lies stratigraphically between the Pennsylvanian-aged Morrow Sand and the Devonian-aged Woodford Shale formations. The Mississippian formation reach 600 feet in gross thickness a! nd the targeted porosity zone is between 50 and 300 feet in thickness. The Company owns 100% of the working interest in certain producing oil and natural gas leases located in Osage County, Oklahoma (Hopper Property). The Property consists of 23 wells, 10 of which are producing wells, on 480 acres.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By CRWE]

    Today, OEDV surged (+6.78%) up +0.08 at $1.26 with 39,220 shares in play thus far (ref. google finance Delayed: 11:56AM EDT August 22, 2013).

    Osage Exploration and Development, Inc. previously reported financial results for the three months ended June 30, 2013 and provided an update on field operations. For the quarter, the Company reported a 75.8% increase in revenues of $2.4 million compared to the same period in 2012, and operating income of $1.2 million versus a loss of $274,563 for the period ending June 30, 2012.

    Osage participated in drilling ten wells during the second quarter, bringing the total number of wells in which Osage has an interest to twenty-nine as of June 30, 2013. Additionally, the Company reported average daily production roughly in-line with first quarter production.

  • [By CRWE]

    Today, OEDV surged (+1.96%) up +0.03 at $1.56 with 178,129 shares in play thus far (ref. google finance Delayed: 12:28PM EDT August 30, 2013).

    Osage Exploration and Development, Inc. previously reported preliminary production results on the Mallard 1-16H Horizontal Mississippian well in Logan County, Oklahoma. The well, located in Section 16-17N-3W, achieved a 24-hour peak initial production rate of 705 barrels of oil plus associated natural gas on an electric submersible pump and a 48/64��choke.