Follow @SelenaMaranjian
Credit-card scam artists are continually coming up with new scams, while improving upon old ones. A major scam that's in the news these days is a seemingly innocuous $9.84 charge appearing on many people's credit card statements.
It may seem harmless and minor, but that's the point. The scam is perpetrated by those who have stolen great gobs of credit card numbers, and they're charging a modest sum on each one. (At Target�alone, for example, tens of millions of customer accounts recently had data stolen, and Target is one of many such huge corporate victims.) The scammers are correctly thinking that most people won't notice, or won't bother contesting, such a small charge. If you see a false $9.84 charge, though, don't ignore it.
What to do
First off, remember that it's not just a $9.84 charge you need to look out for -- scammers might charge any small or large amount to your account fraudulently. If you find any false charge, contact the issuing bank or card company immediately. Ask that the charge be removed and a new card issued.
Top 5 Information Technology Companies To Watch In Right Now: Family Dollar Stores Inc.(FDO)
Family Dollar Stores, Inc. operates a chain of self-service retail discount stores primarily for low and middle income consumers in the United States. The company offers consumables, including household chemicals, paper products, candy and snack products, health and beauty aids, hardware and automotive supplies, and pet food products and supplies; and home products, which comprise domestics, housewares, giftware products, and home decor products. It also provides apparel products and accessories consisting of men?s and women?s clothing products, boys? and girls? clothing products, infants? clothing products, shoes, and fashion accessories; and seasonal products and electronics, such as toys, stationery and school supplies, seasonal goods, and personal electronics. As of August 11, 2011, the company operated approximately 7,000 stores in rural and urban settings across 44 states. Family Dollar Stores, Inc. was founded in 1959 and is headquartered in Matthews, North Carolina .
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Dan Caplinger]
For instance, five years ago, the financial crisis hit banking stocks hard, but it was the overall recessionary conditions that helped bring the entire market down. Some companies, though, made the most of the recession and gained ground. McDonald's (NYSE: MCD ) , for instance, benefited from the move away from more expensive casual restaurants, meeting customers' needs with expanded menu offerings that still offered solid value for those who'd moved down from other eating-out options. Similarly, Family Dollar (NYSE: FDO ) and several other deep-discount retailers poached business from higher-cost alternatives as households cut their budgets.
- [By Ben Levisohn]
Family Dollar (FDO) became a must-have after Carl Icahn announced a 9.4% stake in the bargain retailer–and so did competitors like Dollar General (DG) and Dollar Tree (DLTR).
REUTERS Carl IcahnGuggenheim’s John Heinbockel and Steven Forbes explain why they’re bullish on Family Dollar:
Following Carl Icahn’s disclosure of a 9% stake in FDO, we reiterate our contrarian BUY, believing that significant shareholder value can be created in this well-positioned but underperforming and overcapitalized business. Our focus remains on a turnaround, not consolidation…
We would note that the 100 basis points plus of EBIT margin expansion we have built into our model represents the recovery of only 50% of the erosion seen since 2011 and would still leave a level of profitability well below that of both Dollar General (DG, BUY, $57.99) and Dollar Tree (DLTR, NC, $55.14). There are opportunities beyond what we have modeled to the degree that costs are better controlled and pricing is better managed.
The filing notes that the shares are ��ndervalued��and Icahn ��ees great long-term potential in the issuer�� (FDO��) industry��and that it ��ntends to seek to have conversations with senior management and the BOD.”��nything that further accelerates the pace of change is a positive.
Family Dollar, however, has adopted measures to keep Icahn at arm’s length following the filing.
Shares of Family Dollar have gained 14% to $68.78 at 3 p.m., while Dollar General has risen 7.5% to $62.32 and Dollar Tree has advanced 0.5% to $55.43.
- [By Monica Gerson]
Analysts expect Family Dollar Stores (NYSE: FDO) to report its Q4 earnings at $0.84 per share on revenue of $2.56 billion. Family Dollar shares declined 0.20% to $69.31 in after-hours trading.
- [By ANUP SINGH]
Family Dollar (NYSE: FDO) has been increasing its dividend, has a low debt to equity ratio and is a very defensive stock with a beta of 0.15, making it a very safe pick. One could complain about a very low dividend yield of 1.40% but the fact that it has increased its dividend consistently for more than three decades now cannot be ignored.
Hot Healthcare Technology Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Pazoo Inc (PZOO)
Pazoo, Inc., formerly IUCSS, Inc., incorporated on November 16, 2010, is a development-stage company. The Company is an online retailer and distributer of nutritional foods/supplements, wellness goods, and fitness apparel.
As of December 31, 2011, the Company�� source of revenue was through www.pazoo.com. The Company offers a range of products through various catalogs, such as health and beauty, vitamins and supplements, apparel, accessories, food and beverages, fitness and sports equipments, gifts, videos and books, and pet wellness.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Bryan Murphy]
For those traders who were lucky and smart enough to be in an Arotech Corporation (NASDAQ:ARTX) before today, then congratulations - you're up at least 38% on your position. Now it's time to get out. Conversely, if you're looking for a new name to get into (or perhaps looking for a place to park your ARTX proceeds), then you may want to consider Pazoo Inc. (OTCBB:PZOO)... a tiny online retailer of health and fitness goods. PZOO has dropped several tell-tale hints that more upside is on the way.
Hot Healthcare Technology Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Royal Dutch Shell PLC (RDS.B)
Royal Dutch Shell plc (Shell), incorporated on February 5, 2002, is an independent oil and gas company. The Company owns, directly or indirectly, investments in the numerous companies constituting Shell. Shell is engaged worldwide in the principal aspects of the oil and gas industry and also has interests in chemicals and other energy-related businesses. The Company operates in three segments: Upstream, Downstream and Corporate. Upstream combines the operating segments Upstream International and Upstream Americas, which are engaged in searching for and recovering crude oil and natural gas; the liquefaction and transportation of gas; the extraction of bitumen from oil sands that is converted into synthetic crude oil, and wind energy. Downstream is engaged in manufacturing; distribution and marketing activities for oil products and chemicals, in alternative energy (excluding wind), and carbon dioxide (CO2) management. Corporate represents the key support functions, comprising holdings and treasury, headquarters, central functions and Shell�� self-insurance activities. In October 2011, the Company bought a marine terminal on Canada's Pacific Coast as a possible site for a liquefied natural gas export terminal. In January 2012, the Company's 50% owned, Australia Arrow Energy Holdings Pty Ltd acquired all of the shares in Bow Energy Ltd. In January 2014, Royal Dutch Shell plc completed the acquisition of Repsol S.A.'s liquefied natural gas (LNG) portfolio outside North America.
Upstream International manages the Upstream businesses outside the Americas. It searches for and recovers crude oil and natural gas, liquefies and transports gas, and operates the upstream and midstream infrastructure necessary to deliver oil and gas to market. Upstream International also manages Shell�� entire liquefied petroleum gas (LNG) business, gas to liquids (GTL) and the wind business in Europe. Its activities are organized primarily within geographical units, although there are some activities that are mana! ged across the businesses or provided through support units.
Upstream Americas manages the Upstream businesses in North and South America. It searches for and recovers crude oil and natural gas, transports gas and operates the upstream and midstream infrastructure necessary to deliver oil and gas to market. Upstream Americas also extracts bitumen from oil sands that is converted into synthetic crude oil. Additionally, it manages the United States-based wind business. It comprises operations organized into business-wide managed activities and supporting activities.
Downstream manages Shell�� manufacturing, distribution and marketing activities for oil products and chemicals. These activities are organized into globally managed classes of business, although some are managed regionally or provided through support units. Manufacturing and supply includes refining, supply and shipping of crude oil. Marketing sells a range of products including fuels, lubricants, bitumen and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for home, transport and industrial use. Chemicals produces and markets petrochemicals for industrial customers, including the raw materials for plastics, coatings and detergents. Downstream also trades Shell�� flow of hydrocarbons and other energy-related products, supplies the Downstream businesses, markets gas and power and provides shipping services. Downstream additionally oversees Shell�� interests in alternative energy (including biofuels, and excluding wind) and CO2 management.
Projects and Technology manages the delivery of Shell�� major projects and drives the research and innovation to create technology solutions. It provides technical services and technology capability covering both Upstream and Downstream activities. It is also responsible for providing functional leadership across Shell in the areas of health, safety and environment, and contracting and procurement.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Sara Sjolin]
In the energy sector, shares of BP PLC (UK:BP) � (BP) �fell 0.7% and Royal Dutch Shell PLC (UK:RDSB) � (RDS.B) �dropped 0.6%.
Hot Healthcare Technology Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Corrections Corporation of America (CXW)
Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) incorporated on September 24, 1998, is a real estate investment trust. The Company is the owner of privatized correctional and detention facilities and prison operators in the United States. As of December 31, 2012, the Company operated 67 correctional and detention facilities, including 47 facilities that the Company own, with a total design capacity of approximately 92,500 beds in 20 states and the District of Columbia. Beginning of January 1, 2013, the Company has provided correctional services and conducted other operations through TRSs. A TRS is a subsidiary of a REIT that is subject to applicable corporate income tax and certain qualification requirements. In January 2012, the Company closed the operations of the 1,172-bed Delta Correctional Facility in Greenwood, Mississippi. In January 2013, the Company announced that it has completed an internal reorganization of its business operations.
The Company specializes in owning, operating, and managing prisons and other correctional facilities and providing inmate residential and prisoner transportation services for governmental agencies. In addition to providing the fundamental residential services relating to inmates, its facilities offer a variety of rehabilitation and educational programs, including basic education, religious services, life skills and employment training and substance abuse treatment. These services are intended to help reduce recidivism and to prepare inmates for their re entry into society upon their release. The Company also provides health care (including medical, dental, and mental health services), food services, and work and recreational programs.
The Company�� customers consist of federal, state and local correctional and detention authorities. During the year ended December 31, 2012, federal correctional and detention authorities represented 43% of its total revenue. Federal correctional and detention authorities primarily consist of the Federal Burea! u of Prisons (BOP), the United States Marshals Service (USMS), and the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Its management services contracts typically have terms of three to five years and contain multiple renewal options. Its facility contracts also contain clauses that allow the government agency to terminate the contract at any time without cause, and its contracts are generally subject to annual or bi-annual legislative appropriations of funds.
The Company is compensated for providing prison bed capacity and correctional services at an inmate per diem rate based upon actual or minimum guaranteed occupancy levels. Occupancy rates for a particular facility are typically low when opened or immediately following an expansion. However, beyond the start-up period, which typically ranges from 90 to 180 days, the occupancy rate tends to stabilize. During 2012, the average compensated occupancy of its facilities, based on rated capacity, was 88.2% for all of the facilities it owned or managed, exclusive of facilities where operations have been discontinued.
The Company provides a variety of rehabilitative and educational programs at its facilities. Inmates at facilities the Company manage may receive basic education through academic programs designed to improve literacy levels and the opportunity to acquire GED certificates. The Company also offers vocational training to inmates who lack marketable job skills. Its craft vocational training programs are accredited by the National Center for Construction Education and Research. This foundation provides training curriculum and establishes industry standards for over 4,000 construction and trade organizations in the United States and several foreign countries. In addition, the Company offers life skills transition-planning programs that provide inmates with job search skills, health education, financial responsibility training, parenting training, and other skills associated with becoming productive citizens.
! As of December 31, 2012, the Company provides transportation services to governmental agencies through its wholly owned TRS, TransCor America, LLC, or TransCor. CCA owns 49 correctional and detention facilities in 15 states and the District of Columbia, two of which it leases to third-party operators. The Company also owns two corporate office buildings. Additionally, it manages 20 correctional and detention facilities owned by government agencies. Owned and managed facilities include facilities placed into service that the Company owned and managed. Managed-only facilities include facilities owned by a third party and managed by the Company.
The Company competes with The GEO Group, Inc. and Management and Training Corporation.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Seth Jayson]
Calling all cash flows
When you are trying to buy the market's best stocks, it's worth checking up on your companies' free cash flow once a quarter or so, to see whether it bears any relationship to the net income in the headlines. That's what we do with this series. Today, we're checking in on Corrections Corporation of America (NYSE: CXW ) , whose recent revenue and earnings are plotted below. - [By Ben Levisohn]
Prison REIT Corrections Corp of America (CXW) yields 6.2% and trades at 24.9 times earnings, while�Geo Group (GEO) yields 6.4% on a P-E ratio of 20.8 times.
- [By Rich Smith]
Nashville, Tenn.-based Corrections Corporation of America (NYSE: CXW ) has won a contract extension from the California Department of Corrections, the company announced Wednesday, extending its contract length by three years.
- [By Sean Williams]
The premise here would be that any increase in nationwide drug testing would be bound to turn up additional drug users and could boost the prison population. That would be great news for the GEO Group (NYSE: GEO ) and Corrections Corp. of America (NYSE: CXW ) , which are contracted out through the government to run and service prisons around the country.
Hot Healthcare Technology Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Leap Wireless International Inc.(LEAP)
Leap Wireless International, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides digital wireless services under the ?Cricket? brand name in the United States. The company offers unlimited local and the U.S. long distance services from various Cricket service area and unlimited text messaging services, as well as mobile Web, 411 services, navigation, and data back-up. It also provides BridgePay, a flexible payment option for customers to use and pay for the company?s cricket wireless service; handsets and devices with various features; cricket broadband service, an unlimited mobile broadband service that allows customers to access the Internet through their computers; Cricket PAYGo Service, a pay-as-you-go unlimited prepaid wireless service designed for customers who prefer the flexibility and control offered by traditional prepaid services; and Muve Music Service, an unlimited music download service for mobile handsets in select cricket markets. In addition, the company off ers voice and data roaming services. It markets its cricket handsets and services, primarily through company-owned retail stores and kiosks, as well as through authorized dealers and distributors, including premier dealers, local market authorized dealers, national mass-market retailers, and other indirect distributors. As of December 31, 2010, the company offered services in 35 states and the District of Columbia to approximately 5.5 million customers. Leap Wireless International, Inc. was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in San Diego, California.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Evan Niu, CFA]
AT&T (NYSE: T ) is now looking to acquire Leap Wireless (NASDAQ: LEAP ) in a move that's very plainly a bid for more spectrum. While the headline cost is $1.2 billion, or $15 per share, AT&T is actually on the hook for a lot more.
- [By Jeremy Bowman]
Finally, AT&T (NYSE: T ) announced after hours that it would buy Leap Wireless (NASDAQ: LEAP ) , the parent of the low-price Cricket provider, paying $1.19 billion in cash, or nearly twice Leap's market cap at closing. Leap shares shot up a stunning 116% on the news, while AT&T was flat. The deal comes following the antitrust ruling against AT&T's acquisition of T-Mobile two years ago, and that company's merger with MetroPCS, as the major telecoms scramble to acquire more wireless spectrum. With Leap's 7 million subscribers and additional spectrum, the deal could be a smart move for AT&T, despite its hefty price tag.
Hot Healthcare Technology Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Corporate Executive Board Co (CEB)
Corporate Executive Board Company (CEB), incorporated on September 11, 1997, is an advisory company that equips senior executives and their teams with actionable solutions to drive corporate performance. The Company operates in two segments: SHL Group Holdings I and its subsidiaries (SHL) and CEB. The CEB segment includes its membership programs for senior executives and their teams to drive corporate performance by identifying and building on the practices of companies. The SHL segment provides cloud-based solutions for talent assessment and talent mobility, as well as professional services to support those solutions. Personnel Decisions Research Institutes, Inc. (PDRI) is included in the CEB segment. PDRI provides customized personnel assessment tools and services to various agencies of the United States government. In February 2012, it acquired Valtera, Inc. In August 2012, it acquired SHL Group Holdings I. In February 2014, Corporate Executive Board Co acquired Talent Neuron, a provider of market intelligence technology.
The Company delivers its products and services to a global customer base primarily through two relationship models: an annual, fixed-fee subscription for membership programs and engagement-based fees for assessment services, development curriculum, customized analytics reports, and best practice implementation. It spans more than 100 countries, 10,000 individual organizations, and 225,000 business professionals. Its membership programs deliver research and advisory services that align with executive leadership roles and enable members to focus efforts to address emerging and recurring business challenges.
The Company serves executives and professionals in corporate functions at corporate and middle market institutions in more than 100 countries. The corporate functions, which it considers its primary end market includes human resources, finance, legal and compliance, sales and marketing, and technology. It also serves operational leaders in the global f! inancial services industry and United Sates government. For both the financial services industry and the United States government, it delivers a product and service portfolio of practices, operational insights, analytical tools, and peer collaboration designed to drive executive decision making.
The Company helps senior executives and their teams drive corporate performance by equipping them with the actionable insights, analytic tools, and advisory support they need to improve performance. It sells a combination of resources to address business challenges, such as best practices and decision support, talent management and measurement, and management tools and solutions. It helps its members set direction for their team, function, and company by providing performance insights, benchmarks, and best practices. It also provides members with networking opportunities, including through online peer discussion groups, on-request advice, feedback, and other peer interaction at both in-person and virtual events. It helps organizations select, engage, and align their organizational talent against corporate objectives. The Company�� assessment and development solutions help companies identify and manage talent investments. Its talent management and measurement products generally are implemented into pre-hire and post-hire assessments. The offerings include cognitive ability assessments, skills and/or knowledge assessments, personality questionnaires, and job/role simulations.
The Company helps organizations secure performance gains through consulting and technology. It delivers a suite of professional services, including best practice implementation, survey and diagnostic tools, and executive education. It offers targeted survey and diagnostic technology to aid executives in assessing the performance of their functions, processes, and teams. It provides additional implementation support to executives seeking to improve their functional performance. For executives seeking to enhance ski! ll develo! pment for themselves or their staff members, it delivers an executive education curriculum supported by e-learning resources. The curriculum may include skills diagnostic reports, learning portal access, classroom-based development sessions, Webinars, and virtual office hours with faculty.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Rich Duprey]
Corporate advisory specialist�Corporate Executive Board� (NYSE: CEB ) �announced yesterday�its second-quarter dividend of $0.225 per share, the same rate it paid last quarter after it raised the payout 29% from $0.175 per share.
No comments:
Post a Comment