Top 5 Gas Utility Stocks To Buy For 2014

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Saying he was going to ask more of the wealthy, Mayor Bill de Blasio was sworn in as New York's 109th mayor.

De Blasio succeeds Mike Bloomberg, who served three four-year terms, covering the period of New York's recovery from the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center.

The new mayor is the first Democrat to lead the city in 20 years. David Dinkins, the last Democrat to be mayor, was on the platform for the ceremonial swearing-in at City Hall at midday. De Blasio was officially sworn-in by State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman just after midnight in front of his Brooklyn home.

In the City Hall ceremony, President Bill Clinton administered the oath of office as de Blasio's family, Bloomberg, Gov. Andrew Cuomo and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton looked on. Then the new mayor laid out his plans for the city, including his desire to bridge the gap between the wealthy and the poor, in his inaugural address.

Top 5 Undervalued Companies To Invest In 2015: Spectrum Brands Holdings Inc.(SPB)

Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a consumer products company worldwide. It offers consumer batteries, including alkaline and zinc carbon batteries, rechargeable batteries and chargers, and hearing aid batteries and other specialty batteries; pet supplies, such as aquatic equipment and supplies, dog and cat treats, small animal foods, clean up and training aids, health and grooming products, and beddings; and home and garden control products comprising household insect controls, insect repellents, and herbicides. The company also provides electric shaving and grooming devices; small appliances, including small kitchen appliances and home product appliances; electric personal care and styling devices; and portable lighting. Its sells its products through various trade channels, including retailers, wholesalers and distributors, hearing aid professionals, industrial distributors, and original equipment manufacturers primarily under t he Rayovac, Remington, Varta, George Foreman, Black & Decker, Toastmaster, Farberware, Tetra, Marineland, Nature?s Miracle, Dingo, 8-in-1, Littermaid, Spectracide, Cutter, Repel, Hot Shot, Black Flag, and TAT brands. The company was headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin. As of January 7, 2011, Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc. operates as a subsidiary of Harbinger Group Inc.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  Shares of Energizer have jumped 15% to $112.37 at 10:24 a.m. today, while Spectrum Brands (SPB) has risen 1.4% to $76.88 and Kimberly Clark (KMB) has gained 1% to $112.14.

Top 5 Gas Utility Stocks To Buy For 2014: NGL Energy Partners LP (NGL)

NGL Energy Partners LP is a limited partnership company formed to own and operate a vertically-integrated propane business. The Company operates in three segments: retail propane; wholesale supply and marketing; and midstream. Its retail propane business sells propane to end users consisting of residential, agricultural, commercial and industrial customers. The Company�� wholesale supply and marketing business supplies propane and other natural gas liquids and provides related storage to retailers, wholesalers and refiners. Its midstream business, which consists of its propane terminaling business, takes delivery of propane from pipelines or trucks at its propane terminals and transfers the propane to third-party transport trucks for delivery to retailers, wholesalers or other consumers. The Company�� general partner is NGL Energy Holdings LLC (the General Partner). On October 14, 2010, it executed a series of transactions (the Combination) with NGL Supply, Inc. (NGL Supply). In February 2012, the Company acquired all of the assets comprising the propane and distillate operations of North American Propane. In May 2012, the Company acquired Downeast Energy Corporation. The assets contributed by Downeast are located in Maine and New Hampshire. In November 2012, the Company acquired limited liability company membership interests in Pecos Gathering & Marketing LLC and its affiliated companies (Pecos). In July 2013, NGL Energy Partners LP announced the acquisition of the assets of Crescent Terminals, LLC. Effective July 8, 2013, NGL Energy Partners LP acquired High Roller Wells Big Lake SWD No 1 LP. In August 2013, NGL Energy Partners LP acquired the water disposal and hauling business of Oilfield Water Lines LP. In September 2013, NGL Energy Partners LP acquired the water disposal business of Coastal Plains Disposal #1, LLC owned by WinCo Development, LLC. In November 2013, the Company announced acquisition of all of the equity interests of Gavilon, LLC.

Retail Propane

The Co! mpany�� retail propane business consists of the retail marketing, sale and distribution of propane, including the sale and lease of propane tanks, equipment and supplies, to more than 56,000 residential, agricultural, commercial and industrial customers. It markets retail propane primarily in Georgia, Illinois, Indiana and Kansas through its customer service locations. The Company owns or leases 44 customer service locations and 37 satellite distribution locations, with aggregate above-ground propane storage capacity of approximately four million gallons. It also owns a fleet of bulk delivery trucks and service vehicles.

Wholesale Supply and Marketing

The Company�� wholesale supply and marketing business provides propane procurement, storage, transportation and supply services to customers, through assets owned by it and by third parties. Its wholesale supply and marketing business also obtains the majority of the propane supply for its retail propane business. The Company procures propane from refiners, gas processing plants, producers and other resellers for delivery to leased storage, common carrier pipelines, rail car terminals and direct to certain customers. It has the right to utilize 100% of the ConocoPhillips Blue Line pipeline, which runs from Borger, Texas, to its propane terminals in East St. Louis, Illinois and Jefferson City, Missouri. The Company leases approximately 67 million gallons of propane storage space in various locations to accommodate the supply requirements and contractual needs of its retail and wholesale customers.

Midstream

The Company�� midstream business, which consists of its propane terminaling business, takes delivery of propane from a pipeline or truck at its propane terminals and transfers the propane to third party trucks for delivery to propane retailers, wholesalers or other customers. The Company�� midstream assets consist of its three propane terminals in East St. Louis, Illinois; Jefferson City, Missou! ri, and S! t. Catharines, Ontario. The Company is a service provider at each of its terminals, which have a combined annual throughput in excess of 170 million gallons of propane.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Robert Rapier]

  But because SPH is more involved in the retail end of propane instead of the production/logistical side, it has been significantly outperformed by NGL Energy Partners (NYSE: NGL) and Ferrellgas Partners (NYSE: FGP). In short, the latter two are the ways to play higher propane prices, whereas SPH will see much less benefit from higher-priced propane.

• [By Robert Rapier]

  The four propane-focused MLPs are AmeriGas Partners (NYSE: APU), Suburban Propane Partners (NYSE: SPH), NGL Energy Partners (NYSE: NGL), and Ferrellgas Partners (NYSE: FGP).

• [By Anna Prior]

  NGL Energy Partners LP(NGL), which bought oil-storage company TransMontaigne Inc. from Morgan Stanley (MS) (MS) last week, said it is offering to buy the outstanding units of TransMontaigne Partners LP(TLP) (TLP) in a one-for-one exchange of common units.

Top 5 Gas Utility Stocks To Buy For 2014: Windstream Corporation(WIN)

Windstream Corporation provides communications and technology solutions in the United States. The company offers various solutions, including IP-based voice and data services, multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) networking, data center and managed services, hosting services, and communications systems to businesses and government agencies. It also provides high-speed Internet, voice, and digital television services to residential customers primarily located in rural areas. The company?s data services include data center and managed hosting, MPLS networking, and dedicated access, as well as high-speed Internet to business customers; integrated solutions consist of multiple voice and data services delivered over an IP connection; voice services comprise local and long distance, call waiting, caller identification, and voicemail; and special access services include point-to-point switching arrangements for voice and data traffic. In addition, it provides wholesale services, which primarily include voice and data services on a wholesale basis to other carriers; usage sensitive services to long distance companies; and other local exchange carriers for access to the network in connection with the completion of long-distance calls, as well as reciprocal compensation received from wireless and other local connecting carriers for the use of its facilities. As of June 30, 2011, the company served approximately 3.3 million access lines, 1.3 million high-speed Internet customers, and operated approximately 60,000 fiber route miles. Windstream Corporation is based in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Dan Caplinger]

  For years, investors turned to lesser-known telecom companies for high dividend yields. Windstream (NASDAQ: WIN  ) and Frontier Communications (NASDAQ: FTR  ) became especially popular, as they focused on rural areas where consumers have fewer choices on where to get telecom services. Even though those businesses have been in slow decline, both Frontier and Windstream have made efforts to broaden their offerings to keep up with competition in broadband Internet and business services, with varying degrees of success. Windstream has managed to keep its dividend steady, but Frontier had to cut its dividend twice in recent years, sending its shares down substantially.

Top 5 Gas Utility Stocks To Buy For 2014: Ignite Restaurant Group Inc (IRG)

Ignite Restaurant Group, Inc., incorporated on February 4, 2002, operates two restaurant brands, Joe's Crab Shack (Joe's) and Brick House Tavern + Tap (Brick House). The Company�� Joe's Crab Shack and Brick House Tavern + Tap operate in a diverse set of markets across the United States. Joe's Crab Shack is a national chain of casual seafood restaurants serving a variety of seafood items, with an emphasis on crab. Brick House Tavern + Tap is a casual restaurant brand that provides guests a gastro pub experience by offering a blend of menu items. As of December 31, 2012, the Company owned and operated 144 restaurants in 33 states. In September 2013, Ignite Restaurant Group Inc announced the opening of its newest Joe's Crab Shack restaurant, located in Newark, New Jersey.

Joe's Crab Shack

The Company�� Joe's Crab Shack offers an outdoor patio for guests to enjoy eating and drinking and a children's playground. Joe's also has many locations that are located on waterfront property. Interior design elements include a nautical, vacation theme to invoke memories of beach vacations and a genuine crab shack experience. Joe's Crab Shack restaurants have over 200 seats. Many of the Company�� restaurants also include a small gift shop where guests can purchase souvenirs to commemorate their dining experience. Joe's Crab Shack also leverages its crab-forward menu with other crab items, including Made-From-Scratch Crab Cakes, Crab Nachos and Crazy-Good Crab Dip. In addition to its core crab-focused menu, Joe's also offers a range of entrees featuring a variety of seafood, including the Get Stuffed Snapper, Surf 'N Turf Burger and The Big Hook Up, as well as a range of traditional seafood entrees like the Fisherman's Platter. Joe's also offers several out of water options, such as Pan Fried Cheesy Chicken and Whiskey Smoked Ribs. In addition, alcoholic beverages include the Shark Bite, Category 5 Hurricane and Mason Jar cocktails emerging as guests' top choices. Joe's menu inc! ludes more than 29 items made with either Queen, Snow, Dungeness or King Crabs sourced from government regulated and sustainable fisheries. Its menu offers 14 appetizers, including Made-From-Scratch Crab Cakes, Crab Nachos and Crazy-Good Crab Dip, and over 50 entrees, including Steampots, Crab in a Bucket, Skillet Paella, Stuffed Snapper and out of water options like Whiskey Smoked Ribs.

Brick House Tavern + Tap

The Company�� Brick House's interior decor includes custom lighting, dark mahogany woods, open sight lines, high definition television (HD TVs), and an inviting fireplace. In addition to a traditional dining room and bar area, Brick House also offers large communal tables and a section of leather recliners positioned in front of large HD TVs, where guests receive their own TV tray for dining. Outdoor seating is also available on the patio or around an open fire pit at nearly all locations. Both food and beverages are served by personable and engaging service staff. The typical Brick House restaurant is approximately 8,500 square feet and averages approximately 250 seats, which includes both traditional tables and seating options. Brick House offers its guests a selection of contemporary tavern food. Brick House's menu includes 17 appetizers and over 53 entrees. Handcrafted appetizers include Deviled Eggs, Meatloaf Sliders, Brick Pizza, Meat and Cheese Board and Fried Stuffed Olives. Brick House offers an array of burgers, including The Kobe, which is hand formed from American Wagyu beef. Guests can also choose from a selection of homemade entrees, such as Drunken Chops, BBQ Baby Backs, Chicken & Waffles, and its Prime Rib Sandwich. In addition, Brick House's Brick Burgers, include the Gun Show Burger and the Black & Bleu Burger. Brick House's beverage selection includes imported and domestic beers along with hand-pulled cask beer. All Brick House restaurants have a bar that supports a variety of liquor drinks, wine and beer cocktails like the Shandy and Bee Sting, a! s well as! specialty cocktails like the Dark & Stormy, Moscow Mule and The Zombie.

The Company competes with Red Lobster, Bonefish Grill, Landry's Seafood, Bubba Gump Shrimp Company, BJ's Restaurants, Yard House, Cheesecake Factory, Bravo Brio and Buffalo Wild Wings, Applebee's, Chili's, T.G.I. Friday's, Texas Roadhouse and Outback Steakhouse.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Seth Jayson]

  Margins matter. The more Ignite Restaurant Group (Nasdaq: IRG  ) keeps of each buck it earns in revenue, the more money it has to invest in growth, fund new strategic plans, or (gasp!) distribute to shareholders. Healthy margins often separate pretenders from the best stocks in the market. That's why we check up on margins at least once a quarter in this series. I'm looking for the absolute numbers, so I can compare them to current and potential competitors, and any trend that may tell me how strong Ignite Restaurant Group's competitive position could be.

• [By Victor Selva]

  The firm is currently Zacks Rank # 3 - Hold, and it also has a longer-term recommendation of ��nderperfom.��For investors looking for a Zacks Rank # 1 ��Strong Buy, Ignite Restaurant Group Inc. (IRG) and The Wendy's Company (WEN) could be the options.

Top 5 High Tech Companies To Buy Right Now

Target CFO John Mulligan appeared before a U.S. Senate committee this morning to express that the retail giant was "deeply sorry" for losing 110 million customer records to hackers.

"We will learn from this incident and, as a result, we hope to make Target, and our industry, more secure for customers in the future," he said.

Mulligan is right about lessons to be learned. And let's hope that these public disclosures of the scale of daily cybercrime will help to accelerate tougher industry security rules, perhaps backed by new consumer protection laws.

More: Why point-of-sale systems are ripe to be hacked

Sterne Agee analyst Vijay RakeshVijay Rakesh attended a Monday hearing at which financial industry analysts painted the wider context for lawmakers. Rakesh shared what he thought were the big big takeaways:

10 Best Clean Energy Stocks To Buy Right Now: Husky Energy Inc (HUSKF.PK)

Husky Energy Inc. (Husky), incorporated on June 21, 2000, is an international integrated energy company. The Company operates in two segments: Upstream and Downstream. Upstream includes exploration for, development and production of crude oil, bitumen, natural gas and natural gas liquids and other producers��crude oil, natural gas, natural gas liquids, sulphur and petroleum coke, pipeline transportation and processing of heavy crude oil and natural gas, storage of crude oil, diluents and natural gas and cogeneration of electrical and thermal energy (infrastructure and marketing). Downstream includes upgrading of heavy crude oil feedstock into synthetic crude oil (upgrading), refining in Canada of crude oil and marketing of refined petroleum products, including gasoline, diesel, ethanol blended fuels, asphalt and ancillary products, and production of ethanol (Canadian refined products) and refining in the United States of crude oil to produce and market gasoline, jet fuel and diesel fuels that meet United States clean fuels standards (United States refining and marketing).

During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company had 512 retail locations in its light refined products operations, which consisted of 361 owned or leased locations (husky controlled) and 151 independent retailer locations. The Company is continually monitoring the owned and leased locations for environmental protection or to address regulatory compliance requirements, such as reporting.

Upstream Operations

Husky�� portfolio of Upstream assets includes properties with reserves of light crude oil (30掳 API and lighter), medium crude oil (between 20掳 and 30掳 API), heavy crude oil (liquid between 20掳 API and 10掳 API), bitumen (solid or semi-solid with a viscosity greater than 10,000 centipoise at original temperature in the deposit and atmospheric pressure), NGL, natural gas and sulphur. The Wenchang field is located in the western Pearl River Mouth Basin, approximately 400 kilometers ! south of Hong Kong and 100 kilometers east of Hainan Island. The Wenchang 13-1 and 13-2 oil fields are producing from 32 wells in 100 meters of water into an FPSO vessel stationed between fixed platforms located in each of the two fields. In December 2012, Husky signed a joint venture contract with CPC Corporation, Taiwan for an exploration block in the South China Sea. The exploration block is located 100 kilometers southwest of the island of Taiwan and covers approximately 10,300 square kilometers.

Husky has a 40% interest in approximately 621,700 acres (2,516 square kilometers) of the Madura Strait block, located offshore East Java, south of Madura Island, Indonesia. Husky�� two partners are CNOOC which is the operator and has a 40% working interest, and Samudra Energy Ltd., which holds the remaining 20% interest through its affiliate, SMS Development Ltd. Husky�� offshore East Coast Canada exploration and development program is focused on the Jeanne d��rc Basin on the Grand Banks, which contains the Hibernia and Terra Nova fields, as well as the White Rose field and satellite extensions including the North Amethyst, West White Rose and the South White Rose extensions. The White Rose oil field is located 354 kilometers off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador and approximately 48 kilometers east of the Hibernia oil field on the eastern section of the Jeanne d��rc Basin. Husky is the operator of the White Rose field and satellite tiebacks, including the North Amethyst, West White Rose and South White Rose extensions. The Terra Nova oil field is located approximately 350 kilometers southeast of St. John��, Newfoundland and Labrador. The Terra Nova oil field is divided into three distinct areas, known as the Graben, the East Flank and the Far East. As of January 16, 2013, Husky held a working interest in 17 Exploration Licences (ELs) offshore Newfoundland, Labrador and Greenland. Husky is the operator of 13 of these ELs and has working interests ranging from 35% to 100%.

Hus! ky is the operator of two ELs offshore the west coast of Disko Island, Greenland. Tucker is an in-situ SAGD oil sands project located 30 kilometers northwest of Cold Lake, Alberta. Husky holds in excess of 550,000 acres in undeveloped oil sands leases and has a 100% working interest in all leases except in Athabasca South in which it has a 50% working interest. Husky�� heavy oil assets are primarily concentrated in a large producing region in the Lloydminster, Alberta/Saskatchewan area. The Company maintains a land position of approximately two million gross acres within this area. Over 90% of Husky�� proved reserves in the region are contained in the heavy crude oil producing areas of Pikes Peak, Edam, Tangleflags, Celtic, Bolney, Paradise Hill, Westhazel, Big Gully, Mervin, Marwayne, Lashburn, Gully Lake, Vermilion, Swimming, Morgan, Lindbergh, Aberfeldy, Marsden, Epping, Furness and Rush Lake, and in the medium gravity crude oil producing fields of Wildmere and Wainwright. As of December 31, 2012, the Company produces from oil and gas wells ranging in depth from 450 meters to 650 meters and holds a 100% working interest in the majority of these wells. In the Lloydminster area, the Company owns and operates 21 oil treating facilities which are tied into the Husky heavy oil pipeline systems. Husky operates 67 facilities in the area. Husky is the operator of a number of properties in southern Alberta and southern Saskatchewan. The Foothills Northwest Plains area is located in western and northern Alberta and British Columbia. The area is made up of five distinct districts: Rainbow Lake, Northern Alberta, Northern Alberta & British Columbia Plains, Ansell-Galloway and Foothills.

Husky provides heavy crude oil feedstock to its Upgrader and its asphalt refinery, which are located at Lloydminster, Alberta/Saskatchewan. The combined dry crude feedstock requirements of the Upgrader and asphalt refinery are approximately equal to Husky�� heavy crude oil production from the Lloydminster area.! Husky al! so purchases third party volumes. Husky markets heavy crude oil production directly to refiners located in the mid-west and eastern United States and Canada. Husky markets its light and synthetic crude oil production to third-party refiners in Canada, the United States and Asia in addition to Husky�� Lima Refinery. NGL are sold to local petrochemical end users, retail and wholesale distributors and refiners in North America.

The Company holds a 50% interest in a 90 megawatts natural gas fired cogeneration facility adjacent to Husky�� Rainbow Lake processing plant. The cogeneration facility produces electricity for the Power Pool of Alberta and thermal energy (steam) for the Rainbow Lake processing plant. It provides power directly to the Power Pool of Alberta under an agreement with the Alberta Electric System Operator to provide additional electricity generating capacity and system stability for northwestern Alberta. The Company also operates and has a 50% interest in a natural gas storage facility at East Cantuar near Swift Current, Saskatchewan.

Downstream Operations

The Lima Refinery, located in Ohio between Toledo and Dayton, has an atmospheric crude throughput capacity of 160 thousand of barrels/day. The refinery produces gasoline, gasoline blend stocks, diesel, jet fuel, petrochemical feedstock and other by-products. The feedstock is received via the Mid-Valley and Marathon Pipelines and the refined products are transported via the Buckeye and Inland pipeline systems and by rail car to primary markets in Ohio, Illinois, Indiana and southern Michigan. During 2012, crude oil feedstock throughput at the Lima Refinery averaged 150 thousand of barrels/day. Production of gasoline averaged 77 thousand of barrels/day, total distillates averaged 56 thousand of barrels/day and total butanes averaged 17 thousand of barrels/day. The BP-Husky Toledo Refinery, in which Husky holds a 50% interest, has an atmospheric crude throughput capacity of 160 thousand of barrels/day. Pr! oducts in! clude low sulphur gasoline, ultra low sulphur diesel, aviation fuels, propane, kerosene and asphalt. The refinery is located in one of the highest energy consumption regions in the United States. Husky owns and operates the Husky Lloydminster Upgrader, a heavy oil upgrading facility located in Lloydminster, Saskatchewan. The Upgrader is designed to process blended heavy crude oil feedstock into high quality, low sulphur synthetic crude oil. Production at the Upgrader averaged 61 thousand of barrels/day of synthetic crude oil, 13 thousand of barrels/day of diluent and 4 thousand of barrels/day of low sulphur diesel in 2012.

Husky�� Canadian Refined Products operations include refining of light crude oil, manufacturing of fuel and fuel grade ethanol, manufacturing of asphalt products from heavy crude oil and acquisition by purchase and exchange of refined petroleum products. Husky�� retail distribution network includes the wholesale, commercial and retail marketing of refined petroleum products and provides a platform for non-fuel related convenience product businesses. Husky�� Pounder Emulsions division has a market share in Western Canada for road application emulsion products. Additional non-asphalt based road maintenance products are also marketed and distributed through Pounder Emulsions. Husky�� asphalt distribution network consists of emulsion plants and asphalt terminals located at Kamloops, British Columbia, Edmonton and Lethbridge, Alberta, Yorkton, Saskatchewan and Winnipeg, Manitoba and three emulsion plants located at Watson Lake, Yukon and Lloydminster and Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Husky�� ethanol production supports its ethanol-blended gasoline marketing program. When added to gasoline, ethanol promotes more complete fuel combustion, prevents fuel line freezing and reduces carbon monoxide emissions, ozone precursors and net emissions of greenhouse gases.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Caiman Valores]

  But as highlighted earlier Whitecap's Canadian light sweet crude is not as heavily discounted as Canadian heavy oil or bitumen. This does not leave it exposed to the same price risks and volatility as those companies that have a significant portion of their production made up by Canadian heavy oil and Bitumen, such as Husky Energy (HUSKF.PK), Suncor (SU), Imperial Oil (IMO) and Canadian Natural Resources (CNQ).

Top 5 High Tech Companies To Buy Right Now: Sama Resources Inc (SME)

Sama Resources Inc./Ressources Sama Inc., formerly Sama Resources Inc., is a Canada-based, exploration-stage company. The Company is engaged in mineral exploration and development business. The Company�� property includes Samapleu Property and Lola Property. The Lola Project is 100% owned by the Company and is located in eastern Guinea, adjacent to the Company's Samapleu project, which is just across the border in Cote d'Ivoire. The Samapleu poroject is located approximately 600 kilometer northwest of Abidjan and encompasses approximately 446 square kilometer. On December 11, 2012, the Company commenced a 3,300 line/kilometer airborne helicopter time domain electromagnetic and magnetic survey over the Company�� Samapleu Property. In April 2012, the Company commenced a 1,500 meter drilling program at its newly discovered Gogota Deposit. As of September 30, 2012, the Company�� subsidiaries include Sama Nickel Corporation, Sama Nickel Cote d��voire SARL and Sama Resources Guinee. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By GURUFOCUS]

  
  Kingdee International Software Group Co. Ltd. (HKSE:00268) appreciated 56% during the third quarter. Kingdee is a leading provider of enterprise management software and cloud and e-commerce platforms in China, with a focus on the small/medium enterprise (SME) sector. During the third quarter, the company announced financial results, suggesting that the reorganization of its sales priorities was beginning to bear fruit. We also believe the stock's performance was aided by anticipated government reforms, which are likely to support the software sector, as well as the company's SME clients. (Michael Kass)

Top 5 High Tech Companies To Buy Right Now: OmniVision Technologies Inc.(OVTI)

OmniVision Technologies, Inc. designs, develops, and markets semiconductor image-sensor devices. The company offers CameraChip image sensors, which are single-chip solutions that integrate various functions, such as image capture, image processing, color processing, signal conversion, and output of a processed image or video stream for use in various consumer and commercial mass-market applications; and CameraCube imaging devices that are image sensors with integrated wafer-level optics. It also provides companion chips used to connect its image sensors to various interfaces, including the universal serial bus and other industry standard interfaces; and companion digital signal processors that perform compression in standardized still photo and digital video formats. In addition, the company designs and develops software drivers for Linux, Mac OS, and Microsoft Windows, as well as for embedded operating systems, such as Blackberry OS, Palm OS, Symbian, Windows CE, Windows Embedded, and Windows Mobile. Its products are used in mobile phones, notebooks, Webcams, digital still and video cameras, commercial and security and surveillance, and automotive and medical applications, as well as in entertainment devices. The company sells its products directly to original equipment manufacturers and value added resellers, as well as indirectly through distributors worldwide. OmniVision Technologies, Inc. was founded in 1995 and is based in Santa Clara, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Jake L'Ecuyer]

  OmniVision Technologies (NASDAQ: OVTI) shares tumbled 6.32 percent to $14.98 after the company issued downbeat third-quarter forecast.

  Sears Holdings (NASDAQ: SHLD) was down, falling 7.90 percent to $51.16 after the company's CEO Edward Lampert cut his stake in the company to 48.4% from 55.4%.

• [By Brian Pacampara]

  What: Shares of image sensor specialist OmniVision Technologies (NASDAQ: OVTI  ) spiked 19% today after its quarterly results and outlook topped Wall Street expectations.

Top 5 High Tech Companies To Buy Right Now: Radioshack Corporation(RSH)

RadioShack Corporation engages in the retail sale of consumer electronic goods and services through its RadioShack store chain and kiosk operations. Its products include postpaid and prepaid wireless handsets and communication devices, such as scanners and global positioning system (GPS) products; home entertainment, wireless, music, computer, video game, and GPS accessories; media storage, power adapters, digital imaging products, and headphones; home audio and video end-products, personal computing products, residential telephones, and voice over Internet protocol products; digital cameras, digital music players, toys, satellite radios, video gaming hardware, camcorders, and general radios; general and special purpose batteries and battery chargers; and wires and cables, connectivity products, components and tools, and hobby products. The company also provides consumers access to third-party services, such as prepaid wireless airtime and extended service plans in its ser vice platform. In addition, it manufactures various products, including telephones, antennas, wires, and cable products, as well as various hard-to-find parts and accessories for consumer electronics products; and provides repair services. As of March 31, 2011, the company operated 4,467 company-operated retail stores under the RadioShack brand name in the United States; and 1,304 kiosks located in Target and Sam?s Club stores. As of December 31, 2010, it operated 211 company-operated stores under the RadioShack brand, 9 dealers, and 1 distribution center in Mexico; a network of 1,207 RadioShack dealer outlets, including 34 located outside of North America; and 4 distribution centers in the United States. Further, the company sells its products through its Website, radioshack.com. RadioShack Corporation was founded in 1899 and is based in Fort Worth, Texas.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By kcpl]

  RadioShack (RSH) has done enough to take the electronics industry to a new level with various turnarounds in its history. But it is struggling to remain competitive in the market as it has lost nearly 85% of its value since the beginning of 2010.

• [By Philip Springer]

  What’s this week’s big story for investors?
  
  Candidate #1: RadioShack (NYSE: RSH) said it will close up to 1,100 of its nearly 5,200 US stores amid widening losses. The company also announced that revenue in the fourth quarter of 2013 fell 20 percent from year-earlier levels.
  
  It doesn’t matter whether the latest announcement is in addition to or merely an expansion of the company’s Feb. 5 statement that it would close 500 stores. That, in turn, shortly followed the beleaguered company’s $4 million expenditure for a widely praised but clearly ill-timed 30-second ad during the Super Bowl.
  
  Also this week, Radio Shack agreed to pay its top executives “retention” bonuses, saying their skills are critical to the company�� comeback plan. CEO Joe Magnacca will get a $500,000 payment, while other executives will receive $187,500 to $275,000.
  
  The stock currently trades around $2, down from its 1999 peak of $61.
  
  No, that’s not the week’s big story. But it was too good to ignore.
  
  Candidate #2: The current bull market celebrates its fifth birthday this week, with the Standard & Poor’s 500 delivering a total return of about 175 percent during that time.
  
  Since 1921, the median bull market has been 50 months long and has delivered 115 percent in price appreciation. So this market is older and better than most. Still, the conditions aren’t yet present to suggest the end is near. Indeed, Wednesday’s advance, the best of the year to date, was exceptional for both its breadth and heavy volume.
  
  The five-year anniversary also means that stocks, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, closed-end funds and so on will boast very good five-year returns. Don’t be overly impressed. Reason: Almost everybody will be a winner. (Other than Radio Shack.) But you should dig deeper: Comparisons will be useful to sort out leaders and laggards for potential investme

• [By Matt Brownell]

  AP, John Amis Walmart is once again undercutting Apple (AAPL) on its own phone, slashing the price of the new iPhone 5c to $45 -- less than half the $99 suggested retail price. The iPhone 5s and 5c came out on Sept. 20, and at the time Walmart (WMT) surprised everyone by selling the phones at below-market prices of $189 and $79, respectively. Now, just two weeks after that launch, the price on the downmarket 5c is coming down even more. The move appears to come in response to rival Best Buy (BBY), which on Thursday announced that it was taking the price of the phone down to $50. In a statement, Walmart spokesperson Sarah McKinney said that "providing our customers low prices on the newest technology is what we do." She did, however, acknowledge Best Buy's own price cut, and said that "As a price leader, we are always looking for ways to surprise our customers with low prices and disrupt the competition." Besides beating Best Buy's price by $5, Walmart has another advantage: Its pricing is good at least through the end of the holiday season, while Best Buy's pricing is only good through Oct. 7. Walmart also has an active trade-in program that lets you apply the value of your old phone to your purchase. Walmart isn't the only retailer responding to Best Buy's big price cut: RadioShack (RSH) also announced Friday that it will discount the phone to $50, a price that will be good through Nov. 2. Still, with so many retailers suddenly discounting the 5c, we wouldn't be surprised if it became the standard pricing for the phone going forward. Regardless, one thing is clear: For now, the Apple Store is not the best place to buy this iPhone. Stop texting and start saving! Yes, your smartphone can save you money – from coupons to comparing prices to making a shopping list, these seven smartphone apps are the key to making sure you don’t go over your budget. And they’re all free!

Stocks Lower As Earnings Season Takes Back Seat To Geopolitical Uncertainties

Related ACM UPDATE: Bank Of America Reiterates On AECOM Technology On URS Acquisition News Top Performing Industries For July 15, 2014

U.S. stocks fell as the Dow dipped below the 17,000 marks as geopolitical concerns become a main focus.

In a televised statement, President Obama said the United States will expand on sanctions meant to hurt Russia's energy, defense and financial sectors.

The move follows Russia's continued support of separatists in Ukraine and a militarized presence on its own border with Ukraine.

In the Middle East, Israel continues its offensive to root out terrorists, as a near-term solution appears to be less likely.

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The Dow lost 0.42 percent, closing at 16,912.11. The S&P 500 lost 0.45 percent, closing at 1,969.95. The NASDAQ lost 0.05 percent, closing at 4,442.70. Gold lost 0.21 percent, trading at $1,300.60 an ounce. Oil lost 0.81 percent, trading at $100.85 a barrel. Silver gained 0.35 percent, trading at $20.64 an ounce.

News Of Note

ICSC Retail Store Sales rose 4.6 percent year over after rising 2.8 percent last week.

S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Index declined by 0.3 percent in May, falling short of forecasts for a gain of 0.2 percent. Non-seasonally adjusted prices rose 1.1 percent, lower than expectations of a 1.5 percent rise.

Redbook Chain Store Sales rose 3.0 percent year over year after rising 3.7 percent last week.

July Consumer Confidence rose to 90.9 from 86.4 in June. Analysts were expecting July's reading to be 85.5.

A group of Argentina's creditors have offered to waive their rights upon future offers clause that was included in the original bond contracts. This could potentially help Argentina reach a deal with holdout bond investors before Wednesday.

The European Union will introduce new sanctions that target four of Russia's economic sectors: finance, dual-use equipment that could potentially be converted to military applications, arms as well as oil production equipment.

Analyst Upgrades And Downgrades Of Note

Analysts at Credit Suisse maintained an Outperform rating on Cummins (NYSE: CMI) with a price target raised to $167 from a previous $161. Shares lost 1.14 percent, closing at $143.70.

Analysts at Deutsche Bank maintained a Hold rating on Darden Restaurants (NYSE: DRI) with a price target lowered to $44 from a previous $49. Shares gained 4.36 percent, closing at $46.88.

Analysts at S&P Capital IQ upgraded Deutsche Bank (NYSE: DB) to Buy from Hold. Shares lost 0.50 percent, closing at $35.69.

Analysts at BMO Capital downgraded Dollar Tree (NASDAQ: DLTR) to Market Perform from Outperform with a price target lowered to $59 from a previous $69. Also, analysts at Jefferies maintained a Hold rating on Dollar Tree with a price target raised to $56 from a previous $51. Shares lost 0.78 percent, closing at $54.44.

Analysts at UBS maintained a Buy rating on EMC Corp (NYSE: EMC) with a price target raised to $33 from a previous $32. Shares lost 0.67 percent, closing at $29.47.

Analysts at Argus Research maintained a Buy rating on Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) with a price target raised to $72 from a previous $64. Shares lost 0.98 percent, closing at $62.77.

Analysts at Piper Jaffray upgraded Family Dollar (NYSE: FDO) to Neutral from Underweight with a price target raised to $74.50 from a previous $50. Shares lost 1.64 percent, closing at $74.50.

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Analysts at JPMorgan maintained an Underweight rating on Garmin (NASDAQ: GRMN), with a price target raised to $51 from a previous $50. Shares gained 0.10 percent, closing at $57.58.

Analysts at Piper Jaffray downgraded Horizon Pharma (NASDAQ: HZNP) to Neutral from Overweight with a price target lowered to $9 from a previous $22. Shares lost 9.67 percent, closing at $8.27.

Analysts at Sterne Agee initiated coverage of St. Jude Medical (NYSE: STJ) with a Neutral rating and $74 price target. Shares lost 1.09 percent, closing at $66.03.

Analysts at KeyBanc maintained a Buy rating on Tyson Foods (NYSE: TSN) with a price target raised to $48 from a previous $46. On the other hand, analysts at Credit Suisse maintained an Underperform rating on Tyson Foods with a price target raised to $38 from a previous $35. Shares lost 3.43 percent, closing at $39.17.

Analysts at Goldman Sachs downgraded Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT) to Neutral from Buy. Shares lost 0.36 percent, closing at $75.44.

Equities-Specific News Of Note

Citigroup (NYSE: C) plans to hire 100 bankers for its commercial banking services in Asia-Pacific and target potential clients that could generate annual sales of $10 million to $500 million. Shares lost 0.56 percent, closing at $49.42.

BlackBerry (NASDAQ: BBRY) has agreed to acquire Secusmart, a German maker of mobile encryption and security. Shares lost 4.42 percent, closing at $9.51. Separately, Ford announced that it replace around 3,300 of its employees' BlackBerry phones with iPhones by the end of the year. In total, Ford will replace nearly 6,000 of its employees BlackBerry phones with iPhones over the next 24 months. Shares of BlackBerry lost 4.42 percent, closing at $9.51.

Authorities in China are investigating Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) over anti-monopoly concerns. China's State Administration for Industry & Commerce noted that Microsoft did not fully disclose information regarding its Windows operating system as well as Office applications. Shares lost 0.19 percent, closing at $43.88.

Electronic Arts (NYSE: EA) announced a new subscription service that will be exclusive for the Xbox One. Subscribers will be granted unlimited access to many of Electronic Arts' games for $4.99 a month or $29.99 a year. Shares lost 2.14 percent, closing at $34.34.

Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) announced new lower prices on its MacBook Pro lineup, which also features faster CPUs and more RAM. Shares hit new 52-week highs of $99.44 before turning negative and closing the day at $98.38, down 0.65 percent.

Jana Partners wrote a letter to PetSmart (NASDAQ: PETM) blasting the company's decision to skip a review of potential acquirers and explore a recapitalization plan instead. Shares lost 0.33 percent, closing at $70.23.

Chesapeake Energy (NYSE: CHK) announced it will buy back all outstanding preferred shares issued by its Utica unit for $1.26 billion to simplify its balance sheet as well as eliminate $75 million in annual dividend payments. Shares gained 0.82 percent, closing at $27.06.

Caterpillar (NYSE: CAT) will purchase $2.5 billion of its common stock under an accelerated stock repurchase transaction. Shares gained 0.52 percent, closing at $104.69.

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Aecom Technology (NYSE: ACM) has acquired Hunt Construction for an undisclosed sum. This marks Aecom's second large acquisition in the span of two weeks. Shares lost 0.32 percent, closing at $34.72.

Winners Of Note

Windstream (NASDAQ: WIN) announced it plans to spin off its fiber and copper networks in addition to other real estates into a new publicly traded REIT. The company's board of directors approved the plans following a favorable letter ruling from the IRS, which leads management to the belief that it can reduce its debt by $3.2 billion and free up cash flow to invest in broadband. Following the spin-off the company will issue a $0.70 per share dividend with $0.60 coming from the REIT. Shares hit new 52-week highs of $13.30 before closing the day at $11.83, up 12.35 percent.

All six of Casablanca Capital's nominees have been elected to Cliff Natural Resources' (NYSE: CLF) board of directors, including Lourenco Goncalves who is considered a likely replacement to the company's current CEO Gary Halverson. Shares gained 6.21 percent, closing at $17.62.

Decliners Of Note

This morning, Eaton (NYSE: ETN) reported its second quarter results. The company announced an EPS of $0.41, missing the consensus estimate of $1.14. Revenue of $5.77 billion missed the consensus estimate of $5.79 billion. Net income for the quarter fell to $172 million from $497 million in the same quarter a year ago despite sales rising three percent from a year ago, including a six percent rise in electrical product sales and nine percent rise in aerospace. The company lowered the high end of its fiscal 2014 guidance and now sees its EPS being in a range of $4.50 to $4.70, down from a previous $4.50 to $4.90. The company noted that the lower guidance reflects lower margins in its electrical systems and services segment. During the conference call, the company noted that it does not see any compelling reason to transform its portfolio, as it will face a large tax liability if it were to spin off a division within five years of its Cooper Industries acquisition. Shares lost 8.13 percent, closing at $70.51.

This morning, Corning (NYSE: GLW) reported its second quarter results. The company announced an EPS of $0.37, missing the consensus estimate of $0.38. Revenue of $2.58 billion missed the consensus estimate of $2.53 billion. Net income for the quarter fell to $169 million from $638 million in the same quarter a year ago as Gorilla Glass sales fell short of expectations and remained flat from a year ago at $298 million because of soft retail demand. The company also noted it is seeing lower than expected sales for planned new smartphones and tablets. The company did see its LCD glass division sales rise 62 percent form a year ago to $1.1 billion because of its agreement with Samsung. Optical communications sales rose 14 percent to $601 million, while environmental technologies sales rose 25 percent to $285 million. Corning issued guidance and sees its third quarter LCD glass volume rising by a mid-single digit percentage point with price declines moderating further. Optical sales will grow by a mid-single digit while environmental sales will rise 20 percent to 25 percent. Shares lost 9.30 percent, closing at $20.00.

Men's Wearhouse (NYSE: MW) disclosed during its Analyst Day presentation that it sees its comp growth being in a range of two percent to three percent through 2017, while gross margins will improve 150 bps to 200 bps as sales are expected to top $3.7 billion by 2017. The company also said that expectations of merger synergies is pushed back because of some potential inventory issues. Shares lost 9.89 percent, closing at $51.66.

Earnings Of Note

This morning, Level 3 Communications (NASDAQ: LVLT) reported its second quarter results. The company announced an EPS of $0.37, beating the consensus estimate of $0.30. Revenue of $1.63 billion beat the consensus estimate of $1.60 billion. Net income for the quarter rose to $51 million from a net loss of $24 million in the same quarter a year ago as the company saw its Core Network services revenue grow 6.9 percent to $1.479 billion, as sales grew in Latin America and North America. At the end of the quarter the company noted it had $1.143 billion in differed revenue, up from $1.132 billion at the end of the same quarter a year ago. The company noted that it remains confident in its performance for the rest of the year and reiterated its full year fiscal 2014 outlook. Shares hit new 52-week highs of $49.22 before closing the day at $46.18, up 2.83 percent.

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This morning, Merck & Co (NYSE: MRK) reported its second quarter results. The company announced an EPS of $0.85, beating the consensus estimate of $0.85. Revenue of $10.93 billion beat the consensus estimate of $10.60 billion. Net income for the quarter rose to $2.00 billion from $906 million in the same quarter a year ago despite total sales declining one percent reflecting unfavorable impact of patent expires, divested products and decline in sales of Hepatitis C products. The company's largest segment by revenue (Pharmaceutical) saw its sales decline by two percent to $9.087 billion because of the ongoing impact of the loss of market exclusivity for TEMODAR and NASONEX. Merck issued guidance and sees its EPS being in a range of $4.44 to $4.77 and revenues to be between $42.4 billion to $43.2 billion. Shares gained 1.05 percent, closing at $58.58.

This morning, Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) reported its second quarter results. The company announced an EPS of $0.58, beating the consensus estimate of $0.57. Revenue of $12.773 billion beat the consensus estimate of $12.50 billion. Net income for the quarter fell to $14.095 billion in the same quarter a year ago mainly related to its spin-off of its animal-health unit into a new entity named Zoetis. The company saw its pharmaceutical segment revenue fall six percent to $6.5 billion because of generic competition. Sales of innovative pharmaceutical products fell five percent to $3.5 billion because of the expiration of a co-promotion agreement for Enbrel in the U.S. and Canada. Revenue from the company's vaccine unit rose 13 percent to $1.1 billion, while oncology medicines saw its sales rise 16 percent to $570 billion. Pfizer revised previous guidance and sees its full year fiscal 2014 revenue being in a range of $48.7 billion to $50.7 billion from a previous guidance of $49.2 billion to $51.2 billion. GAAP EPS is now guided to a range of $1.47 to $1.62 from a previous $1.57 to $1.72. Shares lost 1.23 percent, closing at $29.73.

After the market closed, Buffalo Wild Wings (NASDAQ: BWLD) reported its second quarter results. The company announced an EPS of $1.25, beating the consensus estimate of $1.19. Revenue of $366.0 million beat the consensus estimate of $358.85 million. Shares were trading lower by 4.62 percent at $159.42 following the earnings release.

After the market closed, American Express (NYSE: AXP) reported its second quarter results. The company announced an EPS of $1.38, beating the consensus estimate of $1.37. Revenue of $8.70 billion beat the consensus estimate of $8.66 billion. Shares were trading lower by 0.01 percent at $91.70 following the earnings release.

After the market closed, Twitter (NYSE: TWTR) reported its second quarter results. The company announced an EPS of $0.02, beating the consensus estimate of -$0.01. Revenue of $312.0 million beat the consensus estimate of $282.82 million. Shares were surging higher by 29.90 percent at $50.13 following the earnings release.

After the market closed, United States Steel (NYSE: X) reported its second quarter results. The company announced an EPS of $0.34, beating the consensus estimate of $0.32. Revenue of $4.45 billion missed the consensus estimate of $4.51 billion. Shares were trading higher by 5.67 percent at $29.24 following the earnings release.

Quote Of The Day

“Russia is the largest oil- and gas-producing country on the planet, and the world is going to need 40 percent more energy between now and 2035. That's why you can see many, many, many international companies working in Russia.” - BP's CEO Bob Dudley, speaking of the dilemma imposed by sanctions on Russia.

Posted-In: aecomEarnings News Econ #s Economics After-Hours Center Markets Movers Best of Benzinga

© 2014 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

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22 Tips to Transform Your Financial Life After a Divorce

Top Semiconductor Companies To Invest In 2015

As a divorce financial adviser, I'm often brought in to work with clients who are still going through a split, but I'm just as often brought in afterward. Newly single clients are typically concerned about their finances and want to make sure they have enough for their immediate needs, and that they'll have enough when they retire. Even my very wealthy clients -– those with millions of dollars after a divorce –- have the same nagging questions and fears keeping them up at night. To help them, I've developed this divorce financial checklist. Considering that many divorce proceedings last a year or longer, once the marital settlement agreement is reached, you may want to take a long break from paperwork, lawyers or even thinking about your finances. That's a normal reaction. But resist it: There are some things you need to examine soon to make sure you're protected and on the right track financially. So go through this checklist to be sure nothing has slipped through the cracks. Once you're done, you'll have financial peace of mind -- and you'll be able to sleep like a baby.

Hot Small Cap Companies To Watch For 2015

Hot Small Cap Companies To Watch For 2015: Sify Technologies Limited(SIFY)

Sify Technologies Limited provides enterprise and consumer Internet services primarily in India. The company offers various corporate network/data services comprising e-commerce and network connectivity solutions, such as end-to-end services network, application, and security services; voice origination and termination services; co-location and managed hosting services; and system integration services for data centre build, hardware distribution, security solutions, and turnkey projects. It also provides application services, including SLEMS and Microsoft Exchange messaging platforms; I-test for online assessment and LiveWire, which enable management of training processes across the organization; document management system for the management of documents electronically; and Forum, a forward supply chain solution. In addition, the company operates e-Ports that offer browsing, chat, email, gaming, utility bill payment, travel ticketing, hotel booking, mobile recharge, Intern et telephony, and online share trading services; and portals, which provide news, views, reviews, interactions, and services in the areas of movies, sports, finance, food, videos, astrology, online games, shopping, and travel, as well as offers content offerings and broadband services. Further, it provides infrastructure management services, such as network management, datacenter and helpdesk outsourcing, desktop and storage outsourcing, IT security outsourcing, LAN and WAN outsourcing, database and telecom outsourcing, and application monitoring and management services to automotive, chemical, media, and financial enterprises; and virtualization design, integration, and deployment services for servers, storage, networks, and end user clients. Sify has approximately 1,278 e-Ports in 200 towns and cities; and serves 1,06,000 broadband subscribers through 1500 c! able TV Operators. The company, formerly known as Sify Limited, was founded in 1995 and is based in Chennai, India. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Jake L'Ecuyer]

  Leading and Lagging Sectors
  Technology stocks gained Tuesday, with Ku6 Media Co (NASDAQ: KUTV) leading advancers. Among leading tech stocks, gains came from Rubicon Technology (NASDAQ: RBCN), Bitauto Holdings (NYSE: BITA) and Sify Technologies (NASDAQ: SIFY).

• [By Jake L'Ecuyer]

  Leading and Lagging Sectors
  Technology stocks gained Tuesday, with Ku6 Media Co (NASDAQ: KUTV) leading advancers. Among leading tech stocks, gains came from Rubicon Technology (NASDAQ: RBCN), Bitauto Holdings (NYSE: BITA) and Sify Technologies (NASDAQ: SIFY). Utilities shares dropped by 0.11 percent in the US market today.

source from Top Stocks For 2015:http://www.topstocksblog.com/hot-small-cap-companies-to-watch-for-2015.html

Hot Defensive Companies To Buy Right Now

As it turns out, the most recent Great (Sector) Rotation was short-lived and perhaps not so great after all. Although defensive sectors are back to outperforming cyclical sectors amid June market volatility, I still believe there's a strong case for preferring cyclicals over defensives, or at least select cyclicals.

There are three reasons to consider investing in cyclical sectors now:

1. Attractive Valuations. Defensive sectors continue to look overpriced. Investors searching for safety and yield have driven up the valuations of defensive companies. The three classic defensive sectors -- healthcare, staples, and utilities -- are now trading at an average premium of around 20% to the broader market. By way of comparison, back in the fall of 2009 these three sectors were trading at an average discount of around 40% to the broader market. Current premiums seem unjustified considering that profitability is somewhat lower for companies in the defensive space.

5 Best Beverage Stocks To Own For 2015: Masco Corporation (MAS)

Masco Corporation engages in the manufacture, distribution, and installation of home improvement and building products primarily in North America and Europe. The company operates through five segments: Cabinets and Related Products, Plumbing Products, Installation and Other Services, Decorative Architectural Products, and Other Specialty Products. The Cabinets and Related Products segment manufactures and sells stock and semi-custom assembled, and ready-to-assemble cabinetry for kitchen, bath, storage, home office, and home entertainment applications, as well as kitchen countertops, and integrated bathroom vanity and countertop solutions. The Plumbing Products segment offers single-handle and double-handle faucets, showerheads, handheld showers, valves, and toilets; tub and shower systems, bath and shower enclosure units, shower trays, and laundry tubs, as well as spas; and brass and copper plumbing system components, and other plumbing specialties. The Installation and Ot her Services segment sells installed building products, such as gutters, after-paint products, fireplaces, and garage doors, as well as insulation and insulation accessories, and roofing and other products. The Decorative Architectural Products segment produces architectural coatings, including paints, primers, specialty paint products, stains, and waterproofing products; and cabinet, door, window, and other hardware products. The Other Specialty Products segment manufactures and sells vinyl, fiberglass, and aluminum windows and patio doors; and manual and electric staple gun tackers, staples, and other fastening tools. The company offers its products to the home improvement and new home construction markets through mass merchandisers, hardware stores, home centers, homebuilders, distributors, and other outlets for consumers and contractors, as well as directly to the consumers. Masco Corporation was founded in 1929 and is headquartered in Taylor, Michigan.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By John Divine]

  Finally, Masco (NYSE: MAS  ) shares fell 6.1%. Masco, as a building materials supplier, faces the exact same dilemma as PulteGroup: its business outlook has materially declined in just a few days, as looming higher interest rates spell tougher times ahead for real estate. The stock has fallen more than 11% this week alone, with 9% of that decline coming in just the last two days.

• [By Ben Eisen]

  Shares of Masco Corp. (MAS) �sank 7.4% after the home-improvement products maker reported its first-quarter earnings.

• [By Sue Chang , Saumya Vaishampayan]

  Masco Corp. (MAS) shares slid 4.4%. The stock�� rating was lowered to underweight from hold at KeyCorp, according to Analyst Ratings Network.

Hot Defensive Companies To Buy Right Now: Transocean Ltd (RIGN.VX)

Transocean Ltd. (Transocean) is an international provider of offshore contract drilling services for oil and gas wells. The Company operates in two segments: contract drilling services and other operations. Contract drilling services, the Company�� primary business, includes contracting Transocean�� mobile offshore drilling fleet, related equipment and work crews primarily on a day rate basis to drill oil and gas wells. Its other operations segment includes drilling management services, and oil and gas properties. It participates in oil and gas exploration and production activities. In November 2010, it purchased a PPL Pacific Class 400 design High-Specification Jackup, which is under construction at PPL Shipyard Pte Ltd. in Singapore. Subsequent to the year ended December 31, 2010, it completed the sale of the High-Specification Jackup Trident 20. On October 4, 2011, the Company acquired, through Transocean Services AS, Aker Drilling ASA.

During 2010, the Company completed the sale of two Midwater Floaters, GSF Arctic II and GSF Arctic IV. As of February 10, 2011, Transocean owned, had partial ownership interests in or operated 138 mobile offshore drilling units. As of February 10, 2011, Transocean�� fleet consisted of 47 High-Specification Floaters (Ultra-Deepwater, Deepwater and Harsh Environment semisubmersibles and drillships), 25 Midwater Floaters, nine High-Specification Jackups, 54 Standard Jackups and three Other Rigs. In addition, the Company had one Ultra-Deepwater Floater and three High-Specification Jackups under construction. During 2010, the Company completed construction of five Ultra-Deepwater newbuilds, four of which have commenced their respective contracts. As of December 31, 2010, it held 50% interest in Transocean Pacific Drilling Inc. (TPDI), 65% interest in Angola Deepwater Drilling Company Limited (ADDCL) and a 50% interest in Overseas Drilling Limited (ODL).

Drilling Fleet

Transocean principally operates three types of drilling rig! s: drill ships, semisubmersibles and jackups. Also included in its fleet are barge drilling rigs and a coring drillship. Its fleet includes High-Specification Floaters, which consists of the Company�� Ultra-Deepwater Floaters, Deepwater Floaters and Harsh Environment Floaters; Midwater Floaters, High-Specification Jackups, Standard Jackups and Other Rigs. High-Specification Floaters are specialized offshore drilling units that it categorizes into three sub-classifications. Ultra-Deepwater Floaters are equipped with high-pressure mud pumps and are capable of drilling in water depths of 7,500 feet or greater. Deepwater Floaters include other semisubmersible rigs and drillships capable of drilling in water depths between 7,200 and 4,500 feet. Harsh Environment Floaters are capable of drilling in harsh environments in water depths between 5,000 and 1,500 feet and have greater displacement, which offers variable load capacity, useable deck space and better motion characteristics. Midwater Floaters consist of non-high-specification semisubmersibles that have a water depth capacity of less than 4,500 feet. High-Specification Jackups consist of its jackups, and Standard Jackups consist of the Company�� remaining jackup fleet.

As of February 10, 2011, Transocean�� fleet was located in the Far East (29 units), Middle East (17 units), West African countries other than Nigeria and Angola (16 units), United States Gulf of Mexico (14 units), United Kingdom North Sea (13 units), India (11 units), Brazil (10 units), Nigeria (seven units), Norway (five units), Angola (five units), the Mediterranean (three units), the Netherlands (three units), Australia (three units) and Canada (two units). As of February 10, 2011, its four rigs under construction included Deepwater Champion, Transocean Honor, High-Specification Jackup TBN1 and High-Specification Jackup TBN2. As of February 10, 2011, the Company�� Midwater Floaters included Sedco 700, Transocean Amirante, Transocean Legend, GSF Arctic I, C. Kirk Rhe! in, Jr. a! nd GSF Rig 135. As of February 10, 2011, its High-Specification Jackups included GSF Constellation I, GSF Constellation II, GSF Galaxy I, GSF Galaxy II, GSF Galaxy III and GSF Baltic. As of February 10, 2011, the Company�� Standard Jackups included Trident IX, GSF Adriatic II, GSF Adriatic IX, GSF Adriatic X, GSF Key Manhattan, GSF Key Singapore, GSF Adriatic VI and GSF Adriatic VIII.

Contract Drilling Services

Transocean�� primary business is to contract its drilling rigs, related equipment and work crews on a dayrate basis to drill oil and gas wells. Transocean�� contracts to provide offshore drilling services are individually negotiated and vary in their terms and provisions.

Drilling Management Services

The Company provides drilling management services primarily on a turnkey basis through Applied Drilling Technology Inc., its wholly owned subsidiary, which primarily operates in the United States Gulf of Mexico, and through ADT International, a division of one of its United Kingdom subsidiaries, which primarily operates in the North Sea (together, ADTI). ADTI provides oil and gas drilling management services on a dayrate basis or a completed-project, fixed-price (or turnkey) basis, as well as drilling engineering and drilling project management services. As part of its turnkey drilling services, the Company provides planning, engineering and management services. Under turnkey arrangements, it designs and executes of a well and delivers a logged or cased hole to an agreed depth. In addition to turnkey drilling services, Transocean participates in project management operations that include providing certain planning, management and engineering services, purchasing equipment and providing personnel and other logistical services to customers.

Integrated Services

Transocean provides well and logistics services in addition to its normal drilling services through third party contractors and the Company�� employees. These o! ther serv! ices include integrated services. As of February 10, 2011, it was performing such services in India.

Oil and Gas Properties

The Company conducts oil and gas exploration, development and production activities through its oil and gas subsidiaries. It acquires interests in oil and gas properties principally in order to facilitate the awarding of turnkey contracts for Transocean's drilling management services operations. The Company�� oil and gas activities are conducted through Challenger Minerals Inc. and Challenger Minerals (North Sea) Limited (together, CMI), which hold property interests primarily in the United States offshore Louisiana and Texas and in the United Kingdom sector of the North Sea.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Anna Prior]

  Among the companies with shares expected to actively trade in Monday’s session are ViroPharma Inc.(VPHM), Transocean Ltd.(RIGN.VX) and Gogo Inc.(GOGO)

Hot Defensive Companies To Buy Right Now: Signature Bank (SBNY)

Signature Bank (the Bank) is a full-service commercial bank with 25 private client offices located in the New York metropolitan area serving the needs of privately owned business clients and their owners and senior managers. The Bank offers a variety of business and personal banking products and services through the Bank, as well as investment, brokerage, asset management and insurance products and services through its wholly owned subsidiary, Signature Securities Group Corporation (Signature Securities), a licensed broker-dealer and investment adviser. Through Signature Securities, it also purchases, securitizes and sells the guaranteed portions of the United States Small Business Administration (SBA) loans. The Bank offers a variety of deposit, escrow deposit, credit, cash management, investment and insurance products and services to its clients. As of December 31, 2011, the Bank maintained approximately 78,000 deposit accounts, 6,900 investment accounts, 8,600 loan accounts and 14,300 client relationships. In April 2012, it formed a new subsidiary, Signature Financial, LLC.

The Bank offers a range of products and services oriented to the needs of its business clients, including deposit products, such as non-interest-bearing checking accounts, money market accounts and time deposits; escrow deposit services; cash management services; commercial loans and lines of credit for working capital and to finance internal growth, acquisitions and leveraged buyouts; permanent real estate loans; letters of credit; investment products to help better manage idle cash balances, including money market mutual funds and short-term money market instruments; business retirement accounts, such as 401(k) plans, and business insurance products, including group health and group life products. It offers a range of products and services oriented to the needs of its high net worth personal clients, including interest-bearing and non-interest-bearing checking accounts, with optional features, such as debit/ autom! ated teller machine (ATM) cards and overdraft protection and, for its clients, rebates of certain charges, including ATM fees; money market accounts and money market mutual funds; time deposits; personal loans, both secured and unsecured; mortgages, home equity loans and credit card accounts; investment and asset management services, and personal insurance products, including health, life and disability.

Lending Activities

The Bank�� commercial and industrial (C&I) loan portfolio is consisted of lines of credit for working capital and term loans to finance equipment, company owned real estate and other business assets, along with commercial overdrafts. Its lines of credit for working capital are generally renewed on an annual basis and its term loans generally have terms of 2 to 5 years. The Bank�� lines of credit and term loans typically have floating interest rates, and as of December 31, 2011, approximately 61% of its outstanding C&I loans were variable rate loans. As of December 31, 2011, funded C&I loans totaled approximately 15% of its total funded loans. The Bank�� real estate loan portfolio includes loans secured by commercial and residential properties. It also provides temporary financing for commercial and residential property. As of December 31, 2011, funded real estate loans totaled approximately $5.74 billion, representing approximately 80% of its total funded loans. It issues standby or performance letters of credit, and can service the international needs of its clients through correspondent banks. As of December 31, 2011, its commitments under letters of credit totaled approximately $235.7 million. Its personal loan portfolio consists of personal lines of credit and loans to acquire personal assets. As of December 31, 2011, its consumer loans totaled $11.8 million, representing less than 1% of its total funded loans.

Investment and Asset Management Products and Services

Investment and asset management products and services are ! provided ! through the Bank�� subsidiary, Signature Securities. Signature Securities is a licensed broker-dealer. Signature Securities is an introducing firm and, as such, clears its trades through National Financial Services, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Fidelity Investments. Signature Securities is also registered as an investment adviser in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Florida. It offers an array of asset management and investment products, including the ability to purchase and sell all types of individual securities, such as equities, options, fixed income securities, mutual funds and annuities. The Bank offers transactional, cash management type brokerage accounts with check writing and daily sweep capabilities. It also offers retirement products, such as individual retirement accounts (IRAs) and administrative services for retirement vehicles, such as pension, profit sharing, and 401(k) plans to its clients. Signature Securities offers wealth management services to its high net worth personal clients. Together with its client and their other professional advisors, including attorneys and certified public accountants, it develops a financial plan that can include estate planning, business succession planning, asset protection, investment management, family office advisory services, bill payment, art and collectible advisory services and concentrated stock services.

Sources of Funds

The Bank offers a variety of deposit products to its clients. Its business deposit products include commercial checking accounts, money market accounts, escrow deposit accounts, lockbox accounts, cash concentration accounts and other cash management products. Its personal deposit products include checking accounts, money market accounts and certificates of deposit. The Bank also allows its personal and business deposit clients to access their accounts, transfer funds, pay bills and perform other account functions over the Internet and through ATM machines. As of December 31, 2011, it main! tained ap! proximately 78,000 deposit accounts representing $11.70 billion in client deposits, excluding brokered deposits.

Insurance Services

The Bank offers its business and private clients an array of individual and group insurance products, including health, life, disability and long-term care insurance products through its subsidiary, Signature Securities. The Bank does not underwrite insurance policies. It only acts as an agent in offering insurance products and services underwritten by insurers.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  Each month, Credit Suisse’s small-cap strategists ask the firm’s analyst to name their favorite small- and mid-cap stocks. This month, six new stocks made the list: RPM International (RPM), SunCoke Energy (SXC), Zions Bancorp (ZION), Signature Bank (SBNY), Edwards Lifesciences (EW) and�Rexnord (RXN).

Hot Defensive Companies To Buy Right Now: Ultrapar Participacoes S.A. (UGP)

Ultrapar Holdings Inc. operates in the petrochemical and chemical sectors. The company operates in four segments: Gas Distribution, Fuel Distribution, Chemicals, and Storage. It distributes both bottled and bulk liquefied petroleum gas for residential, commercial, and industrial customers through approximately 58 points of sales; a network of 4,700 independent retailers; and independent dealers, as well as through its own retail stores. The company also distributes diesel, gasoline, ethanol, natural gas for vehicles, fuel oil, kerosene, lubricants, and greases directly to customers, as well as through a network of service stations. As of December 31, 2012, it operated 6,460 service stations under the Ipiranga brand. In addition, the company produces and markets various chemical and petrochemical products, including ethylene oxide, ethylene glycols, ethanolamines, glycol ethers, and methyl-ethyl-ketone for chemical companies, and surface coating and polyester producers; and fatty-alcohols and related by-products, as well as specialty chemicals that are used as surfactants, softeners, dispersants, emulsifiers, and hydraulic fluids for industrial and commercial enterprises. Its chemical products are used in a range of industrial sectors, such as cosmetics, detergents, crop protection chemicals, polyester, packaging, textiles, coatings, and oil industry. Further, the company stores and handles liquid bulk, including chemicals, fuels, and vegetable oil; and offers ship loading and unloading services, as well as engages in the operation of pipelines, logistics programming, and installation engineering. Ultrapar Holdings Inc. offers its products and services primarily in Mexico, Venezuela, Uruguay, and the United States. The company was founded in 1937 and is headquartered in S茫o Paulo, Brazil.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Brian Pacampara]

  Based on the aggregated intelligence of 180,000-plus investors participating in Motley Fool CAPS, the Fool's free investing community, Brazilian liquefied petroleum gas distributor Ultrapar Holdings (NYSE: UGP  ) has earned a respected four-star ranking.

Hot Defensive Companies To Buy Right Now: Frontier Communications Company(FTR)

Frontier Communications Corporation, a communications company, provides regulated and unregulated voice, data, and video services to residential, business, and wholesale customers in the United States. It offers local and long distance voice services, including basic telephone wireline services to residential and business customers; switched access services that allow other carriers to use the facilities to originate and terminate their long distance voice and data traffic; and directory services that provide white and yellow page directories for residential and business listings. The company also provides data and Internet services, which include residential services comprising high-speed Internet, dial up Internet, portal and e-mail products, and hard drive back-up services; and commercial and carriers services, such as metro Ethernet; dedicated Internet; Internet protocol, optical, multiprotocol label switching, and TDM data transport services. In addition, it offers di rect broadcast satellite services and fiber optic video services, as well as provides online access to video content, entertainment, and news available on the worldwide Web through its Web site myfitv.com. The company was formerly known as Citizens Communications Company and changed its name to Frontier Communications Corporation in July 2008. Frontier Communications Corporation was founded in 1927 and is based in Stamford, Connecticut.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Laura Brodbeck]

  Tuesday

  Earnings Expected From: Frontier Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: FTR), GSI Group, Inc. (GSIG), Tesla Motors, Inc. (NASDAQ: TSLA), WageWorks, Inc. (NYSE: WAGE), DIRECTV (NASDAQ: DTV), Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: REGN) Economic Releases Expected: �Australian trade balance, New Zealand�� unemployment rate, Canadian trade balance, eurozone PPI, British services PMI

  Wednesday

• [By Patricio Kehoe]

  Founded in 1935, Frontier Communications Corp. (FTR) has expanded the offering of its communications services across 27 states in the U.S. With footprint in rural areas and small and medium sized towns and cities, the company provides phone, Internet access and other data transport services to 2.8 residential and roughly 270,000 business customers. It also offers television services, which comprise access to various digital channels and high definition TV programming.

• [By Sue Chang and Saumya Vaishampayan]

  Frontier Communications Corp. (FTR) �shares fell 5.3%. The stock is up roughly 20% so far in 2014.

Hot Defensive Companies To Buy Right Now: Opus International Consultants Ltd (OIC)

Opus International Consultants Limited is a supplier of multidisciplinary consultancy and project management services across a range of disciplines including, civil, mechanical and electrical engineering, and planning, environmental, architectural and property management. The Company operates in four segments: New Zealand, United Kingdom, Australia and Canada. Services supplied support asset development and asset management activities of the Company�� clients. Asset management services include property management and asset maintenance services predominantly using our engineering and environmental specialists. Asset development services include civil, mechanical and electrical engineering, planning, environmental and architectural work. Effective September 3, 2013, Opus International Consultants Ltda majority-owned unit of Opus Group Bhd acquired Stewart, Weir & Co Ltd. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By John McCamant]

  Nektar Therapeutics (NKTR) is expected to get FDA approval this year for its lead drug naloxegol, a once-a-day pill for opioid-induced constipation (OIC). The drug is licensed to AstraZeneca. NKTR will receive up to $245 million in milestone payments, plus royalties.

Top 10 Cheap Stocks To Invest In 2015

Top 10 Cheap Stocks To Invest In 2015: Wendy's/Arby's Group Inc.(WEN)

The Wendy's Company operates as a quick-service hamburger company in the United States. The company, through its subsidiary, Wendy's International, Inc., operates as a franchisor of the Wendy's restaurant system. As of December 26, 2011, the Wendy's system comprised approximately 6,500 franchise and company restaurants in the United States and the United States territories, as well as in 26 other countries worldwide. The company was formerly known as Wendy's/Arby's Group, Inc. and changed its name to The Wendy's Company in July 2011. The Wendy's Company was founded in 1884 and is headquartered in Dublin, Ohio.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Patrick M. Sheridan]

  Wendy's (WEN) said customers gobbled down 50 million of the sandwiches, which were made of a soft pretzel bun. It helped boost sales at Wendy's by 3% in both the third and fourth quarters.

• [By Riddhi Kharkia]

  While CEO Don Thompson has tried attracting customers with free coffee and new burgers and chicken sandwiches, the competition also has been introducing new fare. Burger King Worldwide Inc. has recently started selling new $1 sandwiches, while Taco Bell is now selling breakfast items, such as sausage burritos, nationwide. On the other hand, McDonald's dividend already offers a yield of 3.2%, which is far better than Burger King's (BKW) 1.1% and Wendy's (WEN) 2.4%.

source from Top Stocks For 2015:http://www.topstocksblog.com/top-10-cheap-stocks-to-invest-in-2015-2.html

Best European Companies To Invest In Right Now

Comfort is the main criterion for an athlete before choosing any apparel. Athletic-apparel giants are therefore constantly innovating more and more new products to create a niche in customers��hearts. Founded in 1996 by Kevin Plank, Under Armour Inc. (UA) is an American sports clothing and accessories company. This Baltimore-based company develops sportswear, casual apparel, footwear and a number of sport accessories. Under Armour is having its European headquarters in Amsterdam and other additional controlling centres are in Toronto, China, Hong Kong and in Guangzhou, China. The company also sponsors a number of high-level and professional athletes.

Going By the Numbers

By any measure, the first-quarter results posted by Under Armour were incredible. Quarterly revenue rose 36% year over year to $642 million, handily exceeding expectations for sales of $598.81 million. More specifically, Under Armour's apparel revenue increased 33% to $459 million, footwear sales rose 41% to $114 million, and accessories increased 43% to $52 million.

Top 5 Machinery Stocks To Invest In Right Now: STMicroelectronics N.V.(STM)

STMicroelectronics N.V., an independent semiconductor company, engages in the design, development, manufacture, and marketing of a range of semiconductor integrated circuits and discrete devices. Its products include discrete and standard commodity components, application-specific integrated circuits, custom devices and semi-custom devices, and application-specific standard products for analog, digital, and mixed-signal applications. The company also offers subsystems and modules for the telecommunications, automotive, and industrial markets comprising mobile phone accessories, battery chargers, ISDN power supplies, and in-vehicle equipment for electronic toll payment, as well as provides Smartcard products. Its products are used in various microelectronic applications consisting of automotive products, computer peripherals, telecommunications systems, consumer products, industrial automation, and control systems. The company sells its products through distributors and ret ailers. STMicroelectronics N.V. was founded in 1987 and is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Esekla]

  Like Universal Display, InvenSense (INVN) represents a good long-term opportunity in its own right. The price entry point is not quite as good, though it has pulled back under my more recent price target of $15, when reports of a long-awaited Apple design win were challenged. Though conversations between the two are ongoing, InvenSense management's comments indicate an unwillingness to get roped into wrecking margin for volume, like many other Apple suppliers. Consequently, I don't believe they will gain Apple as a customer until the release of an iWatch or similar device that absolutely requires InvenSense's best-in-class form factors and power usage. It's also possible that continued good news on their legal battles with ST Micro (STM) could move the stock.

• [By Dan Burrows]

  Additionally, Wendy’s can use some of the cash freed up by the franchise model to invest in advertising and marketing, and that should boost customer traffic.

  Cheap Dividend Stocks #2: STMicroelectronics (STM)

  Share Price as of 4/4: $9.14
  YTD Stock Performance: 14%
  Dividend Yield: 4.4%

• [By Lee Jackson]

  STMicroelectronics NV (NYSE: STM) supplies most set-top box chips for Scientific�Atlanta, and also sells chips for disk drives that end up in DVRs; but still has less than a 10% exposure. The consensus target for the stock is $11. Investors do receive an outstanding 4.0% dividend from the company.

Best European Companies To Invest In Right Now: Fresenius Medical Care Corporation (FMS)

Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA, a dialysis company, provides products and services for patients with chronic kidney diseases. As of May 12, 2011, it provided dialysis care services to 216,942 patients through its network of 2,769 dialysis clinics primarily in North America, Europe, Latin America, the Asia-Pacific, and Africa. The company also develops and manufactures various dialysis products, including hemodialysis machines, dialyzers, hemofilters, dialysis fluid filters, tubing systems, fistula needles, dialysis related equipment, acute hemodialysis machines, plasma filters, acute tubing systems and cassettes, catheters, and related disposable products for chronic hemodialysis, acute therapy, home therapy, and therapeutic apheresis, as well as dialysis drugs. In addition, it provides laboratory services. Fresenius Medical sells its products through distributors. The company was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in Bad Homburg, Germany.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Louie Grint]

  Still unaffected
  First, Fresenius Medical Care (NYSE: FMS  ) is the No. 1 global provider of dialysis equipment. It enjoys leading market share of almost 33% in its home country.

Best European Companies To Invest In Right Now: Aegon NV(AEG)

AEGON N.V. provides life insurance, pensions, and asset management products and services worldwide. The company?s life insurance products include traditional, term, universal, whole, and other life insurance products sold as part of defined benefit pension plans, endowment policies, post-retirement annuity products, and group risk products; supplemental health insurance products comprise accidental death, other injury, critical illness, hospital indemnity, medicare supplement, and student health; specialty lines consists of travel, membership, and creditor products; and long term care insurance products for policyholders who require care due to a chronic illness or cognitive impairment. It also offers a range of savings and retirement products and services, including mutual funds, and fixed and variable annuities, savings accounts and investment contracts, segregated funds, guaranteed investment accounts, and single premium immediate annuities, as well as investment advice to individuals. In addition, the company offers employer solutions and pensions, such as retirement plans, pension plans, and pension-related products and services; investment products, including onshore and offshore bonds, and trusts; reinsurance products and solutions to life insurance and financial services companies; general insurance products comprising house, car, and fire insurance; and asset management products and services, including general account assets, unit-linked funds, and third party activities. AEGON N.V. markets its products through independent and career agents, financial planners, registered representatives, independent marketing organizations, banks, broker-dealers, benefit consulting firms, wirehouses, affinity groups, institutional partners, independent managing general agencies, and specialized financial advisors, as well as through online, direct, and worksite marketing. The company was founded in 1900 and is headquartered in The Hague, the Netherl ands.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Will Ashworth]

  Assuming it delivers on its outlook for 2014, its current free cash flow yield is a very enticing 20%. This isn�� a growth stock, but its brands still possess hidden value. As cheap stocks go, it�� very attractive.

  Cheap Stocks to Buy: Aegon (AEG)

  It�� not often that you can buy a $19 billion market cap for under 10 bucks. Aegon�� a Dutch insurance company that�� had a rough ride over the past few years, and its stock�� suffered as a result. In the late ’90s AEG stock traded around $60 — it hasn�� been anywhere close since. However, it�� got some good assets that should bear fruit in the years to come. Aegon has 12,000 employees in the Americas doing business primarily under the Transamerica brand, which has been a part of AEG since 1999.

Best European Companies To Invest In Right Now: Telefonica SA(TEF)

Telefonica, S.A. provides fixed and mobile telephony services primarily in Spain, rest of Europe, and Latin America. Its fixed telecommunication services include PSTN lines; ISDN accesses; public telephone; local, domestic, and international long distance and fixed-to-mobile communications; corporate communications; video telephony; supplementary and business-oriented value-added services; network services; leasing and sale of handset equipment; and telephony information services. The company?s Internet and broadband multimedia services comprise Internet service provider service; portal and network services; retail and wholesale broadband access; narrowband switched access to Internet; naked ADSL, a broadband connection; residential-oriented value-added services; companies-oriented value-added services; television services, such as IPTV, cable television, and satellite television; and Fiber to the Home, a service for high speed Internet access and digital video recording. Its data and business-solutions services principally include leased lines; virtual private network services; fiber optics services; the provision of hosting and application; outsourcing and consultancy services; desktop services; and system integration and professional services. The company?s wholesale services for telecommunication operators primarily comprise domestic interconnection services; international wholesale services; leased lines for other operators? network deployment; local loop leasing under the unbundled local loop regulation framework; and bit stream services. It also offers various mobile and related services and products that include mobile voice services, value added services, mobile data and Internet services, wholesale services, corporate services, roaming, fixed wireless, and trunking and paging services. The company has a strategic alliance with China Unicom (Hong Kong) Limited. Telefonica, S.A. was founded in 1924 and is headquartered in Madrid, Spai n.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Eric Volkman]

  In the latest move in a broad deleveraging effort, Spanish telecom incumbent Telefonica (NYSE: TEF  ) has divested one of its European subsidiaries. The company announced that it has reached agreement to sell Telefonica Ireland to Hong Kong-based conglomerate Hutchison Whampoa Group. The potential total price is 850 million euros ($1.1 billion), 780 million euros ($1.0 billion) of which will be handed over at the closing of the transaction while 70 million euros�($92 million) will take the form of a deferred payment to be transferred when certain financial objectives are met.

• [By Dan Caplinger]

  Is Europe back?
  Certainly, some of the enthusiasm about Europe has to do with the stabilization of economic prospects throughout the region. Germany, France, and Spain are still reporting sluggish GDP numbers, but some early signs suggest that the recession could already have hit bottom in many countries in Europe. Perhaps more importantly, just the fact that conditions on the continent haven't gotten markedly worse has seemed to bolster investor confidence. In particular, Spain's recovery has given investors in Telefonica (NYSE: TEF  ) new hope that efforts to keep its telecom business strong not just in Europe but in Latin America as well could bear fruit.

• [By Dan Caplinger]

  Working with incomplete information is something markets are used to, though, despite the volatility that it can produce. AT&T (NYSE: T  ) posted minimal gains after Spain's Telefonica (NYSE: TEF  ) denied rumors that AT&T was looking to buy out the European telecom giant. With its already massive position in the U.S. wireless market, AT&T will have to look abroad for substantial growth opportunities. With Telefonica having chosen to cut its dividend temporarily in order to reallocate capital, a buyout might have been good news for its shareholders; Telefonica stock is up 3.5% despite its denial. Still, given the amount of money involved -- $93 billion, according to one report -- it would take a massive commitment to get the deal done.