Monday, March 31, 2014
Obamacare Deadline Is Here: What You Need to Know
Sunday, March 30, 2014
3 Funny Money Lessons from TV's Greatest Minds
Ron Swanson: "You won't find any bank statements either. I've heavily invested in gold which I've buried in several different locations around Pawnee. Or have I?"
Ron Ulysses Swanson is the Scotch-swilling, meat-loving, woodworking, uber-private Libertarian who has redefined manliness for TV watchers on the NBC sitcom "Parks & Recreation." Due to Swanson's hatred and general mistrust of the government, he's invested most of his savings in gold. Swanson started working for a sheet metal factory at age 9, and he's held down regular jobs ever since. He resides in a secluded log cabin, hunts, is a DIYer, and generally lives well below his means, which makes hims something of the millionaire next door (though few people know where he lives). Unfortunately for Swanson and his heirs, this solid-gold strategy may not be the most financially sound. Not that gold is an inherently bad investment -- in many years, its gains have beaten the stock market -- but Swanson's lack of diversification is risky. Should gold suddenly become worthless, or nose-dive in value (as it has from time to time) Swanson could lose most of his fortune. Granted, Swanson could capably live off the land -- but could you? " " 2. Invest Early in Tax-Advantaged Retirement Accounts, and Watch Your Savings GrowJack Donaghy: So what are you gonna do with your money? Put it into a 401(k)? Liz Lemon: Yeah, I gotta get one of those. Jack Donaghy: What? Where do you invest your money, Lemon? Liz Lemon: I've got like twelve grand in checking. Jack Donaghy: Are you an immigrant?
Jack Donaghy -- the egomaniacal, politically incorrect, private-plane-riding, corporate-ladder-climbing, C-suite executive on NBC's "30 Rock" -- was the epitome of what the Occupy Wall Street movement wanted to scourge and remove from society. Stitched on a pillow in his office is the motto: "Ambition is the willingness to kill the things you love and eat them to survive." Donaghy's series-long goal is to become CEO of General Electric, but most of his time is spent trying to make the entertainment division of the company profitable while mentoring Liz Lemon, the head writer of a sketch comedy show. Donaghy may support (and perhaps help manipulate) the stock market and big banking, but his advice Lemon to begin investing is sound. Too often, people hesitate to invest their hard-earned dollars, for a range of reasons: fear; lack of knowledge; indebtedness; even simple inertia. This dangerous condition is rampant among millennials. That's unfortunate, because they have the most precious commodity an investor can posses: time. If you're just starting your career, even if you're in debt, listen to Donaghy's advice: Take advantage of employer-matched retirement plans or open an IRA in order to harness the power of compound growth. And if you aren't going to invest, at least move some money out of checking and into a savings account, where you can build up an emergency fund. " " " 3. Multiple Income Streams Are Powerful Path to SuccessDwight Schrute: Actually, I do own property. My grandfather left me a 60-acre working beet farm. I run it with my cousin Mose. We sell beets to local stores and restaurants.
Dwight Schrute is an insensitive, weapons-obsessed, power-hungry paper salesman on NBC's "The Office," who proves you can be successful at both your day job and a side hustle. Throughout the series, Dunder Mifflin employees fight for economic survival in a world going increasingly paperless. While Schrute's co-workers stress about losing their jobs, he creates a successful side business by turning his family's working beet farm into a bed and breakfast. When he reveals the existence of the Schrute Farms B&B, his situation is contrasted with that of his boss, regional manager Michael Scott, realizing that his live-in girlfriend has amassed massive amounts of debt, making his financial situation even more precarious. Several times in the series, Schrute suggests he'd be financially stable should he ever lose his Dunder Mifflin income, yet he still works tirelessly to be the company's top salesman. You too, can follow Dwight's road map: Create multiple income streams; it'll grant you some protection against a recession or being faced with downsizing in your industry. Do (or Do Not) Try This at Home All these characters embody extremes for the sake of good television, but their lifestyles reflect important lessons. Whether you identify with the capitalist kings of finance, or camped out with the Occupy Wall Street protesters, it's important to know how to handle, invest and grow your wealth. Or don't bother taking any advice. As Swanson would say: "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Don't teach a man to fish, and you feed yourself. He's a grown man, and fishing's not that hard."Saturday, March 29, 2014
Two Reasons Stocks Could Head Higher
TGIF. It had been a painful week for stocks–until today that is, as big gains in GameStop (GME), Cognizant Technology Solutions (CTSH) and Newmont Mining (NEM) have helped push the S&P 500 higher.
Why the brighter outlook? Wells Capital Management’s Jim Paulsen offers two reasons: confidence and emerging markets.
For starters, he believes that confidence will trump rising interest rates. He writes:
Interest rates are starting to rise in this recovery but so is confidence. Despite concerns this year about higher interest rates, the speed of the Fed’s exit strategy, disappointing weather-impacted economic reports and some old school Cold War rumbles, consumer confidence rose to its highest level in more than six years in March! If history is any guide, so long as confidence continues improving, the stock market may surprise many by its persistence despite higher yields and Fed tapering. So far, the primary reason yields are rising and the Fed is considering monetary policy normalization is because “confidence” surrounding the economic recovery is improving.
Indeed, in judging when the stock market may pause, rather than watching the Fed or interest rates, history suggest investors may be better served by staying focused on confidence.
And what about those emerging markets? Well, this week they’ve been rising–a lot. The iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM) has gained 5% this week as of 1:56 p.m. today, while the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) is down 0.3%. How extreme has the turn in emerging markets been? Consider this chart:
The upshot: “If [emerging markets have turned,” Paulsen says, the overall stock market “is likely to get a boost.”
The S&P 500 has gained 0.3% to 1,855.38, as GameStop has risen 6.9% to $39.90 after falling 4% yesterday following disappointing earnings, while Cognizant Technology Solutions has advanced 5.2% to $50.07 after it was upgraded to Overweight at Morgan Stanley. Newmont Mining is up 4.7% as gold miners rally.
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Darden Restaurants: Breakup Battle Heats Up
The gloves are off. Barington Capital Group, which first proposed restructuring Darden Restaurants (DRI) by working with management, has changed course and asked Darden's independent directors to name an independent chairman and consider hiring a new CEO.
Bloomberg Barington, which previously reported that it controlled more than 2% of Darden shares, also announced its support of Starboard Value's push to allow shareholders to vote on the company's proposed Red Lobster separation. See the details in this morning's press release.
The news comes in the wake of a number of moves by Darden that could be seen as less than shareholder friendly. Earlier this month the company replaced its investor day meeting with individual meetings with shareholders and analysts. Then last week Darden amended its corporate bylaws. The company's SEC filing said the amendments were made as part of its regular corporate governance review and the bylaws were updated to address current market practices.
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The amendments require shareholders proposing director nominations or additional business at a shareholder meeting to hold their shares through the date of the meeting. They also have to make additional disclosures regarding their interest in the company, the business being proposed and/or their relationship with the shareholder nominees. Those being nominated for director must also make additional disclosures.
"As we have said previously, our focus is on doing what is in the best interest of all Darden shareholders and the Board is confident in the actions the Company is taking to deliver on this responsibility," the company said in an email. "We have been speaking directly with our shareholders and look forward to continuing that dialogue."
ISS Corporate Services has given Darden's corporate governance a QuickScore of 10 out of a range of 1 (low governance risk) to 10 (high governance risk). ISS highlights fact that the chairman and CEO roles have not been separated that and that 45% of the non-executive board members have lengthy tenure.
Darden shares rose slightly on the Barington news. They’re up 0.3% to $50.86 at 2:09 p.m. today, as by now it's likely a far gone conclusion that the battle over Darden's future is likely to be heated.
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Top Value Stocks To Watch Right Now
Top Value Stocks To Watch Right Now: Caterpillar Inc.(CAT)
Caterpillar Inc. manufactures and sells construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines, and diesel-electric locomotives worldwide. It operates through three lines of businesses: Machinery, Engines, and Financial Products. The Machinery business offers construction, mining, and forestry machinery, including track and wheel tractors, track and wheel loaders, pipelayers, motor graders, wheel tractor-scrapers, track and wheel excavators, backhoe loaders, log skidders, log loaders, off-highway trucks, articulated trucks, paving products, skid steer loaders, underground mining equipment, tunnel boring equipment, and related parts. It also manufactures diesel-electric locomotives; and manufactures and services rail-related products and logistics services for other companies. The Engines business provides diesel, heavy fuel, and natural gas reciprocating engines for Caterpillar machinery, electric power generation systems, marine, petrol eum, construction, industrial, agricultural, and other applications. It offers industrial turbines and turbine-related services for oil and gas, and power generation applications. This business also remanufactures Caterpillar engines, machines, and engine components; and offers remanufacturing services for other companies. The Financial Products business provides retail and wholesale financing alternatives for Caterpillar machinery and engines, solar gas turbines, and other equipment and marine vessels, as well as offers loans and various forms of insurance to customers and dealers. It also offers financing for vehicles, power generation facilities, and marine vessels. The company markets its products directly, as well as through its distribution centers, dealers, and distributors. It was formerly known as Caterpillar Tractor Co. and changed its name to Caterpillar Inc. in 1986. Ca! terpillar Inc. was founded in 1925 and is headquartered in Peoria, Illinois.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Ben Levisohn]
Stocks bounced back from yesterday’s losses–and it was blue chips like International Business Machines (IBM), Johnson & Jonson (JNJ), Caterpillar (CAT), Merck (MRK) and 3M (MMM) that led the market higher.
- [By Ben Levisohn]
Shares of Manitowoc have gained 33% so far in 2014, easily besting Caterpillar’s (CAT) 6.6% rise, Deere’s (DE) 3.1% drop, Joy Global’s (JOY) 3.1% fall and Terex’s (TEX) 2.3% advance.
source from Top Stocks Blog:http://www.topstocksblog.com/top-value-stocks-to-watch-right-now.html
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Apple shares up on report of Comcast talks
The Wall Street Journal reported that the arrangement under discussion would have Comcast provide special treatment on its cable system to ensure the video data would get around Web congestion, the newspaper said, citing unnamed sources familiar with the talks.
Apple, the report said, intends to allow users to stream live and on-demand programming stored in "cloud" servers. If it goes through, the deal would signal a new level of cooperation between technology and cable TV companies.
Apple shares were up 1.2% to $539.01 in morning trading. Comcast fell 0.7% to $49.63.
Comcast had no comment on the report. Apple did not respond to media inquiries.
Last month, Comcast reached an agreement with Netflix to ensure its movies and TV shows stream more quickly for Comcast customers.
STORY: Netflix cuts deal with Comcast to speed service
Comcast and others cable companies are showing signs they will take a more aggressive stance in how content streams through their "pipes" after a mid-January federal appeals court ruling that eliminated "net neutrality" rules, which had prohibited Internet providers from prioritizing content.
Monday, March 24, 2014
5 Best Sectors to Watch This Week
Popular Posts: 7 Biotechnology Stocks to Buy Now9 Oil and Gas Stocks to Buy Now4 Aerospace and Defense Stocks to Buy Now Recent Posts: 5 Best Sectors to Watch This Week 5 Stocks With Great Sales Growth — HTH INSY CREG TTWO GV 6 Capital Markets Stocks to Buy Now View All Posts The commercial banking, aerospace and defense, biotechnology, life science and auto parts sectors are having a strong week, according to Portfolio Grader.
The commercial banking sector’s track record is proving one of the best with 100% of its stocks (5 out of 5) rating a “buy”. Near the top of their sector, Pacific Capital Bancorp () and StellarOne Corporation () have A ratings. Citizens Republic Bancorp () also gets a B.
Aerospace and defense stands out with 74% of the sector’s stocks (31 out of 42) rating a “buy”. Alliant Techsystem (), Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. () and TASER International, Inc. () are paving the way for the sector with A grades. Over the last 12 months, Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. is the best performer in this sector, with a 216.2% increase.
Biotechnology is excelling, with 71% of stocks in the sector (60 out of 84) rating a “buy”. Gentium S.p.A. Sponsored ADR (), Repligen Corporation () and Insys Therapeutics, Inc. () are lifting the sector overall, each earning a high grade of A. Insys Therapeutics, Inc. is the best performer in this sector, with a 630.8% increase in the last 12 months.
The life science sector is thriving on Portfolio Grader this week, with 70% of its stocks (16 out of 23) currently rating a “buy”. Wuxi PharmaTech (Cayman) Inc. Sponsored ADR (), Covance () and Illumina, Inc. () are all currently earning A’s. Wuxi PharmaTech (Cayman) Inc. Sponsored ADR beats the other stocks in its sector, with a 244.6% increase from a year ago.
Auto parts is thriving this week with 68% of stocks in the sector (17 out of 25) currently rating a “buy”. Out of the auto parts stocks, Magna International (), Dorman Products, Inc. () and Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. () are out front with A’s. Showing the most overall growth in its sector in the last 12 months, Magna International is the top stock, with a 201.6% increase.
Louis Navellier’s proprietary Portfolio Grader stock ranking system assesses roughly 5,000 companies every week based on a number of fundamental and quantitative measures. Stocks are given a letter grade based on their results — with A being “strong buy,” and F being “strong sell.” Explore the tool here.
Sunday, March 23, 2014
The Best (and Worst) Paying Cities for Women
Despite improving since the 1960s, the gender pay gap is still quite wide in the United States. Moreover, the gap seems to have leveled off in recent years, remaining at a substantial level. In 2012, women’s median earnings was just 78.3% those of men’s median earnings. In dollar terms, women made $10,404 less than men that year.
Income disparity between men and women is not even across the country. Female workers in Durham-Chapel Hill, North Carolina, made nearly as much as men in the area in 2012. On the other hand, women in Provo-Orem, Utah, had median earnings of just 63.4% of what their male counterparts earned in 2012. 24/7 Wall St. reviewed America's 100 most populous metro areas to find the cities with the smallest and widest gender wage gap.
Click here to see the Worst Paying Cities for Women
Click here to see the Best Paying Cities for Women
Several factor have an impact on gender pay gap, including women’s participation in the workforce, the dominant industry, life choices, and labor laws, to name a few. Some industries pay men and women more equally than others. Most notably, in the construction sector, women's median earnings were nearly identical to men's in 2012. Still, across the U.S. women earned considerably less than men in a number of industries, including finance and insurance, where the median earnings for women were just 56% those of men.
Industries that paid women poorly tended to be less prominent in the cities with the narrowest wage gap. One such industry is manufacturing, where nationwide women had median earnings equal to just 73% those of men in 2012. In seven of the nation's 10 metro areas with the narrowest gap, manufacturing comprised 25% or less of total employment.
Similarly, jobs with the wider gender pay gaps were less prominent in cities with a narrow gap. According to Ariane Hegewisch, study director at the Institute For Women's Policy Research (IWPR), in many cases commission-based jobs, such as sales jobs, can have larger pay gaps. "A lot of it depends on whether you have access to fungible issues such as bonus, commission, end of year [compensation]," Hegewisch told 24/7 Wall St.
Culture may also play a role in determining women's pay in some parts of the country. Hegewisch gave Utah as an example. "The state has a very large wage gap but has very well educated women, and I'm sure that has something to do with the ideas of women and family and work," Hegewisch said. Indeed, both the Provo and Ogden, Utah, metro areas are among the 10 metro areas with the widest wage gap.
A small gender wage gap in a particular city does not necessarily mean women are paid well compared with women in other cities. For example, women working full-time in Bridgeport — where the gender gap was among the worst — earned a median of $51,649 in 2012, considerably more than in other cities. Female residents of the McAllen metro area, on the other hand, earned less than $30,000, but the area’s gender wage gap was among the smallest nationwide.
Based on figures published by the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey for 2012, 24/7 Wall St. identified the metropolitan statistical areas with the largest and smallest differences in median earnings between men and women. We also considered median earnings for specific sectors, sub-sectors, and occupations, as well as median household income. Data on the percentage of women and men in specific sectors, as well as the contribution of such sectors to total employment in a metro area was also reviewed.
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These are the best (and worst) paying cities for women.
Saturday, March 22, 2014
4 Ways to Play the Boom in Biotech Stocks
Popular Posts: Casino Stocks: 2 to Hold, 2 to FoldDrones – How to Cash In on Drone StocksTesla: Should I Buy TSLA Stock? 3 Pros, 3 Cons Recent Posts: 4 Ways to Play the Boom in Biotech Stocks Casino Stocks: 2 to Hold, 2 to Fold 2 Airline Stocks Buckled Up for Passenger Growth in Middle East View All Posts Biotech stocks’ performance blew the doors off the market over the past year as promising treatments advanced and trial results inspired new confidence.
Still, risk and reward go hand in hand — only 40% of drugs that reach even the final stage of FDA testing actually get approval, and the odds are far worse for those in earlier stages. That means every little headline has a big impact, and so biotech stocks tend to be more volatile than the broader market. Plus, when you factor in hefty up-front development costs, most biotech companies take a long time to turn a profit — but if/when they do, it can pay off handsomely.
Given the sheer profit potential of this sector, all investors should have some exposure to biotech stocks, but your investment horizon and risk tolerance is almost certainly going to differ from the next guy. So, if you’re looking for ideas of biotech stocks to buy, here are a few suggestions — some for conservative investors, and some for the truly adventurous:
Biotech Stocks: Novavax (NVAX)
Market Cap: $972 million
Novavax (NVAX) is a clinical-stage biopharma firm that creates vaccines and vaccine adjuvants to protect against infectious diseases like influenza. The company has developed a proprietary approach that uses “recombinant protein nanoparticles” to customize vaccines that can protect against new or mutant infectious disease strains.
If a new strain of the flu appears, NVAX’s approach can strip off the surface proteins of the virus or pathogen to trigger an immune response without exposing patients to the virus. Last month, the U.S. Health and Human Services Department extended its contract with NVAX, which funds the upcoming Phase II trial for the company’s H7N9 avian flu vaccine.
The company also is working on vaccines for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a common cause of lower respiratory tract infections in children.
NVAX, which reported fourth-quarter earnings last week, lost 7 cents a share, beating the Street by a penny. Revenue skyrocketed 89% year over year to $8.7 million.
The Takeaway: NVAX shares have gained 150% in the past year and the company is well positioned with a promising proprietary technology — demand for these vaccines will be global. As a small-cap biotech stock with a fairly focused pipeline, risk and volatility are part of the equation — and profits will not come quickly. This stock is best suited for investors who are looking for aggressive growth, have a longer investment horizon and have a higher-than-average tolerance for risk.
Biotech Stocks: Gilead Sciences (GILD)
Market Cap: $113 billion
Gilead Sciences (GILD) built its reputation on its HIV drug franchise, racking up some $9 billion in sales for drugs like the four-in-one Stribild, as well as Truvada. The company also is successfully expanding beyond its core HIV drug portfolio into Hepatitis C with Sovaldi and Idelalisib, which combats non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The orally administered Sovaldi, with its reported cure rates near 90% in clinical trials, has the potential to be a blockbuster drug for GILD.
A couple of headwinds have emerged recently, however: Idenix Pharmaceuticals (IDIX) filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Gilead over Sovaldi; insurers — particularly those that administer Medicaid — are crying foul at Sovaldi’s hefty price tag: $84,000 for a 12-week course of the drug. Unlike many biopharmaceutical treatments that are geared toward rare conditions, the Hepatitis C market is huge globally, raising the possibility that Sovaldi could be one of the most profitable new drug launches in history.
The Takeaway: Although GILD shares have soared 70% in the past year, it’s still trading at just 14 times forward earnings and a price/earnings-to-growth ratio of 0.55, indicating it’s still undervalued. Better still, at a beta of 0.9, it’s less volatile than your typical biotech. If you're looking for a large cap value stock in the biotech sector that combines size and relative stability with growth, there could be a place for GILD in your portfolio.
Biotech Stocks: iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology Index Fund (IBB)
Assets Under Management: $5.8 billion
If you’re looking for size, diversification and a long track record in the biotech sector, the iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology Index Fund (IBB) could be a good choice. IBB has been around since 2001 and has a whopping $5.8 billion in assets under management. This ETF invests primarily in large, growth companies that engage in biomedical research and development of drugs or other treatments for medical conditions.
IBB’s top five holdings — which currently comprise about 36% of its total assets — are Biogen (BIIB), Gilead Sciences (GILD), Amgen (AMGN), Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (REGN) and Celgene (CELG). It’s also a fairly cheap way to invest in biotech stocks, with expenses just running 0.48% for exposure to IBB has gained 65% over the past year and its expense ratio is on par with the rest of the sector at 0.48.
The Takeaway: Conservative investors looking to gain exposure to the biotech sector could find IBB a good bet for several reasons. ETFs have the built-in advantage of diversification. ETFs trade over a major exchange just like equities, and expenses tend to be lower than those of actively traded mutual funds. In this case, expenses are just 0.48%, or $48 annually for every $10,000 invested, to gain access to 122 stocks in one easy bundle.
Biotech Stocks: ProFunds Biotechnology UltraSector Fund (BIPSX)
Assets Under Management: $653.8 million
If you’re an aggressive growth investor looking for diversification, your risk tolerance is high and you have a relatively long investment horizon, BIPSX might be a mutual fund to consider.
This mutual fund is a so-called trading-leveraged equity fund, meaning that in addition to investing in the stock of companies in the sector, it also uses a mix of derivatives such as options, futures and swaps to increase the daily performance of the underlying index. In this case, BIPSX aims to deliver daily returns that are 150% of the Dow Jones U.S. Biotechnology Index.
Four of the fund’s top five holdings are the same as IBB — it has AbbVie (ABBV) instead of REGN — but the top five account for more than 42% of BIPSX’s holdings.
Two of ProFunds’ top advisers — Charles Lowery and Michael Neches — took over managing the fund last October.
The Takeaway: While using leverage is a great way to further improve eye-popping returns in the biotech space, investors need to be aware of the potential pitfalls. Namely, sure, you could juice your returns … but you also can amplify your losses. Also, unlike stocks or ETFs, mutual funds can’t be traded during the day (though most longer-term investors needn’t worry about this). It’s also expensive, at 2.09% in fees, and requires a minimum investment of $15,000.
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Still, if you’re fine with risk and want to really put the pedal down on the broader sector, BIPSX can get the job done.
As of this writing, Susan J. Aluise did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities.
Friday, March 21, 2014
Do Solar Energy Stocks Still Matter?
JA Solar Holdings Co. Ltd. (NASDAQ: JASO) reported its first positive quarterly earnings in more than two years Monday morning to become the latest solar energy company to draw a line under the recovery of the solar photovoltaic (PV) makers. Some have done better than others, but compared with what was happening in the sector two or three years ago, 2014 has so far been a miracle year for solar makers.
But what does this resurrection mean for investors? With a couple of exceptions, solar stocks hit a peak in 2008. First Solar Inc. (NASDAQ: FSLR) topped $300 a share briefly, SunPower Corp. (NASDAQ: SPWR) topped $125 a share, JA Solar hit $120, Canadian Solar Inc. (NASDAQ: CSIQ) topped $40 and Trina Solar Ltd. (NYSE: TSL) reached its peak of more than $35 in mid-2007. At today’s prices one almost has to wonder if we are talking about the same companies. The only stock trading anywhere near its peak price of six years ago is Canadian Solar. JinkoSolar is near its all-time high again, but it was not publicly traded until mid-2010.
The solar stocks in 2007 and 2008 were the momentum stocks that ethanol stocks were a year or two prior and like 3D printing and fuel cell stocks are today. The China-based solar companies were building new capacity, governments in Europe were offering massive incentives for clean energy projects and it seemed like the party would never end. But like most things that cannot last forever, the solar stock boom didn’t either.
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The recovery in solar shares that began in the second quarter of last year has a much better chance of being a lasting change. For one thing, overcapacity has been winnowed out and for another costs at all the solar makers have come down. For another, the overall cost of installing a solar system has fallen, whether a rooftop system or a utility-scale system.
The Chinese makers have also gotten into the downstream project business, where the most of the profit margins are. First Solar and SunPower have had a significant presence in the project design and construction business for a few years now, but the Chinese have just gotten started with initial projects in China and Japan.
Having a solid solar PV industry that is not on the brink of collapse is important if governments are serious about reducing carbon emissions. Electricity generated by burning coal puts more carbon into the earth’s atmosphere than any other single-point source. Every megawatt of solar PV installed either replaces an existing megawatt of coal-fired generation or eliminates another coal-fired megawatt from new construction.
Will the solar PV industry return to the days of $100+ share prices? Maybe, but it doesn’t really matter. The stocks will never be the same kind of momentum plays again. After the recent return to profitability and run-up in share prices, there might be a little more enthusiasm building for getting back into these stocks, and there is likely still growth potential in many of them. But it will not be explosive growth, and it will not last long. Solar energy is a steady, long-term business now.
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Hot Rising Stocks To Buy Right Now
With shares of Dish Network (NASDAQ:DISH) trading around $45, is DISH an OUTPERFORM, WAIT AND SEE or STAY AWAY? Let�� analyze the stock with the relevant sections of our CHEAT SHEET investing framework:
T = Trends for a Stock�� MovementDish Network is a pay-television provider that offers a range of local and national programming, featuring more national and local high-definition channels than most pay-TV providers. A rising number of consumers are opting for satellite services due to the reduced costs and increased coverage offered. Dish Network is poised to capitalize on this rise in consumer interest as entertainment takes center stage for consumers in the United States.
Dish Network, the second-largest U.S. satellite TV company, swung to a loss last quarter�thanks to large impairment charges and a sizable decrease in pay-TV subscriber additions. The maturing of the U.S. subscription television business has not made it easy to attract new subscribers nor has the popularity of online entertainment, only making the situation worse.
Hot Rising Stocks To Buy Right Now: Kraft Foods Group Inc (KRFT)
Kraft Foods Group, Inc. (Kraft Foods Group), incorporated on March 16, 2012, operates food and beverage businesses in North America. The Company manufactures and markets food and beverage products, including convenient meals, refreshment beverages and coffee, cheese and other grocery products, in the United States and Canada, under a stable of iconic brands. Its product categories span breakfast, lunch and dinner meal occasions, both at home and in foodservice locations. The Company sells its products to supermarket chains, wholesalers, supercenters, club stores, mass merchandisers, distributors, convenience stores, drug stores, gasoline stations, value stores and other retail food outlets in the United States and Canada. On September 14, 2012, the Company�� parent company, Kraft Foods Inc. (Kraft ParentCo), issued a press release relating to the anticipated trading markets for Kraft Foods Inc. and Kraft Foods Group, Inc. common stock through the completion of its spin-off from Kraft Foods Inc. In October 2012, Mondelez International, Inc. completed the spin-off of North American grocery business, Kraft Foods Group. In June 2013, Kraft Foods Group Inc announced plans to create two new, standalone business units: Meals and Desserts, and Enhancers and Snack Nuts.
The Company�� brand portfolio consists of food brands in North America, including three brands: Kraft cheeses, dinners and dressings; Oscar Mayer meats, and Maxwell House coffees- plus over 20 brands. It manufactures and sells food and beverage products in 50 categories. The Company operates in five segments: U.S. Beverages, which manufactures packaged juice drinks, powdered beverages and coffee; U.S. Cheese, which manufactures processed, natural and cream cheeses; U.S. Convenient Meals, which manufactures processed meats and lunch combinations; U.S. Grocery, which manufactures spoonable and pourable dressings, condiments, desserts, packaged dinners and snack nuts, and Canada & N.A. Foodservice, which sells products that span ! all of its segments and includes the Canadian and Puerto Rico grocery business, the North American foodservice operations and the North American Grocery Export Business.
U.S. Beverages
During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company�� U.S. Beverages segment contributed 16% of its combined net revenues. This segment manufactures refreshment beverages, including Capri Sun (under license) and Kool-Aid packaged juice drinks, Kool-Aid, Crystal Light and Country Timepowdered beverages and MiO liquid concentrate, and coffee products, including Maxwell House, Gevalia and Yuban coffees, Maxwell House Internationalbeverage mixers and Tassimo (under license) hot beverage system.
U.S. Cheese
During 2011, U.S. Cheese segment had contributed 20% of the Company�� combined net revenues. This segment manufactures processed cheese, including Velveeta and Cheez Whiz processed cheeses, Kraft and Deli Deluxe processed cheese slices, Kraft grated cheeses and Polly-O and Athenos hummus and cheeses; natural cheese, including Kraft and Cracker Barrel natural cheeses, and cream cheese, including Philadelphia cream cheese and cooking creme.
U.S. Convenient Meals
During 2011, the Company�� U.S. Convenient Meals segment contributed 18% of its combined net revenues. This segment�� principal brands and products include Oscar Mayer lunch meats, hot dogs and bacon, Lunchables lunch combinations, Boca soy-based meat alternatives, and Claussen pickles.
U.S. Grocery
During 2011, the Company�� U.S. Grocery segment contributed 25% of its combined net revenues. This segment�� principal brands and products include Kraft and Kraft Deluxe macaroni & cheese dinners, Planters nuts, trail mixes and peanut butter, Corn Nuts corn snacks, Jell-O dry packaged desserts and refrigerated gelatin and pudding snacks, Cool Whip whipped topping, Jet-Puffed marshmallows, Baker�� chocolate and baking ingredients, Kraft and Miracle Whip sp! oonable d! ressings, Kraft and Good Seasons salad dressings, A.1. steak sauce, Kraft and Bull��-Eye barbecue sauces, Grey Poupon mustards, Shake N��Bake coatings, Stove Top stuffing mix, Taco Bell Home Originals (under license) meal kits, Velveeta shells and cheese dinners, and Velveeta Skillets meal kits.
Canada & N.A. Foodservice
During 2011, the Company�� Canada & N.A. Foodservice segment contributed 21% of its combined net revenues. The principal products and brands in this segment span all of its segments. Canadian grocery offerings include Nabob coffee and Kraft peanut butter, as well as a range of products in the Grocery Business Lines. The North American foodservice business sells branded products, including Maxwell House coffee, A.1. steak sauce and a range of Kraft sauces, dressings and cheeses, and serves the needs of restaurants and other foodservice operations. Puerto Rico grocery offerings include all grocery business lines, except for powdered and liquid concentrate beverages, such as Crystal Light, Tang and MiO. The North American Grocery Export Business products and brands span all grocery business lines, except for powdered and liquid concentrate beverages and certain products sold under brands, such as Philadelphia cream cheese and Kraftmayonnaise, which marketed and sold locally by Kraft ParentCo in countries outside the United States and Canada.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By WALLSTCHEATSHEET]
Apologies are in order, as no attempt will be made to predict earnings. Investors should consider waiting to see what happens and then plan accordingly. Listening carefully to management will often provide a good indication on where the company is headed. By not getting involved prior to earnings, investors might miss some upside potential, but it�� not worth the risk. This is a dividend play anyway; there is no sense in taking unnecessary risks. The generous yield will be in place either way.
- [By Marc Bastow]
Food and beverage operator Kraft Foods (KRFT) announced a 5% dividend increase to 52.5 cents per share, payable Oct. 21 to shareholders of record as of Oct. 11.
KRFT Dividend Yield: 3.93% - [By Ben Levisohn]
Shares of Starbucks are little changed at $80.62 after being down as much as 1.8% this morning, while Mondelez has risen 1.9% to $33.04. Kraft Foods (KRFT) has ticked up 0.1% to $52.02.
- [By John Dessauer]
Kraft Foods (KRFT) reported third quarter results that included complicated accounting matters. There was a $0.18 per share boost from gains in the company's retirement plans, and a loss of $0.05 from hedging activities.
Hot Rising Stocks To Buy Right Now: Sunoco Logistics Partners LP (SXL)
Sunoco Logistics Partners L.P. engages in the transport, terminalling, and storage of refined products and crude oil, as well as the purchase and sale of crude oil in the United States. Its Refined Products Pipeline System segment owns and operates approximately 2,200 miles of refined product pipelines that transport gasoline, heating oil, diesel and jet fuel, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). This segment also includes approximately 100-mile refined products Harbor pipeline, and 50 miles of inter refinery pipelines; and various joint venture interests in refined product pipeline companies. The company?s Terminal Facilities segment consists of 42 refined product terminals with an aggregate storage capacity of 7.2 million barrels, primarily serving the Refined Products Pipeline System; the Nederland Terminal, a 20.2 million barrel marine crude oil terminal on the Texas Gulf Coast; a 2.0 million barrel refined products terminal serving Sunoco?s Marcus Hook refinery near Phi ladelphia, Pennsylvania; 1 inland and 2 marine crude oil terminals with a combined capacity of 3.4 million barrels, and related pipelines that serve Sunoco?s Philadelphia refinery; and a 1.0 million barrel LPG terminal near Detroit, Michigan. Its Crude Oil Pipeline System segment gathers, purchases, sells, and transports crude oil principally in Oklahoma and Texas. This segment consists of approximately 4,900 miles of crude oil trunk pipelines; approximately 500 miles of crude oil gathering lines; approximately 110 crude oil transport trucks; and approximately 100 crude oil truck unloading facilities. This segment also holds a 91% interest in the Mid-Valley Pipeline Company that owns approximately 1,000 miles of crude oil pipelines; a 60.3% interest in West Texas Gulf Pipe Line Company, which includes approximately 600 miles of crude oil pipe; and a 37.0 percent undivided interest in the 100-mile Mesa Pipe Line system. The company was founded in 2001 and is based in Philadel phia, Pennsylvania.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Aimee Duffy]
As management continues to simplify the structure at ETP -- which requires moving assets between Energy Transfer Equity (NYSE: ETE ) �and theoretically Sunoco Logistics Partners (NYSE: SXL ) -- year-over-year comparisons will be full of asterisks indicating earnings from the previous structure, as well as the one-time charges we are accustomed to seeing. With that in mind, today I'm focusing primarily on ETP from an operations and progress perspective, highlighting three key areas investors should take away from the first quarter.
Top 5 Industrial Conglomerate Companies To Watch For 2014: Oramed Pharmaceuticals Inc (ORMP)
Oramed Pharmaceuticals Inc., incorporated on March 10, 2011, is a development-stage pharmaceutical company. The Company is engaged in the research and development of pharmaceutical solutions, including an orally ingestible insulin capsule or tablet to be used for the treatment of individuals with diabetes, use of orally ingestible capsules, tablets or pills for delivery of other polypeptides. The Company owns oral dosage form drug portfolio, it is, on an on-going basis, considering in-licensing and other means of obtaining additional technologies to complement and/or expand the product portfolio. The Company�� products include ORMD-0801 - Oral Insulin Capsule and ORMD-0901 - Oral Exenatide.
The Company focuses to conduct research and development on the technology covered by the patent application Methods and Composition for Oral Administration of Proteins. Through its research and development efforts, it focuses to develop an oral dosage form that will withstand the chemical environment of the stomach and intestines and will be effective in delivering active insulin for the treatment of diabetes. It intends to conduct the clinical trials to file an Investigational New Drug (IND), application with the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It also focuses to conduct research and development by deploying its drug delivery technology for the delivery of other polypeptides in addition to insulin, and to develop other pharmaceutical products.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Ben Levisohn]
Oramed Pharmaceuticals (ORMP) has dropped 19% to $12.11 after the company said it would sell nearly 1.6 million shares of stock for $10 a share.
BP plc (BP) has fallen 0.7% to $47.24 after a U.S. judge refused its request to revise the way damages from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill are calculated.
- [By Lisa Levin]
Oramed Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: ORMP) shares moved up 21.26% to $14.20. The volume of Oramed Pharmaceuticals shares traded was 621% higher than normal. Oramed shares have jumped 187.01% over the past 52 weeks, while the S&P 500 index has gained 28.75% in the same period.
- [By Lisa Levin]
Oramed Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: ORMP) shares moved up 15.68% to $17.85. The volume of Oramed Pharmaceuticals shares traded was 971% higher than normal. Oramed received patent allowance in Israel, Australia for platform technology in oral delivery of proteins.
Hot Rising Stocks To Buy Right Now: Giant Interactive Group Inc (GA)
Giant Interactive Group Inc. (Giant Interactive), incorporated on July 26, 2006, is an online game developer and operator in China. The Company focuses on massively multiplayer online role playing games (MMORPG) that are played through networked game servers, in which a number of players are able to simultaneously connect and interact. The Company operates 11 online games, among which nine are self-developed, including the five games in the Zheng Tu (ZT) Online Series. As of December 31, 2010, its game development team consisted of 934 members, which includes product development and enhancement teams for each of its MMORPG and multiplayer online (MMO) games.
In January 2010, the Company acquired China operation licenses for Elsword and Allods Online, two three dimensional (3D) MMORPGs. In November 2010, the Company acquired Julun Network. On December 6, 2010, Zhengtu Information, Giant Network and Shanghai Juyan Network Technology jointly established Beijing Huayi Juren Information Technology Co., Ltd with 51%, 34% and 15% interest, respectively. On December 31, 2010, Zhengtu Information sold its 51% interest in Huayi Juren Information to Huayi Brothers Media Corporation. In May 2010, the Company acquired Snow Wolf.
The Company has built nationwide distribution and marketing networks to sell and market its prepaid game cards and game points. As of December 31, 2010, its distribution network consisted of more than 130 non-exclusive regional distributors and reached over 96,000 retail outlets, including Internet cafes, software stores, supermarkets, bookstores, newspaper stands and convenience stores located throughout China. The Company also sells game points through its official game Website. The Company generates its revenues from licensing of its games to third party operators in other territories, including Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Russia and other Russian speaking territories. In addition, it has also licensed its ZT Online Green Edition to! Shenzhen Tencent Computer Systems Company Limited (Tencent), on a non-exclusive basis for operation of such game on Tencent�� QQ game platform in China.
ZT Online
ZT Online is a two-dimensional, online role-playing game set in ancient China, and was the first game that was wholly developed by its internal product development team. ZT Online players assume one of five different roles, including soldiers and magicians, in 10 different kingdoms. In order to play ZT Online, players must log into one of multiple shards, or independent copies of the game world. Players can only interact with other players in his or her respective shard at any given time, and its technology enables players to travel among the different shards. The Company has developed technology for use in ZT Online that allows up to 40,000 players to play together in a single shard at any given time. ZT Online is free of charge to play. Players may purchase physical or virtual prepaid game cards and game points on its game Website or from Internet cafes and other distribution points, which allow their characters to obtain gold coins, one of the currencies used in the ZT Online game. Players may also earn silver coins for their characters when they fulfill tasks or adventures in the game world.
The game has gold coin vouchers, which are offered both as a salary to players who meet certain requirements and as a reward in connection with certain of its promotions. Players may trade silver coins for gold coins, and vice-versa, inside the game. Neither gold coins, gold coin vouchers, nor silver coins may be used by players to purchase any items or services outside of the ZT Online game. ZT Online allows players to purchase a range of virtual items and services for their characters using their gold and/or silver coins. These include weapons, clothing, pets, ceremonies and rites, and others. Weapons may be repaired or replaced by purchases of certain in-game raw materials or by payment of additional gold or! silver c! oins. ZT Online offers a play experience, where players can choose to enter the game 24 hours a day, seven days a week. ZT Online can be accessed from any location with an Internet connection. It has licensed ZT Online to Lager Network for operation in Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Malaysia and Singapore, licensed ZT Online to VinaGame for operation in Vietnam, and licensed ZT Online to Atrum Nival for operation in the Russia and other Russian speaking territories.
ZT Online PTP
ZT Online PTP is pay-to-play MMORPG game developed by the Company, and is based on the ZT Online free-to-play game. As in ZT Online, players assume one of five different roles in 10 different kingdoms. ZT Online PTP also requires players to log into one of multiple shards, while enabling players to travel between different shards. ZT Online PTP requires players to pay to play the game by purchasing physical or virtual prepaid game cards on its game Website or from Internet cafes and other distribution points. ZT Online PTP shares the same graphics and system requirements as ZT Online.
Giant Online
Giant Online is a military-themed MMORPG. Giant Online players may assume one of 14 different roles, such as detectives and spies. As with ZT Online, the game world in Giant Online is divided into a number of regions. Each player must guide his or her character to develop skills and cooperate with other players to fight against players from other regions. Players can equip their characters with a range of modern weaponry. Apart from waging war, characters can also engage in forms of in-game social interaction, such as friendship and even romance. Giant Online enables players, and groups of players, to purchase a range of virtual items and services. These virtual items and services include weapons, vehicles and pets. Giant Online is a 2.5 dimensional game, the background and items in the game are depicted three dimensionally, while the characters are depicted two dimensionally.
King of! Kings IIIK III is a three-dimensional online role-playing experience set in a European-style magical world. Players assume the roles of K III heroes as they explore across a virtual world of forests and medieval cities and castles. K III is the third episode of the King of Kings series of MMORPGs.
My Sweetie
My Sweetie is a 2.5D free-to-play casual MMO game, which allows players to create virtual characters, raise virtual pets on their personal computer desktops and go online to interact with other virtual pet-owners. My Sweetie is the game developed pursuant to its Win@Giant program.
XT Online is a 2.5D ancient Chinese martial arts MMORPG that was developed by Snow Wolf, a game development studio. XT Online enables users to practice different schools or styles of martial arts with the goal of becoming a master, while focusing on brotherhood and trust-building with other martial artists. The Golden Land is a free-to-play medieval strategy browser game, which was developed by Juhe Network, one of its 51% owned game development studios. ZT Online II is an internally-developed free-to-play 2D sequel to its game ZT Online. ZT Online II was developed by an internal studio that it is reorganizing into Jujia Network, one of its 51% owned game development studios.
Dragon Soul is an internally developed 3D ancient Chinese MMORPG developed by Chengdu Jufan Network Technology Co. Ltd. (Jufan Network) one of its 51% owned game development studios. Spirits of the Warriors is a free-to-play 3D MMORPG based on the Three Kingdoms period of ancient Chinese history.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Lauren Pollock]
Giant Interactive Group Inc.(GA) named three of its directors to a special committee intended to review a nonbinding proposal to take the online-game company private. Last week, investors including former chief executive Chairman Yuzhu Shi and Baring Private Equity Asia offered to acquire the stake they don’t already own for $11.75 a share.
- [By Eric Volkman]
Giant Interactive Group (NYSE: GA ) has quickly replaced its chief executive. One week after announcing the resignation of Yuzhu Su, the company revealed that its board has tapped Wei Liu as its new CEO.
Hot Rising Stocks To Buy Right Now: Enzo Biochem Inc. (ENZ)
Enzo Biochem, Inc., an integrated life sciences and biotechnology company, engages in the research, development, manufacture, and marketing of diagnostic and research products based on genetic engineering, biotechnology, and molecular biology. The company operates in three segments: Clinical Labs, Life Sciences, and Therapeutics. The Clinical Labs segment offers routine and esoteric clinical laboratory tests or procedures used in general patient care by physicians to establish or support a diagnosis, monitor treatment or medication, and search for an otherwise undiagnosed condition. This segment operates a full-service clinical laboratory, a network of approximately 30 patient service centers, a laboratory, and a full-service phlebotomy and in-house logistics department. The Life Sciences segment manufactures, develops, and markets products and tools to life sciences, drug development, and clinical research customers. It provides proteins, antibodies, peptides, small molec ules, labeling probes, dyes, and kits, which offer tools for target identification/validation, high content analysis, gene expression analysis, nucleic acid detection, protein biochemistry and detection, and cellular analysis to life science researchers. This segment provides its products to scientific experts primarily in the field of cancer, cardiovascular disease, neurological disorders, diabetes and obesity, endocrine disorders, infectious and autoimmune disease, hepatotoxicity, and renal injury. The Therapeutics segment researches and develops therapeutic drug candidates in the areas of gastrointestinal, infectious, ophthalmic, and metabolic diseases. The company sells its products through its direct sales force; and a network of distributors worldwide. Enzo Biochem, Inc. was founded in 1976 and is headquartered in New York, New York.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By CRWE]
Enzo Biochem Inc. (NYSE:ENZ) is a pioneer in molecular diagnostics, leading the convergence of clinical laboratories, life sciences and therapeutics through the development of unique diagnostic platform technologies that provide numerous advantages over previous standards.
Hot Rising Stocks To Buy Right Now: Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc.(CMG)
Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. develops and operates fast-casual, fresh Mexican food restaurants in the United States, Canada, and England. Its restaurants primarily offer burritos, tacos, burrito bowls, and salads. As of December 31, 2011, it operated 1,230 restaurants, which includes 1 ShopHouse Southeast Asian Kitchen. Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. was founded in 1993 and is based in Denver, Colorado.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Andrew Marder]
I've come to loathe precedents. Nothing is more annoying than someone telling you that their favorite new book is the next Harry Potter�or that the movie they just saw is going to be the next Godfather. So it shouldn't be a surprise that I'm not overly keen on the selling of Noodles & Company (NASDAQ: NDLS ) as the next Panera (NASDAQ: PNRA ) or Chipotle (NYSE: CMG ) or Buffalo Wild Wings (NASDAQ: BWLD ) . Instead, maybe we can judge the business on its merits, instead of on the success of restaurants that came before it.
- [By Rich Smith]
Putting Chipotle on the menu
Markets are off a couple tenths of a percent in early Wednesday trading, but shareholders of at least one stock are still grinning: Chipotle (NYSE: CMG ) . The upscale burrito-meister is up 2.3% itself today on the back of an upgrade to "buy" from analysts at Argus Research. Citing expected same-store sales gains of 2.5% in 2013, Argus is taking its target price on Chipotle shares to $430. But is it right?
Hot Rising Stocks To Buy Right Now: RetailMeNot Inc (SALE)
RetailMeNot Inc., incorporated on September 17, 2007, operates digital coupon marketplace, connecting consumers with retailers and brands. As of December 31, 2012, the Company had contracts with more than 10,000 paid retailers. The Company owns and operates digital coupon Websites in the United States (RetailMeNot.com) and the United Kingdom (VoucherCodes.co.uk). The Company�� Websites, mobile applications, e-mail newsletters and alerts and social media presence enable consumers to search for, discover and redeem digital coupons from retailers and brands. Its marketplace features digital coupons across multiple product categories, including clothing; electronics; health and beauty; home and office; travel, food and entertainment; personal and business services; and shoes. It aggregates digital coupons from retailers, performance marketing networks, its user community, its employees and outsourced providers.
Products and Services for Consumers
The Company�� product development approach is centered on building products that enable consumers to discover quality digital coupons, virtually anytime and anywhere, and redeem them online or in-store. The Company�� products and services for consumers are available through its Websites and mobile applications. The Company offers its consumers digital coupons from retailers and brands across multiple product categories. Consumers visiting its marketplace search for and discover digital coupons based on retailer name, product, category, digital coupon type, popularity, success rate and other characteristics. Once a consumer discovers a relevant digital coupon, the consumer clicks on that digital coupon and is directed to the Website of the respective retailer, where the consumer is able to purchase products and redeem the digital coupon.
The Company�� mobile applications allow consumers to shop when they want, where they want. Consumers use its mobile applications to discover, store for use later and access the digit! al coupons they want and to redeem them both online and in-store. They can browse top digital coupons, stores and product category listings. Its mobile applications allow users to share digital coupons with others through e-mail, text message or through social media channels. In addition, utilizing location-based technology, the RetailMeNot iPhone application notifies consumers of savings opportunities when they are shopping near one of 575 geo-fenced shopping malls by sending consumers alerts for digital coupons that can be used in these malls. Consumers can redeem these digital coupons by scanning the barcode at the retailer�� register or by having the sales associate enter the promotional code shown on the consumer�� mobile screen into their point-of-sale system.
Using the Company�� geo-location technology, users that opt in receive an alert when they are near a shopping mall. The alert lists digital coupons that can be redeemed at certain stores within that mall. The mobile application also allows consumers to discover and redeem digital coupons online and to find nearby stores where the digital coupon can be utilized. Consumers can subscribe to receive its periodic e-mail newsletter and alerts. Its e-mail newsletter allows consumers to stay informed about featured digital coupons, while its alerts notify consumers when digital coupons from their preferred retailers become available. As of March 31, 2013, it had over nine million subscribers to its free e-mail newsletters and alerts.
Consumers can engage with the Company on social media channels, such as Facebook, Google+, Pinterest and Twitter, to receive promotional messages from retailers and brands. In addition, it engages consumers through social and gamification features in the Community section of RetailMeNot.com, including the ability to earn points, track dollars users have helped others save, view rankings, earn badges and win prizes.
Products and Services for Retailers
The Company ! provides ! retailers and brands with access to new customers through multiple channels online on its Websites and mobile applications, by e-mail newsletters and alerts and its social media presence, and in-store by displaying a digital coupon on a mobile device or presenting a printed coupon. It allows retailers to provide digital coupons across these multiple channels. It provides its paid retailers with a range of paid placement opportunities. Its placement opportunities include placement within the top coupon carousel of its homepage, the side rail of its category pages, its weekly e-mail newsletter, solo retailer newsletter campaigns and on the landing screen of its mobile applications. It charges a fee for these advertising tools on a campaign basis for a given period of time.
The Company competes with dealspl.us, bradsdeals, dealnews, savings.com, Tech Bargains and Coupon Cabin.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Matt Jarzemsky]
Out of the 2013 vintage, some of the best performers so far this year have been early-stage healthcare firms like BioAmber Inc.(BIOA), up 86% year-to-date through Thursday, and Kindred Biosciences Inc.(KIN), up 82%. A number of high-flying tech startups have also continued to soar. Cybersecurity firm FireEye Inc.(FEYE) has gained 67% since the start of the year. Online coupon company RetailMeNot Inc.(SALE) is up 48%.
- [By gurujx]
RetailMeNot Inc (SALE) Reached the 3-year Low of $25.91
The prices of RetailMeNot Inc (SALE) shares have declined to close to the 3-year low of $25.91, which is 35.4% off the 3-year high of $39.50.
Hot Rising Stocks To Buy 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.
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
5 Stocks Insiders Love Right Now
DELAFIELD, Wis. (Stockpickr) -- Corporate insiders sell their own companies' stock for a number of reasons.
>>5 Stocks Set to Soar on Bullish Earnings
They might need the cash for a big personal purchase such as a new house or yacht, or they might need the cash to fund a charity. Sometimes they sell as part of a planned selling program that they have put in place for diversification purposes, which allows them to sell stock in stages instead of selling all at one price.
Other times they sell because they think their stock is overvalued and the risk/reward is no longer attractive. Some even dump their own stock because they have inside knowledge that a competitor is eating their lunch and stealing market share.
But insiders usually buy their own shares for one reason: They think the stock is a bargain and has tremendous upside.
>>5 Rocket Stocks Worth Buying This Week
The key word in that last statement is "think." Just because a corporate insider thinks his or her stock is going to trade higher, that doesn't mean it will play out that way. Insiders can have all the conviction in the world that their stock is a buy, but if the market doesn't agree with them, the stock could end up going nowhere. Also, I say "usually" because sometimes insiders are loaned money by the company to buy their own stock. Those loans are often sweetheart deals and shouldn't be viewed as organic insider buying.
At the end of the day, it's large institutional money managers running big mutual funds and hedge funds that drive stock prices, not insiders. That said, many of these savvy stock operators will follow insider buying activity when they agree with the insider that the stock is undervalued and has upside potential. This is why it's so important to always be monitoring insider activity, but it's twice as important to make sure the trend of the stock coincides with the insider buying.
>>3 Stocks Under $10 Making Big Moves
Recently, a number of companies' corporate insiders have bought large amounts of stock. These insiders are finding some value in the market, which warrants a closer look at these stocks. Here's a look five stocks whose insiders have been doing some big buying per SEC filings.
Ameresco
One industrial goods player that insiders are jumping into here is Ameresco (AMRC), which provides energy efficiency solutions for facilities in the U.S., Canada and Europe. Insiders are buying this stock into notable weakness, since shares are down by 19% so far in 2014.
Ameresco has a market cap of $355 million and an enterprise value of $443 million. This stock trades at a premium valuation, with a trailing price-to-earnings of 154 and a forward price-to-earnings of 27.50. Its estimated growth rate for this year is 260%, and for next year it's pegged at 55.6%. This is not a cash-rich company, since the total cash position on its balance sheet is $17.17 million and its total debt is $116.20 million.
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The CEO just bought 65,470 shares, or about $491,000 worth of stock, at $7.50 per share. That same CEO also just bought 166,130 shares, or about $1.28 million worth of stock, at $7.75 per share.
From a technical perspective, AMRC is currently trending below both its 50-day and 200-day moving averages, which is bearish. This stock recently gapped down sharply from around $9.75 to $8 a share with heavy downside volume. This stock has continued to trend lower following that gap with shares hitting a recent low of $7.41 a share. That move has pushed shares of AMRC into oversold territory, since its current relative strength index reading is 27.27. Oversold can always get more oversold, but it's also an area where a stock can make a powerful bounce higher from.
If you're bullish on AMRC, then I would look for long-biased trades as long as this stock is trending above its recent low of $7.41 and then once breaks out above some near-term overhead resistance levels at $7.88 to $8.25 a share with high volume. Look for a sustained move or close above those levels with volume that hits near or above its three-month average volume of 126,932 shares. If that breakout gets underway soon, then AMRC will set up to re-fill some of its previous gap-down-day zone that started at $9.75 a share.
Visa
Another credit services player that insiders are active in here is Visa (V), which is a payments technology company, operates as a retail electronic payments network worldwide. Insiders are buying this stock into decent strength, since shares are up 16% over the last six months.
>>5 Stocks Poised for Breakouts
Visa has a market cap of $143 billion and an enterprise value of $135 billion. This stock trades at a fair valuation, with a trailing price-to-earnings of 28.79 and a forward price-to-earnings of 21.72. Its estimated growth rate for this year 17%, and for next year it's pegged at 17.2%. This is a cash-rich company, since the total cash position on its balance sheet is $4.09 billion and its total debt is zero. This stock currently sports a dividend yield of 0.70%.
A director just bought 1,575 shares, or about $350,000 worth of stock, at $222.70 per share.
From a technical perspective, V is currently trending above both its 50-day and 200-day moving averages, which is bullish. This stock recently formed a double bottom chart pattern at $219.59 to $218.56 a share. Following that bottom, shares of V have spiked higher back above its 50-day moving average of $222.94 a share That spike is starting to push shares of V within range of triggering a big breakout trade.
If you're in the bull camp on V, then I would look for long-biased trades as long as this stock is trending above its 50-day at $222.94 or above support at $218.56 and then once it breaks out above some near-term overhead resistance levels at $228.39 to $228.48 a share with high volume. Look for a sustained move or close above those levels with volume that hits near or above its three-month average action of 3.06 million shares. If that breakout materializes soon, then V will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance level at its 52-week high of $235.08 a share.
MDC Partners
One advertising and marketing player that insiders are warming up to here is MDC Partners (MDCA), which provides marketing, activation and communications and marketing solutions and services worldwide. Insiders are buying this stock into solid strength, since shares are up 37% over the last six months.
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MDC Partners has a market cap of $1.17 billion and an enterprise value of $1.63 billion. This stock trades at a reasonable valuation, with a forward price-to-earnings of 27.61. Its estimated growth rate for this year is 129.4%, and for next year it's pegged at 35.5%. This is not a cash-rich company, since the total cash position on its balance sheet is $102.01 million and its total debt is $665.13 million. This stock currently sports a dividend yield of 3.4%.
The CEO just bought 30,000 shares, or about $636,000 worth of stock, at $21.48 per share. The vice president also just bought 10,000 shares, or about $214,000 worth of stock, at $21.22 per share.
From a technical perspective, MDCA is currently trending above its 200-day moving average and below its 50-day moving average, which is neutral trendwise. This stock has been uptrending over the last few weeks, with shares moving higher from its low of $20.55 to its recent high of $23.37 a share. During that move, shares of MDCA have been consistently making higher lows and higher highs, which is bullish technical price action. That move has now pushed shares of MDCA within range of triggering a near-term breakout trade.
If you're bullish on MDCA, then I would look for long-biased trades as long as this stock is trending above support at $22 or at $21 and then once it breaks out above some near-term overhead resistance levels at $23.37 to its 50-day moving average of $23.90 a share with high volume. Look for a sustained move or close above those levels with volume that hits near or above its three-month average action of 218,542 shares. If that breakout kicks off soon, then MDCA will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels $25.99 to its 52-week high at $26.62 a share.
Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services
One financial player that insiders are loading up on here is Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services (LTS), which provides brokerage and advisory, investment banking, equity research, institutional sales and trading, asset management and trust services. Insiders are buying this stock into major strength, since shares are up 80% over the last six months.
>>5 Hated Earnings Stocks You Should Love
Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services has a market cap of $573 million and an enterprise value of $553 million. This stock trades at reasonable valuation, with a price-to-sales of 0.73 and a price-to-book of 2.94. Its estimated growth rate for this year is 200%. This is not a cash-rich company, since the total cash position on its balance sheet is $55.12 million and its total debt is $64.65 million.
A director just bought 100,000 shares, or about $298.430 worth of stock, at $2.98 per share.
From a technical perspective, LTS is currently trending above both its 50-day and 200-day moving averages, which is bullish. This stock has been uptrending strong over the last two months, with shares moving higher from its low of $2.32 to its intraday high of $3.20 a share. During that uptrend, shares of LTS have been making mostly higher lows and higher highs, which is bullish technical price action. That move has now pushed shares of LTS within range of triggering a big breakout trade.
If you're bullish on LTS, then I would look for long-biased trades as long as this stock is trending above its 50-day moving average at $2.76 or above more support at $2.68 and then once it breaks out above some key overhead resistance levels at $3.31 a share to its 52-week high at $3.54 a share with high volume. Look for a sustained move or close above those levels with volume that hits near or above its three-month average action of 346,440 shares. If that breakout hits soon, then LTS will set up to enter new 52-week-high territory, which is bullish technical price action. Some possible upside targets off that move are $4 to $4.50 a share, or even $5 a share.
Dresser-Rand
One final stock with some large insider buying is Dresser-Rand (DRC), which designs, manufactures, sells and services rotating equipment solutions to the oil, gas, chemical, petrochemical, process, power generation, military and other industries worldwide. Insiders are buying this stock into modest weakness, since shares are off by 11% over the last six months.
Dresser-Rand has a market cap of $4.2 billion and an enterprise value of $5.2 billion This stock trades at a reasonable valuation, with a trailing price-to-earnings of 25.57 and a forward price-to-earnings of 17.07. Its estimated growth rate for this year is 10.7%, and for next year it's pegged at 21.9%. This is not a cash-rich company, since the total cash position on its balance sheet is $190.40 million and its total debt is $1.29 billion.
The CEO just bought 18,400 shares, or about $1 million worth of stock, at $54.75 per share.
From a technical perspective, DRC is currently trending below both its 50-day and 200-day moving averages, which is bearish. This stock recently gapped up sharply from around $54 to $59.70 a share with strong volume. Following that gap, shares of DRC sold off and filled that gap back to it its recent low of $54.10 a share. Shares of DRC have now started to bounce off that $54.10 low and it's starting to move within range of triggering a near-term breakout trade.
If you're bullish on DRC, then look for long-biased trades as long as this stock is trending above key support at $54 and then once it breaks out above some near-term overhead resistance at $56.39 to its 50-day moving average at $56.93 a share with high volume. Look for a sustained move or close above those levels with volume that hits near or above its three-month average action of 1.03 million shares. If that breakout triggers soon, then DRC will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at $59 to its 200-day moving average of $59.72 a share. Any high-volume move above its 200-day and $60.50 will then give DRC a chance to tag $63 to $64 a share.
To see more stocks with notable insider buying, check out the Stocks With Big Insider Buying portfolio on Stockpickr.
-- Written by Roberto Pedone in Delafield, Wis.
RELATED LINKS:
>>4 Stocks Under $10 to Trade for Breakouts
>>2 Stocks Spiking on Unusual Volume
>>5 Big Health Care Stocks to Trade for Gains
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At the time of publication, author had no positions in stocks mentioned.
Roberto Pedone, based out of Delafield, Wis., is an independent trader who focuses on technical analysis for small- and large-cap stocks, options, futures, commodities and currencies. Roberto studied international business at the Milwaukee School of Engineering, and he spent a year overseas studying business in Lubeck, Germany. His work has appeared on financial outlets including
CNBC.com and Forbes.com. You can follow Pedone on Twitter at www.twitter.com/zerosum24 or @zerosum24.Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Top 5 Insurance Companies To Watch For 2014
Top 5 Insurance Companies To Watch For 2014: American Financial Group Inc (AFG)
American Financial Group, Inc. (AFG), incorporated on July 1, 1997, is a holding company, which through subsidiaries, is engaged primarily in property and casualty insurance, focusing on specialized commercial products for businesses and in the sale of traditional fixed and fixed-indexed annuities in the individual, bank and education markets. The Company's segment includes: property and casualty insurance, annuity, run-off long-term care and life and other. In August 2012, the Company sold its Medicare supplement and critical illness businesses.
Property and Casualty Insurance
AFG's specialty property and casualty insurance operations consist of approximately 30 niche insurance businesses offering a range of commercial coverages. Under the property and transportation segment, inland and ocean marine provides coverage primarily for builders' risk, contractors' equipment, property, motor truck cargo, marine cargo, boat dealers, marina operato rs/dealers and excursion vessels. The agriculture-related business provides federally reinsured multi-peril crop (allied lines) insurance covering perils, as well as crop-hail, equine mortality and other coverages for operating farms/ranches and agribusiness operations on a nationwide basis. The commercial automobile business provides coverage for vehicles (such as buses and trucks) in a range of businesses, including the moving and storage and transportation industries, and a specialized physical damage product for the trucking industry.
Under the specialty casualty segment, executive and professional liability business markets coverage for directors and officers of businesses and non-profit organizations, errors and omissions, and provides non-United States medical malpractice insurance. The umbrella and excess liability business provide! s higher layer liability coverage in excess of primary layers. The excess and surplus business provides liability, umbrella and excess coverage for risks, using rates and forms that ge! nerally do not have to be approved by state insurance regulators. The general liability business provides coverage for contractor-related businesses, energy development and production risks, and environmental liability risks. The targeted programs includes coverage (primarily liability and property) for social service agencies, leisure, entertainment and non-profit organizations, customized solutions for other targeted markets and alternative risk programs using agency captives. The Workers' Compensation provides coverage for prescribed benefits payable to employees who are injured on the job.
Under the specialty financial segment, fidelity and surety provides fidelity and crime coverage for government, mercantile and financial institutions and surety coverage for various types of contractors and public and private corporations. Lease and loan services provides coverage for insurance risk management programs for lending and leasing institutions, including equi pment leasing and collateral and mortgage protection.
Annuity Operations
AFG's annuity operations is engaged primarily in the sale of fixed and fixed-indexed annuities in the individual, bank and education markets through independent producers and also sell annuities through direct relationships with banks. Annuities are long-term retirement saving instruments that benefit from income accruing on a tax-deferred basis. The issuer of the annuity collects premiums, credits interest or earnings on the policy and pays out a benefit upon death, surrender or annuitization. Single premium annuities are generally issued in exchange for a one-time lump-sum premium payment. Certain annuities, primarily in the education market, have premium payments that are flexible in both amount and timing as determined by the policyholder an! d are gen! erally made through payroll deductions.
A fixed-indexed annuity provides policyholders with the opportunity to receive a crediting rate tied, in part, to the performanc! e of an e! xisting market index (generally the S&P 500) while protecting against the related downside risk through a guarantee of principal (excluding surrender charges, market value adjustments, and certain benefit charges). AFG purchases call options designed to substantially offset the effect of the index participation in the liabilities associated with fixed-indexed annuities.
Run-off long-term care and life
The majority of AFG's investment in its run-off long-term care and life operations (including 100% of its long-term care business) is in the following subsidiaries: United Teacher Associates Insurance Company, Continental General Insurance Company and Manhattan National Life Insurance Company. United Teacher Associates Insurance Company's products include Long-term care, life and annuities. Continental General Insurance Company's products include Long-term care, life and annuities.
Other Operations
Through subsidiaries, AFG is engaged in a range of other operations, including commercial real estate operations in Cincinnati (office buildings and The Cincinnatian Hotel), New Orleans (Le Pavillon Hotel), Whitefield, New Hampshire (Mountain View Grand Resort), Chesapeake Bay (Skipjack Cove Yachting Resort and Bay Bridge Marina), Charleston (Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina), Palm Beach (Sailfish Marina and Resort), Florida City, Florida (retail commercial development) and apartments in Louisville and Pittsburgh.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Ben Levisohn]
Shares of American International Group have dropped 1.7% to $49.67 at 1:19 p.m. today, while American Financial Group (AFG) has, dropped 0.2% to $57.23, HCC Insurance (HCC) is little changed at $45.12, Travelers (TRV) has dipped 0.1% to $83.52 and Chubb (CB) is off 0.1% at $86! .58.
source from Top Stocks Blog:http://www.topstocksblog.com/top-5-insurance-companies-to-watch-for-2014.html
Monday, March 17, 2014
Alibaba snub puts Hong Kong exchange on the defensive
Alibaba founder Jack Ma has decided to list his company in the U.S. after negotiations failed with Hong Kong.
HONG KONG (CNNMoney) Chinese tech giant Alibaba's decision to list in the U.S. instead of Hong Kong has raised questions over whether the Asian city will ever regain its IPO crown.Hong Kong clocked three consecutive years as the global IPO leader between 2009 and 2011, attracting major companies such as Prada, Glencore and Samsonite to the city's exchange.
But in recent years, mega IPOs have been few and far between due to a sluggish global economic recovery and slowing growth in mainland China.
Landing Alibaba would have been a move in the right direction, but the Hong Kong exchange refused to allow the e-commerce giant to list with a corporate structure that would give management unprecedented powers.
Related story: China's Alibaba picks U.S. for IPO
Hot Canadian Stocks To Buy Right Now
Alibaba's partners, including founder Jack Ma, were worried about losing control of the company and had lobbied furiously for a rule change. To maintain their grip, Alibaba's partners wanted the right to appoint board members.
When the Hong Kong Stock Exchange refused, Alibaba decided to take its business to a U.S. exchange, where the company's management structure will be accepted.
Hong Kong has now lost its chance at hosting what's expected to be one of the world's largest market debuts, and sentiment remains divided over whether a rule change is necessary.
Baidu, Alibaba challenge Chinese banks Some say greater flexibility is needed to attract firms to Hong Kong, while others say the rules must remain in place to protect the interests of investors and shareholders.
Whether Hong Kong decides to make substantial changes remains to be seen, but there are indications the city could be considering amendments to its listing regulations.
Related story: Turning Alibaba away has risks for Hong Kong
Hong Kong needs "to find ways to make our market more responsive and competitive, particularly with respect to new economy or technology companies," Hong Kong Stock Exchange CEO Charles! Li said in a statement.
"We have to consider possible changes where they might be necessary...to ensure our markets continue to be relevant in the new era of economic development," he said.
Li has previously voiced support for a debate around alternative governance structures similar to what Alibaba proposed -- something he suggested might be needed to attract tech firms.
But other experts say it remains unlikely that Hong Kong regulators will revise rules anytime soon.
Related story: Meet Alibaba, Yahoo's Chinese secret weapon
"The reason you would have changed them is for commercial reasons -- to get one of the world's biggest IPOs in history, and now that's slipped between their fingers," said Mizuho analyst Jim Antos. "I think they missed an opportunity, and it doesn't show the greatest business judgment in the world."
Alibaba is estimated to raise $15 billion -- that's just shy of Facebook (FB, Fortune 500), whose $16 billion 2012 market debut was the third-largest IPO ever. 
Saturday, March 15, 2014
Top 5 High Dividend Stocks For 2014
Top 5 High Dividend Stocks For 2014: PartnerRe Ltd (PRE)
PartnerRe Ltd. (PartnerRe), incorporated in August 24, 1993, is the ultimate holding company for its international reinsurance group. The Company provides reinsurance on a global basis through its wholly owned subsidiaries, including Partner Reinsurance Company Ltd. (PartnerRe Bermuda), Partner Reinsurance Europe plc (PartnerRe Europe) and Partner Reinsurance Company of the U.S. (PartnerRe U.S.). Its risks reinsured include property, casualty, motor, agriculture, aviation/space, catastrophe, credit/surety, engineering, energy, marine, specialty property, specialty casualty, multiline and other lines and mortality, longevity and health. The Company also offers alternative risk products, which include weather and credit protection to financial, industrial and service companies on a global basis. In January 2013, the Company acquired Presidio Reinsurance Group, a United States-based specialty accident and health reinsurance and insurance writer. In March 2013, the Company ann ounced the formation of Lorenz Re Ltd.
The Company provides reinsurance for its clients in approximately 150 countries globally. Through its branches and subsidiaries, the Company provides reinsurance of non-life and life risks to ceding companies (primary insurers, cedants or reinsureds) on either a proportional or non-proportional basis through treaties or facultative reinsurance. The Company operates in three segments: Non-life, Life and Corporate and Other. Its Corporate and Other segment is consisted of the capital markets and investment related activities of the Company, including principal finance transactions, insurance-linked securities and strategic investments, and its corporate activities, including other operating expenses.
Non-life Segment
The Non-life segment is divided into four sub-segments, North America, Global (Non-the Unite! d States) Property and Casualty (Global (Non-the United States) P&C), Global (Non-the United States) Specialty and Catastrophe. The North America sub-seg! ment includes agriculture, casualty, motor, multiline, property, surety and other risks generally originating in the United States. The Global (Non-the United States) P&C sub-segment includes casualty, motor and property business generally originating outside of the United States. The Global (Non-the United States) Specialty sub-segment business include agriculture, aviation/space, credit/surety, energy, engineering, marine, specialty casualty, specialty property and other lines. The Catastrophe sub-segment is consisted of the Company's catastrophe line of business. The Company reinsures, primarily on a proportional basis, agricultural yield and price/revenue risks related to flood, drought, hail and disease related to crops, livestock and aquaculture. The Company provides specialized reinsurance protection for airline, general aviation and space insurance business on a proportional basis and through facultative arrangements.
The Company's space business re lates to coverages for satellite assembly, launch and operation for commercial space programs. Its casualty business includes third party liability, employers' liability, workers' compensation and personal accident coverages written on both a proportional and non-proportional basis, including structured reinsurance of casualty risks. The Company provides property catastrophe reinsurance protection, written on a non-proportional basis, against the accumulation of losses caused by windstorm, earthquake, tornado, tropical cyclone, flood or by any other natural hazard, which is covered under a property policy. Credit reinsurance, written on a proportional basis, provides coverage to commercial credit insurers, and the surety line relates to bonds and other forms of security written by specialized surety insurers. The Company provides reinsurance coverage for the onshore oil an! d gas ind! ustry, mining, power generation and pharmaceutical operations on a proportional basis and t hrough facultative arrangements.
The Company p! rovides r! einsurance for engineering projects globally, predominantly on a proportional treaty basis and through facultative arrangements. The Company provides reinsurance protection and technical services relating to marine hull, cargo, transit and offshore oil and gas operations on a proportional or non-proportional basis. The Company's motor business includes reinsurance coverages for third party liability and property damage risks arising from both passenger and commercial fleet automobile coverages written by cedants. This business is written predominantly on a proportional basis.
The Company's multiline business provides both property and casualty reinsurance coverages written on both a proportional and non-proportional basis. Property business provides reinsurance coverage to insurers for property damage or business interruption losses resulting from fires, catastrophes and other perils covered in industrial, commercial property and homeowners' policies, and are written on both a proportional and non-proportional basis. The Company's predominant exposure under these property coverage is to property damage. The Company's property reinsurance treaties exclude certain risks, such as war, nuclear, biological and chemical contamination, radiation and environmental pollution.
The Company provides specialized reinsurance protection for non-the United States casualty business. This reinsurance protection is offered on a proportional, non-proportional or facultative basis. The Company provides specialized reinsurance protection for non-the United States property business. This reinsurance protection is offered on a proportional, non-proportional or facultative basis. The Company's Non-life business is produced both through brokers and through direct relationships with insurance companies. In North America, bu! siness is! written through brokers, while globally, the business is written on both a direct and broker basis.< /p>
Life Segment
The Company's Life ! segment i! ncludes the mortality, longevity and health lines of business written primarily in the United Kingdom, Ireland and France. The Company provides reinsurance coverage to life insurers and pension funds to against individual and group mortality and disability risks. Mortality business is written on a proportional basis through treaty agreements. Mortality business is subdivided into death and disability covers (with various riders) written in Continental Europe, term assurance and critical illness (TCI) written in the United Kingdom and Ireland, and guaranteed minimum death benefit (GMDB) written in Continental Europe. The Company also writes certain treaties on a non-proportional basis in France.
The Company provides reinsurance coverage to employer sponsored pension schemes and life insurers who issue annuity contracts offering long-term retirement benefits to consumers, who seek protection against outliving their financial resources. The Company's longevity p ortfolio is subdivided into standard and non-standard annuities. The non-standard annuities are annuities sold to consumers with aggravated health conditions and are underwritten on an individual basis. The Company provides reinsurance coverage to life insurers with respect to individual and group health risks. The Company's Life business is produced both through brokers and through direct relationships with insurance companies. During the year ended December 31, 2011, one cedant accounted for 13% of the Life segment's total gross premiums written and one broker, the Aon Group (including the Benfield Group), accounted for 16% of the Life segment's total gross premiums written.
The Company competes with Munich Re, Swiss Re, Everest Re, Hannover Re, SCOR, Transatlantic, Arch Capital, Axis Capital and XL Group.
Advisors' Opinion:!- ! [By Marc Bastow]
International insurance holding company PartnerRe Ltd. (PRE) raised its quarterly dividend 5% to 67 cents per share, payable on Feb. 28 to shareholders of record as of Feb. 18.
PRE Dividend Yield: 2.72%
source from Top Stocks Blog:http://www.topstocksblog.com/top-5-high-dividend-stocks-for-2014.html