General Motors Headquarters. Courtesy of GM media photos.
General Motors (NYSE: GM ) lags behind its crosstown rival Ford (NYSE: F ) in one major aspect: profitability. Despite being far ahead in global sales, GM couldn't top Ford's bottom-line income during its first-quarter report. That's mainly because Ford has worked tirelessly on fixing its bottom line by cutting costs in its global operations ��and it's worked extremely well. GM is taking notes on Ford's success and has recently unveiled a state of the art $130 million data center that will be an information technology system to base its global decisions on. GM believes it will give the company what it needs to work faster and smarter to improve vehicle quality and profits. Let's look at why investors are excited and how much this could bring to GM's bottom line.
Better decisions equal better profits
Here's what GM Chairman and CEO Dan Akerson had to say in a press release: "Having a single nerve center for our global operations will get newer vehicle designs and technologies into our customers' hands quicker and improve the bottom line ... IT is back home where it should be, and it further drives unnecessary complexity from our businesses while improving our operational efficiency and better supporting our business strategy."�
Top 10 Information Technology Companies To Watch In Right Now: Digital River Inc.(DRIV)
Digital River, Inc. provides end-to-end global cloud-commerce and marketing solutions. The company offers a range of services that enables its customers to establish an online sales channel. Its services include design, development, and hosting of online stores and shopping carts; store merchandising and optimization; order management; denied parties screening; export controls and management; tax compliance and management; fraud management; digital product delivery via download; physical product fulfillment; subscription management; online marketing, including email marketing; management of affiliate programs; paid search programs; payment processing services; Web site optimization, Web analytics, and reporting; and CD production and delivery services. The company also provides paid search advertising, search engine optimization, affiliate marketing, store optimization, multi-variant testing, and Web analytic and e-mail optimization services. In addition, it offers a range of payment processing services, such as multiple payment methods, fraud management, tax management, cloud-based billing, and other payment optimization services. The company sells its products and services through Internet and direct sales force. It serves software, consumer electronics, and computer and video game product manufacturers, as well as online channel partners, including retailers and affiliates in the United States, Austria, Brazil, China, Germany, Korea, Ireland, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, Singapore, Sweden, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom. Digital River, Inc. was founded in 1994 and is headquartered in Minnetonka, Minnesota.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Seth Jayson]
Digital River (Nasdaq: DRIV ) is expected to report Q2 earnings on July 30. Here's what Wall Street wants to see:
The 10-second takeaway
Comparing the upcoming quarter to the prior-year quarter, average analyst estimates predict Digital River's revenues will expand 0.4% and EPS will wane -85.0%. - [By Alex Planes]
What: Shares of Digital River� (NASDAQ: DRIV ) are trading 8% higher in the afternoon after rocketing to an opening-bell gain of over 11% on Wednesday morning. Investors have cheered Digital River's strong first-quarter earnings and are reacting favorably to respectable (though not strong) guidance issued for the remainder of the fiscal year.
Top 10 Information Technology Companies To Watch In Right Now: Schawk Inc.(SGK)
Schawk, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides graphic services and solutions in the Americas, Europe, and the Asia Pacific. The company?s graphic services encompasses a range of creative and executional service offerings, including traditional premedia business services, as well as digital photography, color retouching, large format digital printing, and sales and promotional samples under the Schawk brand name; and digital three-dimensional modeling of prototypes or existing packages for its consumer products clients. Its brand and package strategy and design services include brand consulting and creative design for packaging applications to consumer products companies, food and beverage retailers, and mass merchandisers under the Brandimage and Anthem brands. The company also offers digital promotion and advertising services to the digital communications markets under the Untitled and Real Branding brand names. In addition, it provides software products, such a s graphic lifecycle content management systems comprising digital asset management, workflow management, online proofing, and intelligence performance management modules; and support services, which include implementation, on-site management, validation for regulated environments, and support and training for the marketing services departments of consumer products, pharmaceutical/life sciences, and retail companies. The company serves direct purchasers of graphic services, including end-use consumer product manufacturers of food, beverage, non-food and beverage, and pharmaceutical products; groceries, pharmacies, department, and mass merchant retailers; converters; and advertising agencies. Schawk, Inc. was founded in 1953 and is headquartered in Des Plaines, Illinois.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Seth Jayson]
There's no foolproof way to know the future for Schawk (NYSE: SGK ) or any other company. However, certain clues may help you see potential stumbles before they happen -- and before your stock craters as a result.
Best Restaurant Companies To Buy Right Now: Continental Resources Inc. (CLR)
Continental Resources, Inc. engages in the exploration, development, and production of crude oil and natural gas primarily in the north, south, and east regions of the United States. The company primarily sells its oil and natural gas production to end users, as well as to midstream marketing companies or oil refining companies at the lease. As of December 31, 2011, its estimated proved reserves were 508.4 million barrels of crude oil equivalent, with estimated proved developed reserves of 205.2 million barrels of crude oil equivalent. The company had interests in 3,255 wells and served as the operator of 2,082 of these wells. Continental Resources, Inc. was founded in 1967 and is headquartered in Enid, Oklahoma.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Matt DiLallo]
For example, the average Bakken well is estimated to ultimately produce around 600,000 barrels of oil equivalent. It's those high ultimate recovery rates which make the investments really pay off for producers over the long term. For example, Continental Resources (NYSE: CLR ) will see a 60% rate of return on wells it drills today as long as oil stays over $100 per barrel. Although, that is still below the well economics enjoyed by EOG in the Eagle Ford, which are currently about 100%. Wells simply cost more to drill in the Bakken, which puts some pressure on rates of return.�
- [By Matt DiLallo]
Kodiak isn't the only company that needs to reduce is flaring. Continental Resources (NYSE: CLR ) has committed to "as close to zero percent flaring as possible." It does a much better job than Kodiak, having flared only 10% of its gas last year, which was down from the 20% of production it had flared the year before. These reductions aren't possible without new infrastructure, which is why Oneok's natural-gas-focused projects in the Bakken are so important.
Top 10 Information Technology Companies To Watch In Right Now: Tempur-pedic International Inc (TPX)
Tempur-Pedic International Inc. manufactures, markets, and distributes bedding products in North America and internationally. Its products include pillows, mattresses, and adjustable beds, as well as various cushions and other comfort products. The company sells its mattresses and pillows under the TEMPUR and Tempur-Pedic brand names through furniture and bedding, specialty, and department stores; direct response, Internet, and own stores; chiropractors, medical retailers, hospitals, and other healthcare markets; and third party distributors. Tempur-Pedic International Inc. was founded in 1989 and is based in Lexington, Kentucky.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Masaaki Iwamoto]
Japanese shares rose, with the Topix index (TPX) capping its second weekly advance, as financial shares and exporters climbed.
Consumer lenders and brokerages advanced the most among the 33 Topix subsectors, gaining at least 1.3 percent. Electronics makers provided the biggest boost to the gauge. Sharp Corp. surged 8.4 percent on a report it will increase production of liquid-crystal display panels for smartphones. SoftBank (9984) Corp. closed at its highest in more than 13 years after activist investor Daniel Loeb�� hedge fund disclosed a $1 billion stake in the mobile carrier.
- [By Masahiro Watanabe]
Japanese shares fell, with the Topix (TPX) index dropping for the first time in three days, as the yen held gains against the dollar after disappointing U.S. jobs data. Insurers led losses among the gauge�� 33 industry groups.
Top 10 Information Technology Companies To Watch In Right Now: Gartner Inc (IT)
Gartner, Inc. (Gartner), incorporated on June 1, 1990, is an information technology (IT) research and advisory company. The Company operates in three business segments: Research, Consulting and Events.
Research provides objective insight on critical and timely technology and supply chain initiatives for chief information officers (CIO), other IT professionals, supply chain leaders, technology companies and the investment community through reports, briefings, tools, access to its analysts, peer networking services and membership programs that enables its clients to make better decisions about their IT and supply chain investments. Consulting provides customized solutions to client needs through on-site, day-to-day support, as well as tools for measuring and improving IT performance with a focus on cost, performance, efficiency, and quality. Events provide IT, supply chain and business professionals the opportunity to attend various symposia, conferences and exhibitions to learn, contribute and network with their peers.
Research
Gartner delivers independent, objective IT research and insight primarily through a subscription-based, digital media service. Gartner Research is the fundamental building block for all Gartner services and covers all technology-related markets, topics and industries, as well as supply chain topics. The Company combines its research methodologies with industry and academic relationships to create Gartner solutions that address each role within an IT organization.
The Company�� research agenda is defined by clients��needs, focusing on the critical issues, opportunities and challenges they face every day. Research analysts provide in-depth analysis on all aspects of technology, including hardware; software and systems; services; IT management; market data and forecasts; and vertical-industry issues. The Company�� research content is presented in the form of reports, briefings, updates and related tools, is delivered direc! tly to the client�� desktop via its Website and/or product-specific portals.
Consulting
Gartner Consulting deepens relationships with its research clients by extending the reach of its research through custom consulting engagements. Gartner Consulting brings together its research insight, benchmarking data, problem-solving methodologies and hands-on experience to improve the return on a client�� IT investment. Consulting solutions capitalize on Gartner assets that are invaluable to IT decision making, including: its research, which ensures that its consulting analyses and advice are based on a deep understanding of the IT environment and the business of IT; its market independence, which keeps its consultants focused on its client�� success.
Gartner Consulting provides solutions to CIOs and other IT executives, and to those professionals responsible for IT applications, enterprise architecture, go-to-market strategies, infrastructure and operations, programs and portfolio management, and sourcing and vendor relationships. Consulting also provides targeted consulting services to professionals in specific industries. Finally, the Company provides actionable solutions for IT cost optimization, technology modernization and IT sourcing optimization initiatives.
Events
Gartner Symposium/ITxpo events and Gartner Summit events are gatherings of technology�� senior IT professionals, business strategists and practitioners. Gartner Events offers relevant and actionable technology sessions led by Gartner analysts to clients and non-clients. These sessions are augmented with technology showcases, peer exchanges, analyst one-on-one meetings, workshops and keynotes by technology�� top leaders. They also provide attendees with an opportunity to interact with business executives from the technology companies.
Gartner Events attract high-level IT and business professionals who seek in-depth knowledge about technology products and serv! ices. Gar! tner Symposium/ITxpo events are strategic conferences held in various locations throughout the world for CIOs and other senior IT and business professionals. Gartner Summit events focus on specific topics, technologies and industries, providing IT professionals with the insight, solutions and networking opportunities to succeed in their job role. Finally, the Company offers targeted events for CIOs and IT executives, such as CIO Leadership Forum.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By John Bonnanzio]
The fund�� top holdings are Telsa, Henry Schein (HSIC), United Rentals (URI), Gartner (IT) and Kansas City Southern (KSU).
The fund also has some exposure to pricey biotech. Even so, this is hardly a shoot-the-lights-out growth fund as volatility is below all his mid-cap peers. To that end, this trade actually tempers risk while increasing growth exposure.
Top 10 Information Technology Companies To Watch In Right Now: CSX Corporation (CSX)
CSX Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides rail-based transportation services. The company offers traditional rail service, and the transport of intermodal containers and trailers. It transports crushed stone, sand and gravel, metal, phosphate, fertilizer, food, consumer, agricultural, automotive, paper, and chemical products; and utility, industrial, and export coal to electricity-generating power plants, steel manufacturers, industrial plants, and deep-water port facilities. The company also provides intermodal transportation services through a network of approximately 50 terminals transporting manufactured consumer goods in containers in the eastern United States, as well as performs drayage services and trucking dispatch operations. In addition, it operates distribution centers and storage locations; connects non-rail served customers to the benefits of rail by transferring products, such as ethanol and minerals, from rail to trucks; engages in the real estate sale, leasing, acquisition, and management and development activities. CSX Corporation operates approximately 21,000 route mile rail network, which serves various population centers in 23 states east of the Mississippi River, the District of Columbia, and the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec, as well as operates approximately 4,000 locomotives. It also serves production and distribution facilities through track connections to approximately 240 short-line and regional railroads. CSX Corporation was founded in 1978 and is based in Jacksonville, Florida.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Lauren Pollock]
Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services boosted its rating on railroad company CSX Corp.(CSX) further into investment-grade territory, touting increased cash-flow generation and debt reduction even as freight volume has been challenged.
- [By Ben Levisohn]
Just when you think the stock market might get something going, earnings and sales disappointments ended its two-day winning streak. CSX Corp. (CSX), Best Buy (BBY), Citigroup (C) and United Health (UNH) helped weighed the major indexes down.
- [By , DividendChannel.com]
CSX Corp. (CSX) has been named as the ”Top Dividend Stock of the Dow Transports”, according to Dividend Channel, which published its most recent ”DividendRank” report.
Top 10 Information Technology Companies To Watch In Right Now: Portlogic Systems Inc (PGSY)
Portlogic Systems Inc. (Portologic), incorporated on June 22, 2004, is a development-stage company. The Company is engaged in developing and licensing portal software products and related services. The Company operates six divisions, including m2Meet, m2Bank (Mobile to Bank), m2Market, m2Ticket, m2Kiosk and m2Workflow. The Company has developed a product that it licensed to its customers to enable them to operate their own online social networking portal without requiring any technical programming or Website design skills. The Company licenses portal software products and provide custom software programming services to customers who license its products. The Company�� portal software products are designed to enable customers to administer a ��ortal��that can be accessed online by other users. Each type of portal that it licenses to customers has a standard pre-programmed functional framework along with content and appearance customized according to the customer�� particular requirements. The Company�� customers retain ownership rights over any content that they provide to customize their portal. On June 18, 2012, Portlogic incorporated a wholly owned subsidiary, VOIP 1, Inc.
The Company hosts the portal software licensed to its customers on the Company�� own servers. The Company�� portal software products include an online administration interface which its customers can use to manage the functionality, appearance, and content of their portal, such as what users are able to see and do when they visit the portal. As a result, customers that license its software can operate their online portal using only a personal computer and Internet connection. They do not need to have any programming knowledge, additional software, hosting capabilities, or additional hardware.
The Company also offers, in exchange for additional licensing fees, plug-in products that can provide additional functions to the basic portal software licensed by the Company�� customers. The Company eithe! r owns the plug-ins or licenses them from third parties. The Company offers one fully developed portal software product. This product is an online social networking system marketed to entrepreneurs who wish to operate their own online social networking or dating business. The Company markets this product through one of its Websites, at www.internetdatingsoftware.com.
The m2Meet is a community networking software solution, being developed from its Web based source code. m2Bank is a financial transactions system that facilitates bill payments, money transfers, and account management. The m2Market is a mobile marketing solutions, including a Bluetooth push technology that is used to deliver marketing materials to mobile phones. The m2Ticket is a mobile ticketing sales engine, which manages the sale and delivery of tickets through mobile phones for the transportation and entertainment industry. The m2Kiosk is a line of standard and custom kiosks hardware and software which integrates with mobile phone applications in the marketing, financial, and ticketing industries. Its m2Workflow is a customer relations management (CRM) on mobile phones for service industries.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Peter Graham]
On Monday, small cap marijuana stocks Alternative Energy Partners Inc (OTCBB: AEGY) and Medical Cannabis Payment Solutions (OTCMKTS: REFG) surged 117.86% and 17.95%, respectively, while tech stock Portlogic Systems Inc (OTCMKTS: PGSY) sank 20%. However, it appears that only one of these small cap stocks has been the subject of disclosed paid promotions or investor relation activities. So what will these three small caps do today and the rest of the week? Here is a quick look to help you decide on a trading or investing strategy:
Top 10 Information Technology Companies To Watch In Right Now: Neste Oil Corp (NES1V)
Neste Oil Corp is a Finland-based company engaged in the refining and marketing of petroleum and petroleum products. The Company has two business areas and four reporting segments. The business areas are: Oil Products & Renewables and Oil Retail. The reporting segments are: Oil Products, Renewable Fuels, Oil Retail and Others. The Oil Products & Renewables area produces and sells petroleum products such as gasoline, diesel fuel, aviation and bunker fuel, heating oil, heavy fuel oil, base oil, gasoline components, specialty fuels, fuels, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and bitumen as well as renewable diesel and aviation fuel under the brand name NExBTL. The Oil Retail area operates a network of 1,136 stations in Finland, the Russian Federations, the Baltic states and Poland, selling own products as well as lubricants and chemicals. The Company owns fuel refineries and production plants in Finland, Singapore and the Netherlands. Advisors' Opinion:- [By Sarah Jones]
Neste Oil Oyj (NES1V) gained 4.8 percent to 12.04 euros. CA Cheuvreux SA upgraded Finland�� only refiner to outperform, the equivalent of a buy recommendation, from underperform, saying it expects it to report resilient first-quarter results this month.
Top 10 Information Technology Companies To Watch In Right Now: Telestone Technologies Corp.(TSTC)
Telestone Technologies Corporation offers wireless local-access network technologies and solutions primarily in the People?s Republic of China. Its access-network solutions include the research and development, and application of access network technology. The company designs and sells electronic equipments, such as wireless fiber-optic distribution system products, RFPA products, passive components, repeaters, radio frequency peripherals, and base station antennas used to provide access network solutions for 2G, 3G, broadband access, and CATV networks. It also offers project design, project management, installation, maintenance, and other after-sales services. In addition, Telestone provides various solutions to the telecommunications industry, which cover indoor and outdoor environments comprising hotels, residential estates, office buildings, airports, exhibition centers, underground stations, and highways and tunnels. Further, the company engages in the design, develop ment, production and installation, and trading of wireless telecommunication coverage system equipment. It also markets its products to 29 countries, including Argentina, Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Hong Kong, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mexico, Mongolia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Thailand, Turkey, the United States, the United Arab Emirates, Ukraine, and Vietnam. The company was founded in 1987 and is headquartered in Beijing, China.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By insider]
The valuation box will also clearly indicate it if a company is traded at below its net current asset value (NCAV). Please see the valuation box for Telestone (TSTC) below.
Top 10 Information Technology Companies To Watch In Right Now: Nortech Systems Incorporated(NSYS)
Nortech Systems Incorporated operates as a contract manufacturing company. It manufactures wire harness cable and printed circuit board assemblies, electronic sub-assemblies, higher level assemblies, and complete devices. The company also provides value added services and technical support, including design, testing, prototyping, and supply chain management; and repair services on circuit boards used in machines in the medical industry. In addition, it engages in the design, manufacture, and post-production service of electronic and electromechanical medical devices for diagnostic, analytical, and other life-science applications. Nortech Systems Incorporated serves various industries that include aerospace and defense; medical; and the industrial markets, which include industrial equipment, transportation, vision, agriculture, and oil and gas. The company markets its products through sales force and independent manufacturers? representatives. Nortech Systems Incorporated was founded in 1981 and is headquartered in Wayzata, Minnesota.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By James E. Brumley]
In a perfect world stocks would move in predictable, manageable ways. We don't live - nor do we trade in - a perfect world. In the real world we have to adapt to and deal with the curve balls the market throws us, and there are no two stocks that illustrate that point better than Document Security Systems, Inc. (NYSEMKT:DSS) and Nortech Systems Incorporated (NASDAQ:NSYS) to today. While both NSYS and DSS are up today, one's overbought and ripe for a pullback, while the other is likely at the beginning of a trade-worthy rally.
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