Top 10 Warren Buffett Companies To Own For 2014

Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK-A  ) (NYSE: BRK-B  ) is a large, highly diversified conglomerate. So if you want to own Berkshire Hathaway stock, it's crucial that you understand exactly how the company makes money.

A breakdown of Berkshire's earnings
Though there's many ways to slice the pie, Berkshire's income can be categorized into four different primary business segments:

1. Insurance

2. Regulated capital-intensive businesses

3. Manufacturing, service, and retailing operations

4. Finance and financial products

Source: Berkshire Hathaway 2012 annual letter to shareholders.

The insurance segment is "Berkshire's core operation and the engine that has propelled our expansion over the years," Warren Buffett said in the company's 2012 annual letter to shareholders. Insurance companies primarily make money in two ways:

5 Best Up And Coming Stocks For 2015: ASML Holding N.V. (ASML)

ASML Holding N.V., through its subsidiaries, engages in designing, manufacturing, marketing, and servicing semiconductor processing equipment used in the fabrication of integrated circuits. The company offers a portfolio of lithography systems for manufacturing semiconductors, integrated circuits, or chips. It primarily provides PAS 5500 product family that comprises wafer steppers, and step and scan systems suitable for the i-line, krypton fluoride, and argon fluoride processing of wafers; TWINSCAN for manufacturing environments for which design resolutions down to 38 nanometers are required; TWINSCAN NXT system to support extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUV) imaging in various system critical areas; and NXE (EUV) system that utilizes reflective mirrors with a numerical aperture of 0.25. The company operates principally in Japan, Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, rest of Asia, Europe, and the United States. The company was formerly known as ASM Lithography Holding N.V. and chang ed its name to ASML Holding N.V. in 2001. ASML Holding N.V. was founded in 1984 and is headquartered in Veldhoven, the Netherlands.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Corinne Gretler]

  ASML Holding NV (ASML) climbed 2.5 percent to 52.55 euros. Europe�� largest semiconductor-equipment supplier posted first- quarter sales of 892 million euros, topping the 874 million-euro analyst estimate. The company also announced a share buyback program of as much as 1 billion euros and said Chief Executive Officer Eric Meurice will step down as of July.

• [By Monica Gerson]

  ASML Holding NV (NASDAQ: ASML) shares jumped 6.40% to $92.75 in pre-market trading following Q4 results. Commerzbank upgraded the stock from Reduce to Hold.

Top 10 Warren Buffett Companies To Own For 2014: Gladstone Investment Corporation (GAIN)

Gladstone Investment Corporation specializes in buyouts and recapitalizations. It seeks to make debt and equity investments in small and mid-sized private businesses. The fund invests in junior subordinated loans, mezzanine debt, preferred stock, and warrants to purchase common stock of companies based in the the United States. It can also invest in senior secured loans and common stock. The fund prefers to invest between $3 million and $20 million. It invests individually as well as jointly with other buyout funds. The fund is treated as a business development company under the 1940 Act.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Monica Gerson]

  Gladstone Investment (NASDAQ: GAIN) is projected to post its Q4 earnings at $0.17 per share on revenue of $8.90 million.

  First Horizon National (NYSE: FHN) is expected to report its Q2 earnings at $0.17 per share on revenue of $286.98 million.

• [By Monica Wolfe]

  Gladstone Investment Corporation (GAIN)

  Over the past week two corporate executives made buys into Gladstone Investment Corporation. COO Terry Brubaker made three different buys over the past week and CEO David Gladstone made one.

Top 10 Warren Buffett Companies To Own For 2014: Eco-Tek Group Inc (ETEK)

Eco-Tek Group, Inc., incorporated on April 10, 2007, is engaged in manufacturing and marketing of green lubricants and specialized systems with an automotive sector but also applicable to a variety of industrial, farm and virtually all mechanical equipment. The Company�� products include Eco-Tek Super Lubricant, Eco-Tek 3000 Synthetic Motor Oil, Eco-Tek 4-in-1 Fuel Treatments, Eco-Tek HD Synthetic Oil Stabilizer, Eco-Tek Bypass Oil Cleaner, Eco-Tek Engine Flush, Eco-Tek Lube Centres, Eco-Tek Test-Results, Eco-Tek Our Inventor and Eco-Tek Limited Warranty.

The Company�� motor oil and lubricant is zinc free. Eco-Tek Engine Flush which cleans internal engine components extends engine life and restores lost performance due to sludge and buildup. Eco-Tek Premium Orange Hand Cleaner, which contains pumice to clean, aloe and lanolin to moisturize. Eco-Tek Non-Toxic Super Lubricant, reduces friction, fuel consumption, harmful contaminants in oil, reduces smoke, vibration and noise.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Peter Graham]

  Small cap green stocks Eco-Tek Group Inc (OTCMKTS: ETEK) and BluForest Inc (OTCMKTS: BLUF) have been getting some attention lately thanks to some green���as in paid for promotions. Of course, there is nothing wrong with properly disclosed promotions, but one of these stocks happens to be getting a considerable amount of attention as its been the subject of numerous transactions. With that in mind, will investors see some green with these green small cap stocks? Here is a quick reality check:�

Top 10 Warren Buffett Companies To Own For 2014: Chicago Bridge & Iron Company NV (CBI)

Chicago Bridge & Iron Company N.V. (CB&I) is one of the integrated engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services providers and process technology licensors, delivering solutions to customers primarily in the energy, petrochemical and natural resource industries. CB&I consist of three business sectors: Steel Plate Structures, Project Engineering and Construction, and Lummus Technology. Through these business sectors, the Company offers services both independently and on an integrated basis.

As of December 31, 2012, the Company had more than 900 projects in process in more than 70 countries. On February 13, 2013, it acquired The Shaw Group Inc. (Shaw).

Steel Plate Structures

Steel Plate Structures provides engineering, procurement, fabrication and construction services, including mechanical erection services, for the hydrocarbon, water and nuclear industries. Projects include above ground storage tanks, elevated storage tanks, Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) tanks, pressure vessels, and other specialty structures, such as nuclear containment vessels. Customers include international energy companies, such as Chevron, ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil and Shell; national energy companies, such as ADNOC (Abu Dhabi), CNOOC (China) and Saudi Aramco (Saudi Arabia); and regional energy companies, such as Kinder Morgan (United States) and Suncor (Canada).

Project Engineering and Construction

Project Engineering and Construction provides engineering, procurement, fabrication and construction services for upstream and downstream energy infrastructure facilities. Projects include LNG liquefaction and regasification terminals, gas processing plants, refinery units, petrochemical complexes and a wide range of other energy-related projects. Customers include international energy companies, such as British Petroleum, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil and Shell; national energy companies, such as Ecopetrol (Colombia) and ORPIC (Oman); and regio! nal energy companies, such as Dominion (United States), Gazprom (Russia), Nexen (United Kingdom), and Woodside (Australia).

Lummus Technology

Lummus Technology provides licenses, services, catalysts and equipment for the hydrocarbon refining, petrochemical, and gas processing industries. Customers include international energy companies, such as Chevron and Shell; national energy companies, such as Pemex (Mexico), Petrochina (China), Rosneft (Russia) and Sabic (Saudi Arabia); and regional refiners and chemical and gas processing companies, such as China Coal (China), IRPC (Thailand), Kazakhstan Petrochemical (Kazakhstan), and Williams Energy Services (United States).

Power provides a range of services, including design, EPC, technology and consulting services, primarily to the fossil and nuclear power generation industries. Plant Services provides electric power refueling outage maintenance, turnaround maintenance, routine maintenance, offshore maintenance, modifications, capital construction, off-site modularization, fabrication, reliability engineering, plant engineering, plant support and specialty services. Additionally, it provides services to restore, rebuild, repair, renovate and modify industrial and electric power generation facilities, and offers predictive and preventive maintenance services. Environmental & Infrastructure (E&I) provides full-scale environmental and infrastructure services for government and private-sector clients. These services include program and project management, design-build, engineering and construction, sustainability and energy efficiency, remediation and restoration, science and technology, facilities management and emergency response and disaster recovery. Fabrication and Manufacturing is a worldwide supplier of fabricated piping systems primarily to the electric power, petrochemical and refinery industries, supporting both external clients and other Shaw business sectors.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Rich Smith]

  Also, Chicago Bridge & Iron (NYSE: CBI  ) subsidiary Shaw Environmental won a $10 million modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to provide remediation and excavation services at the Maywood Superfund site in New Jersey.

• [By MONEYMORNING.COM]

  We've found such a company: Chicago Bridge & Iron Company NV (NYSE: CBI). And we believe the time to move on this stock is now.

  Here's why ...

Top 10 Warren Buffett Companies To Own For 2014: Furniture Brands International Inc. (FBN)

Furniture Brands International, Inc. engages in designing, manufacturing, sourcing, and retailing home furnishings in the United States and internationally. The company offers case goods, such as bedroom, dining room, and living room wood furniture; stationary upholstery products comprising sofas, loveseats, sectionals, and chairs; and motion upholstered furniture, including recliners and sleep sofas. It also provides occasional furniture, such as accent pieces, home entertainment centers, and home office furniture, as well as wood, metal, and glass tables; and decorative accessories and accent pieces. The company�s brand portfolio includes Thomasville, Broyhill, Lane, Drexel Heritage, Henredon, Pearson, Hickory Chair, Lane Venture, Maitland-Smith, La Barge, and Creative Interiors. It markets its products through its Thomasville retail stores, interior designers, multi-line/independent retailers, and mass merchant stores to retailers, including independently owned furnitu re stores, department stores, and chains. The company was formerly known as Interco Inc. and changed its name to Furniture Brands International, Inc. in 1996. Furniture Brands International, Inc. was founded in 1921 and is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Fox Business]

  Billionaire Investor Sam Zell spoke with FOX Business Network�� (FBN) Maria Bartiromo during Opening Bell with Maria Bartiromo in a wide ranging interview about the Federal Reserve, the stock market and growth sectors in the economy. Regarding the Federal Reserve, Zell said, �� just do not know whether the Fed has the guts to really complete the taper��and that the tapering won�� ��e over by October.��Zell discussed the stock market saying, �� think the stock market is over exuberant��and �� think that the stock market reflects the fact that there's very little other options��for investors. When asked about international investments Zell said, ��e have invested very little in Europe��and that ��exico is one of the places that we're very excited about.��Zell also commented on the commercial real estate market saying, the hot markets are ��an Francisco, New York and Seattle. Those three markets have pricing that's very different from the rest of the country.��/p>

• [By Sally Jones]

  Here�� a look at what goes inside those new homes: new furniture. As furniture makers increase outsourcing and the U.S. manufacturing sector declines, investors must be wondering about the future of American furniture companies. Trading histories show Guru billionaires have taken years of losses, especially in the case of Furniture Brand International Inc. (FBN), but the recent insider trades at Furniture Brand may be some indication of what we can expect from Guru shareholders when their second quarter trading activity in this sector is revealed.

• [By FoxBusiness]

  In an interview to appear on FOX Business Network�� (FBN) Countdown to the Closing Bell (3PM/ET), Citigroup CEO Michael Corbat speaks with anchor Liz Claman about the company�� recovery. Corbat says, �� think when we look back, we've done a pretty monumental transformation of the company��and that ��e feel like we've got the right business model and the right mix of businesses.��Corbat also comments on cyber security saying, �� think the threat of cyber security is absolutely real��and that this is ��n area where we dedicate a lot of resources, people, hours, money, to making sure that we've got the best technology.��/p>

Top 10 Warren Buffett Companies To Own For 2014: Ecolab Inc (ECL)

Ecolab Inc. (Ecolab), incorporated in 1924, develops and markets products and services for the hospitality, foodservice, healthcare and industrial markets. The Company provides cleaning and sanitizing products and programs, as well as pest elimination, equipment maintenance and repair services primarily to customers in the foodservice, food and beverage processing, hospitality, healthcare, government and education, retail, textile care, commercial facilities management and vehicle wash sectors. The Company business segments include United States Cleaning & Sanitizing segment, United States Other Services segment, International segment, Water Services segment, Paper Services segment and Energy Services segment. In April 2013, it acquired Champion Technologies and its related company Corsicana Technologies. In August 2013, Ecolab Inc. sold all the capital equipment design and build business of its Mobotec air emissions control business to The Power Industrial Group.

In March 2011, the Company purchased the assets of O.R. Solutions, Inc. In December 2011, it merged with Nalco Holding Company. In December 2011, the Company acquired Esoform. In December 2011, the Company acquired the InsetCenter pest elimination business in Brazil. In March 2012, it acquired Econ Industria e Comercio de Produtos de Higiene e Limpeza Ltda. On December 1, 2012, the Company's Vehicle Care division was purchased by a wholly owned subsidiary of Zep Inc.

United States Cleaning & Sanitizing Segment

The United States Cleaning & Sanitizing segment consists of six business units, which provide cleaning and sanitizing products and programs to United States markets. The Institutional Division sells specialized cleaners and sanitizers for washing dishes, glassware, flatware, foodservice utensils and kitchen equipment (warewashing), for on-premise laundries (typically used by hotel and healthcare customers) and for general housekeeping functions, as well as food safety products and equipment, dish! washer racks and related kitchen sundries to the foodservice, lodging, educational and healthcare industries. The Institutional Division also provides pool and spa treatment programs for hospitality and other commercial customers, as well as a range of janitorial cleaning and floor care products and programs to customers in hospitality, health care and commercial facilities. The Institutional Division develops and markets various chemical dispensing device systems, which are made available to customers, to dispense its cleaners and sanitizers. In addition, the Institutional Division markets a lease program consisted of dishwashing machines, detergents, rinse additives and sanitizers, including full machine maintenance.

The Food & Beverage division addresses cleaning and sanitation at the beginning of the food chain to facilitate the processing of products for human consumption. The Division provides detergents, cleaners, sanitizers, lubricants and animal health products, as well as cleaning systems, electronic dispensers and chemical injectors for the application of chemical products, primarily to dairy plants, dairy farms, breweries, soft-drink bottling plants, and meat, poultry and other food processors. The Food & Beverage Division is also a developer and marketer of antimicrobial products used in direct contact with meat, poultry, seafood and produce during processing in order to reduce microbial contamination. The Food & Beverage Division also designs, engineers and installs clean-in-place (CIP) process control systems and facility cleaning systems for its customer base.

Ecolab�� Kay business unit supplies cleaning and sanitizing chemical products and related items primarily to regional, national and international quick service restaurant (QSR) chains and to regional and national food retailers (supermarkets and grocery stores). Its products include specialty and general purpose hard surface cleaners, degreasers, sanitizers, polishes, hand care products and assorted clea! ning tool! s and equipment, which are primarily sold under the Kay and Ecolab brand names. Kay supports its product sales with employee training programs and technical support designed to meet the needs of its customers.

Both Kay�� QSR business and its food retail business utilize a corporate account sales force, which establishes relationships and negotiates contracts with customers at the corporate headquarters and regional office levels and a field sales force, which provides program support at the individual restaurant or store level. Customers in the QSR market segment are primarily supplied through third-party distributors. The Healthcare Division provides infection prevention and other healthcare related offerings to acute care hospitals, surgery centers, dental offices and veterinary clinics. The Healthcare Division�� infection prevention products (hand hygiene, hard surface disinfectants, instrument cleaners, patient drapes, fluid control and equipment drapes) are sold primarily under the Ecolab and Microtek brand names to various departments within the acute care environment (Infection Control, Environmental Services, Central Sterile and Operating Room).

The Textile Care Division provides chemical laundry products and dispensing systems, as well as related programs, to large industrial and commercial laundries. The Textile Care Division�� customers include free-standing laundry plants used by institutions, such as hotels, restaurants and healthcare facilities, as well as industrial and textile rental laundries. Products and programs include laundry cleaning and specialty products, related dispensing equipment, plus water and energy management. The Vehicle Care Division provides vehicle appearance products, which include soaps, polishes, sealants, wheel and tire treatments and air fresheners. Products are sold to vehicle rental, fleet and consumer car wash and detail operations. Brand names utilized by the Vehicle Care Division include Blue Coral, Black Magic and Rain-X.

United States Other Services Segment

The United States Other Services segment consists of two business units: Pest Elimination and Equipment Care. The Pest Elimination Division provides services designed to detect, eliminate and prevent pests, such as rodents and insects, in restaurants, food and beverage processors, educational and healthcare facilities, hotels, quick service restaurant and grocery operations and other institutional and commercial customers. Equipment Care Division provides equipment repair and maintenance services for the commercial food service industry. Repair services are offered for in-warranty repair, acting as the manufacturer�� authorized service agent, as well as after warranty repair. In addition, Equipment Care operates as a parts distributor to repair service companies and end use customers.

International Segment

The Company conducts business in approximately 74 countries outside of the United States through wholly owned subsidiaries or, in the case of Venezuela, through joint ventures with local partners. In other countries, selected products are sold by the Company�� export operations to distributors, agents or licensees. Its International operations are located in Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America and Canada, with smaller operations in Africa and the Middle East.

Water Services and Paper Services Segments

The Water and Process Services business consist of two segments: Water Services, which focuses on customers across industrial and institutional markets, and Paper Services, serving the pulp and paper industries. It serve customers in the aerospace, chemical, pharmaceutical, mining and primary metals, power, food and beverage, medium and light manufacturing and pulp and papermaking industries as well as institutional clients such as hospitals, universities, commercial buildings and hotels. The Paper Services segment offers a portfolio of programs that are used in all principal steps of the papermak! ing proce! ss and across all grades of paper, including graphic grades, board and packaging, and tissue and towel.

It provides water treatment capabilities to a range of industries. The water treatment applications include cooling water applications, boiler water applications, raw water/potable water preparation, wastewater applications and water reuse and recycling. Its cooling water treatment programs are designed to control the main problems associated with cooling water systems, such as corrosion, scale and microbial fouling and contamination in open recirculating, once-through and closed systems. Its three dimensional (3D) TRASAR technology for cooling water is automated system for simultaneous control of corrosion, scale and microbial fouling and contamination. It also provides pulp and papermaking applications.

Energy Services Segment

The Energy Services Division provides on-site, technology-driven solutions to the global drilling, oil and gas production, refining, and petrochemical industries. In addition to recovery, production and process enhancements, it delivers a range of water treatment offerings to refineries and petrochemical plants. The Energy Services Division is divided into an Upstream group composed of its Adomite, Oil Field Chemicals and Enhanced Oil Recovery businesses and a Downstream refinery and petrochemical processing service business.

The Adomite group offers a range of product solutions. It supplies chemicals for the cementing, drilling, fracturing and acidizing phases of well drilling and stimulation. The Oilfield Chemicals business provides solutions to the oil and gas production sector. It focuses in crude oil and natural gas production, pipeline gathering/transmission systems, gas processing, and heavy oil and bitumen upgrading. TIORCO business globally markets custom-engineered chemical solutions. Its services include reservoir screening, target validation, laboratory and reservoir simulation work, secondary flood optimization! , tertiar! y recovery flood design and implementation and when needed, a produced water treatment solution. It provide total water management solutions to customers��refining and chemical processing needs, including boiler treatment, cooling water treatment and wastewater treatment.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Pamela Roux]

  One of the biggest gainers in Gates�� portfolio, which he controls through his Kirkland, Washington-based investment vehicle Cascade Investment LLC, is Ecolab Inc. (ECL) The St. Paul, Minnesota-based provider of sanitation and health services is up 22 percent this year, a performance that has added $423 million to the billionaire�� fortune.

• [By Michael J. Carr]

  Known for environmentally friendly products, Ecolab (NYSE: ECL) is a consumer goods company that serves a variety of markets. The company offers cleaners and sanitizers for washing dishes and kitchen equipment for the food service industry, and housekeeping supplies for the hospitality industry. It also provides products for the health care, industrial and energy markets.

Top 10 Warren Buffett Companies To Own For 2014: Timeless Software Ltd (TLW)

Timeless Software Limited is an investment holding company mainly engaged in the provision of computer consultancy and software maintenance services, software development and sales of computer hardware and software. It operates in four divisions: software development, hardware sales, software sales and e-commerce services. As of March 31, 2012, the Company�� subsidiaries included Three Principles Computer Service Company Limited, which is engaged in the provision of computer consultancy services, development and sales of computer software; Encore Trading Limited, which is engaged in the trading of computer software and hardware and provision of information technology consultancy services in Hong Kong; Timeless Northern Software (Beijing) Company Limited, which is engaged in design, development and maintenance of computer software and systems, as well as provision of computer consultancy services, and other subsidiaries. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Namitha Jagadeesh]

  IAG, the parent of British Airways, climbed 3 percent to 373.6 pence and Air France advanced 1.5 percent to 7.62 euros. BG Group Plc (BG/), the third-biggest oil and gas producer listed in the U.K., dropped 1.2 percent to 1,245 pence and Tullow Oil Plc (TLW) retreated 1.4 percent to 875 pence.