Author and investor William Thorndike recently wrote a book looking at eight CEOs who outdid the S&P 500. In this video, John Reeves looks at what distinguished these CEOs. One characteristic: decentralized operations. CEOs like Warren Buffett allow managers to do their jobs without micro-managing them. These top CEOs also are frugal and don't spend a lot on themselves. They also tend to be skeptical and avoid the limelight. Perhaps, most importantly, exceptional CEOs don't follow the crowd. They make their own decisions without influence from Wall Street.� Some companies that Thorndike recommends are Leucadia National� (NYSE: LUK ) and Markel Corporation (NYSE: MKL ) . Thorndike also likes Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN ) as a great example of a company doing its own thing and with a healthy disregard for Wall Street experts.
Thanks to the savvy of investing legend Warren Buffett, Berkshire Hathaway's book value per share has grown a mind-blowing 586,817% over the past 48 years. But with Buffett aging, and Berkshire rapidly evolving, is this insurance conglomerate still a buy today? In The Motley Fool's premium report on the company, Berkshire expert Joe Magyer provides investors with key reasons to buy, as well as important risks to watch out for. Click here now for instant access to Joe's take on Berkshire!
Best Warren Buffett Stocks To Own Right Now: Monarch Casino & Resort Inc (MCRI)
Monarch Casino & Resort, Inc. (Monarch), incorporated in 1993, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Golden Road Motor Inn, Inc. (Golden Road), owns and operates the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa(the Atlantis), a hotel/casino facility in Reno, Nevada. Monarch�� other wholly owned subsidiaries, High Desert Sunshine, Inc. (High Desert) and Golden North, Inc. (Golden North), each own separate parcels of land located adjacent to the Atlantis. The Company owns and operates the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa, which is located approximately three miles south of downtown in the area of Reno, Nevada. The Atlantis features approximately 61,000 square feet of casino space; a hotel with 824 guest rooms and suites; ten food outlets; an enclosed year-round pool with waterfall; an outdoor pool; a health spa; two retail outlets offering clothing and resort gift shop merchandise; a full service salon for men and women; an 8,000 square-foot family entertainment center; and approximately 52,000 square feet of banquet, convention and meeting room space. During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company acquired 1.5 acre parcel of developable land contiguous to the Riviera Black Hawk Casino.
In April 2012, it acquired Riviera Black Hawk, Inc.
The Atlantis Casino offers approximately 1,450 slot and video poker machines; approximately 39 table games, including blackjack, craps, roulette and others; a race and sports book; keno and a poker room. The Atlantis includes three contiguous high-rise hotel towers with 824 rooms and suites. The Atlantis includes three contiguous high-rise hotel towers with a total of 824 rooms and suites. The first of the three hotel towers contains 160 rooms and suites in 13 stories. The 19-story second hotel tower contains 278 rooms and suites. The third tower contains 386 rooms and suites in 28 stories.
The Atlantis hotel rooms feature designs and furnishings consistent with the Northern Nevada market, as well as nine-foot ceilings (most standard hotel rooms have eig! ht-foot ceilings), which create an open and spacious feel. The third hotel tower features a four-story waterfall with an adjacent year-round swimming pool in a climate controlled, five-story glass enclosure, which shares an outdoor third floor pool deck with a seasonal outdoor swimming pool and year round whirlpool. A full-service salon (the Salon at Atlantis) overlooks the third floor sundeck and outdoor seasonal swimming pool and offers salon-grade products and treatments for hair, nails, skincare and body services for both men and women. A health spa is located adjacent to the swimming areas, which offers treatments and amenities. The hotel rooms on the spa floor are designated as spa rooms and feature decor that is themed consistent with the spa. Certain spa treatments are also available in spa floor hotel rooms. The hotel also features glass elevators rising the full 19 and 28 stories, of the respective towers providing views of the Reno area and the Sierra Nevada mountain range.
The Atlantis has eight restaurants, two gourmet coffee bars and one snack bar. It includes 160-seat Atlantis Steakhouse gourmet restaurant; the 200-seat upscale Bistro Napa featuring a centrally located wine cellar; the Oyster Bar restaurant in the Sky Terrace offering fresh seafood, soups and bisques made to order; the Sushi Bar, also in the Sky Terrace, offering a variety of fresh raw and cooked sushi specialties, including all-you-can-eat lunch and dinner selections. The Oyster Bar and Sushi Bar can accommodate up to 139 guests; The 178-seat 24-hour Purple Parrot coffee shop; the 122-seat Cafe Alfresco restaurant serving a full menu, pizzas prepared in a wood-fired, brick oven and a variety of gelato deserts; the 170-seat Manhattan Deli restaurant specializing in piled-high sandwiches, soups, salads and desserts; two gourmet coffee bars, offering specialty coffee drinks, pastries and desserts made fresh daily in the Atlantis bakery; a snack bar and soda fountain serving ice cream and arcade-style refreshmen! ts.
The Sky Terrace is a structure with a diamond-shaped, blue glass body suspended approximately 55 feet, and spanning 160 feet across, South Virginia Street. The Sky Terrace connects the Atlantis with additional parking on its 16-acre site across South Virginia Street from the Atlantis. The structure rests at each end on two 100-foot tall Grecian columns with no intermediate support pillars. The interior of the Sky Terrace contains the Oyster Bar, the Sushi Bar, a video poker bar, banks of slot machines and a lounge area with oversized leather sofas and chairs.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Jeremy Bowman]
What: Shares of Monarch Casino & Resort (NASDAQ: MCRI ) were cooling off today, falling as much as 20% after the company's earnings report failed to impress.
- [By Vanina Egea] ong>Risks and Valuation
Although the Chinese government will maintain its gambling restrictions in the mainland over the next decade, Sand Corp�� market share and leverage in fixed costs will continue to riel in strong revenue growth from this region. Fiscal 2013 marked a 24.80% revenue increase ($13.8 billion) and operating margins continue to expand at the same pace. Despite the inherent risk of an economic slowdown in Asia or a recession in the U.S., which could put a halt to leisure spending, the company is well prepared to balance out any short-term losses. The casino operator�� EBITDA growth of 65.30%, for example, is an impressive result when compared to the industry�� average of 4.90%.
Looking forward, earnings per share are expected to continue their fast-paced upward trend, having jumped from $1.56 in 2011 to $2.79 at the end of fiscal 2013. The 21.6% return on equity, as well as 1.80% dividend yield should also be attractive to shareholders and future investors. Although Las Vegas Sand Corp is currently trading at a 24% price premium relative to the industry average of 22.60x trailing earnings, I feel very bullish about this firm�� long term profitability, given its strong market position in Asia.
Disclosure: Vanina Egea holds no position in any stocks mentioned.
Also check out: Andreas Halvorsen Undervalued Stocks Andreas Halvorsen Top Growth Companies Andreas Halvorsen High Yield stocks, and Stocks that Andreas Halvorsen keeps buying
About the author:Vanina EgeaA fundamental analyst at Lone Tree AnalyticsVisit Vanina Egea's Website
Best Warren Buffett Stocks To Own Right Now: Buffalo Wild Wings Inc.(BWLD)
Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc. engages in the ownership, operation, and franchise of restaurants in the United States. The company provides quick casual and casual dining services, as well as serves bottled beers, wines, and liquor. As of July 26, 2011, it had 773 Buffalo Wild Wings locations in 45 states in the United States, as well as in Canada. The company was founded in 1982 and is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Damian Illia]
Buffalo Wild Wings Inc. (BWLD) owns, operates and franchises a chain of more than 900 casual dining restaurants across the United States and Canada. Buffalo Wild Wings has a strong brand prospect and is considered one of the most popular casual dining restaurant chains ��with a dine and watch concept and 40 television sets per outlet. The company offers its chicken wings, hamburgers, sandwiches, salads and beers until 2am. Not only sports fan love Buffalo but also families which enjoy taking their children to restaurants where their children can watch TV and play videogames.
- [By Laura Brodbeck]
Tuesday
Earnings Expected: Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc. (NASDAQ: BWLD), Hillenbrand Inc (NYSE: HI), Sirius XM Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: SIRI) Economic Releases Expected: German retail sales, French consumer confidence, German unemployment rate, eurozone CPI, eurozone PPI, US trade balance, US redbookWednesday
- [By Steve Symington]
In its second-quarter earnings report Tuesday evening, Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc. (NASDAQ: BWLD ) confirmed what many investors had suspected for some time: The wings, beer, and sports-centric restaurant chain was arguably the biggest winner to come out of this year's FIFA World Cup.
- [By Steve Symington]
Meanwhile, its significantly larger beer-and-wings cousin,�Buffalo Wild Wings� (NASDAQ: BWLD ) , had just�managed to grow revenue 12% year over year -- a performance driven not only by new restaurant openings, but also by B-Wild's respective 5.2% and 3.1% same-store sales increases at company-owned and franchised restaurants. Of course, Buffalo Wild Wings shares also plunged the following day as a result of its cautious forward outlook, but the stock has since rebounded nicely as investors take solace knowing diners are still coming back in droves.
Top Dividend Stocks To Invest In 2015: Novartis AG (NVS)
Novartis AG, incorporated on February 29, 1996, provides healthcare solutions. The Company is a multinational group of companies specializing in the research, development, manufacturing and marketing of a range of healthcare products led by pharmaceuticals. Its portfolio includes medicines, eye care, cost-saving generic pharmaceuticals, preventive vaccines and diagnostic tools, over-the-counter and animal health products. The Company has five segments: Pharmaceuticals, which include patent-protected prescription medicines; Alcon, which include surgical, ophthalmic pharmaceutical and vision care products; Sandoz, which include generic pharmaceuticals; vaccines and diagnostics, which include human vaccines and blood-testing diagnostics, and consumer health, which include over-the-counter medicines (OTC) and Animal Health. On April 8, 2011, the Company acquired the remaining non-controlling interest in Alcon, Inc. In December 2013, Alliance Pharma plc announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Alliance Pharmaceuticals Limited, acquired all the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (ROI) rights to Lypsyl from Novartis AG.
In April 2011, Novartis sells global rights to Elidel, a medicine to treat atopic dermatitis to Meda. In March 2011, Novartis completes acquisition of majority stake in Zhejiang Tianyuan vaccines company in China. In March 2011, the Company acquired Genoptix, Inc. In October 2011, Novartis discontinues development of AGO178 for depressive disorder. In December 2011, the Company discontinues development of PRT128 for acute coronary syndrome and chronic coronary heart disease, and SMC021 for osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. In April 2011, Alcon's portfolio of generic ophthalmic medicines sold through its Falcon business unit primarily in the United States.
Pharmaceuticals Division
The Company�� Pharmaceuticals Division researches, develops, manufactures, distributes and sells patented prescription medicines in the therapeutic areas, such as Oncol! ogy; Primary Care, consisting of Primary Care medicines and Established Medicines, and Specialty Care, consisting of Ophthalmology, Neuroscience, Integrated Hospital Care, and Critical Care medicines. The Pharmaceuticals Division is organized into global business franchises responsible for the commercialization of various products, as well as Novartis Oncology, a business unit responsible for the global development and commercialization of oncology products, and Novartis Molecular Diagnostics, a business responsible for the development and commercialization of diagnostic tests and services related to its pharmaceuticals portfolio and therapeutic areas.
The Company�� Oncology products include Afinitor/Votubia, Exjade, Sandostatin SC/Sandostatin LAR , Femara , Zometa, Tasigna and Gleevec/Glivec. Gleevec/Glivec, which is a signal transduction inhibitor approved to treat patients with certain forms of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST). Tasigna is a signal transduction inhibitor of the tyrosine kinase activity of Bcr-Abl, KIT+ and the PDGF-receptor. Zometa is a treatment to reduce or delay skeletal-related events (SREs), including pathologic fracture, spinal cord compression, and/or requirement of radiation therapy or surgery to bone, in patients with bone metastases (cancer that has spread to the bones) from solid tumors and multiple myeloma. Femara is a once-daily oral aromatase inhibitor for the treatment of early stage or advanced breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Sandostatin SC/Sandostatin LAR is indicated for the treatment of patients with acromegaly, a chronic disease caused by over-secretion of pituitary growth hormone in adults. Sandostatin is also indicated for the treatment of patients with certain symptoms associated with carcinoid tumors and other types of gastrointestinal and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. Exjade is an oral iron chelator approved for the treatment of chronic iron overload due to blood transfusions in patients over ! two years! of age who have a range of underlying anemias. Patients with congenital and acquired chronic anemia, such as thalassemia, sickle cell disease and myelodysplastic syndromes, require transfusions, which puts them at risk of iron overload. Afinitor/Votubia is an oral inhibitor of the mTOR pathway.
The Company�� Primary Care products include Arcapta Neohaler/Onbrez Breezhaler, Diovan, Exforge, Tekturna/Rasilez, Galvus, Reclast/Aclasta, Voltaren/Cataflam, Ritalin, Ritalin LA, Focalin and Focalin XR. Its Specialty Care products include Lucentis, Gilenya, Exelon, Extavia and Comtan, and Stalevo. Its Integrated Hospital Care include Zortress/Certican, Ilaris, Neoral and Myfortic.The Company�� Critical Care products include Xolair and Tobi Podhaler. As of December 31, 2011, the products under development includes ACZ885, which is being investigated for the secondary prevention of cardiovascular events and for the treatment of Diabetes Mellitus; AEB071 (sotrastaurin) is a low molecular weight, selective inhibitor of protein kinase-C (PKC); AFQ056 (mavoglurant) is a metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) antagonist in Phase II development for the treatment of Parkinson's disease levodopa-induced dyskinesia; AIN457 (secukinumab) is a human monoclonal antibody neutralizing interleukin-17A, a key pro-inflammatory cytokine expressed by TH17 cells and other types of white blood cells; BAF312 is an oral, second-generation sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor modulator in Phase II development for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis; DEB025 (alisporivir) is a cyclophilin inhibitor for the treatment of Hepatitis C virus infection (HCV); Gileny a line treatment for relapsing forms of MS; Exjade (deferasirox) is an oral iron chelator in development for use in patients with non-transfusion-dependent thalassemia (NTDT); INC424 (ruxolitinib) is an investigational Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor, and Zortress/Certican (everolimus) is an mTOR inhibitor with immune/non-immune cell proliferation inhibition being d! eveloped ! for prevention of solid organ transplant rejection.
Alcon Division
The Company�� Alcon Division discovers, develops, manufactures, distributes and sells eye care products. Alcon is engaged in eye care with product offerings in Surgical, Ophthalmic Pharmaceuticals and Vision Care. In Surgical, Alcon develops, manufactures, distributes and sells ophthalmic surgical equipment, instruments, disposable products and intraocular lenses. In Pharmaceutical, Alcon discovers, develops, manufactures, distributes and sells medicines to treat chronic and acute diseases of the eye, as well as over-the-counter medicines for the eye. In Vision Care, Alcon develops, manufactures, distributes and sells contact lenses and lens care products.
Alcon's Surgical portfolio includes the Infiniti vision system for cataract procedures, the Constellation vision system for retinal operations, and the AcrySof family of intraocular lenses (IOLs), including the AcrySof IQ, AcrySof IQ ReSTOR, AcrySof IQ Toric and AcrySof IQ ReSTOR Toric IOLs. During the year ended December 31, 2011, its Alcon Division launched the LenSx femtosecond laser, a technology in cataract surgery, which increases the precision and reproductibility for corneal incisions, capsulorhexis and lens fragmentation steps of the procedure. In addition, Alcon provides advanced viscoelastics, surgical solutions, surgical packs and other disposable products for cataract and vitreoretinal surgery.
Alcon Division's Ophthalmic Pharmaceuticals business combines Alcon's range of pharmaceuticals with selected ophthalmic products (excluding Lucentis) previously marketed by the Novartis Pharmaceuticals Division. The products treat chronic and acute diseases of the eye including glaucoma and allergies, as well as anti-infective/anti-inflammatory and dry eye treatments. our Alcon Division's Ophthalmic Pharmaceuticals portfolio include Travatan Z solution and DuoTrav solution for the treatment of elevated intraocular pressure associ! ated with! glaucoma; Vigamox solution for bacterial conjunctivitis; Pataday solution for ocular itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis; and Nevanac suspension for eye inflammation following cataract surgery. Alcon launched a number of products during 2011, including Dailies Total 1 lenses, Opti-Free EverMoist Multi Purpose Disinfecting Solution, LenSx laser, AcrySof IQ ReSTOR Toric lens, AcrySof IQ Toric T6-T9 lens, Travatan BAK-free solution, DuoTrav BAK-free solution, Moxeza solution and Systane Balance eye drops.
Sandoz Division
The Company�� Sandoz Division is a global generic pharmaceuticals company that develops, manufactures, distributes and sells prescription medicines, as well as pharmaceutical and biotechnological active substances, which are not protected by valid and enforceable third-party patents. The Sandoz Division has activities in Retail Generics, Anti-Infectives, and Biopharmaceuticals and Oncology Injectables. In Retail Generics, Sandoz develops, manufactures and markets active ingredients and finished dosage forms of pharmaceuticals, as well as supplying active ingredients to third parties. In Anti-Infectives, Sandoz develops and manufactures active pharmaceutical ingredients and intermediates, mainly antibiotics, for internal use by retail generics and for sale to third-party customers. In Biopharmaceuticals, Sandoz develops, manufactures and markets protein- or other biotechnology-based products (biosimilars or follow-on biologics) and sells biotech manufacturing services to other companies.
In Oncology Injectables, Sandoz develops, manufactures and markets primarily cytotoxic products for the hospital market. During 2011, the Company launched generic docetaxel (Taxotere), higher-strength generic amlodipine-benazepril (Lotrel), generic meropenem (Merem) injection, and the formation of a women's health portfolio with generic Seasonale, Nordette, Yaz and Yasmin. The product launched in various European countries included generic docetaxel, ge! neric ana! strazole (Arimidex), and valsartan/covalsartan (an early entry generic version of Novartis Pharmaceuticals' Diovan/Co-Diovan).
Vaccines and Diagnostics Division
The Company�� Vaccines and Diagnostics Division researches, develops, manufactures, distributes and sells preventive vaccines and diagnostic tools. Novartis Vaccines is a global developer and manufacturer of human vaccines. Novartis Diagnostics is a blood testing and molecular diagnostics business dedicated to preventing the spread of infectious diseases through blood-screening tools that protect the world's blood supply. Novartis Vaccines' products include influenza, meningococcal, pediatric, adult and travel vaccines.
The Company�� influenza vaccines include Agrippal, Fluad, Fluvirin and Optaflu. Its Meningococcal Vaccines includes Menjugate and Menveo. Its travel vaccines include Encepur Children, Encepur Adults, Ixiaro and Rabipur/Rabavert. Its Pediatric Vaccines include Polioral and Quinvaxem.
Consumer Health
Consumer Health consists of two Divisions: OTC (over-the-counter medicines) and Animal Health. Each has its own research, development, manufacturing, distribution and selling capabilities. OTC offers readily available consumer medicine. Animal Health provides veterinary products for farm and companion animals.
OTC (over-the-counter medicines) offers products for the treatment and prevention of common medical conditions and ailments. OTC business focuses on a group of global brands in product categories that include treatments for cough/cold/respiratory (Triaminic, Otrivin, TheraFlu/NeoCitran), pain relief (Excedrin, Voltaren), digestive health (Benefiber, Prevacid24HR, Pantoloc Control), dermatology (Lamisil, Fenistil), and smoking cessation (Habitrol/Nicotinell).
Animal Health offers products and services focusing on both companion and farm animals (including cultivated fish). Key products for companion animals include Atopica (atopic dermatitis manageme! nt), Dera! maxx and Onsior (pain relief), Fortekor (heart failure in dogs, chronic renal insufficiency in cats), and Sentinel/Milbemax/Interceptor (intestinal parasite control and heartworm prevention), while farm animal products include the therapeutic anti-infective Denagard, an antimicrobial used to treat and control bacteria in swine, CLiK, an insect growth regulator used to control blowfly strike in sheep, cattle vaccines used to prevent respiratory and reproductive diseases in beef and dairy cattle, and Zolvix, a sheep drench representing the new sheep anthelmintic class. Aquaculture products include vaccines and treatments mainly used in salmon farming.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Brian Orelli]
Shares of the biotech have been on a bit of a roller coaster over the last year as investors went from having high hopes for Ariad Pharmaceutical's leukemia drug Iclusig to seeing the drug getting pulled from the market because the drug is linked to blood clots. After returning to the market, Ariad's shares have more than doubled off their lows, but are still well off of where they were when investors thought Iclusig could compete with Novartis' (NYSE: NVS ) Gleevec and Bristol-Myers Squibb's (NYSE: BMY ) Sprycel as first-line treatments.
- [By Rich Smith]
On Monday, the Department of Defense awarded 19 contracts, which added�up to just under $1.5 billion in total value. The largest award went to a private company to pay for "full line food distribution" in Okinawa. But even so, there were a few contracts worth noting, going to publicly traded companies:
Best Warren Buffett Stocks To Own Right Now: Market Vectors Brazil Small-Cap ETF (BRF)
Market Vectors Brazil Small-Cap ETF (the Fund) seeks to replicate as closely as possible the price and yield performance of the Market Vectors Brazil Small-Cap Index (the Index). The Index is a rules-based, modified market capitalization-weighted, float-adjusted index consisting of publicly traded small-capitalization companies that are domiciled and primarily listed on an exchange in Brazil, or that generate at least 50% of their revenues in Brazil. The Index is the exclusive property of 4asset-management GmbH, which has contracted with Standard & Poor��, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. to maintain and calculate the Index. The Fund is passively managed and may not hold each Index component in the same weighting as the Index. The Fund�� investment advisor is Van Eck Associates Corporation. Advisors' Opinion:- [By Hilary Kramer]
Brasil Foods SA (BRF) is South America�� largest food processing company, involved in everything from meat and dairy products to pasta, frozen vegetables and soybean-related products. The company has been around since 1939, and Forbes ranked it 39th on its list of the world�� most innovative companies. It brings in about $13 billion in sales each year, and analysts are estimating that earnings will grow from 94 cents per share in 2012 to $1.94 for all of 2013, with additional growth to $2.78 in 2014.
- [By Jon C. Ogg]
Market Vectors Brazil Small-Cap ETF (NYSEArca: BRF) has performed closely with the larger ETF group, with a drop of almost 4% so far in 2014. By its name, you can assume it tracks small-cap stocks. It aims to track the Market Vectors Brazil Small-Cap Index. At $28.51, its 52-week trading range is $27.99 to $44.17.
Best Warren Buffett Stocks To Own Right Now: Redcliffe Resources Ltd (RCF)
Redcliffe Resources Limited, formerly Pacrim Energy Limited, is engaged in gold exploration. The Company own 100% interest in Redcliffe Gold Project. The Redcliffe Gold Project lies northeast of the mining town of Leonora, which is 230 kilometer north of Kalgoorlie in Western Australia. The Project covers approximately 45 kilometers of strike length of the Mertondale Shear Zone (MSZ) along with parallel and associated structures. The Golden Terrace South (GTS) deposit lies within a granted mining lease in the southern portion of the Redcliffe Gold Project. The 727 Prospect is located less than five kilometer south east of Golden Terrace. The Kelly Prospect lies along the Mertondale Shear Zone some three to four kilometer north of Golden Terrace South. Advisors' Opinion:- [By Tom Stoukas]
Teleperformance SA (RCF) climbed 2.9 percent to 35.10 euros. Societe Generale SA raised its recommendation on the French operator of call centers to buy from hold. The brokerage said the shares��recent decline provides a buying opportunity. The stock has fallen 14 percent since its high on July 18.
