Top Financial Stocks To Watch Right Now

DryShips (NASDAQ: DRYS  ) reported fiscal third-quarter results Wednesday night that blew away estimates. But things weren't as good as they seemed, even as shares rose in after-hours trading.

Revenue�jumped 49%�to $602 million, and adjusted earnings per diluted share were�$0.07, compared with a loss in the year-ago period. Analysts were looking for just $533 million in revenue and adjusted EPS of $0.05.� So far, so good -- but in the shipping business, DryShips disappointed, and disappointed badly.

Don't let the operating profit fool you
I've explained it before, and I'll explain it again: DryShips owns a majority stake in Ocean Rig UDW (NASDAQ: ORIG  ) . As such, it reports both companies on its financial statements mixed together. CEO George Economou put it well back during the August conference call when he stated, "I would like to clarify for everyone, once again, that DryShips is a pure shipping company with predominantly spot charter market exposure in 2014 and beyond and a majority stake in Ocean Rig, which operates as the deepwater drillships."

Best Telecom Companies To Invest In Right Now: Retail Properties of America Inc (RPAI)

Retail Properties of America, Inc., formerly Inland Western Retail Real Estate Trust, Inc., incorporated on March 5, 2003, is a fully integrated, self administered and self-managed real estate company that owns and operates shopping centers. The Company is an owner and operator of shopping centers in the United States. As of December 31, 2011, its retail operating portfolio consisted of 259 properties with approximately 3.6 million square feet of gross leasable area (GLA), was diversified across 35 states and includes power centers, community centers, neighborhood centers and lifestyle centers, as well as single-user retail properties. The Company�� retail properties are located in retail districts. In August 2012, the Company sold a 1.04-million-square-foot Cost Plus Distribution Center in Stockton. In September 2012, it disposed 13 former Mervyns locations. In October 2012, it sold 18 non-core and non-strategic assets.

The Company�� shopping centers are anchored or shadow anchored by a grocer, discount department store, wholesale club or retailer that sells basic household goods or clothing. national and regional grocers, discount retailers and other retailers that provide household goods or clothing, including Target, TJX Companies, PetSmart, Best Buy, Bed Bath and Beyond, Home Depot, Kohl��, Wal-Mart, Publix and Lowe��. As of December 31, 2011, over 90% of its shopping centers, based on GLA, were anchored or shadow anchored by a grocer, discount department store, wholesale club or retailers that sell basic household goods or clothing. As of December 31, 2011, it had a retail tenant base that includes approximately 1,500.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Ant贸nio Costa]

  Retail Properties of America Inc (NYSE: RPAI) has been in an impressive rebound since the lows of August and the stock price action continues to become Bullish. However, RPAI has run into the downtrend line resistance again and this could lead to a brief period of sideways consolidation or price correction from current levels. On watch.

• [By Eric Volkman]

  Retail Properties of America (NYSE: RPAI  ) isn't keeping all of its rent money for itself. The company has declared a new set of quarterly dividend payments for its shareholders. Holders of all classes of the REIT's common stock will receive $0.165625 per share on July 10 if they're in possession of those shares as of June 28. The firm will also dispense $0.4375 per share of its 7.00% series A cumulative redeemable preferred stock on July 1 to shareholders of record as of June 20.

Top Financial Stocks To Watch Right Now: Universal American Corp (UAM)

Universal American Corp., incorporated on December 22, 2010, through its health insurance and managed care subsidiaries, primarily serves the growing Medicare population by providing Medicare Advantage products. It provides a variety of healthcare services, including case management and care coordination, clinical quality and utilization review and behavioral health services to Medicaid agencies and other third parties. The Company�� business segments include Senior Managed Care, which provides Medicare Advantage segment reflects its Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO and PFFS businesses, and Traditional Insurance segment reflects its insurance products not offered through government programs, which includes Medicare supplement, other senior health insurance, specialty health insurance and life insurance. The Company provides medical management services, information and analysis, and other support services to enable its health care partners to serve their patients better.

In addition , it seeks an opportunity to address the high cost of health care for the remaining 75% of the Medicare population enrolled in traditional fee-for-service Medicare and have joined primarily with primary-care and multi-specialty provider groups to form thirty-one Accountable Care Organizations, or ACOs, pursuant to the Medicare Shared Saving Program, or Shared Savings Program.

On March 2, 2012, the Company acquired APS Healthcare, Inc., known as APS Healthcare. APS Healthcare provides specialty healthcare solutions primarily to Medicaid agencies. APS Healthcare offers a broad range of healthcare solutions, including case management and care coordination, clinical quality and utilization review, and behavioral health services that enable its customers to improve the quality of care and reduce healthcare costs.

Senior Managed Care - Medicare Advantage

The Company�� Senior Managed CareMedicare Advantage segment reflects its Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO and PFFS bu! sinesses.. During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company operated Medicare coordinated care plans including PPOs and HMOs as well as its network-based private fee-for-service (PFFS) and rural PFFS business, which provides coverage to Medicare beneficiaries in 36 states. These businesses provide managed care for persons with Medicare under contracts with CMS. Its HMO plans are offered under contracts with CMS and provide all basic Medicare covered benefits with reduced member cost-sharing as well as additional supplemental benefits, including a defined prescription drug benefit. It operates HMO plans are offered under contracts with CMS and provide all basic Medicare covered benefits with reduced member cost-sharing as well as additional supplemental benefits, including a defined prescription drug benefit. It also has Medicare Advantage HMO operations in locations outside of Southeastern Texas including four counties in North Texas offering TexasFirst Health Plans through SelectCare Health Plans; nine counties in Oklahoma City offering Generations Healthcare through Today's Options of Oklahoma, Inc; and three counties in Indianapolis, Indiana offering Today's Options HMO through SelectCare Health Plans.

The Company�� PPO plans are provided under the name Today's Options PPO, which offered under contracts with CMS and provide all basic Medicare covered benefits with reduced member cost-sharing as well as additional supplemental benefits, including a defined prescription drug benefit. This coordinated care product is built around contracted networks of providers who, in cooperation with the health plan, coordinate an active medical management program. In 2012, the Company offered PPO plans to 41 markets in 120 counties in 17 states.

The Company�� PFFS plans are provided under the name Today's Options, which offered under contracts with CMS and provide enhanced health care benefits compared to traditional Medicare, subject to cost sharing and other limitations. These pl! ans have l! imited provider network restrictions, which allow the members to have more flexibility in the delivery of their health care services than other Medicare Advantage plans with limited provider network restrictions. Some of these products include a defined prescription drug benefit. In addition to a fixed monthly payment per member from CMS, individuals in these plans may be required to pay a monthly premium in selected counties or for selected enhanced products. In 2012, it offered PFFS products in a total of 36 states, which included PFFS products with network restrictions to 51 markets in 280 counties in 18 states and PFFS products without network restrictions to 1,052 counties in 32 states.

Traditional Insurance

The Company�� traditional insurance segment reflects the results of its Medicare supplement, other senior health insurance, specialty health insurance, and life insurance. It designed the products in this segment primarily for the senior market and market them through its career agency force and its network of independent general agencies. The Company discontinued marketing and selling traditional insurance products after June 1, 2012. This segment also includes other products that it stopped selling several years ago, such as long-term care, medical insurance and disability insurance, as well as previously produced or acquired term, universal life, and whole life insurance products and single and flexible premium fixed annuities.

The Company competes with United Healthcare, Humana, Wellpoint, Aetna and Cigna

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Brian Orelli]

  Health insurers such as Universal American (NYSE: UAM  ) and Humana (NYSE: HUM  ) that offer supplementary Medicare insurance could be hurt if seniors decided to drop the added coverage, but I doubt the increased premiums will put a major dent in seniors' budgets. Retirees making more than $85,000 per year will have to pay about $250 more per year than they do right now. Any losses will be more than be made up for by the�Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' decision this month to reverse its �previously announced cuts to reimbursement rates.

Top Financial Stocks To Watch Right Now: Commerce Bancshares Inc.(CBSH)

Commerce Bancshares, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for Commerce Bank, N.A. that provides various general banking services to individuals and businesses. It operates in three segments: Consumer, Commercial, and Wealth. The Consumer segment includes the retail branch network, consumer installment lending, personal mortgage banking, consumer debit and credit bank card activities, and student lending. The Commercial segment provides various corporate lending, merchant and commercial bank card products, leasing, and international services, as well as business and government deposit and cash management services. The Wealth segment offers traditional trust and estate tax planning services, brokerage services, and advisory and discretionary investment portfolio management services to personal and institutional corporate customers. This segment also manages a family of proprietary mutual funds, which are available for sale to trust and general retail customers. The comp any, through its other non-banking subsidiaries, involves in underwriting credit life and credit accident, and health insurance; selling property and casualty insurance; private equity investment; securities brokerage; mortgage banking; and leasing activities. It serves customers through a network of branches and ATM machines, online banking, and a central contact center from approximately 370 locations in Missouri, Kansas, Illinois, Oklahoma, and Colorado. Commerce Bancshares, Inc. was founded in 1966 and is headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By John Maxfield]

  Bank investors got their first glimpse of what first-quarter earnings might look like today when Commerce Bancshares (NASDAQ: CBSH  ) reported its results. Shares of the Kansas City-based bank are trading sharply lower after its earnings per share fell by 4.3% on a year-over-year basis.

• [By BLOGS.BARRONS.COM]

  Commerce Bancshares: Davidson likes the mid-sized bank because of its conservative business model. Commerce Bancshares�(CBSH) has been a�victim of the low interest rate environment according to Davidson. ��heir net interest margin has been under pressure and earnings have been a little light versus expectations.��The stock is down a little more than 2% this year. ��heir conservative asset mix is what led to the shortfall, that�� music to our ears.���/p>

Top Financial Stocks To Watch Right Now: Manning & Napier Inc (MN)

Manning & Napier, Inc., incorporated on June 22, 2011, is an independent investment management firm. The Company provides a range of investment solutions through separately managed accounts, mutual funds and collective investment trust funds. The Company offers equity and fixed income portfolios as well as a range of blended asset portfolios, such as life cycle funds, that use a mix of stocks and bonds. The Company focuses on building an internal organization of specialists to provide additional consultative services beyond investment management. Effective June 2014, Manning & Napier Inc acquired 2100 Xenon Group LLC.

The Company serves clients, including individuals and institutions, which include 401(k) plans, pension plans, Taft-Hartley plans, and endowments and foundations. The Company�� operations are based principally in the United States. The Company�� operating subsidiaries include Manning & Napier Advisors, LLC, Exeter Advisors, LLC, Manning & Napier Investor Services, Inc., Manning & Napier Alternative Opportunities, LLC and Exeter Trust Company.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Michael Hamlett Jr.]

  Manning and Napier Inc. (MN) is an investment management firm involved in providing financial solutions for individual and institutional clients. Since 1970, MN has been offering portfolios with different asset classes, such as equity and fixed income, to clients with various accounts including seperately managed accounts, 401(k) plans, pension plans, endowments, and even foundations. For these services, clients pay a fee, and this is the way MN generates revenue.

5 Best Gold Stocks To Invest In Right Now

In this video, David Williamson describes how Achillion Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: ACHN  ) may challenge Gilead's (NASDAQ: GILD  ) dominance in the Hepatitis C drug market. Achillion is concluding phase 2 clinical trials of its oral interferon medication, and so far, things are looking good. If successful in phase 3 trials, Achillion could directly challenge Gilead's interferon medication. For investors, the success of Achillion's drug is attractive, but the potential for Achillion to be a takeover target is even more enticing. The company has a market cap of around $575 million and could easily be bought out by the likes of Bristol-Myers Squibb.

Check out the video for more details.

In the pharma business, great success comes with a caveat. AbbVie is a perfect example, as investors in the new company are left wondering what the future holds once the company's golden goose, Humira, is cooked. The Fool's brand-new premium report on the company answers the high-profile questions that AbbVie investors are asking. Simply click here now to claim your copy today.

5 Best Gold Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Sibanye Gold Ltd (SBGL)

Sibanye Gold Limited (Sibanye Gold), formerly GFI Mining South Africa (Pty) Limited, incorporated on December 12, 2002, is a producer of gold in South Africa. Sibanye Gold is primarily engaged in underground and surface gold mining and related activities, including extraction, and processing. Sibanye Gold�� operations are located in South Africa. Its principal mining operations include Kloof-Driefontein Complex (KDC) and Beatrix. Exploration activities are focused on the extension of existing ore bodies and identification of new ore bodies at existing sites. As of January 10, 2013, Sibanye Gold mined only gold, with silver as a by-product.

KDC Operation

The KDC mine is located in the Gauteng Province of South Africa in the Far West Rand mining district, some 60 kilometers southwest of Johannesburg. KDC consists of the Driefontein and Kloof mines. As of January 10, 2013, KDC is consisted of 13 producing shaft systems that mine different contributions from pillars and open ground and five gold plants of which two process mainly underground ore and three process mainly surface material. Driefontein is situated some 70 kilometers west of Johannesburg. Kloof is situated in the Magisterial District of Westonaria, some 60 kilometers west of Johannesburg.

Beatrix Operation

The Beatrix operation is located in the Free State Province of South Africa, some 240 kilometers southwest of Johannesburg, near Welkom and Virginia, and consists of the Beatrix mine. Beatrix operates under mining rights covering a total area of approximately 16 800 hectares. As of January 10, 2013, Beatrix had four shaft systems, with five ventilation shafts to provide additional up-cast and down-cast ventilation capacity and is serviced by two metallurgical plants. It is a shallow to intermediate-depth mining operation, at depths between 700 meters and 2 200 meters below surface. The mine has a refrigeration and cooling infrastructure in both its North and West Sections. Beatrix is man! aged as three operational sections: the North Section (consists of Shaft No. 3), the South Section (consists of Shaft No. 2 and Shaft No. 1) and the West Section (consists of Shaft No. 4).

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Lisa Levin]

  Gold: This industry jumped 1.20% by 11:40 am. The top performer in this industry was Sibanye Gold (NYSE: SBGL), which rose 3.2%. Gold futures gained 0.44% to trade at $1,281.00 an ounce.

• [By Lisa Levin]

  Gold: This industry rose 0.65% by 10:25 am ET. The top performer in this industry was Sibanye Gold (NYSE: SBGL), which gained 4.9%. Gold futures fell 0.17% to trade at $1,216.70 an ounce.

5 Best Gold Stocks To Invest In Right Now: First Majestic Silver Corp.(AG)

First Majestic Silver Corp. engages in the production, development, exploration, and acquisition of mineral properties with a focus on silver in Mexico. The company owns interests in La Encantada Silver Mine comprising 4,076 hectares of mining rights and 1,343 hectares of surface land located in Coahuila; La Parrilla Silver Mine consisting of mining concessions covering an area of 69,867 hectares; and San Martin Silver Mine comprising approximately 7,841 hectares of mineral rights and approximately 1,300 hectares of surface land rights located in Jalisco. It also holds interests in Del Toro Silver Mine consisting of 393 contiguous hectares of mining claims and an additional 129 hectares of surface rights located in Zacatecas; Real de Catorce Silver Project comprising 22 mining concessions covering 6,327 hectares located in San Luis Potosi state; and Jalisco Group of Properties consisting of mining claims totalling 5,240 hectares located in Jalisco. The company was founded in 1979 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Monica Gerson]

  First Majestic Silver (NYSE: AG) is estimated to post its Q1 earnings at $0.10 per share on revenue of $63.35 million.

  Dr. Reddy's Laboratories (NYSE: RDY) is expected to report its Q4 earnings at $0.52 per share.

5 Best Airline Stocks To Invest In 2015: Thompson Creek Metals Company Inc.(TC)

Thompson Creek Metals Company Inc., through its subsidiaries, engages in mining, milling, processing, and marketing molybdenum products in the United States and Canada. The company?s principal properties include the Thompson Creek Mine and mill in Idaho; a metallurgical roasting facility in Langeloth, Pennsylvania; and a joint venture interest in the Endako Mine, mill, and roasting facility in British Columbia. It also holds interests in development projects comprising the Davidson molybdenum property and the Berg copper-molybdenum-silver property located in northern British Columbia; the Howard?s Pass property, a lead and zinc project situated in the Yukon territory-northwest territories border; and the Maze Lake property, a gold project located in the Kivalliq district of Nunavut. The company produces molybdenum products, primarily molybdic oxide and ferromolybdenum, as well as soluble technical oxide, pure molybdenum tri-oxide, and high purity molybdenum disulfide. As o f December 31, 2010, its consolidated recoverable proven and probable ore reserves totaled 462.2 million pounds of contained molybdenum in the Thompson Creek Mine and the Endako Mine. The company was formerly known as Blue Pearl Mining Ltd. and changed its name to Thompson Creek Metals Company Inc. in May 2007. Thompson Creek Metals Company Inc. is based in Denver, Colorado.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Garrett Cook]

  Monday morning, the basic materials sector proved to be a source of strength for the market. Leading the sector was strength from AK Steel Holding (NYSE: AKS) and Thompson Creek Metals Company (NYSE: TC).

• [By Selena Maranjian]

  Beaten-down companies that you think are likely to recover strongly are also good candidates. Molybdenum miner Thompson Creek Metals (NYSE: TC  ) , for example, sports average annual losses of 35% over the past five years, and carries substantial debt, but molybdenum's long-term outlook is promising, with price increases likely, and the company has a promising gold and copper mine on track to start producing by the end of the year. Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold (NYSE: FCX  ) is another major molybdenum player, with considerable operations in other metals, as well -- along with new investments in oil and gas production.

5 Best Gold Stocks To Invest In Right Now: NEW GOLD INC.(NGD)

New Gold Inc. engages in the acquisition, exploration, extraction, processing, and reclamation of mineral properties. The company primarily explore for gold, silver, and copper deposits. Its operating properties include the Mesquite gold mine in the United States; the Cerro San Pedro gold-silver mine in Mexico; and the Peak gold-copper mine in Australia. The company also has development projects, including the New Afton gold, silver, and copper project in Canada; and a 30% interest in the El Morro copper-gold project in Chile. The company was formerly known as DRC Resources Corporation and changed its name to New Gold Inc. in June 2005. New Gold Inc. was founded in 1980 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  One group of stocks not feeling the optimism today: Gold miners. With fewer concerns that a U.S. attack on Syria will be disruptive and more evidence that tapering will begin this month, the price of the precious metal has dropped 1.6% to $1,388.90 an ounce–and gold stocks are falling with it. New Gold (NGD), for one, has dropped 3% to $6.55, while Barrick Gold (ABX) has fallen 1.3% to $19.25.

• [By MONEYMORNING]

  New Gold Inc. (NSYEMKT: NGD) completed its takeover of Rainy River Resources back in October. New Gold got 4 million ounces in a good jurisdiction (Ontario) and paid less than book value.

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  January is nearing an end, and that means one thing: Gold miners will start announcing earnings. New Gold (NGD) will get things started on Feb 6, followed by Kinross Gold (KGC) on Feb. 12 and Goldcorp (GG) and Barrick Gold (ABX) on Feb. 13.

5 Best Gold Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Australian Dollar(AU)

AngloGold Ashanti Limited primarily engages in the exploration and production of gold. It also produces silver, uranium oxide, and sulfuric acid. The company conducts gold-mining operations in South Africa; continental Africa, including Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Namibia, and Tanzania; Australia; and the Americas, which include Argentina, Brazil, and the United States. It also has mining or exploration operations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Guinea, and Colombia. As of December 31, 2010, the company had proved and probable gold reserves of 71.2 million ounces. The company has a strategic alliance with Thani Dubai Mining Limited to explore, develop, and operate mines across the Middle East and parts of North Africa. AngloGold Ashanti Limited, formerly known as Vaal Reefs Exploration and Mining Company Limited, was founded in 1944 and is headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Dan Caplinger]

  But even bigger damage came from gold-mining stocks. AngloGold Ashanti (NYSE: AU  ) has lost almost 60% of its value in 2013, with the drop in gold prices having an outsized impact on the gold miner's prospects. AngloGold has also suffered from investors moving away from emerging markets like South Africa in favor of U.S. stocks, as fears of the Federal Reserve's exit from its quantitative easing program have reduced overall risk tolerance among many investors.

• [By Dan Caplinger]

  We've seen the flip side of that trend play out in recent years, as rock-bottom interest rates in the U.S. have encouraged investment in higher-yielding income investments in places like Australia, Brazil, and South Africa. Interest from foreign investors got to be so extensive in Brazil that the federal government imposed a tax on foreign investors in bonds in order to curb demand and slow the pace of the Brazilian real's appreciation. Exchange-rate issues also likely played a role in the health of the commodities markets, as mining giants BHP Billiton (NYSE: BHP  ) and Rio Tinto (NYSE: RIO  ) in Australia benefited from increased demand largely for base metals. Similarly, South African gold miners AngloGold Ashanti (NYSE: AU  ) and Gold Fields (NYSE: GFI  ) outperformed rivals from elsewhere in the world, benefiting from strength in the South African rand currency.

10 Best Warren Buffett Stocks To Watch Right Now

BALTIMORE (Stockpickr) -- The S&P 500 may be hovering around all-time highs this week, but that doesn't mean all of its constituent stocks are. In fact, as I write, one out of every three stocks in the big index is actually down since the start of 2014. For comparison's sake, a whopping 91% of the S&P was up year-to-date this time in 2013.

Read More: Warren Buffett's Top 10 Dividend Stocks

Put simply, picking the right stocks matters more this year. And avoiding the wrong ones might be even more important than that. That's why we're taking a closer look at five 'toxic' names to avoid in September.

Buying blue chips doesn't make you immune from owning toxic names. In fact, every single name on our list today is a mega-cap stock that's worth more than $100 billion in market value. So these aren't just names to avoid buying -- you might already own them today.

Just to be clear, the companies I'm talking about today aren't exactly junk. By that, I mean they're not next up in line at bankruptcy court. But that's frankly irrelevant; from a technical analysis standpoint, sellers are shoving around these toxic stocks right now. For that reason, fundamental investors need to decide how long they're willing to take the pain if they want to hold onto these firms in the weeks and months ahead. And for investors looking to buy one of these positions, it makes sense to wait for more favorable technical conditions (and a lower share price) before piling in.

Top 10 Logistics Stocks To Own For 2015: Dynegy Inc (DYN)

Dynegy Inc. (Dynegy), incorporated in 2007, is a holding company and conducts the business operations through its subsidiaries. Dynegy�� primary business is the production and sale of electric energy, capacity and ancillary services from the fleet of 16 operating power plants in six states totaling approximately 11,600 megawatts of generating capacity. The Company sells electric energy, capacity and ancillary services on a wholesale basis from its power generation facilities. Its customers include Regional Transmission Organization (RTOs) and Independent System Operators (ISOs), integrated utilities, municipalities, electric cooperatives, transmission and distribution utilities, industrial customers, power marketers, financial participants, such as banks and hedge funds, and other power generators. Dynegy operates in three segments: the Coal segment (Coal), the Gas Segment (Gas) and the Dynegy Northeast Segment (DNE). In September 2011, it acquired direct ownership of Dynegy Coal Holdco, LLC. In July 2012, the Company announced that it has filed a voluntary petition to reorganize under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York, Poughkeepsie Division. It emerged from bankruptcy, on October 1, 2012. In May 2013, the Company sold its Roseton power generation facility (Roseton) to a subsidiary of Castleton Commodities International LLC (CCI).

Coal segment

Dynegy�� Coal segment consists of four operating coal-fired power generation facilities and two operating natural gas-fired peaker facilities in Illinois with a total generating capacity of 3,132 megawatts. On November 17, 2011, it permanently retired the 176 megawatts Vermilion power generation facility. As of December 31, 2011, the facilities operated entirely within MISO. Its Coal segment is primarily a fleet of baseload coal facilities, located in Illinois. The MISO market includes all of Wisconsin and portions of Michigan, Kentucky, Indian! a, Illinois, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana and Manitoba, Canada. MISO is as an independent RTO.

Gas Segment

Dynegy�� Gas segment consists of seven operating natural gas-fired power generation facilities located in California (two), Nevada (one), Illinois (one), Pennsylvania (one), New York (one), and Maine (one), and one fuel-oil fired power generation facility located in California, totaling 6,771 megawatts of electric generating capacity. On November 7, 2011, it deconsolidated DH, which indirectly owns all of its assets in the Gas segment. The PJM market includes all or parts of Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. The Company�� Kendall and Ontelaunee facilities located in Illinois and Pennsylvania operate in PJM with an aggregate net generating capacity of 1,780 megawatts.

DNE Segment

Dynegy�� DNE segment consists of the Roseton and Danskammer facilities located in Newburgh, New York, with a total capacity of 1,693 megawatts. Its total of 1,570 megawatts of generation capacity relates to leased units at the two facilities. The Company�� Roseton and Danskammer facility sites are adjacent and share common resources, such as fuel handling, a docking terminal, personnel and certain associated systems.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Bram de Haas]

  Dynegy Inc (DYN) emerged from bankruptcy last year. The share price didn't really go anywhere. In the meantime 2013 free cash flow guidance is being revised upward to $190 million - $215 million and a deal to take over capacity from Ameren Corp (AEE) is likely to be finalized in the 4th quarter. On the basis of current cash flow, the company is fairly valued. If the Ameren facilities are added in, the cash flow of the combined facilities is greatly undervalued.

• [By Justin Loiseau]

  With a successful $900 million asset sale to Dynegy (NYSE: DYN  ) in March, Ameren has three leftover gas-fired energy centers it still needs to offload.

• [By Justin Loiseau]

  Beyond the numbers
  Duke Energy Corp is undergoing a major renovation. After an initial "intent-to-sell" press release in February, Duke officially announced in August that it would sell its merchant generation business to Dynegy (NYSE: DYN  ) for $2.8 billion. CEO Good made clear that Duke didn't see a place for the "volatile low returns" it's recently experienced.�

• [By Justin Loiseau]

  Regulatory resilience
  Ameren (NYSE: AEE  ) and Dynegy (NYSE: DYN  ) aren't letting regulatory snafus get in the way of their plans. The two companies published a statement this week assuring investors that despite the Illinois Pollution Control Board's denial of a variance relief transfer, Dynegy still plans to acquire Ameren Energy Resources.

10 Best Warren Buffett Stocks To Watch Right Now: Zep Inc.(ZEP)

Zep Inc. produces and markets cleaning and maintenance chemicals, and related products and services for commercial, industrial, institutional and consumer applications. Its products include anti-bacterial and industrial hand care products, cleaners, degreasers, deodorizers, disinfectants, floor finishes, sanitizers, pest- and weed-control products, air-care products and delivery systems, and various automotive maintenance chemicals. The company markets its products and services under various brands, such as Zep, Selig, ArmorAll, Niagara, Enforcer, Zep Commercial, RedMax Pro, Rubbermaid Commercial, Original Bike Spirits, Country Vet, Zep Professional, Microbemax, Misty, TimeMist, i-Chem, TimeWick, and Next Dimension brands, as well as private label and original equipment manufacturer private brands. It serves customers in industrial maintenance, janitorial/sanitation, and automotive markets; transportation, food processing, industrial manufacturing, and food service industr ies; and contractors, small business owners, and homeowners in the United States, Canada, and Europe. The company was founded in 1937 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Brian Pacampara]

  What: Shares of chemical maker Zep (NYSE: ZEP  ) plunged 17% today after its quarterly results missed Wall Street expectations.

  So what: The stock has rallied nicely in 2013 on steadily improving fundamentals, but a wide third-quarter miss -- EPS of $0.28 on revenue of $186 million versus the consensus of $0.42 and $197 million -- is forcing analysts to recalibrate their growth estimates. While management said that its diversification and expansion initiatives are right on track, weak demand and higher costs are weighing heavily on profitability.

10 Best Warren Buffett Stocks To Watch Right Now: Piedmont Natural Gas Company Inc.(PNY)

Piedmont Natural Gas Company, Inc., an energy services company, engages in the distribution of natural gas to residential, commercial, industrial, and power generation customers in portions of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. It also operates energy-related businesses, including unregulated retail natural gas marketing, regulated interstate natural gas storage, and intrastate natural gas transportation. The company serves approximately 1 million customers, including 51,800 customers served by municipalities. Piedmont Natural Gas Company, Inc. was founded in 1949 and is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Marc Bastow]

  Natural gas and energy services provider Piedmont Natural Gas (PNY) raised its quarterly dividend 3.2% to 32 cents per share, payable April 15 to shareholders of record as of March 25. At more than a 3.75% yield, PNY is the highest yielder on this week’s list of dividend stocks.
  PNY Dividend Yield: 3.76%

• [By Steven Russolillo]

  WATCH FOR:�May ADP Jobs Survey (8:15 a.m. Eastern Time): seen +210K; previously +220K. April US Trade Deficit (8:30): seen $40.9B; previously $40.4B. First Quarter Productivity (8:30, second read): seen -3.1%; previously -1.7%. First Quarter Unit Labor Costs (8:30, second read): seen +5.5%: previously +4.2%. May ISM Non-Manufacturing PMI (10:00): seen 55.2; previously 55.2. Analogic(ALOG), Ciena(CIEN), Cooper, Diamond Foods(DMND), J.M. Smucker(SJM), Joy Global(JOY), Piedmont Natural Gas(PNY), UTi Worldwide, Vail Resorts, Vera Bradley(VRA) and VeriFone(PAY) are among companies scheduled to report quarterly results.

• [By David Dittman]

  Question: What about Piedmont Natural Gas Co Inc (NYSE: PNY)?

  Answer: Piedmont Natural Gas posted great fiscal 2014 first-quarter numbers, including a 6.8 percent improvement in earnings per share and a 3.2 percent dividend increase. The dividend increase earned it a buy-under target increase to 35.

10 Best Warren Buffett Stocks To Watch Right Now: Cyberonics Inc (CYBX)

Cyberonics, Inc. (Cyberonics), incorporated in 1987, is a medical device company. The Company is engaged in the design, development, sales and marketing of implantable medical devices that provide a neuromodulation therapy, vagus nerve stimulation therapy (VNS Therapy), for the treatment of refractory epilepsy and treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and other device solutions for the management of epilepsy.VNS Therapy System includes an implantable pulse generator to provide stimulation to the vagus nerve; a lead that connects the generator to the vagus nerve; equipment to assist with implantation surgery; equipment to assist with setting the stimulation parameters for each patient; instruction manuals, and magnets to suspend or induce stimulation manually. The VNS Therapy pulse generator and lead are surgically implanted into patients generally during an outpatient procedure. The VNS Therapy System consists of a pulse generator, a bipolar lead, a programming wand and software and a tunneling tool.

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the Company's VNS Therapy System in July 1997 for use as an adjunctive therapy in epilepsy patients over 12 years of age for reducing the frequency of partial onset seizures that are refractory or resistant to antiepileptic drugs. Regulatory bodies in Canada, the European Economic Area, certain countries in Eastern Europe, Russia, South America, Africa, Australia and certain countries in Asia, including Japan, China and Taiwan, have approved the VNS Therapy System for the treatment of epilepsy, many without age restrictions or seizure-type limitations. In July 2005, the FDA approved the Company's VNS Therapy System for the adjunctive long-term treatment of chronic or recurrent depression for patients 18 years of age or older who are experiencing a depressive episode and have not had an adequate response to four or more adequate anti-depressant treatments. Regulatory bodies in the European Economic Area, Canada and Israel have approv! ed the Company's VNS Therapy System for the treatment of chronic or recurrent depression in patients who are in a treatment-resistant or treatment-intolerant depressive episode without age restrictions.

In February 2011, the Company announced FDA approval of its fifth generation generator, the AspireHC generator. In August 2011, the Company announced that the Company discovered a hardware-related design issue with the AspireHC Model 105 and AspireSR (Seizure Response) Model 106 generators. In December 2011, the FDA approved the Company's re-designed AspireHC generator, and the Company resumed its limited commercial release of the generator in the United States.

Pulse Generator

The pulse generator is an implantable, programmable signal generator designed to be coupled with the bipolar lead to deliver mild electrical pulses to the vagus nerve. The pulse generator is a battery-powered device. Before or upon depletion of the battery, the pulse generator may be removed and a new generator implanted in a short, outpatient procedure. The Model 102 (Pulse), Model 102R (Pulse Duo ), Model 103 (Demipulse), Model 104 (Demipulse Duo) and Model 105 (AspireHC), are the VNS Therapy pulse generators the Company offers and are similar in design and manufactures to a cardiac pacemaker.

Bipolar Lead

The bipolar lead conducts the electrical signal from the pulse generator to the vagus nerve. The lead incorporates electrodes, which are self-sizing, minimizing mechanical trauma to the nerve. The lead's two electrodes and anchor tether wrap around the vagus nerve, and the connector end is tunneled subcutaneously to the upper chest area, where it attaches to the pulse generator. The Company offers three lead models in the United States. The leads are available in two inner spiral diameter sizes to ensure optimal electrode placement on different-sized nerves.

Programming Wand and Software

The Company's programming wand and software are us! ed to int! errogate the implanted pulse generator and to transmit programming information from a handheld computer to the pulse generator via an inductive coupling. Programming capabilities include modification of the pulse generator's programmable parameters (pulse width, amplitude and frequency and stimulation ON and OFF intervals) and storage and retrieval of telemetry data.

Tunneling Tool

The tunneling tool is a single use, sterile, disposable surgical tool designed to be used during surgical placement of the bipolar lead. The tool is used for subcutaneous tunneling of the lead between the nerve site in the neck and the pulse generator site in the upper chest area.

Accessory Pack

The accessory pack includes two resistor assemblies used to test the function of the device prior to implantation, the bipolar lead tie-downs and one hex screwdriver. The patient kit includes two magnets, one watch-style and one pager-style.

The Company competes with Medtronic, Inc., NeuroSigma Inc. and CerboMed GmbH.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Benjamin Shepherd]

  The rise of public health services, improvements in sanitation and access to clean drinking water have led to a huge improvement in human life expectancy, which has jumped from only about 30 years five centuries ago to more than 75 years in most industrialized countries today.
  
  Advances in medical science have also played a major role, such as the development of antibiotics to treat once deadly infections, surgical interventions to correct once fatal injuries and medications to treat chronic conditions.
  
  We have yet to reach the limit of human ingenuity and today the trend is towards harnessing technology to break the reliance on long-term medication usage to treat chronic conditions. One area where huge strides are being made in that direction is the treatment of epilepsy.
  
  Epilepsy is the fourth most common neurological disease in the world, affecting more than 9 million people in developed countries alone, and epileptics have a mortality rate more than 25 times higher than the general population. The costs associated with dealing with the disease run in excess of $13.5 billion in the US alone.
  
  The disease is typically treated using a drug regime that includes several pills a day, including anti-convulsants and sedatives which can have unpleasant side effects. Drug therapy is typically successful in controlling seizures in about 70 percent of patients, but about a third of those who don�� respond to medication find themselves undergoing surgery to essentially remove the area of the brain triggering the seizures.
  
  Cyberonics (NSDQ: CYBX) is making headway into an alternative treatment for the disease, called vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) therapy, which can reduce the number or even eliminate the need for the drugs epileptics depend upon and requires only minor surgery.
  
  During an outpatient procedure conducted under general anesthesia, two small incisions are made, one in the upper chest area and the other in the neck. At t

• [By Roberto Pedone]

  Another potential earnings short-squeeze candidate is implantable medical devices player Cyberonics (CYBX), which is set to release numbers on Thursday after the market close. Wall Street analysts, on average, expect Cyberonics to report revenue of $74.05 million on earnings of 55 cents per share.

  Read More: 5 Breakout Stocks Under $10 Set to Soar

  The current short interest as a percentage of the float for Cyberonics is rather high at 11.6%. That means that out of the 21.65 million shares in the tradable float, 2.52 million shares are sold short by the bears. The bears have also been increasing their bets from the last reporting period by 4%, or by about 97,000 shares. If the bears get caught pressing their bets into a strong quarter, then shares of CYBX could easily rip sharply higher post-earnings as the shorts rush to cover some of their trades.

  From a technical perspective, CYBX is currently trending above its 50-day moving average and just below its 200-day moving average, which is neutral trendwise. This stock recently formed a double bottom chart pattern at $55.75 to $56.56 a share. Following that bottom, shares of CYBX have started to trend back above its 50-day moving average of $59.83 a share and it's quickly moving within range of triggering a near-term breakout trade above some key overhead resistance levels.

  If you're bullish on CYBX, then I would wait until after its report and look for long-biased trades if this stock manages to break out above some near-term overhead resistance levels at $63.65 to $64.08 a share with high volume. Look for volume on that move that hits near or above its three-month average action of 228,522 shares. If that breakout materializes post-earnings, then CYBX will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at $67.12 to $69.18 a share, or even $72 to its 52-week high at $73.52 a share.

  I would avoid CYBX or look for short-biased trades if after earnin

• [By James E. Brumley]

  Investors who were hoping things would work out for epilepsy treatment company Cyberonics, Inc. (NASDAQ:CYBX) can cross CYBX off their list of epilepsy-oriented stocks to buy, as they did with Acorda Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:ACOR) about a month ago. ACOR saw its epilepsy drug Plumiaz rejected by the FDA in early May, while CYBX announced this morning that the coming fiscal year's (beginning in April) revenue would be weaker than first expected as sales of its epileptic control implant device didn't look quite as promising as hoped.

10 Best Warren Buffett Stocks To Watch Right Now: California Republic Bancorp (CRPB)

California Republic Bank (the Bank) provides an integrated banking solution to its customers. The Company provides a range of products and services, such as deposit and cash management, loans and private banking. The deposit and cash management include real time, online Internet banking, business analyzed checking, IOLTA accounts, NOW Accounts, nationwide network of cash vault centers, remote Deposit capture, fully automated domestic and international wire transfers, lockbox processing services, free worldwide automated teller machines (ATM) and debit cards, credit cards and purchase card services, customized merchant banking services, fraud prevention products including positive-pay, secure online applications, including token device with internal control access, and contractor Retention Escrow Accounts.

The loan services include unsecured lines of credit, secured revolving lines of credit, working capital loans, equipment financing, asset based credit lines, commercial owner occupied real estate loans, investor real estate loans and construction loans. Its private banking includes full array of private banking loans and lines of credit, Bill pay services, and stock secured credit lines and loans.

The Bank provides banking services to commercial entities, their owners, high net-worth individuals and active investors. It provides commercial banking, lending services, deposit services, contractor retention escrow accounts, cash management, remote deposit capture, private banking, online banking and auto finance.

The commercial banking includes online banking services, cash management products and services, remote deposit capture, contractor retention escrow accounts, domestic and international wire transfers, checking accounts, NOW accounts, money market accounts (MMA), savings accounts, certificates of deposit (CDs), corporate credit card, analyzed accounts and IOLTA accounts. The Bank offer lines of credit to provide working capital for day-to-day operations, term loan! s for equipment, and commercial real estate loans for facilities and for investment portfolio.

The cash management includes Account Analysis, Master Agreement Accounts, Account Reconciliation, Remote Deposit Capture (RDC), Online Cash Management, Automated Clearing House (ACH) Services, Bill Pay, Lockbox Services, Positive Pay, Zero Balancing Accounts, Merchant Card, Reverse Wires, Statements on CD Rom, Corporate Credit Card, Courier Service and Bank by Mail.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By CRWE]

  Today, CRPB remains (0.00%) +0.000 at $19.00 thus far (ref. google finance Delayed:�� 11:35AM EDT July 29, 2013).

  California Republic Bancorp previously reported its results for the second-quarter 2013, reporting quarterly net income of $2.8 million, record net interest margin of 6.41%, record assets of $737.1 million and record deposits of $669.7 million.

  CEO Jon Wilcox stated, ��n the second-quarter we not only experienced strong deposit and loan growth, but also continued to invest in our people and infrastructure both in California as well as nationally, while increasing our bottom line and maintaining solid credit quality.��/p>

10 Best Warren Buffett Stocks To Watch Right Now: iGATE Corporation(IGTE)

iGATE Corporation provides outsourced information technology (IT) and IT-enabled operations solutions and services worldwide. The company offers various services that include development and maintenance of software application; implementation and support of enterprise applications; package evaluation and implementation; re-engineering; data warehousing; business intelligence; analytics; data management and integration; software testing; IT infrastructure management; business and technology consulting; and enterprise software and systems integration, as well as quality assurance services and product engineering services. It also provides business process outsourcing, transaction processing, and customer interaction services. The company serves various industries, including insurance and healthcare, manufacturing, retail and logistics, banking and financial services, communications and utilities, media and entertainment, life sciences, and product engineering. It has India, Canada, the United States, Europe, Mexico, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, Australia, the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, Turkey, South Korea, China, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. iGATE Corporation was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in Fremont, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Monica Gerson]

  Wall Street expects iGATE (NASDAQ: IGTE) to report its Q3 earnings at $0.43 per share on revenue of $289.38 million. iGATE shares gained 3.12% to $28.45 in after-hours trading.

• [By Monica Gerson]

  iGATE (NASDAQ: IGTE) is estimated to report its Q3 earnings at $0.43 per share on revenue of $289.38 million.

  Safeway (NYSE: SWY) is expected to report its Q3 earnings at $0.16 per share on revenue of $8.52 billion.

• [By Seth Jayson]

  iGATE (Nasdaq: IGTE  ) is expected to report Q2 earnings around July 11. 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 iGATE's revenues will grow 4.1% and EPS will grow 21.4%.

10 Best Warren Buffett Stocks To Watch Right Now: SK TELECOM ADR EACH REP 1/9 KRW500(CIT)

SK Telecom Co., Ltd. provides wireless telecommunications services using code division multiple access (CDMA) and wide-band CDMA technologies. It offers cellular voice services, such as wireless voice transmission services; and wireless global roaming services. The company also provides wireless data transmission services, such as wireless Internet access services, which allow subscribers to access online digital contents and services, as well as to send and receive text and multimedia messages. In addition, it offers broadband Internet and fixed-line telephone services, such as video-on-demand and IP TV services; and local, domestic, and international long-distance fixed-line telephone services to residential and commercial subscribers. Further, the company provides wireless entertainment-related contents and services, wireless finance-related contents and m-commerce services, and wireless news and search services; and international calling services, such as direct-dial, pre and post paid card calling services, bundled services for corporate customers, voice services using Internet protocol, Web-to-phone services, and data services. Additionally, it offers satellite digital media broadcasting services; telematics services; and fixed-line and online community portal services. The company also operates 11th Street, an online shopping mall; and T Store, an online open marketplace for mobile applications. As of March 31, 2011, SK Telecom Co. had 26 million wireless subscribers. It has strategic alliances with Bridge Alliance; Orange SA; Telecom Italia Mobile S.p.A.; T-Mobile International AG & Co; and Teliasonera Mobile Networks AB. The company was formerly known as Korea Mobile Telecommunications Co., Ltd. and changed its name to SK Telecom Co., Ltd. in March 1997. SK Telecom Co., Ltd. was founded in 1984 and is based in Seoul, South Korea.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Jonas Elmerraji]

   

  CIT Group (CIT) has been stuck in a trading range since the start of July, churning sideways at the same time that the S&P was broadly pushing higher. But with shares testing a key resistance level this week, CIT could be about to make a big directional move again.

  The sideways churn in CIT is caused by a rectangle pattern, a consolidation setup that's formed by a horizontal resistance level above shares at $51 and horizontal support at $47. The rectangle gets its name because it basically "boxes in" shares of a stock -- the break outside of the box is the trade to take. So, if LKQ pushes above $51, then it's time to buy. Upside looks like the more likely outcome from here; since CIT's price action leading up to the rectangle in early 2013 was bullish, it's more likely to break out from the setup to the upside.

  Kraft is committing a cardinal sin when it comes to relative strength. With a market that's correcting in December, relative strength is the single most important technical indicator to use with price -- and KRFT's RS line turned bullish months ago with no signs of strength.

  This food stock is lagging the market big time, and not just because of a shape on a chart.

  Whenever you're looking at any technical price pattern, it's critical to think in terms of buyers and sellers. Triangles and the other setups we've looked at are a good quick way to explain what's going on in a stock, but they're not the reason it's tradable. Instead, it all comes down to supply and demand for shares.

  That support level at $52 is a price where there had been an excess of demand of shares; in other words, it's a place where buyers were more eager to step in and buy shares at a lower price than sellers were to sell. That's what makes a breakdown below $52 so significant -- the move would indicate that sellers are finally strong enough to absorb all of the excess demand above that price level. Wait for that trigge

• [By Jon C. Ogg]

  CIT Group Inc. (NYSE: CIT) was raised to Buy from Neutral and the price target was raised to $58 from $52 (versus a $48.47 close) at Janney Capital.

• [By Dan Caplinger]

  Getty Images Interest rates in the bond market have risen dramatically this year, which has left borrowers shopping for mortgages or car loans facing higher financing costs. But here's the paradox: Even though rising rates have made it more costly to borrow, savers haven't seen much improvement on the interest rates they're getting on savings account balances and bank certificates of deposit. Rates on Savings Have Barely Budged In the money-market account category, savers have actually seen the rates they get paid fall, despite the run-up in bond-market rates. Average rates have fallen from around 0.50 percent this time last year to 0.40 percent currently, according to Bankrate. Looking at the average isn't always the best indication of the rates available, as it includes offerings from stingier banks that you'd want to avoid in any event. But even among banks paying the best rates on money-market accounts, it's hard to find any bank offering more than 1 percent. General Electric's (GE) GE Capital Bank and CIT's (CIT) CIT Bank both weigh in at 0.90 percent, while Ally Bank and American Express (AXP) Bank currently pay 0.85 percent. CD Rates: Better But Still Bad On the CD front, savers are faring a little bit better. After having fallen as low as 0.5 percent earlier this year, rates on one-year CDs have bounced back to about 0.7 percent. That's still below where they were in late 2012, though, and top rates from GE and other banks only fetch about 1.05 percent. Even if you're willing to lock up your money for a longer period of time -- five years -- banks are still pretty tight-fisted, with rates averaging 1.35 percent. That's up only slightly from mid-year lows around 1.15 percent. Although a few outliers will top the 2-percent mark, five years is still a long time to lock in rock-bottom savings rates -- especially when five-year CDs paid well over double that rate before the financial crisis. What's Behind the Skimpy Rates? Savers aren't benefiting fro

• [By George Acs]

  It ended with The New York Post, a one time legitimate newspaper suggesting that J.C. Penney (JCP) had lost the support of CIT (CIT), the largest commercial lender in the apparel industry, which is lead by the charisma challenged past CEO of The NYSE (NYX) and Merrill Lynch, who reportedly knows credit risk as much as he knows outrageously expensive waiting room and office furniture.

Hot International Companies To Own In Right Now

Specialty coatings manufacturer RPM International� (NYSE: RPM  ) announced today its second-quarter dividend of $0.225 per share, the same rate it's paid for the past three quarters after raising the payout almost 5% from $0.215 per share.

The board of directors said the quarterly dividend is payable on July 31 to the holders of record at the close of business on July 12. The increase made last October puts the speciality coatings maker in a rarified group of companies. It marked the 39th consecutive annual dividend increase RPM has made, which it says something less than 0.5% of all 19,000 publicly traded U.S. companies have achieved. Only 47 other companies besides RPM have consecutively paid an increasing annual dividend for this long or longer, it says.

The regular dividend payment equates to a $0.90-per-share annual dividend, yielding 2.8% based on the closing price of RPM international's stock on July 1.

Top 5 Gas Utility Companies For 2015: Mid-America Apartment Communities Inc (MAA)

Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc., incorporated on September 22, 1993, is a self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust (REIT). The Company focuses on acquiring, owning and operating apartment communities in the Sunbelt region of the United States. The Company�� segments include Large market same store communities , Secondary market same store communities and Non same store communities and other . As of December 31, 2012 , the Company owned 100% of 160 properties representing 47,809 apartment units. Four properties include retail components with approximately 108,000 square feet of gross leasable area.

As of December 31, 2012 , the Company also had 33.33% ownership interests in Mid-America Multifamily Fund I, LLC, or Fund I, and Mid-America Multifamily Fund II, LLC, or Fund II, which owned two properties containing 626 apartment units and four properties containing 1,156 apartment units, respectively. These apartment communities were located across 13 states. In October 2013, Mid-America Apartment Communities Inc merged with Colonial Properties Trust. In October 2013, Mid America Apartment Communities Inc and Colonial Properties Trust announced the completion of the merger of the two companies.

The Company�� Large market same store communities are generally communities in markets with a population of at least one million and at least 1% of the total public multifamily REIT units that the Company has owned and that has been stabilized for at least a full 12 months and have not been classified as held for sale. Communities are considered stabilized after achieving and maintaining at least 90% occupancy for 90 days. Secondary market same store communities are generally communities in markets with populations of more than one million but less than 1% of the total public multifamily REIT units or markets with populations of less than one million that the Company has owned and that has been stabilized for at least a full 12 months and have not been cl! assified as held for sale. Communities are considered stabilized after achieving and maintaining at least 90% occupancy for 90 days. Non same store communities and other includes recent acquisitions, communities in development or lease-up and communities that have been classified as held for sale. Also included in non same store communities are non multifamily activities which represent less than 1% of the Company's portfolio.

The Company's business is conducted principally through Mid-America Apartments, L.P., which the Company refers to as its Operating Partnership. As of December 31, 2012 , the Company owned or had an ownership interest in 166 multifamily apartment communities in 13 different states. The Company also provides its own in-house leadership development program, which consists of a three-module program followed by two comprehensive case studies, which was developed with the assistance of U.S. Learning, Inc. During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company purchased 10.6 acres of land and began construction on a new 270-unit community located in the Charleston, South Carolina metropolitan area. As of December 31, 2012 , no units have been delivered for the land in Charleston, South Carolina. During 2012, the Company also purchased 2.0 acres of land and began construction on a new 294-unit community located in Jacksonville, Florida.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Rich Duprey]

  Apartment-only real estate investment trust�Mid-America Apartment Communities� (NYSE: MAA  ) once again is snapping up properties, this time announcing Monday that it is adding�multifamily housing operator Colonial Properties Trust (NYSE: CLP  ) to its portfolio in an $8.6 billion transaction.�

• [By Sean Williams]

  Living in a renter's paradise
  The last quarter has been rough on housing and office space real estate investment trusts, with 30-year mortgage rates spiking from less than 3.5% to as high as 4.75% recently. Low lending rates were one of the keys fueling the housing rally higher, so higher lending rates stemming from the potential wind-down of QE3 could serve to stymie growth. Yet for residential-REITs like Mid-America Apartment Communities (NYSE: MAA  ) , the effect would actually be extremely positive.

• [By Marc Bastow]

  Apartment community property real estate investment trust Mid-America Apartment Communities (MAA) raised its quarterly dividend 5% to 73 cents per share, payable on Jan. 31 to shareholders of record as of Jan. 15.
  MAA Dividend Yield: 4.69%

• [By GURUFOCUS]

  Mid-America Apartment Communities Inc. (MAA) is an independent real estate investment trust. Dec. 3, the company increased its quarterly dividend 5% to $0.73 per share. The dividend is payable on Jan. 31, 2014, to shareholders of record on Jan. 15, 2014. The yield based on the new payout is 4.8%.

Hot International Companies To Own In Right Now: Myriad Genetics Inc (MYGN)

Myriad Genetics, Inc. (Myriad) is a molecular diagnostic company. The Company is focused on developing and marketing predictive medicine, personalized medicine and prognostic medicine tests. It performs all of its molecular diagnostic testing and analysis in its own reference laboratories. These technologies include the cornerstone technologies of biomarker discovery, high-throughput deoxyribo nucleuc acid (DNA) sequencing, ribo nucleic acid (RNA) expression and multiplex protein analysis. The Company uses this information to guide the development of new molecular diagnostic tests that are designed to assess an individual's risk for developing disease later in life (predictive medicine), identify a patient's likelihood of responding to drug therapy and guide a patient's dosing to ensure optimal treatment (personalized medicine), or assess a patient's risk of disease progression and disease recurrence (prognostic medicine).

As of June 30, 2012, the Company had launched nine commercial molecular diagnostic tests. The Company markets these tests through its own approximate 385-person sales force in the United States. The Company also markets its BRACAnalysis, COLARIS, and COLARIS AP tests through its own European sales force and have entered into marketing collaborations with other organizations in selected Latin American, European and Asian countries. The Company also generates revenue by providing companion diagnostic services to the pharmaceutical, and biotechnology industries and medical research institutions utilizing its multiplexed immunoassay technology.

Molecular Diagnostic Tests

The Company's molecular diagnostic tests are designed to analyze genes, their mutations, expression levels and proteins to assess an individual's risk for developing disease later in life, determine a patient's likelihood of responding to a particular drug, assess a patient's risk of disease progression and disease recurrence and measure a patient's exposure to drug therapy to ensu! re optimal dosing and reduced drug toxicity. The Company's BRACAnalysis test is a analysis of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes for assessing a woman's risk of developing hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. BRACAnalysis accounted for 81.7% of the Company's total revenue during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012. Its The Company's COLARIS test is an analysis of the MLH1, MSH2, MSH6 and PMS2 genes for assessing a person's risk of developing colorectal cancer or uterine cancer.

The Company's COLARIS AP test detects mutations in the APC and MYH genes, which cause a colon polyp-forming syndrome known as Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP), a more common variation of the syndrome known as attenuated FAP, and the MYH-associated polyposis signature (MAP). The Company's MELARIS test analyzes mutations in the p16 gene to determine genetic susceptibility to malignant melanoma. The Company's OnDose test is a nanoparticle immunoassay that is designed to assist oncologists in optimizing 5-FU (fluorouracil) anti-cancer drug therapy in colon cancer patients on an individualized basis. The Company's PANEXIA test is a comprehensive analysis of the PALB2 and BRCA2 genes for assessing a person's risk of developing pancreatic cancer later in life. The Company's PREZEON test is an immunohistochemistry test that analyzes the PTEN gene and assesses loss of PTEN function in many cancer types.

The Company's Prolaris test is a 46-gene molecular diagnostic assay that assesses whether a patient is likely to have a slow growing, indolent form of prostate cancer that can be safely monitored through active surveillance, or a more aggressive form of the disease that would warrant aggressive intervention, such as a radical prostatectomy or radiation therapy. The Company's TheraGuide 5-FU test analyzes mutations in the DPYD gene and variations in the TYMS gene to assess patient risk of toxicity to 5-FU (fluorouracil) anti-cancer drug therapy.

Companion Diagnostic Services and Other Revenue

! Through M! yriad RBM Inc., the Company provides biomarker discovery and companion diagnostic services to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical researches industries utilizing its multiplexed immunoassay technology. The Company's technology enables the Company to screen large sets of clinical samples from both diseased and non-diseased populations against the Company's menu of biomarkers. The Company's companion diagnostic services consist of Multi-Analyte Profile (MAP), Multiplexed Immunoassay Kits and TruCulture.

The Company has compiled a library of over 550 individual human and rodent immunoassays for use in its multi-analyte profile (MAP) testing services. The Company has also developed RodentMAP, a panel for use in pre-clinical animal studies and OncologyMAP, which measures cancer-related proteins to assists researchers accelerate the pace of discovery, validation and translation of cancer biomarkers for early detection, patient stratification and therapeutic monitoring. The Company has developed multiplexed immunoassay kits that enable its customers to leverage its technology services with their in-house capabilities. The Company's internally developed multiplexed immunoassay kits include all of the components necessary for a customer to perform a test on their own Luminex instrument. TruCulture is a simple, self-contained whole blood culture that can be deployed to clinical sites around the world for acquiring cell culture data without specialized facilities or training.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Luke Jacobi]

  Myriad Genetics (NASDAQ: MYGN) rose 7.70 percent to $25.31 after the company reported that CPT code pricing error should take a 'week or two' to correct. Ladenburg Thalmann upgraded the stock from Neutral to Buy.

Hot International Companies To Own In Right Now: Morgan Stanley(MS)

Morgan Stanley, a financial holding company, provides various financial products and services to corporations, governments, financial institutions, and individuals worldwide. It operates in three segments: Institutional Securities, Global Wealth Management Group, and Asset Management. The Institutional Securities segment offers financial advisory services on mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, corporate restructurings, recapitalizations, spin-offs, exchange offers, and leveraged buyouts and takeover defenses, as well as shareholder relations, capital raising, corporate lending, and investments. This segment also engages in sales, trading, financing, and market-making activities, including equity trading, commodities, and interest rates, credit, and currencies, as well as financing services, such as prime brokerage, consolidated clearance, settlement, custody, financing, and portfolio reporting services. The Global Wealth Management Group segment provide s brokerage and investment advisory services covering various investment alternatives comprising equities, options, futures, foreign currencies, precious metals, fixed income securities, mutual funds, structured products, alternative investments, unit investment trusts, managed futures, separately managed accounts, and mutual fund asset allocation programs; education savings programs, financial and wealth planning services, and annuity and insurance products; credit and other lending products; cash management services; retirement services; and trust and fiduciary services. The Asset Management segment offers products and services in equity, fixed income, and alternative investments, such as hedge funds, fund of funds, real estate, private equity, and infrastructure to institutional and retail clients through proprietary and third party distribution channels. This segment also involves in investment and merchant banking activities. The company was founded in 1935 and is headq uartered in New York.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Jesse Solomon]

  Of all the major banks, Wells Fargo has been the most beloved by investors as of late. Its stock is up 14% this year, while rivals Bank of America (BAC), JPMorgan (JPM), Citigroup (C), and Goldman Sachs (GS) are all in the red. Morgan Stanley (MS) is the only other large bank in positive territory, but it's only up about a percentage point.

• [By Jonathan Morgan]

  Mediaset SpA (MS) added 2 percent to 3.30 euros after Morgan Stanley increased its target price on the broadcaster controlled by former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi to 3.65 euros from 2.15 euros. The brokerage said that an improving advertising market and sustained cost savings will enable the company to reduce its indebtedness.

• [By Chad Fraser]

  The financial gains all come down to two companies, according to FactSet: Bank of America and Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS), which are up against weak comparisons from a year ago. Set those two aside, and you’re looking at a 0.6% earnings contraction for the sector.

• [By WWW.DAILYFINANCE.COM]

  The broad-based nature of the [manufacturing] gains indicates that the strong second-quarter rebound in economic growth momentum is being sustained.

  "The broad-based nature of the [manufacturing] gains indicates that the strong second-quarter rebound in economic growth momentum is being sustained," said Millan Mulraine, deputy chief economist at TD Securities in New York. The Federal Reserve said factory production jumped 1 percent last month after rising 0.3 percent in June. That was the largest gain since February and reflected increases across all major categories. Auto production surged 10.1 percent, the biggest rise since July 2009. There were also sturdy gains in the production of machinery and computers and electronic goods, which economists said hinted at a pick-up in business investment this quarter. A stronger pace of business investment is needed to ensure sustained economic growth. The economy grew at a 4 percent annual pace in the second quarter and current forecasts peg the growth rate for the third quarter within a range of 2.5 percent to 3 percent. Industrial capacity utilization, a measure of how fully firms are using their resources, last month hit its highest level since February 2008. The solid rise in manufacturing and a 0.3 percent advance in mining output helped to offset a 3.4 percent weather-driven decline in utilities production. That left overall industrial production up 0.4 percent in July. The data had little impact on U.S. financial markets, with traders focusing instead on events in Ukraine. The Ukrainian government said its forces had attacked and partly destroyed a Russian armored column that entered Ukrainian territory overnight. Benign Producer Inflation In a separate report, the New York Fed said its "Empire State" general business conditions index fell to 14.69 this month from 25.60 in July. A reading above zero indicates expansion. Growth in new orders slowed, but a further decline in inventories pointed to an

Hot International Companies To Own In Right Now: Lagardere SCA (MMB)

Lagardere SCA is a France-based media group principally engaged in the publishing sector. The Company operates through four business segments. Lagardere Publishing, the Company's book publishing and e-publishing business carried out under the name of Hachette Livre, publishes educational works, general literature, illustrated books, practical guides and works for the youth market. Lagardere Active encompasses the Company's publishing, audiovisual (radio, television, audiovisual production), digital media and advertising sales brokerage businesses. Lagardere Services takes care of the distribution of the newspaper, communication and leisure. Lagardere Unlimited is the division specialized in the sport industry and entertainment businesses and is active via six subsidiaries: Sportfive, IEC in Sports, Upsolut, Prevent, among others. In April 9, 2013, it sold all of its 7.4% stake in EADS. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Namitha Jagadeesh]

  BHP Billiton Ltd. (BHP) and Rio Tinto Group, the world�� largest mining companies, advanced at least 3.5 percent. Repsol SA increased the most in a month after saying it discovered natural gas in Algeria. Lagardere SCA (MMB) lost the most in four months after selling its stake in European, Aeronautic, Defence & Space Co.

Best Consumer Stocks For 2014

A lot's been said about "cyber crime" in the corporate landscape over the past few years, including a recently released report suggesting that online criminal activities cost the U.S. economy $100 billion per year. But nothing speaks louder than the government's most recent announcement, which details how more than 160 million consumers were affected in what The Wall Street Journal is calling "the biggest hacking scheme ever prosecuted" on U.S. soil. Watch as Motley Fool analyst Lyons George discusses how companies such as J.C. Penney (NYSE: JCP  ) and 7-Eleven fell victim to a $300 million super-hack.

The retail space is in the midst of the biggest paradigm shift since mail order took off at the turn of last century. Only the most forward-looking and capable companies will survive, and they'll handsomely reward investors who understand the landscape. You can read about the 3 Companies Ready to Rule Retail in The Motley Fool's special report. Uncovering these top picks is free today; just click here to read more.

Top Gold Companies To Watch For 2015: Bell AG (BELL)

Bell AG is a Switzerland-based company that is primarily engaged in the production and distribution of meat. The Company has seven product groups. The Fresh Meat product group is involved in the supply of self-service meat products for the retail trade and products for the restaurant trade, as well as Vaudois specialties. The Charcuterie (own and purchased) product groups offer ready-cooked products, both under the Bell brand and under a number of customers' own brands. The Poultry product group offers various poultry products, as well as specialty meats, such as rabbit, game, ostrich and kangaroo. The Convenience product group offers ready-cooked seasonal convenience products, such as domestic and imported fish. Within the Seafood product group, the Company offers fresh and frozen seafood. Bell AG�� brands include Abraham, Zimbo and Polette, among others. The Company operates subsidiaries in Switzerland, Germany, France, Spain, Belgium, Hungary and other countries. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Tannor Pilatzke]

  Investment ideas are scarce and hard to come by at times. People constantly ask me about companies they work for (Bell) or businesses they purchase a lot of product from (P&G or Coca-Cola), and what I think about the prospects/valuation. When it is not the blue chips in the limelight it certainly is the Netflix��,Tesla's, 3-D printing, and other companies I would classify as speculative. It is not that I am a Grinch, but I do not like giving out investment ideas. Rather, I attempt to give lessons. As Maimonides said, ��ive a man a fish, feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and feed him for a lifetime.��/p>

Best Consumer Stocks For 2014: Deckers Outdoor Corporation(DECK)

Deckers Outdoor Corporation engages in the design, manufacture, and marketing of footwear and accessories for outdoor activities and casual lifestyle use to men, women, and children. The company offers luxury footwear and accessories under the UGG brand name; high performance multi-sport shoes, rugged outdoor footwear, and sport sandals under the Teva brand name; casual and sustainable-lifestyle sneakers and accessories under the Simple brand name; casual footwear under the TSUBO brand name; and outdoor performance and lifestyle footwear under the Ahnu brand name. Its accessories include handbags and cold weather outerwear. The company sells its products primarily to specialty retailers, department stores, outdoor retailers, sporting goods retailers, shoe stores, and online retailers. Deckers Outdoor Corporation also sells its products directly to end-user consumers through its Web sites, call centers, retail concept stores, and retail outlet stores, as well as through ret ailers in the United States. In addition, the company distributes its products through independent distributors and retailers in Europe, Canada, Australia, Asia, and Latin America. It has a joint venture with Stella International Holdings Limited for the opening of retail stores and wholesale distribution for the UGG brand in China. Deckers Outdoor Corporation was founded in 1973 and is headquartered in Goleta, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Brian Pacampara]

  What: Shares of footwear specialist Deckers Outdoor (NASDAQ: DECK  ) sank as low as 10% today after its quarterly results disappointed Wall Street.

• [By Dan Moskowitz]

  Skechers (NYSE: SKX  ) has is up 65% year-to-date, outperforming Brown Shoe (NYSE: BWS  ) , Wolverine World Wide (NYSE: WWW  ) , Deckers Outdoor (NASDAQ: DECK  ) , and Nike (NYSE: NKE  ) , which have appreciated 26%, 39%, 62%, and 43%, respectively. Skechers' upside move is justifiable based on the company's recent performance. At the same time, this doesn't mean Skechers will offer the best long-term investment opportunity in this group.

Best Consumer Stocks For 2014: Coldwater Creek Inc. (CWTR)

Coldwater Creek Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a multi-channel specialty retailer of women's apparel, accessories, jewelry, and gift items primarily in the United States. It operates premium retail stores located in traditional malls, lifestyle centers, and street locations; merchandise outlet stores; and day spas, which offer spa treatments, including massages, facials, body treatments, manicures, and pedicures, as well as provide relevant apparel and personal care products. The company also offers its products through its e-commerce Web site coldwatercreek.com and catalogs, as well as through phone and mail. As of October 27, 2012, it operated 354 premium retail stores and 38 factory outlet stores, as well as 9 spas. The company was founded in 1984 and is headquartered in Sandpoint, Idaho.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Eric Volkman]

  In turn, it bumps QLogic (NASDAQ: QLGC  ) from that index to the S&P SmallCap 600. Finally, QLogic's shift completely displaces Coldwater Creek (NASDAQ: CWTR  ) , which will no longer be on the S&P SmallCap 600.

• [By Lauren Pollock]

  Coldwater Creek Inc.'s(CWTR) fiscal third-quarter loss widened as the women’s apparel retailer reported a sharp drop in same-store sales and ebbing gross margins. Results missed expectations.

• [By Roberto Pedone]

  Another earnings short-squeeze prospect is specialty retailer of women's apparel, accessories, jewelry and gift items Coldwater Creek (CWTR), which is set to release numbers Tuesday after the market close. Wall Street analysts, on average, expect Coldwater Creek to report revenue of $162.81 million on a loss of 63 cents per share.

  The current short interest as a percentage of the float for Coldwater Creek is very high at 18.8%. That means that out of the 12.17 million shares in the tradable float, 3.47 million shares are sold short by the bears. This is a big short interest on a stock with a very low tradable float. If the bulls get the earnings news they're looking for, then this stock could easily explode higher post-earnings.

  From a technical perspective, CWTR is currently trending just below its 50-day moving average and well below its 200-day moving average, which is bearish. This stock has been trending sideways for the last two months, with shares moving between $2.16 on the downside and $2.80 on the upside. A high-volume move above the upper-end of its recent range could trigger a breakout trade for CWTR post-earnings.

  If you're bullish on CWTR, then I would wait until after its report and look for long-biased trades if this stock manages to break out above some near-term overhead resistance levels at $2.51 to $2.69 a share and then once it takes out more resistance at $2.80 a share with high volume. Look for volume on that move that hits near or above its three-month average action of 192,994 shares. If that breakout hits, then CWTR will set up to re-fill some of its previous gap down zone from June that started near $3.60 a share.

  I would simply avoid CWTR or look for short-biased trades if after earnings it fails to trigger that breakout, and then drops back below some key near-term support levels at $2.35 to its 52-week low at $2.16 a share with high volume. If we get that move, then CWTR will set up to enter new 52-wee

Best Consumer Stocks For 2014: Creative Edge Nutrition Inc (FITX)

Creative Edge Nutrition Inc. (CENergy), formerly Laufer Bridge Enterprises Inc, incorporated on January 10, 2008, is engaged in the development, marketing and sales of nutraceuticals and health supplements. The Company�� product categories include lean, energy, essentials, mass, vitamins and apparel. In July 2012, it acquired Innovative Fulfillment Corp. In August 2012, the Company acquired SCD Enterprises, LLC. In September 2012, the Company acquired A-Z-Nutrition.com. In September 2012, the Company acquired Sci-Fit and Nature's Science product brands. In March 2013, it announced its entrance into the Medical Marijuana Sector through Hemp Protein Powder, Naturals Line, Hemp-plex and Chia-plex. In May 2013, Creative Edge Nutrition Inc acquired Canadian Nutrition Super Stores.

Metabolic Xtreme utilizes the technology and advancement in weight loss technology. Cenergy�� Amino Acid Complex is the supplement for athletes, bodybuilders and anyone who's trying to live a healthy lifestyle.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Peter Graham]

  Small cap stocks CD International Enterprises Inc (OTCMKTS: CDII), Creative Edge Nutrition Inc (OTCMKTS: FITX) and Metrospaces Inc (OTCMKTS: MSPC) have all been the subject of recent as well as past paid for stock promotions. Of course, there is nothing wrong with properly disclosed stock promotions or investor awareness campaigns, but they can and do often backfire on unwary investors and traders alike. With that in mind, will investors and traders come out winners with these small caps or should they just be left to the promoters? Here is a quick reality check:

Best Consumer Stocks For 2014: Federal-Mogul Corporation(FDML)

Federal-Mogul Corporation supplies powertrain and safety technologies worldwide. The company?s Powertrain Energy segment offers powertrain components, such as engine pistons, piston rings, piston pins, cylinder liners, camshafts, valve seats and guides, and ignition products under the Federal-Mogul, AE, Champion, Goetze, Nural, and Daros brand names. Its Powertrain Sealing and Bearings segment provides dynamic seals, bonded piston seals, combustion and exhaust gaskets, static gaskets and seals, rigid heat shields, engine bearings, industrial bearings, bushings and washers, sintered engine and transmission components, and metallic filters, as well as polymer bearings primarily under the Federal-Mogul, Deva, Fel-Pro, FP Diesel, Glyco, Metafram, Metagliss, National, Payen, and Poral brand names. The company?s Vehicle Safety and Protection segment offers brake disc pads, brake linings, brake blocks, element resistant systems protection sleeving products, flexible heat shield s, brake system components, chassis products, windshield wipers, fuel pumps, and lighting products under the Federal-Mogul, Abex, Anco, Bentley-Harris, Beral, Champion, Ferodo, Moog, ThermoQuiet, and Wagner brands. Its Global Aftermarket segment provides aftermarket products to distributors, retail parts stores, and mass merchants who distribute these products to professional service providers and do-it-yourself consumers under the Abex, AE, ANCO, Beral, Carter, Champion, Fel-Pro, Ferodo, FP Diesel, Glyco, Goetze, MOOG, National, Necto, Nural, Payen, Sealed Power, ThermoQuiet, and Wagner brand names. The company serves original equipment manufacturers of automotive, as well as light, medium and heavy-duty commercial vehicles; and agricultural, marine, rail, aerospace, off-road, and industrial applications, as well as the aftermarket sector. The company was founded in 1899 and is headquartered in Southfield, Michigan. Federal-Mogul Corporation is a subsidiary of Icahn Enterpr ises L.P.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Rich Smith]

  Southfield, Mich.-based Federal-Mogul (NASDAQ: FDML  ) already has one chief executive officer, but as the Russians like to say, "Too much is better than not enough" -- so today, the company hired another.

• [By abirk]

  On Jan.7, Honeywell announced the sales of its friction materials business, which makes brake pads, to Federal-Mogul Corp. (FDML) for $155 million. The company�� transportation systems division will get a boost from this deal. Further, to support critical infrastructure improvement at the industrial facility, with an aim to save energy, Honeywell and the U.S. army recently announced a $61 million infrastructure improvement project at the Rock Island Arsenal Joint Manufacturing Technology Center (JMTC). The project will be completed by the first half of 2017.

Best Consumer Stocks For 2014: Nike Inc.(NKE)

NIKE, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the design, development, marketing, and sale of footwear, apparel, equipment, and accessory products for men, women, and children worldwide. The company offers products in the categories of running, training, basketball, soccer, sport-inspired casual shoes, and kids? shoes. It also markets footwear designed for baseball, cheerleading, football, golf, lacrosse, outdoor activities, skateboarding, tennis, volleyball, walking, wrestling, and other athletic and recreational uses. In addition, Nike sells sports apparel and accessories, sports-inspired lifestyle apparel, athletic bags, and accessory items; and markets apparel with licensed college, professional team, and league logos. Further, the company sells performance equipment, including bags, socks, sport balls, eyewear, timepieces, electronic devices, bats, gloves, protective equipment, golf clubs, and other equipment designed for sports activities under the brand na me of NIKE; and various plastic products to other manufacturers. It offers products under the trademarks of Cole Haan, Converse, Chuck Taylor, All Star, One Star, Star Chevron, Jack Purcell, Hurley, and Umbro. The company sells its products through retail accounts, its own retail stores and Internet sales, independent distributors, and licensees. NIKE, Inc. was founded in 1964 and is headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Anh HOANG]

  Competitors also renovate themselves to stay ahead
  In order to keep growing, Under Armour should keep innovating and staying ahead of its competitors. Nike (NYSE: NKE  ) , the global leader of athletic footwear and apparel, also relies�on innovation to fuel business growth. For Nike, it always starts with the athlete. Its product innovation goals are to make athletes stronger, faster, and help them achieve new performance levels.

• [By John Maxfield]

  In the latter case, one is left to conclude that it's the beneficiary of more fundamental economic trends. In Portland, for instance, both Nike (NYSE: NKE  ) and Intel (NASDAQ: INTC  ) have major headquarters. And both are in the process of expanding their Oregon-based operations. Nike is in the process of building 500,000 square feet of office space in the area and hiring 500 new employees. And at the end of last year, it was reported that Intel will add 3.6 million square feet of new construction to one of its manufacturing campuses there.

Top 10 Forestry Companies To Own In Right Now

Fidelity Institutional has launched a mobile check deposit technology that RIAs, broker-dealers and family office professionals can use on the go, the financial services firm announced Tuesday.

Using Fidelity’s mobile check deposit technology, advisors can take a picture of a check using the camera on a smartphone or tablet and securely deposit the funds directly into their clients’ brokerage accounts.

The application’s launch comes as advisors increasingly use mobile devices outside of the office. Almost 77% of advisors use at least one mobile device for business purposes, according to research and consulting firm Kasina’s “e-Business Compass.” In addition, there have been more than 22,000 downloads of Fidelity Institutional’s mobile applications, representing 42% of users on Fidelity’s clearing and custody platforms.

The new app underscores Fidelity’s commitment to supporting the “anywhere advisor” with the right tools, according to Edward O’Brien, senior vice president and head of platform technology for Fidelity Institutional.

Hot Building Product Stocks To Watch Right Now: Clifton Savings Bancorp Inc.(CSBK)

Clifton Savings Bancorp, Inc. operates as the holding company for Clifton Savings Bank that provides various financial services to consumers and businesses in northeast New Jersey. It offers liquid and term deposit instruments, such as free checking accounts, business checking accounts, negotiable order of withdrawal accounts, high yield checking accounts, money market accounts, passbook and statement savings accounts, and club and certificates of deposit. The company?s loan portfolio includes one to four-family residential loans; multi-family and commercial real estate loans; residential construction loans; and consumer loans, including second mortgage loans, loans secured by passbook or certificate accounts, and home equity lines of credit. It operates 12 full-service banking offices. The company was founded in 1928 and is headquartered in Clifton, New Jersey. Clifton Savings Bancorp, Inc. is a subsidiary of Clifton MHC.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Tim Melvin]

  Price appears to share my enthusiasm for smaller bank stocks, as he currently own 19 small regional and community banks. He has been buying them consistently over the past few years, and I think he sees the same consolidation wave and shareholder value increase in the future that I do. He added to one position this quarter, buying more shares of Clifton Savings Bank (CSBK), the mutual holding company for the 11-branch bank in northern New Jersey. It looks like the bank trades for 1.9 times book value, but after the second-step conversion process is completed, the shares will trade at a slight discount to book. The bank is in excellent condition with an equity-to-assets ratio of almost 18 and nonperforming assets at just 0.53% of total assets.

• [By Monica Gerson]

  Clifton Bancorp (NASDAQ: CSBK) shares dropped 10.32% to $11.65 after the company announced stock offering results.

  Response Genetics (NASDAQ: RGDX) slipped 9.47% to $1.34 after the company reported Q4 results. The company posted a quarterly net loss of $3.2 million, or $0.09 per share, versus a year-ago net loss of $0.5 million, or $0.01 per share.

Top 10 Forestry Companies To Own In Right Now: Banco Santiago S.A.(SAN)

Banco Santander-Chile provides commercial and retail banking services to corporate and individual customers in Chile. The company offers time and demand deposits, checking accounts, and debit card accounts, as well as savings products; and peso and foreign currency denominated loans to finance various commercial transactions, trade, foreign currency forward contracts, and credit lines. Its loan portfolio comprises consumer loans, auto loans, residential mortgage loans, mutual funds, foreign trade financing, mortgage loans, and commercial loans. The company also provides factoring, credit cards, cash management, treasury services, short?term financing and funding, interest rate and foreign currency derivatives, and securitization services. Further, it offers various financial services, including leasing, financial leasing, financial advisory, mutual fund management, securities brokerage, insurance brokerage, and investment management services. As of December 31, 2010, the company had a branch network of 504 branches. Banco Santander-Chile was founded in 1977 and is headquartered in Santiago, Chile.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Selena Maranjian]

  Spain-based Banco Santander (NYSE: SAN  ) gained 12% and recently yielded 9.3% as well. It has been hurt by troubles in Europe, but the company actually does a lot of its business in Latin America, where it benefits from faster economic growth rates, such as Brazil's. It may be a while before all its operating regions are healthy, but while investors wait, they can collect a hefty payout -- which, even if halved, would still be significant. Some value-oriented investors see it as undervalued as well.

• [By Alanna Petroff]

  The police linked the theft at Barclays (BCS) to another attempt to steal money from a Santander (SAN) branch in London, which led to the arrest of 12 men last week.

Top 10 Forestry Companies To Own In Right Now: Karoon Gas Australia Ltd (KRNGF)

Karoon Gas Australia Ltd (Karoon Gas) is an Australia-based exploration company. The Company is principally engaged in the hydrocarbon exploration and evaluation in Australia, Brazil and Peru. The Company operates in three segments: Australia, Brazil and Peru exploration. The Company�� Australia segment is involved in the exploration and evaluation of hydrocarbons in four offshore permit areas: WA-314-P, WA-315-P, WA-398-P and WA-482-P; The Company in its Brazil segment is involved in the exploration and evaluation of hydrocarbons in five offshore blocks including Block S-M-1037, Block S-M-1101, Block S-M-1102, Block S-M-1165 and Block S-M-1166. The Company under its Peru exploration segment is involved in the exploration and evaluation of hydrocarbons in two blocks in Peru, including Block 144 (onshore) and Block Z-38 (offshore). Advisors' Opinion:

• [By MARKETWATCH]

  LOS ANGELES (MarketWatch) -- Australian stocks gave ground in early Friday trading, with banks broadly lower after overnight losses in the U.S., where investors worried that better-than-expected data would prompt the Federal Reserve to roll back stimulus soon. The S&P/ASX 200 (AU:XJO) lost 0.4% to 5,178.30, as National Australia Bank Ltd. (AU:NAB) (NAUBF) fell 1.8%, Australia & New Zealand Banking Group (AU:ANZ) (ANEWF) lost 0.8%, and Macquarie Group Ltd. (AU:MQG) (MCQEF) retreated 1.3%. Among the resource shares, losses for gold both in New York and in early Asian electronic trade helped send Evolution Mining Ltd. (AU:EVN) (CAHPF) down 1.9% and Kingsgate Consolidated Ltd. (AU:KCN) (KSKGF) off 4.5%, though Newcrest Mining Ltd. (AU:NCM) (NCMGF) held the drop to 0.4%. Oil prices managed a modest gain, however, resulting in a 0.2% rise for Oil Search Ltd. (AU:OSH) (OISHF) and Karoon Gas Australia Ltd. (AU:KAR) (KRNGF) , while Woodside Petroleum Ltd. (AU:WPL)

• [By MARKETWATCH]

  LOS ANGELES (MarketWatch) -- Australian stocks seesawed in early Monday trade, with gains for miners and energy names helping support the market, as the S&P/ASX 200 (AU:XJO) sat 0.1% higher at 5,325.90 after changing direction several times. Official Chinese data showing manufacturing holding its growth rate in October appeared to help some miners, as did gains for some commodity prices. Shares of Rio Tinto Ltd. (AU:RIO) (RIO) rose 0.5%, Fortescue Metals Group Ltd. (AU:FMG) (FSUMF) added 0.7%, Oz Minerals Ltd. (AU:OZL) (OZMLF) advanced 1%, and Whitehaven Coal Ltd. (AU:WHC) improved by 1.9%. Likewise, an advance for gold futures sent Newcrest Mining Ltd. (AU:NCM) (NCMGF) rallying 3.4%, and Kingsgate Consolidated Ltd. (AU:KCN) (KSKGF) up 2.9%. Energy shares also traded higher, with Oil Search Ltd. (AU:OSH) (OISHF) up 1.3%, and Karoon Gas Australia Ltd. (AU:KAR) (KRNGF) adding 1.7%. On the downside, retailers were mostly lower, with David Jones Ltd. (AU:DJS) (DVDJF)

Top 10 Forestry Companies To Own In Right Now: Talisman Energy Inc.(TLM)

Talisman Energy Inc., an upstream oil and gas company, engages in the exploration, development, production, transportation, and marketing of crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids. It primarily operates in North America, the North Sea, and southeast Asia. The company was founded in 1925 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Monica Gerson]

  Shares of Talisman Energy (NYSE: TLM) jumped more than 8% in after-hours trading after Carl Icahn disclosed a stake in the company. Talisman Energy shares surged 8.94% to $13.89 in the after-hours trading session.

• [By Sue Chang , Saumya Vaishampayan]

  $TLM: Talisman Energy Inc. (TLM) �shares fell 2.5%. Activist investor Carl Icahn disclosed a 6% stake in the oil and gas producer on Monday. Icahn said in a tweet he might discuss strategic alternatives and board seats with the company.

• [By Arjun Sreekumar]

  Companies backing out of Poland
  In addition to the above-ground risks of regulatory, licensing, and taxation uncertainty, disappointing initial results from shale test wells have led some companies to rethink doing business in the country. Last month, Poland's shale prospects were further dashed when Talisman Energy (NYSE: TLM  ) and Marathon Oil (NYSE: MRO  ) decided to pull out from their operations in the country.

• [By Value Digger]

  Manitok's competitive advantage is its management team, who knows well where the shallow opportunities exist, from years of bypassing many conventional reservoirs and drilling deeper targets for Talisman Energy (TLM).

Top 10 Forestry Companies To Own In Right Now: Lender Processing Services Inc (LPS)

Lender Processing Services, Inc. provides integrated technology, data, and services to the mortgage lending industry in the United States. The company operates in two segments, Technology, Data, and Analytics; and Transaction Services. Its Technology, Data, and Analytics segment offers software systems and information solutions that facilitate and automate various business processes across the life cycle of a mortgage. This segment�s primary applications and services include mortgage servicing platform, an application that automates loan servicing, including loan setup and ongoing processing, customer service, accounting and reporting to the secondary mortgage market, and federal regulatory reporting; Desktop, a Web-based workflow information system that can be used for managing and automating various workflow processes; and other software applications and services that automate and facilitate the origination of mortgage loans. It also provides data and analytics services , such as alternative valuation services, and data and information. The company�s Transaction Services segment offers customized outsourced business process and information solutions. Its origination services include settlement and title agency services comprising centralized title agency and closing services; appraisal services; and other origination services, such as federal flood zone certifications and monitoring services. This segment also provides default management services, consisting of foreclosure administrative services, property inspection and preservation; default title and settlement services; and alternative property valuation services. The company serves mortgage originators and servicers, other financial institutions, investors, attorneys, trustees, and real estate professionals. Lender Processing Services, Inc. was incorporated in 2007 and is headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Holly LaFon]

  Despite economic and political turmoil, equity markets performed well across the board in September of 2013 and over the trailing twelve months. The September gains reversed losses in August and also resulted in positive overall quarterly performance with a number of major indexes moving further into record territory. After disturbing the markets in May and June with comments that they may taper Quantitative Easing (QE), the Fed surprised investors with an announcement that it would not reduce its asset purchases in the near-term. The announcement removed fears that a continued rise in interest rates may stall the economic recovery, as seen by the market's negative reaction to the sharp rise in the 10-year Treasury rate in August of 2013. Investors were also comforted by improving fundamentals both domestically and abroad. The Eurozone may finally be emerging from its prolonged recession and a number of economic reports in the U.S. continue to show progress. Specifically, initial unemployment claims dropped to a multiyear low early in September and the housing market continued to improve, as evidenced by prices rising 12.4 percent year-over year, which along with the stock market's strength, has created a positive wealth effect for consumers. In response to this general economic improvement, consumer confidence increased at the end of September, and the index of leading economic indicators ticked up as well, suggesting that, absent the effects of politics, the recovery in the real economy was continuing. Our portfolios that focus on corporate restructuring (Keeley Small Cap Value, Keeley Small-Mid Cap Value, Keeley Mid Cap Value, Keeley All Cap Value, and Keeley Alternative Value) have all experienced a productive investment cycle with respect to their opportunity sets, and many of our holdings have posted impressive results in recent quarters. Although we acknowledge an improving economy has boosted the outlook for our more cyclical holdings, our research has gu

Top 10 Forestry Companies To Own In Right Now: Tennant Company(TNC)

Tennant Company engages in the design, manufacture, and marketing cleaning solutions worldwide. The company offers floor maintenance and outdoor cleaning equipment; chemical-free cleaning technologies; and specialty surface coatings and related products for protecting, repairing, and upgrading floors. Its products are used to clean and coat surfaces in factories, office buildings, parking lots and streets, airports, hospitals, schools, warehouses, shopping centers, and other retail environments. The company also provides parts, consumables, and service maintenance and repair; business solutions, such as pay-for-use offerings, and rental and leasing programs; and cleaning technologies that enhance the performance of its cleaning equipment. In addition, it offers Green Machine 500ze, an electric vacuum street sweeper to clean crowded urban areas. The company serves building service contract cleaners, end-user businesses, healthcare facilities, and schools, as well as local, state, and federal governments through its direct sales and service organization, and authorized distributors. Tennant Company was founded in 1870 and is based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Marc Bastow]

  Floor maintenance and cleaning service company Tennant (TNC) raised its quarterly dividend 11% to 20 cents per share payable June 6 to shareholders of record May 30.
  TNC Dividend Yield: 1.29%

Top 10 Forestry Companies To Own In Right Now: Swisher Hygiene Inc.(SWSH)

Swisher Hygiene Inc. provides hygiene and sanitation solutions in North America and internationally. Its solutions include cleaning and sanitizing products and services designed to promote cleanliness and sanitation in commercial and residential environments. The company involves in the sale of consumable products, such as soaps, paper, cleaning chemicals, detergents, and supplies, together with the rental and servicing of dish machines and other equipment for the dispensing of those products; sale and rental of facility service items requiring regular maintenance and cleaning, such as floor mats, mops, and bar towels; provision of manual cleaning services for facilities; and provision of solid waste collection services. It serves customers in a range of end-markets, including foodservice, hospitality, retail, industrial, and healthcare industries. Swisher Hygiene Inc. offers its services through 69 company owned operations and 10 franchise operations located throughout th e United States and Canada; and through 10 master license agreements covering the United Kingdom, Ireland, Portugal, the Netherlands, Singapore, the Philippines, Taiwan, Korea, Hong Kong, Macau, China, and Mexico. The company was founded in 1986 and is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Lisa Levin]

  Swisher Hygiene (NASDAQ: SWSH) shares touched a new 52-week low of $0.732. Swisher Hygiene appointed William Pierce as its new president and CEO.

  Territorial Bancorp (NASDAQ: TBNK) shares touched a new 52-week low of $21.31. Territorial Bancorp shares have dropped 9.43% over the past 52 weeks, while the S&P 500 index has gained 16.18% in the same period.

• [By Lisa Levin]

  Swisher Hygiene (NASDAQ: SWSH) shares touched a new 52-week low of $0.55. Swisher shares have dropped 51.30% over the past 52 weeks, while the S&P 500 index has gained 31.68% in the same period.