Best Dividend Stocks To Watch Right Now

Marc Halle

Rising interest rates are a looming reality that will have a negative impact on virtually every financial instrument, but at least in the case of real estate, there is some hope for a hedge, according to Marc Halle, manager of the $2.3 billion Prudential Global Real Estate Fund (PURAX).

“If interest rates suddenly jump from 2% to 5%, there's nothing anyone can do,” he said. “But if we see modest increases associated with an improving economy and job growth, then real estate is very well-positioned to increase earnings and grow dividends”

InvestmentNews: What are some important distinctions between investing directly in real estate and investing in real estate investment trusts?

10 Best Diversified Bank Stocks To Watch Right Now: Illinois Tool Works Inc.(ITW)

Illinois Tool Works Inc. manufactures a range of industrial products and equipment worldwide. The company?s Transportation segment offers metal and plastic components, fasteners, and assemblies; fluids and polymers; fillers and putties; polyester coatings, and patch and repair products; and truck remanufacturing and related parts and service. Its Industrial Packaging segment offers steel and plastic strapping and related tools and equipment; plastic stretch film and related equipment; paper and plastic products that protect goods in transit; and metal jacketing products. The company?s Food Equipment segment provides warewashing, cooking, refrigeration, and food processing equipment; and kitchen exhaust, ventilation, and pollution control systems. Its Power Systems & Electronics segment provides arc welding equipment; metal arc welding consumables; metal solder materials for PC board fabrication; equipment and services for microelectronics assembly; electronic components an d component packaging; and airport ground support equipment. The company?s Construction Products segment offers anchors, fasteners, and related fastening tools for wood, metal, and concrete applications; metal plate truss components, and related equipment and software; and packaged hardware and other products for retail. Its Polymers & Fluids segment provides adhesives, chemical fluids, epoxy and resin-based coating products, hand wipes and cleaners, and pressure-sensitive adhesives and components. The company?s Decorative Surfaces segment offers laminate for furniture, office and retail space, and countertops; and laminate flooring and worktops. In addition, the company offers plastic reclosable packages and bags, and consumables; plastic and metal fasteners, and components; foil and film products; product coding and marking, paint spray, and static and contamination control equipment; and swabs and mats. The company was founded in 1912 and is based in Glenview, Illinois. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Muhammad Bazil]

  Though GE Capital has been a huge source of revenue for the parent company, its earnings aren��t always seen in the light of income from industrial activities leading to how it has been cheaply perceived among its peers. For example, among GE��s peers in the industrial sector like Honeywell International (HON), United Technologies (UTX), Illinois Tool Works (ITW) and Emerson Electric (EMR), only Illinois Tool Works is cheaper than GE, but it is miles apart in growth potential when compared with GE. So, GE stock trades at a huge discount relative to all of its industrial peers except ITW which is rather odd all because of GE Capital. Though GE Capital has been contributing about 30% of GE��s earnings and, hence, a good percentage of its earnings per share (EPS), shedding GE Capital is the only way to make the industrial segments of GE to strive for better growth in the near future to make up for the original earnings growth of GE facilitated by GE Capital.

• [By Chuck Carnevale]

  However, I do believe that these lists represent an efficient group of prescreened opportunities that are worthy of further consideration. There are other dividend candidates such as Johnson Controls (JCI) and Illinois Tool Works (ITW) that were covered in the previous article Part 1, that do not meet the standard of consecutive dividend increases. Accordingly, I do not consider this a comprehensive or complete list of all possible dividend growth opportunities, but I do consider them a great place to start looking.

• [By Dividends4Life]

  According to a Gabelli Funds report, managed distribution policies offer several advantages, including:1. Lower difference between the fund��s market price and its NAV per share.2. Provides support during periods when the stock market is in a decline.3. Provides a measurable performance target for the investment adviser.Below are several high-yield funds from CEFA that have a managed distribution policy (yields as of December 16):Aberdeen Australia Eqty (IAF)- Distribution Yield: 10.4%- Income Yield: 3.46%Bexil Advisers LLC� (DNI)- Distribution Yield: 11.1%- Income Yield: 3.56%BlackRock En Capital&Inc (CII)- Distribution Yield: 8.78%- Income Yield: 2.34%Cornerstone Strat Value (CLM)- Distribution Yield: 18.77%- Income Yield: 1.83%Cornerstone Total Return (CRF)- Distribution Yield: 19.10%- Income Yield: 0.85%Delaware Inv Div & Inc (DDF)- Distribution Yield: 6.70%- Income Yield: 5.26%Gabelli Equity Trust (GAB)- Distribution Yield: 7.58%- Income Yield: 1.54%Gabelli Utility Trust (GUT)- Distribution Yield: 9.45%- Income Yield: 2.84%MFS Special Value Trust (MFV)- Distribution Yield: 9.60%- Income Yield: 5.73%Nuveen Tx-Adv TR Strat (JTA)- Distribution Yield: 6.70%- Income Yield: 3.12%TCW Strategic Income (TSI)- Distribution Yield: 10.54%- Income Yield: 7.88%Zweig Total Return (ZTR)- Distribution Yield: 7.27%- Income Yield: 1.95%As noted in the Gabelli report, a managed distribution policy may create confusion regarding the true current yield since the reported yield includes the return of capital portion. You can see the disparity above between the income yield and the distribution (reported) yield.If you are looking for a sustainable and growing dividend, you may want to consider some blue-chip dividend stocks such as these with a Free Cash Flow Payout less than 50%, 50+ years of consecutive dividend increases and a 2%+ yield:3M Co. (MMM) is a diversified global company provides enhanced product functionality in electronics, health care, industrial, consumer

Best Dividend Stocks To Watch Right Now: Kimco Realty Corporation (KIM)

Kimco Realty Corporation is a publicly owned real estate investment trust. The firm engages in acquisitions, development, and management of neighborhood and community shopping centers. It also provides property management services relating to the management, leasing, operation, and maintenance of real estate properties. The firm primarily invests in real estate markets across the globe with a focus in North America. It also invests in operating properties. The firm also provides equity and mezzanine debt to developers and owners of commercial properties. It also makes secondary market investments including under performing mortgage loans, secured bank debt, and corporate securities. Kimco was formed in 1960 and is based in New Hyde Park, New York with additional office in Mesa, Arizona; Daly City, California; Granite Bay, California; Irvine, California; Carmichael, California; Vista, California; Walnut Creek, California; West Hartford, Connecticut; Largo, Florida; Margate, Florida; Sanford, Florida; Lisle, Illinois; Rosemont, Illinois; Columbia, Maryland; Lutherville, Maryland; Bellevue, Washington; Mesquite, Texas; Houston, Texas; Dallas, Texas; Austin, Texas; Ardmore, Pennsylvania; Portland, Oregon; Kettering, Ohio; Canfield, Ohio; Raleigh, North Carolina; Charlotte, North Carolina; New York, New York; and Las Vegas, Nevada.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Sean Williams]

  A smart investment
  Short-sellers have been out in full force this month in Kimco Realty (NYSE: KIM  ) , a real estate investment trust that has owned interests in 895 shopping centers across North, Central, and South America. The selling has been particularly noticeable ever since Kimco announced it was purchasing a partner's stake in 70 shopping centers via two portfolios -- the Kimco Income Fund I and Kimco Income REIT joint venture �� for $67 million. Investors may not be thrilled with this purchase, but I'm certainly not doing any complaining.

• [By Dividend King]

  Earnings per share came in at $0.35 while competitors DDR Corp. (DDR) and Kimco Realty Corporation (KIM) reported earnings per share of -$0.56 and $0.27, respectively. With a price to earnings ratio of 123.57, it is clear investors are expecting higher growth from this stock than its competitors, whose price to earnings ratio are twice as half. I think it will not take very long for the stock to appreciate in value at a much higher rate due to higher revenue, good investor and market sentiment towards the stock, and an improved real estate market.

• [By Rich Duprey]

  Shopping center REIT KIMCO Realty (NYSE: KIM  ) announced yesterday that it sold to an affiliate of Starwood Capital Group its�InTown Suites company and related real estate assets for�$735 million, including $609 million of existing mortgage debt. Upon closing, KIMCO realized�approximately $103 million in proceeds.

• [By Kingkarn Amjaroen]

  Kimco Realty's (NYSE: KIM  ) shares have been on fire lately: The stock is up 28% since the beginning of the year, and 16% since the start of October. Investors clearly like the commercial REIT with a focus on owning and operating neighborhood and community shopping centers. And why wouldn't they?

Best Dividend Stocks To Watch Right Now: Rogers Communication Inc.(RCI)

Rogers Communications, Inc. operates as a communications and media company in Canada. The company?s Wireless segment provides wireless voice and data communications services. It operates a global system for mobile communications and general packet radio service network. This segment markets its products and services under Rogers Wireless, Fido, and chatr brands. Its Cable segment offers cable television, high-speed Internet access, and cable telephony services. As of December 31, 2010, this segment provided digital cable services to approximately 1.7 million households; Internet service to approximately 1.7 million residential subscribers; and residential circuit-switched telephony services to approximately a million subscribers. This segment also offers local and long-distance telephone, enhanced voice and data services, and IP access. In addition, this segment operates a retail distribution chain consisting of approximately 400 stores that provide cable services and digi tal and Internet equipment, as well as offers digital video disc and video game sales and rentals. The company?s Media segment publishes magazines, trade and professional publications, and directories, as well as operates 55 radio stations in Canada; multicultural OMNI broadcast television stations; the 5 station Citytv television network; specialty sports television services, including Rogers Sportsnet, Sportnet ONE, and Setanta Sports Canada; specialty services, which comprise Outdoor Life Network, The Biography Channel Canada, and G4 Canada; and televised shopping service, The Shopping Channel. It also holds an ownership in a mobile sports and events production and distribution joint venture; delivers content and conducts ecommerce through the Internet; and owns Blue Jays, a League Baseball club, as well as Rogers Centre sports and entertainment venue. The company was founded in 1920 and is based in Toronto, Canada.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Dan Caplinger]

  The big news for Madison Square Garden has been the success of its key sports franchises. The New York Knicks basketball team made the playoffs and earned the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. Even more importantly, the long-delayed National Hockey League season finally got going in January, helping resurrect what many had feared would be a lost season, sending shares of MSG, as well as Canadian venue/team-owners Rogers Communications (NYSE: RCI  ) and BCE (NYSE: BCE  ) , higher. As it turned out, MSG's New York Rangers made the playoffs and will go up against the Washington Capitals in the first round. Playoffs are an especially lucrative time for sports viewership, and usually translate into extra profits for the company's broadcast businesses.

• [By Tom Taulli]

  Big competitors for BCE include Rogers Communications (RCI) and Telus (TU), though it also faces niche players such as Public Mobile, Wind Mobile and Mobilicity. Until recently, there was buzz that Verizon (VZ) might enter the market by buying up the latter two, though VZ apparently scrapped plans for Canadian expansion until 2014.

• [By Victor Selva]

  The company has a current ratio of 13.45% which is higher than the one registered by Liberty Interactive Corp (LINTA). But for investors looking for a higher ROE, Time Warner Cable, DISH Network Corp (DISH), Rogers Communications, Inc. (RCI), Shaw Communications, Inc. (SJR) and Tivo, Inc. (TIVO) could be better options.

Best Dividend Stocks To Watch Right Now: British/Swiss Franc(UN)

UNILEVER N.V. operates as a fast-moving consumer goods company in Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas. It offers personal care products, including skin care and hair care products, deodorants, and oral care products under the brand names of Axe, Brylcreem, Dove, Fissan, Lifebuoy, Lux, Pond's, Radox, Rexona, Signal & Close Up, Simple, St Ives, Sunsilk, TRESemm�, Vaseline, and VO5. The company also provides home care products comprising laundry tablets, powders and liquids, soap bars, and various cleaning products under the Cif, Comfort, Domestos, Omo, Radiant, Sunlight, and Surf brand names. In addition, it offers food products consisting of soups, bouillons, sauces, snacks, mayonnaise, salad dressings, margarines and spreads, as well as cooking products, such as liquid margarines. The company markets its food products under the brand names of Becel/Flora, Bertolli, Blue Band, Rama, Hellmann?s, Amora, and Knorr. Further, it provides refreshment products, which include ice cream, tea-based beverages, weight-management products, and nutritionally enhanced staples under the brand names of Heartbrand, Lipton, and Slim?Fast. UNILEVER N.V. sells its products through its own sales force, as well as through independent brokers, agents, and distributors to chain, wholesale, co-operative and independent grocery accounts, food service distributors, and institutions. The company, formerly known as Naamlooze Vennootschap Margarine Unie, was founded in 1927 and is based in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Unilever N.V. is a subsidiary of The Unilever Group.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By WWW.DAILYFINANCE.COM]

  Richard Levine/Alamy Vermont-based ice cream maker Ben & Jerry's has decided to keep the name of its new ice cream flavor, Hazed & Confused, according to Bloomberg. The company had considered a change in response to the complaint of a couple whose son, Harrison Kowiak, died in a fraternity hazing incident in 2008. The parents said that the name was insensitive and belittled a dangerous campus practice. Ben & Jerry's, which is owned by Unilever (UN), initially released the flavor in February 2014, reported Franchise Herald. The name is a reference to the phrase "dazed and confused," which is the name of a Led Zeppelin song and a 1993 coming-of-age move, according to Bloomberg. The ice cream contains chocolate and hazelnut, the latter being the source of the "hazed" part. Lianne and Brian Kowiak took notice in September and complained to the company. The website StopHazing.org urged its readers to send protests to Ben & Jerry's. The company said that it had only received a handful of comments, but would consider a name change in its October management meeting. Harrison Kowiak had a golf scholarship to Lenoir-Rhyne University. When a sophomore in 2008, he had pledged the Theta Chi fraternity, as the Tampa Bay Times reported. A lawsuit filed by the Kowiaks claimed that their 160-pound son and another boy had been put through a gauntlet line, where they were pushed, shoved, and tackled by fraternity members who weighed as much as 250 pounds and were on the school's football team.

  At some point Kowiak could no longer stand. Instead of immediately calling 911, the lawsuit says, the fraternity brothers told him to get up and walk - which he did, until he collapsed. Finally, the brothers loaded him into one of their cars and drove them to Frye Regional Medical Center. Kowiak, the lawsuit says, suffered seizures along the way.

• [By Reuters]

  Toby Talbot/AP NEW YORK -- A voluntary effort by the world's largest food and beverage companies to remove billions of calories from the products they sell in the United States to help combat the nation's obesity epidemic has far exceeded its five-year goal, according to an independent evaluation released Thursday. In May 2010, 16 of the nation's biggest food and beverage companies, from Coca-Cola (KO) to Kraft Foods Group (KRFT), pledged to remove 1 trillion calories from the U.S. marketplace by 2012 and 1.5 trillion by 2015, compared with a 2007 baseline. In fact, as of 2012 they sold 6.4 trillion fewer calories, found an analysis by researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. "Reports like this, and the fact that they exceeded their commitment by fourfold, really shows that you can make progress in giving American families more healthy options," said Larry Soler, president of the Partnership for a Healthier America, a non-profit chaired by first lady Michelle Obama. The group was formed in 2010 to work with the private sector on anti-obesity strategies. At the time, critics said the Partnership relied too heavily on the good will of the industry and couldn't replace the role of tighter regulation on how food is manufactured and marketed. Such voluntary efforts by industry "are not a magic bullet," said Jeff Levi, executive director of Trust for America's Health, a non-profit policy group. "Particularly with kids, there is a role for regulation" in reducing demand for unhealthy, high-calorie fare. It isn't clear yet how the companies accomplished the dramatic calorie reduction, said UNC public health researcher Barry Popkin, who led the analysis funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the nation's largest public health philanthropy. Some of the decline may have come from the recession, as financially strapped families cut back on junk food. When the pledge was announced, companies said they would substitute lower-calorie pro

Best Dividend Stocks To Watch Right Now: TotalFinaElf S.A.(TOT)

TOTAL S.A., together with its subsidiaries, operates as an integrated oil and gas company worldwide. The company operates through three segments: Upstream, Downstream, and Chemicals. The Upstream segment engages in the exploration, development, and production of oil and natural gas. It also involves in the transportation, trade, and marketing of natural gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG), as well as in LNG re-gasification and natural gas storage operations. In addition, this segment engages in the shipping and trade of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG); power generation from gas-fired power plants, nuclear, or renewable energies; production, trade, and marketing of coal, as well as in solar power systems and technology operations. As of December 31, 2010, it had combined proved reserves of 10,695 Mboe of oil and gas. The Downstream segment involves in refining, marketing, trading, and shipping crude oil and petroleum products. It also produces a range of specialty products, s uch as lubricants, LPG, jet fuel, special fluids, bitumen, marine fuels, and petrochemical feedstock. This segment holds interests in 24 refineries located in Europe, the United States, the French West Indies, Africa, and China, as well as operates a network of 17,490 service stations. The Chemicals segment produces base chemicals, including petrochemicals and fertilizers, as well as engages in rubber processing, resins, adhesives, and electroplating activities. TOTAL S.A. was founded in 1924 and is based in Paris, France.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Matt DiLallo]

  Upside to the Utica
  One of the top potential growth opportunities within its portfolio is in its Utica Shale acreage. The company is participating in the joint venture with Chesapeake Energy (NYSE: CHK  ) and Total (NYSE: TOT  ) in the play, as well as having 177,000 net acres of its own. That's on top of a couple of midstream projects that it's investing in to help alleviate the infrastructure problems in the play.

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  Ensco provided an updated fleet status report, which was highlighted by an initial contract for its ultra-deepwater newbuild drillship, Ensco DS-8 (12,000′), expected to begin work for Total (TOT) in Angola during 3Q15 (through 3Q20) at an initial dayrate in the high $610 range (vs. our estimate of $505k/day) with periodic increases equating to an average rate in the mid-$650 range over the 5-year program (ex-mob).

• [By Arjun Sreekumar]

  For instance, Total SA (NYSE: TOT  ) recently threw in the towel on its Voyageur�Upgrader project, a 200,000-barrels-a-day facility that was designed to "upgrade" bitumen into crude oil. It sold its 49% stake in Voyageur to its joint venture partner, Suncor Energy (NYSE: SU  ) , for $500 million, arguing that the project was "no longer justified from a strategic and economic" standpoint. Not long after, Suncor also decided to abandon the project, for which it took a C$1.5 billion write-down.

• [By Associated Press]

  ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) -- The French oil giant Total� (NYSE: TOT  ) has agreed to pay $242.5 million to settle criminal charges alleging the company paid bribes to win lucrative contracts in Iran.

Best Dividend Stocks To Watch Right Now: Pepsico Inc.(PEP)

PepsiCo, Inc. engages in the manufacture, marketing, and sale of foods, snacks, and carbonated and non-carbonated beverages worldwide. The company operates in four divisions: PepsiCo Americas Foods (PAF); PepsiCo Americas Beverages (PAB); PepsiCo Europe; and PepsiCo Asia, Middle East, and Africa (AMEA). The PAF division offers Lay?s and Ruffles potato chips, Doritos and Tostitos tortilla chips and dips, Cheetos cheese flavored snacks, Fritos corn chips, Quaker Chewy granola bars, and SunChips multigrain snacks in North America; Quaker oatmeal, Aunt Jemima mixes and syrups, Cap?n Crunch cereal, Quaker grits, and Life cereal, as well as Rice-A-Roni, Pasta Roni, and Near East side dishes in North America; and various snack foods under Doritos, Marias Gamesa, Cheetos, Ruffles, Emperador, Saladitas, Sabritas, and Lay?s brands in Latin America. The PAB division provides carbonated soft drinks, beverage concentrates, fountain syrups, and finished goods under Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Gatorade, 7UP, Tropicana Pure Premium, Electropura, Sierra Mist, Epura, and Mirinda brands; ready-to-drink tea, coffee, and water products through joint ventures with Unilever and Starbucks; and sells concentrate to authorized bottlers, and branded finished goods directly to independent distributors and retailers. This division also manufactures third-party brands, such as Dr Pepper, Crush, Rock Star, and Muscle Milk. The PepsiCo Europe division offers Frito Lay Snacks, Pepsi-Cola beverages, Gatorade sports drinks, Tropicana juices, and Quaker foods in Europe. The AMEA division provides snack food under the Lay?s, Kurkure, Chipsy, Doritos, Smith?s, Cheetos, Red Rock Deli, and Ruffles brands; Quaker-brand cereals and snacks; and beverage concentrates, fountain syrups, and finished goods under the Pepsi, Mirinda, 7UP, and Mountain Dew brands. PepsiCo, Inc. was founded in 1898 and is headquartered in Purchase, New York.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Jarrod W. Jacinth]

  PepsiCo (PEP) vs. Coca-Cola (KO) is usually all we hear about when it comes to PepsiCo. However, PepsiCo owns and operates a large variety of snack food brands in addition to its beverage brands. So rather than comparing it to other beverage companies, how about we compare it to another snack food company?

Best Dividend Stocks To Watch Right Now: Telular Corporation(WRLS)

Telular Corporation designs, develops, and distributes products and services that utilize wireless networks to provide data and voice connectivity among people and machines primarily in the United States and internationally. It provides machine-to-machine and event monitoring services, including Telguard that comprises a specialized terminal unit, which interfaces with commercial security control panels and communicates with event processing servers to provide real-time transport of alarm signals from residential and commercial locations to an alarm company?s central monitoring station; and TankLink solution that combines a cellular communicator, wireless data services, and a Web-based application into a single offering, which allows end-users to monitor the product level in a given tank vessel. The company also offers fixed cellular terminals for voice, fax, and Internet access over the wireless networks. It sells its products to security equipment distributors, cellular carriers, and value added resellers. The company was founded in 1986 and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Eric Volkman]

  Telular (NASDAQ: WRLS  ) will most likely soon be an asset belonging to another company. It has entered into an agreement to be bought by private equity firm Avista Capital Partners for total consideration of $253 million. This consists of $12.61 per share in cash and roughly $18.5 million in assumed debt.

IAC/InterActiveCorp (IACI): How Attractive Is Match Business?

IAC InterActive Corp. (NASDAQ:IACI) should see improved margins and revenue from its Match business as subscriber growth could be boosted by favorable secular trends and new monetizing opportunities.

Founded in 1993 and launched in 1995, Match.com is now one of the most recognized online properties in the world. Since its acquisition in June 1999 by IAC, Match has expanded its business portfolio to include PeopleMedia (2009), Singlesnet (2010), OkCupid (2011), Meetic (2011), Twoo (2013) and more. Based on comScore worldwide desktop Internet traffic data, these sites collectively comprise the most visited online dating platform in the world

Investors have been intrigued by this business given favorable secular trends, which many expect will support future subscriber growth. These include continued growth in the population of single adults, changing social perceptions related to online dating and greater Internet penetration globally particularly mobile, which enables more targeted, location-based functionality.

"We are bullish on Match and derive a $3.5b enterprise value for the Match segment. Given this valuation, the remainder of the business appears to be significantly undervalued," UBS analyst Eric Sheridan wrote in a note to clients.

Match is the second-largest segment at IAC by revenue (behind Search & Applications), comprising 26 percent of IAC's total sales in 2012. The segment's revenues have grown 78 percent over the past two years (29 percent in 2011 and 38 percent in 2012), largely driven by acquisitions.

In total, as of the second quarter 2013, Match featured 3.2 million subscribers, up 15 percent from last year. The business has three divisions – Core, Meetic, and Developing.

Out of the total subscribers, Core subscribers comprised 61 percent, Meetic accounted for 25 percent, and Developing subscribers represented 14 percent.

"We believe organic growth can continue at a low double-digit rate driven by the aforementioned secular growth driver! s (which we expect will translate to mid-single digit subscriber growth), as well as monetization initiatives to improve revenue per subscriber within specific Match brands," Sheridan noted.

Year-over-year Core subscriber growth has been relatively consistent in the high single-digit range over the past four quarters, and it is expected to moderate gradually into the mid-to-low single digit range over time.

In addition, Match Stir Events and Offline Game Nights provide additional revenue opportunities on top of recurring subscription fees.

Originally founded in 2001, Meetic is Europe's largest dating site, operating in 15 countries with approximately 25,000 new members joining every day. The company has been listed on the EURONEXT PARIS since 2005.

Meetic has now produced three consecutive quarters of subscriber growth. Adjusting for write-offs, the company has experienced two consecutive quarters of revenue growth, as well.

Management has since shifted its priorities for Meetic from "stabilize" to "grow" (in terms of subscribers, revenues and profits). Like Core Match, Meetic has introduced additional revenue streams to help achieve this goal. More specifically, in December 2012, Meetic introduced Meetic Soirees – group gatherings designed for singles similar to Match Stir Events.

"We expect that revenue per subscriber will begin to improve in 2014; however, over the next two years, we expect the majority of revenue growth will be driven by subscriber additions," Sheridan said.

IAC's Developing revenues are comprised of primarily ad-driven websites, including OkCupid, DateHookup, Kiss.com (formerly Singlesnet), and Twoo. Also in this bucket are Match's non-European international operations and Tinder.

While IAC plans to grow revenue from these sites, it views many of these properties as acquisition tools for its paid subscription offerings.

In the first two quarters of 2013, Developing revenues benefited from the addition of Twoo, though at a lo! wer reven! ue per user. Looking forward, organic revenue growth expected in the high-to-mid teens primarily driven by subscriber growth, but with improving revenue per subscriber trends along the way.

Moreover, Tinder, which has ranked among the top 25 iOS Social Networking apps in the U.S. since January, has yet to be monetized, and could offer meaningful upside in the future.

In addition to its secular revenue growth prospects, investors have also been attracted to Match's margin profile. Specifically, Match features higher operating income margins margins than the rest of IAC – 32 percent versus 16 percent for overall IAC in 2012.

"Looking forward, we believe margins for Match will continue to drift higher towards the 35% mark," Sheridan said.

The company should see a decline in marketing and acquisition costs over Match business. The heavy marketing spend till date to drive subscriber growth and to promote its new monetization initiatives could provide a source of leverage going forward as this spending rolls off.

Furthermore, if management's strategy around free-to-join sites is successful (i.e., using OkCupid and Tinder to funnel users towards paid sites), customer acquisition costs could be lower going forward.

"As IAC further integrates the businesses acquired within the Match portfolio, we believe there are opportunities to leverage R&D and G&A expenses across the platform globally," Sheridan added.

New monetization initiatives, a reduction in marketing spend & acquisition costs, and opportunities to leverage Match's global scale should lead to margin improvement over time.

Best High Dividend Companies To Watch For 2016

Best High Dividen d Companies To Watch For 2016: Arch Therapeutics Inc (ARTH)

Arch Therapeutics, Inc. (Arch), formerly Almah, Inc., incorporated on September 16, 2009, operates as a life science company developing polymers containing peptides intended to form gel-like barriers over wounds to stop or control bleeding. Arch is a medical device company offering an approach to the rapid cessation of bleeding (hemostasis) and control of fluid leakage (sealant) during surgery and trauma care. Arch's products are in preclinical development. The first product, AC5, is designed for hemostasis in minimally invasive (laparoscopic) and open surgical procedures.

AC5

AC5 is a synthetic peptide consisting of naturally occurring amino acids. When squirted or sprayed onto a wound, AC5 intercalates into the nooks and crannies of the connective tissue where it builds itself into a physical, mechanical structure. That structure provides a barrier to leaking substances, including blood and other bodily fluids, regardless of type of surgery or , based on early data, clotting ability.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By James E. Brumley]

  To give credit where it's due, Cytomedix, Inc. (OTCBB:CMXI) and Baxter International Inc. (NYSE:BAX) have both helped shape the landscape of the hemostasis (bleeding control) market with their products, AutoloGel and TISSELL, respectively. Arch Therapeutics Inc. (OTCBB:ARTH) has proverbially taken their concepts "up a notch", however, and its direct solution to a problem that CMXI and BAX can't quite solve may make ARTH the hottest trading candidate in the hemostasis space.

• [By John Udovich]

  Laparoscopic surgery or minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is a type of surgical technique where operations in the abdomen are performed through small incisions while small cap stocks ArthroCare Corporation (NASDAQ: ARTC), EDAP ! TMS S.A. (NASDAQ: EDAP), SafeStitch Medical Inc (OTCBB: SFES) and Arch Therapeutics Inc (OTCBB: ARTH) are all in some way focused on aiding minimally invasive procedures. According to a 2012 report produced by MedMarket Diligence, LLC, approximately 114 million surgical and procedure-based wounds occur annually worldwide, including 36 million in the US, and perhaps up to a quarter of these procedures can be described as laparoscopic in nature. Moreover, use of the technique is bound to increase as it reduces pain and hemorrhaging plus leads to a shorter recovery time.

• [By John Udovich]

  Small cap stocks Derma Sciences Inc (NASDAQ: DSCI), Oculus Innovative Sciences, Inc (NASDAQ: OCLS) and Arch Therapeutics Inc (OTCBB: ARTH) specialize or have a focus on wound care – a medical problem that has plagued mankind since the dawn of time. After all and think back to our Civil War when disease along with infections resulting from improper wound care probably killed more soldiers than actual battles. Even today, infection after surgery or after receiving a wound or injury of any kind is still a constant threat. And then there is the scaring that can result from any sort of invasive surgery or injury. With those thoughts in mind, here are three small cap wound care stocks trying address these problems:

source from Top Stocks For 2015:http://www.topstocksblog.com/best-high-dividend-companies-to-watch-for-2016.html

10 Best Cheap Stocks To Buy Right Now

10 Best Cheap Stocks To Buy Right Now: Ur Energy Inc(URG)

Ur-Energy Inc., an exploration stage junior mining company, engages in the identification, acquisition, evaluation, exploration, and development of uranium mineral properties. The company has 13 projects located in Wyoming and Nebraska, the United States; and 3 exploration projects located in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, Canada. Its landholdings cover approximately 90,000 acres in the United States and approximately 140,000 acres in Canada. The company was founded in 2004 and is headquartered in Littleton, Colorado.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By John Udovich]

  Small cap nuclear fuel stock USEC Inc (NYSE: USU) is up some 300% this week – meaning its worth taking a closer look at the company along with the performance potential uranium or nuclear stock peers Uranium Resources, Inc (NASDAQ: URRE), Denison Mines Corp (NYSEMKT: DNN), Ur-Energy Inc (NYSEMKT: URG) and Uranerz Energy Corp (NYSEMKT: URZ).

• [By Bryan Murphy]

  If you listened to my bullish calls from December 27th and/or February 24th about Uranerz Energy Corp. (NYSEMKT:URZ), Uranium Resources, Inc. (NASDAQ:URRE), and Ur-Energy Inc. (NYSEMKT:URG), then congratulations - you're now up as much as 50%, depending on when you stepped into a trade, and which stock you chose. Now get out. See, as well as URZ and URG have done and are doing (URRE not so much), it looks like the short-term rally I first spotted a little more than a couple of months ago has fully run its course, and now these names are setting up a pullback.

• [By James E. Brumley]

  Well, I'll give myself an A for effort, but a C- for timing. But, I can bump that C- up to a B+ if my intuition is right as we head into the last few days of 2013 and the first few of 2014. What I'm talking about is a bullish commentary I penned back on November 26th regardi! ng Uranerz Energy Corp. (NYSEMKT:URZ), Uranium Resources, Inc. (NASDAQ:URRE), and Ur-Energy Inc. (NYSEMKT:URG). All three stocks were perking up, and more than that, the buzz surrounding URG, URRE, and URZ was getting louder. More often than not, when the fervor and bullish action and chatter reaches the levels they had reached a month ago, an explosion is right around the corner.

• [By James Brumley]

  PLAB’s per share income is expected to double next year, from 2013′s profit of 30 cents per share to 60 cents per share in 2014.

  Ur-Energy (URG)

  12/2 Price: $1.15

source from Top Stocks For 2015:http://www.topstocksblog.com/10-best-cheap-stocks-to-buy-right-now-3.html

Top Asian Companies To Buy For 2016

Top Asian Companies To Buy For 2016: Powershares Golden Dragon (PGJ)

PowerShares Golden Dragon Halter USX China Portfolio is based on the Halter USX China Index. The Index is comprised of the United States listed securities of companies, which derive a majority of their revenue from the People's Republic of China. The fund was incepted on December 9, 2004.

The sectors covered by the investment include consumer discretionary, consumer staples, energy, financials, healthcare, industrials, information technology, materials, telecommunications and utilities. PowerShares Capital Management LLC provides investment management to the Fund.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By MONEYMORNING.COM]

  PowerShares Golden Dragon China Portfolio (NYSE: PGJ) has a position in more than 70 companies, and its holdings are all U.S.-listed companies that generate most of their revenue in China. For that reason, Alibaba is the perfect candidate to join PGJ's holdings once it starts trading on the New York Stock Exchange.

• [By Robert Martin]

  With that in mind, here are four of the best emerging market ETF picks: A China ETF, an India ETF, and two other ETFs that track broad indices like the MSCI Emerging Markets Index.

  PowerShares Gold Dragon Halter USX China Portfolio (PGJ)

  Expense Ratio: 0.7%

source from Top Stocks For 2015:http://www.topstocksblog.com/top-asian-companies-to-buy-for-2016.html

5 Best Growth Stocks To Buy Right Now

5 Best Growth Stocks To Buy Right Now: Thoratec Corporation(THOR)

Thoratec Corporation engages in the development, manufacture, and marketing of proprietary medical devices used for circulatory support. The company?s primary product lines include ventricular assist devices, such as HeartMate II, an implantable left ventricular assist device consisting of a rotary blood pump to provide intermediate and long-term mechanical circulatory support (MCS); and HeartMate XVE, an implantable and pulsatile left ventricular assist device for intermediate and longer-term MCS. Its ventricular assist devices also comprise Paracorporeal Ventricular Assist Device, an external pulsatile ventricular assist device, which provides left, right, and biventricular MCS approved for bridge-to-transplantation (BTT), including home discharge, and post-cardiotomy myocardial recovery; and Implantable Ventricular Assist Device, an implantable and pulsatile ventricular assist device designed to provide left, right, and biventricular MCS approved for BTT comprising hom e discharge, and post-cardiotomy myocardial recovery. The company also provides CentriMag, an extracorporeal full-flow acute surgical support platform that offers support up to 30 days for cardiac and respiratory failure. In addition, it offers PediMag and PediVAS extracorporeal full-flow acute surgical support platforms designed to provide acute surgical support to pediatric patients. The company sells its products through direct sales force in the United States, as well as through a network of distributors internationally. Thoratec Corporation was founded in 1976 and is headquartered in Pleasanton, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Garrett Cook]

  In trading on Thursday, healthcare shares were relative laggards, down on the day by about 0.62 percent. Meanwhile, top decliners in the sector included Thoratec (NASDAQ: THOR), down 30 perc! ent, and PhotoMedex (NASDAQ: PHMD), off 15.11 percent.

• [By Ali Berri]

  In trading on Thursday, healthcare shares were relative laggards, down on the day by about 0.62 percent. Meanwhile, top decliners in the sector included Thoratec (NASDAQ: THOR), down 28.4 percent, and PhotoMedex (NASDAQ: PHMD), off 14.6 percent.

source from Top Stocks For 2015:http://www.topstocksblog.com/5-best-growth-stocks-to-buy-right-now-3.html

A Well-Rooted Retail Investment

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Here is a concept that is very important in the market, and I saw it at work just last week when the Dow Jones Industrial Average finally kicked out three old duds.

Many times I look at portfolios that are transferred to me and see a similar situation -- I see a portfolio that is full of stocks of yesteryear. Well, I personally would rather own the "Best Stocks Now," not of yesteryear!

Look at Wal-Mart (WMT), the behemoth out of Bentonville, Ark. There's probably a Wal-Mart within driving distance of your home and you've probably visited it within the last 30 days. Wal-Mart is everywhere! The problem is, it's gotten so big it became a math problem.

Now I'm a number cruncher. I'd much rather see the numbers of a company than a CEO flapping his mouth, telling me how good his company is. My point is that at one time Wal-Mart was a great stock. But today it is no longer a double-digit grower. It is a single-digit grower. Wouldn't you have liked to have bought Wal-Mart in the early days? I look for companies today that are like WMT was in its early days. For instance, Dollar Tree (DLTR). Dollar Tree is a stock that I wrote about back in 2011 in my book Best Stocks Now! Companies. It is still performing way better than everyone else and it's still undervalued. Stocks like this may never end up in the Dow, but if it can -- from its current market cap of $12.8 billion to $20 billion -- I would be OK with that. I have already made 142% in the stock once. Data from Best Stocks Now App The first time around with DLTR, I more than doubled my money. Then the shares started to cool off and I moved on. Well, it started heating up again earlier this year so I got back in and it's on the move once again. DLTR is a stock that I currently own in my conservative growth accounts. It is a $12 billion company -- a little, tiny, large-cap stock. By contrast WMT is a mega-cap stock at $244 billion.

Performance

Let's take a quick look at the performance of DLTR by looking at my Best Stocks Now! App. Over the last five years, DLTR has averaged 35% returns to investors per year. Over the last three years DLTR has delivered 32% per year. Over the last 12 months DLTR is up 19% and it's starting to outperform the market again.

Data from Best Stocks Now App Now let's go back to 2008 when the market was down 38.5%. DLTR was up 61% that year! So what ranking do you think it would have had in 2008 (my app wasn't functional then)? I know that it would have been a top-rated stock that year. It is all relative. Valuation DLTR's performance has been sensational. Now, just for fun, let's compare its performance with that of Wal-Mart. Over the last one, three and five years, DLTR has been cranking out returns of about 30% to 35% to investors. WMT, on the other hand, has been cranking out only about 6% per year. It's all about earnings growth. Earnings growth translates into stock price appreciation. When earnings start to slow down at a company and it's no longer hitting double digits, no matter who you are, the stock price appreciation is going to follow right along. This is why you have to be invested in the Best Stocks NOW!, not big recognizable names of yesteryear. Data from Best Stocks Now App Wal-Mart was once a Dollar Tree -- it was growing rapidly. And now you ask yourself 'Why didn't I get on the Wal-Mart bandwagon in the early days?' Well, I'm giving you all these stocks on a daily basis that are in the early days now. Too many people follow the rule of avoiding stocks that are hitting a new highs. In fact, just the other day someone asked me why I would buy a stock (like DLTR) that is just hitting new highs. Well, DLTR has been hitting new highs for the last 10 years. You'd never buy this stock if you followed that rule. I would rather own a stock that is hitting new highs than one that is going sideways.

Best Energy Stocks To Own Right Now

I would rather own a stock that is hitting new highs than one that is going down.

I would rather own a stock that is hitting new highs that one that is hitting new lows!

This is where valuation comes into play.

Data from Best Stocks Now App Dollar Tree is currently trading at 17 times forward earnings, which is a slight discount to the market. It's expected to grow those earnings by 17%, so it has a PEG ratio of 1.01. All things equal, you should get 17% per year in returns on DLTR going forward. It's simple math, but that doesn't necessarily mean there's a guarantee. You still have to babysit that holding every day to make sure it's staying on track. Now every once in a while, the stock is going to be derailed a little bit. But as long as it stays on course, stay with it. You want big gains in the market. If it goes, of course, you sell. Dollar Tree is currently a stock that is exhibiting to those of Wal-Mart many years ago. Stock Chart So would I buy a stock that is hitting a new all-time high? So far we've discussed the performance and valuation of DLTR, but the last part is checking that stock chart. Courtesy of StockCharts.com Wednesday, DLTR broke out to a new all-time high. If the valuation justifies it, and in DLTR's case it does, I would absolutely buy a stock that's hitting a new high. So, it's your choice -- you could own a big, stodgy, old stock of yesteryear, or you could drop down a notch into the second or third tier and shop around the aisles of the stock market that still offer big potential. DLTR comes in at #83 out of 3,546 stocks. Clients of Gunderson Capital Management are currently long the stock. Data from Best Stocks Now App At the time of publication, Gunderson was long DLTR. Follow @billgunderson This article was written by an independent contributor, separate from TheStreet's regular news coverage.

Top 5 Supermarket Companies To Buy For 2016

Top 5 Supermarket Companies To Buy For 2016: PGT Inc.(PGTI)

PGT, Inc. engages in the manufacture and supply of residential impact-resistant windows and doors. The company offers impact-resistant products, including heavy-duty aluminum or vinyl frames with laminated glass to provide protection from hurricane-force winds and wind-borne debris. It also provides a range of non-impact-resistant aluminum and vinyl frame windows and doors; Architectural Systems line of products, which offer protection from hurricane-force winds and wind-borne debris for mid-and high-rise buildings; and non-glass vertical and horizontal sliding panels for porch enclosures, such as vinyl-glazed and aluminum-framed products used for enclosing screened-in porches that provide protection from inclement weather. The company markets its products under the WinGuard, PremierVue, PGT Architectural Systems, Eze-Breeze, and SpectraGuard brand names. PGT, Inc. offers its products to residential new construction, and home repair and remodeling end markets through windo w distributors, building supply distributors, window replacement dealers, and enclosure contractors. It operates in the southeastern United States, the Gulf Coast, Coastal mid-Atlantic, the Caribbean, Central America, and Canada. The company was formerly known as JLL Window Holdings, Inc. and changed its name to PGT, Inc. in January 2004. PGT, Inc. was founded in 1980 and is based in North Venice, Florida.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Eric Volkman]

  A larger-than-previously announced block of PGT's (NASDAQ: PGTI  ) shares is up for grabs. Major stockholder JLL Partners Fund has increased the size of its sale; it is now offering an even 10 million shares in an underwritten secondary public offering priced at $7.75 per share. Also, the issue's underwriters have been granted a 30-day option to buy up to an additional 1.65 million share! s from the seller.

• [By Seth Jayson]

  There's no foolproof way to know the future for PGT (Nasdaq: PGTI  ) or any other company. However, certain clues may help you see potential stumbles before they happen -- and before your stock craters as a result.

source from Top Stocks For 2015:http://www.topstocksblog.com/top-5-supermarket-companies-to-buy-for-2016.html

10 Best Net Payout Yield Stocks For 2016

10 Best Net Payout Yield Stocks For 2016: Prosperity Bancshares Inc (PB)

Prosperity Bancshares, Inc., incorporated on December 22, 1983, is a financial holding company. The Company operates through its bank subsidiary, Prosperity Bank (the Bank). The Bank provides a broad line of financial products and services to small and medium-sized businesses and consumers. As of December 31, 2012, the Bank operated 213 full service banking locations; 59 in the Houston area; 20 in the South Texas area including Corpus Christi and Victoria; 35 in the Dallas/Fort Worth area; 21 in the East Texas area; thirty-four 34 in the Central Texas area including Austin and San Antonio; 34 in the West Texas area including Lubbock, Midland-Odessa and Abilene; and 10 in the Bryan/College Station area. The Company added a net of two banking centers in Tyler, TX in connection with its acquisition of East Texas Financial Services (East Texas) on January 1, 2013, after consolidations. In November 2013, the Company announced that the completion of the merger of FVNB Corp.

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On January 1, 2012, the Company acquired Texas Bankers, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary, Bank of Texas, Austin, Texas. On April 1, 2012, it acquired The Bank Arlington. Effective July 1, 2012, the Company announced the completion of the merger with American State Financial Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiary American State Bank (collectively referred to as ASB) whereby American State Bank was merged with and into Prosperity Bank. In October 2012, the Company announced the completion of the merger with Community National Bank, Bellaire, Texas. On January 1, 2013, the Company announced the completion of the merger with East Texas Financial Services, Inc. (ETFS) and wholly owned subsidiary First Federal Bank Texas. Effective April 1, 2013, Prosperity Bancshares Inc announced the completion of the merger with Coppermark Bancshares, Inc. and wholly owned subsidiary Coppermark Bank, whereby Coppermark merged with and into Prosperity a! nd Coppermark Bank merged with and into Prosperity Bank.

The Company provides medical and hospitalization insurance to its full-time associates. The Company considers its relations with associates to be good. Neither the Company nor the Bank is a party to any collective bargaining agreement. In 2012, the Company added additional products and services including trust services, credit card, mortgage lending and independent sales organization (ISO) sponsorship operations.

Lending Activities

The Company, through the Bank, offers a variety of traditional loan and deposit products to its customers, which consist primarily of consumers and small and medium-sized businesses. At December 31, 2012, total loans were $5.18 billion. Loans at December 31, 2012, included $10.4 million of loans held for sale and consisted of residential mortgage loans that were acquired as part of the acquisition of ASB in 2012. As reflected in the table below, loan growth was also impacted b y the acquisition of Texas Bankers, Inc., The Bank Arlington, ASB and Community National Bank. Excluding loans acquired in these acquisitions and new production at the acquired banking centers since their respective acquisition dates, loans held for investment grew approximately $234.9 million, or 6.2%. The Company offers a variety of commercial lending products including term loans and lines of credit. The Company offers a broad range of short to medium-term commercial loans, primarily collateralized, to businesses for working capital (including inventory and receivables), business expansion (including acquisitions of real estate and improvements) and the purchase of equipment and machinery.

The Company makes commercial real estate loans collateralized by owner-occupied and non-owner-occupied real estate to finance the purchase of real estate. The Companys commercial real estate loans are collateralized by liens on real estate, typically have variable inter est rates (or five year or less ! fixed rat! es) and amortize over a 15 to 20 year period. Companys lending activities also includes the origination of 1-4 family residential mortgage loans collateralized by owner-occupied residential properties located in the Companys market areas. The Company offers a variety of mortgage loan products which generally are amortized over five to 25 years. Loans collateralized by 1-4 family residential real estate generally have been originated in amounts of no more than 89% of appraised value or have mortgage insurance. The Company requires mortgage title insurance and hazard insurance. Other than with respect to mortgage banking activities acquired in the ASB acquisition, the Company has elected to keep all 1-4 family residential loans for its own account rather than selling such loans into the secondary market. By doing so, the Company is able to realize a higher yield on these loans; however, the Company also incurs interest rate risk a s well as the risks associated with nonpayments on such loans. The Company makes loans to finance the construction of residential and, to a lesser extent, nonresidential properties. Construction loans generally are collateralized by first liens on real estate and have floating interest rates. The Company provides agriculture loans for short-term crop production, including rice, cotton, milo and corn, farm equipment financing and agriculture real estate financing.

Investment Activities

The Company uses its securities portfolio to manage interest rate risk and as a source of income and liquidity for cash requirements. At December 31, 2012, the carrying amount of investment securities totaled $7.44 billion. At December 31, 2012, securities represented 51.0% of total assets. At December 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company did not own securities of any one issuer (other than the U.S. government and its agencies) for which aggregate adjusted cost excee ded 10% of the consolidated shareholders equity .

Sources of Funds

The! Company ! offers a variety of deposit accounts having a wide range of interest rates and terms including demand, savings, money market and time accounts. The Company relies primarily on competitive pricing policies and customer service to attract and retain these deposits. The Company does not have or accept any brokered deposits. Total deposits at December 31, 2012, were $11.64 billion. Noninterest-bearing deposits at December 31, 2012, were $3.02 billion. The Company utilizes borrowings to supplement deposits to fund its lending and investment activities. Borrowings consist of funds from the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) and securities sold under repurchase agreements.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By mitu77]

  Various chip manufacturers are now focused on their flash drive storage portfolio to leverage their top and bottom lines. EMC (EMC) is one such company that is a market leader in storage solution providers with global foot prints. Not just the storage, but EMC also provides various solutions like security, big data and hybrid cloud solution. The companys emerging business is its storage business with high end solutions and performance. The size of data has been exponentially growing and this growth has enabled companies like EMC to flourish. IDC ( Market research company) and EMC had jointly estimated global data size to be around 2,837 Exabytes (EB) in 2012, and it is estimated to reach 40,000 EB by 2020. As the digital world continues to expand it is further anticipated that by 2020, average storage requirement would be around 5200 Gigabytes (GB) per person. 1 Exabytes (EB) = 1000 Petabytes (PB) = 1 million Terabytes (TB) =1 billion Gigabytes (GB)

• [By Rich Duprey]

  Houston-based bank holding companyProsperity Bancshares (NYSE: PB  ) announced today its second-quarter dividend of $0.215 per share, the same rate it paid the last two quarters after raising the payout 10% from $0.195 per share.

source from ! Top Penny Stocks For 2015:http://www.seekpennystocks.com/10-best-net-payout-yield-stocks-for-2016.html

Top 5 Canadian Companies For 2016

Top 5 Canadian Companies For 2016: Plains All American Pipeline L.P.(PAA)

Plains All American Pipeline, L.P., through its subsidiaries, engages in the transportation, storage, terminalling, and marketing of crude oil, refined products, and liquid petroleum gas (LPG) products in the United States and Canada. The company operates in three segments: Transportation, Facilities, and Supply and Logistics. The Transportation segment transports crude oil and refined products on pipelines, gathering systems, trucks, and barges. As of December 31, 2011, this segment owned and leased 16,000 miles of active crude oil and refined products pipelines and gathering systems; 23 million barrels of above-ground tank capacity used primarily to facilitate pipeline throughput; 67 trucks and 382 trailers; and 82 transport and storage barges, and 44 transport tugs. The Facilities segment provides storage, terminalling, and throughput services for crude oil, refined products, and LPG and natural gas, as well as offers LPG fractionation and isomerization, and natural gas processing services. The Supply and Logistics segment purchases crude oil at the wellhead, and pipeline and terminal facilities; waterborne cargoes at their load port and various other locations in transit; and LPG from producers, refiners, and other marketers. This segment also resells or exchanges crude oil and LPG; and transports oil and LPG on trucks, barges, railcars, pipelines, and ocean-going vessels to various delivery points. It has 622 trucks and 731 trailers, and 2,453 railcars. The company also owns and operates natural gas storage facilities. Plains All American Pipeline, L.P. was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Robert Rapier]

  But much of this newfound oil and gas production is taking place in regions that haven't been traditional producers of oil and gas. This has created! strong demand for midstream providers to build the gathering systems, pipelines and storage tanks required to move oil and gas from fields in North Dakota and Pennsylvania to customers on the Gulf Coast and in the Northeast. This profited such midstream MLP giants as Kinder Morgan Energy Partners (NYSE: KMP), Enterprise Products Partners (NYSE: EPD), and Plains All American Pipeline (NYSE: PAA).

• [By David Dittman]

  Enterprise Products Partners LP (NYSE: EPD) and Plains All-American Pipeline LP (NYSE: PAA) generate fee-based revenue tied to the continuing ramp-up of shale-based gas and oil production in the US.

• [By David Dittman]

  Answer: Pembina Pipeline has surged well beyond our recommended buy-under target, but it remains one of my favorite invest-to-grow stories.
  
  My favorite MLPs for new money include recent distribution-raisers Kinder Morgan Energy Partners LP (NYSE: KMP) and Plains All American Pipeline LP (NYSE: PAA).
  
  Duke Energy still faces serious questions about the Dan River coal ash spill. But I think it will be able to absorb cleanup costs, appease local, state and federal regulators and continue to grow its dividend.

source from Top Stocks For 2015:http://www.topstocksblog.com/top-5-canadian-companies-for-2016.html

5 Best Communications Equipment Stocks To Invest In 2016

5 Best Communications Equipment Stocks To Invest In 2016: Envivio Inc (ENVI)

Envivio, Inc., incorporated on January 5, 2000, is a provider of Internet protocol (IP) video processing and distribution solutions, which enable the delivery of video to consumers. The Company's solution is designed to enable service providers and content providers to offer video anytime, anywhere across a range of video formats, networks, consumer devices and operating systems. Its software-based solution runs on industry-standard hardware and includes encoders, transcoders, network media processors all controlled through its network management system. It enables service providers and content providers to deliver linear broadcast and on-demand video services to their customers through multiple screens, such as tablets, mobile handsets, netbooks, laptops, personal computers (PCs) and televisions. Its customers include mobile and wireline telecommunications service providers, cable multiple system operators (MSOs), direct broadcast satellite service providers (DBSs), and content providers, which includes broadcasters and content publishers, owners, aggregators and licensees.

Core Technologies

The Company's software platform includes core technologies: modular software architecture and multi-core video compression. The Company's core competencies are in developing advanced media compression and video over IP technologies, where it delivers a carrier grade, multi-screen solution. Its modular software architecture provides a common platform of capabilities and features, which allows its products to perform critical video processing and distribution functions, including ingestion, processing, packaging, protection and encryption, network optimizations and monitoring. In addition, its software-based architecture allows customers to enable features or add capacity through the input of ! a simple security or license key.

The Company Multi-core video compression has a set of video processing and compression algorithms designed to optimize performance on industry-stan! dard, multi-core hardware chipsets. These algorithms are central to all of its encoder and transcoder products.

Products

The Company's unified video headend solution and unified delivery infrastructure for live and on-demand multi-screen video delivery are built on its encoding, transcoding and video distribution products. Its suite of products consists of Envivio 4Caster, Muse, Halo and 4Manager. Its 4Caster product delivers video to mobile, PC and television from a single platform. It has designed 4Caster to optimize live and on-demand workflows for video delivery commensurate with the characteristics of both legacy and current network infrastructures by encoding video input in multiple codecs, resolutions, bit rates and formats. 4Caster utilizes pre-processing techniques to clean and optimize video sources before encoding.

Envivio Muse is its new multi-screen software architecture designed for live or file-based video transcoding and distribution to multiple devices. Muse is available on industry-standard blade servers or its 4Caster appliances and enables service providers running large-scale operations to leverage their existing datacenter infrastructure to deliver enhanced video services. Muse also enables advanced functionality, such as ad-insertion and content protection for mobile devices that facilitates service monetization.

The Company's Halo Network Media Processor performs final content adaptation for consumer devices, including protected adaptive bitrate streams compatible with Apple iOS, Android 3 and Microsoft Smooth Streaming enabled consumer devices. Its 4Manager network management system is specifically engineered to manage next generation video headends for mobile television, over-the-top (OTT) and Internet protocol television (I! PTV), whi! le continuing to support traditional broadcast distribution networks. 4Manager allows service providers to monitor and control all h eadend appliances. 4Manager is designed to maximize video he! adend ava! ilability and reliability by reporting system malfunctions and can automatically switch away from a defective unit, minimizing service disruption.

Services

The Company offers a range of services in support of its products, including on-site project assessment, systems integration, on-site delivery and operational and customer support. On-site project assessment include complete review of content sources, existing systems and middleware to determine the proper interface and adaptation equipment necessary for its customer to deliver an optimized consumer quality of experience. Systems integration configures all the equipment with its solution according to network design and plan. On-site delivery install all equipment and test the operational environment, including redundancy and system monitoring, as well as administer technical training to validate predefined use cases in an operational environment. Operational and customer support provides differen t grades of service level agreements and support contracts according to requirements.

The Company competes with Harmonic Inc., Cisco Systems, Inc., Elemental Technologies, RGB Networks, Inc., Google Inc. and Ericsson AB.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By John Udovich]

  Small cap video technology stocks Envivio Inc (NASDAQ: ENVI), Ku6 Media Co Ltd (NASDAQ: KUTV) and Tremor Video Inc (NYSE: TRMR) made some interesting moves today and in recent days or months – meaning its worth taking a closer look at all three to see if there might be opportunities for traders and investors alike:

• [By Jake L'Ecuyer]

  Leading and Lagging Sectors
  Technology stocks gained Thursday, with Infinera (NASDAQ: INFN) leading advancers. Meanwhile, gainers in the sector included Envivio (NAS! DAQ: ENVI! ), with shares up 2.8 percent, and Adept Technology (NASDAQ: ADEP), with shares up 4.3 percent.

source from Top Stocks For 2015:http://www.topstocksblog.com/5-best-communications-equipment-stocks-to-invest-in-2016-2.html

Hot China Companies To Invest In Right Now

H ot China Companies To Invest In Right Now: Changyou.com Limited(CYOU)

Changyou.com Limited develops and operates online games in the People?s Republic of China. It involves in the development, operation, and licensing of massively multi-player online role-playing games (MMORPGs), which are interactive online games that might be played simultaneously by various game players. The company operates seven MMORPGs that include its in house developed Tian Long Ba Bu; and licensed Blade Online, Blade Hero 2, Da Hua Shui Hu, Zhong Hua Ying Xiong, Immortal Faith, and San Jie Qi Yuan. As of December 31, 2010, Changyou?s games in China had approximately 111.4 million aggregate registered accounts; 1.0 million aggregate peak concurrent users; and 2.7 million aggregate active paying accounts. The company was founded in 2003 and is based in Beijing, the People?s Republic of China. Changyou.com Limited is a subsidiary of Sohu.com Inc.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Jake L'Ecuyer]

  Changyou.com (NASDAQ: CYOU) shares tumbled 11.75percent to $26.02 after the company issued a weak Q1 guidance and announced the resignation of its CFO.

• [By Yiannis Mostrous]

  Changyou.com (CYOU)

  A subsidiary of Internet portal Sohu.com, video game developer Changyou.com specializes in massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPG).

source from Top Stocks For 2015:http://www.topstocksblog.com/hot-china-companies-to-invest-in-right-now-5.html

Senators Take ‘Blank Slate’ Approach to Tax Reform

After working on bipartisan tax reform for the past three years, the Senate Finance Committee's leaders have said they want to start with a blank slate.

Chairman Max Baucus and the committee’s ranking member, Sen. Orrin Hatch, sent a letter to their fellow lawmakers Thursday asking for their input by July 26 on how to reform the tax code, as they’re “now entering the home stretch.”

Baucus, D-Mont., and Hatch, R-Utah, told their colleagues “now it is your turn” to give your ideas and “partnership to get tax reform over the finish line.” Both said they want to complete reforming the tax code in this Congress.

To ensure “that we end up with a simpler, more efficient and fairer tax code, we believe it is important to start with a ‘blank slate’—that is, a tax code without all of the special provisions in the form of exclusions, deductions and credits and other preferences that some refer to as ‘tax expenditures,’” the two write. “This blank slate is not, of course, the end product, nor the end of the discussion.”

The senators went on to say that “some of the special provisions serve important objectives.” Indeed, they said, “some existing tax expenditures should be preserved in some form. But the tax code is also littered with preferences for special interests.”

To clear out all the unproductive provisions and simplify in tax reform, Baucus and Hatch said they “plan to operate from an assumption that all special provisions are out unless there is clear evidence that they: help grow the economy, make the tax code fairer, or effectively promote other important policy objectives.”

Hatch and Baucus asked that lawmakers submit legislative language or detailed proposals for what tax expenditures meet the above mentioned tests and should be included in a reformed tax code, “as well as other provisions that should be added, repealed or reformed as part of tax reform” by July 26. “We will give special attention to proposals that are bipartisan,” they said.

The two senators explained in their letter that the "blank slate approach would allow significant deficit reduction or rate reduction, while maintaining the current level of progressivity." The amount of rate reduction “would of course depend on how much revenue was reserved for deficit reduction, if any, and from which income groups,” they said.

The specter of a tax code stripped of "special provisions" is stoking worries in much of the financial sector. Cities and other localities have been nervous for some time about the effects of a possible end to the muni bond tax exemption.

Brian Graff, CEO of the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries, says the senators’ blank-slate approach means that to begin the tax reform process, “the tax deferral incentive for retirement savings is to be thrown out along with every other tax incentive in the Internal Revenue Code that represents permanent lost revenue.”

But Graff said that while ASPPA “appreciates the senators’ acknowledgement that some tax incentives should be preserved — and we believe the incentive for retirement savings is clearly one of them … we are disappointed that there is no recognition that the tax incentive for retirement savings is a deferral, not a true ‘tax expenditure,’” he said in a statement.

Tens of millions of workers, Graff continued, “count on their employer-based retirement plans, and it is the tax incentive that powers these programs. In fact, the primary factor in determining whether or not a worker is saving for retirement is whether or not they have a retirement plan at work.”

The benefits of this deferral incentive “are very real,” Graff said, “and the revenue that would be gained by eliminating it is not. Every dollar of retirement savings excluded from income today will be included as income when it is paid out in retirement. Treating the retirement savings income deferral like a permanent exclusion is terribly misleading, and could lead to bad policy decisions.”

---

Check out Repeal of Muni Tax-Exempt Status Would Devastate Counties: Report on AdvisorOne.

GIS Discusses Growth Plans for 2014 - Analyst Blog

General Mills Inc. (GIS), a global consumer food company, recently discussed its outlook and growth strategies for fiscal 2014 at the New York Stock Exchange.

Fiscal 2014

Outlook Retained

Growth in fiscal 2014 is expected to be in line with its long-term targets and driven by new products, increased brand support and cost savings from the Holistic Margin Management (HMM) program. The company maintained its prior guidance for fiscal 2014. Earnings per share are expected to grow at a high single-digit rate in a range of $2.87 to $2.90.

The company continues to expect net sales to grow at a low single-digit rate and exceed $18 billion in fiscal 2014 on the back of new product innovation and contribution from new businesses such as Yoplait Canada and Yoki. The U.S. retail business is expected to benefit from new product launches and increased innovation, while the international business will gain largely from the newly-acquired businesses.

Segment operating profit is expected to grow in mid-single digits. The company expects margin to expand in fiscal 2014 on the back of cost savings from the HMM program. Capital spending is expected to be around $700 million.

Moreover, the company plans to increase dividends and share buybacks in the year, thus offering greater shareholder value. The increased buybacks are expected to lower the average number of shares outstanding by 2% in fiscal 2014. The company also plans to increase its dividend by 15% effective from the quarterly payment due on Aug, 01.

Strategies

Product Innovation

The company intends to launch more than 200 new products in the first half of fiscal 2014. More products are expected to be introduced later in the year.

In 2014 and beyond, in order to drive sales growth, General Mills will focus on five global categories. These categories include ready-to-eat cereals, super-premium ice creams, convenient meals, wholesome snack bars and yogurt. These categories are highly respo! nsive to innovation and are capable of meeting evolving consumer needs. General Mills' retail sales in the five global categories are growing at attractive rates and all of these have promising long-term growth potential.

Focus on Cereals

General Mills operates a $4 billion cereal segment. The company intends to offer new cereal options and brand building in the U.S cereal market in 2014. Some of the new products are Hershey's cookies & Creme cereal and two varieties of Nature valley granola cereal. The company intends to expand the distribution of BFast, a breakfast shake.

Focus on Yogurt Business

General Mills generates $3 billion of sales from yogurt segment. The company intends to launch a new line of Yoplait Greek strained yogurt. The company also plans to increase its advertising expenditure and focus on product innovation, in order to drive sales.

The U.S. yogurt business has been challenging as increased sales prices in response to dairy cost inflation is reducing the competitiveness of its products. With the latest brand building and product innovation, the company expects its U.S. yogurt business to return to growth in fiscal 2014. The company has several products planned for its yogurt business in Europe and U.K.

Focus on Snacks

General Mills' snacks segment is a $3 billion business. The company plans to introduce products like Nature Valley soft baked oatmeal squares, Fiber One, Ckex snack chips and Betty Crocker caramel Brownies in the U.S. It has products lined up for Europe and Brazil as well.

Focus on Meals

The company has planned several innovations for the meal segment also, which includes brands like Old el Paso and Helpers. The company will also launch several new products in China and Brazil.

Ice Cream

The company has initiated a global advertising campaign on Haagen- Dazs. The company intends to open more than 70 new Haagen- Dazs cafes in 13 cities in China in fiscal 2014.

Focus ! on Intern! ational market

General Mills also discussed its plans to shift the geographic mix of its business towards the international markets with particular focus on the emerging markets. Currently more than 1/3rd of its sales are generated from the international markets including about $2 billion in sales from the emerging markets.

General Mills carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Other food companies that have been doing well consistently are Flower Foods Inc. (FLO) and B&G Foods Inc. (BGS) both carrying a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and Campbell Soup Company (CPB) carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

Top 10 Services Stocks To Own For 2015

Last week, the IRS gave Iron Mountain (IRM) what it wanted: REIT status. Since then, the storage company’s shares have jumped 18%–and JPMorgan thinks they could head higher.

AP

JPMorgan’s Andrew Steinerman and Jeffrey Volshteyn explain why they now rate Iron Mountain Overweight:

Iron Mountain announced that it achieved IRS approval for REIT status retroactively as of January 1, 2014, completing a process that began in 2012.�Iron Mountain stock leaped 20% on Thursday due to the large cash tax savings and the resulting increased dividend. We still see continued upside due to valuation as yield-oriented and REIT investors are attracted to Iron Mountain. While we recognize that Iron Mountain will not prospectively trade at a full real estate valuation (due to the services side of their business), the REIT structure should help highlight the sizable valuation gap that exists today and should narrow over time.

Best Services Companies To Own For 2016: NEC Corp (NIPNF)

NEC Corporation is a diversified company. The Information Technology (IT) Solution segment provides system integration, supporting, outsourcing and cloud services, servers, mainframes, super computers, wireless access devices and software. Carrier Network segment provides backbone network system, network access and operation support system, among others. Social Infrastructure segment provides broadcasting video system, control system, transportation and public system, fire and disaster prevention system, and others. Personal Solution segment provides smart phones, cellular phones, corporate computers, tablet terminals, mobile and wireless routers, and Internet service and display solution. The Others segment provides smart energy solution, electronic components and lighting fixtures. On October 1, 2013, it transferred 45% stake in NEC TOPPAN CIRCUIT SOLUTIONS, INC. to KYOCERA CORP, and sold all shares in NEC Magnus Communications Ltd. to NEC Networks & System Integration Corporation. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By WWW.MARKETWATCH.COM]

  LOS ANGELES (MarketWatch) -- Japan's Nikkei Average (JP:NIK) traded 0.5% higher in the early minutes Tuesday, extending the previous day's 0.9% advance, with the market getting some support from overnight gains for U.S. shares and a slightly weaker yen (dollar at 楼101.56 vs. 楼101.40 at Monday's open). Among the gainers, Toshiba Corp. (JP:6502) (TOSYY) rose 1.7%, Hitachi Ltd. (JP:6501) (HTHIF) gained 1.5%, NEC Corp. (JP:6701) (NIPNF) improved by 2.5%, Bridgestone Corp. (JP:5108) (BRDCF) added 2.7% to extend gains over the past couple weeks following the company's purchase of U.S.-based Masthead Industries, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. (JP:7011) (MHVYF) traded 1.1% higher as a Wall Street Journal report said the industrial major's Mitsubishi Aircraft unit had reached a tentative deal to sell 40 jets for the planned revival of defunct U.S. carrier Eastern Air Lines Group Inc. Auto makers were firmer as well, with Nissan Motor Co. (JP:7201) (NSANY) up 1.3%, Toyota Motor Corp. (JP:7203) (TM) up 0.5%, and Honda Motor Co. (JP:7267)

• [By MARKETWATCH]

  LOS ANGELES (MarketWatch) -- Japanese stocks slipped early Monday, with the Nikkei Stock Average (JP:NIK) down 0.1% at 14,298.17, and the Topix dropping 0.4%. Singapore-traded lead futures for the Nikkei Average had suggested a 0.8% gain for the index, but the indicator fell after the Cabinet Office reported fourth-quarter economic growth of 0.3%, flat from the previous quarter and below expectations in separate Reuters and Wall Street Journal/Nikkei surveys. The disappointing economic data also pushed the yen higher, weighing on some exporters, with Panasonic Corp. (JP:6752) (PCRFF) down 1.8%, NEC Corp. (JP:6701) (NIPNF) off 1.3%, and Sony Corp. (JP:6758) (SNE) down 0.7% after S&P downgraded the firm's credit rating to BBB- from BBB with a negative outlook. Shares of Internet retailer Rakuten Inc. (JP:4755) (RKUNF) dropped 12% after announcing plans to buy online messaging and telecom firm Viber Media Inc. for $900 million as well as posting below-consensus full-year profit. Banks were broadly lower, with Mizuho Financial Group Inc. (JP:8411) (MFG) off 1% and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc. (JP:8316) (SMFG) off 1.1%, though Daiwa Securities Group Inc. (JP:8601)

Top 10 Services Stocks To Own For 2015: ICG Group Inc (ICGE)

ICG Group, Inc. (ICG), formerly Internet Capital Group, Inc., acquires and builds Internet software and services companies. ICG operates in two business segments: the core reporting segment and the venture reporting segment. The Company�� core reporting segment includes those companies in which its management provides strategic direction and management assistance. Its venture reporting segment includes companies to which it generally devote less capital than it does to its core companies and, therefore, in which it holds relatively smaller ownership stakes than it does in the core companies. As of December 31, 2011, its equity core companies consisted of Channel Intelligence, Inc., Freeborders, Inc. and WhiteFence, Inc. As of December 31, 2011, its venture companies consisted of Acquirgy, Inc., GoIndustry-DoveBid plc and SeaPass Solutions Inc. In April 2012, it acquired MSDSonline Inc. In December 2012, the Company aquired 85% of interest in Procurian Inc. In February 2013, Google Inc acquired Channel Intelligence, Inc. one of the consolidated companies of ICG.

The Company is focused on the software and services markets, particularly on companies in the cloud-based software and services sector. Once the Company acquires an interest in a company, it works to assume an active role in the development and growth of the Company, providing both strategic guidance and operational support. The Company provides strategic guidance to its companies relating to, among other things, market positioning, business model and product development, strategic capital expenditures, mergers and acquisitions and exit opportunities. In addition, it provides operational support to help its companies manage day-to-day business and operational issues and implement the practices in the areas of finance, sales and marketing, business development, human resources and legal services.

GovDelivery Holdings, Inc.

GovDelivery Holdings, Inc. (GovDelivery) is a provider of government-to-citizen com! munication solutions. GovDelivery�� digital subscription management software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform enables government organizations to provide citizens with access to relevant information by delivering new information through e-mail, mobile text alerts, really simple syndication (RSS) and social media channels from United States and United Kingdom government entities at the national, state and local levels.

Investor Force Holdings, Inc.

Investor Force Holdings, Inc. (InvestorForce) is a financial software company specializing in the development of online applications for the financial services industry. InvestorForce provides pension consultants and other financial intermediaries with a Web-based enterprise platform that integrates data management with robust analytic and reporting capabilities in support of their institutional and other clients. InvestorForce�� applications provide investment consultants with the ability to conduct analysis and research into client, manager and market movement and to produce timely, automated client reports.

Procurian Inc.

Procurian Inc. (Procurian) is a specialist in procurement solutions, which partners with transformational business to drive sustainable changes to their cost structures on an accelerated basis. Procurian integrates superior market intelligence with its customers��businesses to optimize spending and deliver savings.

Channel Intelligence, Inc.

Channel Intelligence, Inc. (Channel Intelligence) is a technology and marketing services company that helps retailers, manufacturers and other advertisers make their products and services easier for consumers to find and buy online and in local retail stores. Through its technologies and product database, Channel Intelligence offers online marketing services, such as display advertising, manufacturer-based content and where-to-buy, paid search, shopping engine management, social marketing, Web storefronts, order manage! ment and ! robust performance analytics. With its range of services, Channel Intelligence helps its customers support their consumers through all phases of the sales funnel, from lead generation to consideration to purchase and delivery.

WhiteFence, Inc.

WhiteFence, Inc. (WhiteFence) is a Web services provider used by household consumers to compare and purchase essential home services, such as electricity, natural gas, telephone and cable/satellite television. WhiteFence reaches customers directly through company-owned Websites and through its network of exclusive channel partners that integrate the Web services applications into their own business processes and Websites.

Acquirgy, Inc.

Acquirgy, Inc. (Acquirgy) specializes in direct response marketing services and technology, which provides customers with a range of direct marketing products and services. Acquirgy helps market its products and services on the Internet and through other media channels, such as television, radio, and print advertising.

GoIndustry-DoveBid plc (GoIndustry)

GoIndustry-DoveBid plc (GoIndustry) is an in auction sales and valuations of used industrial machinery and equipment. GoIndustry combines traditional asset sales experience with e-commerce technology and advanced direct marketing to service the needs of multi-national corporations, insolvency practitioners, dealers and asset-based lenders worldwide.

SeaPass Solutions Inc.

SeaPass Solutions Inc. (SeaPass) develops and markets processing solutions that enables insurance carriers, agents and brokers to transmit and receive data in real time by leveraging existing systems to interact automatically. The Company�� technology allows information to be accessed in real time, which increases efficiency across all lines of the insurance business.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Jake L'Ecuyer]

  ICG Group (NASDAQ: ICGE) was also up, gaining 9.77 percent to $15.39 after the company announced the sale of Procurian to Accenture plc (NYSE: ACN) for $375 million in cash.

• [By Luke Jacobi]

  ICG Group (NASDAQ: ICGE) rose 9.74 percent to $15.39 after the company announced the sale of Procurian to Accenture plc (NYSE: ACN) for $375 million in cash.

Top 10 Services Stocks To Own For 2015: Enventis Corp (ENVE)

Enventis Corporation, formerly HickoryTech Corporation, is an integrated communications provider. The Company has a five-state fiber network spanning more than 3,250 route miles with facilities-based operations across Minnesota and into Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Enventis Telecom, Inc. (Enventis) provides business Internet protocol (IP) voice, data and video solutions, Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) networking, data center and managed hosted services and communication systems. HickoryTech delivers broadband, Internet, digital television (TV), voice and data services to businesses and consumers in southern Minnesota and northwest Iowa. The Company�� operations are conducted through nine subsidiaries. Its Fiber and Data and Equipment Segments subsidiaries include Enventis, Enterprise Integration Services, Inc. (EIS) and IdeaOne. Its Telecom Segment subsidiaries include Mankato Citizens Telephone Company (MCTC), Mid-Communications, Inc. (Mid-Com), Heartland Telecommunications Company of Iowa, Inc. (Heartland), Cable Network, Inc. (CNI), Crystal Communications, Inc. (Crystal) and National Independent Billing, Inc. (NIBI). The Company operates in three segments: Fiber and Data, Equipment and Telecom. The Company formed Enterprise Integration Services, Inc. (EIS) on January 2, 2012. On March 1, 2012, the Company acquired IdeaOne Telecom Group, LLC.

Fiber and Data and Equipment segments portion of its business serves customers across a five-state region with IP-based voice, transport, data and network solutions, managed services, equipment, network integration and support services. Through its regional fiber network, the Company provides wholesale fiber and data services to regional and national service providers, including interexchange and wireless carriers. It also specializes in providing integrated unified communication solutions for businesses, such as enterprise multi-office organizations, small and medium-sized businesses (SMB), primarily in the Upper Midwes! t. Residential customers are not targeted by the Fiber and Data or Equipment Segments. Its Telecom Segment provides residential and business services, including high-speed Internet, broadband services, digital TV and voice services in its legacy telecom markets. Telecom consists of the operation of local telephone companies or incumbent local exchange carriers (ILEC) and the operation of a competitive local exchange carrier (CLEC). All of its telecom operations are operated as one integrated unit. Its ILECs and CLEC are the primary users of the services provided by its subsidiary, National Independent Billing, Inc. (NIBI). NIBI also sells its services externally to other companies in the communications industry.

Fiber and Data and Equipment Segments

The Company, through its two business-to-business segments, Fiber and Data and Equipment, provides integrated data services and fiber based communication solutions, including IP-based voice, data and network solutions to business customers in the Upper Midwest. The product portfolio includes fiber, data and Internet, Voice and Voice over IP (VoIP), Managed and hosted services and data center services. As of December 31, 2011, it owned or had long-term leases to approximately 2,175 fiber route miles of fiber optic cable, including 225 miles acquired with the IdeaOne acquisition and has metro fiber optic rings that directly connect the network with businesses (interexchange carriers, wireless carriers, retail, health care, Government and education customers). Additional local fiber rings connect its network to local telephone central offices along with the Telecom Sector network, which has 1,155 fiber optic miles. It also serves customers through interconnections that are leased from third party service providers.

The Company�� product portfolio includes SingleLink Unified Communications (SingleLink), a hosted or managed IP communications service, which includes local and long distance voice, business IP telephony via ! a hosted ! IP private branch exchange, unified messaging and Internet access. The SingleLink solution is primarily targeted at SMB customers but also has enterprise customer applications. IdeaOne Telecom Group, LLC is a metro fiber network provider in Fargo, North Dakota. IdeaOne provides data networking, Internet, colocation, phone and hosting services to approximately 3,600 customers in the Fargo area. The acquisition added 225 fiber route miles to HickoryTech�� regional network. It has Minnesota offices located in Minneapolis, Duluth and Rochester and operates data centers in Edina, Duluth and Mankato. It also has an office located in the Des Moines, Iowa area. The Equipment segment product portfolio includes equipment solutions, total care support and monitoring and professional services. The Company provides converged IP services that allow all communications (voice, video and data) to use the same IP data infrastructure. Equipment solutions include TelePresence, Unified Communications, Data Center and Virtualization, Professional Services, Total Care and Security.

Telecom

The Telecom Segment provides local telephone service, long distance, calling features, digital subscriber line (DSL), Internet, digital TV, data services and a phone book directory to residents and businesses in its legacy markets. As an auxiliary business, the data processing services of NIBI are also included within this Sector. Telecom includes three ILECs: MCTC, Mid-Com and Heartland. MCTC and Mid-Com provide telephone services in south central Minnesota, specifically the Mankato, Minnesota region, and 11 rural communities surrounding Mankato. Heartland, its third ILEC, provides telephone services for 11 rural communities in northwest Iowa. In total, there are 23 ILEC exchanges within this Segment. Also included is a CLEC, Crystal, which provides services in south central Minnesota and near Des Moines, Iowa. There are eight Minnesota CLEC exchanges and two Iowa CLEC exchanges. NIBI provides data processing an! d related! services for its affiliated companies, as well as for other ILECs, CLECs, interexchange network carriers, wireless companies and cable TV providers throughout the United States and Canada.

The Company owns and operates a 1,075 mile fiber optic network and facilities in Minnesota and Iowa. These facilities are used to transport voice, data and video services between the Company�� exchanges, to connect customers to interexchange carriers and to provide service directly to end users. This network is interconnected with its 2,175 fiber mile network in the Fiber and Data Segment. Its Minnesota ILECs and CLEC are the primary users of these fiber optic cable facilities. The Company provides interexchange telephone access by connecting the communications networks of interexchange carriers and wireless carriers with the equipment and facilities of end users through its switched networks or private lines. As local exchange telephone companies, it provides end office switching and circuits to long distance interexchange carriers. The Company provides access to its network for interexchange carriers to conduct long distance business with individual customers who select a long distance carrier for the origination and termination of calls to all customers.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Anna Prior]

  Consolidated Communications Holdings Inc.(CNSL) has agreed to acquire broadband communications provider Enventis Corp.(ENVE) in an all-stock deal that values Enventis at about $228 million. The deal values Enventis at about $16.50 a share, a 17% premium to Friday’s close.

Top 10 Services Stocks To Own For 2015: Credit Suisse Group AG (CSGN.VX)

Credit Suisse Group AG is a Switzerland-based holding company engaged in private banking, investment banking and asset management areas. It operates through four divisions: Private Banking, which consists of the Wealth Management Clients and Corporate & Institutional Clients business; Investment Banking, provides a range of financial products and services, with a focus on client-driven, flow-based and capital-efficient businesses; Asset Management, offers a range of asset class products, including alternative investments, and multi-asset class solutions, including equities and fixed income products, and Shared Services, which provides centralized corporate services and business support for the Company's divisions. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Dan Strumpf]

  As big macroeconomic headlines recede, ETFs are falling out of favor. ETF volumes have dipped this year to about 16.5% of total equity volumes, down from 16.7% in 2013, according to analysts at Credit Suisse(CSGN.VX) Trading Strategy. The data suggest that investors are increasingly favoring trades in individual stocks.

• [By Steven Russolillo]

  Under February’s partnership, Coke acquired a 10% stake in Keurig for $1.25 billion and the option to increase its stake to as much as 16% through open-market purchases of Keurig’s common stock within 36 months. In a statement Tuesday, Coke said it had entered an accelerated purchase agreement with Credit Suisse(CSGN.VX) to acquire shares to reach that level.

Top 10 Services Stocks To Own For 2015: Trulia Inc (TRLA)

Trulia, Inc. is a real estate search engine company. The Company helps in finding homes for sale and provides real estate information. The Company is also a tool for real estate professionals to market their listings, view real estate data and promote their services. It provides local information, community insights, market data and national listings. Effective August 20, 2013, Trulia Inc acquired the entire interest of Market Leader Inc.

Trulia.com is an online real estate site focused on buyers, sellers and renters with tools to help them find the right home. The Company�� Website, www.trulia.com, is a search engine for buying and renting homes, advising homes and mortgages. The Company is headquartered in downtown San Francisco and is backed by Accel Partners and Sequoia Capital.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Rick Munarriz]

  However, websites specializing in real estate are growing even faster. Trulia (NYSE: TRLA  ) posted monster growth on Tuesday night. Revenue soared 97% as the average of monthly visitors rose 52% to 31.4 million. Trulia did post a wider loss than Wall Street was expecting, but the top-line growth is what Zillow (NASDAQ: Z  ) and Realtor.com parent Move (NASDAQ: MOVE  ) investors are applauding.�

• [By Roberto Pedone]

  One stock that's starting to move within range of triggering a near-term breakout trade is Trulia (TRLA), which operates as a real estate search engine. This stock has been red hot so far in 2013, with shares up sharply by 167%.

  If you take a look at the chart for Trulia, you'll notice that this stock has been trending sideways and consolidating gains for the last month, after it gapped up sharply from $36 to $48 with heavy upside volume. That sideways trend has shares of TRLA moving between $40.56 on the downside and $48.40 on the upside. Shares of TRLA are now starting to bounce off some near-term support at $42 a share, and it's quickly moving within range of triggering a major breakout trade above the upper-end of its recent range.

  Traders should now look for long-biased trades in TRLA if it manages to break out above some near-term overhead resistance at $47.95 and then once it takes out its all-time high at $48.40 a share with high volume. Look for a sustained move or close above those levels with volume that hits near or above its three-month average action of 679,352 shares. If that breakout hits soon, then TRLA will set up to enter new all-time high territory, which is bullish technical price action. Some possible upside targets off that breakout are $55 to $60, or even $65 a share.

  Traders can look to buy TRLA off any weakness to anticipate that breakout and simply use a stop that sits right below some key near-term support levels at $41.96 or $40.56 a share. One could also buy TRLA off strength once it takes out those breakout levels with volume and then simply use a stop that sits a comfortable percentage from your entry point.

Top 10 Services Stocks To Own For 2015: WEX Inc (WEX)

WEX Inc., formerly Wright Express Corporation, incorporated on June 18, 1999, is a provider of corporate card payment solutions. The Company operates in two segments: Fleet Payment Solutions and Other Payment Solutions. The Fleet Payment Solutions segment provides customers with fleet vehicle payment processing services specifically designed for the needs of commercial and government fleets. The Other Payment Solutions segment provides customers with payment processing solutions for their corporate purchasing and transaction monitoring needs through the Company's payment products. The Company's United States operations include WEX Inc., and the Company's wholly owned subsidiaries Fleet One, WEX Bank, rapid! PayCard, and Pacific Pride. On October 4, 2012, the Company acquired Fleet One. On August 30, 2012, the Company acquired a 51 % controlling interest in UNIK S.A. On May 11, 2012, the Company acquired CorporatePay Limited.

The Company's virtual card is used for transactions where no card is presented, including, for example, transactions conducted over the telephone, by mail, by fax or on the Internet. The Company's virtual card also can be used for transactions that require pre-authorization, such as hotel reservations. The rapid! PayCard product, a pre-paid payroll card, provides a paycard benefit and ePayroll program designed for employers choosing to convert to electronic delivery of payroll in the United States, replacing paper employee payroll checks. The Company also has several other product offerings, including corporate purchase cards and pre-paid and gift cards.

Fleet Payment Solutions

The Company's closed-loop fuel networks afford the Company access to a higher level of fleet-specific information and control than is widely available on open-loop networks. This allows the Company to improve and refine the information reporting the Company provides to its fleet customers and strategic relationships. The Company offers a differentiated set of products ! and services, including security and purchases controls, to allow its customers and the customers of its strategic relationships to better manage their vehicle fleets. The Company provides customized analysis and reporting on the efficiency of fleet vehicles and the purchasing behavior of fleet vehicle drivers. The Company's software facilitates the collection of information and affords the Company a high level of control and flexibility in allowing fleets to restrict purchases and receive automated alerts.

Other Payment Solutions

The Company's virtual products offer corporate customers enhanced security and control for payment needs. The Company's strategic relationships include three of the United States based online travel agencies. The Company's operations in the United Kingdom provide corporate prepaid solutions to the travel industry. In addition, the Company offers virtual products in the insurance/warranty and healthcare markets in the United States. The Company offers paycard products in the United States and Brazil. These products include payroll cards which are used to replace paper payroll checks.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Seth Jayson]

  Calling all cash flows
  When you are trying to buy the market's best stocks, it's worth checking up on your companies' free cash flow once a quarter or so, to see whether it bears any relationship to the net income in the headlines. That's what we do with this series. Today, we're checking in on WEX (NYSE: WEX  ) , whose recent revenue and earnings are plotted below.

• [By Seth Jayson]

  WEX (NYSE: WEX  ) reported earnings on May 1. Here are the numbers you need to know.

  The 10-second takeaway
  For the quarter ended March 31 (Q1), WEX met expectations on revenues and beat slightly on earnings per share.

Top 10 Services Stocks To Own For 2015: Destination Maternity Corporation(DEST)

Destination Maternity Corporation engages in the design and retail of maternity apparel. It offers casual and career wear, formal attire, lingerie, sportswear, and outerwear. As of September 30, 2011, the company operated 2,352 retail locations, including 658 stores in 50 states of the United States (U.S.), Puerto Rico, Guam, and Canada; and 1,694 leased departments located within department stores and baby specialty stores in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. It operates stores under the Motherhood Maternity, A Pea in the Pod, and Destination Maternity names. Motherhood Maternity brand serves the value-priced portion of the maternity apparel business with stores located in regional malls, strip and power centers, and central business districts. A Pea in the Pod brand serves the medium-priced and luxury portion of the maternity apparel business with stores located in regional malls, lifestyle centers, central business districts, and stand-alone stores. Destination Maternity brand provides Motherhood and Pea merchandise with stores located in regional malls and lifestyle centers. The company also sells its merchandise on the Internet through DestinationMaternity.com and brand-specific Web sites. In addition, Destination Maternity Corporation offers Two Hearts Maternity by Destination Maternity collection at Sears stores in the U.S. through a leased department relationship. Further, the company distributes its Oh Baby by Motherhood collection through a license arrangement at Kohl?s stores in the U.S. and through Kohls.com. Additionally, it had 66 international franchised locations comprised of 15 stand-alone stores in the Middle East and South Korea under the Destination Maternity name; and 51 shop-in-shop locations in India and South Korea. The company was formerly known as Mothers Work, Inc. and changed its name to Destination Maternity Corporation in December 2008. Destination Maternity Corporation was founded in 1980 and is headquartered in Philad elphia, Pennsylvania.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Marc Bastow]

  Maternity apparel designer and retailer Destination Maternity (DEST) raised its quarterly dividend 6.7% to 20 cents per share, payable on Mar. 28 to shareholders of record as of Mar 7.
  DEST Dividend Yield: 2.96%

• [By Seth Jayson]

  Calling all cash flows
  When you are trying to buy the market's best stocks, it's worth checking up on your companies' free cash flow once a quarter or so, to see whether it bears any relationship to the net income in the headlines. That's what we do with this series. Today, we're checking in on Destination Maternity (Nasdaq: DEST  ) , whose recent revenue and earnings are plotted below.