For the second day in a row, international currency moves had a huge impact on the stock market. With the Japanese yen having broken above the 100 yen-per-dollar mark yesterday, the dollar continued its advance against Japan's currency again today, gaining another 1%. The news sent Japanese stocks soaring, commodities like gold and oil falling, and bond prices plunging. But for U.S. stock market investors, the news had a much less dramatic effect, with the Dow Jones Industrials (DJINDICES: ^DJI ) finishing with a gain of about 36 points, while the broader market posted slightly stronger gains.
Looking at the largest gainers in the Dow, two companies stood out for very different reasons. On one hand, UnitedHealth (NYSE: UNH ) rose about 1.4%. Despite having no substantial news to justify the gains, UnitedHealth has benefited from increasing clarity about the impact of Obamacare on its revenue and earnings going forward. Moreover, as the market has soared, UnitedHealth's relatively low earnings multiple of just 12 looks increasingly attractive, especially in comparison to much higher-priced consumer stocks and other more traditional defensive plays.
Best Communications Equipment Stocks To Own For 2015: United Stationers Inc.(USTR)
United Stationers Inc., through its subsidiary, United Stationers Supply Co., engages in the wholesale distribution of business products in North America. The company distributes technology products, which include computer supply and peripheral products, including imaging supplies, data storage, digital cameras, computer accessories, and computer hardware items. It also offers traditional office products consisting of brand-name and private label office supply products, such as filing and record storage products, business machines, presentation products, writing instruments, paper products, shipping and mailing supplies, calendars, and general office accessories; and office furniture products comprising desks, filing and storage solutions, and seating and systems furniture. In addition, the company distributes janitorial and breakroom supply items, including cleaners and cleaning accessories; foodservice consumables, such as disposable cups, plates, and utensils; safety an d security items; and paper and packaging supplies. Further, it provides industrial supply items, such as hand and power tools; safety and security supplies; janitorial equipment and supplies; industrial maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) items; and oil field and welding supplies. Additionally, the company offers freight, advertising, and software services, as well as sells software products. It serves independent office products dealers; contract stationers; office products superstores; computer products resellers; office furniture dealers; mass merchandisers; mail order companies; sanitary supply, paper, and foodservice distributors; drug and grocery store chains; healthcare distributors; e-commerce merchants; oil field, welding supply, and industrial/MRO distributors; and other independent distributors through its network of 65 distribution centers and 37 re-distribution points. United Stationers Inc. was founded in 1922 and is headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Rich Duprey]
Business supplies distributor�United Stationers (NASDAQ: USTR ) announced on Friday its third-quarter dividend of $0.14 per share, the same rate it's paid for the past three quarters after raising the payout 8% from $0.13 per share.
Top 10 Defensive Stocks To Buy Right Now: Alaska Air Group Inc. (ALK)
Alaska Air Group, Inc., through its subsidiaries, Alaska Airlines, Inc. and Horizon Air Industries, Inc., operates as an airline company serving destinations in the western United States, Canada, and Mexico. The company provides passenger air services; and freight and mail services primarily to and within the state of Alaska and on the West Coast. As of December 31, 2009, it operated a fleet of 110 jet aircraft; and Horizon Air Industries operated a fleet of 18 jets and 40 turboprop aircraft. The company was founded in 1932 and is based in Seattle, Washington.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Stephen Quickel]
Seattle-based Alaska Air Group (ALK), under attack by Delta Air Lines on its home turf, has been expanding southward into Salt Lake City, New Orleans, and Tampa.
- [By Richard Moroney]
The airline sector has had its share of consolidation, which makes Alaska Air (ALK) an interesting takeover play.
The stock�� Overall Quadrix score of 99 gives it plenty of appeal beyond its takeover possibilities. The stock has gained more than 16% so far in 2014, far outpacing the broad market.
- [By Will Ashworth]
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Top Potential Buyouts: #3, Alaska Air Group (ALK)
Alaska Air (ALK) might not be the largest airline in the U.S., but it�� certainly one of the most profitable.
Top 10 Defensive Stocks To Buy Right Now: Nexia Holdings Inc (NXHD)
Nexia Holdings, Inc. (Nexia), incorporated on April 20, 1987, operates in three principal areas: the operation of Landis Lifestyle Salons through Nexia�� ownership interest in Green Endeavors, Inc. (GRNE), which holds an 100% ownership interest in Landis Salons, Inc. and 100% ownership of Landis Salons II, Inc. (Landis II); assisting with the development and production of film products in Revel Entertainment, Inc., and the acquisition, leasing and selling of real estate. Landis operates two Aveda lifestyle salons that feature Aveda products for retail sale. Landis intends to limit the services offered in its salons to hair and makeup only. The salons��operations consist of three major components: an Aveda retail store, a hair salon, and a training academy. Revel Entertainment, Inc. (Revel) is engaged in developing, producing, and acquiring new scripts and films. On August 15, 2010, Redline Entertainment, Inc. (Redline) was launched to assist in the foreign sales of Revel�� films and to assist other non-affiliated films secure distribution in overseas markets. In April of 2010, Nexia acquired Fast Car Entertainment LLC, a Utah limited liability company that holds and owns the rights to the film entitled Repo.
Salon Operations
Through the operation of the salons, the Company offers hair care and other salon services, such as makeup, skin care and nail care. The salons incorporate the Aveda line of products the services performed, as well as the retail product offered for sale. These products include for both men and women, which includes hair care, including hair color and styling products, shampoos, conditioners and finishing sprays; makeup, including lipsticks, lip glosses, mascaras, foundations, eye shadows, nail polishes and powders; skincare, including moisturizers, creams, lotions, cleansers and sunscreens, and fragrance products. Aveda develops and manufactures a range hair, skin, makeup, perfumes, and lifestyle products from the oils of flowers and plants gathered! from worldwide. The products are sold in professional, licensed hair salons.
Entertainment Operations
Nexia has formed Revel as its film production vehicle. This Utah Corporation is 100% owned by Nexia. Revel holds a 48.7% ownership interest in and maintains control of Aesop Pictures, LLC. Nexia has a wholly owned subsidiary named Redline Entertainment, Inc. that seek to enter into contracts for the international distribution of film projects for its related entities, such as Aesop Pictures, LLC, but will also contract with third parties to assist in the distribution of their film projects. Redline would be paid a fee from the funds generated from those distribution agreement obtained for the third parties.
Real Estate Operations
Nexia operates two real estate subsidiaries: Wasatch Capital Corporation and Downtown Development Corporation. Nexia has title to two residential properties.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Peter Graham]
Last Friday, small cap stocks Boreal Water Collection, Inc (OTCMKTS: BRWC), Streamtrack Inc (OTCMKTS: STTK) and Nexia Holdings Inc (OTCMKTS: NXHD) surged 66.67%, 45.67% and 29.41%, respectively. Moreover, only one of these small cap stocks appears to be the subject of some kind of paid promotions or investor relations activities. So will these small cap stocks keep surging for the new trading week? Here is a closer look to help you decide on a trading or investing strategy:
- [By Peter Graham]
Small cap Green Endeavors��parent company, Nexia Holdings Inc (OTCMKTS: NXHD), is a diverse holding company in the health and beauty, real estate and entertainment industries while Green Endeavors owns and operates two Aveda��salons as Landis Salons, Inc. and Landis Salons II, Inc. On Friday, Green Endeavors rose 8.11% to $0.0040 for a market cap of $147.866 plus GRNE is up 3,900% over the past year and up 100% since October 2008 according to Google Finance.
Top 10 Defensive Stocks To Buy Right Now: Cimarex Energy Co(XEC)
Cimarex Energy Co. operates as an independent oil and gas exploration and production company primarily in Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Kansas. As of December 31, 2010, it had proved oil and gas reserves of approximately 2.05 trillion cubic feet equivalent consisting of 1.2 trillion cubic feet of gas and 138 million barrels of oil and natural gas liquids. The company was founded in 2002 and is headquartered in Denver, Colorado.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Holly LaFon]
��Exploration and production company Cimarex Energy Co. (XEC) benefited from improving well results in the Delaware Basin in West Texas. Cimarex has a sizeable acreage position in the Wolfcamp Shale which we believe can help sustain strong production growth at very good economics if the development is successful.
Top 10 Defensive Stocks To Buy Right Now: Servotronics Inc.(SVT)
Servotronics, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the design, manufacture, and marketing of technology and consumer products primarily in the United States. It operates in two segments, Advanced Technology Group (ATG) and Consumer Products Group (CPG). The ATG segment designs, manufactures, and markets various servo-control components that convert an electrical current into a mechanical force or movement, and other related products. Its servo-control components include torque motors, electromagnetic actuators, hydraulic valves, pneumatic valves, and similar devices that are principally sold to commercial aerospace, missile, aircraft, government related, medical, and industrial markets. This segment also produces metallic seals in various cross-sectional configurations that are used to fit between two metal surfaces to produce a secure and leak-proof joint. The ATG segment markets its products primarily through its professional staff to the United States Govern ment, government prime contractors, government subcontractors, commercial manufacturers, and end users. The CPG segment designs, manufactures, and sells various cutlery products, including steak, carving, bread, butcher, and paring knives for household use and for use in restaurants, institutions, and private industry; pocket and other types of knives for use in hunting, fishing, and camping; and machetes, bayonets, and other types of knives for military use. This segment also produces and markets other cutlery items, such as specialty tools, putty knives, linoleum sheet cutters, field knives, and other edged products. The CPG segment markets its products through sales personnel and independent manufacturers? representatives to hardware, supermarket, variety, department, discount, gift, and drug stores, as well as to various branches of the United States Government primarily under the ?Old Hickory? and ?Queen? brand names. Servotronics, Inc. was founded in 1959 and is based in Elma, New York.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Sarah Jones]
Societe Generale SA, Barclays Plc and Deutsche Bank AG led a selloff in banks, with each falling more than 2 percent. Severn Trent Plc (SVT) sank the most since October 2006 after a consortium of investors dropped their bid for the water utility. Kabel Deutschland Holding AG jumped 8.2 percent after Vodafone Group Plc confirmed it approached the company about a takeover.
- [By Sofia Horta e Costa]
Severn Trent Plc (SVT) advanced 2.5 percent to 2,070 pence, snapping four days of losses. Borealis Infrastructure Management Inc. and its partners boosted their offer to acquire the water utility to 5.3 billion pounds ($8.2 billion).
Top 10 Defensive Stocks To Buy Right Now: Mercury General Corporation (MCY)
Mercury General Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in writing personal automobile insurance products. The company also writes homeowners, commercial automobile and property, mechanical breakdown, fire, and umbrella insurance products. Its insurance products cover collision, property damage liability, bodily injury liability, comprehensive, personal injury protection, underinsured and uninsured motorist, and other hazards for automobile policy holders. The company sells its policies through a network of independent agents in California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Texas, Oklahoma, New York, New Jersey, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Nevada, and Michigan. Mercury General Corporation was founded in 1960 and is headquartered in Los Angeles, California.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By John Udovich]
Auto sales are booming and that�� good news for large cap auto insurer�the Progressive Corporation (NYSE: PGR) along with small cap auto insurers Safety Insurance Group, Inc (NASDAQ: SAFT) and�Mercury General Corporation (NYSE: MCY) as they offer income to yield hungry investors as well as income in the form of dividends. Specifically, a Yahoo! Autos blog recently noted that last month, automakers sold 1.5 million new vehicles for the highest rate in years with�most industry forecasters expecting sales to�return to the level they hit before the 2008 recession of 16 million vehicles a year. The blog post then went on to note the three forces driving auto sales:
- [By Fredrik Arnold]
Ten Champion dogs that promised the biggest dividend yields into July included firms representing five of nine market sectors. The top stocks were three of five from the financial sector: Universal Health Realty Trust (UHT); Mercury General Corp. (MCY); Old Republic Int'l (ORI). The other two financial firms, HCP Inc., and United Bankshares Inc. (UBSI), placed sixth and eighth.
- [By Chuck Carnevale] their website:
��ercury General (NYSE-MCY) is the leading independent broker and agency writer of automobile insurance in California and has been one of the fastest growing automobile insurers in the nation. It is ranked as the third largest private passenger automobile insurer in California, with total assets over $4 billion. Mercury also writes automobile insurance in Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia. In addition to automobile insurance, Mercury writes other lines of insurance in various states, including mechanical breakdown and homeowners insurance.��/p>
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Performance and Dividends Impacted by Operating Stress
It should be clear from the above graphs that the earnings records of these three Dividend Champions have been far from steady, consistent or reliable. Therefore, I cannot get comfortable either recommending them or investing in them because I cannot get comfortable predicting what their future operating results may be. Furthermore, by examining the performance results associated with the above earnings and price-correlated graphs illustrates a lot of uncertainty. A focus on the earnings growth rate column illustrates a lot of stress on each company�� ability to keep their dividend streaks alive (Blue Circles).
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The Overvaluation Rejection
Other reasons besides irregular earnings growth that caused a Dividend Champion to be rejected include one of my all-time favorites, valuation. Or to be more precise ��overvaluation. The following example, McCormick & Co. (MKC), represents one of my favorite Dividend Champions based on a very consistent above-average record of earnings growth that produced its impressive dividend streak. The only reason that this Dividend Champion was rejected was because of current overvaluation.
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Top 10 Defensive Stocks To Buy Right Now: Comcast Corp (CCV)
Comcast Corporation (Comcast), incorporated on December 12, 2001, is a provider of entertainment, information and communications products and services. The Company has developed, managed and operated cable systems. The Company operates in five segments: Cable Communications, Cable Networks, Broadcast Television, Filmed Entertainment and Theme Parks. Cable Communications provides video, high-speed Internet and voice services (cable services) to residential and business customers in 39 states and the District of Columbia. Cable Networks consists primarily of its national cable television networks, its regional sports and news networks, its international cable networks, its cable television production studio, and its related digital media properties. Broadcast Television consists primarily of its NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, its NBC and Telemundo owned local television stations, its broadcast television production operations, and its related digital media properties. Filmed Entertainment consists of the operations of Universal Pictures, which produces, acquires, markets and distributes filmed entertainment and stage plays worldwide. Theme Parks consists primarily of its Universal theme parks in Orlando and Hollywood. Its other business interests are included in Corporate and Other and primarily include Comcast Spectacor, which owns the Philadelphia Flyers and the Wells Fargo Center, a multipurpose arena in Philadelphia. Comcast Spectacor also owns Global Spectrum, which provides facilities management, and Ovations Food Services, which provides food services, for sporting events, concerts and other events. In July 2012, Comcast acquired Microsoft Corporation's 50% stake in MSNBC.com. Effective March 19, 2013, it acquired a 49% interest in NBCUniversal Media LLC.
On January 28, 2011, the Company closed its transaction with General Electric Company (GE) to form a new company named NBCUniversal, LLC (NBCUniversal Holdings). The Company controls and owns 51% of NBCUniversal Holdings, and! GE owns the remaining 49%.As part of the NBCUniversal transaction, GE contributed the businesses of NBCUniversal, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of NBCUniversal Holdings. The NBCUniversal businesses that were contributed included its national cable networks, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks and its NBC and Telemundo owned local television stations, Universal Pictures, the Universal Studios Hollywood theme park, and other related assets. The Company contributed its national cable networks, its regional sports and news networks, certain of its Internet businesses, including DailyCandy and Fandango, and other related assets (the Comcast Content Business), all of which are part of its Cable Networks segment.
Cable Services
The Company offers a variety of cable services over its cable distribution system to residential and business customers. Subscription rates and related charges vary according to the services and features the customer receives and the type of equipment they use, and customers typically pay the Company on a monthly basis. Residential customers may generally discontinue service at any time, while business customers may only discontinue service in accordance with the terms of their contracts, which typically have 1 to 3 year terms. As of December 31, 2011, its cable systems served 22.3 million video customers, 18.1 million high-speed Internet customers and 9.3 million voice customers and passed more than 52 million homes and businesses in 39 states and the District of Columbia.
The Company offers a variety of video services with access to hundreds of channels depending on the level of service selected. Its levels of service typically range from a limited basic service with access to between 20 and 40 channels of video programming to a digital service with access to over 300 channels. Its video services generally include programming provided by national and local broadcast networks and by national and regional cable networks, as well as gov! ernmental! and public access programming. Its digital video services generally include access to over 40 music channels, its On Demand service and an interactive, on-screen program guide. The Company also offers packages that include extensive amounts of foreign-language programming, and it offers other specialty tiers of programming with sports, family and international themes. Its video customers may also subscribe to premium network programming. Premium networks include cable networks, such as HBO, Showtime, Starz and Cinemax, which generally offer, without commercial interruption, movies, original programming, live and taped sporting events, concerts and other special features.
The Company�� On Demand service provides its digital video customers with more than 30,000 standard-definition and high-definition programming choices. A substantial portion of its On Demand content is available to its digital video customers at no additional charge. Digital video customers subscribing to a premium network have access to the premium network�� On Demand content without additional fees. Its On Demand service includes fee-based selections that allow its video customers to order individual new release and library movies and special-event programs, such as professional boxing, mixed martial arts, wrestling and concerts.
The Company�� high-definition television (HDTV) service includes a selection of high-definition programming choices, including broadcast networks, national cable networks, premium networks and regional sports networks. In addition, its On Demand service provides HDTV video customers with a selection of up to 6,000 high-definition programming choices in select markets over the course of a month. Its digital video recorder (DVR) service allow digital video customers to select, record and store programs on their set-top box and play them at whatever time is convenient. Its DVR service also provides the ability to pause and rewind live television. The Company also offers select ! programmi! ng in three dimensional (3D) format on the channels it distributes and On Demand to its HDTV customers who have 3D capable television (TV) sets. In 2012, it began streaming certain live television programming online and through its mobile applications in some of its markets.
The Company offers a variety of high-speed Internet services with downstream speeds of up to 105 Mbps. These services also include its Internet portal, XFINITY.com, which provides access to email, voice mail, an address book, online storage, and online security features. Its customers also have the ability to access these services, including managing their e-mail accounts, through its mobile applications using smartphones and tablets. It offers voice service plans, using an interconnected Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology, that provide either usage-based or unlimited local and domestic long-distance calling, include the option for a variety of international calling plans, voice mail, caller identification (ID), call waiting and other features, including the ability to access and manage voice mail and other account information online and through its mobile applications using smartphones and tablets.
The Company offers its cable services to small and medium-sized businesses (business services). In addition to the features provided to its residential customers, its services for business customers also include a Website hosting service, an interactive tool that allows customers to share, coordinate and store documents online, a business directory listing and the option to add up to 24 phone lines. Medium-sized business customers are also offered its Metro-Ethernet data service capable of connecting multiple locations at speeds of up to 10 gigabit per second. It also provides cell backhaul services to cellular network operators. To offer its video services, it licenses a substantial portion of its programming from cable and broadcast networks.
Cable Networks
The Company�! � Cable ! Networks segment operates a diversified portfolio of 15 national cable networks, 13 regional sports and news networks, more than 60 international channels, and digital media properties consisting primarily of brand-aligned and other websites, including DailyCandy, Fandango and iVillage. Its 13 regional sports and news networks are Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia, Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic (Baltimore/Washington), Cable Sports Southeast, Comcast SportsNet Chicago, MountainWest Sports Network, Comcast SportsNet California (Sacramento), Comcast SportsNet New England (Boston), Comcast SportsNet Northwest (Portland), Comcast Sports Southwest (Houston), Comcast SportsNet Bay Area (San Francisco), New England Cable News (Boston), Comcast Network Philadelphia and Comcast Network Mid-Atlantic (Baltimore/Washington). The Company markets and distributes its cable network programming in the United States and internationally to multichannel video providers, as well as to Internet and wireless distributors.
The Company�� cable networks develop their own programs or acquire programming rights from third parties. Its Cable Networks segment includes its production studio, Universal Cable Production that identifies, develops and produces original content for cable television and other distribution platforms both for its cable networks and for those of third parties. It licenses the content to all forms of television, including broadcast and cable networks, and through home video and various digital media platforms, both in the United States and internationally. Its Cable Networks segment primarily generates revenue from the distribution of its cable network programming and from the sale of advertising. Distribution revenue is generated from distribution agreements with multichannel video providers. Advertising revenue is generated from the sale of advertising time on its cable networks and related digital media properties. It also generates content licensing and other revenue from the licensing and sale! of its o! wned programming in the United States and internationally, including revenue from the sale of its owned programming on standard-definition digital video discs and Blu-ray discs (together, DVDs) and through digital media platforms, and from the licensing of its brands for consumer products.
Broadcast Television
The Company�� Broadcast Television segment operates the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, which together serve audiences and advertisers in all 50 states, including the United States metropolitan areas. Its Broadcast Television segment also includes its owned and operated NBC and Telemundo local television stations, its broadcast television production operations and its related digital media properties. Its Broadcast Television segment primarily generates revenue from the sale of advertising and from content licensing. Advertising revenue is generated from the sale of advertising time on its broadcast networks, owned local television stations and related digital media properties. Content licensing revenue is generated from the licensing of its owned programming in the United States and internationally. The Company also generates revenue from the sale of its owned programming on DVDs, through digital media platforms and from the licensing of its brands and characters for consumer products. In addition, its owned local television stations are beginning to receive retransmission fees from multichannel video providers in exchange for consent that allows carriage of the stations��signal. It also receives a portion of the retransmission fees received by its NBC affiliated stations.
The NBC network distributes more than 5,000 hours of entertainment, news and sports programming annually, and its programs reach viewers in virtually all United States television households through more than 200 affiliated stations across the United States, including its10 NBC owned local television stations. The NBC network develops a range of content through its entertainment, news ! and sport! s divisions and also airs a variety of special-events programming. The NBC network�� television library consists of rights of varying nature to more than 100,000 episodes of television content, including current and classic titles, unscripted programming, sports, news, long-form and short-form programming and locally produced programming from around the world. In addition, the NBC network operates various Websites that extend its brands and content online. The NBC network produces its own programs or acquires the rights to programming from third parties. NBCUniversal has various contractual commitments for the licensing of rights to multiyear programming, including sports programming.
The Company�� broadcast television production operations create and produce original content, including scripted and unscripted series, talk shows, and digital media projects that are sold to broadcast networks, cable networks, local television stations and other media platforms owned by the Company and third parties, as well as through home video, both in the United States and internationally. It also produces first-run syndicated shows, which are programs for initial exhibition on local television stations in the United States, on a market-by-market basis, without prior exhibition on a network. It distributes some of its programs after their exhibition on a broadcast network, as well as older television programs from its library, to local television stations and cable networks in the off-network syndication market in the United States.
The Company owns and operates 10 NBC affiliated local television stations that collectively reached approximately 31 million United States television households, which represents approximately 27% of all United States television households, as of December 31, 2011. In addition to airing NBC�� national programming, its stations produce news, sports, public affairs and other programming that addresses local needs and acquire syndicated programming from other ! sources. ! Telemundo is a Hispanic media company that produces, acquires and distributes Spanish-language content in the United States and internationally. Telemundo�� operations include the Telemundo network; its owned local television stations; mun2, a cable network featuring diverse, youth-oriented entertainment for bicultural Latinos, and Telemundo-related digital media properties consisting primarily of brand-aligned websites, such as Telemundo.com.
The Telemundo network is a Spanish-language broadcast network featuring original telenovelas, theatrical films, news, specials and sporting events. The Company develops its own programming primarily through Telemundo�� production studio and also acquire the rights to content from third parties. During the year ended December 31, 2011, it entered into an agreement with Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) to license the Spanish-language United States broadcast rights to FIFA World Cup soccer from 2015 through 2022 and also acquired the Spanish-language United States broadcast rights for the National Football League (NFL) games that the NBC network will broadcast as part of its agreement with the NFL that runs through the 2022-23 season. As of December 31, 2011, Telemundo owned 15 local television stations, including 14 local television stations affiliated with the Telemundo network and an independent television station in Puerto Rico.
Filmed Entertainment
The Company�� Filmed Entertainment segment consists of the operations of Universal Pictures, which produces, acquires, markets and distributes filmed entertainment worldwide in various media formats for theatrical, home entertainment, television and increasingly through other distribution platforms. It also develops, produces and licenses stage plays. Its content consists of theatrical films, direct-to-video titles and its film library, which is comprised of approximately 4,500 titles in a variety of genres. It produces films both on its own and jo! intly wit! h other studios or production companies, as well as with other entities. Its films are produced under both the Universal Pictures and Focus Features names. Its films are marketed and distributed worldwide primarily through its own marketing and distribution companies. The Company also acquires distribution rights to films produced by others, which may be limited to particular geographic regions, specific forms of media or certain periods of time. After their theatrical release, it distributes its films globally for home entertainment use on digital versatile disc (DVD) and in various digital formats, which includes the licensing of its films to third parties for electronic sell-through over the Internet. The Company also licenses its films, including selections from its film library, to all forms of television, including broadcast, cable and premium networks, and pay-per-view and video on demand services.
The Company�� Filmed Entertainment segment primarily generates revenue from the worldwide theatrical release of its owned and acquired films, content licensing and home entertainment. Content licensing revenue is generated from the licensing of its owned and acquired films to broadcast, cable and premium networks, as well as other distribution platforms. Home entertainment revenue is generated from the licensing and sale of its owned and acquired films through DVD sales to retail stores, rental kiosks and subscription by mail, as well as through digital media platforms, including electronic sell through. It also generates revenue from distributing third parties��filmed entertainment, producing stage plays, publishing music and licensing consumer products.
Theme Parks
The Company�� Theme Parks segment consists primarily of its Universal theme parks in Orlando and Hollywood. Universal Orlando includes two theme parks, Universal Studios Florida and Universal�� Islands of Adventure, as well as CityWalk, a dining, retail and entertainment complex. Universal Or! lando als! o features three on-site themed hotels, in which it owns a non-controlling interest. Its Universal theme park in Hollywood consists primarily of Universal Studios Hollywood. In addition, it licenses the right to use the Universal Studios brand name, certain characters and other intellectual property to third parties that own and operate the Universal Studios Japan theme park in Osaka, Japan and the Universal Studios Singapore theme park on Sentosa Island, Singapore. It also owns a water park, Wet �� Wild, located in Orlando.
The Company�� Theme Parks segment licenses the right to use a substantial amount of intellectual property from third parties for its themed elements in rides, attractions, retail outlets and merchandising. ItsTheme Parks segment generates revenue primarily from theme park attendance and per capita spending, as well as from management, licensing and other fees. Per capita spending includes ticket price and in-park spending on food, beverage and merchandise.
The Company competes with DIRECTV, DISH Network, AT&T, CenturyLink and Verizon.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Brian Stelter]
Comcast (CCV) has agreed to pay $158.82 per share of Time Warner Cable (TWC, Fortune 500) stock, according to two people with direct knowledge of the transaction who insisted on anonymity because the deal will not be publicly announced until Thursday morning.
- [By Brian Stelter]
A combination of Time Warner and 21st Century Fox could have a market value equivalent to The Walt Disney Company and Comcast (CCV).
Consolidation among content producers has been widely expected in recent months because of two big deals on the other side, the distribution side: Comcast's pending merger with Time Warner Cable (TWC) and AT&T's pending acquisition of DirecTV (DTV).
- [By CNNMoney Staff]
In corporate news, Bed Bath and Beyond (BBBY, Fortune 500) will report earnings after the closing bell. Comcast (CCV) and Time Warner Cable (TWC, Fortune 500) representatives will appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee to plead their case for merging the companies.
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