10 Best Integrated Utility Stocks To Buy For 2014

Virtually every investor knows by now that the average actively managed mutual fund fails to beat its benchmark. A variety of studies have come to slightly different results, but about two-thirds of actively managed funds fall short of their index.

See Also: Should You Give These Former Star Fund Managers Another Chance?

That has led to a long-standing question: Can individuals or, for that matter, professional investors identify funds that will beat their benchmarks in the future? (I stress the word future because it�� a piece of cake to spot funds that have beaten their bogeys in the past.)

The American funds, the nation�� largest actively managed fund group, have now entered the fray with a provocative study. It asserts that the American funds have, for the most part, beaten their indexes over the long term. And it argues, convincingly, that they may well continue to do so.

Top 5 European Companies To Watch For 2015: Thomas Cook Group plc (TCG)

Thomas Cook Group plc is a United Kingdom-based leisure travel company. The Company operates in 19 source markets and operates under brands, including Thomas Cook, Neckermann, Condor, Jet tours, Ving, Spies and Tja reborg. Thomas Cook directly or indirectly controls a number of subsidiaries. The Company also has investments in other companies. It operates a combined fleet of 87 aircraft. The Company�� operating structure comprises four segments which are principally organized according to the location of the customer�� origin. These are United Kingdom, Continental Europe, Northern Europe and Airlines Germany. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Inyoung Hwang]

  Thomas Cook Group Plc (TCG) tumbled 9.9 percent for the biggest drop in five months. UBS AG removed the 172-year-old U.K. tour operator from its list of preferred stocks, citing the ��igh-profile media coverage��of the violence in Egypt.

• [By Sofia Horta e Costa]

  Rio Tinto Group climbed 2.9 percent after saying it will cost $3 billion less than projected to increase iron ore output capacity. Boliden AB (BOL) added 3.1 percent as Morgan Stanley raised its rating on the stock. Thomas Cook Group Plc (TCG) rose 13 percent after the travel operator posted a 49 percent increase in full-year earnings. British tobacco companies slipped following a report that after a U.K. minister announced the review of cigarette packaging.

10 Best Integrated Utility Stocks To Buy For 2014: FXCM Inc. (FXCM)

FXCM Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides online foreign exchange (FX) trading and related services to retail and institutional customers worldwide. It operates in two segments, Retail Trading and Institutional Trading. The company acts as an agent between retail customers and a collection of global banks and financial institutions by making foreign currency markets for customers trading in foreign exchange spot markets. It offers spot FX trading in approximately 58 currency pairs; enables non-U.S. customers to trade contract for differences that include contracts for metals, fixed income, energy and stock indices; and provides spread betting trading to the United Kingdom customers. The company also offers equity and equity option trading for customers outside of the United States to trade equity and options on the United Kingdom, continental Europe, and the United States markets. FXCM Inc. offers its customers access to over-the-counter FX markets through its propriet ary technology platform. The company was incorporated in 2010 and is headquartered in New York, New York.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Anna Prior]

  FXCM Inc.(FXCM) said its fourth-quarter profit dropped slightly amid a muted trading environment, although results beat Wall Street expectations. FXCM makes most of its top line from customers using its software to trade currencies online.

10 Best Integrated Utility Stocks To Buy For 2014: AB SKF (SKFRY.PK)

AB SKF, formerly SKF AB, is a global supplier of products, solutions and services within rolling bearings, seals, mechatronics, services and lubrication systems. The services provided by the Company include technical support, maintenance services, condition monitoring and training. The Company operates in three divisions: Industrial Division and Service Division, servicing industrial original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and aftermarket customers respectively, and Automotive Division, servicing automotive OEMs and aftermarket customers. SKF operates in around 40 customer segments, including cars and light trucks, wind energy, railway, machine tool, medical, food and beverage and paper industries. In April 2009, the Company acquired the remaining 49% interest in SKF Polyseal.

In February 2008, the Company acquired QPMAerospaces�� metallic rods business. In October 2008, the Company acquired Cirval S.A Argentina. In November 2008, the Company acquired GLO s.r.l. Italy. In December 2008, the Company acquired the remaining 30% of the operations of SKF Automotive Bearings Company. In September 2008, the Company acquired PEER Bearing Company and its manufacturing units in the People�� Republic of China and Thailand.

Industrial Division

The Industrial Division serves industrial OEMs customers in some 30 global industry customer segments with a range of energy-efficient offerings. The solutions and know-how are based on the manufacturing of a wide range of bearings, such as spherical and cylindrical roller bearings, angular contact ball bearings, medium deep groove ball bearings and superprecision bearings, as well as lubrication systems, linear motion products, magnetic bearings, by-wire systems and couplings.

Service Division

The Service Division serves the global industrial aftermarket providing products and knowledge-based services for customers��plant asset efficiency. The solutions are based on SKF�� knowledge of bearings, sea! ls, lubrication systems, mechatronics and services, and customers are served by SKF and its network of over 7,000 authorized distributors. The division runs a network of Condition Monitoring Centres, which designs and produces global hardware and software. Service Division is also responsible for all SKF�� sales in certain markets.

Automotive Division

The Automotive Division serves manufacturers of cars, light trucks, heavy trucks, buses, two-wheelers and the vehicle service market, supporting them in bringing solutions to global markets. In addition, the division provides energy-saving solutions for home appliances, power tools and electric motors. Within the Automotive Division, SKF develops and manufactures bearings, seals and related products and services. Products include wheel hub bearing units, tapered roller bearings, small deep groove ball bearings, seals, and automotive specialty products for engine, steering and driveline applications. For the vehicle service market, the division provides complete repair kits, including a range of drive shafts and constant velocity joints.

Logistics Services

SKF�� business is supported by its logistics processes and systems, which involve all parts of the logistics needs in the supply chain. SKF Logistics Services provides warehousing, transportation, packaging and inventory management based on seamless information and communication technology for the SKF Group globally.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Stephen Simpson, CFA]

  I wrote on bearings and velocity control products company Kaydon (KDN) in early March of this year, and I didn't see a lot of value at the time. As the year went on, that call looked worse and worse, as the stock climbed about 18% - well above the S&P 500, and well above industry peers/competitors like Timken (TKR) and SKF (SKFRY.PK). To top it all off, Kaydon announced this morning (September 5) that it had received and accepted a buyout offer from SKF valuing the company at $35.50 - some 45% higher than the price when I thought it looked only about 10% undervalued. So what did I get wrong here, and what can investors do to avoid a similar mistake?

10 Best Integrated Utility Stocks To Buy For 2014: Beamz Interactive Inc (BZIC)

Beamz Interactive, Inc., incorporated on May 25, 2001, develops an interactive laser controller technology that can be used in a range of music, game, therapy, education, senior care, lighting and consumer applications. The Company�� commercial products include Beamz Player and Beamz Pro. By connecting the Beamz Player to a personal computer (PC) and installing the included software, the user can play a range of digitized musical instruments by simply interrupting one or more laser beams with their hands, thereby creating great music in conjunction with a background rhythm track of original, popular, disc jockey (DJ) and children�� songs across numerous music genres (including Jazz, Blues, Hip Hop, Rock, Classical, Latin). In each song the user can select up to 12 different instruments, music clips and sound effects that are paired with a background rhythm track, amounting to hundreds of instruments to choose from across all songs in the Beamz music library.

BeamzPlayer software makes it easy to make great sounding music in minutes by following the diagram of the Beamz Player on the screen of the attached computer, which allows the user to identify which laser beam controls different instruments. Beamz songs are set up to be regardless of how they are played and the music samples assigned to a laser beam offer more complexity, often with several notes, chords and/or series of music samples controlled by touching one of the laser beams. The Company has commercialized several products that use the Beamz interactive laser controller technology for music making and music-controller related products. These products are interactive music systems that combine laser controller hardware and various versions of interactive music software, including mapping software applications that enable the Beamz laser controller hardware to be used with software applications offered by other companies relating to mixing/DJ, lighting controls and music creation/production applications.

The Com! pany�� hardware product offering consists of three product lines: the Beamz Player consumer product family, the Beamz DJ and Beamz Pro product family, and the Beamz Education, Special Needs, and Physical Rehabilitation product family (Beamz Products). The Beamz Player and Beamz Pro hardware may also be used as a general laser controller for many other purposes, such as lighting, games, music production, and other applications.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Peter Graham]

  Small cap tech or media stocks Thinspace Technology Inc (OTCMKTS: THNS), Beamz Interactive Inc (OTCBB: BZIC) and Hannover House Inc (OTCMKTS: HHSE) have been getting some extra attention lately, but it appears that only one of these stocks has been the subject of a paid promotion. Nevertheless, all three stocks have been busy with press releases trying to get the attention of investors or traders. So are these three small cap tech or media stocks worth your attention? Here is a closer look along with a reality check:

• [By Peter Graham]

  Small cap stocks Beamz Interactive Inc (OTCBB: BZIC), EHouse Global (OTCBB: EHOS) and Winning Brands Corporation (OTCMKTS: WNBD) were all heading in different directions at the end of last week with the first small cap surging 49.94% while the other two sank 31.28% and 25.32%, respectively, on Friday. Moreover, all three small cap stocks are already heading in different directions again this morning. So where should investors and traders place their bets? Here is a closer look at all three small cap stocks:

10 Best Integrated Utility Stocks To Buy For 2014: Inteliquent Inc (IQNT)

Inteliquent Inc, formerly Neutral Tandem, Inc., doing business as Inteliquent, incorporated on April 19, 2001, provides solutions for voice, data, and hosted services globally. With over 120 Ethernet sites across four continents, the Company is a global Ethernet interconnection provider, and has an Internet protocol version 6 (IPv6) network. Inteliquent is a network solutions provider, offering intelligent networking to solve interconnection and interoperability issues on a global scale. With multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) network, which is interconnected to carriers globally, it provides voice, Internet protocol (IP) transit and Ethernet solutions to carriers, service providers, and content management firms based in over 80 countries, across six continents. Its IP Transit provides bandwidth for Internet service providers (ISP), mobile operators, Telcos, enterprises and content providers. In September 2012, it announced the establishment of its Turkish subsidiary, as well as its strategic alliance with Turkey's Turkcell Superonline. In April 2013, Neutral Tandem Inc acquired the global data services business of Global Telecom & Technology Inc.

The Company simplifies the complexities of data networking by making interconnection. Its EtherCloud transforms and simplifies the delivery of Ethernet and virtual private local area network (LAN) service (VPLS) services over a global footprint. A layer-II platform, EtherCloud connects partner networks into a seamless Ethernet cloud, which delivers end-to-end connectivity globally. It relies on Inteliquent�� global MPLS backbone as a distributed switched network, which is accessible in 120 point of purchases (PoPs) across four continents, to interconnect partners��networks through standardized external network-to-network interfaces (E-NNIs). By interconnecting partner networks to create one holistic Ethernet cloud, EtherCloud enables you to both source and to sell Ethernet and VPLS connectivity. It provides a one-stop-shop to conne! ct globally.

The Company provides a range of voice services. Inteliquent's voice services include streamlined session initiation protocol (SIP) interconnection options for domestic and international long distance traffic. It offers terminating and originating access, which supports billions of minutes of billable traffic each month. Its services include Access Homing Tandem and Gateway Tandem Services. It has the first wholesale, white-label hosted collaboration solution to be resold by value added resellers (VAR) and system integrators (SI). The hosted collaboration solution (HCS) offers a range of unified communication products and services, including single number reach, integrated messaging and presence, video calling, and WebEx integration.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Rick Munarriz]

  Briefly in the news
  And now let's take a quick look at some of the other stories that shaped our week.

  Shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG  ) hit a new 52-week high after posting stronger revenue than analysts were expecting. The burrito roller also indicated that menu price increases are on the way in a move that will increase margins. Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX  ) also landed a fresh 52-week high, but it doesn't report until next week. The big push for the leading video service was a dozen Emmy nominations for House of Cards and Arrested Development. There's always a model-affirming Emmy nod in the banana stand. Inteliquent (NASDAQ: IQNT  ) moved sharply higher after jacking up its revenue and adjusted EBITDA targets for the year. The provider of wholesale voice services had hosed down its outlook in May.

• [By alicet236]

  Inteliquent Inc. (IQNT): CEO G. Edward Evans Sold 179,192 Shares

  CEO of Inteliquent Inc. (IQNT) G. Edward Evans sold 179,192 shares on 05/07/2014 at an average price of $14.52. Inteliquent Inc. provides wholesale voice services for carriers and service providers. Inteliquent Inc. has a market cap of $468.794 million; its shares were traded at around $14.45 with a P/E ratio of 8.50 and P/S ratio of 2.10. The dividend yield of Inteliquent Inc stocks is 1.82%.

• [By The GeoTeam]

  The largest single event the company has achieved is the acquisition of Tinet from Inteliquent (IQNT) , which had been IQNT's global data business. IQNT provides services to telecom providers, helping them deliver their network reach. With the divestiture of Tinet, IQNT's major focus is the delivery of voice versus data services.

10 Best Integrated Utility Stocks To Buy For 2014: Control4 Corp (CTRL)

Control4 Corporation, incorporated on March 27, 2003, is a provider of automation and control solutions for the connected home. The Company provides its consumers with the ability to integrate music, video, lighting, temperature, security, communications and other functionalities into a unified home automation solution. The Company's solution functions as the operating system of the home, making connected devices work together to control, automate and personalize the homes of its consumers. Control4 Home Operating System (C4 OS) is one of the product line of the Company. It embeds its C4 OS in a range of products, including controller appliances, interfaces and connected devices that interact with various music, video, lighting, temperature, security, communications and other devices. The Company offers its 4Sight subscription service, which allows consumers to control and monitor their homes remotely from their smartphone, tablet or laptop, and allows its dealers to perform remote diagnostic services. The Company's 4Sight allows consumer to remotely unlock the front door to let in a repairman, to turn on the air conditioning on the way home, and to monitor the home security cameras from a smartphone. In addition, its 4Store application marketplace offers a range of third-party applications for use with the Company's products. The Company's solution provides consumers with access to over 6,400 third-party devices.

Software Platform

At the center of the Control4 product line is the Control4 Home Operating System, and the associated application software and software development kits (SDKs). The high-level software components include Director, Navigator, Composer Professional Edition, Composer Home Edition and Composer Media Edition, DriverWorks SDK, and Navigator SDK and Application SDK. Director is a real-time, extensible home operating system kernel that is responsible for monitoring and receiving events from numerous devices and services, processing those events according ! to consumer personalized settings, and then dispatching commands to the appropriate devices to perform predefined actions. Navigator displays intuitive and rich graphical user interfaces on televisions, in-wall and table-top touch panels, smartphones and tablets, as well as list-based devices, such as a remote controls with LCD text-displays. Composer Professional Edition is a software application that enables trained and certified Control4 dealers and installers to design, configure and personalize a Control4 home automation system for consumers. Composer Home Edition and Media Edition enable consumers to view and configure their Control4 managed devices. These drag-and-drop programs provide the ability to manage digital media and create and modify simple programs and policies (such as changing lighting scenes, modifying custom buttons and controlling behaviors among devices based on schedules or times of the day). DriverWorks SDK is a software development kit that enables dealers, programmers and device manufacturers to independently develop and test custom two-way interface drivers to support the integration of a new device or device model into its system, or to customize and enhance an existing driver. Navigator SDK and Application SDK are software development kits that enable third-party dealers and programmers to customize and deliver new application functionality within Navigator user interfaces on Control4 interface devices through the development of applications.

Products with Embedded Software and Services

The Company's controller appliances run its Director software to monitor, process and automate events, statuses and actions for numerous devices and services, creating a connected home experience. It offers the HC-800, a whole home controller appliance, and the HC-250, a single-room controller appliance. It also licenses its Director software on the new Sony ES 5800 and 2800 receivers, transforming them into controller appliances with home theater audio and video ! capabilit! ies. The Company offers touch panels, handheld remote controls and keypads as interface devices. It also develops and delivers software applications for Apple iOS and Android smartphones and tablets that enable these personal devices to become control interfaces to Control4 connected homes, both on-premise and remotely. The Company offers network-enabled 4x4 and 8x8 zone audio amplifiers, and a 16x16 audio matrix switch for versatile multi-room and whole-home audio distribution. It also offers an integrated digital media player for integration of local digital audio and video, as well as Wi-Fi and Ethernet amplified speaker points for streaming digital audio to speakers in areas without an audio receiver.

The Company offers a suite of lighting products that provide personalized control and energy management. Its suite of wireless light switches and dimmers can replace devices in an existing home or be installed in new homes. It offers in-wall wireless switches and dimmers for 120V, 240V and 277V electrical loads, which meet the requirements of North America and many international markets. The also plan to offer panelized systems, where all of the lighting control will be done on a remote panel. Its new Control4 lighting products will have the ability to measure how much energy each load is using and provide suggestions to the consumer on how to conserve energy and reduce costs. The Company offers devices that provide energy savings, convenience and efficiency for temperature control. Its wireless multi-stage thermostat is completely programmable with up to six set points per day and, using its 4Sight subscription service, is remotely accessible and controllable. The Company provides a set of products and software services created by the Company, as well as distribute certified third-party products, including deadbolts, door and window sensors, motion sensors, garage access systems and water leak detection systems, from its security partners, such as Baldwin, Card Access, Kwikset and Yale. ! The Compa! ny offers full motion video and hi-fidelity audio intercom capability through its in-wall and tabletop touchscreens, as well as its exterior weather-resistant door stations. 4Sight is a subscription service that enables 24x7 home monitoring and control from virtually anywhere, remote home programming and support, and instant email alerts based on home events so that homeowners are always in-the-know.

The Company offers a subscription service called 4Sight that enables remote access to the connected home without exposing the installer or consumer to the complexities of communicating around firewalls and private Internet Protocol addresses. This service facilitates connections between remote client devices and its systems through a cloud-based service. Using 4Sight, consumers can remotely monitor and control their Control4 systems as if they were at their homes.

The Company competes with AMX, Crestron, Apple, Google, Microsoft and Samsung, Savant, Logitech, Lutron, Nest, Roku, Sonos and Universal Remote Control, ADT, Comcast, Verizon and Vivint.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Jon C. Ogg]

  Control4�Corp. (NASDAQ: CTRL) was started as Buy at Canaccord Genuity on a likely late Tuesday call. This one was started as Buy at BofA/Merrill Lynch on Tuesday as the broker quiet period ended.

• [By Jason Moser]

  In this edition of The Motley Fool's "Ask a Fool" series,�Motley Fool�analysts Jason Moser and Brendan Mathews take a question from a reader who asks, "Is there any specific reason why�Control4 (NASDAQ: CTRL  ) is pretty volatile? Seems like it's up or down over 5% everyday!"

• [By Jon C. Ogg]

  Control4�Corp. (NASDAQ: CTRL) was started as Buy with a $26 price target at BofA/Merrill Lynch.

  Halliburton Co. (NYSE: HAL) was reinstated as Buy with a $62 price target at BofA/Merrill Lynch, and remember this one we recently dubbed the current king of the stock buybacks.

10 Best Integrated Utility Stocks To Buy For 2014: Integrated Electrical Services Inc.(IESC)

Integrated Electrical Services, Inc. provides electrical infrastructure services in the United States. The company?s Communications segment offers various services, including the design, installation, and maintenance of network infrastructure for the financial, medical, hospitality, government, manufacturing, educational, and information technology industries; design and installation of audio/visual, telephone, fire, wireless, and intrusion alarm systems, as well as design/build, servicing, and maintenance of data network systems. Its Residential segment offers electrical installation services for single-family housing and multi-family apartment complexes, and CATV cabling installations for residential and commercial applications. This segment also installs residential solar power, smart meters, electric car charging stations, and stand-by generators. The company?s Commercial and Industrial segment provides electrical contracting services, which include the design of ele ctrical systems in a building or complex; procurement and installation of wiring and connection to power sources; end-use equipment and fixtures; and contract maintenance services. It also provides service, maintenance, and renovation and upgrade work services; and services for various projects, including high-rise residential and office buildings, power plants, manufacturing facilities, data centers, chemical plants, refineries, wind farms, solar facilities, municipal infrastructure, and health care facilities, as well as residential developments. In addition, this segment offers utility services consisting of overhead and underground installation and maintenance of electrical and other utilities transmission and distribution networks; installation and splicing of high-voltage transmission and distribution lines; substation construction; and substation and right-of-way maintenance. Integrated Electrical Services, Inc. was founded in 1997 and is based in Houston, Texas.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By GuruFocus]

  Integrated Electrical Services Inc. (IESC): President and CEO James M. Lindstrom Bought 1,901 Shares
  
  President and CEO of Integrated Electrical Services Inc. (IESC) James M. Lindstrom bought 1,901 shares on 09/25/2013 at an average price of $4.08. Integrated Electrical Services Inc. has a market cap of $73.0559 million; its shares were traded at around $4.08 with and P/S ratio of 0.13.

Top 5 Gold Stocks To Invest In 2015

Top 5 Gold Stocks To Invest In 2015: Australian Dollar(AU)

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

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Mark Hulbert]

  If you prefer the shares of individual gold-mining companies, Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold (FCX)  is currently the one most recommended by the Hulbert Financial Digest-monitored advisers who have beaten the S&P 500 over the past 15 years. Also popular are Agnico Eagle Mines (AEM) , Barrick Gold (ABX) , AngloGold Ashanti (AU)  and Newmont Mining (NEM) .

• [By Brianna Valleskey]

  The result is that gold producers are not a particularly exciting part of markets in South Africa anymore, Theron said. Most of the large gold companies, like Ang! loGold Ashanti Limited (NYSE: AU) and Gold Fields Limited (NYSE: GFI), have internationalized their operations, he said, but still have a footprint in South Africa.

source from Top Stocks For 2015:http://www.topstocksblog.com/top-5-gold-stocks-to-invest-in-2015.html

Hot Biotech Stocks To Own For 2014

Popular Posts: 5 Biotechnology Stocks to Buy Now9 “Triple A” Stocks to Buy5 Tech Services Stocks to Buy Now Recent Posts: 4 Oil and Gas Stocks to Buy Now 16 Oil and Gas Stocks to Sell Now 5 Machinery Stocks to Buy Now View All Posts

The overall ratings of 16 oil and gas stocks are down on Portfolio Grader this week. Each of these rates a “D” (“sell”) or “F” overall (“strong sell”).

PDC Energy () is on the decline this week, earning a D (“sell”) after receiving a C (“hold”) last week. PDC is an oil and gas company with drilling and production operations in the Rocky Mountains, the Appalachian Basin and Michigan. In Portfolio Grader’s specific subcategories of Earnings Revisions and Cash Flow, PETD also gets F’s. As of Dec. 27, 2013, 12.3% of outstanding PDC Energy shares were held short. .

Top 5 Building Product Companies To Invest In 2015: Kite Pharma Inc (KITE)

Kite Pharma, Inc., incorporated on June 1, 2009, is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of cancer immunotherapy products designed to harness the power of a patient�� own immune system to eradicate cancer cells. The Company does this using its engineered autologous cell therapy (eACT). eACT involves the genetic engineering of T cells to express either chimeric antigen receptors (CARs, or T cell receptors, or TCRs). These modified T cells are designed to recognize and destroy cancer cells. The Company funds multiple Phase I-2a clinical trials with CAR- and TCR-based therapies that are being conducted by its collaborator, the Surgery Branch of the National Cancer Institute (NCI). The Company plans to conduct a Phase I-2 clinical trial for its lead product candidate KTE-C19, a CAR-based therapy, in patients with relapsed/refractory diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL).

eACT involves harvesting T cells from the patient�� blood; genetically engineering T cells to express cancer-specific receptors; increasing the number of engineered T cells and infusing the functional cancer-specific T cells back into the patient. Using eACT technology, T cells can be genetically modified to express one of two classes of cancer-specific receptors: CARs or TCRs. CARs can recognize native cancer antigens that are part of an intact protein presented on the cancer cell surface. TCRs broaden the therapeutic approach by recognizing fragments on the cancer cell surface derived from intracellular proteins. By combining both CAR and TCR approaches, it has the potential to generate a portfolio of products that can target both solid and hematological tumors. It has a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA), through which it is funding the research and development of eACT-based product candidates utilizing CARs and TCRs for the treatment of advanced solid and hematological malignancies.

The Company�� lead product candidate, KTE-C19, ! is an anti-CD19 CAR T cell therapy. CD19 is a protein expressed on the cell surface of B cell lymphomas and leukemias. The Company is an ongoing NCI Phase I-2a clinical trial utilizing anti-CD19 CAR T cell therapy that is designed to establish a dose level and appropriate conditioning regimen, as well as to assess overall safety, in patients with B cell lymphomas and leukemias that had been heavily pretreated and were relapsed/refractory (unresponsive) to chemotherapy. KTE-C19 will use the identical anti-CD19 CAR construct and viral vector that is being used in the NCI trial. The Company a license with the NIH for intellectual property relating to a TCR-based T cell therapy targeting the antigen SSX2 for the treatment of head and neck cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, melanoma, prostate cancer and sarcoma, and a co-exclusive license to this intellectual property for the treatment of certain additional cancer types.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Matt Egan]

  While the health-care sector only raised $1.8 billion during the second quarter, it led the way with 24 IPOs, up from 17 the year before. Hot drug IPOs include Zs Pharma (ZSPH), Kite Pharma (KITE) and GlobeImmune (GBIM), all of which debuted in June and are trading more than 40% above their IPO price.

Hot Biotech Stocks To Own For 2014: Chromadex Corp (CDXC)

Chromadex Corporation, incorporated on June 19, 2008, is a provider of research and quality-control products and services to the natural products industry. The Company�� products are used by customers worldwide in the dietary supplement, food and beverage, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. The Company together with its subsidiaries supplies phytochemical reference standards, which are small quantities of plant-based compounds used to research an array of potential attributes, and reference materials, related contract services, technical consulting and ingredients. On December 3, 2012, ChromaDex Inc. acquired Spherix Consulting Inc. The Company�� principal subsidiaries include ChromaDex, Inc., Chromadex Analytics, Inc. and Spherix Consulting, Inc (Spherix).

The Company provides its clients in the food, supplement and pharmaceutical industries with solutions to manage potential health and regulatory risks. Its science-based solutions are for both new and existing products that may be subject to product liability and/or exposed to changing scientific standards or public perceptions; literature evaluations, and design and assessment of pre-clinical and clinical safety testing. It specializes in regulatory submissions for food and dietary supplement ingredients. For its clients involved in drug development within the pharmaceutical industry, the Company provides similar services, as well as risk-based strategies, including intellectual property data and compliance gap identification, due diligence assessments and investigational new drug writing.

Products and Services

The Company offers bulk raw materials for inclusion in dietary supplements, food, beverage and cosmetic products. Through its catalog, it supplies a range of products necessary to conduct quality control of raw materials and consumer products. The Company through Chromadex Analytics, provides a range of contract services ranging from routine contract analysis for the production of dietary sup! plements, cosmetics, foods and other natural products to elaborate contract research for clients in these industries. The Company provides a range of consulting services in the areas of regulatory support, new ingredient or product development, risk management and litigation support. With an addition of Spherix, it provides regulatory approval and scientific advisory services.

The Company competes with Sigma-Aldrich, Phytolab, US Pharmacopoeia, Extrasynthese, Covance, Eurofins, and Silliker Canada Co.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Peter Graham]

  Small cap stocks Chromadex Corp (OTCMKTS: CDXC) and 22nd Century Group Inc (OTCBB: XXII) are, one way or the other, focused on natural products and have been getting some extra attention lately. Moreover, one of these stocks have been the subject of a disclosed investor awareness campaign. Keeping that in mind, are these two small cap stocks natural winners for investors? Here is a quick look:

Hot Biotech Stocks To Own For 2014: Chimerix Inc (CMRX)

Chimerix, Inc., incorporated on April, 07, 2000, is a biopharmaceutical company committed to the discovery, development and commercialization of novel, oral antiviral therapeutics that are designed to transform patient care in areas of high unmet medical need. Its lipid technology has given rise to two clinical-stage compounds, CMX001 and CMX157, which have demonstrated the potential for enhanced antiviral activity and safety in convenient, orally administered dosing regimens.

CMX001 is an orally administered drug that utilizes its lipid technology to deliver intracellular concentrations of a potent antiviral compound, cidofovir-diphosphate (CDV-PP). Following oral dosing, CMX001 is absorbed through the gut, remains intact in the plasma, and is readily taken up by and delivered into cells. Once inside cells, CMX001 is converted into CDV-PP, which acts as an alternative substrate in a replicating virus. CMX001 is similar to the drug cidofovir in that both drugs are converted into CDV-PP once inside cells. Although cidofovir is approved for administration in an intravenous formulation, Vistide, it requires a plasma concentration to deliver a therapeutic level of cidofovir into cells and its use is limited due to the risk of kidney damage.

CMX157, Its second clinical stage compound, is an oral nucleotide compound in Phase 1 development for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. In July 2012, the Company granted Merck an exclusive worldwide license to develop and commercialize CMX157 for all human uses. Merck is responsible for all development and marketing activities for CMX157 on a worldwide basis.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  Biotech companies that are most likely to benefit because they are “Ahead in clinical development and/or have established relationships with [the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, or] BARDA which may facilitate getting a contract” include GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), NewLink Genetics (NLNK), Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) and Chimerix (CMRX). Kantor includes Tekmira�(TKMR) and Sarepta (SRPT) among “companies with viable programs” that are “moving forward and likely to attract additional funding.”

Hot Biotech Stocks To Own For 2014: Neurocrine Biosciences Inc.(NBIX)

Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. engages in the discovery, development, and commercialization of drugs for the treatment of neurological and endocrine-related diseases and disorders in the United States. It develops drugs for endometriosis, stress-related disorders, pain, tardive dyskinesia, uterine fibroids, diabetes, insomnia, and other neurological and endocrine-related diseases and disorders. The company?s products in clinical development include Elagolix, a Phase II drug for endometriosis; Vesicular Monoamine Transporter 2 Inhibitor (VMAT2), a Phase II drug for movement disorders; CRF2 Peptide Agonist, a Phase II drug for cardiovascular diseases; CRF1 Antagonist, a Phase II drug for stress-related disorders; and Elagolix, a Phase II drug for uterine fibroids. Its research programs comprise G Protein-Coupled Receptor 119 (GPR119) for type II diabetes; VMAT2 for schizophrenia; GnRH Antagonists for men?s and women?s health, and oncology; Antiepileptic Drugs for epilepsy, essential tremor, and pain; and G Protein-Coupled Receptors for other conditions. The company has collaborations with GlaxoSmithKline to develop and commercialize CRF antagonists for psychiatric, neurological, and gastrointestinal diseases; Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma Co. Ltd. to develop and commercialize Indiplon in Japan; Abbott International Luxembourg S.�r.l. to develop and commercialize elagolix and GnRH antagonists for women?s and men?s health indications; and Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH to research, develop, and commercialize small molecule GPR119 agonists for the treatment of type II diabetes and other indications. Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. was founded in 1992 and is headquartered in San Diego, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Roberto Pedone]

  Another stock that's starting to trend within range of triggering a major breakout trade is Neurocrine Biosciences (NBIX), which discovers, develops and commercializes drugs for the treatment of neurological and endocrine-related diseases and disorders. This stock has been a hot name with bulls so far in 2013, with shares up 57%.

  If you look at the chart for Neurocrine Biosciences, you'll notice that this stock recently gapped down sharply from $16.74 to below $11.50 a share with heavy downside volume flows. Following that gap down, shares of NBIX went on to continue its trend lower and the stock hit a new low of $10.42 a share. Shares of NBIX have started to rebound off that $10.42 low and it's now moving within range of triggering a major breakout trade.

  Traders should now look for long-biased trades in NBIX if it manages to break out above some near-term overhead resistance levels at its 200-day moving average of $11.92 a share and above its gap down day high of $12.17 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 894,145 shares. If that breakout triggers soon, then NBIX will set up to re-fill some of its previous gap down zone from September that started at $16.74 a share. Some possible upside targets for NBIX if it gets into that gap with volume are $14 to $15 a share.

  Traders can look to buy NBIX off any weakness to anticipate that breakout and simply use a stop that sits right below support at $11 a share, or below that recent low of $10.42 a share. One can also buy NBIX off strength once it takes out that breakout levels with volume and then simply use a stop that sits a comfortable percentage from your entry point.

• [By Lisa Levin]

  Neurocrine Biosciences (NASDAQ: NBIX) shares moved up 76.95% to $17.27. The volume of Neurocrine Biosciences shares traded was 4406% higher than normal. Neurocrine Biosciences reported positive results of VMAT2 inhibitor NBI-98854 in Kinect 2 study.

Hot Biotech Stocks To Own For 2014: Senesco Technologies Inc (SNTI)

Senesco Technologies, Inc., incorporated on September 30. 1999, is engaged in utilize its eukaryotic translation initiation Factor 5A, or Factor 5A, and deoxyhypusine synthase (DHS), and related technologies for human therapeutic applications to develop approaches to treat cancer and inflammatory diseases. In agricultural applications, the Company has licensed applications of the Factor 5A, DHS and Lipase platforms to develop the productivity of fruits, flowers, vegetables, agronomic and biofuel feedstock crops through the control of cell death and growth in plants.

Human Therapeutic Applications

The Company has developed a therapeutic candidate, SNS01-T, an improved formulation of SNS01, for the potential treatment of multiple myeloma and non-Hodgkin B-cell lymplomas. SNS01-T utilizes the Company's Factor 5A technology and consists of two components, which include a DNA plasmid (pDNA), expressing human eIF5A containing a lysine to arginine substitution at amino acid position 50, (eIF5AK50R), and a small inhibitory RNA (siRNA). These two components are combined in a fixed ratio with a polymer, polyethyleneimine (PEI), which enables self-assembly of the DNA and RNA into nanoparticles with demonstrated enhanced delivery to tissues and protection from degradation in the blood stream. The Company has also demonstrated that the combination of lenalidomide and SNS 01-T performs better than either treatment alone in mouses xenograft models of human mantle cell lymphoma. The Company's human therapeutic research program, which consists of pre-clinical in-vitro and in-vivo experiments designed to assess the role and mode of action of Factor 5A in human diseases and a phase 1a/2b clinical trial.

The Company competes with Celgene, Inc., Takeda/Millennium, ONYX Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Amgen Inc., Janssen Biotech, Inc., Novartis AG, and Pharmacyclics, Inc.

Agricultural Applications

The Company's agricultural research focuses on the discovery and develo! pment of certain gene technologies, which are designed to confer positive traits on fruits, flowers, vegetables, forestry species and agronomic crops. The Company's research and development initiatives for agriculture include develop and implement the DHS and Factor 5A gene technology in banana, canola, cotton, turfgrass, rice, alfalfa, corn, soybean and trees; and test the resultant crops for new beneficial traits such as increased yield, increased tolerance to environmental stress, disease resistance and more efficient use of fertilizer.

The Company competes with Mendel Biotechnology, Renessen LLC, Exelixis Plant Sciences, Inc., and Syngenta International AG.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By CRWE]

  Today, SNTI has shed (-2.44%) down -0.0010 at $.0400 with�723,673 shares in play thus far (ref. google finance Delayed: 2:58PM EDT October 7, 2013).

  Senesco Technologies, Inc. previously reported it has entered into a securities purchase agreement with certain investors to raise $1.725 million in gross proceeds through the sale of 69,000,000 shares of its common stock. The common stock was priced at $0.025 per share.

  The offering is expected to close on or about October 2, 2013, subject to customary closing conditions. The net proceeds of the financing will be used primarily for working capital, research and development and general corporate purposes.

• [By Peter Graham]

  At the end of last week, small cap stocks Senesco Technologies, Inc (OTCBB: SNTI), VolitionRX Ltd (OTCMKTS: VNRX) and Micromem Technologies Inc (OTCBB: MMTIF) were all trending upwards ��ending up 13.65%, 8.73% and 7.61%, respectively, on Friday. However, it�� a new trading week with the last two trading days for the year. So what direction will these three small caps head in for the end of this year and into next year? Here is a quick look to help you decide on a trading or investment strategy:

Hot Biotech Stocks To Own For 2014: Applied Nanotech Holdings Inc (APNT)

Applied Nanotech Holdings, Inc., incorporated on May 22, 1989, is engaged in nanotechnology research and development business. The Company's nanotechnology research involves performing contract research and development services for others to develop products and materials for new applications, and then leveraging this research by applying it to other similar applications in other industries. The Company also develops intellectual property (IP) around its products and technologies. The Company develops five technology platforms: nanosensor technology; nanocomposites, based on carbon nanotube composites; thermal management materials; nanoelectronics applications, and electron emission activities, primarily in the display area. The Company's electron emission IP is divided into display activities and non-display activities. Applied Nanotech Holdings, Inc. is the parent company. Applied Nanotech, Inc. (ANI) is a subsidiary of ANHI. During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company formed EZDiagnostix, Inc., (EZDX).

Sensors

The Company develops sensors based on ion mobility sensor technology and differential mobility spectroscopy. The Company is involved in projects to develop Mercaptan and Methane sensors for uses in the natural gas industry. The Company is also applying this technology to other applications, including agricultural pathology, wound care, and breath analysis. The Company develops hydrogen sensor for use in the measurement of hydrogen in power transformer products. The Company develops carbon monoxide sensor that can last for 10,000 hours on a single battery. The Company's carbon nanotube technology is for use in biosensors. Sensors based on carbon nanotubes or other nanomaterials can be used to detect chemical, organic, or biological warfare agents, as well as explosives, hydrogen, ammonia and numerous other chemicals.

Nanocomposites

The Company is in the advanced stages of development of nanomaterials using carbon nanotube (CNT) and! other composites. Epoxies are used in industries with worldwide markets, with applications, including adhesives, paints, coatings, and composites. In addition to epoxy resins, the Company develops other types of resins, including polyesters and vinyl esters. Vinyl esters are used in a variety of industrial applications, including storage tanks, piping, and construction. The Company develops a process for coating nylon pellets with CNTs to improves electrical conductivity. Nylon 6 with improved electrical conductivity can be used for its anti-static qualities, electrostatic discharge, and electromagnetic/RF shielding.

Thermal Management

The Company markets thermal management material called CarbAl. CarbAl provides a passive thermal management solution for temperature control issues that plague electronics manufacturers. CarbAl is a carbon based metal nanocomposite comprised of 80% carbonaceous matrix and a dispersed metal component of 20% aluminum. The Company also develops a simplified version of CarbAl based on graphite.

Conductive Inks

The Company develops aluminum and silver inks and pastes that is ideal for use in the production of solar cells. The Company also develops aluminum paste that can be used in current solar cell production.

The Company competes with Zyvex Performance Materials, GSI Creos, Amroy Europe, Ltd., DuPont and Ferro

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Anuchit Nguyen]

  India�� S&P BSE Sensex rose, holding at a three-year high, amid better-than-estimated corporate earnings. Engineering company Larsen & Toubro Ltd. (LT) rallied to a three-month high and Asian Paints Ltd. (APNT) surged about 6 percent after reporting profit that beat forecasts.

Hot Biotech Stocks To Own For 2014: Brainstorm Cell Therapuetics Inc (BCLI)

Brainstorm Cell Therapeutics Inc. (Brainstorm), incorporated on November 15, 2006, is a biotechnology company developing adult stem cell therapies for debilitating neurodegenerative disorders, such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease), Multiple Sclerosis (MS), and Parkinson�� disease (PD). These diseases have limited treatment options and as such represent unmet medical needs. The Company�� NurOwn technology is based on a differentiation protocol, which induces differentiation of the bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells into neuron-supporting cells, MSC-NTF cells, capable of releasing several neurotrophic factors, including Glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), which are critical for the growth, survival and differentiation of developing neurons.

The Company�� approach to treatment of neurodegenerative diseases with autologous adult stem cells includes a multi-step process beginning with harvesting of undifferentiated stem cells from the patient's own bone marrow, and concluding with transplantation of differentiated, neurotrophic factor-secreting mesenchymal stem cells (MSC-NTF) into the same patient-intrathecally and/or intramuscularly. Intrathecal (injection into the cerebrospinal fluid) transplantation consists of injection with a standard lumbar puncture; there is no need for a laminectomy -an invasive, orthopedic spine operation to remove a portion of the vertebral bone, as required by other technologies. Intramuscular (injection directly into muscle) transplantation is performed via a standard injection procedure as well. Its production process for induction of differentiation of human bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells into differentiated cells that produce NTF (MSC-NTF) for clinical use is conducted in full compliance with current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP).

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By John Udovich]

  Small cap ALS and stem cell stock�Brainstorm Cell Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ: BCLI) surged 22.68%�ahead if its Monday ice bucket challenge when they will release the final results from�a phase 2a clinical trial���meaning its worth taking a closer look at the stock along with the performance of stem cell stocks or ALS stocks like Cytokinetics, Inc (NASDAQ: CYTK), Neuralstem, Inc (NYSEMKT: CUR) and NeoStem Inc (NASDAQ: NBS). However, Brainstorm Cell Therapeutics does have a history of being the subject of paid promotions and/or investor relations activities when it was trading on the OTC.

10 Best Financial Stocks To Buy Right Now

Every quarter, many money managers have to disclose what they've bought and sold, via "13F" filings. Their latest moves can shine a bright light on smart stock picks.

Today let's look at Diamond Hill Capital Management, founded in 2000 and based in Ohio. Its management has explained, "Our research is predominantly a bottom-up process beginning with fundamental analysis of a company's profitability and�market position, financial and competitive position, management quality, valuation, and growth components of valuation." Like other value-oriented investors respected by The Motley Fool, Diamond Hill seeks undervalued investments and margins of safety.

The company's reportable stock portfolio totaled $9.5 billion in value as of March 31.

Interesting developments
So what does Diamond Hill's latest quarterly 13F filing tell us? Here are a few interesting details.

The biggest new holdings are Philip Morris International and Reinsurance Group of America (NYSE: RGA  ) . Other new holdings of interest include Radian Group (NYSE: RDN  ) . To say that mortgage insurer Radian had a good past year would be an understatement, as the stock more than tripled. That's partly due to expectations of a boom in business as the housing market picks up, with tighter lending rules probably leading to greater need for the coverage. The stock recently got an upgrade, with an analyst expecting a possibly bumpy 2013 because of a high level of delinquent loans, but much smoother sailing in following years.

Hot Integrated Utility Stocks To Buy For 2015: Banco Santander-Chile (BSAC)

Banco Santander Chile (the Bank), incorporated on August 1, 2002, provides a range of general banking services to its customers, from individuals to corporations. The Bank operates in two segments: Commercial Banking, and Global Banking and Markets. The Bank provides a range of commercial and retail banking services to its customers, including Chilean peso and foreign currency denominated loans to finance a variety of commercial transactions, trade, foreign currency forward contracts and credit lines and a variety of retail banking services, including mortgage financing. It has 499 total branches, 269 of which are operated under the Santander brand name, with the remaining branches under certain specialty brand names, including 93 under the Santander Banefe brand name, 45 under the SuperCaja brand name, 44 under the BancaPrime brand name and 53 as auxiliary and payment centers. The Bank provides a range of financial services to corporate and individual customers. It offers a variety of financial services, including financial leasing, financial advisory services, mutual fund management, securities brokerage, insurance brokerage and investment management. As of December 31, 2012, it had outstanding loans net of allowances for loan losses of $ 38,271 million, and total deposits of $ 29,408 million.

The Bank�� loan portfolio includes Commercial loans, Residential mortgage loans, Consumer loans and Non-client loans. Commercial loans include commercial loans, foreign trade loans, mortgage loans financed with mortgage bonds, factoring operations, leasing contracts and other outstanding loans. Commercial loans (includes all loans other than consumer loans and residential mortgage loans). Residential mortgage loans include draft loans, residential mortgage loans backed by mortgage bonds and other mortgage mutual loans. Residential mortgage loans, including loans granted to individuals for the acquisition, construction or repair of residential real estate, in which the value of the property cove! rs at least 100% of the amount of the loan. Consumer loans include installment consumer loans, consumer loans through lines of credit, credit card loans and consumer leasing contracts. Consumer loans, including loans granted to individuals for the purpose of financing the acquisition of consumer goods or payment of service.)

Commercial Banking

The Commercial Banking segment is comprised sub-segments, which includes individuals (Santander Banefe), individuals (Commercial Banking), small and mid-sized companies, institutional, companies, real estate and corporations. Individuals (Santander Banefe), consisting of individuals with monthly incomes between $ 313 and $ 835 and served through its Banefe branch network. The segment accounts for 4.2% of its total loans outstanding as of December 31, 2012. The segment offers customers a range of products, including consumer loans, credit cards, auto loans, residential mortgage loans, debit card accounts, savings products, mutual funds and insurance brokerage. Individuals (Commercial Banking), consisting of individuals with a monthly income greater than $ 835. Clients in the segment account for 47.1% of its total loans outstanding as of December 31, 2012, and are offered a range of products, including consumer loans, credit cards, auto loans, commercial loans, foreign trade financing, residential mortgage loans, checking accounts, savings products, mutual funds and insurance brokerage.

Small and mid-sized companies consists of small companies with annual revenue of less than $2.5 million. As of December 31, 2012, the segment represented approximately 15.0% of its total loans outstanding. Customers in the segment are offered a range of products, including commercial loans, leasing, factoring, foreign trade, credit cards, mortgage loans, checking accounts, savings products, mutual funds and insurance brokerage. Institutional, such as universities, government agencies, municipalities and regional governments. As of December 31, 2! 012, thes! e clients represented 1.9% of its total loans outstanding. Customers in this sub-segment are also offered the same products that are offered to the customers in its small businesses segment. The sub-segment is included in the Retail segment because customers in this sub-segment are a source for individual customers. Companies consists of companies with annual revenue over $2.5 million and up to $20.9 million. Customers in this segment are offered a range of products, including commercial loans, leasing, factoring, foreign trade, credit cards, mortgage loans, checking accounts, cash management, treasury services, financial advisory, savings products, mutual funds and insurance brokerage. As of December 31, 2012, these clients represented 8.6% of its total loans outstanding.

Real estate consists of companies in the real estate sector with annual revenue over $1.7 million, including construction companies and real estate companies that execute projects for sale to third parties. As of December 31, 2012, these clients represented 4.1% of its total loans outstanding. To these clients the Bank offers, in addition to traditional banking services, specialized services for financing, primarily residential projects, in order to increase the sale of residential mortgage loans. Large corporations consists of companies with annual revenue over $20.9 million. Customers in this segment are also offered the same products that are offered to the customers in its mid-sized companies segment. As of December 31, 2012, these clients represented 8.8% of its total loans outstanding.

Global Banking and Markets segment

The Global Banking and Markets segment is comprised of the sub-segments, which include corporate and the treasury division. Corporate consists of companies that are foreign multinationals or part of a Chilean economic group with sales of over $20.9 million. As of December 31, 2012, these clients represented 9.8% of its total loans outstanding. Customers in this segment are o! ffered a ! range of products, including commercial loans, leasing, factoring, foreign trade, mortgage loans, checking accounts, cash management, treasury services, financial advisory, savings products, mutual funds and insurance brokerage. The Treasury Division provides financial products to companies in the wholesale banking and the middle-market segments. This includes products, such as short-term financing and funding, securities brokerage, interest rate and foreign currency derivatives, securitization services and other tailor made financial products. The Treasury division also manages its trading positions.

Corporate Activities

The Bank has a Corporate Activities segment comprised of all other operational and administrative activities This segment includes the Financial Management Division, which manages global functions, such as the management of its structural foreign exchange gap position, its structural interest rate risk and its liquidity risk. The Financial Management Division also oversees the use of its resources, the distribution of capital among its different units and the overall financing cost of investments.

The Bank competes with Banco del Estado.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Sean Williams]

  That inflation rate wasn't a big help for Banco Santander Chile (NYSE: BSAC  ) , the fund's third-largest holding, which is a large bank that's inflation-sensitive and saw its net interest margin drop in its most recent quarter. However, many of the more important underlying fundamentals of Banco Santander Chile, such as loan growth and core deposits, increased year over year while net provision expenses for consumer loans dropped 3.8% year over year. �

10 Best Financial 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 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.

  [ Enlarge Imag

• [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 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:

10 Best Financial Stocks To Buy Right Now: AIA Group Ltd (AAIGF.PK)

AIA Group Limited is an investment holding company. The Company and its subsidiaries are engaged in provision of products and services to individuals and businesses for their insurance, protection, savings, investment and retirement needs. The Company operates life insurance business, providing life, pensions, and accident and health products to customers in its local market, and distributes related investment and other financial services products. The Company serves more than 100,000 corporate clients with more than 13 million group insurance scheme members. It has operations in Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, China, Korea, the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, India, Australia, Taiwan, New Zealand, Macau and Brunei. As of November 30, 2012, its subsidiaries included American International Assurance Company, Limited (AIA Co.), American International Assurance Company (Bermuda) Limited (AIA-B), AIA Australia Limited and PT AIA Financial, among others. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Holly LaFon]

  Berkowitz�� top holdings continue to be: American International Group Inc. (AIG), AIA Group Ltd. (AAIGF.PK), Sears Holdings Corp. (SHLD), Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK.B) and Brookfield Asset Management Inc. (BAM).

10 Best Financial Stocks To Buy Right Now: Northern Financial Corp (NFC)

Northern Financial Corporation (Northern) is engaged in full service investment dealer business, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Northern Securities Inc. (Northern Securities), providing financial advisory services to retail and institutional clients and investment banking services to small capitalization companies. The Company�� business generates revenue from commissions and advisory fees earned on investment banking activities, and commissions from institutional sales and trading and retail investment advisors, and from principal trading. Northern is also engaged in merchant banking business that supplements the investment dealer business. Northern Securities is a member firm of the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC). Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Canadian Value]

  As the home represents one compelling category for Apple, payments represents another. Apple Pay will launch in October 2014, and while we expect limited financial impact in FY 2015 as retailers upgrade their infrastructure to incorporate the requisite near-field communications technology (NFC), we expect a more meaningful contribution in FY 2016 that accelerates into FY 2017 and the following years. We estimate that, based upon Apple Pay�� rumored fee of 15 bps of all spend on credit and debit cards (U.S. card spend was $4.2 trillion in 2012) and merchant deployment of NFC reaching 80%+ in 2017, Apple in the U.S. could generate revenues (also equivalent to gross margins, as the variable costs are de minimis) of $2.5 billion in FY 2017 if it reaches 30% market share of all spend on U.S. credit and debit cards. The potential in the U.S. and internationally over a longer term is much larger. Apple, dominant in the premium market, has customers who spend more on average than its peers, and it is therefore unusually well positioned to succeed with Apple Pay where others could not.

• [By Holly LaFon]

  Several financial institutions and credit card companies along with companies like Google, Inc. (GOOG), Apple, Inc. (AAPL), and Paypal have aspirations to be players in the emerging sector of mobile payments. Mobile payments allow you to pay for goods or service from your phone instead of paying with cash, check, or credit cards. Today, these payment mechanisms are restricted to premium SMS, direct carrier billing, website purchases through a mobile browser, and Near Field Communications (NFC). NFC is a set of standards for smartphones and similar devices that allow them to communicate with each other without touching, but by being in close proximity. NFC devices can be used in contactless payment systems, similar to those used in credit cards, to allow mobile payment to replace or supplement existing credit card and debit card type systems. The combined market for all types of mobile payments is expected to reach more than $600 billion globally by 2013. Google, Inc., a Baron investment, is currently the only company that has a large commercial NFC deployment in the market today. As Google pushes further into local advertising and promotions, it plans to utilize Google Wallet to enhance its relationship with consumers and businesses. Google Wallet is a mobile payment system developed by Google that allows smartphone users to store credit cards, loyalty card, and gift cards on their mobile phones, utilizing NFC for the payment of goods and services. Consumers will be able to redeem promotions or loyalty programs through Google Wallet, enabling stores to enhance their relationships with consumers.

10 Best Financial Stocks To Buy Right Now: iShares Cohen & Steers REIT ETF (ICF)

iShares Cohen & Steers Realty Majors Index Fund (the Fund) seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Cohen & Steers Realty Majors Index (the Index). The Index consists of selected real estate investment trusts (REITs). The objective of the Index is to represent relatively large and liquid REITs that may benefit from future consolidation and securitization of the United States real estate industry. The Index is modified capitalization-weighted with constituent companies having a maximum index weight of 8%.

The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Barclays Global Fund Advisors is the investment advisor of the Fund.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Matthew McCall]

  The SPDR Utilities ETF (NYSE: XLU) is up 1.5 percent today and is breaking to a one-month high. The iShares Cohen & Steers Realty ETF (NYSE: ICF), which owns a basket of REITs, is up 1.1 percent, also looking for a one-month high.

10 Best Financial Stocks To Buy Right Now: EastGroup Properties Inc. (EGP)

EastGroup Properties, Inc., a real estate investment trust (REIT), focuses on the development, acquisition, and operation of industrial properties in the United States. As of December 31, 2007, it owned 202 industrial properties and 1 office building, as well as approximately 1.7 million square feet properties in Florida, Texas, Arizona, and California. The company has elected to be taxed as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code. As a REIT, it would not be subject to federal income tax purposes, provided it distributes at least 90% of its REIT taxable income to its shareholders. EastGroup Properties, Inc. was founded in 1969 and is headquartered in Jackson, Mississippi.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Brad Thomas]

  Other REITs mentioned: (O), (NNN), (STAG), (DCT), (EGP), (PDM), (DRE), (LRY)

  Source: Chambers Street: More Liquidity Magic On The Way In REIT-Dom

  Disclosure: I have no positions in any stocks mentioned, and no plans to initiate any positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. (More...)

• [By Rich Duprey]

  Sunbelt industrial property investor�EastGroup Properties� (NYSE: EGP  ) �announced yesterday its second-quarter dividend of $0.53�per share, the same rate it paid for the last three quarters after raising the payout 2%, from $0.52 per share. It had previously maintained that same payout rate since 2005.

• [By Ken McGaha]

  The four REITS I reviewed are Kilroy Realty Corp. (KRC), Kimco Realty Corp. (KIM), Eastgroup Properties (EGP) and Federal Realty Investment Trust (FRT).

10 Best Financial Stocks To Buy Right Now: Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A. (BBVA)

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. (BBVA) is a diversified international financial group, with strengths in the traditional banking businesses of retail banking, asset management, private banking and wholesale banking. The Company also has investments in some of Spain�� companies. During the year ended December 31, 2009, BBVA focused its operations on six major business areas: Spain and Portugal, Wholesale Banking and Asset Management, Mexico, The United States, South America and Corporate Activities. On August 21, 2009, through its subsidiary BBVA Compass, BBVA acquired certain assets of Guaranty from the United States Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the FDIC).

Spain and Portugal

The Spain and Portugal business area focuses on providing banking services and consumer finance to private individuals, enterprises and institutions in Spain and Portugal. The main business units included in the Spain and Portugal area Spanish Retail Network, which manages individual customers, high net-worth individuals (private banking) and small companies and retailers in the Spanish market; Corporate and Business Banking, which manages business with small and medium enterprises (SMEs), large companies, institutions and developers in the Spanish market, and Other units, which includes consumer finance, that manages renting and leasing business, credit to individual and to enterprises for consumer products and Internet banking; European Insurance that manages the insurance business in Spain and Portugal, and BBVA Portugal, that manages the banking business in Portugal. The Spanish Retail Network unit services the financial and non-financial needs of households, professional practices, retailers and small businesses. The Corporate and Business Banking unit offers a range of services and products to SMEs, large companies, institutions and developers with specialized branch networks for each segment.

The Company�� European Insurance unit�� activities are conducted through! various insurance companies that provide direct insurance, reinsurance and insurance brokering services in Spain and Portugal and market products for different types of customers (private individuals, SMEs, retailers, professional service firms and providers and self-employed individuals) through this unit�� branch offices. BBVA Portugal manages its banking business in Portugal.

Wholesale Banking and Asset Management

The Wholesale Banking and Asset Management area focuses on providing services to large international companies and investment banking, capital markets and treasury management services to clients. The business units included in the Wholesale Banking and Asset Management area are Corporate and Investment Banking, which coordinates origination, distribution and management of a complete catalogue of corporate and investment banking products (corporate finance, structured finance, syndicated loans and debt capital markets) and provides global trade finance and global transaction services with coverage of large corporate customers specialized by sector (industry bankers); Global Markets, which handles the origination, structuring, distribution and risk management of market products, which are placed through its trading rooms in Europe, Asia and the Americas; Asset Management, which designs and manages the products that are marketed through its different branch networks including traditional asset management, alternative asset management and Valanza (its private equity unit); Industrial and Other Holdings, which helps to diversify the area�� businesses with the aim of creating medium and long-term value through active management of a portfolio of industrial holdings and other Spanish and international projects, and Asia.

During the year ended December 31, 2009, it launched two products: BBVA Bonos Cash (BBVA Cash Bonds), a money market fund for retail customers, and BBVA Bonos Largo Plazo Gobiernos II (BBVA Long-Term Government Bonds), a public-debt fu! nd. In ad! dition it launched through this unit additional fixed-income long-term funds, including BBVA Bonos Corporativos 2011 and BBVA Bonos 2014, which were sold to HNWI customers.

Mexico

The business units included in the Mexico area are Retail and Corporate banking and Pensions and Insurance. BBVA Bancomer launched six new mortgage products for lending to home buyers in 2009. These products included: loans for home improvements, remodeling or additions to homes and financial discount which provides liquidity to construction companies. In Mexico, it operates its pensions business through Afore Bancomer, its insurance business through Seguros Bancomer, its annuities business through Pensiones Bancomer and its health insurance business through Preventis.

The United States

The business units included in the United States area are BBVA Compass and Other units: BBVA Puerto Rico and Bancomer Transfers Services (BTS). During 2009 this unit marketed and sold several new products, The ClearPoints credit card, Business Build-to-order Checking, Compass for your Cause and Money Market Sweep.

South America

The South America business area includes its banking, insurance and pension businesses in South America. The business units included in the South America business area are Retail and Corporate Banking, which includes banks in Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela; Pension businesses, which includes pensions businesses in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru and Dominican Republic, and Insurance businesses, which includes insurance businesses in Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic and Venezuela.

Corporate Activities

The Corporate Activities area handles its general management functions. These mainly consist of structural positions for interest rates associated with the euro balance sheet and exchange rates, together with liquidity management and shareholde! rs��fun! ds.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By fedezaldua]

  On the capitalization side, Santander has gotten significantly better, and I would expect the bank to show a Basel 2 tier 1 capital ratio of 12% by the end of 2014, which is around what most analysts expect for its closest peer, Banco Bilbao Viscaya Argentaria (BBVA) ��most commonly known as BBVA.

• [By gurujx]

  Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA (BBVA) Reached the 52-Week High of $13.53

  Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA is an international financial group with a presence in retail banking, wholesale banking, asset management and private banking. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA has a market cap of $78.28 billion; its shares were traded at around $13.53 with a P/E ratio of 55.00 and P/S ratio of 2.56. The dividend yield of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA stocks is 3.28%.

• [By Jim Woods]

  If you’re looking for an income-producing dividend stock to fill the void, consider the classic pure plays AT&T (T) and Verizon (VZ).

  Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (BBVA)
  

  When it comes to suspending dividends, the Europeans don�� want to be left out. In October, Spain�� biggest financial institution, Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (BBVA), cut its annual dividend by putting a cap on payouts for 2014 (and going forward) to 40% of profits.

• [By Alexis Xydias]

  Borrowed stock in BBVA (BBVA), Spain�� second-biggest bank, has fallen to 0.23 percent of the Bilbao-based company�� outstanding shares, from 2.41 percent two years ago, Markit data show. The stock surged 41 percent in the period.

10 Best Diversified Bank Stocks To Own For 2014

ORLANDO, Florida (AP) ��A spike in shrimp costs is causing yet more trouble for Red Lobster.

The seafood chain's parent company Darden Restaurants on Friday reported a lower quarterly profit in line with its previously announced estimates. Sales at its struggling Olive Garden and Red Lobster chains dropped by 5.4% and 8.8% respectively, as reported on March 3.

The Orlando-based company has been fighting to win back customers at its flagship chains and has said it will spin off or sell Red Lobster to focus its attention on fixing Olive Garden with a revamped menu and marketing. Both chains have been losing customers as more affordable alternatives such as Chipotle have gained in popularity.

But in recent months, another factor weighing on Red Lobster was higher shrimp costs. Executives said that costs in the quarter rose about 30% because a "production issues in Asia." They said don't expect relief until the early part of its fiscal 2015 year.

Top 5 Industrial Conglomerate Companies To Buy For 2015: Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri AS(TKC)

Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri A.S. engages in establishing and operating a global system for mobile communications network in Turkey. It provides mobile voice, and Internet services over its mobile communications network; voice services, which include wireless telephone services on a prepaid and postpaid basis; mobile Internet and 3G services; consumer services; Telco services; TV and video services; music services; infotainment services; social community and other services; and mobile financial services The company also offers Turkcell enablers and platforms; corporate (B2B); corporate telco; authentication; location based; mobile marketing; machine-to-machine communications; and international roaming services. In addition, it provides Mobile Signature, a GSM service that enables customers to sign electronic documents and transactions with a legally-accepted digital signature using GSM SIM cards; and Mobile Billboard, which enables brands to reach their targeted customers . As of December 31, 2010, the company had approximately 23.3 million prepaid subscribers and 10.1 million postpaid subscribers. It sells its products and services through its distribution network consists of distributors, Turkcell distribution centers, corporate solution centers, non exclusive dealers, Turkcell communication centers, Turkcell stores, and consumer electronic Chains, as well as points of sale for prepaid airtime, including ATMs, POS, Web, call centers, supermarkets, and kiosks. The company was founded in 1993 and is headquartered in Istanbul, Turkey. Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri AS is a subsidiary of Turkcell Holding A.S.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Lisa Levin]

  Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri AS (NYSE: TKC) shares reached a new 52-week low of $12.74. Turkcell's trailing-twelve-month EPS is $1.40.

  Posted-In: 52-Week LowsNews Movers & Shakers Intraday Update Markets

• [By Jake L'Ecuyer]

  Leading and Lagging Sectors
  Telecommunications services shares gained around 0.83 percent in the US market on Monday. Top gainers in the sector included China Telecom Corp. (NYSE: CHA),Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri AS (NYSE: TKC), and China Unicom (Hong Kong) Limited (NYSE: CHU). In trading on Monday, basic materials shares were relative laggards, down on the day by about 0.75 percent.

10 Best Diversified Bank Stocks To Own For 2014: Image Systems Nordic AB (IS)

Image Systems Nordic AB, formerly Digital Vision AB, is a Sweden-based company active in the media industry. The Company specializes in high resolution image processing, film scanning and solutions for motion analysis. The Company operates within three business areas: Media, Defense and Motion. The Company�� product portfolio includes the Nucoda software products, providing a suite of colour grading and finishing solutions used in film and television post production; the Phoenix software products, providing image restoration tools for film archives and content owners; the Golden Eye film scanners, which provide high resolution scanning, archive and restoration, and the Image Systems Motion Unit with its TEMA software platform, providing a range of motion analysis solutions, among others. As of March, 1, 2012, the Company acquired Sawco Holding AB and RemaControl Sweden AB. As of March 31, 2012, the Company�� largest shareholder was Tibia Konsult AB (19.1%). Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Geoff Gannon]

  ��The ranking exercise (is) based on growth and fundamental analysis. EXC ranks at the bottom in both analyses��op 4 results are Apple, BHP Billiton (BHP), Mosaic (MOS) and Rio Tinto (RIO). MOS was eliminated as it has one year of negative FCF.

10 Best Diversified Bank Stocks To Own For 2014: LKQ Corp (LKQ)

LKQ Corporation (LKQ) provides replacement parts, components and systems needed to repair vehicles (cars and trucks). The Company operates in four segments: Wholesale-North America, Wholesale-Europe, Self Service and Heavy-Duty Truck. Buyers of vehicle replacement products have the option to purchase from primarily five sources: new products produced by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), which are known as OEM products; new products produced by companies other than the OEMs, which are sometimes referred to as aftermarket products; recycled products originally produced by OEMs, which it refers to as recycled products; used products that have been refurbished; and used products that have been remanufactured. October 1, 2011, it acquired Euro Car Parts Holdings Limited (ECP). On May 27, 2011, it acquired AkzoNobel Coatings Inc.'s paint distribution business consisting of 40 locations across the United States. In February 2012, the Company announced that it had acquired Pieces Automobiles Lecavalier IncEffective August 6, 2013, LKQ Corp acquired Premier Paints Ltd, a manufacturer of motor vehicle parts, form Iris Coatings Ltd, and concurrently, LKQ acquired Bee Bee Refinishing Supplies Halstead, JCA Coatings, Milton Keynes Paint & Equipment and Sinemaster Motor Factors Ltd.

The Company distributes a variety of products to collision and mechanical repair shops, including aftermarket collision and mechanical products, recycled collision and mechanical products, refurbished collision replacement products such as wheels, bumper covers and lights, and remanufactured engines. Collectively, it refers to its products as alternative parts. The Company is a provider of alternative vehicle collision replacement products, and a provider of alternative vehicle mechanical replacement products. Its sales, processing, and distribution facilities reach markets in the United States and Canada. In addition to its wholesale operations, it operates self service retail facilities that sell recycled automotiv! e products. The Company also sells recycled heavy-duty truck products and used heavy-duty trucks.

The Company obtains its aftermarket inventory from auto parts manufacturers and distributors based in the United States, Taiwan, Europe and China. The Company procures recycled automotive products mainly by purchasing salvage vehicles, typically severely damaged by collisions and primarily sold at salvage auctions or pools, and then dismantling and inventorying the parts. The refurbished and remanufactured products that it sells, such as wheels, bumper covers, lights and engines, originate from Companyparts from the salvage vehicles bought at auctions, parts received in trade at collision shops purchasing replacement products from the, and damaged parts bought through bulk purchases from core sales companies that collect damaged parts. The majority of our products and services are sold to collision repair shops, also known as body shops, and mechanical repair shops.

WHOLESALE AUTO PRODUCTS-NORTH AMERICA

The Company�� wholesale automobile product operations in North America are organized by geographic regions serving the United States and Canada that sell all four product types to collision and mechanical automobile repair businesses. As of December 31, 2011, these wholesale operations conducted business from more than 290 facilities. its aftermarket product operations may include a combination of sales, warehousing and distribution, and in many cases will be co-located with its refurbishing operations. Its salvage operation typically has processing, sales, distribution and administrative operations on site, indoor and outdoor storage areas, and include a warehouse with multiple bays to dismantle vehicles.

The Company�� 2011, sales included more than 86,000 stock keeping units (SKUs) of aftermarket collision products and repair materials for the models of domestic and foreign automobiles and light trucks. Its aftermarket product types consist of thos! e frequen! tly damaged in collisions, including automotive body panels, bumper covers and lights. The Company distributes paint and other materials used in repairing damaged vehicles, including sandpaper, abrasives, masking products and plastic filler. The paint and other materials distributed by the Company are purchased from numerous suppliers in the United States and Canada. Certain of these products are distributed under the brand Keystone. Platinum Plus is its exclusive brand offered in the Keystone product line of aftermarket products. The aftermarket products it distributes are purchased from independent manufacturers and distributors located primarily in the United States and Taiwan. The Company has business arrangements with manufacturers to produce its Platinum Plus products.

The Company�� recycled products include engines, transmissions, doors, front end assemblies, trunk lids, bumper assemblies, head and tail lamp assemblies and mirrors. Some insurance companies mandate that the recycled products must be of the same model year or newer as the vehicle being repaired. The Company procures recycled products for its wholesale operations by acquiring damaged or totaled vehicles. During the year ended December 31, 2011, LKQ acquired approximately 228,000 salvage vehicles for its wholesale recycled product operations. Vehicle processing for its wholesale recycled operations involves dismantling a salvage vehicle into recycled products that are ready for sale.

As of December 31, 2011, it operated 34 plastic bumper and bumper cover refurbishing plants, a chrome bumper plating plant, 15 wheel plants, one light refurbishing plant and four engine remanufacturing facilities. Most of its refurbished and remanufactured products are sold through its wholesale distribution channels. The balance is sold to retail automotive stores, wholesale distributors and through Internet sales. Its wholesale recycled product operations generate scrap metal and other materials that it sells to recyclers. T! he Compan! y has a distribution network of over 290 wholesale plants and warehouses across the United States and Canada, of which 50 function as hub or cross dock facilities.

WHOLESALE AUTO PRODUCTS-EUROPE

The Company�� European wholesale operating segment was formed in 2011 with its acquisition of ECP, the distributor of automotive aftermarket products. The Company operates 90 branches, supported by eight regional hubs and a national distribution center, which allows us to reach major markets within the United Kingdom. In 2011, it sold more than 121,000 SKUs of aftermarket products, primarily composed of mechanical aftermarket parts for the repair of vehicles five to 15 years old. Its products include electrical products, such as spark plugs and ignition coils, clutches and related parts, steering and suspension parts, and brake pads and sensors. The Company sells its products to over 32,000 professional repairers, including primarily independent mechanical repair shops and collision repair shops.

SELF SERVICE RETAIL PRODUCTS

The Company�� self service retail operations sell parts from older cars and light trucks directly to consumers. In addition to revenue from the sale of parts, core and scrap, it charges admission fee to access the property. Its self service facilities typically consist of a fenced or enclosed area of several acres with vehicles stored outdoors and a retail building through which customers are able to access the yard. As of December 31, 2011, it conducted our self service retail operations from 47 facilities in North America. Its self service auto recycling operations generate scrap metal, alloys and other materials that it sells to recyclers.

HEAVY-DUTY TRUCK PRODUCTS

As of December 31, 2011, it had a total of 18 facilities in the United States and Canada. Its inventory is comprised of used heavy- and medium-duty trucks, usually five years or older, which are purchased at salvage and truck auctions or direct! ly from i! nsurance companies or fleet operators. During 2011, it purchased approximately 6,000 vehicles. Depending on the condition of the vehicles, they may be dismantled for parts or resold as running vehicles. If certain mechanical parts are damaged, such as transmissions, it may remanufacture them and offer them to its customers. The vehicles that are acquired for resale are typically special purpose or vocational use trucks, such as those used for garbage pickup or cement delivery. If requested by the sellers of the vehicles, it provide an assurance that the vehicles will be sold to foreign buyers and exported to countries for use outside of the United States, or to domestic buyers after the vehicles have been reconditioned and modified for use other than their original purpose.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Chris Hill]

  In this segment, Mike talks about�LKQ (NASDAQ: LKQ  ) , and why the largest operator of junkyards has turned its scale into an incredibly well-run business, and Matt takes a look into�McDonald's (NYSE: MCD  ) , which reports earnings tomorrow. After a rough period for McDonald's as the competitive landscape shifts toward fast-casual dining options such as Panera and Chipotle, Matt will be looking for signs in the earnings report that the strategy at McDonald's to adapt and shift its business focuses is coming to fruition.

• [By Holly LaFon]

  Our worst performers during the third quarter were Cummins (CMI) (-颅14.5%), Schlumberger (SLB) (-颅13.8%) and Cognizant Technology (CTSH) (-颅8.5%). Our best performers during the quarter were EMC (EMC) (+11.1%), Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A) (+9.2%) and Apple (AAPL) (+8.4%). During the quarter we trimmed positions in Apple as it approached our maximum position weighting of 10%. We added to existing positions in Qualcomm (QCOM), LKQ (LKQ) and Cognizant Technology (CTSH) ��all on improved prospective risk-颅reward on respective share-price declines. The Great Bull Market of 2009-2014 started on March 9, 2009 when the S&P 500 Index stood at 667. The S&P 500�� relentless bull market advance over the course of the next 2,000 days would reach a record high index level of 2000 in late August. Relentless indeed, according to Bespoke, the S&P 500 Index has been up seven quarters in a row ��the best streak since 1998 and the fourth best since 1950.

• [By Holly LaFon]

  LKQ Corporation (LKQ) is the world's largest procurer and distributor of alternative and aftermarket collision replacement parts for automobiles and other vehicles. The Company has grown rapidly since its inception in 1998, by executing an expansion strategy that has included aggressive organic and inorganic investments. To date, LKQ's strategy has resulted in a business with unparalleled scale, at over $5 billion in revenues across three continents, compared with aftermarket and salvage parts competitors that routinely post less then $100 million in sales, usually with the largest footprints limited to regional geographies.

10 Best Diversified Bank Stocks To Own For 2014: Isle of Capri Casinos Inc.(ISLE)

Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, develops, owns, and operates gaming facilities and lodging and entertainment facilities in the United States. It owns and operates 14 casino gaming facilities located in Black Hawk, Colorado; Lake Charles, Louisiana; Lula, Biloxi, Natchez, and Vicksburg, Mississippi; Kansas City, Caruthersville, and Boonville, Missouri; Bettendorf, Davenport, Waterloo, and Marquette, Iowa; and Pompano Beach, Florida. The company?s properties feature approximately 15,000 slot machines; 370 table games, including 110 poker tables; 3,000 hotel rooms; and 40 restaurants. It also operates a harness racing track at its casino in Florida. Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. was formerly known as Casino America, Inc. and changed its name to Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. in October 1998. The company was founded in 1990 and is based in St Louis, Missouri.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Lisa Levin] Related KFX New Enterprise Computing Platform from Unisys - Analyst Blog Unisys' Ted Davies To Lead ACT-IAC - Analyst Blog Related ISLE Isle Of Capri Shares Gain 14.86% On Deutsche Bank M&A Analysis (ISLE) Benzinga's M&A Chatter for Monday June 30, 2014

  Kofax (NASDAQ: KFX) shares declined 13.30% to $7.01 after the company reported selected preliminary unaudited results for FY14. Kofax expected FY14 sales of $295.0 million to $298.0 million.

• [By Paul Ausick]

  The REIT is expected to spend as much as $500 million in acquisitions in 2014, according to Barron��, and some potential acquisition targets include Isle of Capri Casinos Inc. (NASDAQ: ISLE) which has a market cap of around $323 million or Dover Downs Gaming & Entertainment Inc. (NYSE: DDE) with a market cap of around $47 million.

10 Best Diversified Bank Stocks To Own For 2014: Sonoco Products Company(SON)

Sonoco Products Company provides industrial and consumer packaging products, and packaging services worldwide. It offers composite paperboard cans; paperboard packages; fiber cartridges; layered bottles and jars; laminated tubs, cups, and spools; consumer and institutional trays; and aluminum, steel, and peelable membrane easy-open closures, as well as flexible packaging, product design, tool design, fabrication, and manufacturing services. The company also produces paperboard tubes, cores, roll packaging, molded plugs, pallets, pallet components, concrete forms, rotary die boards, recycled paperboard, chipboard, tube board, lightweight corestock, boxboard, linerboard, corrugating medium, specialty grades, and recovered paper products; and steel, nailed wooden, plywood, recycled, and polyfiber reels, as well as recycles old corrugated container, paper, plastic, metal, and glass materials. In addition, it manufactures custom-printed glass covers and coasters; offers custom packing, fulfillment, and primary package filling services, as well as operates scalable service centers; contract packaging, co-packing, and fulfillment services; and temporary, semipermanent, and permanent point-of-purchase displays. Further, the company provides fabricated foam, corrugated paperboard, molded EPS and EPP, antistatic fabricated foam solutions, nesting and stacking trays, molded foam dunnage, totes and tote inserts, energy-absorbing and flotation components, and insulation components, as well as contract package testing service. Additionally, it offers insulated shippers, durable transport chests, gel packs, phase change materials, lab/pharma/diagnostic specimen transport, refrigerant materials, edge and corner protection, and temperature assurance solutions; high-visibility packaging and printed products; and blister packaging machines. The company, formerly known as Southern Novelty Company, was founded in 1899 and is based in Hartsville, South Carolina. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Rich Smith]

  Hartsville, S.C.-based Sonoco Products (NYSE: SON  ) is hiking prices on its signature product: cardboard.

  On Friday, Sonoco announced an across-the-board price hike on "all grades of uncoated recycled paperboard (URB) products by $40 per ton, effective with shipments in the�United States and Canada�beginning July 8, 2013." The company's Primary Materials Group, North America, Vice President Marty Pignone�explained that "the�price increase�is necessary to recover rising recovered paper and other raw materials costs."

• [By Marc Bastow]

  Industrial and consumer packaging products manufacturer Sonoco (SON) raised its quarterly dividend 3.22% to 32 cents per share.
  Payout Date: June 10
  Ex-Dividend Date: May 14
  SON Dividend Yield: 3.04%

• [By David Fish]

  Once known as the Southern Novelty Company, Sonoco Products (SON) is a leading producer of paper-based tubes and cores, flexible packaging, rigid plastic containers, cylinder paperboard, wire and cable reels, and point-of-purchase displays.

• [By Shauna O'Brien]

  Goldman Sachs reported on Friday that it has cut its rating on Sonoco Products Company (SON).

  The firm has downgraded SON from “Neutral” to “Sell,” and has maintained its current $36 price target. This price target suggests a 9% upside from the stock’s current price of $39.58.

  An analyst from the firm noted: “We downgrade SON to Sell (relative to our coverage) from Neutral on a lower projected EPS CAGR through 2015 (7% vs. 15% for group) and relative valuation ��SON shares are trading at 15.4X 2014E P/E, ahead of the Packaging group average at 14.6X, and its 5-year historical average of 13.2X. However, our 3Q EPS for SON is largely in line with consensus and we do not expect the 3Q print to be a catalyst for underperformance.”

  Sonoco Products shares were mostly flat during pre-market trading Friday. The stock is up 33% YTD.

10 Best Diversified Bank Stocks To Own For 2014: SandRidge Mississippian Trust I (SDT)

SandRidge Mississippian Trust I (The Trust) is a statutory trust. The Trust was created to acquire and hold the Royalty Interests for the benefit of Trust unitholders. SandRidge conveyed to the Trust the Royalty Interests in specified oil and natural gas properties in the Mississippian formation in Alfalfa, Garfield, Grant, Major and Woods counties in Oklahoma (the Underlying Properties). These Royalty Interests were derived from SandRidge�� interests in a 36 wells and the equivalent of 123 horizontal development wells to be drilled in the Mississippian formation (Trust Development Wells) within an area of mutual interest (AMI), consisting of approximately 49,600 gross acres (42,000 net acres) in the counties where the Underlying Properties are located.

Effective January 1, 2011, the Royalty Interests entitle the Trust to receive 90% of the proceeds from the sale of oil and natural gas production attributable to its net revenue interest in the Initial Wells and 50% of the proceeds from the sale of oil and natural gas production attributable to SandRidge�� net revenue interest in the Trust Development Wells. As of December 31, 2011, the Trust�� properties consisted of Royalty Interests in the Initial Wells, 48 wells (equivalent to approximately 53 Trust Development Wells under the development agreement) and the equivalent of approximately 70 Trust Development Wells to be drilled in the Mississippian formation.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Dan Caplinger]

  SandRidge has made a huge bet on the Mississippian Lime shale play, especially after selling off its Permian Basin assets late last year. Unfortunately, that bet hasn't paid off well for shareholders, as the company saw its spun-off royalty trusts SandRidge Mississippian Trust I (NYSE: SDT  ) and SandRidge Mississippian Trust II (NYSE: SDR  ) fail to meet their projections for distribution amounts during the first quarter. The main problem has been that wells in the Mississippian Lime have produced more natural gas than expected, and even with a slight rebound in gas prices, it still doesn't produce adequate margins compared to oil and natural-gas liquids.

• [By Adam Galas]

  As the chart illustrates, SandRidge's other royalty trust,�SandRidge Mississippian Trust I (NYSE: SDT  ) , which has already had its final wells drilled, has been experiencing a severe decline in distributions, a result of its massive quarterly production declines of 26%, 21%, and 22% immediately after the last well was drilled.�

10 Best Diversified Bank Stocks To Own For 2014: Brookfield Residential Properties Inc (BRP)

Brookfield Residential Properties Inc. (Brookfield Residential) is a land developer and homebuilder.The Company entitles and develops land and builds homes for its own communities, as well as sells lots to third-party builders. It operates in three segments in North America: Canada, California and Central and Eastern U.S. Each of the Company�� segments specializes in lot entitlement and development and the construction of single-family and multi-family homes. As of December 31, 2011, Brookfield Residential controlled 108,197 lots. The Company became a public company on March 31, 2011, by combining the former business of Brookfield Homes Corporation (Brookfield Homes) and the residential land and housing division (BPO Residential) of Brookfield Office Properties Inc. into a single residential land and housing company, achieved through a merger and series of related transactions completed on March 31, 2011. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Garrett Cook]

  Brookfield Residential Properties (NYSE: BRP) shares shot up 21.51 percent to $23.10 after Brookfield Asset Management (NYSE: BAM) proposed to acquire around 30% of the company not currently owned for $23 per share.

• [By Dimitra DeFotis]

  In the homebuidling category:

  Weyerhaeuser (WY), the producer of lumber, was up nearly 3%. On Thursday, Citigroup Analyst Anthony Pettinari wrote that Weyerhaeuser could sell its homebuilder unit for between $2.5 billion and $3.5 billion, and interested buyers in the unit, WRECO, could include Lennar�(LEN), Toll Brothers (TOL) and Brookfield Residential Properties (BRP). About 67% of the Weyerhaeuser unit’s roughly 27,000 lots are in California. Citi has a Buy rating on Weyerhauser and a $35 price target. Lennar, the home builder, was�up 2.6%. Masco (MAS), the building materials maker, was�up 2%.� PulteGroup (PHM), the home builder, was�up 2%. DR Horton�(DHI), the home builder, was�up 1.9%.

  Among real estate trusts:

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  In terms of specific company upside/downside payoffs, we believe that [Brookfield Residential Properties (BRP)], [KB Home], and [PulteGroup] offer above-average payoffs. We note that more than half of [Brookfield Residential Properties'] earnings are derived from Canada, dampening EPS sensitivity to our assumptions regarding the pace of the U.S. housing recovery. We believe that [KB Home] will achieve sharply improved operating performance, which should drive robust EPS growth given the company�� comparatively high degree of financial leverage. We also have a high degree of confidence that�[PulteGroup] will continue to successfully execute against its goal of improving ROIC performance, which should act as a catalyst for share price appreciation.