Top Asian Companies To Invest In Right Now

Pre-open movers

US stock futures rose in early pre-market trade. Futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average surged 63 points to 16,460.00, while the Standard & Poor's 500 index futures gained 5.40 points to 1,839.70. Futures for the Nasdaq 100 index rose 18.75 points to 3,603.50.

A Peek Into Global Markets

European markets were mostly higher today, with the Spanish Ibex Index dropping 0.08%, London's FTSE 100 index gaining 0.22% and STOXX Europe 600 Index surging 0.37%. German DAX 30 index climbed 0.41% and French CAC 40 Index gained 0.40%.

Asian markets ended higher today. Japan's Nikkei Stock Average rose 0.99%, China's Shanghai Composite gained 0.86%, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index rose 0.45% and India's BSE Sensex gained 0.22%.

5 Best Blue Chip Stocks To Own For 2015: GASFRAC Energy Services Inc (GFS)

GASFRAC Energy Services Inc. (GASFRAC) is an oil and gas service company, whose business is to provide liquid petroleum gas (LPG) fracturing services to oil and gas companies in Canada and the United States of America. As of December 31, 2011, GASFRAC had three 32 tons and nine 100 tons sand storage vessels, 47 fracturing pumpers, 150 LPG storage tanks and related equipment. GASFRAC�� services are marketed and operated under the name of its wholly owned subsidiary GASFRAC Energy Services Limited Partnership. The Company has commercialized the use of LPG as the fracturing fluid. The Company�� subsidiaries include GASFRAC Services GP Inc., GASFRAC US Holdings Inc., GASFRAC Inc., GASFRAC Energy Services (US) Inc. and GASFRAC Luxembourg S.a.r.l. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Sarah Jones]

  G4S Plc (GFS) sank 15 percent to 260 pence. The security company reported a lower operating margin for the first quarter, citing challenging economic and trading conditions in continental Europe. It expects the margin trend to continue for the full year.

• [By Sofia Horta e Costa]

  G4S Plc (GFS) dropped 1.7 percent to 225.6 pence. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. reiterated its ��onviction sell��recommendation on the provider of security services, citing continued pressure on its profit margin in the second quarter.

Top Asian Companies To Invest In Right Now: QUALCOMM Incorporated(QCOM)

QUALCOMM Incorporated engages in the development, design, manufacture, and marketing of digital wireless telecommunications products and services. The company operates in four segments: Qualcomm CDMA Technologies (QCT), Qualcomm Technology Licensing (QTL), Qualcomm Wireless and Internet (QWI), and Qualcomm Strategic Initiatives (QSI). The QCT segment develops and supplies code division multiple access (CDMA)-based integrated circuits and system software for wireless voice and data communications, multimedia functions and global positioning system products. The QTL segment grants licenses to use portions of its intellectual property portfolio comprising patent rights useful in the manufacture and sale of wireless products, such as products implementing cdmaOne, CDMA2000, WCDMA, CDMA TDD, GSM/GPRS/EDGE, and/or OFDMA standards and their derivatives The QWI segment consists of Qualcomm Internet Services that provides content enablement services for the wireless industry and pu sh-to-talk and other products and services for wireless network operators; Qualcomm Government Technologies, which offers development, hardware, and analytical services to the United States government agencies involving wireless communications technologies; Qualcomm Enterprise Services that provides satellite and terrestrial-based two-way data messaging, position reporting, wireless application services, and managed data services to transportation and logistics companies and other enterprise companies; and Firethorn, which builds and manages software applications that enable mobile commerce services. The QSI segment makes strategic investments to support the worldwide adoption of CDMA- and OFDMA-based technologies and services. QUALCOMM Incorporated primarily operates in China, South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, and the United States. The company was founded in 1985 and is based in San Diego, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By WWW.DAILYFINANCE.COM]

  Marcio Jose Sanchez/APApple CEO Tim Cook introduces Apple Watch. Apple (AAPL) is basking in the glory of the iPhone 6 and the iPhone 6 Plus. It sold a record 10 million of its new smartphones during the debut weekend, once again raising the bar in premium mobile gadgetry. It hasn't been perfect. The rollout of iOS 8 has proven buggy, particularly with older Apple devices. There have also been isolated reports of a handful of iPhone 6 Plus handsets that have bent after being carried in a pocket. However, by and large, Apple continues to be the tastemaker of consumer tech. That reputation will be put to the test in a few months when the Apple Watch hits the market. The world's most valuable tech company's first foray into wearable computing will be widely watched for a couple of reasons. For starters, it's Apple. Anything new that it puts out is going to benefit from consumer tech's shiny spotlight. It also will be the first major product category that Apple enters since the passing of Steve Jobs three years ago. Apple's track record for innovation in the post-Jobs era will be on the line. However, the biggest reason that the market will be keeping tabs on Apple's portable wristwatch computer is that wearable computing has been a surprising dud so far. Wear and Tear It's been a little more than two years since Pebble turned heads by introducing the first smart watch. It was a hot commodity on Kickstarter, where it raised the money and publicity necessary to get its product to market. Using Bluetooth to work in cahoots with smartphones to push text alerts, emails and other notifications to your wrist, Pebble's device gained a cult following among early adopters. Developers noticed, and now there are thousands of apps that play nice with Pebble. Retailers hopped on board, and today, you can pick up a Pebble for as little as $150 at Best Buy (BBY) or Amazon.com (AMZN). The market assumed that Apple would roll out a smart watch fairly rapidly after Pebble began

• [By Ashraf Eassa]

  It is well known throughout the industry that Samsung (NASDAQOTH: SSNLF  ) , the world's second-most profitable smartphone vendor, designs its own system-on-chip products for use in its devices. Despite this, Samsung very often uses designs from other vendors depending on the requirements of a phone. In particular, Samsung uses Qualcomm (NASDAQ: QCOM  ) chips in many of its flagship devices, largely due to the fact that when it comes to cellular connectivity (and efficient, highly integrated smartphone apps processors) Qualcomm is king. However, while this certainly speaks volumes to the skill of Qualcomm's chip teams, there is a risk that I've alluded to in prior articles: Samsung's own in-house chip team(s).

• [By Ashraf Eassa]

  On the other hand, Taiwan Semiconductor (NYSE: TSM  ) and Samsung, the two remaining leading-edge foundries, are claiming that their 14/16-nanometer process technologies will be in high volume production during 2015. If we look at what has been announced so far in the way of products and timelines, we can get a sense of Intel's competitive position:

  Qualcomm (NASDAQ: QCOM  ) has announced 20-nanometer Snapdragon parts for sampling in H2 2014 and in devices by H1 2015. Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL  ) is reputed to be TSMC's major 20-nanometer customer for an iPhone 6 launch in the August-September timeframe. AMD (NYSE: AMD  ) has indicated that it will be moving to 20-nanometer during 2015 and then it will roll out designs based on 14/16 FinFET at some point during 2016 (likely mid- to late 2016 if the current product release cadence holds).

  Let's focus on Qualcomm
  Intel's fiercest direct competitor in the chip space is Qualcomm, so it's worth taking a look at what the product release�cadence for Qualcomm's products on new manufacturing technologies has been. (These are first device launches, so silicon is available a few months beforehand.)

Top Asian Companies To Invest In Right Now: Cynosure Inc.(CYNO)

Cynosure, Inc. develops, manufactures, and markets aesthetic treatment systems to the dermatology, plastic surgery, and general medical markets. Its aesthetic treatment systems incorporate a range of laser and other light-based energy sources, including Alexandrite, pulse dye, Nd:Yag, and diode lasers, as well as intense pulsed light. The company?s aesthetic treatment systems comprise the Elite product line for hair removal, treatment of facial, and leg veins and pigmentations; the Smartlipo product line for LaserBodySculpting for the removal of unwanted fat; the Cellulaze, SmoothShapes XV, and TriActive product line for the temporary and long-term reduction in the appearance of cellulite; the Affirm/SmartSkin product line for anti-aging applications, such as treatments for wrinkles, skin texture, skin discoloration, and skin tightening; the Cynergy product line for the treatment of vascular lesions; and the Accolade product line for the removal of benign pigmented lesion s, as well as multi-colored tattoos. It sells its products through a direct sales force in North America, France, Spain, the United Kingdom, Germany, Korea, China, Japan, and Mexico; and through international distributors in 84 other countries. Cynosure, Inc. was founded in 1991 and is based in Westford, Massachusetts.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By John Udovich]

  Large cap serial acquirer�Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc (NYSE: VRX) is teaming up with activist investor�Bill Ackman to pursue large cap Botox maker Allergan, Inc (NYSE: AGN), but stocks like Cutera, Inc (NASDAQ: CUTR), Cynosure, Inc (NASDAQ: CYNO), PhotoMedex Inc (NASDAQ: PHMD) and Syneron Medical Ltd (NASDAQ: ELOS)�actually offer investors more exposure to the growing anti aging and aesthetics market (Note: See my recent article: These Small Caps Seek to Treat Your Crow�� Feet and Double Chin (RVNC & KYTH)). To begin with, Valeant Pharmaceuticals International has a wide focus on neurology, dermatology and infectious diseases�but acquiring the maker of Botox won�� be its first foray into the aesthetic market�because earlier this year, the company completed its acquisition of Solta Medical Inc (NASDAQ: SLTM) -�a designer, developer, manufacturer and marketer of�energy-based medical device systems for aesthetic applications.�And while�Allergan, Inc may be most well known for Botox, its actually a pretty big�company focused on a diverse range of areas, including ophthalmic pharmaceuticals, dermatology, neuroscience, urology and cosmetics���meaning the following stocks offer investors better exposure to the aesthetics market:

Top Asian Companies To Invest In Right Now: Tata Motors Ltd(TTM)

Tata Motors Limited, an automobile company, engages in the manufacture and sale of commercial and passenger vehicles primarily in India. The company offers cars, utility vehicles, trucks, buses and coaches, and defense vehicles, as well as develops electric and hybrid vehicles for personal and public transportation. It also involves in distributing and marketing cars; and financing the vehicles sold by the company. In addition, the company engages in the provision of engineering and automotive solutions, as well as machine tools and factory automation solutions; construction equipment manufacturing; automotive vehicle components manufacturing and supply chain activities; tooling and plastic and electronic components for automotive and computer applications; and automotive retailing and service operations. It offers its products and services through its dealership, sales, services, and spare parts network. The company also markets its commercial and passenger vehicles in Eu rope, Africa, the Middle East, South East Asia, South Asia, and South America. The company was formerly known as Tata Engineering and Locomotive Company Limited and changed its name to Tata Motors Limited in July 2003. Tata Motors Limited was founded in 1945 and is based in Mumbai, India.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By David Kerr]

  Using the conventional P/E method, if we subtract the $39 billion in cash that Oracle has from the $155 billion market cap, we see that the company�� operations can be purchased for $116 billion. Because Oracle has a net income of $11 billion (TTM), the company is actually trading at a P/E of 10.54 as opposed to the current 14.46. Oracle also has an estimated Forward P/E (1 year) of 10.65.

Top Asian Companies To Invest In Right Now: Lance Inc.(LNCE)

Snyder?s-Lance, Inc. manufactures, markets, and distributes snack food products primarily in the United States. Its products include pretzels, sandwich crackers, kettle chips, cookies, potato chips, tortilla chips, other salty snacks, sugar wafers, nuts, and restaurant style crackers. The company sells its products principally under the Snyder?s of Hanover, Lance, Cape Cod, Krunchers!, Jays, Tom?s, Archway, Grande, Stella D?oro, O-Ke-Doke, EatSmart, and Padrinos brand names. It also purchases and sells cakes, meat snacks, and candy under its brands, as well as partner brand products for resale. Snyder?s-Lance, Inc. sells its products through direct-store-delivery network, distributors, and direct sales to grocery/mass merchandisers, convenience stores, club stores, discount stores, food service establishments, drug stores, schools, military and government facilities, recreational facilities, offices, and other independent retailers. The company was formerly known as L ance, Inc. and changed its name to Snyder?s-Lance, Inc. in December 2010. Snyder?s-Lance, Inc. was founded in 1912 and is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina with additional offices in Hanover, Pennsylvania.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Rich Duprey]

  As part of snack food maker�Snyder's-Lance's� (NASDAQ: LNCE  ) first-quarter earnings report today,�it�announced the payment�of its regularly quarterly dividend of $0.16 per share.

• [By Alex Planes]

  At a quarter the size of Snyder's-Lance (NASDAQ: LNCE  ) , Diamond could actually be a buyout candidate in its own right, assuming its larger competitors can come to trust its accounting. It would be an easy acquisition for either Kellogg or General Mills� (NYSE: GIS  ) , neither of which has any notable nut or popcorn brands to speak of.

Top Asian Companies To Invest In Right Now: Biogen Idec Inc(BIIB)

Biogen Idec Inc. discovers, develops, manufactures, and markets therapies for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, hemophilia, and autoimmune disorders in the United States and internationally. Its marketed products include the AVONEX for the treatment of relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS); RITUXAN for treating relapsed or refractory, CD20-positive, and B-cell Non-Hodgkin?s lymphoma (NHL); TYSABRI to treat relapsing MS; FUMADERM for the treatment of severe plaque psoriasis in adult patients; and FAMPYRA, an oral compound for the improvement of walking in adult patients with MS with walking disability. Biogen Idec Inc.?s products under Phase III consist of PEGylated interferon beta-1a designed to prolong the effects and reduce the dosing frequency of interferon beta-1a; BG-12 for the treatment of MS; Daclizumab, a monoclonal antibody in relapsing MS; Long-lasting factor IX and VIII fusion protein for the treatment of hemophilia B; GA101, a monoclonal antibody for t he treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia and NHL; and Dexpramipexole, an orally administered small molecule for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The company?s Phase I clinical trial products include Anti-LINGO for use in multiple sclerosis, Neublastin for use in neuropathic pain, CD40L for use in systemic lupus erythematosus, ANTI-TWAEK humanized monoclonal antibody for TWEAK, and BIIB037 for use in Alzheimer's disease; and Phase II clinical trial product comprises OCRELIZUMAB, a humanized monoclonal antibody for treating CD20. It has collaboration agreements with Genentech, Inc.; Elan Pharma International, Ltd; Acorda Therapeutics, Inc.; Portola Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Swedish Orphan Biovitrum AB; Abbott Biotherapeutics Corp; and Vernalis plc. The company was formerly known as IDEC Pharmaceuticals Corporation and changed its name to Biogen Idec Inc. in November 2003. Biogen Idec Inc. was founded in 1985 and is headquartered in Weston, Massachusetts.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  Gilead’s not the only biotech benefiting from Roden’s largess. He expects a beat from Biogen Idec (BIIB) and raised his target to $130. He predicts good things from Amgen (AMGN), as well.

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  7 key points: (1) this is expected and nearly reads identical to the Sovaldi forms last year…(2) AASLD guidelines do suggest to prioritize but don’t say don’t treat – guideline committee spoke publicly on this in Sep and recently issued a written public statement adamantly disagreeing with denying coverage and recognizing a need to treat all.., (3) this is one way payors will try to limit approvals (United Health doesn’t want to cover new drugs for 6 months like�Biogen Idec’s (BIIB) Eloctate) — and docs typically use a written request letter then it gets approved (docs told us that many times), (4) payors were paying $130k for Sovaldi + Olysio — for $94k they can treat patients and by our math, treat 30% more for the same dollars, (5) payors would want to pay $64k for the 8-week because this is even cheaper….., (6) Q2 earnings calls for managed care all suggested they were better budgeted for ’15 and took the brunt in ’14 and weren’t prepared, (7) we think limiting prescriptions would be a short-term negative if it impedes hitting consensus – but most investors understand this just makes the market more “sustainable” and the HCV tail better.

• [By Tom Rojas and Maria Armental var popups = dojo.query(".socialByline .popC"); ]

  Biogen Idec Inc.(BIIB) said robust sales of its multiple-sclerosis treatments helped drive up earnings by 46% in the second quarter. Shares jumped 7.4% to $326 premarket.

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  Investors in what had been some of the market’s hottest stocks must surely feel as if they’ve been hit by the wrath of a vengeful deity this week. Sure, the S&P 500 fell just 0.5% this week after rallying 0.5% to 1,857.62 on Friday, but that was despite big drops in� Netflix (NFLX), which plunged 12% this week, Facebook (FB) which fell 11%, E*Trade Financial (ETFC), which declined 9.1%, and Biogen Idec (BIIB), which dropped 7.7%.