Saturday, May 31, 2014

Test Drive: 2015 Hyundai Genesis a winner

Hyundai makes some especially nice vehicles, properly executed, well-equipped, reasonably priced.

The Genesis premium/luxury sedan, redesigned for the 2015 model year, is foremost among those — well, maybe not so reasonably priced now that Hyundai has raised the window-sticker numbers.

The base V-6 model is up $2,830 to $38,950. The V-8 rises $4,130 to $52,450.

All-wheel drive (AWD) is an option for the first time on the Genesis, but only with the V-6. Eventually with the V-8, too, Hyundai hints, with no timetable.

The $52,450 V-6 AWD test car was smooth, quiet, quick, sure-footed, stylish outside, very classy inside. The $55,700 RWD V-8 was all that and quicker.

Hyundai fluffed up the 2015 Genesis with more features than the standard 2014 had, so you're getting goodies for your additional dough. And in contrast with some rivals, Genesis remains lower-priced. For example, $11,475 less than the BMW base 5-series, a car Hyundai sees as a rival; $7,075 less than the redone Cadillac CTS, also considered a rival.

Here are the flies in the generally delectable ointment that is the new Genesis:

Electronics. You can make Hyundai's telematics/pairing/control system do about whatever you want, but in our view, it's become too complicated.

Some features lack direct access. You have to find the main menu on the navigation/control screen, then select which feature you want to manipulate — navi, phone, audio, etc. — then choose it and work through the choices within that submenu.

It's a reminder that nothing has yet been invented that works better than old-fashioned knobs and switches to control many functions.

Genesis did sync with our too-hip Windows phone very quickly, and that's not always the case.

Mileage: We're star-crossed when it comes to gas stations and Hyundais, seldom getting as close to the advertised mpg as on some other vehicles. But reasons for the mileage shortfall are easy to see this time.

Genesis is heavy, mo! re than two tons, vs, say, the Cadillac CTS that's a trim 3,600 pounds in its lightest version and 4,000 at its heftiest. An engine uses more fuel when it has to move more mass, all else equal.

Both the standard V-6 and optional V-8 engines are spirited, making it delightful to nail the go pedal — the antithesis of driving for fuel economy.

But we drive a lot of test cars that way and seem to do comparatively better in them than in Hyundais.

Haptic warnings: Becoming common on premium cars, they vibrate the driver's seat or steering wheel to alert you to a risky situation — straying into another lane, for example. No thank-you very much.

We'd put up with those aggravations because Genesis is an automotive sweet spot.

If you're a hard-core sport-sedan driver, you'll find Genesis not as taut in its handling and overall feel as you might prefer. But most other types of drivers and passengers should be more than satisfied with the Genesis' combination of refined ride, lack of road or wind noise, responsive steering and brakes.

Genesis is the best evidence yet that Hyundai has succeeded in its search for the right ride/handling combo.

The interior is sumptuous in look and feel, with just enough gee-whiz to say "upscale" — contrasting-color piping to accent the leather upholstery, for instance. The handsome matte-finish wood adorning the dashboard is real lumber in models with the Ultimate trim. (Plastic in other versions, though.)

Genesis seats, front and rear, fit well and seem to remain supportive over time. The back seat has more room than implied by the 35 inches of rear legroom in the specifications. And Genesis is a couple of inches wider than rivals, key to the feeling of spaciousness.

The dashboard is an attractive horizontal design, eschewing the industry's sometimes-forced attempts at cockpit layouts.

Genesis has no "Wow!" feature such as the night-vision option on the Mercedes-Benz S-class, but it does offer an effective auto! matic bra! king system able to prevent a crash, which this week helped it earn the top score — Top Safety Pick + — from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Test Drive worries that such systems are leading us further from full engagement by the driver, but IIHS and others say they prevent crashes and save lives.

We're not in love with the higher prices for 2015, or the mediocre mpg, but the new Genesis is alluring, titillating and, everything considered, the best car, overall, that we have driven in years.

What stands out:

Styling: Elegant

Interior: Comfy, cozy, classy

Price: Up enough to make you think twice

About Genesis

What? Redesign of midsize four-door premium sedan, available with V-6 or V-8, rear-wheel (RWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD); aimed at BMW 5-series, Mercedes-Benz E-class, Lexus ES, Cadillac CTS.

When? On sale since early May.

Where? Made in South Korea.

How much? V-6 RWD starts at $38,950 including $950 shipping, up $2,830 from the 2014. V-6 AWD (new model) starts at $41,450. V-8 (RWD only) starts at $52,450, up $4,130. Loaded V-6, AWD test car was $52,450. V-8 RWD test car, 55,700.

What makes it go? 3.8-liter V-6 rated 311 horsepower at 6,000 rpm, 293 pounds-feet of torque at 5,000 or 5-liter V-8 rated 420 hp at 6,000 rpm, 383 lbs.-ft. at 5,000 using premium fuel; 407 hp, 372 lbs.-ft. using regular. Both use eight-speed automatic transmission.

How big? An inch or several longer, an inch or two wider than rivals such as Cadillac CTS, Lexus ES, BMW 5-series. Genesis looks full-size, but isn't; strictly midsize accommodations. VW Passat tested last week is roomier in key places.

Genesis passenger space, 107.7 cubic feet. Trunk, 15.3 cu. ft. Weighs 4,138 lbs. (V-6 RWD) to 4,541 lbs. (V-8 RWD).

Turning circle diameter, 36.2 ft.

How thirsty? V-6 RWD rated 18 miles per gallon in the city, 29 mpg on the highway, 22 mpg in combined city/high! way drivi! ng. V-6 AWD rated 16/25/19. V-8 rated 15/23/18.

V-6 AWD test car registered 17.6 mpg (5.68 gallons per 100 miles) in mix of suburban, highway driving. V-8 RWD test car registered 14.8 mpg (6.76 gal./100 mi.) in city/suburban mix.

V-6 burns regular fuel. V-8 will burn regular but achieves full power ratings only with the recommended premium. Tank holds 20.3 gal.

Overall: Home run.

Friday, May 30, 2014

Top 10 Stocks To Watch Right Now

Top 10 Stocks To Watch Right Now: Fox Factory Holding Corp (FOXF)

Fox Factory Holding Corp incorporated on December 28, 2007, is a designer, manufacturer and marketer of suspension products used primarily on mountain bikes, side-by-side vehicles, or side-by-sides, on-road vehicles with off-road capabilities, off-road vehicles and trucks, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), snowmobiles, specialty vehicles and applications, and motorcycles. The Company designs and markets its products to original equipment manufacturers (OEM's) in its markets, and to consumers through the aftermarket channel.

The Company offers upper mid-end and high-end front fork and rear suspension products designed for cross-country, trail, all-mountain, free-ride and downhill riding in its mountain bike product category. It also offers ride-height adjustable seat post product. Its remote adjustable seat pos allows to adjust his or her seat position for uphill, rolling trail or downhill riding without having to stop the mountain bike to adjust the seat. Its mou ntain bike products are sold in three series: evolution series, performance series and factory series.

In its powered vehicle product category, the Company offers high-end suspension products for side-by-sides, on-road vehicles with off-road capabilities, off-road vehicles and trucks, ATVs, snowmobiles, specialty vehicles and applications, and motorcycles. Products for these vehicles are designed for trail riding, racing and performance. It products in the powered vehicle category range from two inch aluminum bolt-on shocks to its patented position sensitive internal bypass shocks. The Company sells its mountain bike suspension products to more than 150 domestic and international bike OEMs. It sells its suspension products for the powered vehicles industry to OEMs

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Jon C. Ogg]

    Fox Factory Holding Corp. (NASDAQ: F! OXF) saw its quiet period end: started as Outperform with a $23 price target at Baird, started as Overweight with a $21 price target at Piper Jaffray and started as Buy with a $23 price target at SunTrust. Shares are down about 0.5% at $18.05 as the implied upside is not that stellar for recent IPO coverage.

  • source from Top Stocks For 2015:http://www.topstocksblog.com/top-10-stocks-to-watch-right-now-2.html

Top 10 Net Payout Yield Stocks To Own For 2015

Top 10 Net Payout Yield Stocks To Own For 2015: Dresser-Rand Group Inc (DRC)

Dresser-Rand Group Inc., incorporated on October 1,2004, is a global supplier of of custom-engineered rotating equipment solutions for long-life, critical applications in the oil, gas, chemical, petrochemical, process, power generation, military and other industries worldwide. Its rotating equipment is also supplied to the environmental solutions market space within energy infrastructure. It designs, manufactures and markets engineered rotating equipment and provide services to the worldwide oil, gas, petrochemical, power generation, environmental solutions and industrial process industries. In July 2012, the Company acquired compressed air energy storage property.

The Company has two segments: new units and aftermarket parts. New units are predominately engineered solutions to new requests from clients. New units also include standardized equipment such as engines and single stage steam turbines. The segment includes engineering, manufacturing, packaging, tes ting, sales and administrative support. Aftermarket parts and services consist of support solutions for the existing population of installed equipment and the operation and maintenance of several types of energy plants. The segment includes engineering, manufacturing, installation, commissioning, start-up and other field services, repairs, overhauls, refurbishment, sales and administrative support.

The Company's products and services are used in oil and gas applications that include hydrogen recycle, make-up, wet gas and other applications for the refining industry; cracked gas, propylene and ethylene compression for petrochemical facilities; ammonia syngas, refrigeration, and carbon dioxide compression for fertilizer production; a number of compression duties for chemical plants; gas gathering, export, lift and re-injection of natural gas or carbon dioxide (CO2) to meet regulatory requirements or for oil field enhanced recovery in t! he upstream market; gas proce ssing, main refrigeration compression and a variety of other! duties required in the production of liquefied natural gas (LNG); gas processing duties, storage and pipeline transmission compression for the midstream market; synthetic fuels; and steam turbine power generation for floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels as well as power generation or mechanical drive duties for a variety of compression and pumping applications in the oil and gas market. It is also a supplier of diesel and gas engines that provides customized energy solutions across worldwide energy infrastructure markets based upon reciprocating engine power systems technologies.

The Company's custom-engineered products are also used in other advanced applications in the environmental markets it serves. These applications use renewable energy sources, reduce carbon footprint, recover energy and/or energy efficiency. These products include, among others, compression technologies for carbon capture and sequestration (CCS); hot gas turbo-expa nders for energy recovery in refineries and certain chemical facilities; co- and tri-generation combined heat and power (CHP) packages for institutional and other clients; and a number of steam turbine applications to generate power using steam produced by recovering exhaust heat from the main engines in ships, recovering heat from mining and metals production facilities and exhaust heat recovery from gas turbines in on-shore and off-shore sites.

It provides an array of products and services to its worldwide client base in over 150 countries from its global locations in 18 United States and 32 countries (over 76 sales offices, 49 service and support centers, including six engineering and research and development centers, and 13 manufacturing locations). Its clients include, among others, BP, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Dow Chemical Company, ExxonMobil, Gazprom, LUKOIL, Marathon Petroleum Company, PDVSA, Pemex, Petrobras, PetroCh! ina, Petr! onas, Repsol, Royal Dutch S hell, SBM, Saudi Aramco, Statoil, Total and Turkmengaz.

!

New Units

The Company is a manufacturer of engineered turbo and reciprocating compression equipment and steam turbines. It is also a manufacture power turbines; special-purpose gas turbines; hot gas expanders; gas and diesel engines; trip, trip throttle and non-return valves; magnetic bearings and control systems. Its new unit products are built to client specifications for long-life, critical applications. It is a supplier of turbo machinery for the energy infrastructure markets worldwide. Applications for its turbo products include gas gathering, lift, export and injection; CO2 compression for enhanced oil recovery; storage and transmission; synthetic fuels; ethylene and fertilizer production; refineries and chemical production; CCS and CAES. In addition, it offers a variety of gas and power turbines covering a power range from approximately 1.5 megawatts to more than 50 MW, which support driver needs for various centrifugal compressor product lines, a s well as for power generation applications. It also offers control systems for its centrifugal compressors.

It is a supplier of reciprocating compressors, offering products ranging from medium to high-speed separable units driven by engines or electric motors, to slow speed motor driven process reciprocating compressors. It is a supplier of standard and engineered mechanical drive steam turbines and turbine generator sets. Its steam turbine models cover a power range from a few kilowatts up to 75MW, are available for high inlet steam pressure and temperature conditions, with or without induction and/or extraction sections and in condensing or back-pressure designs. These units are used primarily to drive pumps, fans, blowers, generators and compressors. It is a supplier of diesel, gas and dual fuel internal combustion reciprocating engines. Its Guascor engines cover a power range of up to 1.5 megawatts. Guascor engi! nes are u! sed in 1) industrial applications and power generation, 2) marine propulsion and auxiliary genera! tion, and! 3) environmental solutions, CHP and bioenergy (waste water treatment plant, landfill and biogas generation).

Aftermarket Parts and Services

Aftermarket parts and services segment provides them with long-term growth opportunities. Aftermarket parts and services are generally less sensitive to business cycles than the new units segment, although revenues and bookings tend to be higher in the second half of the year. With a typical operating life of 30 years or more, rotating equipment requires substantial aftermarket parts and services over its operating life. Parts and services activities realize higher margins than new unit sales. Additionally, the cumulative revenues from these aftermarket activities often exceed the initial purchase price of the unit. Its aftermarket parts and services business offers a range of services designed to enable clients to maximize their return on assets by optimizing the performance of their mission-critical ro tating equipment. It offers a broad range of aftermarket parts and services, including: replacement parts, field service turnaround, service and repair, operation and maintenance contracts, rotor / spare parts storage, condition monitoring, controls retrofit, site / reliability audits, remote area energy solutions, equipment repair and rerates, equipment installation, applied technology, long-term service agreements, special coatings / weldings, product training, turnkey installation / project management and energy asset management.

The Company competes with GE Oil & Gas, Solar Turbines, Inc., MAN Diesel & Turbo, Siemens, Rolls-Royce Energy, Elliott Company, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Burckhardt Compression, Neuman & Esser Group, Ariel Corp., Howden Thomassen Compressors BV and Mitsui & Co., Ltd, Elliott Company, Shin Nippon Machinery Co. Ltd, GE/Jenbacher, Caterpillar and Cummins.

Advisors' Opinio! n:
  • [By Sally Jones]

    Anglogold Ashanti Limited is a gold exploration, mining and marketing company with a portfolio of operations and projects on four continents. The company is headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, and has 21 operations in 10 countries. Major development projects include: Tropicana located in Australia; Kibali in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and La Colosa in Colombia. The company's exploration programs extend to 12 countries, in both established and new gold-producing regions.

  • [By Jake L'Ecuyer]

    Leading and Lagging Sectors
    Energy shares declined by just 0.08 percent in Monday's trading. However, top gainers in the sector included PrimeEnergy (NASDAQ: PNRG) and Dresser-Rand Group (NYSE: DRC). In trading on Monday, financial shares were relative laggards, down on the day by about 1.07 percent.

  • source from USA Best Stocks:http://www.usabeststocks.com/top-10-net-payout-yield-stocks-to-own-for-2015.html

    Thursday, May 29, 2014

    Stocks Going Ex-Dividend on Thursday, May 29 (LMT, NKE, MCD, More)

    Ex-dividend dates are very important to dividend investors, since you must purchase a stock prior to its ex-dividend date in order to receive its upcoming dividend payout. For more information, check out Everything Investors Need to Know About Ex-Dividend Dates.

    Below we highlight 10 big-name stocks going ex-dividend on Thursday, May 29.

    1. Lockheed Martin

    Lockheed Martin (LMT) offers a dividend yield of 3.3% based on Tuesday’s closing price of $162.95 and the company's quarterly dividend payout of $1.33. The stock is up 11.56% year-to-date. Dividend.com currently rates LMT as “Recommended” with a DARS™ rating of 3.5 stars out of 5 stars.

    2. Hillshire Brands Co.

    Hillshire Brands Co. (HSH) offers a dividend yield of 1.9% based on Tuesday’s closing price of $45.19 and the company's quarterly dividend payout of 17.5 cents. The stock is up 35.38% year-to-date. Dividend.com currently rates HSH as “Neutral” with a DARS™ rating of 3.4 stars out of 5 stars.

    3. Kellogg Co.

    Kellogg Co. (K) offers a dividend yield of 2.7% based on Tuesday’s closing price of $67.98 and the company's quarterly dividend payout of 46 cents. The stock is up 11.79% year-to-date. Dividend.com currently rates K as “Neutral” with a DARS™ rating of 3.4 stars out of 5 stars.

    4. Torchmark Corp

    Torchmark Corp (TMK) offers a dividend yield of 0.9% based on Tuesday’s closing price of $81.30 and the company's quarterly dividend payout of 12.67 cents. The stock is up 5% year-to-date. Dividend.com currently rates TMK as “Neutral” with a DARS™ rating of 3.4 stars out of 5 stars.

    5. Sotheby’s

    Top Cheapest Stocks To Invest In Right Now

    Sotheby’s (BID) offers a dividend yield of 1% based on Tuesday’s closing price of $39.44 and the company's quarterly dividend payout of 10 cents. The stock is down 25.67% year-to-date. Dividend.com curren

    Wednesday, May 28, 2014

    Best Machinery Companies For 2015

    Best Machinery Companies For 2015: Lincoln Electric Holdings Inc (LECO)

    Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc., incorporated in 1906, is a manufacturer of welding, cutting and brazing products. Welding products include arc welding power sources, wire feeding systems, robotic welding packages, fume extraction equipment, consumable electrodes and fluxes. The Company's product offering also includes computer numeric controlled (CNC) plasma and oxy-fuel cutting systems and regulators and torches used in oxy-fuel welding, cutting and brazing. The Company operates in five segments: North America Welding, Europe Welding, Asia Pacific Welding, South America Welding and The Harris Products Group. On July 29, 2011, the Company acquired Techalloy Company, Inc. and certain assets of its parent company, Central Wire Industries Ltd. On July 29, 2011, the Company acquired Applied Robotics, Inc. (doing business as Torchmate) (Torchmate). On January 31, 2011, the Company acquired SSCO Manufacturing, Inc. (doing business as Arc Products) (Arc Products). On March 11, 2 011, the Company completed the acquisition of OOO Severstal-metiz: welding consumables (Severstal). In March 2012, the Company acquired Weartech International, Inc. In May 2012, the Company acquired Wayne Trail Technologies, Inc., a manufacturer of automated systems and tooling, serving a range of applications in the metal processing market. In November 2012, ITT Corp sold its shape cutting product lines, including the Burny and Kaliburn brands to the Company. In January 2013, the Company acquired Tennessee Rand, Inc.

    The North America Welding segment includes welding operations in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The Europe Welding segment includes welding operations in Europe, Russia and Africa. The other two welding segments include welding operations in Asia Pacific and South America, respectively. The Harris Products Group includes the Company's global cutting, soldering and brazing businesses as well as the retail busin! ess in the United States . The arc welding power sources and wire feeding systems man! ufactured by the Company range in technology from basic units used for light manufacturing and maintenance to robotic applications for high volume production welding and fabrication. Three primary types of arc welding electrodes are produced: coated manual or stick electrodes; solid electrodes produced in coil, reel or drum forms for continuous feeding in mechanized welding, and cored electrodes produced in coil form for continuous feeding in mechanized welding.

    Advisors' Opinion:
    • [By Seth Jayson]

      Lincoln Electric Holdings (Nasdaq: LECO  ) is expected to report Q1 earnings on April 23. Here's what Wall Street wants to see:

      The 10-second takeaway
      Comparing the upcoming quarter to the prior-year quarter, average analyst estimates predict Lincoln Electric Holdings's revenues will grow 1.1% and EPS will grow 2.6%.

    • [By Seth Jayson]

      Lincoln Electric Holdings (Nasdaq: LECO  ) is expected to report Q2 earnings on July 29. Here's what Wall Street wants to see:

      The 10-second takeaway
      Comparing the upcoming quarter to the prior-year quarter, average analyst estimates predict Lincoln Electric Holdings's revenues will expand 1.8% and EPS will expand 9.9%.

    • source from Top Penny Stocks For 2015:http://www.seekpennystocks.com/best-machinery-companies-for-2015.html

    Tuesday, May 27, 2014

    AutoZone: When Good News Isn’t Good Enough

    AutoZone (AZO) is firing on all cylinders. It beat earnings forecasts. Its same-store sales were strong. Its gross margins improved. And AutoZone’s stock has dropped nearly 2% today as growing inventories raised concerns among investors.

    Bloomberg

    AutoZone reported a profit of $8.46 a share, beating forecasts for $8.44 a share, on sales of $2.34 billion, in line with the Street consensus. Same-store sales, meanwhile, rose 4%, while inventory rose 12%.

    Raymond James analysts Dan Wewer and Aziz Pirbhoy believe that AutoZone’s “bullish theme remains intact” but worry about the payoff from increasing inventory:

    While AutoZone's F3Q14 results were of mixed quality, the long-term investment themes underlying our Strong Buy rating remain intact, including a continued gross margin expansion cycle and a shareholder friendly capital allocation policy. AutoZone has now achieved 10%+ EPS growth for a 31st consecutive quarter – a further testament to our bullish long-term view…

    AutoZone's gross inventory investment increased 12.0% in F3Q14 (or 8.2% per foot) – the fourth straight quarter of an 8%+ increase. Unfortunately, inventory yield (amount of gross profit generated from $1 of inventory) declined 1.4% y/y. This could raise concerns of diminishing returns from AutoZone's latest parts availability initiatives.

    Shares of AutoZone have fallen 1.7% to $531.87 at 11:52 a.m., while Advance Auto Part (AAP) has dropped 1.6% to $121.27 and O’Reilly Automotive (ORLY) has declined 0.9% to $147.25. Pep Boys (PBY), however, has bucked the selling–its shares have gained 1.9% to $10.57.

    Monday, May 26, 2014

    Hot Consumer Service Companies To Own In Right Now

    Barry Malamud's long tour of duty as interim chief financial officer at Harsco (NYSE: HSC  ) has come to an end.

    On Monday, the Camp Hill, Pa.-based metals company announced that it is hiring F. Nicholas Grasberger as its new CFO, effective April 22. On that date, Malamud will resume his prior position as vice president and corporate controller for the company.

    Grasberger, formerly managing director of Fenner's multinational Precision Polymers Division, has served in the capacity of CFO at two companies in the past -- at Armstrong Holdings, and before that, at Kennametal. But he said in a statement that he considers Harsco in particular to be "an exceptional opportunity."

    As well he might. In a filing with the SEC that accompanied news of his appointment, Harsco disclosed that it will be paying Grasberger�an annual base salary of $525,000, plus:

    An $80,000 signing bonus. 5,000 restricted stock units, vesting after three years. Participation in the company's long-term incentive compensation program, which includes an award for 2013 equal to 150% of annual base salary. This award will be divided into one-third restricted stock units and two-thirds "time-based stock appreciation rights." An annual "performance-based" bonus targeting 75% of base salary.

    Harsco shares reacted positively to the news, rising 0.5% in Monday trading to close at $23.67.

    Hot Consumer Service Companies To Own In Right Now: Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU)

    Vanguard Utilities ETF is an exchange-traded class of shares issued by Vanguard Utilities Index Fund (the Fund). The Fund employs a passive management or indexing investment approach designed to track the performance of the Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) United States Investable Market Utilities Index (the Index), an index made up of stocks of large, medium-size and small United States companies in the utilities sector, as classified under the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS).

    This GICS sector is made up of electric, gas and water utility companies, as well as companies that operate as independent producers and/or distributors of power. The sector includes both nuclear and non-nuclear facilities. The Fund attempts to replicate the target index by investing all, or substantially all, of its assets in the stocks that make up the Index, holding each stock in approximately the same proportion as its weighting in the Index.

    Advisors' Opinion:
    • [By Bruce Vanderveen]

      Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU) is similar to XLU. It has the same top ten holdings, but has a more diverse base, with smaller utilities included.

    Hot Consumer Service Companies To Own In Right Now: Pazoo Inc (PZOO)

    Pazoo, Inc., formerly IUCSS, Inc., incorporated on November 16, 2010, is a development-stage company. The Company is an online retailer and distributer of nutritional foods/supplements, wellness goods, and fitness apparel.

    As of December 31, 2011, the Company�� source of revenue was through www.pazoo.com. The Company offers a range of products through various catalogs, such as health and beauty, vitamins and supplements, apparel, accessories, food and beverages, fitness and sports equipments, gifts, videos and books, and pet wellness.

    Advisors' Opinion:
    • [By Bryan Murphy]

      For those traders who were lucky and smart enough to be in an Arotech Corporation (NASDAQ:ARTX) before today, then congratulations - you're up at least 38% on your position. Now it's time to get out. Conversely, if you're looking for a new name to get into (or perhaps looking for a place to park your ARTX proceeds), then you may want to consider Pazoo Inc. (OTCBB:PZOO)... a tiny online retailer of health and fitness goods. PZOO has dropped several tell-tale hints that more upside is on the way.

    Top 5 Sliver Companies To Own In Right Now: Electronic Arts Inc (EA)

    Electronic Arts Inc., incorporated in 1982, develops, markets, publishes and distributes game software content and services that can be played by consumers on a variety of video game machines and electronic devices (platforms). Its offers products, such as video game consoles, such as the Sony PLAYSTATION 3, Microsoft Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii; personal computers, including the Apple Macintosh (the Company refers to personal computers and the Macintosh together as PCs); mobile devices, such as the Apple iPhone and Google Android compatible phones; tablets and electronic readers, such as the Apple iPad and the Amazon Kindle, and Internet, including social networking sites, such as Facebook. In August 2011, it acquired PopCap Games Inc. (PopCap), a developer of casual games for mobile devices, tablets, PCs, and social networking sites.

    The Company has created, licensed and acquired a portfolio of brands, which span a diverse range of categories, including action-adventure, casual, family, fantasy, first-person shooter, horror, science fiction, role-playing, racing, simulation, social, sports, and strategy. The Company�� portfolio of brands includes wholly owned brands, such as Battlefield, Mass Effect, Need for Speed, The Sims, Bejeweled, and Plants v. Zombies. Its portfolio also includes sports-based brands, such as Madden NFL and FIFA, and titles-based on other brands, such as Star Wars: The Old Republic. It provides a variety of online-delivered products and services, including through its Origin platform. Its packaged goods products are also available through direct online download through the Internet. The Company also offers online-delivered content and services that are add-ons or related to its packaged goods products, such as additional game content or enhancements of multiplayer services. It provides other games, content and services that are available only via electronic delivery, such as Internet-only games and game services, and games for mobile devices.

    The Comp! any operates development studios (which develop products and perform other related functions) in North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. It also engages third parties to assist with the development of its games at their own development and production studios. Internationally, the Company conducts business through its international headquarters in Switzerland and has wholly owned subsidiaries worldwide, including offices in Europe, Australia, Asia and Latin America. The Company�� studios and development teams are organized around its Label structure. Each Label operates globally with dedicated game development and marketing teams. These Labels are supported by the Company�� Global Publishing Organization that is responsible for the distribution, sales, and marketing of its products, including planning, operations, and manufacturing functions.

    EA Games

    EA Games is home to a number of the Company�� studios and development teams, which together create a portfolio of games and related content and services marketed under the EA brand in categories, such as action-adventure, role playing, racing and first-person shooter games. The EA Games portfolio includes a number of franchises, such as Battlefield, Dead Space, Medal of Honor and Need for Speed. EA Games titles are developed primarily at the following EA studios, Criterion, DICE, EA Los Angeles, Visceral, and EA Montreal. EA Games also contracts with external game developers, to provide these developers with a variety of services, including development assistance, publishing, and distribution of their games.

    EA SPORTS

    EA SPORTS develops a collection of sports-based video games and related content and services marketed under the EA SPORTS brand. EA SPORTS games range from simulated sports titles with realistic graphics based on real-world sports leagues, players, events and venues to more casual games with arcade-style gameplay and graphics. The Company�� EA SPORTS franchises include FIFA, Fig! ht Night,! Madden NFL, NCAA Football, NHL Hockey, and Tiger Woods PGA Tour. EA SPORTS games are developed primarily at the Company�� EA Canada studio in Burnaby, British Columbia, and its EA Tiburon studio located in Orlando, Florida.

    BioWare

    BioWare develops role-playing games, focused on stories, characters and worlds to discover. BioWare�� portfolio includes the MMO role-playing game Star Wars: The Old Republic and the Mass Effect and Dragon Age franchises. BioWare operates in Texas, California, Canada and Ireland.

    Maxis

    Maxis (formerly EA Play) are focused on creating games and related content and services for a mass audience. Maxis products include wholly owned franchises, such as The Sims, SimCity, MySims, and Spore. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012 (fiscal 2012), the Company released titles in The Sims 3 franchise, and together with Playfish, The Sims Social game on Facebook. Maxis oversees internal studios and development teams located in California, Utah, Beijing, China and Guildford, England, and works with third-party developers.

    PopCap

    PopCap develops easy-to-learn games. PopCap games, including Bejeweled, Plants vs. Zombies, Zuma, Peggle, and Bookworm are gameplays. PopCap games are developed primarily in Seattle, Washington.

    Social/Mobile Studios

    The Company�� Social/Mobile studios is focused on developing interactive games for play on mobile devices and Internet platforms, including social networking sites, such as Facebook. Through EA Mobile, the Company is a global publisher of games for mobile devices. Its customers purchase and download the Company�� games through a mobile carrier�� e-commerce service and mobile application storefronts accessed directly from their mobile devices. EA Mobile develops games for mobile devices at studios located in the United States, Canada, Romania, Australia, India and Korea. Through Playfish, it offers free-to-play social games, in! cluding T! he Sims Social, Pet Society, EA Sports FIFA Superstars and Madden NFL Superstars that can be played on platforms, such as Facebook, Google, iPhone and Android. Playfish generates revenue through sales of digital content and Internet-based advertising.

    The Company, through its Pogo online service, offers games, such as card, puzzle and word games on www.pogo.com, as well as on Facebook and other platforms. In addition to paid subscriptions, Pogo also generates revenue through Internet-based advertising and sales of digital content. In addition, it has a licensing agreement with Hasbro, which provides the Company with the rights to create digital games for all platforms based on most of Hasbro�� toy and game intellectual properties, including MONOPOLY, SCRABBLE (for United States and Canada), YAHTZEE (excluding the Nordic countries), NERF, and LITTLEST PET SHOP. Hasbro games are developed by its EA Mobile, Pogo and Social studios.

    The Company competes with Activision Blizzard, Take-Two Interactive, THQ, Ubisoft, Disney, Capcom Mobile, DeNA, Gameloft, Glu Mobile, Gree, Rovio, Zynga, Big Fish, Nexon, Tencent and Facebook.

    Advisors' Opinion:
    • [By Rick Aristotle Munarriz]

      Companies can make brilliant moves, but there are also times when things don't work out quite as planned. From an ill-conceived entry into the crowded tablet market to the leading online retailer jacking up its minimum order size for free shipping, here's a rundown of the week's best and worst moves in the business world. Zynga (ZNGA) -- Winner Zynga has a long way to go to regain its former status as a market darling, but the casual and social gaming giant is doing its best to claw its way back. Zynga turned heads by posting a narrower loss than analysts were forecasting on Thursday night. Zynga also announced that it was hiring a former marketing manager from Electronic Arts (EA) to help beef up the presence of its mobile games. Bookings have fallen sharply at Zynga, but investors may rediscover the once hot stock with London-based King -- the company behind the wildly popular Candy Crush Saga -- getting ready to go public. Tablet Tuesday -- Loser It was supposed to be a great day for tablets. Tuesday treated gadget buffs to Nokia (NOK) announcing its first tablet, Microsoft (MSFT) starting to sell its Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 tablets, and Apple (AAPL) unveiling its latest line of iPads. The morning kicked off with Nokia introducing a Lumia-branded tablet. The problem is that it runs Windows RT, the operating system that's so unpopular that Microsoft took a $900 million inventory charge earlier this year to write off the weak-selling Surface RT. Then came Microsoft tablets arriving at retailers, including the Surface 2 that happens to run, yes, on Windows RT. Apple's event went far better, but the stock sold off after the presentation. One concern is that the new iPad mini is getting an increase in price. Apple has never boosted the price of next-gen iPads, but now it's doing so with the smaller iPad mini. That may not go over so well in a market where competing tablets have only gotten cheaper over time. IMAX (IMAX) -- Winner They say that the

    • [By Rick Munarriz]

      It was a good week to be playing video games. Activision Blizzard� (NASDAQ: ATVI  ) moved sharply higher on Friday after striking a deal to buy most of the shares held by majority stakeholder Vivendi. Earlier in the week, Electronic Arts� (NASDAQ: EA  ) gained ground after posting a much narrower quarterly deficit than analysts were expecting.

    • [By Steve Symington]

      On Tuesday, both�Hasbro (NASDAQ: HAS  ) and�Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: EA  ) stock rose slightly after the companies announced a new four-year agreement, under which EA will develop mobile games based on several of Hasbro's most popular gaming brands.

    Hot Consumer Service Companies To Own In Right Now: RingCentral Inc (RNG)

    RingCentral, Inc., incorporated on February 9, 1999, is a provider of software-as-a-service (SaaS) solutions for business communications. RingCentral Office, the Company�� flagship service, is a multi-user, enterprise-grade communications solution that enables its customers and their employees to communicate through voice, text and fax, on multiple devices, including Smartphone��, tablets, personal computers (PCs) and desk phones. The Company also offer RingCentral Professional, primarily an inbound call routing service with additional text and fax capabilities targeting smaller deployments, and RingCentral Fax, an Internet fax service that permits sending and receiving faxes over the Internet.

    The Company�� solutions have been developed with a mobile-centric approach and can be configured, managed and used from a Smartphone or tablet. The Company�� solutions generally use existing broadband connections. The Company�� cloud-based business communications solutions provide a single user identity across multiple locations and devices, including smartphone, tablets, PCs and desk phones, and allow for communication across multiple channels, including voice, text and fax. The Company primarily generate revenues by selling subscriptions for our cloud-based services.

    The Company competes with Alcatel-Lucent, S.A., Avaya Inc., Cisco Systems, Inc., Mitel Networks Corporation, ShoreTel, Inc., Siemens Enterprise Networks, LLC, Microsoft Corporation, Broadsoft, Inc., AT&T Inc., Verizon Communications Inc., Comcast Corporation, j2 Global, Inc., 8x8, Inc., Google Inc., Yahoo! Inc. and Amazon.com.

    Advisors' Opinion:
    • [By Paul Ausick]

      Stocks on the Move: J.C. Penney Co. Inc. (NYSE: JCP) is down 13.9% at $8.97 after a secondary stock offering�that might have been designed to drive out short sellers. Violin Memory Inc. (NASDAQ: VMEM) is down 21% at $7.11 on a lousy IPO�day. RingCentral Inc. (NYSE: RNG) is up 39.5% at $18.14 on a good IPO day.

    Hot Consumer Service Companies To Own In Right Now: Star Gas Partners L.P.(SGU)

    Star Gas Partners, L.P., through its subsidiaries, operates as a home heating oil distributor and services provider in the United States. It provides its services to residential and commercial customers to heat their homes and buildings. As of March 31, 2011, the company served approximately 408,000 full-service residential and commercial home heating oil, and propane customers. It also sold home heating oil, gasoline, and diesel fuel to approximately 40,000 customers. In addition, Star Gas Partners installed, maintained, and repaired heating and air conditioning equipment, as well as provided ancillary home services, including home security and plumbing to approximately 11,000 customers. Kestrel Heat, LLC operates as the general partner of the company. Star Gas Partners, L.P. was founded in 1995 and is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut.

    Advisors' Opinion:
    • [By Louis Navellier]

      Star Gas Parnters (SGU) is in the home heating oil and propane business in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic regions of the U.S. The company has used smart acquisitions of smaller competitors to become the nation’s largest retail distributor of home heating oil — Star Gas sells heating oil to about 450,000 residential and commercial customers in its region.

    • [By Marc Bastow]

      Home heating oil distributor and services company Star Gas Partners (SGU) raised its quarterly dividend 6% to 8.75 cents per share payable May 9 to shareholders of record May 1.
      SGU Dividend Yield: 5.43%

    • [By Rich Smith]

      Stamford, Conn.-based Star Gas Partners (NYSE: SGU  ) is about to get a new CEO.

      The company (which, despite the name, actually spends more time delivering oil than gas for home heating), announced Tuesday that Chief Executive Officer Dan Donovan intends to retire on Sept. 30. When that happens, Chief Operating Officer Steve Goldman will move up to take the CEO's chair.

    Hot Consumer Service Companies To Own In Right Now: Adobe Systems Inc (ADBE)

    Adobe Systems Incorporated (Adobe), incorporated on October 5, 1983, is a diversified software company. The Company offers a line of software and services used by professionals, marketers, knowledge workers, application developers, enterprises and consumers for creating, managing, delivering, measuring and engaging with content and experiences across multiple operating systems, devices and media. The Company markets and licenses its software directly to enterprise customers through its sales force and to end users through application stores and its Website at www.adobe.com. Adobe also distributes its products through a network of distributors, value-added resellers (VARs), systems integrators, independent software vendors (ISVs), retailers and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). In addition, Adobe licenses its technology to hardware manufacturers, software developers and service providers for use in their products and solutions. It offers some of its products via a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) model (also known as a hosted model or cloud-based model), as well as through term subscription and pay-per-use models. The Company�� software runs on personal computers (PCs) and server-based computers, as well as on smartphones, tablets and other devices, depending on the product. It has operations in the Americas, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and Asia. On January 13, 2012, the Company completed the acquisition of Efficient Frontier. In January 2011, the Company acquired Demdex. In July 2011, the Company acquired EchoSign. In October 2011, the Company acquired Typekit Inc. In November 2011, it acquired Auditude Inc. In January 2012, the Company acquired Efficient Frontier. In December 2012, the Company acquired Behance. In May 2013, Adobe Systems Inc acquired Ideacodes LLC. In July 2013, Adobe Systems Inc announced the completion of acquisition of privately held Neolane.

    Digital Media

    The Digital Media segment provides tools and solutions that enable individuals, small! businesses and enterprises to create, publish, promote and monetize their content anywhere. Its customers include content creators, Web application developers and digital media professionals, as well as their management in marketing departments and agencies, companies and publishers. The flagship of the Company�� Digital Media business is its Creative Suite family of products. Consisting of 13 individual products and five suites that contain different configurations of these products, the Company focuses on the needs of professional customers, which include graphic designers, production artists, Web designers and developers, user interface designers, writers, videographers, motion graphic artists, prepress professionals, video game developers, mobile application developers, students and administrators. They use and rely on its solutions for publishing, Web design and development, video and animation production, mobile applications and gaming development and, document creation and collaboration. They work in businesses ranging from publishers, media companies and global enterprises, to design agencies, small and medium-sized businesses, and individual freelancers. Its Creative Suite family of products is used by creative professionals to create the printed and online information people see, read and interact with every day, including newspapers, magazines, websites, mobile applications, catalogs, advertisements, brochures, product documentation, books, memos, reports and banners. Its tools are also used to create content, including video, animation and mobile content, that is created by multimedia, film, television, audio and video producers who work in advertising, Web design, music, entertainment, corporate and marketing communications, product design, user interface design, sales training, printing, architecture and fine arts. Knowledge workers, educators and hobbyists also use its creative products to create and deliver content.

    Adobe Digital Publishing solution is an online, hosted p! ublishing! solution that enables magazine and newspaper publishers to deliver engaging, reading experiences of their publications to an array of mobile and tablet devices. Its Digital Publishing solution utilizes E-commerce models to sell single issues and subscriptions directly to consumers through mobile marketplaces, and analytics capabilities based on its Adobe Digital Marketing Suite. The Company�� Digital Media-Creative products include Adobe After Effects, Adobe Audition, Adobe Creative Cloud, Adobe Creative Suite Design Premium, Adobe Creative Suite Design Standard, Adobe Creative Suite Master Collection, Adobe Creative Suite Production Premium, Adobe Creative Suite Web Premium, CS Live Services, Adobe Digital Publishing solution, Adobe Dreamweaver, Adobe Edge, Adobe Encore, Adobe Fireworks, Adobe Flash Professional, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InCopy, Adobe InDesign, Adobe InDesign Server, Adobe Muse, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Photoshop Express, Adobe Photoshop Express Mobile, Adobe Photoshop Elements, Adobe Photoshop Extended, Adobe Photoshop Lightroom, Adobe Premiere Elements, Adobe Premiere Express, Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe Soundbooth, Adobe Story, Adobe Visual Communicator, Business Catalyst and TypeKit. Its Digital Media-Touch App Products include Adobe Revel, Adobe Collage, Adobe Debut, Adobe Ideas, Adobe Kuler, Adobe Photoshop Touch and Adobe Proto. Its Developer and Platform products include Adobe AIR, Adobe Flash Builder, Adobe Flash Catalyst, Adobe Flash Lite, Adobe Flash Player, Adobe Flash Platform Services, Adobe Flex and PhoneGap Build. The Company�� Adobe Media Server products include Adobe Flash Access, Adobe Media Interactive Server, Adobe Media Enterprise Server, Adobe Media Live Encoder, Adobe Media Playback, Adobe Media Streaming Server, Adobe Video Streaming Service, Adobe Pass, Auditude, HTTP Dynamic Streaming, Digital Media, Adobe Acrobat Standard, Adobe Acrobat Pro, Adobe Acrobat Suite, Adobe CreatePDF, Adobe SendNow and EchoSign.

    The Company competes with Apple, Aviar! y, Avid, ! Corel, Microsoft, Quark, ACDsee, Mediascape, Xara, Bare Bones Software, FlashDevelop, JetBrains, Panic, MacRabbit, MacroMates, Oracle, Micro Focus, IBM, Amazon, Aquafada, Google, Texterity, Zinio, ACD Systems, AI Soft (Japan), ArcSoft, Corel, i4 (Japan), Kodak, Nova Development, Magix, Microsoft, Rovi, Sony, Canon, Dell, Hewlett-Packard, Nikon, Phase One, Autodesk, Broderbund and Grass Valley.

    Digital Marketing

    Digital Marketing segment provides solutions and services for how digital advertising and marketing are created, managed, executed, measured and optimized. Its customers include digital marketers, advertisers, publishers, merchandisers, Web analysts, chief marketing officers and chief revenue officers. The Company�� Digital Marketing Business unit provides solutions that include Web analytics, online business optimization and Web experience management products, solutions and services. It delivers these capabilities through its Digital Marketing Suite, which includes its Day CQ5 WEM offerings, as well as the offerings gained through its acquisition of Efficient Frontier. The Company�� products include Adobe SearchCenter, Adobe AudienceManager, Context Optional Social Marketing Suite, Adobe CQ, Adobe Merchandising, Adobe Publish, Adobe Recommendations, Adobe Scene7 On-Demand, Adobe Search&Promote, Adobe SiteSearch, Adobe Test&Target, Adobe Discover, Adobe SiteCatalyst, Adobe SocialAnalytics, Adobe Survey, Adobe Tag Manager, Adobe Insight, Adobe Insight for Retail, Adobe CRX, Adobe DataWarehouse and Adobe Genesis.

    The Company�� Digital Enterprise Products include Adobe Connect, Adobe LiveCycle Collaboration Service, Adobe LiveCycle Connectors for ECM, Adobe LiveCycle Content Services, Adobe LiveCycle Mosaic, Adobe LiveCycle Data Services, Adobe LiveCycle Forms, Adobe LiveCycle Reader Extensions, Adobe LiveCycle Output, Adobe LiveCycle PDF Generator, Adobe LiveCycle Production Print, Adobe LiveCycle Digital Signatures, Adobe LiveCycle Rights Management, A! dobe Live! Cycle Process Management, Adobe LiveCycle Business Activity Monitoring, Adobe LiveCycle Managed Services, Adobe Central Pro Output Server, Adobe LiveCycle Designer, Adobe Output Designer, Adobe Output Pak for mySAP.com and Adobe Web Output Pak.

    The Company competes with Google, Yahoo!, Microsoft, Oracle, IBM, HP, salesforce.com, AdXpose, WebTrends, Infor, Nielsen Company, SAS Institute, Microsoft Advertising, WPP, Truviso, Clickfox, QlikTech, Teradata, Accenture, Acxiom Digital, [x + 1], Celebros, SLI Systems, Nextopia Software, Fredhopper. EMC, OpenText, Alfresco, CoreMedia, Percussion, SDL, Cisco WebEx, IBM Lotus Sametime, Citrix GoToMeeting, PegaSystems, Nuance and Ultimus.

    Print and Publishing

    The Company�� Print and Publishing business segment contains products and services that address market opportunities, including eLearning solutions, technical document publishing, Web application development and high-end printing. Its ColdFusion offering provides ways to build and deploy Internet applications. Developers can extend or integrate ColdFusion with Java or .NET applications, connect to enterprise data and applications, create and interact via Web services, or interface with short messaging service (SMS) on mobile devices or instant messaging clients. Its Print and Publishing products include Adobe Authorware, Adobe Captivate, Adobe ColdFusion, Adobe Contribute, Adobe Director, Adobe eLearning Suite, Adobe FrameMaker, Adobe FrameMaker Server, Adobe Font Folio, Adobe JRun, Adobe PageMaker, Adobe PDF Print Engine, Adobe PostScript, Adobe RoboHelp, Adobe Shockwave Player, Adobe Technical Communication Suite, Adobe Type Classics for Learning, Adobe Type Sets and FreeHand MX.

    The Company competes with Microsoft, Hewlett-Packard, IBM and Oracle.

    Advisors' Opinion:
    • [By Lee Jackson]

      Adobe Systems Inc. (NASDAQ: ADBE) has been named by Gartner as a leader in their new report ��agic Quadrant for Web Management.��Adobe was positioned highest in ability to execute and completeness of vision in the report. The evaluation criteria for a vendor�� ability to execute included product/service, overall viability, sales execution/pricing, market responsiveness and track record, marketing execution, customer experience and operations. Deutsche Bank has a $52 price target for the stock. The Thomson/First Call estimate is at $51.

    • [By tyokunbo]

      Adobe (ADBE) operates as a diversified software company worldwide. Its digital medical segment provides tools and solutions that enable customers monetize their digital content anywhere. The company�� digital marketing segment provides solutions for optimizing the operation of digital advertising businesses. The print and publishing segment provides products that address diverse market opportunities. One of the company�� flagship products is Adobe Creative Cloud. This is a service that enables consumers to download and install the latest version of their creative products.

    Hot Consumer Service Companies To Own In Right Now: Boston Scientific Corp (BSX)

    Boston Scientific Corporation is a developer, manufacturer and marketer of medical devices that are used in a range of interventional medical specialties. During the year ended December 31, 2011, its products were offered for sale by seven core businesses: Interventional Cardiology, CRM, Endoscopy, Peripheral Interventions, Urology/Women�� Health, Neuromodulation, and Electrophysiology. In January 2011, it completed the acquisition of Intelect Medical, Inc. In January 2011, it completed the acquisition of Sadra Medical, Inc. In March 2011, the Company completed the acquisition of Atritech, Inc. In February 2011, it announced the acquisitions of S.I. Therapies and ReVascular Therapeutics, Inc. In January 2011, the Company sold its Neurovascular business to Stryker Corporation. In June 2012, the Company acquired Cameron Health, Inc. of San Clemente, California and, as a result, added to its product portfolio subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator, called the S-ICD System.

    Interventional Cardiology

    The Company offers coronary stent product. Coronary stents are tiny, mesh tubes used in the treatment of coronary artery disease, which are implanted in patients to prop open arteries and facilitate blood flow to and from the heart. The Company offers a two-drug platform strategy with its paclitaxel-eluting and everolimus-eluting stent system offerings, and it offers a range of stent sizes. The Company markets its next-generation internally-developed and self-manufactured PROMUS Element stent system in the United States, its Europe/Middle East/Africa (EMEA) region and certain Inter-Continental countries, including China and India. It markets the PROMUS everolimus-eluting stent system, supplied to the Company by Abbott Laboratories, in Japan. It also markets its TAXUS paclitaxel-eluting stent line, including its third-generation TAXUS Element paclitaxel-eluting stent system in the U.nited States, Japan, EMEA and certain Inter-Continental countries.

    The Compa! ny markets a line of products used to treat patients with atherosclerosis, a principal cause of coronary artery obstructive disease. Its product offerings include balloon catheters, rotational atherectomy systems, guide wires, guide catheters, embolic protection devices, and diagnostic catheters used in percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). The Company markets a family of intraluminal catheter-directed ultrasound imaging catheters and systems for use in coronary arteries and heart chambers, as well as certain peripheral vessels. The iLab Ultrasound Imaging System continues as its flagship console and is compatible with its line of imaging catheters. The system is designed to enhance the diagnosis and treatment of blocked vessels and heart disorders. Sadra is developing a repositionable and retrievable device for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) to treat patients with severe aortic stenosis. The Lotus Valve System consists of a stent-mounted tissue valve prosthesis and catheter delivery system for guidance and placement of the valve. Atritech has developed a device designed to close the left atrial appendage in patients with atrial fibrillation who are at risk for ischemic stroke. The WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Technology, developed by Atritech, is the first device proven in a randomized clinical trial to offer an alternative to anticoagulant drugs, and is approved for use in CE Mark countries.

    Cardiac Rhythm Management

    The Company develops, manufactures and markets a variety of implantable devices that monitor the heart and deliver electricity to treat cardiac abnormalities, including Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) systems used to detect and treat abnormally fast heart rhythms (tachycardia) that could result in sudden cardiac death, including implantable cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator (CRT-D) systems used to treat heart failure, and implantable pacemaker systems used to manage slow or irregular heart rhyth! ms (brady! cardia), including implantable cardiac resynchronization therapy pacemaker (CRT-P) systems used to treat heart failure. Its product offerings include its COGNIS cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator (CRT-D), its TELIGEN ICD systems and its ALTRUA family of pacemaker systems. During 2011, it began the United States launch of its next-generation line of defibrillators, INCEPTA, ENERGEN and PUNCTUA.

    Endoscopy

    The Company markets a range of products to diagnose, treat and ease a variety of digestive diseases, including those affecting the esophagus, stomach, liver, pancreas, duodenum, and colon. Common disease states include esophagitis, portal hypertension, peptic ulcers as well as esophageal, biliary, pancreatic and colonic cancer. The Company offers the Radial Jaw 4 Single-Use Biopsy Forceps, which are designed to enable collection of large high-quality tissue specimens without the need to use large channel therapeutic endoscopes. Its exclusive line of RX Biliary System devices are designed to provide greater access and control for physicians to diagnose and treat challenging conditions of the bile ducts, such as removing gallstones, opening obstructed bile ducts and obtaining biopsies in suspected tumors. The Company also markets the Spyglass Direct Visualization System for direct imaging of the pancreatico-biliary system. The Spyglass System is a single-operator cholangioscopy device that offers clinicians a direct visualization of the pancreatico-biliary system and includes supporting devices for tissue acquisition, stone management and lithotripsy. Its products also include the WallFlex family of stents, in particular, the WallFlex Biliary line and WallFlex Esophageal line; and in 2011, the Company launched its Advanix Biliary Plastic Stent System and the Expect Endoscopic Ultrasound Aspiration Needle in the United States and certain international markets. Its Resolution Clip Device is an endoscopic mechanical clip designed to treat gastrointestinal bleeding.

    T! he Company markets devices to diagnose, treat and ease pulmonary disease systems within the airway and lungs. Its products are designed to help perform biopsies, retrieve foreign bodies from the airway, open narrowings of an airway, stop internal bleeding, and ease symptoms of some types of airway cancers. Its product line includes pulmonary biopsy forceps, transbronchial aspiration needles, cytology brushes and tracheobronchial stents used to dilate narrowed airway passages or for tumor management. Asthmatx, Inc. designs, manufactures and markets a less-invasive, catheter-based bronchial thermoplasty procedure for the treatment of severe persistent asthma. The Alair Bronchial Thermoplasty System, developed by Asthmatx, has both CE Mark and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval and is the first device-based asthma treatment approved by the FDA.

    Peripheral Interventions

    The Company sells various products designed to treat patients with peripheral disease, including a line of medical devices used in percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and peripheral vascular stenting. Its peripheral product offerings include stents, balloon catheters, wires, peripheral embolization devices and vena cava filters. In 2010 and 2011, it launched several of its products internationally, including the EPIC self-expanding nitinol stent system in certain international markets, and the Carotid WALLSTENT stent system in Japan. The Company launched three new peripheral angioplasty balloons in 2011, including its next-generation Mustang percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) balloon, its Coyote balloon catheter, a highly deliverable and ultra-low profile balloon dilatation catheter designed for a range of peripheral angioplasty procedures and its Charger PTA Balloon Catheter, a 0.035 inch percutaneous transluminal angioplasty balloon catheter designed for post-stent dilatation, as well as conventional balloon angioplasty to open blocked peripheral arteries. The Company has commenced a limited ma! rket rele! ase of its OFFROAD re-entry catheter system in certain international markets, and in February 2012, it launched its TRUEPATH intraluminal CTO device in the United States.

    The Company sells products designed to treat patients with non-vascular disease. Its non-vascular suite of products include biliary stents, drainage catheters and micro-puncture sets designed to treat, diagnose and ease various forms of benign and malignant tumors. The Company continues to market its extensive line of Interventional Oncology product solutions, including the Renegade HI-FLO Fathom microcatheter and guidewire system and Interlock - 35 Fibered IDC Occlusion System for peripheral embolization. The Company�� FilterWire EZ Embolic Protection System is a filter designed to capture embolic material that may become dislodged during a procedure, which could otherwise travel into the microvasculature where it could cause a heart attack or stroke. It is commercially available in the United States, its EMEA region and certain Inter-Continental countries for multiple indications, including the treatment of disease in peripheral, coronary and carotid vessels. It is also available in the United States for the treatment of saphenous vein grafts and carotid artery stenting procedures.

    Urology/Women�� Health

    The Company�� Urology/Women�� Health division develops, manufactures and sells devices to treat various urological and gynecological disorders. The Company sells a variety of products designed to treat patients with urinary stone disease, stress urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse and excessive uterine bleeding. The Company offers a line of stone management products, including ureteral stents, wires, lithotripsy devices, stone retrieval devices, sheaths, balloons and catheters.

    The Company markets a range of devices for the treatment of conditions, such as female urinary incontinence, pelvic floor reconstruction (rebuilding of the anatomy to its original state), and ! menorrhag! ia (excessive menstrual bleeding). It offers a breadth of mid-urethral sling products, sling materials, graft materials, pelvic floor reconstruction kits, and suturing devices. The Company markets its Genesys Hydro ThermAblator (HTA) system, a next-generation endometrial ablation system designed to ablate the endometrial lining of the uterus in premenopausal women with menorrhagia. The Genesys HTA System features a smaller and lighter console, simplified set-up requirements, and an enhanced graphic user interface and is designed to improve operating performance.

    Neuromodulation

    The Company within its Neuromodulation business markets the Precision Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) system, used for the management of chronic pain. In 2011, the Company launched its Clik Anchor for its Precision Plus SCS System, a rechargeable SCS device for chronic pain management. During 2011, it received FDA approval for and launched the Infinion 16 Percutaneous Lead, a 16-contact percutaneous lead. The Company also markets the Linear 3-4 and Linear 3-6 Percutaneous Leads for use with its SCS systems, which are designed to provide physicians more treatment options for their chronic pain patients. Intelect Medical, Inc. is a development-stage company developing advanced visualization and programming for the Vercise system.

    Electrophysiology

    The Company within its Electrophysiology business develops less-invasive medical technologies used in the diagnosis and treatment of rate and rhythm disorders of the heart. Included in its product offerings are radio frequency (RF) generators, steerable RF ablation catheters, intracardiac ultrasound catheters, diagnostic catheters, delivery sheaths, and other accessories. Its products include the Blazer and Blazer Prime line of temperature ablation catheters, designed to deliver enhanced performance, responsiveness, and durability. Its cooled ablation portfolio includes the closed-loop irrigated catheter on the market, the Chilli II cooled! ablation! catheter, and the newly launched Blazer Open-Irrigated ablation catheter with a Total Tip Cooling Design.

    The Company competes with Abbott Laboratories, Medtronic, Inc., St. Jude Medical, Inc. and Johnson & Johnson.

    Advisors' Opinion:
    • [By Dan Caplinger]

      Still, the big challenge for Abbott will come from the medical-device arena, where many of Abbott's peers are struggling. Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ  ) has seen double-digit percentage sales declines in its cardiovascular equipment division, with growth coming solely from its major acquisition of Synthes. Meanwhile, Boston Scientific (NYSE: BSX  ) has suffered even steeper declines in sales than Abbott, as its cardiac rhythm management business in particular has seen increased pricing pressure from competition. Abbott and Boston Scientific both compete in the drug-eluting stent niche, and even though Abbott has come out with recent advances, its stent sales were down 15% in the U.S. last quarter. Still, the company sees the area as having promise, as just this morning, Abbott announced it would acquire leg-stent maker Idev for $310 million.

    • [By Nikolaj Gammeltoft]

      Boston Scientific Corp. (BSX) soared 13 percent to $10.96. The second-biggest maker of heart-rhythm devices reported profit that beat analysts��estimates and raised its forecast amid signs that demand for defibrillators and stents is starting to stabilize.

    • [By Jonas Elmerraji]

      You don't have to be an expert technical analyst to figure out what's going on in shares of Boston Scientific (BSX). Shares of the $16 billion medical device maker have been bouncing higher in a textbook uptrend for the better part of the year. Now, with shares coming down to test support, we're coming up on a big buying opportunity for this stock.

      BSX has been stuck in a tight range in between parallel uptrend lines, levels that provide a high-probability range for shares. While there's really no bad time to buy a stock that's in an uptrend, the ideal time to jump in comes on a bounce off of trendline support. Buying off a support bounce makes sense for two big reasons: It's the spot where shares have the furthest to move up before they hit resistance, and it's the spot where the risk is the least (because shares have the least room to move lower before you know you're wrong).

      The 50-day moving average has been a stellar proxy for support on the way up -- it's where I'd put a protective stop in this name.

    Hot Consumer Service Companies To Own In Right Now: Dreamworks Animation SKG Inc. (DWA)

    DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. engages in the development, production, and exploitation of animated feature films and characters worldwide. It provides animated feature films and characters for the theatrical, home entertainment, television, and merchandising and licensing markets. The company also offers television specials and series, live entertainment properties, online virtual worlds, and related consumer products. It has approximately 21 animated feature films, including Shrek the Third, Shrek 2, and Madagascar. The company has strategic alliances with McDonald?s, Hewlett-Packard, Intel, and Samsung. DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. was founded in 1985 and is headquartered in Glendale, California.

    Advisors' Opinion:
    • [By Rich Smith]

      Critic pans DreamWorks Animation
      As a general rule, analysts on Wall Street don't downgrade stocks to anything sounding like "sell" unless given basically no choice. Because why upset a potential client you might want to woo for stock and bond business, right? So it was pretty surprising to see this morning that not only is ace analyst Sterne Agee recommending selling DreamWorks Animation (NASDAQ: DWA  ) -- but it's doing this sua sponte, initiating coverage of a stock it didn't even have to cover, and warning folks it is going to underperform the market.

    • [By WALLSTCHEATSHEET]

      Dreamworks is a provider of highly-demanded entertainment products to eager audiences around the world. A recent deal with Netflix may increase exposure for the company. The stock is now digesting gains after a strong surge higher, in recent months. Over the last four quarters, earnings have decreased for the company while revenue figures have been mixed which has produced mixed feelings among investors. Relative to its peers and sector, Dreamworks has been a year-to-date performance leader. Look for Dreamworks to OUTPERFORM.

    • [By Geoff Gannon]

      We��e talked about this kind of thing before. DreamWorks Animation (DWA) carries a library of animated movies on its books. For about $13.5 million a movie.

    Hot Consumer Service Companies To Own In Right Now: Barnes & Noble Inc (BKS)

    Barnes & Noble, Inc. (Barnes & Noble), incorporated on November 19, 1986, is a bookseller. The Company is a content, commerce and technology company that provides customers access to books, magazines, newspapers and other content across its multi-channel distribution platform. As of April 27, 2013, it operated 1,361 bookstores in 50 states, 686 bookstores on college campuses, and operates one of the Web eCommerce sites, and develops digital content products and software. Barnes & Noble operates in three segments: B&N Retail, B&N College and NOOK. The Company�� principal business is the sale of trade books (generally hardcover and paperback consumer titles), mass market paperbacks (such as mystery, romance, science fiction and other popular fiction), children�� books, eBooks and other digital content, NOOK and related accessories, bargain books, magazines, gifts, cafe products and services, educational toys & games, music and movies direct to customers through its bookstores or on barnesandnoble.com.

    Of the Company�� 1,361 bookstores, 675 operate primarily under the Barnes & Noble Booksellers trade name. Barnes & Noble College Booksellers, LLC (B&N College), a wholly owned subsidiary of Barnes & Noble, operates 686 college bookstores at colleges and universities across the United States. Barnes & Noble Retail (B&N Retail) operates the 675 retail bookstores. Retail also includes the Company�� eCommerce site and Sterling Publishing Co., Inc. (Sterling or Sterling Publishing), a leader in general trade book publishing.

    B&N Retail

    This segment includes 675 bookstores as of April 27, 2013, primarily under the Barnes & Noble Booksellers trade name. These stores generally offer a dedicated NOOK area, a comprehensive trade book title base, a cafe, and departments dedicated to Juvenile, Toys & Games, DVDs, Music, Gift, Magazine and Bargain products. The stores also offer a calendar of ongoing events, including author appearances and children�� activities. The B&! N Retail segment also includes the Company�� eCommerce website, barnesandnoble.com, and its publishing operation, Sterling Publishing. Barnes & Noble stores range in size from 3,000 to 60,000 square feet depending upon market size, with an overall average store size of 26,000 square feet. During the fiscal year ended April 27, 2013 (fiscal), the Company reduced the Barnes & Noble store base by 0.3 million square feet, bringing the total square footage to 17.7 million square feet. The Company�� B&N Retail segment purchases physical books on a regular basis from over 800 publishers and over 50 wholesalers or distributors. As of April 27, 2013, Barnes & Noble had stores in 162 of the total 210 Designated Market Area markets.

    Sterling Publishing is a publisher of non-fiction trade titles. It is a range of non-fiction and illustrated books and kits across a range of imprints, in categories, such as health and wellness, music and culture, food and wine, crafts and photography, puzzles and games, history and current affairs, as well as a children�� books.

    B&N College

    B&N College sells new and used textbooks in campus bookstores and online. As of April 27, 2013, B&N College operated 686 stores nationwide. The Company�� customer base, which is mainly consisted of students and faculty, can purchase various items from their campus stores, including textbooks and course-related materials, emblematic apparel and gifts, trade books, computer products, NOOK products and related accessories, school and dorm supplies, convenience and cafe items.

    As of April 27, 2013, B&N College operates 651 traditional college bookstores and 35 academic superstores, which are generally larger in size, offer cafes and provide a sense of community that engages the surrounding campus and local communities in college activities and culture. The traditional bookstores range in size from 500 to 48,000 square feet. The academic superstores range in size from 8,000 to 75,000 square feet. B&! N College! �� three customer constituencies are students, faculty members and campus administrators.

    NOOK

    This segment includes the Company�� digital business, which includes the Company�� eBookstore, digital newsstand and sales of NOOK devices and accessories to third party distribution partners, as well as to B&N Retail and B&N College. Barnes & Noble�� NOOK digital bookstore and Reading Apps provide customers the ability to purchase and read their digital content and access to their Lifetime Library on a range of digital platforms, including Windows 8 PCs and tablets, iPad, iPhone , Android smartphones and tablets, PC and Mac. Barnes & Noble has implemented features on its digital platform to ensure that customers can access their NOOK content from almost all of today�� most popular devices.

    The Company competes with Target, Books-A-Million, Waldenbooks, Amazon.com, Apple, Wal-Mart and Costco.

    Advisors' Opinion:
    • [By Paul Ausick]

      The big question in the retail sector is whether any company can hold on against Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN). Corner bookstores have all but disappeared, Borders is history and Barnes & Noble Inc. (NYSE: BKS) is teetering on the edge of doom.

    Sunday, May 25, 2014

    A Look at AstraZeneca’s New Drug on Diabetes

    Top 5 Growth Stocks To Buy Right Now

    AstraZeneca (AZN) is a global biopharmaceutical company. AstraZeneca's products include Crestor, Atacand, Seloken/Toprol-XL, Plendil, Onglyza, Zestril, Symbicort and Zoladex. The company owns and operates a range of research and development (R&D), production and marketing facilities worldwide. AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries, including China, Mexico, Brazil and Russia.

    Focus on the Diabetes Segment

    For AstraZeneca, its diabetes business grew 60% in the third quarter of fiscal 2013 and contributed to overall growth of 8%. The diabetes franchise made $206 million. U.S. health regulators approved an AstraZeneca drug from a new class of medicines to treat type 2 diabetes after previously rejecting it over safety concerns. The medicine was co-developed by Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. (BMY) and AstraZeneca. AstraZeneca late last year bought out Bristol's stake in its diabetes joint venture for more than $4 billion, including up-front and sales-related milestone payments.

    Farxiga, which has already been available in Europe, belongs to a class of diabetes drugs called SGLT-2 inhibitors that work by blocking reabsorption of glucose by the kidney and increasing its excretion through urine to lower levels of blood sugar.

    It will compete with a similar drug from Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) called Invokana, as well as diabetes medicines from other classes.

    Details of the Drug

    "Farxiga provides an additional treatment option for millions of Americans with type 2 diabetes," Curtis Rosebraugh, of the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, said in a statement. The FDA had initially rejected the Astra and Bristol-Myers drug in early 2012 over concerns about possible cancer and heart risks. The companies provided additional data that addressed those concerns to the satisfaction of the advisory panel and the agency.

    Still, as a condition of approval, the FDA is requiring six post-marketing studies, including a cardiovascular outcomes trial to make sure the medicine does not increase the risk of heart attacks in patients deemed at high risk of heart disease, and a study to assess bladder cancer risk. The FDA-approved label for Farxiga says the drug should not be used in patients who also have kidney disease or who are being treated for bladder cancer.

    The innovation is the latest in AstraZeneca's efforts to invest heavily in emerging treatments for diabetes – a disease that represents a $465 billion market. A growing epidemic, diabetes is projected to affect 550 million people worldwide by 2030.

    AstraZeneca has made acquisitions and forged collaborations with other companies that have promising drugs in their developmental pipelines. Diabetes represents an important strategic area in returning AstraZeneca to growth as it works to offset losses from patent expirations on key medicines.

    Under the terms, the firm agreed to pay Bristol-Myers Squibb $2.7 billion and up to $1.4 billion in regulatory, launch and sales payments, as well as other sales royalty payments up to 2025.

    A relatively new diabetes drug, Symlin (pramlintide), developed by AstraZeneca's Amylin Pharmaceuticals has been found to combat a major component of Alzheimer's disease and may offer a new treatment option for the millions of Americans with the memory-robbing condition. It is a degenerative brain disease that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills and eventually destroys the ability to carry out the simplest tasks. Today there are 5 million suffers in the U.S. with this disease and there is no effective treatment, and the cost of caring for the patients is over $100 billion per year; $6 billion of those dollar are on drugs that only treat the symptoms.

    Symlin allows patients to use less insulin, lowers average blood sugar levels, and substantially reduces what otherwise would be a large unhealthy rise in blood sugar that occurs in diabetics right after eating. Other than insulin analogs, Symlin is the only drug approved by the FDA to lower blood sugar in type 1 diabetics. Symlin, taken as an injection at mealtime, was approved in 2005 by the FDA for Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetics who use insulin. It is an antihyperglycemic agent which mimics the activity of amylin, a naturally occurring hormone which is secreted together with insulin and is involved in post-prandial glucose control.

    Wrap Up

    The potential market for type 2 diabetes treatments is enormous despite a crowded field with many medicines from several different classes from which to choose. An estimated 90 percent to 95 percent of the more than 370 million people living with diabetes worldwide have type 2, according to the International Diabetes Federation.

    While the diabetes market is enormous and expected to reach over $55 billion in 2017, it is also one of the most competitive. Over 25 million Americans suffer from the disease, and 350 people million suffer worldwide. AstraZeneca has a market cap of $81.18 billion. Its stock has risen almost 10% YTD, closing on March 25 at $64.38 per share. It offers one of the best dividends available at $1.90 per share and has a yield of 4.33%. It therefore may create shareholder returns.

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    Saturday, May 24, 2014

    Warren Buffett's Top 25 Stocks for 2014

    NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Warren Buffett is considered the most respected and successful investor. Often called "The Oracle of Omaha" for his impressive investing prowess, he is among the world's wealthiest people.

    Buffett studied under the legendary Benjamin Graham at Columbia University who had a major impact on Buffett's life and investment strategies.

    Buffett is chairman of Omaha, Nebraska-based Berkshire Hathaway Inc (BRK.A) which he built from a textile company into a major corporation with a market cap over $200 billion. Under Buffett's leadership, Berkshire shares averaged a 21.4% compounded annual gain in per share book value from 1965-2006.

    He follows a value investing strategy that is an adaptation of Graham's approach: Discipline, patience and value consistently outperforms the market. His moves are followed by investors worldwide. Buffett seeks to acquire great companies trading at a discount to their intrinsic value, and to hold onto them for a long time. He will only invest in businesses that he understands, and always insists on a margin of safety. Regarding the types of businesses Berkshire likes to purchase, Buffett has said,"We want businesses to be one that we can understand, with favorable long-term prospects, operated by honest and competent people, and available at a very attractive price." What follows are Buffett's top 25 holdings as of March 31, 2014.

    1. Wells Fargo & Co (WFC)

    Shares Held by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway:  463,458,000
    Value of Holdings:  $23.05 billion
    Portfolio Weighting as of 3/31/2014:  21.8%

    Wells Fargo & Co is a diversified financial services company. It provides retail, corporate and commercial banking services through banking stores and offices, the internet and other distribution channels to individuals, businesses and institutions.

    Free Report: Jim Cramer's Best Stocks for 2014 TheStreet Ratings team rates WELLS FARGO & CO as a Buy with a ratings score of A. TheStreet Ratings Team has this to say about their recommendation:

    "We rate WELLS FARGO & CO (WFC) a BUY. This is based on the convergence of positive investment measures, which should help this stock outperform the majority of stocks that we rate. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its solid stock price performance, growth in earnings per share, expanding profit margins, notable return on equity and increase in net income. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company shows weak operating cash flow." You can view the full analysis from the report here: WFC Ratings Report

    2. Coca-Cola (KO)

    Shares Held by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway:  400,000,000
    Value of Holdings:  $15.46 billion
    Portfolio Weighting as of 3/31/2014:  14.6%

    Coca-Cola Co manufactures, distributes and markets non-alcoholic beverage concentrates and syrups.

    Free Report: Jim Cramer's Best Stocks for 2014 TheStreet Ratings team rates COCA-COLA CO as a Buy with a ratings score of B+. TheStreet Ratings Team has this to say about their recommendation:

    "We rate COCA-COLA CO (KO) a BUY. This is driven by a number of strengths, which we believe should have a greater impact than any weaknesses, and should give investors a better performance opportunity than most stocks we cover. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its good cash flow from operations, expanding profit margins, reasonable valuation levels and notable return on equity. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company has had lackluster performance in the stock itself." You can view the full analysis from the report here: KO Ratings Report

    3. American Express Co (AXP)

    Shares Held by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway:  151,611,000
    Value of Holdings:  $13.65 billion
    Portfolio Weighting as of 3/31/2014:  12.9%

    American Express Co is a payments, network and travel company, which offers credit payment card products and travel-related services to consumers and businesses.

    Free Report: Jim Cramer's Best Stocks for 2014

    TheStreet Ratings team rates AMERICAN EXPRESS CO as a Buy with a ratings score of A. TheStreet Ratings Team has this to say about their recommendation:

    "We rate AMERICAN EXPRESS CO (AXP) a BUY. This is based on the convergence of positive investment measures, which should help this stock outperform the majority of stocks that we rate. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its revenue growth, notable return on equity, impressive record of earnings per share growth, increase in net income and solid stock price performance. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company has had generally high debt management risk by most measures that we evaluated." You can view the full analysis from the report here: AXP Ratings Report

    4. International Business Machines Corp (IBM)

    Shares Held by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway:  68,355,000
    Value of Holdings:  $13.15 billion
    Portfolio Weighting as of 3/31/2014:  12.4%

    International Business Machines Corp is an Information Technology (IT) company. It creates business value for clients and solves business problems through integrated solutions that leverage information technology & knowledge of business processes.

    Best Valued Stocks To Invest In Right Now

    Free Report: Jim Cramer's Best Stocks for 2014 TheStreet Ratings team rates INTL BUSINESS MACHINES CORP as a Buy with a ratings score of B+. TheStreet Ratings Team has this to say about their recommendation:  "We rate INTL BUSINESS MACHINES CORP (IBM) a BUY. This is driven by a number of strengths, which we believe should have a greater impact than any weaknesses, and should give investors a better performance opportunity than most stocks we cover. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its notable return on equity and expanding profit margins. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company has had sub par growth in net income." You can view the full analysis from the report here: IBM Ratings Report

    5. Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT)

    Shares Held by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway:  58,052,000
    Value of Holdings:  $4.43 billion
    Portfolio Weighting as of 3/31/2014:  4.2%

    Wal-Mart Stores Inc, operates retail stores in various formats under various banners. Its operations comprise of three reportable business segments, Walmart U.S., Walmart International and Sam's Club in three categories retail, wholesale and others.

    Free Report: Jim Cramer's Best Stocks for 2014 TheStreet Ratings team rates WAL-MART STORES INC as a Buy with a ratings score of A. TheStreet Ratings Team has this to say about their recommendation:

    "We rate WAL-MART STORES INC (WMT) a BUY. This is based on the convergence of positive investment measures, which should help this stock outperform the majority of stocks that we rate. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its revenue growth, good cash flow from operations, reasonable valuation levels, increase in stock price during the past year and notable return on equity. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company shows low profit margins." You can view the full analysis from the report here: WMT Ratings Report

    6. Proctor & Gamble  (PG)

    Shares Held by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway:  52,793,000
    Value of Holdings:  $4.25 billion
    Portfolio Weighting as of 3/31/2014:  4%

    Procter & Gamble Co provides branded consumer packaged goods. It markets its products in about 180 countries through mass merchandisers, grocery stores, membership club stores, drug stores, department stores among others.

    Free Report: Jim Cramer's Best Stocks for 2014 TheStreet Ratings team rates PROCTER & GAMBLE CO as a Buy with a ratings score of A. TheStreet Ratings Team has this to say about their recommendation:

    "We rate PROCTER & GAMBLE CO (PG) a BUY. This is based on the convergence of positive investment measures, which should help this stock outperform the majority of stocks that we rate. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its good cash flow from operations, growth in earnings per share, increase in net income, largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures and expanding profit margins. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company has had somewhat disappointing return on equity." You can view the full analysis from the report here: PG Ratings Report

    7. Exxon Mobile Corporation  (XOM)

    Shares Held by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway:   41,130,000
    Value of Holdings:  $4.01 billion
    Portfolio Weighting as of 3/31/2014:  3.8%

    Exxon Mobil Corporation is engaged in energy, involving exploration for, and production of, crude oil and natural gas, manufacture of petroleum products and transportation and sale of crude oil, natural gas and petroleum products.

    Free Report: Jim Cramer's Best Stocks for 2014 TheStreet Ratings team rates EXXON MOBIL CORP as a Buy with a ratings score of A-. TheStreet Ratings Team has this to say about their recommendation:

    "We rate EXXON MOBIL CORP (XOM) a BUY. This is based on the convergence of positive investment measures, which should help this stock outperform the majority of stocks that we rate. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its attractive valuation levels, good cash flow from operations, increase in stock price during the past year and largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company shows low profit margins." You can view the full analysis from the report here: XOM Ratings Report

    8. U.S. Bancorp  (USB)

    Shares Held by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway:  80,027,000
    Value of Holdings:  $3.43 billion
    Portfolio Weighting as of 3/31/2014:  3.2%

    U.S. Bancorp is a multi-state financial holding company. It provides financial services through its subsidiaries, including lending and depository services, cash management, foreign exchange and trust and investment management services.

    Free Report: Jim Cramer's Best Stocks for 2014 TheStreet Ratings team rates U S BANCORP as a Buy with a ratings score of A-. TheStreet Ratings Team has this to say about their recommendation:

    "We rate U S BANCORP (USB) a BUY. This is based on the convergence of positive investment measures, which should help this stock outperform the majority of stocks that we rate. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its expanding profit margins, good cash flow from operations and solid stock price performance. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company has had sub par growth in net income." You can view the full analysis from the report here: USB Ratings Report

    9. Direct TV  (DTV)

    Shares Held by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway:  34,515,000
    Value of Holdings:  $2.63 billion
    Portfolio Weighting as of 3/31/2014:  2.5%

    DirecTV is a provider of digital television entertainment in the United States and Latin America. It operates two direct-to-home, or DTH, business units: DIRECTV U.S. and DIRECTV Latin America.

    Free Report: Jim Cramer's Best Stocks for 2014 TheStreet Ratings team rates DIRECTV as a Buy with a ratings score of B. TheStreet Ratings Team has this to say about their recommendation:

    "We rate DIRECTV (DTV) a BUY. This is driven by a few notable strengths, which we believe should have a greater impact than any weaknesses, and should give investors a better performance opportunity than most stocks we cover. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its solid stock price performance, revenue growth, good cash flow from operations and expanding profit margins. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company has had sub par growth in net income." You can view the full analysis from the report here: DTV Ratings Report

    10. DaVita Healthcare Partners Inc  (DVA)

    Shares Held by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway:  37,621,000
    Holdings Value:  $2.59 billion
    Portfolio Weighting as of 3/31/2014:  2.4%

    DaVita HealthCare Partners Inc operates kidney dialysis centers and provides related lab services mainly in dialysis centers and in contracted hospitals across the United States. It also operates other ancillary services and strategic initiatives.

    Free Report: Jim Cramer's Best Stocks for 2014 TheStreet Ratings team rates DAVITA HEALTHCARE PARTNERS as a Buy with a ratings score of B+. TheStreet Ratings Team has this to say about their recommendation:  "We rate DAVITA HEALTHCARE PARTNERS (DVA) a BUY. This is driven by some important positives, which we believe should have a greater impact than any weaknesses, and should give investors a better performance opportunity than most stocks we cover. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its impressive record of earnings per share growth, compelling growth in net income, revenue growth, notable return on equity and good cash flow from operations. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company shows low profit margins." You can view the full analysis from the report here: DVA Ratings Report

    11. Goldman Sachs Group Inc.  (GS)

    Shares Held by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway:  12,632,000
    Holdings Value:  $2.07 billion
    Portfolio Weighting as of 3/31/2014:  2%

    Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. is a investment banking, securities and investment management firm. Its segments include Investment Banking, Trading and Principal Investments, Asset Management and Securities Services.

    Free Report: Jim Cramer's Best Stocks for 2014 TheStreet Ratings team rates GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP INC as a Buy with a ratings score of B+. TheStreet Ratings Team has this to say about their recommendation:

    "We rate GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP INC (GS) a BUY. This is driven by several positive factors, which we believe should have a greater impact than any weaknesses, and should give investors a better performance opportunity than most stocks we cover. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its attractive valuation levels and increase in stock price during the past year. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company has had sub par growth in net income." You can view the full analysis from the report here: GS Ratings Report

    12. Moody's Corporation (MCO)

    Shares Held by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway:  24,670,000
    Holdings Value:  $1.95 billion
    Portfolio Weighting as of 3/31/2014:  1.9%

    Moody's Corporation is a provider of credit ratings, credit and economic related research, data and analytical tools, risk management software and quantitative credit risk measures, credit portfolio management solutions and training services.

    Free Report: Jim Cramer's Best Stocks for 2014 TheStreet Ratings team rates MOODY'S CORP as a Buy with a ratings score of B. TheStreet Ratings Team has this to say about their recommendation:

    "We rate MOODY'S CORP (MCO) a BUY. This is driven by multiple strengths, which we believe should have a greater impact than any weaknesses, and should give investors a better performance opportunity than most stocks we cover. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its revenue growth, notable return on equity, reasonable valuation levels, solid stock price performance and impressive record of earnings per share growth. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company has had generally high debt management risk by most measures that we evaluated." You can view the full analysis from the report here: MCO Ratings Report

    13. Graham Holdings Co.  (GHC)

    Shares Held by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway:  1,728,000
    Holdings Value:  $1.21 billion
    Portfolio Weighting as of 3/31/2014:  1.1%

    Graham Holdings Co together with its subsidiaries, operates as a diversified education and media company in the United States and internationally.

    Free Report: Jim Cramer's Best Stocks for 2014 TheStreet Ratings team rates GRAHAM HOLDINGS CO as a Buy with a ratings score of B+. TheStreet Ratings Team has this to say about their recommendation:

    "We rate GRAHAM HOLDINGS CO (GHC) a BUY. This is driven by a number of strengths, which we believe should have a greater impact than any weaknesses, and should give investors a better performance opportunity than most stocks we cover. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its revenue growth, largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures, solid stock price performance, impressive record of earnings per share growth and compelling growth in net income. Although no company is perfect, currently we do not see any significant weaknesses which are likely to detract from the generally positive outlook." You can view the full analysis from the report here: GHC Ratings Report

    14. USG Corp (USG) 

    Shares Held by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway:  34,890,000
    Holdings Value:  $1.14 billion
    Portfolio Weighting as of 3/31/2014:  1.1%

    USG Corp, through its subsidiaries, is a manufacturer and distributor of building materials, producing products for use in new residential, new nonresidential and residential and nonresidential repair & remodel construction.

    TheStreet Ratings team rates USG CORP as a Hold with a ratings score of C. TheStreet Ratings Team has this to say about their recommendation:

    "We rate USG CORP (USG) a HOLD. The primary factors that have impacted our rating are mixed some indicating strength, some showing weaknesses, with little evidence to justify the expectation of either a positive or negative performance for this stock relative to most other stocks. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its revenue growth, impressive record of earnings per share growth and compelling growth in net income. However, as a counter to these strengths, we also find weaknesses including generally higher debt management risk and poor profit margins." You can view the full analysis from the report here: USG Ratings Report

    15. General Motors (GM)

    Shares Held by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway:  30,000,000
    Holdings Value:  $1.03 billion
    Portfolio Weighting as of 3/31/2014:  0.98%

    General Motors Company designs, builds and sell cars, trucks and automobile parts. The Company also provides automotive financing services through General Motors Financial Company, Inc.

    Free Report: Jim Cramer's Best Stocks for 2014 TheStreet Ratings team rates GENERAL MOTORS CO as a Buy with a ratings score of B. TheStreet Ratings Team has this to say about their recommendation:

    "We rate GENERAL MOTORS CO (GM) a BUY. This is driven by a few notable strengths, which we believe should have a greater impact than any weaknesses, and should give investors a better performance opportunity than most stocks we cover. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its revenue growth, good cash flow from operations, largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures and increase in stock price during the past year. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company has had sub par growth in net income." You can view the full analysis from the report here: GM Ratings Report

    16. Bank of New York Mellon Corp  (BK)

    Shares Held by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway:  24,653,000
    Holdings Value:  $870 million
    Portfolio Weighting as of 3/31/2014:  0.82%

    Bank of New York Mellon Corporation is a global investment company. Its business segments are: Investment Management and Investment Services. Its other segments includes credit-related services, the leasing portfolio, corporate treasury activities.

    Free Report: Jim Cramer's Best Stocks for 2014 TheStreet Ratings team rates BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON CORP as a Buy with a ratings score of B. TheStreet Ratings Team has this to say about their recommendation:

    "We rate BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON CORP (BK) a BUY. This is driven by a few notable strengths, which we believe should have a greater impact than any weaknesses, and should give investors a better performance opportunity than most stocks we cover. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its revenue growth, solid stock price performance, attractive valuation levels, expanding profit margins and compelling growth in net income. Although no company is perfect, currently we do not see any significant weaknesses which are likely to detract from the generally positive outlook." You can view the full analysis from the report here: BK Ratings Report

    17. Chicago Bridge & Iron Co  (CBI)

    Shares Held by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway:  9,551,000
    Holdings Value:  $832 million
    Portfolio Weighting as of 3/31/2014:  0.79%

    Chicago Bridge & Iron Company provides conceptual design, technology, engineering, procurement, fabrication, construction and commissioning services to customers in the energy, petrochemical and natural resource industries.

    Free Report: Jim Cramer's Best Stocks for 2014 TheStreet Ratings team rates CHICAGO BRIDGE & IRON CO as a Buy with a ratings score of A-. TheStreet Ratings Team has this to say about their recommendation:

    "We rate CHICAGO BRIDGE & IRON CO (CBI) a BUY. This is based on the convergence of positive investment measures, which should help this stock outperform the majority of stocks that we rate. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its robust revenue growth, notable return on equity, solid stock price performance, impressive record of earnings per share growth and compelling growth in net income. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company shows low profit margins." You can view the full analysis from the report here: CBI Ratings Report

    18. ConocoPhillips  (COP)

    Shares Held by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway:  11,080,000
    Holdings Value:  $779 million
    Portfolio Weighting as of 3/31/2014:  0.74%

    ConocoPhillips is engaged in exploration, development and production of crude oil and natural gas.

    Free Report: Jim Cramer's Best Stocks for 2014 TheStreet Ratings team rates CONOCOPHILLIPS as a Buy with a ratings score of A-. TheStreet Ratings Team has this to say about their recommendation:

    "We rate CONOCOPHILLIPS (COP) a BUY. This is based on the convergence of positive investment measures, which should help this stock outperform the majority of stocks that we rate. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its revenue growth, solid stock price performance, attractive valuation levels, good cash flow from operations and largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures. Although the company may harbor some minor weaknesses, we feel they are unlikely to have a significant impact on results." You can view the full analysis from the report here: COP Ratings Report

    19. Phillips 66 (PSX)

    Shares Held by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway:  9,741,000
    Holdings Value:  $751 million
    Portfolio Weighting as of 3/31/2014:  0.71%

    Phillips 66 is a downstream energy company. The Company's segment includes Refining and Marketing (R&M), Midstream and Chemicals businesses. Its Chemicals business is conducted through its 50% interest in Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LLC.

    Free Report: Jim Cramer's Best Stocks for 2014 TheStreet Ratings team rates PHILLIPS 66 as a Buy with a ratings score of B-. TheStreet Ratings Team has this to say about their recommendation:

    "We rate PHILLIPS 66 (PSX) a BUY. This is driven by some important positives, which we believe should have a greater impact than any weaknesses, and should give investors a better performance opportunity than most stocks we cover. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its solid stock price performance, increase in net income, attractive valuation levels and largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company shows low profit margins." You can view the full analysis from the report here: PSX Ratings Report

    20. Liberty Media Corporation  (LMCA)

    Shares Held by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway:  5,300,000
    Holdings Value:  $693 million
    Portfolio Weighting as of 3/31/2014:  0.66%

    Liberty Media Corporation is engaged in media, communications and entertainment industries. Through its subsidiaries and affiliates, it operates in North America.

    Free Report: Jim Cramer's Best Stocks for 2014 TheStreet Ratings team rates LIBERTY MEDIA CORP as a Hold with a ratings score of C-. TheStreet Ratings Team has this to say about their recommendation:

    "We rate LIBERTY MEDIA CORP (LMCA) a HOLD. The primary factors that have impacted our rating are mixed some indicating strength, some showing weaknesses, with little evidence to justify the expectation of either a positive or negative performance for this stock relative to most other stocks. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its robust revenue growth, largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures and notable return on equity. However, as a counter to these strengths, we also find weaknesses including feeble growth in the company's earnings per share, deteriorating net income and weak operating cash flow." You can view the full analysis from the report here: LMCA Ratings Report

    21. National Oilwell Varco Inc (NOV)

    Shares Held by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway:  8,880,000
    Holdings Value:  $691 million
    Portfolio Weighting as of 3/31/2014:  0.65%

    National Oilwell Varco, Inc., is a provider of equipment and components used in oil and gas drilling and production operations, oilfield services, and supply chain integration services to the upstream oil and gas industry

    Free Report: Jim Cramer's Best Stocks for 2014 TheStreet Ratings team rates NATIONAL OILWELL VARCO INC as a Buy with a ratings score of A-. TheStreet Ratings Team has this to say about their recommendation:

    "We rate NATIONAL OILWELL VARCO INC (NOV) a BUY. This is based on the convergence of positive investment measures, which should help this stock outperform the majority of stocks that we rate. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its solid stock price performance, revenue growth, largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures, attractive valuation levels and growth in earnings per share. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company has had somewhat disappointing return on equity." You can view the full analysis from the report here: NOV Ratings Report

    22. M&T Bank Corp (MTB)

    Shares Held by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway:  5,382,000
    Holdings Value:  $653 million
    Portfolio Weighting as of 3/31/2014:  0.62%

    M&T Bank Corp is a New York business corporation and a bank holding company. The Company through subsidiaries provides individuals, corporations and other businesses, and institutions with commercial and retail banking services.

    Free Report: Jim Cramer's Best Stocks for 2014 TheStreet Ratings team rates M & T BANK CORP as a Buy with a ratings score of A. TheStreet Ratings Team has this to say about their recommendation:

    "We rate M & T BANK CORP (MTB) a BUY. This is based on the convergence of positive investment measures, which should help this stock outperform the majority of stocks that we rate. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its expanding profit margins and solid stock price performance. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company has had sub par growth in net income." You can view the full analysis from the report here: MTB Ratings Report

    23. Viacom Inc (VIAB) Shares Held by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway:  7,607,000
    Holdings Value:  $647 million
    Portfolio Weighting as of 3/31/2014:  0.61%

    Viacom Inc. (VIAB) is an entertainment content company that connects with audiences in over 160 countries and territories and creates compelling television programs, motion pictures, short-form video, applications, games, consumer products, social media and other entertainment content.

    24. VeriSign Inc (VRSN)

    Shares Held by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway:  11,686,000
    Holdings Value:  $630 million
    Portfolio Weighting as of 3/31/2014:  0.60%

    VeriSign, Inc. is a provider of internet infrastructure services for the networked world. It provides network confidence & availability for mission-critical Internet services, such as domain name registry services & infrastructure assurance services.

    Free Report: Jim Cramer's Best Stocks for 2014 TheStreet Ratings team rates VERISIGN INC as a Buy with a ratings score of B-. TheStreet Ratings Team has this to say about their recommendation:

    "We rate VERISIGN INC (VRSN) a BUY. This is driven by some important positives, which we believe should have a greater impact than any weaknesses, and should give investors a better performance opportunity than most stocks we cover. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its revenue growth, expanding profit margins, increase in net income and impressive record of earnings per share growth. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company shows weak operating cash flow." You can view the full analysis from the report here: VRSN Ratings Report

    25. Verizon Communications (VZ)

    Shares Held by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway:  11,023,000
    Holdings Value:  $524 million
    Portfolio Weighting as of 3/31/2014:  0.50%

    Verizon Communications Inc. is a provider of communications, information and entertainment products and services to consumers, businesses and governmental agencies. Its two segments are Wireless and Wireline.

    Free Report: Jim Cramer's Best Stocks for 2014 TheStreet Ratings team rates VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS INC as a Buy with a ratings score of B. TheStreet Ratings Team has this to say about their recommendation:

    "We rate VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS INC (VZ) a BUY. This is driven by multiple strengths, which we believe should have a greater impact than any weaknesses, and should give investors a better performance opportunity than most stocks we cover. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its revenue growth, notable return on equity, expanding profit margins, compelling growth in net income and impressive record of earnings per share growth. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company has had generally high debt management risk by most measures that we evaluated." You can view the full analysis from the report here: VZ Ratings Report