What Do the Major Owners��Equity Sections Tell an Investor?
Berkshire Hathaway�� book value growth over time has been relatively easy to measure. This figure is relatively clean, because Chief Executive Warren Buffett rarely buys back stock or issues additional shares, and he has never paid a dividend. For this reason, its growth in book value is a relatively good gauge for the returns shareholders have earned over the company�� history. At the end of 2012, the company's total shareholders��equity grew to $191.6 billion and consisted primarily of retained earnings, which grew to $124.3 billion and is simply the earnings that have been reinvested back into the business over the years.
Berkshire Hathaway�� Shareholders��Equity Section - 2012:
Top 5 Warren Buffett Companies To Invest In Right Now: TASER International Inc.(TASR)
TASER International, Inc. develops, manufactures, and sells electronic control devices (ECD) for use in the law enforcement, military, corrections, private security, and personal defense markets. ECDs transmit electrical pulses along the wires and into the body affecting the sensory and motor functions of the peripheral nervous system. Its products for the law enforcement, military, corrections, and professional security market include the TASER X26 product line, which consists of TASER X26, various cartridges, a digital power magazine, data download software and equipment, extended warranties, and a range of holstering options and accessories; TASER X3, a multi-shot ECD that would engage three separate targets; and ADVANCED TASER M26 product line comprising the ADVANCED TASER M26, various cartridges, rechargeable batteries, a battery charging system, data download software and equipment, extended warranties, and various holstering options and accessories. The company also provides TASER XREP, a self-contained, wireless ECD that deploys from a 12-gauge pump-action shotgun; and TASER Shockwave security system for safety and stand-off capability during hostile situations. In addition, it manufactures TASER C2, TASER X26C, and ADVANCED TASER M26C devices for the personal defense market, as well as provides various cartridges and other accessories. The company sells its products worldwide through its direct sales force, distribution partners, online store, and third-party resellers. TASER International, Inc. was founded in 1993 and is headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Ben Levisohn]
Taser International (TASR) has risen 6.1% to $20.26 after the maker of non-lethal weapons reported earnings of 13 cents a share, more than double analyst forecasts.
Hot US Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Adcorp Holdings Ltd (ADR)
Adcorp Holdings Limited (Adcorp) is an investment holding company. The Company, through its subsidiaries and associates, is engaged in providing, recruitment, human capital management and training services and business process outsourcing. It is organized into three operating divisions: group central costs, traditional resourcing business and new generation business. The group central costs division includes the items of income and expenditure related to Adcorp Holdings Limited, Group marketing, corporate social investment, shared services and the central head office. The traditional resourcing business includes blue-collar flexible resourcing services (including nursing), white-collar flexible-resourcing services, independent contracting and permanent recruitment services. In October 2013, Adcorp Holdings Ltd acquired Labour Solutions Australia. Advisors' Opinion:- [By Patricio Kehoe]
In fact, today the company announced that it will be launching a new universal life product for the Canadian market called Manulife UL by May 26 of this year. The new product will offer cost-effective insurance protection, as well as the opportunity for tax-advantaged investing, catering to customer�� demands for a more simplified insurance solution, which should help boost sales to some extent. Although the firm�� balance sheet is highly leveraged, exposing it to possible damages in the case of higher-than-expected policy liabilities, Manulife�� capital position has improved substantially over the past year. With a ratio of regulatory capital to capital required at 248%, the firm possesses excessive capital levels, well above competitors like Prudential Public Limited Company (ADR) (PUK), China Life Insurance Company Ltd. (ADR) (LFC), and Sun Life Financial Inc. (USA) (SLF), which all sport a 200% ratio. Moreover, the company�� excessive capital should allow it to maintain the above average dividend yield of 2.66% offered to shareholders.
- [By Tim Melvin]
One such company is Alumina Limited (NYSE ADR: AWC), an Australian aluminum company.
Alumina, which mines and refines aluminum, operates eight refineries and two aluminum smelters and owns or has interest in seven mining operations. It has a shipping operation that transports aluminum-related raw materials.
- [By Muhammad Bazil]
Altria Group Inc (MO) is a producer of cigarettes and other tobacco related products. Two of its competitors include; British American Tobacco (ADR) (BTI) and Imperial Tobacco Group Plc (ADR) (ITYBY)
- [By MONEYMORNING]
In other words, Allegion's offerings range from low-tech - steel doors and conventional locks - to high tech: automated-access and security systems, video monitoring, and systems integration. Its 23 business brands include:
Interflex Datensysteme GmbH & Co. KG, which offers such workforce-management systems as time accounting and automated scheduling, as well as security systems that include ID and access-card production, closed-circuit (CCTV) video surveillance, and biometrics. CISA, a security pioneer that patented the first electrically controlled lock - back in 1926. It is also the first brand in the world to develop smart-card locks, which are used as electronic keys to safely and efficiently manage gates and entrances. CISA today develops and markets cylinders and locks for any kind of door, including electronic locks, panic bars, door closers, safes, and padlocks. aptiQ Smart Technology, which uses an "open-architecture" to design readers, credentials, and smartphone-based security applications. The aptiQ portfolio includes easy-to-use readers that can accommodate most magnetic-stripe cards. This product line also allows for the creation and use of proximity cards, aptiQ "smartcards," and the latest in so-called "near-field communications" (NFC) technology - the know-how behind our May 2012 recommendation of NXP Semiconductors NV (Nasdaq: NXPI), a stock that has more than doubled. (Coincidentally, NXP is a 2006 spinoff from Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV (NYSE ADR: PHG) - which underscores, again, the profit potential of "spin-off investing.") Bocom Systems, which specializes in video monitoring solutions for city and highway traffic, as well as for airports, government buildings, and general surveillance. That business unit designs, engineers, and installs both security alarm systems and more-complex closed-circuit-based security networks. And Schlage, a 90-year-old company that's one of the top nam
Hot US Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Qatar Investment Fund PLC (QIF)
Qatar Investment Fund plc, formerly Epicure Qatar Equity Opportunities plc, is a closed-end investment company established to invest primarily in quoted equities of Qatar and other Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) countries. Its investment objective is to capture, principally through the medium of the Qatar Exchange by investing in listed companies or companies to be listed. It also invests in listed companies, pre-initial public offer (IPO) companies, in other GCC countries. As of June 30, 2010, the Company had a portfolio of 22 investments in quoted companies in the Gulf, with 17 of them being in Qatar, four investments in United Arab Emirates and one in Kuwait. As at June 30, 2010, the top five holdings of the Company are Qatar National bank, Industries Qatar, Commercial Bank of Qatar, Qatar Islamic Bank and Rayan Bank. The Company�� wholly owned subsidiary is Epicure Qatar Opportunities Holdings Limited. The investment manager of the Company is Epicure Managers Qatar Limited. Advisors' Opinion:- [By Vivian Lewis]
The fund also operates to cut tax liabilities. EXG executes timely trades to capture additional qualified dividend income (QIF) subject to capital gains taxes which are usually lower than income taxes.
Hot US Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Rapier Gold Inc (RPR)
Rapier Gold Inc. is a Canada-based gold focused exploration company. On March 12, 2013, the Company closed a share purchase agreement with two subsidiaries of Rio Tinto plc, which control rights to all non-talc minerals on mineral claims, Pen Gold North Project. The Pen Gold North Project is approximately 5,600 hectares in area and some of the claims are held through a lease and sublease with IMERYS. The combination of Pen Gold North and Pen Gold South properties comprise 16,448 hectares (approximately 160 square kilometers) located on the western extension of the Porcupine-Destor Deformation (Fault) Zone. The Company has executed the license and option agreement with Rogue Iron Corp. to explore for gold on the Pen Gold South property, which totals approximately 10,848 hectares, with an option to purchase those claims. These claims are part of a contiguous block with the Pen Gold North claims. Advisors' Opinion:- [By Holly LaFon]
Whitney George is Director of Investments, Managing Director, and a Portfolio Manager of Royce & Associates, LLC, investment advisor to The Royce Funds. He serves as portfolio manager for Royce Premier Fund (RPR), Royce Low-Priced Stock Fund (RLP), Royce Global Value Fund (RGV), Royce SMid-Cap Value Fund (RSV), and Royce Focus Trust (FUND). He also serves as assistant portfolio manager for Royce Micro-Cap Fund (RMC), Royce Value Fund (RVV), Royce Value Plus Fund (RVP), Royce Focus Value Fund (RFV), and Royce Capital Fund ��Micro-Cap Portfolio (RCM). Mr. George's thoughts in this interview concerning the stock market are solely his own and, of course, there can be no assurance with regard to future market movements.
Hot US Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Medical Marijuana Inc (MJNA.PK)
Medical Marijuana Inc. (MJNA), incorporated on May 23, 2005, is the publicly held company vested in the medical marijuana and industrial hemp markets. The Company is comprised of a diversified portfolio of products, services, technology and businesses solely focused on the cannabis and hemp industries. These products range from patented based cannabinoid products, to whole plant or isolated high value extracts specifically manufactured and formulated for the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and cosmeceutical industries. In March 2013, it sold certain equipment and inventory, web domain names, phone numbers, and all existing and pending agreements with hemp production and processing facilities to CannaVEST Corp.
The Company�� services are varied, ranging from medical clinic management to the capitalization and development of existing industry business and product leaders. Services include development of cannabinoid based health and wellness products, and the development of medical grade compounds. MJNA provides over 50 and patented cannabinoid delivery methods that are more socially and medically acceptable than smoking.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Alan Brochstein]
Taking into account all of the data I have shared, I want to introduce my take on the most important names to follow. My initial list takes into account not only the market cap, but also business model and interest level. These are the stocks that I think merit the most attention (in alphabetical order):
CannaVest (CANV.OB)GW Pharma (GWPH)MedBox (MDBX.PK)Medical Marijuana, Inc. (MJNA.PK)CANV doesn't really trade, as it is held closely by insiders (99.7%, including MJNA). I have a few concerns, including the valuation and some near-term financial challenges typical of a start-up with just one client looking to expand its customer base, but I like the focus and the fact that it is an SEC filer with a relatively clean history (i.e. none of the baggage of some of these other companies). I have spoken to its outsourced CFO and am impressed by his background (has been CFO or held key financial roles at publicly-traded healthcare companies). CANV is the partner to MJNA that is responsible for manufacturing the CBD (Cannibidiol, the cannabinoid in marijuana that is increasingly viewed as offering substantial medical benefits). I am very concerned about the near-term financials, but this is a pure-play with probably a two-year lead over other companies. I don't see a moat in terms of intellectual property or brands, but they have a good lead in terms of sourcing of supply and penetration into potential customers. Quite simply, they don't appear to have competition at present. The company, then, is a call option on CBD demand taking off. It appears that it could be a supplier to even Big Pharma should medical marijuana research move into the mainstream.
Hot US Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Office Depot Inc.(ODP)
Office Depot, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, supplies office products and services. Its North American Retail division sells an assortment of merchandise, such as general office supplies, computer supplies, business machines and related supplies, and office furniture under various labels, including Office Depot, Viking Office Products, Foray, Ativa, Break Escapes, Niceday, and Worklife through its chain of office supply stores. It also provides printing, reproduction, mailing, shipping, and other services, as well as personal computer support and network installation service. As of December 25, 2010, this division operated 1,147 office supply stores in the United States and Canada. The company?s North American Business Solutions division sells nationally branded and private brand office supplies, technology products, furniture, and services to small- to medium-sized customers through a dedicated sales force, catalogs, and Internet. Its International division sells o ffice products and services through direct mail catalogs, contract sales forces, Internet sites, and retail stores using a mix of company-owned operations, joint ventures, licensing and franchise agreements, alliances, and other arrangements. As of December 25, 2010, it sold its office products to customers in 53 countries in North America, Europe, Asia, and Latin America. This division operated, through wholly-owned or majority-owned entities, 97 retail stores in France, Hungary, South Korea, and Sweden; and participates under licensing and merchandise arrangements in South Korea, Thailand, India, Israel, Japan, and the Middle East. The company was founded in 1986 and is headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By WWW.DAILYFINANCE.COM]
Richard Drew/AP BOCA RATON, Fla. -- Office Depot is planning to close at least 400 U.S. stores, as its merger with OfficeMax resulted in an overlap of retail locations that can be consolidated. The combined company's financial results beat Wall Street estimates for the January-March quarter and it raised its full year forecast for operating income Tuesday. Office Depot (ODP) shares jumped 17 percent in morning trading. The office supply retailer had 1,900 stores in the U.S. at the end of the first quarter, so the plans call for closing about 21 percent of them. Office Depot and OfficeMax Inc. completed their $1.2 billion deal last November. Office Depot said it hasn't quantified the number of jobs that will be affected by the store closures but that it will look to place its best talent impacted by the store closings into new roles, wherever possible. Chairman and CEO Roland Smith said in a statement that one of the company's goals this year was to improve how its stores are positioned in North America to meet customer demand better and ensure that it's well positioned in the markets it serves. "The overlapping retail footprint resulting from the merger provides us with a unique opportunity to consolidate and optimize our store portfolio, while maintaining the retail presence necessary to serve our customer," Smith said. Office Depot said Tuesday that it expects to close 150 U.S. stores this year, mostly in the fourth quarter. It closed 14 stores in the first quarter, a company spokeswoman said. All of the store closures are anticipated to occur by the end of 2016. The store closings are expected to result in at least $75 million in annual savings by 2016's end and add to earnings starting next year. Office Depot, which is based in Boca Raton, Florida, said that it's still trying to determine expected working capital savings and costs related to the store closings. The company also reported its first-quarter financial results Tuesday, which includ
- [By Dan Burrows]
Office supply retailers have long seen their market eroded by online rivals, notably Amazon (AMZN). That’s why Office Depot (ODP) merged with OfficeMax�last year.
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