Top Growth Stocks To Buy: May 2015

Sunday, May 31, 2015

Top 5 Communications Equipment Stocks To Own For 2015

Popular Posts: 9 Biotechnology Stocks to Buy Now3 Communications Equipment Stocks to Buy Now4 Pharmaceutical Stocks to Buy Now Recent Posts: 17 “Triple A” Stocks to Buy 17 “Triple A” Stocks to Buy 17 “Triple A” Stocks to Buy View All Posts

This week, 17 stocks get A’s (“strong buy”) in Portfolio Grader‘s three main grading categories, Total Grade, Overall Fundamental Grade and Quantitative Grade.

These are the best of the best in the entire Portfolio Grader database. This week, there are -8 stocks and only these 17 get top marks in all categories to make the elite “Triple A” stocks list. Here they are:

Top 5 Media Stocks To Buy Right Now: LifeLock Inc (LOCK)

LifeLock, Inc., incorporated on April 12, 2005, is a provider of proactive identity theft protection services for consumers and identity risk assessment and fraud protection services for enterprises. It operates in two segments: consumer segment and an enterprise segment. In its consumer segment, the Company offer identity theft protection services to consumers on a monthly or annual subscription basis. In its enterprise segment, it offer identity risk assessment and fraud protection services to enterprise customers who pay the Company based on their monthly volume of transactions with it. It protects its consumer subscribers, whom it refers to as its members, by monitoring identity-related events, such as new account openings and credit-related applications. It also provides remediation services to its members in the event that an identity theft actually occurs. On March 14, 2012, the Company acquired ID Analytics, Inc. In December 2013, the Company announced that it has completed the acquisition of Lemon Inc.

Consumer Business

The Company protects its members by proactively monitoring identity-related events, such as new account openings and credit-related applications, which may present a risk of identity theft. If it detects that a member�� personally identifiable information is being used, the Company sends notifications and alerts, including proactive, near real-time, actionable alerts, to the member via text message, phone call, or e-mail through its LifeLock Identity Alert system that allows the member to confirm valid or unauthorized identity use.

Enterprise Business

The Company delivers on-demand identity risk assessment and authentication information about consumers to its enterprise customers in their daily transaction flows. Its enterprise customers utilize this information in real time to authenticate their customers, assess their risk profile, and enhance the enterprise�� decision making process on which to base account opening, le! nding, credit, and other risk-based decisions. By integrating its services into their business processes, its enterprise customers can reduce potential financial losses from identity fraud. Information generated from the transaction flow at its enterprise customers is transmitted back to its data repositories, which continually enhances the LifeLock ecosystem and helps strengthen the services the Company can provide to its customers in the future.

The Company competes with Experian, Equifax, TransUnion, Affinion, Early Warning Systems, Intersections and LexisNexis.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Rick Munarriz]
LifeLock (NYSE: LOCK ) has been a beneficiary over the years, as folks turn to the company to monitor potential ID breaches. It scored another strong quarter, with revenue climbing 30% and adjusted profitability more than doubling.�

Top 5 Communications Equipment Stocks To Own For 2015: Location Based Technologies Inc (LBAS)

Location Based Technologies, Inc. (LBT), incorporated on April 20, 2006, designs, develops, and sells personal, pet, and vehicle locator devices and services including PocketFinder People, PocketFinder Pets and PocketFinder Vehicles. The Company markets and sells consumer and commercial location devices and services. Its devices utilize Assisted Global Positioning System (A-GPS) and General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) technologies in conjunction with its technologies designed to enhance the families to interact and stay connected around the world. The Company is a developer of the PocketFinder family of products and the PocketFinder Network. The PocketFinder family of products includes the PocketFinder People, PocketFinder Vehicle, PocketFinder Pets, PocketFinder Luggage, PocketFinder Mobile and PocketFinder Fleet. The PocketFinder is a small location device that enables a user to locate a device, person, or pet, at anytime from almost anywhere. PocketFinder personal locator devices are wireless.

The Company generate revenue by selling its products and charging customers an ongoing service fee, for which it offers monthly and annual subscription plans. The Company�� product, PocketFinder, is a small, waterproof and wireless location device that enables users to locate anyone or anything they care about, from a computer or Web-enabled device. Its products deliver critical information to users, such as: device location, longitude, latitude, heading speed and 60 days of location history. This information can be viewed passively through a user�� account or can be sent to a user via email or push notification if the user sets an alert. The target markets for the PocketFinder include: young children, seniors, people with special needs and people who need to track valuable assets such as luggage or sporting equipment. In addition to the PocketFinder, it also sell the PocketFinder Pet and the PocketFinder Vehicle products. The PocketFinder Pet is designed for pets weighing 15 pounds or more,! and it markets the PocketFinder Vehicle to families with new drivers, car enthusiasts, motorcycle owners, watercraft owners and business fleets. The PocketFinder Vehicle attaches directly to a battery or fuse box, so it has a constant supply of power. All PocketFinder products operate on the same user interface, which enables its customers receive the same features, functionality and user-experience, regardless of which product they own. To access their account or locate their devices, users can logon to the Company�� Website at www.pocketfinder.com or use its native iPhone, iPad or Android Apps.

The Company�� products are sold through various brick-and-mortar and online retailers and through its Website. It provides customer service and support in the United States through existing call centers owned by Affinitas. It provides wireless location based solutions for global positioning products along with its friendly user interface software system. PocketFinder and PocketFinder Vehicle devices are being sold in the United States and in Canada through the Apple Online Store and Apple Retail Stores. PocketFinder devices for Pets are available for purchase on its Website.

The Company competes with Geospatial Platform Providers, Application Developers, Garmin�� GTU-10, Qualcomm�� Tagg, Lo-Jack, SpotLight, Fleetmatics, NetworkFleet, and Qualcomm.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By CRWE]
Today, LBAS�remains (0.00%) +0.000 at $.132 with 9,470 shares in movement thus far (ref. google finance Delayed: 9:47AM EDT June 20, 2013).

Location Based Technologies, Inc. previously received FCC and IC certification for its versatile LBT-886 device. These certifications are necessary before devices can be sold to consumers throughout the US and Canada.

The LBT-886 device is available for manufacture in a 2G or 3G variant. The 3G penta-band variant will enable the device to function in countries which only operate on the 3G spectrum, such as Australia, South Korea, Japan and some areas of Canada. This global tracking solution also delivers additional features such as various environmental sensors or comes with an attachment with special capability designed to meet lone-worker or personnel security requirements
[By CRWE]
Today, LBAS has shed (-7.69%) -0.010 at $.120 with 95,100 shares in play thus far (ref. google finance Delayed: 12:21PM EDT August 15, 2013).

Location Based Technologies, Inc. previously reported it has signed a distribution agreement with Beijing Lava Technology Co. Ltd., an Apple approved distributor for its online, brick and mortar stores, and authorized distributors in Asia. The agreement is one of the final steps preceding the launch of LBT�� GPS products into the Asian markets. Beijing Lava Technology Co. Ltd. serves China, Singapore, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

LBT estimates that it will begin selling its PocketFinder devices in Singapore through Apple�� online store and authorized distributors in the near future with other Asian countries to follow thereafter.

Top 5 Communications Equipment Stocks To Own For 2015: FLIR Systems Inc (FLIR)

FLIR Systems, Inc. (FLIR), incorporated on March 8, 1978, is a designer, manufacturer, and marketer of thermal imaging systems. The Company�� advanced sensors and integrated sensor systems enable the gathering and analysis of critical information through a range of applications in commercial, industrial, and government markets worldwide. Its business is organized into two divisions: Commercial Systems and Government Systems. Commercial Systems division includes Thermal Vision & Measurement and Raymarine. Government Systems division include Surveillance, Detection, and Integrated Systems. It offers a range of sensor products, including infrared imaging cameras and systems, detector cores, CBRNE threat detectors, test and measurement instruments, radars, maritime electronics, and related products and solutions. On December 20, 2012, the Company acquired Lorex Technology Inc. In December 2012, the Company acquired Traficon International NV. In August 2013, Tessera Technologies Inc announced that FLIR Systems, Inc. acquired a portion of the assets of Tessera's Micro-Optics business based in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Thermal Vision & Measurement

Thermal Vision & Measurement (TVM) products are generally sold for applications where the customer need is to see at night or in adverse conditions or to image a scene while gathering valuable situational and temperature information. The Company�� infrared sensors business, which sells focal plane arrays and camera cores internally, as well as to third parties on an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) basis, is also part of TVM. Its thermal and visible light security products are used to protect critical infrastructure, ports, borders, commercial sites, and residential homes. The Company offers a night vision system for passenger automobiles that provides drivers with the ability to see at night and through obscurants, such as fog, at distances much further and wider than can be seen with traditional headlights. As of December 31, ! 2012, provide camera cores for certain Audi, BMW, and Rolls Royce models through its partnership with Autoliv Electronics, a supplier of automotive safety equipment. The Company offers an integrated suite of maritime electronics that utilizes multifunction displays, infrared cameras, depth sounders, GPS, auto pilots, and advanced command and control software.

The Company is engaged in providing advanced thermal imaging technology for consumer applications. It�� easy to use, affordable, and lightweight personal vision thermal cameras give people the ability to see at night. In the home, its cameras can be used for numerous household and security applications, such as locating heat leaks, evaluating insulation coverage, detecting water damage, identifying intruders, and locating pests. The Company supplies hand-held systems to the law enforcement market. The Company supplies cooled and uncooled camera cores, sensors, and readout integrated circuits on an OEM basis for a range of applications where customers require a product at a lower level of integration than a fully developed thermal imaging system.

In Thermal Measurement Markets thermal imaging systems are used for monitoring the condition of mechanical and electrical equipment. The company�� systems provide the ability to view thermal distribution in real time for products ranging in size from small hybrid integrated circuits to jet engines. Common applications include product development of microelectronics, cell phones, laptop computers, telecommunications equipment, consumer appliances, automotive components, and aircraft engines. Systems used in research and development applications require high imaging performance and measurement precision, coupled with extensive analysis and reporting software. Thermal imaging applications for manufacturing process control include applications where temperature consistency is critical, including monitoring the quality of metal, plastic and glass cast parts, which are highly depend! ent upon ! the temperature distribution in the mold; monitoring the quality of paper, which is dependent upon proper and even moisture distribution during the drying process; and monitoring the quality of products such as rubber gloves, which can be thermally examined to locate abnormally warm or cool spots, indicating non-uniform thickness that may result in a quality defect.

Infrared imagers can detect missing insulation, electrical faults, water intrusion and pest infiltration, can gauge energy efficiency, and can help detect the presence of moisture. Market segments include building diagnostics, energy auditing and home inspection, property and facility management, HVAC and plumbing, and moisture detection and restoration. Specially designed infrared systems can detect and image hydrocarbon gas emissions or leaks. It supplies trade professionals a range of test equipment to deliver high accuracy readings for the measurement of electricity, light, sound, temperature, humidity, airflow, revolutions per minute, and water quality. The Company offers fee-based training on the principles of thermography and the use of its products through ITC, its Infrared Training Center, which provides instruction, training, certification and applications engineering from several FLIR locations or at the customer�� site. It also licenses Infrared Training Centers to third parties in certain countries.

The Company competes with Danaher (Fluke), General Dynamics (Axsys), L-3 Communications, Sofradir (ULIS), Axis Communications, NEC and Testo.

Raymarine

Raymarine is a provider of marine electronics, and continues as a pioneer in the technologies that give boaters confidence on the water. The products that Raymarine develops and markets is intended to fulfill all of the marine electronic needs of recreational boaters and offer best-in-class integrated control solutions for all of their on-board instrumentation. Raymarine designs, develops, and markets electronics for the maritime market a! nd is a p! rovider of fully integrated stem to stern networked electronic systems for boats of many sizes. The business distributes its products through a network of independent distributors and retailers, as well as through its relationships with boat builders, providing both first fitment and aftermarket solutions.

The Company competes with Furuno, Garmin and Navico.

Surveillance

Surveillance focuses on providing enhanced vision and detection capabilities to a range of military, paramilitary, law enforcement, public safety, and other government customers. Its systems typically provide the capability to see over long distances, day or night, through adverse weather conditions, and from a range of vehicle, man portable, and fixed installation platforms. Typical applications include intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), force protection, drug interdiction, search and rescue, special operations, and target designation. Surveillance products are sold off-the-shelf or can be customized for specific applications and frequently incorporate additional sensors, including visible light cameras, radars, low light cameras, laser rangefinders, laser illuminators, and laser designators.

Surveillance offers a range of products across multiple applications. For airborne applications, it has developed highly stabilized platforms, known as gimbals, which typically contain multiple payloads in addition to the infrared imaging system, as well as sophisticated software and analytic capabilities. For land applications, it manufactures three types of products: hand-held products, platform mounted products, and targeting products. Platform mounted surveillance systems include imaging and radar solutions, which are typically housed in a weather-tight enclosure and feature remote control capabilities and multi-sensor integration capability. Hand-held products are ruggedized and have optional lenses and target location capabilities. Ground-based targeting products are designed t! o attach ! to existing daylight sights to provide bore-sighted, nighttime capabilities. For maritime applications, it manufacture shipborne products which are similar to its airborne gimbals, but are inverted and customized for the marine environment.

In Search and Rescue market thermal imaging systems are used in airborne nd shipborne search and rescue missions to rescue individuals in danger or distress on boats or vehicles, or wounded or lost in adverse conditions. Such systems are in use by organizations such as the United States Army, United States Coast Guard, the United States Marine Corps, the United States Air National Guard, and the United Kingdom Ministry of Defense. In Border and Maritime Patrol market thermal imaging systems are used in airborne, shipborne, hand-held and fixed installation applications for border and maritime surveillance, particularly at night, to enforce borders and coastal waters, to monitor national fishing boundaries and to prevent smuggling. Its cameras are deployed along numerous borders worldwide, including in the United States, Europe and the Middle East. In Surveillance and Reconnaissance market Thermal imaging systems are used in surveillance and reconnaissance applications for the precise positioning of objects or people from substantial distances and for enhanced situational awareness, particularly at night or in conditions of reduced or obscured visibility. It also offers high-resolution frequency-modulated continuous wave radars that enable wide-area surveillance capable of detecting potential threats before they cross a perimeter. These systems can be installed on fixed platforms, manned mobile platforms, and unmanned aerial vehicles.

The Company supplies airborne thermal imaging systems for federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. Agencies with this type of equipment have the ability to track suspects, locate lost persons, and provide situational awareness to officers on the ground. It offers several products that provide precise t! arget loc! ation and designation capabilities in applications ranging from clip-on rifle scope devices to high-precision, stabilized, airborne laser designator systems. Thermal imaging systems enable government agencies to expand their drug interdiction and support activities by allowing greater surveillance and detection capabilities. The Company�� systems are in use by the United States Customs Service, the United States Drug Enforcement Agency and the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation, as well as by foreign government agencies.

The Company competes with BAE Systems, DRS (a Finmeccanica company), Elbit Systems, General Dynamics, L-3 Communications, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Sagem, Sofradir, and Thales.

Detection

The Company�� Detection segment provides capabilities in the development of advanced sensor technologies used to detect and identify CBRNE threats. The Detection segment is focused on developing technologies and products to penetrate a global market for advanced threat detection capabilities. Detection manufactures and markets the portable explosive detector, the smallest spectroscopic radiation detector, and the smallest hand-held Raman sensor.

The Company offer both indoor and outdoor biological air monitors that are used by various governmental agencies, including the United States Department of Defense, airport authorities, and the National Park Service, for layered security at facilities and events. Its explosives detection products are used to identify military-grade explosives and homemade explosive devices in a range of military and public safety applications, such as screening high-risk individuals at checkpoints, identifying improvised explosive device (IED) makers, and screening air passengers and baggage. Its radiation products protect the public by warning of radionuclide exposure and have been or are being used by the U.S. Department of Energy�� Nuclear Emergency Search Team, the New York Police Department, the Internat! ional Ato! mic Energy Agency, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the United Kingdom�� Home Office Border and Immigration Agency.

The Company competes with Agilent Technologies, Canberra Industries, Idaho Technologies, NUCSAFE, SAIC, Smiths Detection, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and United Technologies.

Integrated Systems

Integrated Systems develops platform solutions for combating sophisticated security threats and incorporates multiple sensor systems in order to deliver actionable intelligence for wide area surveillance, intrusion detection, border security, and facility security. Integrated Systems incorporates advanced sensors from both the FLIR product suite and external vendors in order to design and manufacture adaptive and effective force protection, homeland security, and commercial solutions that are designed to save lives and protect critical assets. Integrated Systems utilizes an array of sensor technologies, such as radars, thermal imaging and visible light cameras, chemical detectors, radiation detectors, and command and control systems, provided by its other segments as well as from external parties, to create high value solutions for customers across the world.

Integrated Systems manufactures and markets several accurate mobile and fixed solutions for perimeter surveillance. The Cerberus mobile unmanned towers and manned SkyWatch towers are utilized for protecting borders, securing facilities, protecting forces, and safeguarding the public. These tower systems can be deployed in almost any environment and are fully networkable platform solutions that integrate various sensor suites, including infrared thermal or visible light cameras, ground surveillance radar, video motion detection, and unattended ground sensors. In addition, Integrated Systems offers open-source software that enables customers to command, control, and monitor their sensor networks. Cohesion is a flexible integration software enabling CBRNE sensors to be incorporated into standard command! and cont! rol software systems and is specifically designed to support or integrate with its or third-party advanced sensors and devices. Cameleon video integration software allows for advanced monitoring and control of video surveillance camera networks.

The Company competes with Boeing, Cobham, Honeywell, L-3 Communications, Lockheed Martin, Northrup Grumman, Raytheon, SAIC, Telephonics, and Thales.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By John Udovich]
Mid cap FLIR Systems, Inc (NASDAQ: FLIR) is a leader in thermal imaging devices which are seeing increased�industrial, military and civilian applications��meaning its worth taking a closer look at the stock along with the performance of more diversified large caps L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc (NYSE: LLL) and Danaher Corporation (NYSE: DHR) where are also players in the thermal imaging niche. I should mention that we recently added FLIR Systems to our SmallCap Network Elite Opportunity (SCN EO) portfolio thanks to its exposure to embedded in thermal imaging, security surveillance�and other key technologies plus we think shares currently offer a�fair value with excellent forward growth potential.
[By Rich Smith]
The Department of Defense issued $312.5 million worth of new contract awards Monday. Notable winners included subsidiaries of two major defense contractors, FLIR Systems (NASDAQ: FLIR ) and General Dynamics (NYSE: GD ) .

Top 5 Communications Equipment Stocks To Own For 2015: ADT Corp (ADT)

The ADT Corporation (ADT), incorporated on January 18, 2012, is a provider of electronic security, interactive home and business automation, and monitoring services for residences and small businesses in the United States and Canada. The Company�� products and services include ADT Pulse interactive home and business solutions, and home health services. ADT provides business security intrusion detection, which protect the business from burglary, robbery and intruders. Its electronic access control limits unauthorized entry and employee access to the business, as well as complete access. Effective August 2, 2013, The ADT Corp acquired Devcon Security Services Corp, a provider of security protection services, from Devcon International Corp. In November 2013, Kastle Systems International announced that it had acquired Mutual Central Alarm Services and Stat-Land Security Systems from ADT Corporation.

The Company's video surveillance views events in multiple areas of facility, which has control over loss and oversees business. On October 1, 2012, the Company completed the acquisition of Absolute Security.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Jake L'Ecuyer]
Equities Trading DOWN
Shares of The ADT (NYSE: ADT) were down 6.77 percent to $41.03 after the company announced the repurchase of 10.24 million shares held by Corvex at $44.01 per share.
[By Jake L'Ecuyer]
Equities Trading DOWN
Shares of The ADT (NYSE: ADT) were down 5.93 percent to $41.41 after the company announced the repurchase of 10.24 million shares held by Corvex at $44.01 per share.

Thursday, May 28, 2015

Top Healthcare Technology Companies To Buy For 2016

Top Healthcare Technology Companies To Buy For 2016: Calumet Specialty Products Partners L.P.(CLMT)

Calumet Specialty Products Partners, L.P. produces and sells specialty hydrocarbon products in North America. It operates in two segments, Specialty Products and Fuel Products. The Specialty Products segment processes crude oil and other feedstocks into various customized lubricating oils, white mineral oils, solvents, petrolatums, gelled hydrocarbons, cable fillers, natural petroleum sulfonates, waxes, and compressor lubricants. Its products are used in applications in a range of industries, such as industrial goods, including metal working fluids, belts, hoses, sealing systems, batteries, hot melt adhesives, pressure sensitive tapes, electrical transformers, refrigeration compressors, and drilling fluids; consumer goods, including candles, petroleum jelly, creams, tonics, lotions, coating on paper cups, chewing gum base, automotive aftermarket car-care products, lamp oils, charcoal lighter fluids, camping fuel, and various aerosol products; and automotive goods, such as motor oils, greases, transmission fluid, and tires. The Fuel Products segment processes crude oil into various fuel and fuel-related products, such as gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and heavy fuel oils. This segment also offers fuel-related products, including fluid catalytic cracking feedstock, asphalt vacuum residuals, and mixed butanes. Calumet GP, LLC serves as the general partner for Calumet Specialty Products Partners, L.P. The company was founded in 1916 and is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Robert Rapier]
As its name suggests, Calumet Specialty Products Partners (Nasdaq: CLMT) isn’t a conventional refiner. It’s a refiner of petroleum-based specialty products and fuels, with 11 domestic production facilities spread across Louisiana, Texas, Montana, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. In addition to gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and asphalt, the partners! hip produces solvents, mineral oils, waxes and specialty lubricants.
[By Robert Rapier]
Calumet Specialty Products Partners (Nasdaq: CLMT) also reported a net loss for the quarter of $34.8 million, or ($0.54) per diluted unit, compared with net income of $42.4 million, or $0.69 per diluted unit, for the same quarter in 2012. Units traded down nearly 13 percent for the week.

source from Top Penny Stocks For 2015:http://www.seekpennystocks.com/top-healthcare-technology-companies-to-buy-for-2016.html

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Hot Consumer Stocks To Watch For 2015

Earlier this year, I singled out Kimberly-Clark (NYSE: KMB ) as a stock that would likely outperform the S&P 500 index,�especially should the broader market decline. I also praised the company's concentrated business model,�in which it benefits from a narrower business focus than some of its larger consumer goods peers. KMB's first quarter of 2014, reported this week, seemed a middling result: The company managed to increase net income by 1.3% against a one percent decrease in sales. Organic sales for the period rose 4% versus the prior year.�Reviewing a few themes from these earlier two articles in light of the company's first quarter earnings may illuminate Kimberly-Clark's direction for the rest of the year.�

Competition still a concern
In a refreshingly open moment during the company's fourth-quarter 2013 earnings conference call back in January, CEO Tom Falk discussed competitors with candor. While he mentioned a number of aggressive peers, from Georgia Pacific to Japanese conglomerate Unicharm, in the intervening months, it appears that mammoth nemesis Procter & Gamble gained the most ground competitively. On Monday's earnings call, Falk noted that one of its most significant brands, Huggies diapers, lost a couple of points of market share to P&G's Luvs diapers during the quarter. Two days later on its earnings call, P&G touted that it had gained two points of market share in its own baby-care business, stating: "This has led to our largest market share in the past 20 years, enabling us to retake market leadership from Kimberly-Clark."�

Top 10 Prefered Companies To Watch For 2016: Woolworths Ltd (WOW)

Woolworths Limited is an Australia-based company. The Company operates in five segments: Australian Food and Liquor, New Zealand Supermarkets, Petrol, BIG W and Hotels. Australian Food and Liquor segment is engaged in the procurement of food and liquor and products for resale to customers in Australia. New Zealand Supermarkets segment is engaged in the procurement of food and liquor and products for resale to customers in New Zealand. Petrol segment is engaged in the procurement of petroleum products for resale to customers in Australia. BIG W segment is engaged procurement of discount general merchandise products for resale to customers in Australia. Hotels segment is engaged in the provision of leisure and hospitality services, including food and alcohol, accommodation, entertainment and gaming. Advisors' Opinion:

[By Jonathan Burgos]
Woolworths Ltd. (WOW) dropped 1.6 percent to A$33.22 after Australia�� largest retailer said challenging economic condition were evident in the second quarter.

Hot Consumer Stocks To Watch For 2015: Perry Ellis International Inc.(PERY)

Perry Ellis International, Inc. engages in designing, sourcing, marketing, and licensing apparel products for men and women in the United States and internationally. The company?s men?s wear offerings include casual sportswear and bottoms, dress shirts and pants, jeans wear, golf apparel, sweaters, sports apparel, swimwear and swim accessories, active wear, outerwear and leather accessories. Its women?s wear offerings comprise dresses, sportswear, and swimwear and swim accessories. The company offers its products under the brand names of Perry Ellis, Axis, Tricots St. Raphael, Jantzen, John Henry, Cubavera, the Havanera Co., Centro, Solero, Natural Issue, Munsingwear, Grand Slam, Original Penguin, Mondo di Marco, Redsand, Pro Player, Manhattan, Axist, Savane, Farah, Gotcha, Girl Star, MCD, Laundry by Shelli Segal, C&C California, Ben Hogan, and Rafaella. It also licenses the Nike brand for swimwear and swimwear accessories; the JAG brand for men?s and women?s swimwear and cover-ups; the Callaway Golf brand and Top-Flite for golf apparel; the PGA TOUR brand, including Champions Tour for golf apparel; and Pierre Cardin for men?s sportswear. The company distributes its products primarily to wholesale customers, including department stores, national and regional chain stores, mass merchants, specialty stores, sporting goods stores, the corporate wear market, and e-commerce, as well as clubs and independent retailers. As of March 2, 2011, it operated 38 Perry Ellis and 3 Original Penguin retail outlet stores primarily in upscale retail outlet malls across the United States and Puerto Rico; 1 Perry Ellis and 1 Cubavera retail store in Miami, Florida; and 7 Original Penguin retail stores in upscale demographic markets in the United States. The company was formerly known as Supreme International Corporation and changed its name to Perry Ellis International, Inc. in June 1999. Perry Ellis International, Inc. was founded in 1967 and is headquarte red in Miami, Florida.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Ben Levisohn]
Perry Ellis International�(PERY) has dropped 20% to $12.60 in pre-open trading after the apparel company blamed bad weather for slashing its full year guidance in less than half.
[By Lauren Pollock]
Perry Ellis International Inc.(PERY) cut its outlook for the fiscal year, citing weakness in its third quarter. The clothing company said revenue was hurt by reduced shipments, primarily due to the reduction of private-label business for the mid-tier channel, as well as reduced sales through its direct retail channel. Shares fell.
[By Adem Tahiri]
Perry Ellis International (NASDAQ: PERY ) is an apparel company that designs, markets, and licenses its brand-name products. The stock has dropped by nearly half this year, and it has sparked the interest of many value investors. Last Thursday, fourth-quarter earnings results beat lowered expectations and gave the stock a small bump.�

Hot Consumer Stocks To Watch For 2015: Kandi Technolgies Corp.(KNDI)

Kandi Technologies Corp., through its subsidiaries, engages in the design, development, manufacture, and commercialization of off-road vehicles, motorcycles, mini-cars, and special automobile related products. Its off-road vehicles include all-terrain vehicles, specialized utility vehicles, and go-karts. The company sells its products through third-party and independent distributors in the People?s Republic of China, Asia, North America, Europe, and Australia. Kandi Technologies Corp. is based in Jinhua, the People?s Republic of China.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Bryan Murphy]
On Tuesday of this week, yours truly pointed out that based on 2013's final numbers, Green Automotive Co. (OTCMKTS:GACR) - while not yet a threat to names like Kandi Technologies Group Inc. (NASDAQ:KNDI) or Tesla Motors Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA) - was coming into its own as an electric vehicle company, and whittling away its uncertainty as an investment. Though a perfectly-clear vision of the future wasn't included in the press release detailing last year's results for GACR, the company did say it would be offering guidance for 2014 later this week. Well, today's the day. And, while KNDI and TSLA still don't have anything to worry about in their immediate future, let's just say Green Automotive still have a lot to look forward to in their foreseeable future.
[By Teresa Rivas]
Kandi Technologies (KNDI) was soaring 17.5% at recent check as the auto maker announced that the Chinese government will offer subsidies for electric cars.

The long-awaited policy covers not only pure electric vehicles, but also plug-in hybrid electric and fuel cell battery cars, and runs through 2015. According to the report, the government would offer up to RMB 60,000 (approximately USD 9,800) for the purchase of an all-electric passenger vehicle and up to RMB 500,000 (approximately USD 81,700) for the purchase of an electric bus.

However, the news did little to stop Tesla (TSLA), which was revving toward fresh all-time highs, up more than 5% to $174.78.

Nor did news Wednesday that Volkswagen plans to have electric vehicles for sale in the U.S. by 2015.

However, Tesla plans to have its own innovations to offer not long after that year, as CEO Elon Musk said that it is designing a self-driving car that will be available within the next three years. The company is obviously taking aim at Google (GOOG), so far the leader in auto-pilot cars.

Deutsche Bank boosted its price target for Tesla to $200 yesterday. Also, Northland Securities is making positive comments on the stock today, reports Briefing.com.
[By Travis Hoium]
What: Shares of Kandi Technologies Group (NASDAQ: KNDI ) jumped 28% today after the company announced new charging stations.

So what: The company plans to build 30 "pure EV smart vertical parking and charging facilities" in Hangzhou City by the end of the year. The company plans to then sell 5,000 to 10,000 pure EVs in the city within a year after that -- big plans for a very small company that makes primarily ATVs and go-karts. �
[By Bryan Murphy]
To fully appreciate the investment-worthiness of electric vehicles, one only has to look at how well shares of Tesla Motors Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA) or Kandi Technologies Group Inc. (NASDAQ:KNDI) have done since the technology as well as the motivation to make EVs "work" has been in place. KNDI shares are up more than 200% since the end of 2007, while TSLA shares are up nearly 700% since their IPO in mid-2010. The big moves can't be chalked up to a little volatility either. Both Tesla Motors and Kandi Technologies have electric cars on the road, whereas they didn't before.

Hot Consumer Stocks To Watch For 2015: Joe's Jeans Inc.(JOEZ)

Joe?s Jeans Inc. designs, produces, and sells apparel and apparel-related products worldwide. Its product line comprises women?s and men?s denim jeans, pants, shirts, sweaters, jackets, and other apparel products under the Joe?s brand. The company also offers women?s handbags and clutches, shoes, belts, and leather goods under various license agreements. In addition, it provides children?s products consisting of denim bottoms, tops, T-shirts, and jackets for infants, toddlers, girls, and boys. The company sells its products to various retailers, including department stores, specialty stores, and distributors, as well as through its retail stores; and through the Internet site, joesjeans.com/shop. As of November 30, 2011, it operated 17 outlet stores and 5 full price retail stores. The company was formerly known as Innovo Group Inc. and changed its name to Joe?s Jeans Inc. in October 2007. Joe?s Jeans Inc. was founded in 1987 and is based in Commerce, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Rick Munarriz]
Friday
Things are usually quiet on Fridays, but that won't stop Joe's Jeans (NASDAQ: JOEZ ) from reporting. The premium denim specialist should benefit from strong growth in luxury apparel. As the economy continues to bounce back, we're finding fewer people flinching at paying $300 for a pair of jeans.
[By Peter Graham]
Somewhat upscale jeans�designer and marketer�Joe's Jeans Inc (NASDAQ: JOEZ), a potential peer of�VF Corp (NYSE: VFC) and Michael Kors Holdings Ltd (NYSE: KORS), is scheduled to report Q2 2014 earnings after the market closes on Thursday.�Aside from the Joe's Jeans Inc earnings report, it should be said that VF Corp reported Q1 2014 on April 25th (earnings beat on higher�revenues plus VFC�raised its�outlook as quarterly profit rose) and is scheduled to report Q2 2014 earnings on July 18th while Michael Kors Holdings Ltd reported Q4 2014 earnings on May 28th (shares stumbled as gross margins frayed) and will report Q1 2015 earnings on August 4th.
[By James E. Brumley]
Considering Joe's Jeans Inc. (NASDAQ:JOEZ) is currently trading 22% below where it closed on Monday, it would understandably be easy to assume the company was a mess and the stock was best left avoided. Just because JOEZ is being punished for a bad quarter, however, doesn't mean the punishment fits the crime. For that matter, it's not entirely clear the stock deserves to be punished at all... making this week's big plunge a buying opportunity.

Hot Consumer Stocks To Watch For 2015: Zep Inc.(ZEP)

Zep Inc. produces and markets cleaning and maintenance chemicals, and related products and services for commercial, industrial, institutional and consumer applications. Its products include anti-bacterial and industrial hand care products, cleaners, degreasers, deodorizers, disinfectants, floor finishes, sanitizers, pest- and weed-control products, air-care products and delivery systems, and various automotive maintenance chemicals. The company markets its products and services under various brands, such as Zep, Selig, ArmorAll, Niagara, Enforcer, Zep Commercial, RedMax Pro, Rubbermaid Commercial, Original Bike Spirits, Country Vet, Zep Professional, Microbemax, Misty, TimeMist, i-Chem, TimeWick, and Next Dimension brands, as well as private label and original equipment manufacturer private brands. It serves customers in industrial maintenance, janitorial/sanitation, and automotive markets; transportation, food processing, industrial manufacturing, and food service industr ies; and contractors, small business owners, and homeowners in the United States, Canada, and Europe. The company was founded in 1937 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Laura Brodbeck]
Earnings Releases Expected: A. Schulman, Inc. (NASDAQ: SHLM), Team, Inc. (NYSE: TISI), ZEP Inc. (NYSE: ZEP)

Economic Releases Expected: Japanese current account, US consumer credit, Chilean trade balance, Swiss CPI, Spanish industrial production, German industrial production
[By Seth Jayson]
When judging a company's prospects, how quickly it turns cash outflows into cash inflows can be just as important as how much profit it's booking in the accounting fantasy world we call "earnings." This is one of the first metrics I check when I'm hunting for the market's best stocks. Today, we'll see how it applies to Zep (NYSE: ZEP ) .

Hot Consumer Stocks To Watch For 2015: lululemon athletica inc.(LULU)

Lululemon Athletica Inc., together with its subsidiaries engages in the design, manufacture, and distribution of athletic apparel and accessories for women, men, and female youth primarily in Canada, the United States, and Australia. Its apparel assortments include fitness pants, shorts, tops, and jackets for healthy lifestyle activities, such as yoga, running, and general fitness. The company?s fitness-related accessories comprise bags, socks, underwear, yoga mats, instructional yoga DVDs, and water bottles. It sells its products through its retail stores; independent franchises; and a network of wholesale accounts, such as yoga studios, health clubs, and fitness centers, as well as directly to consumers through e-commerce. As of May 1, 2011, the company had 142 corporate-owned and franchise stores under the lululemon athletica and ivivva athletica brand names. Lululemon Athletica Inc. was founded in 1998 and is based in Vancouver, Canada.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Monica Gerson]
Breaking news
Wi-LAN (NASDAQ: WILN) today announced that its Board of Directors has initiated a process to explore and evaluate a broad range of strategic alternatives for the Company to enhance shareholder value. To read the full news, click here. MannKind (NASDAQ: MNKD) today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has acknowledged the resubmission of a New Drug Application (NDA) for AFREZZA庐 (insulin human [rDNA origin]) Inhalation Powder. To read the full news, click here. lululemon athletica (NASDAQ: LULU) today announced that Tara Poseley has been appointed to its Senior Leadership Team as Chief Product Officer. To read the full news, click here. Nice Systems (NASDAQ: NICE) reported a drop in its third-quarter profit. To read the full news, click here.
Posted-In: Bank of America FOMC US Stock FuturesNews Eurozone Futures Pre-Market Outlook Markets
[By Grace L. Williams]
After another fairly quiet quarter on the news front-hah!-high-end yoga and athletic wear maker Lululemon Athletica (LULU) is slated to report its second-quarter financial results next Thursday.

Hot Consumer Stocks To Watch For 2015: Springleaf Holdings Inc (LEAF)

Springleaf Holdings, Inc. (Springleaf), incorporated on May 8, 2013, is a consumer finance company providing loan products to customers through it's nationwide branch network and through iLoan, it's Internet lending division. The Company originates consumer loans through it's network of 834 branch offices in 26 states and on a centralized basis as part of it's iLoan division. As of June 30, 2013, the Company�� segments include: Consumer, Insurance, Portfolio Acquisitions, and Real Estate.

Consumer

Springleaf originate and service personal loans (secured and unsecured) through two business divisions: branch operations and it's iLoan division. Branch operations primarily conduct business in 26 states, which are it's core operating states. The iLoan division processes and underwrites loan applications that it receives through an Internet portal. If the applicant is located near an existing branch, it's iLoan division makes the credit decision regarding the application and then refers the customer to a nearby branch for closing, funding and servicing. If the applicant is not located near a branch, it's iLoan division originates the loan.

Insurance

Springleaf offer credit insurance (life, accident and health insurance, and involuntary unemployment insurance), non-credit insurance, and ancillary products, such as warranty protection. The Company also require credit-related property and casualty insurance, when needed, to protect it's interest in the property pledged as collateral.

Portfolio Acquisitions

Springleaf acquired the SpringCastle Portfolio. This SpringCastle Portfolio was acquired from HSBC through a newly-formed joint venture in which it owns a 47% equity interest and which it consolidates in it's financial statements. The loans in the SpringCastle Portfolio vary in form and substance from it's typical branch serviced loans.

Real Estate

Springleaf service and hold real estate loans secured by! first or second mortgages on residential real estate. Real estate loans previously originated through it's branch offices are either serviced by it's branch personnel or by it's centralized servicing operation. Real estate loans previously acquired or originated through centralized distribution channels are serviced by one of it's indirect wholly owned subsidiaries, MorEquity, all of which are subserviced by Nationstar, except for certain securitized real estate loans, which are serviced and subserviced by third parties.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Peter Graham]
Small cap installment loan and consumer finance�stock World Acceptance Corp (NASDAQ: WRLD), a potential peer of small cap Regional Management Corp (NYSE: RM) and�mid cap�Springleaf Holdings Inc (NYSE: LEAF), has elevated short interest of 38.72% according to Highshortinterest.com. However, World Acceptance Corp got on the radar of the shorts when the company disclosed that its being investigated by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau�for its lending practices. ��

Monday, May 25, 2015

Special Situations Update

I was wrong on the NuPathe special situation math yesterday.

I also chose not to rehash every piece of available information for obvious reasons. I just see no need to rewrite everything that has already been said about the deal.

However, there is a vital piece of additional information that I should have included.

But let me go over some of the common questions and concerns raised. I'll also link to the updated excel spreadsheet.

Silly Math MistakeDoh.

Sometimes, the simple ones are the easiest to get wrong.

Here's what you saw yesterday.

The Wrong Profit/Loss Calculation

Here's the correct one.

The numbers of shares differ, but that doesn't matter in this example.

The Correct NuPathe Special Situation Profit/Loss %

Total loss amount is 100% instead of -11%I was double subtracting the invested amount which lowered the total profit/loss percentageThe Mindset to Approach Special SituationsEvery investment come with a risk.

Special situations are no different which is why you want to find the ones where the probability of an event occurring is higher than the chance of it not happening.

When getting involved with special situations, you have to have an asset allocator's mindset.

One of the areas I'm trying to improve on this year is just that. Instead of just trying to be an analyst, I need to think more like an allocator.

It's like when I go to the gym and work out. I'm determined to put on some muscle so I hit the weights hard.

Then when I get home, I chill out with a burger and coke. And you know that the proper diet and rest has more influence on weight gain than working out.

By just trying to work out hard at the gym, I'm nothing mor! e than an analyst.

To be a real investor, I've got to combine the proper allocation and position sizing along with analysis.

So when a deal like this comes along, it's not just the margin of safety you should be purely focused on.

It's whether the winning percentage is higher than the losing percentage.

Then based on what you think, you need to limit your position sizing.

Would you place a bet if you had 60% of winning and 40% of losing?

Of course.

Probability says you should do it till the cows come home.

That's what NuPathe offers. You account for margin of safety with proper allocation.

Answering the Main Downside Risk QuestionsRisk 1: The Buyout Can FailYes there is a possibility that the buyout may not go through. But I place very little probability that this will happen.

Here's why.

Teva and NuPathe started talking since December 2012 and continued communication and expressed interest throughout 2013.Teva needs to enhance its product line as the company itself is under pressure to perform better. Their main drug Copaxone will have generic competition starting in May.Teva's strategy is to acquire companies like NuPathe. They've done it plenty of times before.No stockholder approval required.The total price Teva will pay for Nupathe after all milestone payments is $277m. Teva current has $2.8b in cash. But Teva is only going to pay $144m to begin with. That's a 5% investment with its cash.No financing or regulation holdups expected.I didn't make any of this up. It's all there in the filings.

Risk 2: Rights are Non-TradeableOnce the deal closes on Feb 20, your CVR (Contingent Value Right) is non-tradeable. Your cash is locked in, so you have to wait until the cash comes.

Like I said yesterday, close and open your eyes with 5 years in mind. Don't expect anything quick.

I like it because deals like this deter traders and heavy speculators.

Now I don't see why the rights being non-tradeable ! is a risk! , but there are people who view it that way because you don't get access to your money again.

This is easily solved by allocating a tiny percentage of your portfolio. Something like 1%.

Again, it comes to having an allocator's mindset.

Risk 3: Teva Manipulates Sales to Avoid Hitting the MilestoneSince net sales has to occur in four cumulative quarters, Teva could manipulate the sales so that it doesn't reach the target every 4th quarter.

I don't have personal experience in this space so I can't say whether this is true.

But when looking at the information on hand;

Teva is spending 5% of its cash today on the deal.Would a company waste time and resources to play games once the product is out in the distribute channels?Trying to get the sales reps to not sell as much in the 4th quarter makes no sense.A huge amount of orchestration is required just to save $30m when the potential sales far outweigh the payment.Risk 4: No Management IncentivesNo special deals are being given to hit the targets so management may have less interest in working to hit the target.

This is entirely possible. The only thing I can say about this is that management is under a covenant to operate as they would have without a buyout.

Risk 5: Management Sales Projection is Too OptimisticManagement teams always tend to project too optimistically. In this case, peak sales is expected to exceed $300m in year 10 (2024). That's outside the 9 year window by the way.

Take a conservative percentage of that and the $300m target is unlikely to be reached.

Final ProbabilitiesThe important piece of information I left out yesterday was the probability factor.

Here's how I see it panning it out now.

Zero payment: less than 10%$2.15 payment: greater than 90%$3.15 payment: less than 20%. 20% may even be too high.

NuPathe Special Situation P! robabilit! y | click to enlarge

The highest probability is that you just get the first payment.

I've also included an annualized table so that you get an idea of what you are in for.

Using a stock price of $4.30, and only getting the $2.15 payment, the annualized return over 5 years is still a very impressive 27%.

Download this updated excel spreadsheet for the calculations and to play around with it yourself.

About the author:Jae JunFounder of Old School Value (http://www.oldschoolvalue.com) dedicated to offering the most complete and detailed stock valuation and analysis spreadsheet. Investing made easy by importing 10 years of financials and 5 quarterly statements directly to excel for your analysis needs. Save time, make smarter decisions and make more money.

Visit Jae Jun's Website

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Sunday, May 24, 2015

Hot Food Companies To Buy For 2015

Wells Fargo reported on Wednesday that it has cut its rating on fast food giant McDonald’s Corporation (MCD).

The ratings firm has downgraded MCD from “Outperform” to “Market Perform,” and has given the company a valuation range of $100 to $102. This range suggests up to a 6% increase from the stock’s current price of $96.38.

Analyst Jeff Farmer commented: “In 2013, MCD’s Global quarterly SSS comparisons eased dramatically as the year progressed, falling from +7.3% in Q1 2012 to +0.1% in Q4 2012. The increasingly favorable comparisons meant very little with both Global and U.S. two-year SSS trends materially decelerating in 2013 despite the more favorable comparisons. McDonald’s U.S. market share losses in three of the last four months through November have increasingly captured our attention. MCD largely attributed its softening 2012 U.S. SSS results to the combination of a lack of meaningful new food news and relatively late response to increasingly value-focused promotional efforts from its key competitors. MCD was more aggressive in 2013 with both new products and promoting value, but the company’s recent U.S. market share losses suggest that the long-delayed raising of the competitive bar by WEN and BKW is creating a tangible top- line headwind for McDonald’s, and one we expect to persist in 2014.”

Hot Low Price Stocks To Watch Right Now: Mondelez International Inc (MDLZ)

Mondelez International, Inc. (Mondelez International), formerly Kraft Foods Inc., incorporated on December 7, 2000, is a maker of chocolate, biscuits, gum, candy, coffee and powdered beverages. The Company consists of the global snacking and food brands. Mondelez International's portfolio includes several brands, such as Cadbury and Milka chocolate, Jacobs coffee, LU, Nabisco and Oreo biscuits, Tang powdered beverages and Trident gums. The Company�� products include chocolates, cookies, gums, beverages and crackers. Alpen Gold is a chocolate brand in Russia. Alpen Gold is available in chocolate bars, boxed chocolates and creamy, mouth-watering pralines. Its markets include Poland, Russia and Ukraine. Bubbaloo is a gum brand sold in more than 25 countries and three different continents, including India, Mexico, Portugal and Spain. Belvita are breakfast biscuits made with wholegrain, cereals and fiber. It is sold in Belgium, France, Netherlands, United Kingdom and the United States.

The Cadbury Creme Egg brand is available annually from New Year�� Day to Easter Day. It is sold in Australia, Canada, New Zealand the United Kingdom and the United States. Carte Noire is the coffee brand in France. It is sold in France, Ireland, Russia, Ukraine and the United Kingdom. Chips Ahoy! cookies are chocolate chip cookies packed with chocolate chips. It is sold in Brazil, Canada, China, Ecuador, Mexico, Philippines, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Spain, the United States and Venezuela. Club Social is a cracker in Brazil and Latin America. The newest addition to the Club Social family is Club Social chips in Argentina, available in original, parmesano, and cream and onion flavors. Cote d'Or is a chocolate brand sold in Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Middle East, Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Cadbury Dairy Milk is a milk chocolate bar sold in 33 countries, including Australia, Canada, India, Ireland, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, and available in more than! 23 varieties, like fruit and nut, WholeNut, Snack, Caramello and Breakaway. Dentyne is a gum to aid in oral hygiene sold in Canada and the United States.

Cadbury Flake is chocolate bars sold in Australia, Egypt, Ireland, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Gevalia brand offers more than 50 varieties of coffee and 20 choices of tea, and sold in the United States, Denmark, Finland, Sweden and the United States. Grand Mere coffee brand is sold at France. Green & Black�� is a chocolate brand and also includes gift chocolates, ice cream, biscuits and hot beverages. Halls is sold as a cold relief product. Halls is used as a refreshing candy. Halls products are available in more than 26 flavors.

Hollywood gum is a chewing gum in France. Jacobs coffee is sold throughout Europe and the Middle East, and in Austria, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Ukraine. Jacobs is available in roast and ground, whole beans, soluble crystals, coffee pods and flavored mixes. Kenco coffee is a coffee brand sold in Ireland and the United Kingdom. Lacta is a chocolate in Brazil. It also includes Bis chocolate wafers, Sonho de Valsa pralines and Lacta white chocolate.

LU biscuits are available in 100 countries. Other international brands under the LU name include Petit Dejuener, Mikado, Pepito (Mini Stars), Cracotte, Ourson and Tuc. Milka is a European chocolate. Marabou is a chocolate brand in Sweden. Nabisco�� brands include cookies and crackers. Nabisco 100 Calorie Packs includes 12 varieties, such as Chips Ahoy! Thin Crisps, Oreo Thin Crisps, Lorna Doone Shortbread Cookie Crisps, Ritz Snack Mix, Planters Peanut Butter Cookie Crisps, Kraft Cheese Nips Thin Crisps, Wheat Thins Multigrain Chips, Ritz Chips, Honey Maid Cinnamon Thin Crisps, Mini Teddy Grahams Cinnamon Cubs, Alpha-Bits Mini Cookies and Barnum�� Animals Choco Crackers.

Nutter Butter are sandwich cookies sold in the United States. Nilla wafers include original, reduced-fat and mini wafers. Newtons! are whol! esome snack made with real fruit. It also offers Newtons Fruit Thins and Fruit Crisps. The Natural Confectionery Company is a candy product. Onko offers coffee mixes in cappuccino flavors.

Oreo is a milk favorite cookie. Oreo is available in many flavors and varieties, such as chocolate covered, wafers, pie crusts and soft snack cakes. Premium saltine crackers come in six varieties, including unsalted tops, original, fat-free, low-sodium, soup and oyster and multi-grain. Prince biscuits are available in more than eight countries, including Algeria, Austria, Belgium, China, France, Germany, Netherlands and Spain. Prince biscuits come in creme-filled sandwiches, rolls and chocolate-covered varieties.

Stimorol is a chewing gum brand in Northern Europe, as well as 40 other markets from Greenland to Fiji. Simmenthal is a canned meat in jelly. Simmenthal�� products include beef in jelly with chili and chicken in jelly with curry. Tang is available in more than 30 countries and is a powdered beverage. Tassimo is a hot beverage system, which helps in making coffee, tea, hot chocolate, cappuccino, espresso and lattes. Toblerone is a Swiss chocolate bar made with honey and almond nougat. Trakinas is a creme-filled sandwich cookie.

Trident is a chewing gum brand in the world. Triscuit varieties include original, reduced fat, cheddar, cracked pepper and olive oil, fire roasted tomato and olive oil, garden herb, deli-style rye, roasted garlic, thin crisps, and rosemary and olive oil. Wheat Thins are wheat crackers in a variety of flavors, including sundried tomato and basil, multigrain and parmesan basil.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Dan Caplinger]
When shares of old Kraft stock broke into two components last fall, most investors expected the higher-growth Mondelez International (NASDAQ: MDLZ ) global snacks business to be the more attractive segment of the two post-spinoff companies. Yet the North American grocery business that now trades as Kraft Foods Group (NASDAQ: KRFT ) has shown surprising success as an independent company, and as it's turned out, shares of the new Kraft stock have done a lot better than Mondelez during the first nine months of their separate existence. Let's take a closer look at exactly how the new Kraft has done so well and what's in store for its stock going forward.
[By Tamara Rutter]
PepsiCo (NYSE: PEP ) stock is already up more than 22% on the year. However, a potential merger between Mondelez International (NASDAQ: MDLZ ) and Pepsi could send Pepsi stock into the stratosphere. As the world's largest snack-food company, Pepsi is finding new growth opportunities in emerging markets where snack-food consumption is just starting to take hold. Pepsi's strong position in the global snacks business has led to speculation that the company could make a bid for Mondelez.

Hot Food Companies To Buy For 2015: Carrefour SA (CRERF)

Carrefour SA is a France-based company that is primarily engaged in retail distribution sector. The Company operates a network of hypermarkets, supermarkets, hard discount stores, convenience stores and cash-and-carry outlets and offers e-commerce services. The Company's hypermarkets named Carrefour offer a range of food and non-food products. Carrefour SA�� hypermarkets, supermarkets and convenience stores are operating under the Carrefour city, Carrefour contact, Carrefour express, 8aHuit, Shopi, Marche Plus, Proxi banners and cash & carry stores are operating under the Promocash banner, which primarily offer food, clothing and household goods, among others. The Company operates in mainland France and French overseas territories, as well as in Europe, Asia, Latin America, North Africa and the Middle East through a network of consolidated and franchised stores, and stores that Carrefour SA runs with partner companies. In January 2014, it acquired 129 convenience stores. Advisors' Opinion:

[By Sophia Yan]
Carrefour (CRERF) has also shuttered many stores, and is reported to be exploring a sale of its China and Taiwan businesses.

Hypermarkets -- big box stores that combine supermarkets and department stores -- first opened up in China's largest cities over a decade ago. And it's no wonder companies such as Wal-Mart have been keen to get a slice of the market.

Hot Food Companies To Buy For 2015: Post Holdings Inc (POST)

Post Holdings, Inc., incorporated on September 22, 2011, is a holding company. The Company is a manufacturer, marketer and distributor of branded ready-to-eat cereals in the United States and Canada. The Company�� portfolio of brands includes Honey Bunches of Oats, Pebbles, Great Grains, Grape-Nuts, Shredded Wheat, Raisin Bran, Golden Crisp, Alpha-Bits and Honeycomb. It markets and sells ready-to-eat cereal products in three different categories: sweetened, balanced and unsweetened. Its sweetened products include Pebbles, Honeycomb, Golden Crisp, Alpha-Bits and Waffle Crisp. Its balanced products include Honey Bunches of Oats, Post Selects, Great Grains and Shreddies. The Company�� unsweetened products include Post Shredded Wheat, Post Raisin Bran and Grape-Nuts. Effective January 1, 2014, the Company announced it has completed the acquisition of private label pasta manufacturer Dakota Growers Pasta Company, Inc. Effective January 2, 2014, Post Holdings Inc acquired Agricore United Holdings Inc from Viterra Inc, a unit of Glencore Xstrata PLC, and the transaction also included Dakota Growers Pasta Company, Inc. Effective January 1, 2014, Post Holdings Inc acquired Dymatize Enterprises LLC, a Farmers Branch-based manufacturer and wholesaler of nutrition supplement. Effective January 1, 2014, it acquired Dymatize Enterprises LLC and Golden Boy Foods Ltd.

Honey Bunches of Oats is in the ready-to-eat cereal market. The Company�� Pebbles brands include Cocoa and Fruity Pebbles. The products are manufactured through a flexible production platform consisting of four owned primary facilities and sold through a variety of channels, such as grocery stores, mass merchandisers, club stores, and drug stores.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Rich Duprey]
It may have been a win for consumers, but cereal maker Post Holdings� (NYSE: POST ) lost out when its second-quarter earnings got milled by falling prices on top of higher costs.
[By John Kell and Lauren Pollock var popups = dojo.query(".socialByline .popC"); ]
Post Holdings Inc.(POST) lowered its fiscal-year adjusted profit view, as the company flagged cereal-demand weakness but also said results would include contributions from some recent acquisitions.

Hot Food Companies To Buy For 2015: Bell AG (BELL)

Bell AG is a Switzerland-based company that is primarily engaged in the production and distribution of meat. The Company has seven product groups. The Fresh Meat product group is involved in the supply of self-service meat products for the retail trade and products for the restaurant trade, as well as Vaudois specialties. The Charcuterie (own and purchased) product groups offer ready-cooked products, both under the Bell brand and under a number of customers' own brands. The Poultry product group offers various poultry products, as well as specialty meats, such as rabbit, game, ostrich and kangaroo. The Convenience product group offers ready-cooked seasonal convenience products, such as domestic and imported fish. Within the Seafood product group, the Company offers fresh and frozen seafood. Bell AG�� brands include Abraham, Zimbo and Polette, among others. The Company operates subsidiaries in Switzerland, Germany, France, Spain, Belgium, Hungary and other countries. Advisors' Opinion:

[By Tannor Pilatzke]
Investment ideas are scarce and hard to come by at times. People constantly ask me about companies they work for (Bell) or businesses they purchase a lot of product from (P&G or Coca-Cola), and what I think about the prospects/valuation. When it is not the blue chips in the limelight it certainly is the Netflix��,Tesla's, 3-D printing, and other companies I would classify as speculative. It is not that I am a Grinch, but I do not like giving out investment ideas. Rather, I attempt to give lessons. As Maimonides said, ��ive a man a fish, feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and feed him for a lifetime.��/p>

Hot Food Companies To Buy For 2015: Safeway Inc.(SWY)

Safeway Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a food and drug retailer in North America. The company operates stores that provide an array of grocery items, food, and general merchandise, as well as features specialty departments, such as bakery, delicatessen, floral, and pharmacy, as well as coffee shops and fuel centers. It also offers SELECT line of products that include baked goods, sparkling ciders and lemonades, salsas, whole bean coffees, frozen pizzas and entrees, and fresh and dry pastas and sauces, as well as an array of ice creams, hors d'oeuvres, and desserts; O ORGANICS line, which comprises milk, chicken, salads, juices, and entrees; Lucerne line of dairy products; Eating Right line of better-for-you products; Bright Green line of home care products; Total Pet Care line of pet foods and pet care products; and Value Red line of value-priced paper goods. As of December 31, 2009, Safeway operated approximately 1,725 stores in California, Oregon, Wash ington, Alaska, Colorado, Arizona, Texas, the Chicago metropolitan area, and the Mid-Atlantic region, as well as British Columbia, Alberta and Manitoba/Saskatchewan. In addition, the company owns and operates GroceryWorks.com Operating Company, LLC, an online grocery channel, doing business under the names Safeway.com, Vons.com, and Genuardis.com; and Blackhawk Network Holdings, Inc., which provides third-party gift cards, prepaid cards, telecom cards, and sports and entertainment cards to North American retailers for sale to retail customers. Additionally, it engages in gift card businesses in the United Kingdom, France, Mexico, and Australia. Further, the company, through a 49% ownership interest in Casa Ley, S.A. de C.V. operates 156 food and general merchandise stores in Western Mexico. The company was formerly known as Safeway Stores, Incorporated and changed its name to Safeway Inc. in February 1990. Safeway was founded in 1915 and is based in Pleasanton, California. Advisors' Opinion:

[By Callie Bost]
Aeropostale Inc. lost 1.4 percent as the retailer�� fourth-quarter loss forecast was wider than estimated. Safeway Inc. (SWY) slid 3.1 percent after Jana Partners LLC cut its stake in the supermarket chain. Apple Inc. rose 1.6 percent as China Mobile Ltd. moved closer to offering its 759 million subscribers iPhones.
[By abirk]
Further, to strengthen its foothold, recently, Kroger approached Safeway Inc. (SWY), the second-largest grocery store chain in the U.S., about acquiring some of that company�� operations.
[By Andrew Marder]
Empire Co, the buyer of Safeway's (NYSE: SWY ) Canadian property, saw its stock jump 11% in early trading the day after the sale. Meanwhile, Safeway's stock was up 10%, on the announcement of the $5.7 billion deal. All in all, not a bad setup for investors.

Hot Food Companies To Buy For 2015: Danone SA (DANOY)

Danone SA, incorporated on February 2, 1899, is a France-based company engaged in food processing activities. The Company operates in four business lines, including Fresh Dairy Products, Waters, Baby Nutrition and Medical Nutrition. The Fresh Dairy Products business line�� brands are Danone, Actimel, Activia, Danacol and Vitalinea. The Water business line offers brands, such as Evian, Volvic, Aqua, Bonafont, Font Vella and Lanjaron. The Baby Nutrition business line include Bledina, Gallia, Nutricia, Cow & Gate, Milupa, Mellin and Dumex brands. Medical nutrition business includes Nutricia, Nutrini, Nutrison, Fortimel, FortiCare, Fortisip, Neocate and Infatrini brands. As of December 31, 2009, the Company acquired Danone Clover and a 26.85% interest in Micropharma. In December 2010, the Company and Unimilk announced the finalization of the merger of their Fresh Dairy Product businesses.

In Europe the Company�� main markets are France, Spain, Germany, Italy, the Benelux countries, the United Kingdom, Poland and Russia. The Company�� product Actimel, the probiotic dairy product, if consumed daily, helps to strengthen the organism�� natural defenses. The Waters business line includes activities focused on natural or flavored mineral water and on fruit-flavored or tea drinks, with a positioning concerned with health benefits. The Company�� baby nutrition business line�� activities consist mainly of producing food for newborns and babies (infant milk formula, follow-on milk, and growing up milk). It also offers a diverse range of products for

children aged 6 to 36 months. Specially developed and clinically tested formulas have also been developed for babies suffering from milk protein intolerance. The Medical Nutrition business line develops nutritional products adapted to specific needs, namely those of hospitalized patients, in order to prevent malnutrition and to improve its consumers daily life.

The Company competes with Nestle, PepsiCo, Coca-cola, Abbott, Mead! Johnson and Fresenius.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Jeff Reeves]
Take the widely held Fidelity Worldwide Fund (FWWFX), which has 30% of its assets invested in Europe. Holdings include Swiss bank UBS (UBS), German automaker Volkswagen (VLKAY) and French food and consumer products giant Danone (DANOY).

Friday, May 22, 2015

Best Warren Buffett Stocks To Invest In 2016

Best Warren Buffett Stocks To Invest In 2016: TransAtlantic Petroleum Ltd (TAT)

TransAtlantic Petroleum Ltd. is an international oil and gas company engaged in the acquisition, exploration, development and production of crude oil and natural gas. The Company holds interests in developed and undeveloped oil and gas properties in Turkey, Bulgaria and Romania. As of March 1, 2012, it held approximately 5.4 million net onshore acres. As of March 1, 2012, it was producing an aggregate of approximately 2,638 net barrels of oil per day. As of March 1, 2012, it held interests in 57 onshore exploration licenses and nine onshore production leases covering a total of 5.3 million gross acres in Turkey. On February 18, 2011, the Companys wholly owned subsidiary TransAtlantic Worldwide, Ltd. acquired Direct Petroleum Morocco, Inc. and Anschutz Morocco Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiary TransAtlantic Petroleum Cyprus Limited. On June 7, 2011, TransAtlantic Worldwide acquired Thrace Basin Natural Gas (Turkiye) Corporation. Advisors' Opinion:

[By CRWE]
TransAtlantic Petroleum Ltd. (Amex:TAT) reported that the Turkish Competition Authority has approved the Company’s sale of its oilfield services business to Dalea Partners, LP (“Dalea”, an affiliate of N. Malone Mitchell, 3rd, the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer).

source from Top Penny Stocks For 2015:http://www.seekpennystocks.com/best-warren-buffett-stocks-to-invest-in-2016.html

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Best Mid Cap Companies To Own In Right Now

Auto parts retailers like large cap O'Reilly Automotive Inc (NASDAQ: ORLY) and mid cap Advance Auto Parts, Inc (NYSE: AAP)�along with small cap auto parts stock Federal-Mogul Corp (NASDAQ: FDML) have been a bright spot on the economy as consumers try to stretch the lives of their automobiles or vehicles in the bad or uncertain economy. In fact, Investors Business Daily has recently noted that the�average age of cars on the road is about 11.5 years and that�� of course good news for auto parts retailers while�any uptick in sales or production of auto parts in general�will be good for companies like Federal-Mogul Corp. With that in mind, here�is a look at�how these three auto parts retailers or auto parts stocks are taking investors for a ride in a good way:

O'Reilly Automotive Inc. Founded in 1957 by the O'Reilly family, O'Reilly Automotive is one of the largest specialty retailers of automotive aftermarket parts, tools, supplies, equipment and accessories in the United States, serving both the do-it-yourself and professional service provider markets. As of June 30, the company operated 4,087 stores in 42 states. Yesterday, O'Reilly Automotive reported an 8% revenue increase to $1.73 billion while net income increased 17% to $186 million for the 19th consecutive quarter of 15% or greater adjusted diluted earnings per share growth. O'Reilly Automotive is on�target to open 190 net new stores in 2013 and plans to increase new store growth in 2014 to 200 new stores. In addition, the company has $360 million remaining under its current share repurchase authorization. However, it should also be mentioned that O'Reilly Automotive�� cash�tends to be�locked in inventories while current and long term liabilities has been steadily increasing over the past few quarters according to Google Finance data��something investors should keep an eye on.�In addition, many of its stores are concentrated in certain regions of the country which could make the country vulnerable to economic fluctuations in those regions. On Wednesday, large cap O'Reilly Automotive rose 0.40% to $134.31 (ORLY has a 52 week trading range of $79.24 to $135.62 a share) for a market cap of $14.58 billion plus the stock is up 52.4% since the start of the year, up 66.7% over the past year and up 497.7% over the past five years.

Top 10 Paper Stocks To Watch Right Now: Global X China Industrials (CHII)

Global X China Industrials ETF (the Fund) seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the S-BOX China Industrials Index (the Underlying Index). The Underlying Index is a free float adjusted, liquidity tested and market capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure performance of the investable universe of companies in the Industrials sector of the Chinese economy, as defined by Structured Solutions AG. Global X Management Company, LLC serves as the investment adviser to the Fund. Advisors' Opinion:

[By pamatlarge]
Investors looking to short a particular sector can choose from several Global X long ETFs. The Global X China Consumer ETF (CHIQ) concentrates its investments in consumer cyclical goods and consumer defense goods. The Global X China Energy ETF (CHIE) primarily holds stocks in coal, oil and utility companies. The Global X China Financials ETF (CHIX) only invests in financial services companies and real estate companies. The Global X China Industrials ETF (CHII) holds stocks in industrial companies and basic materials companies. The Global X China Materials ETF (CHIM) invests in basic materials stocks. The Global X China Technology ETF (CHIB) holds technology stocks as the core of its investments. All of these ETFs are particularly sensitive to sector downturns and general economic contractions.

Best Mid Cap Companies To Own In Right Now: Acceleron Pharma Inc (XLRN)

Acceleron Pharma Inc., incorporated on June 13, 2003, is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of protein therapeutics for cancer and rare diseases. The Company�� research focuses on the biology of the Transforming Growth Factor-Beta (TGF-b) protein superfamily, a large and diverse group of molecules that are key regulators in the growth and repair of tissues throughout the human body. By coupling its discovery and development expertise, including its knowledge of the TGF-b superfamily, with its internal protein engineering and manufacturing capabilities, it has built a productive research and development platform that has generated clinical and preclinical protein therapeutic candidates with mechanisms of action.

The Company focuses on discovering and developing protein therapeutics that target a group of approximately 30 secreted proteins, or ligands, that are collectively referred to as the TGF-b superfamily. These ligands bind to subsets of 12 different receptors on the surface of cells, triggering intra-cellular changes in gene expression that guide cell growth and differentiation. The TGF-b superfamily ligands and their receptors represent an under-explored and diverse set of drug targets with the potential to yield therapeutics that modulate the growth and repair of diseased cells and tissues.

The Company has three internally discovered protein therapeutic candidates that are being studied in 12 ongoing Phase 2 clinical trials, focused on cancer and rare diseases. The Company�� two advanced protein therapeutic candidates, sotatercept and ACE-536, promote red blood cell production through a novel mechanism. Together with its collaboration partner, Celgene Corporation, the Company is developing sotatercept and ACE-536 to treat anemia and associated complications in patients with b-thalassemia and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). These red blood cell disorders are generally unresponsive to approved dru! gs. The Company�� third clinical stage protein therapeutic candidate, dalantercept, is designed to inhibit blood vessel formation through a mechanism that is distinct from, and potentially synergistic with, the dominant class of cancer drugs that inhibit blood vessel formation, the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway inhibitors. The Company is developing dalantercept primarily for use in combination with these products to produce better outcomes for cancer patients.

The Company and Celgene have conducted six human clinical trials with sotatercept in over 160 healthy volunteers and cancer patients. The Company has conducted one clinical trial with ACE-536 in healthy volunteers. In these studies, both sotatercept and ACE-536 caused a dose-dependent increase in the number of red blood cells. Based on these results, the Company and Celgene have initiated Phase II clinical trials with each of these protein therapeutic candidates in b-thalassemia and MDS. In the ongoing trial of sotatercept in patients with b-thalassemia, the Company has observed encouraging, dose-dependent increases in hemoglobin in a subset of patients at the two lowest dose levels.

Sotatercept is a soluble receptor fusion protein consisting of the extracellular domain of the activin receptor type IIA (ActRIIA) linked to the Fc domain of human IgG1. Sotatercept acts as a protein trap for TGF-b superfamily ligands that signal through the ActRIIA receptor. Sotatercept has increased red blood cells in multiple clinical trials. ACE-536 is a soluble receptor fusion protein consisting of a modified extracellular domain of the activin receptor type IIB (ActRIIB) linked to the Fc domain of human IgG1.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Monica Gerson]
Breaking news
Acceleron Pharma (NASDAQ: XLRN) today announced that it has commenced an underwritten public offering of $100 million of its common stock. To read the full news, click here. XenoPort (NASDAQ: XNPT) announced today that it intends to offer and sell 10,000,000 shares of its common stock, subject to market and other conditions, in an underwritten public offering. To read the full news, click here. Affymetrix (NASDAQ: AFFX) today announced that it has received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market its CytoScan庐 Dx Assay. To read the full news, click here. Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) today announced an agreement for Verizon to purchase from Intel the assets of Intel Media, a business division dedicated to the development of Cloud TV products and services. To read the full news, click here.
Posted-In: Evercore Partners US Stock FuturesNews Eurozone Futures Global Pre-Market Outlook Markets

Best Mid Cap Companies To Own In Right Now: Luna Innovations Incorporated(LUNA)

Luna Innovations Incorporated engages in the research, development, and commercialization of technologies in the areas of sensing and instrumentation products, and health care products primarily in the United States. The company?s Product and Licensing segment offers test and measurement products to monitor the integrity of fiber optic network and sub-assemblies. This segment provides Optical Vector Analyzer platform, a device for single-measurement, all-parameter analysis of fiber optic components and assemblies up to 150 meters in length; Optical Backscatter Reflectometer, a sensitive diagnostic device, for data and telecommunications companies, and service providers who maintain their own fiber optic networks; and Phoenix laser, a MEMs-based external cavity laser, that offers low noise and precise tuning capability over the C-band. It also offers distributed sensing systems, which comprise multiple sensors whose input is integrated through a fiber optic network and soft ware to detect distributed strain, shape, and temperature; and tunable lasers. In addition, this segment provides health care products, including medical devices for minimally invasive diagnostics, surgery, and therapy; non-invasive monitoring and diagnosis medical devices consisting of emboli detection and classification QUANTIFIER, a non-invasive medical device, that uses quantitative ultrasound technology to count emboli in ex-vivo blood circuit; and nanomaterial-based medical products comprising Trimetasphere nanomaterials. The company?s Technology Development segment provides contract research services to universities, government entities, and corporations. Luna Innovations Incorporated offers its services to energy, telecommunications, life sciences, and defense industries .The company was incorporated in 1990 and is headquartered in Roanoke, Virginia.

Advisors' Opinion:

[By Monica Gerson]
Luna Innovations (NASDAQ: LUNA) jumped 95.45% to $2.58 as the company announced its plans to sell its shape-sensing technology to Intuitive Surgical (NASDAQ: ISRG).
[By Rich Smith]
Shares of microcap fiber optic test and measurement sensor-maker Luna Innovations (NASDAQ: LUNA ) surged as much as 85% in Monday trading before finally settling down to book a 41% gain for the day. The catalyst: The company announced that it had extended its multiyear agreement to develop and supply "high-speed shape-sensing technology" to robotic surgery giant Intuitive Surgical (NASDAQ: ISRG ) for use in its da Vinci surgical robots.

Best Mid Cap Companies To Own In Right Now: Asante Gold Corp (ASE)

Asante Gold Corporation is a mineral exploration company involved in the acquisition and assessment of mineral properties in the Republic of Ghana. The Company is a gold royalty, exploration and development company. The Company is focused in Ghana, West Africa where it is exploring the Fahiakoba concession, a 22.07 square kilometers prospecting license located on strike with and between Perseus Mining's 4.32 million ounce Edikan Mine and AngloGold Ashanti's 60 million ounce Obuasi mine. It has a 100% interest in the Fahiakoba concession. ASG Mining Ltd. is the Company�� 100% owned Ghana subsidiary. Advisors' Opinion:

[By Namitha Jagadeesh]
Greece�� ASE Index (ASE) retreated 4 percent today, pulled down by shares of lenders. National Bank of Greece SA tumbled 27 percent to 1.15 euros after announcing details of a share sale. Piraeus Bank SA slid 21 percent to 36 euro cents.

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Take Five with Chris Wallis of Vaughan Nelson

Chris Wallis

The federal government's last-minute budget deal just adds to the uncertainty in the financial markets, said Chris Wallis, chief executive and chief investment officer at asset management firm Vaughan Nelson.

InvestmentNews: How do you feel about the Washington budget deal reached last week?

Mr. Wallis: I think it is neutral right now because we haven't made any significant shifts from current policy, and we haven't come to a long-term or medium-term resolution. They only established parameters for the next stage of talks. The next discussion we have — and the resolution to the budget — could be more important. We just went through a circus.

InvestmentNews: Does the budget deal open or close any investment opportunities?

Mr. Wallis: I don't think it does, only because the deal wasn't a material change from what already was in place, and we haven't seen any radical shifts in the regulatory environment.

As time passes and we go through the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, that will have an impact on certain markets for a number of years.

InvestmentNews: What is your fourth-quarter outlook for the markets?

Mr. Wallis: This has been the toughest quarter to call yet. When we look at the data, we're not seeing anything that would indicate the economy is getting ready to re-accelerate. The cycle is so muted. We would expect the fourth quarter to mimic what we've seen to date. Don't expect the Federal Reserve to begin to taper. So without that withdrawal of liquidity, we could be up or down 5%.

InvestmentNews: Where are the biggest risks in the markets?

Mr. Wallis: The single biggest risk is the Fed; that is, the systemic risk. It was a mistake to not taper the quantitative-easing program. We had already suffered the [implicit] impact of beginning to taper. The markets adjusted to it, but we needed to follow through and actually begin to taper. The private capital will not come back to the markets until the Fed gets out of the way.

If we started to taper today, the benefit 12 to 18 months forward would far outweigh the benefits of quantitative easing. It is going to be much more difficult to taper a year from now. Quantitative easing is a very poor tool for trying to achieve the objectives sought by the Federal Reserve.

InvestmentNews: What is your outlook for active versus passive management in this market environment?

Mr. Wallis: Clearly active management is going to do much better over next three years versus the past three years. We've been through a general recovery in economic activity, earnings and valuations.

Most of the monetary policy was designed to support that. All assets have risen generally across al! l segments of equity markets. The markets will begin this churning process where some will benefit and others won't, versus the past three years when everything benefited.

It will be very much a rifle shot in terms of generating the high-single-digit returns people are expecting out of the equity markets. I think we'll see advisers continue to narrow their use of [exchange-traded funds].