Market Wrap-Up for Nov. 14 – Sitting in Cash? Try Scaling In

With most of the major U.S. indexes sitting at or near all-time highs, one of the biggest hurdles investors must overcome is the fear of putting their money to work. Thankfully, there’s a simple way to alleviate this worry: scaling into stock positions over time.

Why Scale In?

Scaling into positions is a tried and true method of putting money to work for long-term investors. The concept is simple: purchase relatively small amounts of shares over time on a regular basis until you’re fully invested.

When you scale in, you accomplish the following:

» Remove the mental barrier of investing a large sum, and
» Discover that there is no “perfect” price to buy a stock at.

It can be a daunting task to invest your entire life savings, so let’s take a look at an example in action.

A Simple Strategy to Scale Into Positions

For this example, we’re going to assume an investor has $100k to invest in quality

Radio Shack is falling apart

Earlier this year, RadioShack (ticker: RSH) installed a new management team that was tasked with turning around a rapidly deteriorating business. RadioShack's legacy products like cables, adapters, and computers have been under pressure for years. Moreover, the company's move to focus on selling mobile devices was faltering in the face of strong competition from Best Buy (BBY) and others.

In the second quarter, RadioShack showed some signs of life, posting its first comparable store sales gain since 2010. But at the time, CEO Joseph Magnacca warned that investors should expect an uneven performance over the next few quarters as the company implemented its new strategy.

On Tuesday, investors saw exactly what Magnacca was talking about. RadioShack reported a significant drop in sales and an even more dramatic fall in earnings for the recently ended third quarter. While management did have some good news to report on the success of RadioShack's new concept stores, these efforts may be too little, too late.

A sales stumble or something worse?

In the third quarter, comparable store sales dropped 8.4% year over year, with declines in all product categories. Gross profit dropped from $341 million to $243 million, with about half of the decline attributable to writedowns for inventory that is being discontinued and sold below cost to wholesalers and clearance businesses.

Part of the shortfall in sales may be attributed to clearance activity, as RadioShack decided to simplify its stores by cutting the number of SKUs (distinct products) that it carries from 4,500 to 3,500. This reduction in SKUs could be a longer-term headwind to revenue if some customers can no longer find what they are looking for at RadioShack. But that effect should be offset by the introduction of new products like fitness gear.

A bigger worry is RadioShack's performance in the mobile category. The company's strategy still revolves around selling lots of smartphones and tablets and then adding on higher-mar! gin accessories like cases and chargers. But the mobile market may be moving away from RadioShack.

Trouble in mobile

The U.S. smartphone industry is increasingly dominated by just two players: Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL ) and Samsung (NASDAQOTH: SSNLF ) . As of August, a whopping 65% of U.S. smartphone subscribers used an Apple or Samsung device, and that percentage has been growing rapidly. This emerging duopoly could be a big problem for RadioShack.

Apple already has a significant retail footprint in the U.S., with more than 250 Apple Stores here. CEO Tim Cook hopes to eventually sell half of all new iPhones in the U.S. through the Apple Store, up from less than 15% today. It's not clear how Apple could reach that goal, but possible strategies include aggressively adding new Apple Stores, providing better trade-in offers, or offering new enticements to customers who buy through the Apple Store.

Meanwhile, Best Buy unveiled the "Samsung Experience Shop" earlier this year. These shops have received priority placement within Best Buy stores, and feature consultants hired and trained by Samsung to assist customers who are interested in Samsung devices. Best Buy has now rolled out around 1,400 of these stores-within-a-store.

The likely result is that the Apple Store will gain market share for iPhone sales over time, while Best Buy will gain market share for sales of Samsung phones. Retailers like RadioShack that rely on being an "honest broker" will be less useful the more the smartphone market becomes a two-horse race. Adding insult to injury, if RadioShack continues to lose shares in mobile, it will also have trouble selling high-margin mobile accessories.

Not dead yet, but not much hope

I think it is unlikely that RadioShack will be able to establish its relevance with a new generation of customers. The company is too reliant upon selling mobile devices and accessories, and market conditions are deteriorating for "neutral" retailers, compared to brand-oriented stores ! like the ! Apple Store and Best Buy's Samsung Experience Shop.

As a result, RadioShack will not be able to recover the revenue it has lost over the last two years. Furthermore, the company's operating expenses are already quite low, so it doesn't have the ability to cut its way to profitability. RadioShack has a fairly strong balance sheet, which could allow it to stagger on for a few more years, but by the end of the decade I expect this storied company to disappear.

The Motley Fool is a USA TODAY content partner providing general news, commentary and coverage from around the Web. Its content is produced independently of USA TODAY.

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Stock of companies being bought often jump

USA TODAY markets reporter Matt Krantz answers a different reader question every weekday. To submit a question, e-mail Matt at mkrantz@usatoday.com.

Q: What happens to the shares of acquiring companies after buyouts?

A: When a company is bought out, it's often a bonanza for its shareholders. Shares of acquired companies tend to soar in most cases.

It's been a bonanza for companies being bought this year. So far, companies are paying 20% above the current stock prices for companies being bought, says Richard Peterson of S&P Capital IQ. Seeing a 20% gain overnight is epic and something many investors try to anticipate.

But what about the flipside of the situation, or what happens to the companies doing the buying? It's usually less positive for the investors in the companies that buy the target.

A study analyzed buyouts between 1980 and 2001. It turns out investors in the acquiring company lost $25.2 million on average after the buyout deal was announced, according to the research by Sara Moeller of the University of Pittsburgh and her co-authors.

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That trend appears to holding this year. One of the biggest deals of the year, Microsoft's buy of part of smartphone maker Nokia for roughly $7 billion, announced on September 2 . Shares of Nokia soared 31% on the news, but shares of Microsoft dropped nearly 5%, even though investors were somewhat expecting the deal. Shares of Microsoft, though, have recovered since.

Investors can't exactly bank that stocks will fall by a large amount after an acquisition. Biotech firm Regeneron saw its stock fall 0.4% after announcing its plans to buy a production facility from Dell.

Rieder: Investigative reporting for public radio

When you think of public radio, investigative reporting is hardly one of the first things that comes to mind.

Lots of news, sure, and This American Life, and Wait Wait ... Don't Tell Me! and American Routes.

Hard-hitting, deep-dive watchdog stories, not so much.

But that may change if an intriguing new collaboration bears fruit.

The Center for Investigative Reporting, a non-profit news organization that does what its name suggests, and Public Radio Exchange (PRX), which distributes content to public radio stations, are joining forces to launch Reveal, which they hope will morph into a weekly, hour-long show packed with powerful journalism.

The program's pilot episode debuted this week, airing on more than 100 stations and in eight of the nation's top 10 markets.

Jake Shapiro, PRX's executive director, says the show is designed to "fill a gap in the public radio landscape." Its mission is to "take a longer, deeper look at the stories that matter most," says Joaquin Alvarado, the center's chief strategy officer.

This is very cool for a number of reasons. For one thing, the advent of a new source of investigative reporting is always welcome news. And the partnership highlights a number of encouraging trends that have emerged in the midst of the often-depressing news about traditional news organizations.

As many newspapers, facing crushing financial challenges and brandishing smaller staffs, have cut back on accountability reporting, exciting new ventures have arisen to help plug the gap.

While the Berkeley, Calif,.-based Center for Investigative Reporting has been around since 1977, it has mushroomed in recent years as non-profit journalism has come to the fore, and now has a staff of 75. It has transformed dramatically under the leadership of former Philadelphia Inquirer Editor Robert Rosenthal.

Two of its hallmarks are collaboration with other news outlets and extensive use of the opportunities afforded by a multiplatform world to broaden its r! each and heighten its impact. Teaming up with PRX exhibits both of these tendencies. CIR will dramatically expand its presence on public radio, and both organizations are highly attuned to the digital space.

Sophisticated, revelatory watchdog journalism is critical in a democracy. Here's hoping Reveal becomes a potent force.

So how did this marriage come about? Shapiro says it happened "fortuitously and serendipitously" through a connection between Alvarado and John Barth, PRX's managing director. They sensed there was a kinship between the organizations and that working together would provide an enormous opportunity for both. Things happened quickly after that.

Rather than wait until they were ready to do a full-fledged launch, the partners decided to put out a prototype and get a sense of how it went over with the stations and potential funders. So far, the positive feedback "has been beyond what we had been hoping for," Shapiro says.

Investigative reporting is an extremely time-consuming proposition, and coming up with fresh top-shelf material every week poses a challenge (the planners hope to go weekly sometime next year). That's why the program will include exposés not just from the center but also from other non-profit investigative news outlets and public radio stations that want to play. "If we had to do it all, we'd kill ourselves," Alvarado says.

The partners are using existing funds so far, but if the endeavor clicks, they anticipate it will be financed by a mix that will include philanthropy and sponsorships. The pilot was free, and it hasn't been decided whether stations will be charged in the future.

Rather than devote the entire hour to a single topic, the show will feature three big blocks and a number of shorter segments.

The first block will give listeners a behind-the-scenes look at how investigative reporting comes together, what Alvarado calls the Law and Order portion of the show. The sense is that this will play quite well with a publi! c radio a! udience, which tends to have an intense interest in news.

The second will be the main course, a major investigative piece, in effect a radio documentary. The aim, says Alvarado, is to create, for both radio listeners and digital news consumers, "great and compelling storytelling, which is what investigative reporting is all about."

Batting third will be a block focused on following up on earlier stories. What has been the impact? Have laws been changed? Did Reveal move the needle?

Interspersed will be a handful of shorter pieces. The first show, for example, features an interview with a lawyer coordinating the defense of NSA leaker Edward Snowden.

Shapiro, a public radio veteran who is looking forward to sharing Reveal with stations from coast to coast, developed his interest in connecting storytellers and audiences in an unusual way.

During the 1990s, he was a guitarist with the New England indie rock band Two Ton Shoe. His experience trying to "disrupt" the music industry helped propel him toward his current mission, he says.

Years later, Shapiro discovered that one of his songs had gone viral in South Korea. He takes from that a heartening message for creators, whether of music or journalism.

"Every artist," he says, "has a South Korea out there."

Soy Bean Levels

Given the recent news (Friday 13th) out of Cargill's main Argentinean crushing plant in Rosario, relating to a shortage of soybeans resulting in the suspension of operations out of the South American plant until March 2014 coupled with continued pressure from western heat waves in the U.S, how will beans fair in the coming weeks?beans2 With resistance coming in at 14.10 my suggestion is, that if traders factor-in the recent news out of Argentina onto their positions for this week we could see a close above this level and thus sparking a bullish movement towards 15.00. With the September contract now gone off the board, focus is now on the November contract and a Brazilian planting season which should kick off within the coming days, however with continued dryness in key states such as Mato Grosso farmers will enter the new season with degree scepticism and a rush to plant new beans will be tested from a weather perspective as fears of a lower yields due to inconsistent rain periods are forecasted. Do I smell fear premiums on the way? As always, use stops and keep an eye on the 10-handle rule. Don't forget to catch MrTopStep on The Closing Print video found under the OptionsTV page (top bar). We report directly from the SPX pits, wrapping up the day and positioning for trade tomorrow. OptionsProfits can be followed on Twitter at twitter.com/OptionsProfits MrTopStep can be followed on Twitter at twitter.com/MrTopStep For LIVE futures chat, more information on the 10-handle rule and futures educational content CLICK HERE FOR A SEVEN-DAY FREE TRIAL.

Charting Viacom's Latest Earnings Release

Viacom (Nasdaq: VIAB  ) reported earnings on May 1. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended March 31 (Q2), Viacom missed slightly on revenues and met expectations on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue dropped. Non-GAAP earnings per share dropped slightly. GAAP earnings per share contracted.

Gross margins expanded, operating margins contracted, net margins contracted.

Revenue details
Viacom logged revenue of $3.14 billion. The 29 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated revenue of $3.18 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 5.9% lower than the prior-year quarter's $3.33 billion.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

EPS details
EPS came in at $0.96. The 31 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $0.95 per share. Non-GAAP EPS of $0.96 for Q2 were 2.0% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.98 per share. (The prior-year quarter included -$0.01 per share in earnings from discontinued operations.) GAAP EPS of $0.95 for Q2 were 11% lower than the prior-year quarter's $1.07 per share. (The prior-year quarter included -$0.01 per share in earnings from discontinued operations.)

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

Margin details
For the quarter, gross margin was 50.9%, 30 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 27.0%, 100 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 15.2%, 240 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. (Margins calculated in GAAP terms.)

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $3.58 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.33.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $13.84 billion. The average EPS estimate is $4.68.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 136 members out of 148 rating the stock outperform, and 12 members rating it underperform. Among 63 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 59 give Viacom a green thumbs-up, and four give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Viacom is outperform, with an average price target of $64.34.

Is Viacom the right retailer for your portfolio? Learn how to maximize your investment income and ""Secure Your Future With 9 Rock-Solid Dividend Stocks,"" including one above-average retailing powerhouse. Click here for instant access to this free report.

Add Viacom to My Watchlist.

American Airlines: History Suggests Post-Merger Doldrums, Barclays Says

Shares of American Airlines (AAL) took flight leading up to its merger with US Airways. Is the ride about to get bumpier?

Bloomberg

Barclays’ David Fintzen and Isaac Husseini say American Airlines shares could start to feel more turbulence. They write:

On the technical side, the stocks are historically volatile and prone to relative underperformance. Even the best performing emergence (LCC as old US air emerged from bankruptcy and closed the America West merger) saw 40% relative out-performance in the first months quickly wiped out, before seeing the shares recover 6-7 months post emergence and solidly out-perform peer airlines in the months following. [Delta Air Lines (DAL)], NWA and UAUA (the pre-merger United  all saw reasonably large post emergence sell-offs, ranging from ~10% ([Delta]), 20% (NWA) and the extreme of ~60% relative declines for UAUA.

Also problematic for American Airlines are post-bankruptcy margins, which have tended to drop, and the timing of integration risks, which don’t typically emerge for a few months.

Still, there is good news: American Airlines’ “extremely competitive cost structure.” Fintzen and Husseini write:

[American Airlines] looks to emerge with a very sizable cost advantage over its largest competitor (12% lower all-in CASM versus [United Continental (UAL)]) and a more modest 2% advantage over [Delta]. Labor costs will escalate going forward ($400m+/yr per management comments), with old-US Airways labor moving to American rates, contractual raises and an eventual 'parity review'. Even including labor mark-up, we think [American Airlines] can sustain a cost advantage to both [United Continental] and [Delta] over the coming years. All that assumes [American Airlines] can contain cost pressures that come with the challenges of integration.

Fintzen and Husseini started American Airlines with an Equal Weight rating, and a $30 price target.

Shares of American Airlines have dropped 2.1% to $26.06 today at 2:02 p.m., while Delta Air Lines has dropped 3.4% to $26.97 and United Continental has decline 3.2% to $37.25.

Why iRadio Makes Sense for Apple

A recent study by NPD shows that streaming music inspires digital purchases. This finding goes against the common assumption that the rise of streaming music would negatively affect digital downloads.

How will this development affect the industry? As Fool contributor Daniel Sparks discusses with Fool.com's Erin Miller in the following video, it's just one more reason for Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL  ) to launch a streaming music service. And that, of course, would have serious ramifications for Pandora (NYSE: P  ) .

There's no doubt that Apple is at the center of technology's largest revolution ever and that longtime shareholders have been handsomely rewarded, with more than 1,000% gains. However, there is a debate raging as to whether Apple remains a buy. The Motley Fool's senior technology analyst and managing bureau chief, Eric Bleeker, is prepared to fill you in on both reasons to buy and reasons to sell Apple and what opportunities are left for the company (and your portfolio) going forward. To get instant access to his latest thinking on Apple, simply click here now.

 

At Work: Employers can’t ask but they can look

My client Denise and I were weighing pros and cons.

Should she keep or delete information about memberships and projects that infer her race on her resume? On one hand, the list shows ways she uses her skills and her innovative contribution to diversity. But by including it, she could be screened out because of race.

STORY: Tool monitors your social-media reputation
STORY: Social media 'rights' not always clear

Although that type of vetting is evil and unjust, personal information voluntarily provided on a resume could allow potential employers to discriminate more easily.

Yet many employers also are looking for diversity. This case — like most — has no good or bad, right or wrong answer.

In the days before professional and social media sites, the advice was clear: Do not use photos or personal information that is none of a potential employer's business or might cause a hiring manager to screen you out before meeting you.

Legally, employers still cannot ask certain personal questions in an interview. But nowadays, personal information is available for the taking on the Internet, and that gives employers a new opportunity to skirt the law.

Can this sharing of personal information via online social networks lead to hiring discrimination? Yes, according to an experiment conducted by Carnegie Mellon University researchers.

“(There is) statistically significant evidence of hiring bias originating from information candidates shared on their online profiles.”

— Christina Fong, Carnegie Mellon University

"Our experiment focused on a novel tension," says Alessandro Acquisti, associate professor of information technology and public policy at Carnegie Mellon.

He and colleague Christina Fong, a senior research scientist at the university, zeroed in on the "tension between the law, which in the United States protects various types of information, making it risky for certain personal questions to be asked during interviews; and new informa! tion technologies such as online social networks, which make that same information often available to strangers including interviewers and employers."

While a relatively small portion of U.S. employers regularly search for candidates online, "we found robust evidence of discrimination among certain types of employers," Acquisti says of their research.

Using data actual members revealed on "the most popular professional networking site in the U.S. and the most popular personal social networking site in the world," they designed resumes and online profiles for their experiments. They manipulated personal traits that candidates revealed online about religion and sexual orientation but kept signs of professionalism and work ethic constant.

First, they captured reactions to the resumes and online profiles and tested whether the profiles appeared realistic. Then they submitted applications on behalf of the candidates for actual job openings at more than 4,000 U.S. employers.

They could see how many Christian candidates got interviews relative to Muslim candidates and how many gay candidates got interviews compared to straight candidates.

Their experiment showed "statistically significant evidence of hiring bias originating from information candidates shared on their online profiles," Fong says. "Our Muslim candidate was less likely to receive an interview invitation compared to our Christian candidate in more politically conservative states and counties."

With traditional resume, a prospective employer won't know your about race, religion, marital status or children unless you volunteer the information.(Photo: Anatoly Vartanov, Getty Images)

But in sexual orientation, they detected less bias. I! nterview ! rates for gay candidates were similar to those for straight candidates.

Their findings suggest that hiring discrimination via Internet searches and social media doesn't seem widespread. But revealing certain traits online can have a significant effect on the behavior of employers who look on the Web for personal information.

To post or not to post personal data? To infer or not to infer? These are the questions.

Just know that some employers are biased. And be aware that what you say on social and professional sites and your resume may reveal information that potential employers can't ask you before or during an interview, but they now will know because you offered it up.

This is all the more reason to conduct your job search by way of referrals to potential employers. These are people who trust their friends and colleagues who referred you to them because of your credentials — and nothing else.

Career consultant Andrea Kay is the author of This Is How To Get Your Next Job: An Inside Look at What Employers Really Want. Reach her at andrea@andreakay.com. Twitter: @AndreaKayCareer.

3 Big Stocks on Traders' Radars

BALTIMORE (Stockpickr) -- Put down the 10-K filings and the stock screeners. It's time to take a break from the traditional methods of generating investment ideas. Instead, let the crowd do it for you.

From hedge funds to individual investors, scores of market participants are turning to social media to figure out which stocks are worth watching. It's a concept that's known as "crowdsourcing," and it uses the masses to identify emerging trends in the market.

Crowdsourcing has long been a popular tool for the advertising industry, but it also makes a lot of sense as an investment tool. After all, the market is completely driven by the supply and demand, so it can be valuable to see what names are trending among the crowd.

While some fund managers are already trying to leverage social media resources like Twitter to find algorithmic trading opportunities, for most investors, crowdsourcing works best as a starting point for investors who want a starting point in their analysis. Today, we'll leverage the power of the crowd to take a look at some of the most active stocks on the market today.

These "most active" names are the most heavily-traded names on the market -- and often, uber-active names have some sort of a technical or fundamental catalyst driving investors' attention on shares. That's especially true now that earnings season is officially underway. And when there's a big catalyst, there's often a trading opportunity.

Without further ado, here's a look at today's stocks.

Cisco Systems

Nearest Resistance: $21

Nearest Support: N/A

Catalyst: Lowered Growth Targets

Yesterday, Cisco Systems (CSCO) hosted its annual Financial Analyst Conference in New York, an event that's attended by the Wall Street research departments that cover the $108 billion IP networking hardware and software firm. During the conference, CFO Frank Calderoni announced that CSCO expected lower growth outlooks than Wall Street had been pricing in, spurring a small loss on high volume today.

The news is just the latest in a series of negative fundamentals from Cisco -- and you can see it in the chart. CSCO is at the bottom of a downtrending channel, a bearish setup that points to little buying activity in this stock.

I'd suggest staying away from shares.

Adobe Systems

Nearest Resistance: N/A

Nearest Support: $57

Catalyst: Q4 Earnings

The exact opposite is happening in shares of Adobe Systems (ADBE). The $30 billion creative software company is up more than 11% this afternoon following positive fourth-quarter earnings that proved bullish enough to shove shares to new highs. In recent years, Adobe's decision to move from a conventional software model to a cloud-based recurring subscription model made some shareholders anxious – but it's clearly delivering impressive performance in ADBE right now. Today's breakout is a buying opportunity for momentum traders.

Qualcomm

Nearest Resistance: $74

Nearest Support: $72

Catalyst: CEO Shakeup

Mobile chipmaker Qualcomm (QCOM) is getting high-volume attention today following news that COO Steve Mollenkopf was taking the CEO's desk after being courted for the chief executive role over at Microsoft (MSFT). Keeping Mollenkopf was important enough to QCOM that the firm is ousting current CEO Paul Jacobs on March 4 of next year to make room for Mollenkopf. That's not to say that Jacobs is against the move -- he had a big role in the decision. Jacobs will remain executive chairman of the board.

Hot Canadian Companies To Own For 2014

From a technical standpoint, Qualcomm is currently consolidating in a rectangle pattern with resistance at $74. Look for a breakout above that medium-term price ceiling as a buy signal in this mobile semiconductor giant.

To see these stocks in action, check out the at Most-Active Stocks portfolio on Stockpickr.



-- Written by Jonas Elmerraji in Baltimore.

Hot Medical Companies To Own In Right Now

The so-called fundamentals, frankly, don't really matter for Entest BioMedical Inc. (OTCMKTS:ENTB) or Gevo, Inc. (NASDAQ:GEVO). Oh, both GEVO and ENTB are generating sales, but both are consistently taking losses. That's ok though, as for both companies right now, profits aren't really the point - it's the pipeline that matters.

Then again, though both Gevo, Inc. and Entest BioMedical Inc. are on the same proverbial expectations-boat doesn't mean neither are trade-worthy. As a matter of fact, both are quite trade-worthy explicitly because they are nothing more than trading instruments, being pushed around by speculation and psychology, which is - amazingly enough - sometimes easier to handicap than actual "value". Thing is, though both ENTB and GEVO are dropping big hints as to the budding direction of their bigger undertow, these two stocks are most definitely not pointed in the same direction.

Hot Medical Companies To Own In Right Now: OncoSec Medical Inc (ONCS)

OncoSec Medical Incorporated, incorporated on February 8, 2008, is an emerging drug-medical device company. The Company focused on designing, developing and commercializing medical approaches for the treatment of solid cancers. In March 2011, the Company acquired from Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Inovio) certain assets related to the use of drug-medical device combination products for the treatment of different cancers.

The Company�� acquired assets relate to certain non-deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) vaccine technology and property relating to selective tumor ablation technologies, which it refers to as the OncoSec Medical System (OMS), a therapy which uses an electroporation device to facilitate delivery of chemotherapy agents, or nucleic acids encoding cytokines, into tumors and/or surrounding tissue for the treatment and diagnosis of various cancers. As of January 24, 2012, the Company had not generated any revenue from operations.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By John Udovich]

  Small cap biotech stocks AVEO Pharmaceuticals, Inc (NASDAQ: AVEO), OncoSec Medical Inc (OTCMKTS: ONCS) and MetaStat Inc (OTCBB: MTST) are focused on or are developing treatments or diagnostic technologies for metastatic cancers. In case you aren�� familiar with the term metastasis or metastatic, it�� the�spread of cancer from its primary site to other places in the body as cancer cells break away from a primary tumor, penetrate into lymphatic and blood vessels, circulate through the bloodstream and then grow in a new focus (metastasize) in normal tissues elsewhere in the body. In other words, it�� a dangerous form of cancer, but there are some small cap biotech stocks targeting it for diagnostics or treatment:

Hot Medical Companies To Own In Right Now: Spectrum Pharmaceuticals Inc.(SPPI)

Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a commercial-stage biotechnology company, primarily focuses on oncology and hematology. The company engages in acquiring, developing, and commercializing a broad and diverse pipeline of late-stage clinical and commercial products. It markets Zevalin, a prescribed form of cancer therapy, radioimmunotherapy; and Fusilev, a novel folate analog formulation and the pharmacologically active isomer of the racemic compound, calcium leucovorin. The company?s drugs in late stage development include Apaziquone, an anti-cancer agent; and Belinostat, a histone deacytelase inhibitor. Its drugs in development also include Ozarelix a luteinizing hormone releasing hormone antagonist, which is in Phase II clinical stage; SPI-1620, a peptide agonist of endothelin B receptors, which is in Phase I clinical stage; and RenaZorb, a lanthanum-based nanoparticle phosphate binding agent, which is in preclinical stage. The company was formerly known as NeoTherapeutics, Inc. and changed its name to Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in December 2002. Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc. was founded in 1987 and is based in Henderson, Nevada.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Keith Speights]

  Biotech stocks are highly volatile. A good example of this is Spectrum Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: SPPI  ) . Spectrum rode a wave of generic leucovorin shortages in late 2010 and early 2011 to stock gains of more than 170%. Shares then plunged more than 30% from July through September 2011. But the ride wasn't over yet.

• [By Rich Smith]

  Spectrum Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: SPPI  ) has found itself a new Executive Vice President, a new Chief Financial Officer, and a new Principal Accounting�Officer. They're all the same person.

• [By Keith Speights]

  Another prime case study for this comes from Spectrum Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: SPPI  ) . Spectrum's stock more than doubled from October 2011 through July 2012. However, shares plunged 55% from those highs because business dynamics changed since then. A shortage of a generic rival to Spectrum's lead drug Fusilev was alleviated, resulting in sales slowing down considerably.�

Top Safest Stocks To Invest In 2014: LeMaitre Vascular Inc (LMAT)

LeMaitre Vascular, Inc. (LeMaitre Vascular), incorporated on November 28, 1983, is a global provider of medical devices and implants for the treatment of peripheral vascular disease. The Company develops, manufacture, and market vascular devices to addresses the needs of vascular surgeons. The Company's diversified portfolio of peripheral vascular devices consists of brand name products that are used in arteries and veins outside of the heart and are well known to vascular surgeons, including the Expandable LeMaitre Valvulotome, the Pruitt F3 Carotid Shunt, and VascuTape Radiopaque Tape. The Company sells 12 product lines, most of which are used in open vascular surgery and some of which are used in endovascular procedures. The Company sells its products primarily through a direct sales force. The Company�� products are used by vascular surgeons who treat peripheral vascular disease through both open surgical methods and endovascular techniques. In July 2013, Lemaitre Vascular Inc acquired the assets of Clinical Instruments International, Inc. In August 2013, Lemaitre Vascular Inc acquired the assets of InaVein, LLC.

In June 2011, the Company divested its TAArget and UniFit stent grafts to Duke Vascular, Inc. In August 2011, the Company terminated its distribution of Endologix�� aortic stent graft products in Europe. In November 2011, it launched the second-generation of The UnBalloon Non-Occlusive Modeling Catheter. In December 2011, the Company launched the Over-The-Wire LeMaitre Valvulotome.

Open Vascular Products

The Company�� open vascular products are used primarily in conventional open vascular surgery for the treatment of peripheral vascular disease. LeMaitre line of embolectomy catheters are used to remove blood clots from arteries or veins. The Company manufactures single-lumen latex and latex-free embolectomy catheters, as well as dual-lumen latex embolectomy catheters. The dual-lumen embolectomy catheter allows clot removal and simultaneous irri! gation or guide-wire trackability. Its Pruitt line of occlusion and perfusion catheters reduces vessel trauma by using internal balloon fixation rather than traditional external clamp fixation.

Pruitt F3, Pruitt-Inahara, Inahara-Pruitt, and Flexcel Carotid Shunts are used to temporarily divert, or shunt, blood to the brain while the surgeon removes plaque from the carotid artery in a carotid endarterectomy surgery. Its Pruitt F3, Pruitt-Inahara, and Inahara-Pruitt shunts feature internal balloon fixation that eliminates the need for clamps, thereby reducing vessel trauma. Its Flexcel shunt is a non-balloon shunt offered for surgeons who prefer to secure their shunt using externally placed clamps.

EndoRE line of remote endarterectomy devices are used to remove severe atherosclerotic blockages from the major arteries of the leg in a minimally invasive procedure requiring a single incision in the groin. Its EndoRE devices are used to separate the sclerotic blockage from the vessel, cut the far end of the blockage to free it for removal, and then withdraw the blockage from the vessel.

Expandable LeMaitre Valvulotome and its Over-The-Wire LeMaitre Valvulotome cut valves in the saphenous vein, a vein that runs from the foot to the groin, so that the vein can function as a bypass vessel to carry blood past diseased arteries to the lower leg or the foot. The Expandable LeMaitre Valvulotome is the only self-sizing and self-centering valvulotome available, and the Over-The-Wire LeMaitre Valvulotome is the only over-the-wire self-sizing valvulotome available.

AlboGraft Woven and Knitted Vascular Grafts are collagen-impregnated polyester grafts used to bypass or replace diseased arteries. They are available in both straight tube and bifurcated versions. LifeSpan ePTFE Vascular Graft is an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) graft used to bypass or replace diseased arteries, and to create dialysis access sites. They are available in both regular and thin wall ! options a! nd with an optional full or partial external spiral support to increase resistance to compression or kinking. Its LifeSpan models are designed to reduce the risk of steal syndrome and high cardiac output, which are complications that may arise in dialysis access grafts.

AlboSure Vascular Patch is a polyester patch used in conjunction with endarterectomy and vascular reconstructions. Vascular surgeons use patches in conjunction with carotid endarterectomy, remote endarterectomy, and other vascular reconstructions. The Company also distributes the XenoSure Biologic Vascular Patch, a patch made from bovine pericardium.

AnastoClip VCS and AnastoClip GC Vessel Closure Systems allow surgeons to attach vessels, native and prosthetic, to one another by deploying titanium clips in place of suturing. These vessel closure systems create an interrupted anastomosis, or a vessel attachment that expands and contracts as the vessel pulses.

Endovascular and Other Products

The Company�� endovascular products are used primarily by vascular surgeons in minimally invasive endovascular procedures, such as stent-grafting, angioplasty, stenting, and atherectomy, and it also sells non-vascular medical devices used in general surgery procedures, primarily laparoscopic cholecystectomy. UnBalloon Non-Occlusive Modeling Catheter is used to apply radial pressure to the inside of an aortic stent graft in order to seal the outer lining of the stent graft against either the aorta or an adjacent stent graft.

VascuTape Radiopaque Tape is a flexible, medical-grade tape with centimeter or millimeter markings printed with its radiopaque ink that is visible both to the eye and to an X-ray machine or fluoroscope. VascuTape Radiopaque Tape is applied to the skin and provides interventionalists with a simple way to cross-reference between the inside and the outside of a patient�� body, allowing them to locate tributaries or lesions beneath the skin.

In some hosp! itals, va! scular surgery procedures are performed by general surgeons. The Company sells on-vascular medical devices used in general surgery procedures, primarily laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The Company�� general surgery product, the Reddick Cholangiogram Catheter is used to inject dye into the cystic duct during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The Company also offers two laparoscopic accessories used in laparoscopic gall bladder removal.

The Company competes with Applied Medical Resources Corporation, Cardiovascular Systems Inc., Cook Group Incorporated, C.R. Bard, Inc., Edwards Lifesciences Corporation, Getinge AB, Jotec GmbH, Medtronic, Inc., Terumo Medical Corporation, Uresil, LLC and W. L. Gore & Associates.

Hot Medical Companies To Own In Right Now: Myriad Genetics Inc (MYGN)

Myriad Genetics, Inc. (Myriad) is a molecular diagnostic company. The Company is focused on developing and marketing predictive medicine, personalized medicine and prognostic medicine tests. It performs all of its molecular diagnostic testing and analysis in its own reference laboratories. These technologies include the cornerstone technologies of biomarker discovery, high-throughput deoxyribo nucleuc acid (DNA) sequencing, ribo nucleic acid (RNA) expression and multiplex protein analysis. The Company uses this information to guide the development of new molecular diagnostic tests that are designed to assess an individual's risk for developing disease later in life (predictive medicine), identify a patient's likelihood of responding to drug therapy and guide a patient's dosing to ensure optimal treatment (personalized medicine), or assess a patient's risk of disease progression and disease recurrence (prognostic medicine).

As of June 30, 2012, the Company had launched nine commercial molecular diagnostic tests. The Company markets these tests through its own approximate 385-person sales force in the United States. The Company also markets its BRACAnalysis, COLARIS, and COLARIS AP tests through its own European sales force and have entered into marketing collaborations with other organizations in selected Latin American, European and Asian countries. The Company also generates revenue by providing companion diagnostic services to the pharmaceutical, and biotechnology industries and medical research institutions utilizing its multiplexed immunoassay technology.

Molecular Diagnostic Tests

The Company's molecular diagnostic tests are designed to analyze genes, their mutations, expression levels and proteins to assess an individual's risk for developing disease later in life, determine a patient's likelihood of responding to a particular drug, assess a patient's risk of disease progression and disease recurrence and measure a patient's exposure to drug therapy to ensu! re optimal dosing and reduced drug toxicity. The Company's BRACAnalysis test is a analysis of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes for assessing a woman's risk of developing hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. BRACAnalysis accounted for 81.7% of the Company's total revenue during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012. Its The Company's COLARIS test is an analysis of the MLH1, MSH2, MSH6 and PMS2 genes for assessing a person's risk of developing colorectal cancer or uterine cancer.

The Company's COLARIS AP test detects mutations in the APC and MYH genes, which cause a colon polyp-forming syndrome known as Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP), a more common variation of the syndrome known as attenuated FAP, and the MYH-associated polyposis signature (MAP). The Company's MELARIS test analyzes mutations in the p16 gene to determine genetic susceptibility to malignant melanoma. The Company's OnDose test is a nanoparticle immunoassay that is designed to assist oncologists in optimizing 5-FU (fluorouracil) anti-cancer drug therapy in colon cancer patients on an individualized basis. The Company's PANEXIA test is a comprehensive analysis of the PALB2 and BRCA2 genes for assessing a person's risk of developing pancreatic cancer later in life. The Company's PREZEON test is an immunohistochemistry test that analyzes the PTEN gene and assesses loss of PTEN function in many cancer types.

The Company's Prolaris test is a 46-gene molecular diagnostic assay that assesses whether a patient is likely to have a slow growing, indolent form of prostate cancer that can be safely monitored through active surveillance, or a more aggressive form of the disease that would warrant aggressive intervention, such as a radical prostatectomy or radiation therapy. The Company's TheraGuide 5-FU test analyzes mutations in the DPYD gene and variations in the TYMS gene to assess patient risk of toxicity to 5-FU (fluorouracil) anti-cancer drug therapy.

Companion Diagnostic Services and Other Revenue

! Through M! yriad RBM Inc., the Company provides biomarker discovery and companion diagnostic services to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical researches industries utilizing its multiplexed immunoassay technology. The Company's technology enables the Company to screen large sets of clinical samples from both diseased and non-diseased populations against the Company's menu of biomarkers. The Company's companion diagnostic services consist of Multi-Analyte Profile (MAP), Multiplexed Immunoassay Kits and TruCulture.

The Company has compiled a library of over 550 individual human and rodent immunoassays for use in its multi-analyte profile (MAP) testing services. The Company has also developed RodentMAP, a panel for use in pre-clinical animal studies and OncologyMAP, which measures cancer-related proteins to assists researchers accelerate the pace of discovery, validation and translation of cancer biomarkers for early detection, patient stratification and therapeutic monitoring. The Company has developed multiplexed immunoassay kits that enable its customers to leverage its technology services with their in-house capabilities. The Company's internally developed multiplexed immunoassay kits include all of the components necessary for a customer to perform a test on their own Luminex instrument. TruCulture is a simple, self-contained whole blood culture that can be deployed to clinical sites around the world for acquiring cell culture data without specialized facilities or training.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By John Udovich]

  On Monday, small cap molecular diagnostic stock Myriad Genetics, Inc (NASDAQ: MYGN) suddenly sank 9.34% to $23.50 just before the market closed���meaning its probably a good idea to take a closer look at what happened yesterday plus compare the stock�� performance verses small cap peer Sequenom, Inc (NASDAQ: SQNM) and mid cap peer Hologic, Inc (NASDAQ: HOLX).�

Hot Medical Companies To Own In Right Now: DiaMedica Inc (DMA)

DiaMedica Inc. (DiaMedica) is a development-stage company. The Company is a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery and development of drugs for the treatment of diabetes and related diseases. DiaMedica's compound, DM-199, is a recombinant human protein for the treatment of both Type I and Type II diabetes and their complications. DiaMedica is starting a Phase I/II clinical trial for DM-199. DM-199 is a recombinant human protein, which improves glucose control, protects beta cells through the expansion of a population of antigen-specific immunosuppressive cells (Tregs), and proliferates insulin producing beta cells through the activation of certain growth factors. The Company�� DM-204 is a G-protein-coupled receptor agonist (GPCR) monoclonal antibody to treat Type II diabetes and some of the associated complication's. activating a receptor resulted in insulin sensitivity, insulin secretion and vasodilation.

BlackBerry Shame At Decade Lows

Failing smartphone maker BlackBerry Ltd. (NASDAQ: BBRY) has been keeping a low profile since the firm hired turnaround artist John Chen to run the company early in November. Shares of the company’s stock are down 11% since Chen’s appointment, not exactly what BlackBerry’s board was hoping for. And it gets worse — the stock hit a 10-year low today.

Chen was hired to replace former CEO Thorstein Hein after Blackberry failed to find a buyer for the company. The same day Chen’s appointment was announced BlackBerry also said that it had received a cash infusion of $1 billion from an unnamed group of institutional investors including the company’s former board chairman Prem Watsa.

That cash won’t last long, and almost certainly not long enough for Chen to work his magic. He said earlier this month that BlackBerry is still committed to the handset business, but will focus its attention on business-oriented software, the BlackBerry Messenger service, and whatever it means by “embedded systems.”

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BlackBerry lost $1.2 billion in its most recent fiscal year and remaining committed to the handset business only means that the losses will keep piling up. Running the company is going to turn into a race to see which happens first: the software initiatives make some profit or the handset business burns through all the cash.

The company is scheduled to release third fiscal quarter results on December 20th. A week before its last earnings announcement BlackBerry gave a warning on earnings and it appears that investors don’t need or want to wait any longer for another dose of bad news from what was once the market share leader in smartphones.

Shares dropped to a 10-year low of $5.73 earlier on Monday before recovering a penny in the late afternoon. The stock’s 52-week high is $18.32.

Cowen Upgrades Boston Scientific; Shares Rise 4.2%

With its stock price already doubled in value over the last 12 months, is it time to back away from shares of Boston Scientific (BSX)? Cowen & Co. analyst Joshua Jennings doesn't think so.

In a note published today, Jennings upgraded the medical device maker to Outperform for the first time since initiating coverage in 2011 at Market Perform, and set a price target of $14 a share, citing key new devices.

The advice had an impact on the stocks, which rose 4.2% to $11.82.

Boston has been on a roll for much of  2013, recovering from an eight-year funk caused by safety issues and recalls, a weak market for implantable defibrillators used to treat irregular heartbeats and the pressure put on medical device makers by the recession here and in Europe.

Barrons.com called it in August 2012 when writer David Englander advised that the stock was cheap at nearly $5.50 a share. But Jennings argues that Boston's struggling implantable heart device and drug-coated stent businesses should recover over the next few years as the company launches critical new products.

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Jennings says the company may be able to exceed profit margin and earnings estimates as it gets a “mule kick” to revenue growth starting in 2014.

Important new products for the company include the Watchman device, which is designed to prevent strokes in people with high blood pressure, the S-ICD implantable defibrillator, and Synergy drug-coated stent.

Mexico to End State Oil Monopoly: Which U.S. Firms Stand to Benefit?

Mexico nationalized its oil reserves in 1938, and since then the only company allowed to produce the country's vast reserves has been Petróleos Mexicanos, or Pemex. But declining production and a lack of technology and cash have hobbled the Mexican oil industry for years. That changed on Saturday when the two political parties that control the Mexican parliament reached an agreement to amend the country's constitution and allow privately held companies to get in on the action. The bill is expected to be approved by Mexico's Congress next week.

Oilfield services firms have been allowed to work in Mexico, and Halliburton Co. (NYSE: HAL) is especially well-positioned to step up its business in Mexico. Last summer the company agreed to provide production services at a price of one cent per barrel in a new field believed to hold 341 million barrels of oil equivalent. Halliburton has worked in Mexico for years, and the company’s patient spade work is likely to lead to more contracts now.

Another area with great potential in Mexico is shale oil and gas. The Eagle Ford shale region in south Texas extends across the international border into Mexico and is completely undeveloped there. Major Eagle Ford producers like EOG Resources Inc. (NYSE: EOG), Chesapeake Energy Corp. (NYSE: CHK) and ConocoPhillips (NYSE: COP) are in a solid position to chase the opportunities south of the border.

Pemex has been unable to coax more oil from the offshore Cantarell field, the largest conventional oil field in the western hemisphere. From a peak production level of about 2.1 million barrels a day in 2003, production today is barely 400,000 barrels. Mexico's suspected deepwater and ultra-deepwater have yet to be accurately measured, but Pemex estimates reach as high as 50 billion barrels. The company has neither the cash nor the expertise to develop those deepwater resources and will have to turn to foreign firms like Chevron Corp. (NYSE: CVX), which can bring the required experience and cash to deepwater.

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Under the new law, Mexico will offer profit-sharing and production-sharing contracts and licenses to foreign firms, but will maintain ownership of the oil and allow the firms to book the reserves, a crucial concern for the oil companies that depend on reserves for valuation and borrowing purposes. Mexico will also establish a sovereign oil fund similar to Norway’s that will direct some of the profits into a long-term savings account to be used to fund government obligations in the future.

To say that oil companies have looked forward to this day is to put it mildly. It is a great day for Mexico as well.

Tesla Gets German Approval, and Sears Continues to Fall

Although we don't believe in timing the market or panicking over daily movements, we do like to keep an eye on market changes -- just in case they're material to our investing thesis.

Stocks fell for the third straight day today, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJINDICES: ^DJI  ) had its worst session in nearly a month as concerns mounted about the Federal Reserve stimulus taper and a disappointing holiday season. The blue chips fell 94 points, or 0.6%, ending the day at 15,915.

With the Fed set to hold its next Open Market Committee meeting in two weeks to determine the future of its $85 billion bond-buying program, investors once again became nervous about the coming taper. Recent jobs numbers have been strong, and Friday's November jobs report should go a long way to determining monetary policy. Another month of strong employment growth could mean the Fed begins cutting the stimulus sooner than expected. Stocks have gained more than 25% this year in large part because of the Fed's bond-buying program, which have made bond yields artificially low, making stocks look better by comparison. Tomorrow's jobs report from ADP will be the first hint at how many new jobs were created in November.

Sales for yesterday's "Cyber Monday," the day online retailers promote for holiday shopping, jumped 16% to $2.29 billion, though shares of Amazon.com (NASDAQ: AMZN  ) , the world's biggest online retailer, fell 2% on news that delivery companies such as UPS are also testing delivery drones, an idea that Amazon.com CEO Jeff Bezos mentioned in an interview on 60 Minutes Sunday night.

Top 5 Performing Stocks To Buy For 2014

Meanwhile, Tesla Motors (NASDAQ: TSLA  ) shares shot up 16% after a German regulatory agency said it didn't find any manufacturer defects in the electric-car maker's Model S Sedan, which had come under scrutiny after three fires were reported in the vehicles in a span of just six weeks. The car is still under investigation by the U.S. National Highway Transportation Safety Board, but the German board's ruling goes a long way to reassuring the public about the vehicle's safety and the market about any serious recall concerns.

Elsewhere in the auto industry, November sales jumped to an annual rate of 16.4 million, up from 15.3 million a year ago, the best figure since February 2007, a strong sign for the overall economy and for carmakers.

Sears Holdings (NASDAQ: SHLD  ) shares continued to fall, dropping 7.7%, continuing a two-day slide of 13% on poor Black Friday results. Sears had been one of the most aggressive Black Friday marketers, as its Kmart stores were open for 41 hours straight.

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Disney Dividend Magic: 19 Companies Increasing Dividends

Popular Posts: Disney Dividend Magic: 19 Companies Increasing DividendsDividend Yield or Dividend Rate: Which One Matters? Recent Posts: Disney Dividend Magic: 19 Companies Increasing Dividends The Stock Market Rally Rolls On Nike Kicks Up a Dividend: 11 Companies Increasing Dividends View All Posts

A slow Thanksgiving Week gave way to a more robust week of increased dividends, as companies once again ramped up announcements on the dividend front. Notable companies increasing dividends included Disney (DIS), continuing a four-year streak of annual dividend increases.

Speaking of consecutive dividend increase streaks, food processor Hormel (HRL) increased its dividend for the 48th consecutive year, while spice maker McCormick (MKC) upped its dividend for a 28th consecutive year.

In total, 19 companies made it on to our Companies Increasing Dividends list. (Note: All dividend yields are as of 12/6.)

Regional shopping mall real estate investment trust (REIT) CBL & Associates (CBL) raised its quarterly dividend 6.5% to 24.5 cents per share, payable on Jan. 15 to shareholders of record as of Dec. 30.
CBL Dividend Yield: 5.44%

Privately-branded specialty retailer Chico’s FAS (CHS) raised its quarterly dividend 36% to 7.5 cent per share, payable on Dec. 23 to shareholders of record as of Dec. 9.
CHS Dividend Yield: 1.63%

Worldwide entertainment company Walt Disney (DIS) raised its annual dividend 15% to 86 cents per share, payable on Jan. 16 to shareholders of record as of Dec. 16.
DIS Dividend Yield: 1.21%

Filtration parts and systems manufacturer Donaldson (DCI) raised its quarterly dividend 8% to 14 cents per share, payable on Dec. 20th to shareholders of record as of Dec. 9.
DCI Dividend Yield: 1.33%

Hospitality, foodservice, and healthcare products company Ecolab (ECL) raised its quarterly dividend 20% to 27.50 cents per share, payable on Jan. 15 to shareholders of record as of Dec. 17.
ECL Dividend Yield: 1.00%

Multinational consumer-branded meat distributor Hormel (HRL) raised its quarterly dividend 17.6% to 20 cents per share, payable on Feb. 14 to shareholders of record as of Jan. 22. This marks the 48th consecutive increase to the annual dividend.
HRL Dividend Yield: 1.75%

Global spice manufacturer and distributor McCormick (MKC) raised its quarterly dividend 8.8% to 37 cents per share, payable on Jan. 14 to shareholders of record as of Dec. 31. The increase marks the 28th consecutive increase to the annual dividend.
MKC Dividend Yield: 2.16%

Apartment community property real estate investment trust Mid-America Apartment Communities (MAA) raised its quarterly dividend 5% to 73 cents per share, payable on Jan. 31 to shareholders of record as of Jan. 15.
MAA Dividend Yield: 4.69%

Global healthcare and pharmaceutical giant Merck (MRK) raised its quarterly dividend 2.3% to 44 cents per share, payable on Jan. 8 to shareholders of record as of Dec. 16.
MRK Dividend Yield: 3.57%

Steel and steel products manufacturer Nucor (NUE) raised its quarterly dividend 0.6% to 37 cents per share, payable on Feb. 11 to shareholders of record as of Dec. 31.
NUE Dividend Yield: 2.84%

Diversified financial services company OFG Bancorp (OFG) raised its quarterly dividend 33% to 8 cents per share, payable on Jan. to shareholders of record as of Dec. 31.
OFG Dividend Yield: 1.8%

Energy services provider OGE Energy (OGE) raised its annual dividend 7.8% to 90 cents per share, payable on Jan. 30 to shareholders of record as of January 10.
OGE Dividend Yield: 2.6%

Healthcare services provider Omnicare (OCR) raised its quarterly dividend 43% to 20 cents per share, payable on Dec. 24 to shareholders of record as of Dec. 16.
OCR Dividend Yield: 1.36%

Insurance underwriting company Old Republic (ORI) raised its quarterly dividend 5.8% to 18 cents per share, payable on Dec. 16 to shareholders of record as of Dec. 4.
ORI Dividend Yield: 4.28%

Closed-end investment management company Oxford Lane Capital (OXLC) raised its quarterly dividend 9% to 60 cents per share, payable on Mar. 31 to shareholders of record as of Mar. 17.
OXLF Dividend Yield: 13.97%

Specialized polymer materials manufacturer and distributor PolyOne (POL) raised its quarterly dividend 33% to 8 cents per share, payable on Jan. 9, 2014 to shareholders of record as of Dec. 17.
POL Dividend Yield: 0.97%

Diversified energy and gas holding company RGC Resources (RGCO) raised its quarterly dividend 6.25% to 18.50 cents per share, payable on Feb. 1 to shareholders of record as of Jan. 15.
RGC Dividend Yield: 3.96%

Energy services holding company South Jersey Industries (SJI) raised its quarterly dividend 6.7% to 47.25 cents per share, payable on Dec. 27 to shareholders of record as of Dec. 10. The increase marks the 15th consecutive increase to the annual dividend.
SJI Dividend Yield: 3.41%

Cosmetics maker United-Guardian (UG) raised its semi-annual dividend 13% to 50 cents per share, payable on Dec. 20 to shareholders of record as of Dec. 6. This marks the 37th consecutive annual increase to the dividend.
UG Dividend Yield: 4.86%

Marc Bastow is an Assistant Editor at InvestorPlace.com. As of this writing he did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities. For more payout winners, see previous weeks' lists of Companies Increasing Dividends.

Ulta Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance, Inc. (NASDAQ:ULTA) Q3 Earnings Preview: The Ultimate EPS Trade?

Ulta Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance, Inc. (NASDAQ:ULTA) will conduct a conference call to discuss its third quarter 2013 results on Thursday, December 5, 2013 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time / 4:00 p.m. Central Time. A press release detailing the Company's third quarter 2013 results will be issued after the market closes and prior to the call.

Wall Street anticipates that the personal services company will earn $0.74 per share for the quarter. iStock expects ULTA to beat Wall Street's consensus number. The iEstimate is $0.75.

Ulta operates specialty retail stores in the United States. Its stores offer cosmetics, fragrance, haircare, and skincare products, as well as related accessories and services. The specialty retailer has topped Wall Street's earnings forecast 16 consecutive quarters.

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On average, ULTA actual results were $0.04 more than the consensus estimate with a range of $0.01 to $0.06 more than expectations during the last four years. That's about as solid and consistent a record one could ask for from quarterly checkups.

The beauty operator's EPS price-sensitivity has been nearly as impressive. ULTA shareholders' statements looked better 13 of the 16 quarters. Typically, investors bid the stock higher by 10.52% in the three-days surrounding the 13 plus EPS reactions. Shares moved a minimum of 3% to a max gain of 26.40%.

Now, three times Ulta investors got a haircut they didn't like, unless they were short the stock. Two of the three losses were quite ugly, dropping -16.60% and -16.30%, and one manageable slip of -3.70%.

[Related -Futures Point To Higher Open; Ulta Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance, Inc. (ULTA) Rises]

Good times for Ulta's top and bottom lines should continue. According to Google Trends, search-volume-intensi! ty increased 12.9% year-over-year (YoY). Meanwhile, analysts are calling for YoY EPS growth of 25.42% and a revenue increase of 23%. So, Google Trends hint at potential risk to the downside.

Inventory climbing fast is another concern that we have. Quarter-over-quarter (QoQ), merchandise increased by 21.69% and 45.60% YoY. When you factor it on a per store basis as ULTA opened 72 stores in the past 12 months, then the numbers look a little better at 17.2% QoQ and 28.38%

YoY. However, YoY revenue increased at a slower pace of 19.85%. It could mean the retailers margins could slip if heavy discounts were used to push stale products out the door.

Overall: The iEstimate and Ulta Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance, Inc. (NASDAQ:ULTA) earnings history suggests another bullish surprise is on the way. We are, however, concerned that Wall Street could find things to dislike if margins shrink or sales are tough lighter than expected. 

Update: Shares of BRE Properties Jump on Bloomberg Report of Possible Company Sale

Shares of BRE Properties Inc. (NYSE: BRE) jumped to new 52 week highs of $61.50, immediately following a Bloomberg report that the company is working with investment bankers at Wells Fargo (NYSE: WFC) for a possible sale of the company.

Bloomberg reported Essex Property Trust Inc. (NYSE: ESS) has made an offer to acquire BRE Properties for about $5 billion.

BRE Properties Chief Executive Office Constance B. Moore had publicly hinted earlier this year that the company would consider "any legitimate proposal" after an investment firm Land & Buildings had made a $4.6 billion offer valued at $60 a share.

Earlier this year Essex had approached BRE with an offer that was rebuffed.

Essex has been one of the strongest performers in the REIT space, so an acquisition of BRE would create further synergies. BRE owned or had stakes in more than 21,000 apartments mostly in the San Francisco Bay area as of the end of the third quarter. Essex, meanwhile, has ownership stakes in more than 34,000 apartments, mostly in Los Angeles, Riverside and San Diego.

The proposed acquisition, if approved, would mark the second largest REIT acquisition this year. American Realty Capital Properties purchased Cole Real Estate Investments Inc. for $6.85 billion in October.

Posted-In: American Realty Capital Properties Bloomberg bre properties Cole REal EState Investments Inc Essex REIT Wells FargoNews Markets Media

(c) 2013 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

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10 Best Oil Stocks To Invest In Right Now

Friday saw a kickoff in quarterly reporting from the oilfield services group, as both Schlumberger (NYSE: SLB  ) and Baker Hughes (NYSE: BHI  ) topped analysts' estimates in the process of chalking up relatively solid quarters.

Schlumberger's results were especially sound, with its adjusted earnings coming in at $1.01, two pennies higher than the analysts' consensus. Its income from continuing operations were up 4% to $1.35 billion, while its revenues grew nearly 8% to $10.7 billion, compared with $9.9 billion a year ago. International revenues climbed by 13% year on year, while contributions from North America slipped by approximately 4%. Among the one-time items during the quarter was a total of $0.07 in charges related to currency devaluations in Venezuela.

10 Best Oil Stocks To Invest In Right Now: HRT Participacoes em Petroleo SA (HRTPY.PK)

HRT Participacoes em Petroleo SA, formerly BN 16 Participacoes Ltda, is a Brazil-based holding company engaged in the oil and gas industry. The Company is primarily involved in the exploration and production (E&P) of oil and natural gas in Brazil and Namibia. Through its subsidiaries, it is active in the geophysical and geological research, exploration, development, production, import, export and sale of oil and natural gas, as well as in the provision of air logistics services in transporting people and equipment related to oil and gas activities in the exploratory campaign in the Solimoes Basin. As of December 31, 2011, the Company had seven subsidiaries, including Integrated Petroleum Expertise Company Servicos em Petroleo Ltda (IPEX), HRT O&G Exploracao e Producao de Petroleo Ltda, HRT Netherlands BV, HRT America Inc, HRT Africa, HRT Canada Inc and Air Amazonia Servicos Aereos Ltda.

10 Best Oil Stocks To Invest In Right Now: BMB Munai Inc (BMBM)

BMB Munai, Inc., incorporated in July 1981, focuses on oil and natural gas exploration and production in the Republic of Kazakhstan (Kazakhstan) through a wholly owned operating subsidiary, Emir Oil LLP, (Emir Oil). Emir Oil holds an exploration contract that allowed exploration drilling and oil production in the Mangistau Province in the southwestern region of Kazakhstan. On February 14, 2011 the Company entered into a Participation Interest Purchase Agreement (the Purchase Agreement) with MIE Holdings Corporation (MIE), and its subsidiary, Palaeontol B.V (Palaeontol), pursuant to which the Company agreed to sell all of its interest in Emir Oil to Palaeontol (the Sale). On September 19, 2011, the Company completed the sale of all of its interests in Emir Oil LLP to a subsidiary of MIE Holdings Corporation. The operations of Emir Oil LLP is classified as discontinued.

The initial distribution amount was determined after giving effect to the estimated closing adjustments, Escrow amount, repayment of the Convertible Senior Notes, and after providing for the payment of or reserve for other anticipated liabilities and transaction costs. In February 2012 the Company entered into a Management Services Agreement (Services Agreement) with Lakeview International, LLC (Lakeview). Pursuant to the Services Agreement, Lakeview is providing management, administrative and support personnel and services to the Company.

Hot Heal Care Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Nexen Inc.(NXY)

Nexen Inc. operates as an independent energy company worldwide. The company?s Conventional Oil and Gas segment explores for, develops, and produces crude oil and natural gas from conventional sources. This segment operates in the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States, and offshore West Africa, Colombia, and Yemen. Nexen?s Oil Sands segment develops and produces synthetic crude oil from the Athabasca oil sands in northern Alberta. The company?s Shale Gas segment explores for and produces unconventional gas from shale formations in northeastern British Columbia. Nexen Inc. was founded in 1971 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada.

10 Best Oil Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Archer Ltd (ARCHER.OL)

Archer Ltd, formerly Seawell Limited is a Bermuda-based global oilfield service company. The Company provides drilling services, such as platform drilling, land drilling, modular rings, directional drilling, drill bits, tubular services, drilling and completion fluids, cementing tools, plugs and packers, underbalanced services, rentals and engineering. It specialises also in well services, such as wireline intervention, specialist intervention, frac valves, wireline logging, integrity diagnostics, imaging, production monitoring, coiled tubing, completion services and fishing. As of January 3, 2012, the Company's organizational structure centered on four geographic and strategic areas: North America (NAM), North Sea (NRS), Latin America (LAM) and Emerging Markets & Technologies (EMT). As of December 31, 2010, it was active through a number of subsidiaries, namely Seawell, Allis-Chalmers Energy, Gray Wireline, Rig Inspection Services and TecWel, among others.

10 Best Oil Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Transportadora de Gas del Sur SA (TGS)

Transportadora de Gas del Sur S.A. (TGS) is engaged in the transportation of natural gas and production and commercialization of natural gas liquids (NGL). TGS�� pipeline system connects major gas fields in southern and western Argentina with gas distributors and industries in those areas and in the greater Buenos Aires area. The Company also renders midstream services, which consist of gas treatment, removal of impurities from the natural gas stream, gas compression, wellhead gas gathering and pipeline construction, operation, and maintenance services. The Company operates in three segments: natural gas transportation services through its pipeline system; NGL production and commercialization, and other services, which include midstream and telecommunication services.

During the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company�� gas transportation represented approximately 42% of total net revenues. During 2009, its NGL production and commercialization segment accounted for 50% of the total revenues of the Company. During 2009, its other services segment accounted for 8% of total revenues of the Company. Its other services segment consists of midstream and telecommunications services. Through midstream services, TGS provides integral solutions related to natural gas from wellhead up to the transportation systems. The services consists of gas gathering, compression and treatment, as well as construction, operation and maintenance of pipelines, which are generally rendered to natural gas and oil producers at wellhead. The customers��portfolio also includes distribution companies, industrial users, power plants and refineries.

During 2009, the Company provided a range of technical services to different customers. The services consisted of connections to the transportation system, engineering inspections, project management and professional technical counseling. Telecommunication services are provided through Telcosur S.A. (Telcosur), who renders services both as an independent c! arrier of carriers and to corporate clients within its area. Telcosur has a digital land radio connection system.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Sofia Horta e Costa]

  Telecom Italia SpA (TIT) lost 1.8 percent as Standard & Poor�� said it may downgrade the phone company�� debt to non-investment grade. TGS Nopec Geophysical Co. (TGS) tumbled the most in two years after reducing its revenue forecast. Celesio AG jumped to a three-year high on a report that McKesson Corp. may buy the German drug distributor.

• [By Dividend]

  Transportadora de Gas Del Sur S.A. (TGS) has a market capitalization of $308.26 million. The company employs 829 people, generates revenue of $466.44 million and has a net income of $43.33 million. Transportadora de Gas Del Sur�� earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) amounts to $170.33 million. The EBITDA margin is 36.52 percent (the operating margin is 27.41 percent and the net profit margin 9.29 percent).

10 Best Oil Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Gastar Exploration Ltd (GST)

Gastar Exploration Ltd (Gastar) is an independent energy company engaged in the exploration, development and production of natural gas and oil in the United States. The Company�� principal business activities include the identification, acquisition, and subsequent exploration and development of natural gas and oil properties with an emphasis on unconventional reserves, such as shale resource plays. As of December 31, 2011, it is pursuing the development of liquids-rich natural gas in the Marcellus Shale in the Appalachia area of West Virginia and, to a lesser extent, central and southwestern Pennsylvania. The Company also holds prospective acreage in the deep Bossier play in the Hilltop area of East Texas and conduct limited coal bed methane (CBM) development activities within the Powder River Basin of Wyoming and Montana. The Company is a holding company. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By David Smith]

  Earlier, the company had pocketed $75.2 million by selling to Gastar Exploration (NYSEMKT: GST  ) leasehold acreage in Oklahoma's Kingfisher and Canadian counties. It'll obviously require a passel of sales of that magnitude to shore up an overweight balance sheet.

• [By Heather Ingrassia]

  Gastar Agreement: On April 1st it was announced that Gastar Exploration, Ltd. (GST) had entered into a definitive agreement to acquire proven reserves and undeveloped leasehold interests in Kingfisher and Canadian counties of Oklahoma from Chesapeake Energy Corporation, repurchase Chesapeake's common shares of the Company and settle all litigation for $1 million. Although smaller in scope than most of Chesapeake's previous asset-shedding transactions, the agreement with Gastar accomplishes two things. First, is the fact the settlement resolves the legal wrangling both companies were engaged in and as a result Chesapeake walks away with $85 million of the potential $130 million they were suing for. Second, is the fact Chesapeake wipes it hands of acreage, that although producing, may not be producing as much as Chesapeake had once hoped, and therefore was worth much more to Gastar in the long run.

10 Best Oil Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Hi Crush Partners LP (HCLP)

Hi Crush Partners LP, formerly Hi-Crush Partners LP, is a domestic producer of monocrystalline sand, a specialized mineral that is used as a proppant to enhance the recovery rates of hydrocarbons from oil and natural gas wells. The Company reserves consist of Northern White sand, a resource existing in Wisconsin and limited portions of the upper Midwest region of the United States. It owns, operates and develops sand reserves and related excavation and processing facilities and will seek to acquire or develop additional facilities. The Company's 561-acre facility with integrated rail infrastructure, located near Wyeville, Wisconsin, enables it to process and deliver approximately 1,600,000 tons of frac sand per year. In June 2013, Hi Crush Partners LP announced the completion of its acquisition of D&I Silica, LLC (D&I).

The Company�� frac sand production is sold to investment grade-rated pressure pumping service providers under long-term, contracts that require its customers to pay a specified price for a specified volume of frac sand each month. The Company owns and operates the Wyeville facility, which is located in Monroe County, Wisconsin and, as of December 31, 2011, contained 48.4 million tons of proven recoverable sand reserves of mesh sizes it has contracted to sell. From the Wyeville in-service date to March 31, 2012, it had processed and sold 555,250 tons of frac sand.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Matt DiLallo]

  Three months ago I used my favorite investment strategy, writing puts, in an attempt to�add units�of�Hi-Crush Partners� (NYSE: HCLP  ) �to my portfolio. In one sense, that strategy was a failure as units of Hi-Crush stayed well above my strike price, meaning I won't be purchasing units when the puts expire next week. However, I was able to keep the full put premium which equated to a very nice 12% return for my capital at risk. Because I still want to add Hi-Crush to my portfolio, I'm going back to the well and writing puts again.

• [By Alex Planes]

  Hi-Crush Partners (NYSE: HCLP  ) and U.S. Silica Holdings (NYSE: SLCA  ) could also pose a threat to CARBO's higher-end products. CARBO has worked feverishly to convince drillers that ceramic proppants are much stronger than sand, and can withstand the high temperatures and pressures of deep, fractured wells. Since Hi-Crush's IPO, however, it does appear that the tide has shifted to sand, as Carbo's revenues have declined�while Hi-Crush and U.S. Silica have gained. Increased competition from a number of Chinese companies that have flooded the domestic market with cheap ceramic proppants is also a danger to CARBO's higher-quality products, provided that the cut-rate ceramics are actually up to the task.

10 Best Oil Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Mcdermott International Inc (MDR)

McDermott International, Inc. (MII),incorporated on August 11, 1959, is a engineering, procurement, construction and installation (EPCI) company. The Company is focused on designing and executing complex offshore oil and gas projects worldwide.

The Company provides fully integrated EPCI services; it delivers fixed and floating production facilities, pipeline installations and subsea systems from concept to commissioning. Its business segments consist of Asia Pacific, Atlantic, Caspian and the Middle East. On March 19, 2012, the Company completed the sale of its former charter fleet business, which operated 10 of the 14 vessels.

Asia Pacific Segment

Through the Company�� Asia Pacific segment, it serves the needs of customers primarily in Australia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand. Project focus in this segment includes the fabrication and installation of fixed and floating structures and the installation of pipelines and subsea systems. The majority of its projects in this segment are performed on an EPCI basis. Engineering and procurement services are provided by its Singapore office and are supported by additional resources located in Chennai, India and Houston, Texas. The primary fabrication facility for this segment is located on Batam Island, Indonesia. Additionally, through its equity ownership interest in a joint venture, the Company has developed a fabrication facility located in China.

The Company competes with Allseas Marine Contractors S.A.; Daewoo Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd.; EMAS Offshore Pte Ltd.; Heerema Group; Hyundai Heavy Industrial Co., Ltd.; Nippon Steel Corporation; Saipem S.P.A.; Samsung Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.; Sapura Kencana Petroleum; Subsea 7 S.A.; Swiber Holdings Ltd., and Technip S.A.

Atlantic Segment

Through the Company�� Atlantic segment, it serves the needs of customers primarily in the United States, Brazil, Mexico, Trinidad and West Africa. Project focus in this s! egment includes the fabrication and installation of fixed and floating structures and the installation of pipelines and subsea systems. Engineering and procurement services are provided by its Houston office, and its New Orleans office provides marine engineering capabilities to support its global marine activities. The primary fabrication facilities for this segment are located in Morgan City, Louisiana and Altamira, Mexico.

The Company competes with Allseas Marine Contractors S.A.; Dragados Offshore Mexico, S.A.; Gulf Island Fabrication Inc.; Heerema Group; Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc.; KBR, Inc.; Kiewit Corporation; Saipem S.P.A.; Subsea 7 S.A., and Technip S.A.

Middle East Segment

Through the Company�� Middle East segment, which includes the Caspian region, it serves the needs of customers primarily in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.), Kuwait, India, Azerbaijan, Russia, and the North Sea. Project focus in this segment relates primarily to the fabrication and offshore installation of fixed and floating structures and the installation of pipelines and subsea systems. The majority of its projects in this segment are performed on an EPCI basis. Engineering and procurement services are provided by its Dubai, U.A.E., Chennai, India and Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia offices and are supported by additional resources from its Houston and Baku, Azerbaijan offices. The primary fabrication facility for this segment is located in Dubai, U.A.E.

The fabrication facilities in each segment are equipped with a variety of heavy-duty construction and fabrication equipment, including cranes, welding equipment, machine tools and robotic and other automated equipment. Project installation is performed by construction vessels, which the Company owns or leases and are stationed throughout the various regions and provide structural lifting/lowering and pipelay services. These construction vessels are supported by its multi-function vessels and chart! ered vess! els from third parties to perform a wide array of installation activities that include anchor handling, pipelay, cable/umbilical lay, dive support and hookup/commissioning.

The Company competes with Hyundai Heavy Industrial Co. Ltd.; Keppel Corporation; Larsen and Toubro Ltd (India); National Petroleum Construction Company (Abu Dhabi); Saipem S.P.A.; Technip S.A.; and Valentine and Swiber Holdings Ltd.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Nicole Seghetti]

  Texas-based industrial company McDermott International (NYSE: MDR  ) provides construction services to the offshore oil and gas industry. Shares of McDermott plunged in early March, when the company missed analysts' earnings estimates. Project delays and higher costs continue to hamper profitability. Fisher probably sold because of McDermott's weak outlook for 2013.

• [By Brian Pacampara]

  Based on the aggregated intelligence of 180,000-plus investors participating in Motley Fool CAPS, the Fool's free investing community, engineering and construction company McDermott International (NYSE: MDR  ) has earned a coveted five-star ranking.

• [By Roberto Pedone]

  McDermott International (MDR) is an engineering, procurement, construction and installation company engaged on designing and executing complex offshore oil and gas projects. This stock closed up 2.2% to $9.52 in Thursday's trading session.

  Thursday's Range: $6.69-$6.95
  
  52-Week Range: $6.68-$13.56
  
  Thursday's Volume: 8.51 million
  
  Three-Month Average Volume: 4.48 million

  From a technical perspective, MDR bounced modestly higher here right off its recent low of $6.68 with heavy upside volume. This stock recently gapped down sharply from close to $9 to that $6.68 low with heavy downside volume. That move has now pushed shares of MDR into extremely oversold territory, since the stock has a current relative strength index reading of 19.84. Oversold can always get more oversold, but it's also an area where a stock can experience a powerful bounce higher form if buyers decide to step in.

  Traders should now look for long-biased trades in MDR as long as it's trending above that $6.68 low and then once it sustains a move or close above its gap down day high near $7.50 with volume that hits near or above 4.48 million shares. If we get that move soon, then MDR will set up to re-fill some of its previous gap down zone that started near $9. Some possible upside targets for MDR if it gets into that gap with volume are $8 to $8.20.

• [By CRWE]

  McDermott International, Inc. (NYSE:MDR) reported that one of its subsidiaries has been awarded a fabrication contract for components of a deepwater platform in the Gulf of Mexico, by Heerema Marine Contractors Nederland BV.

10 Best Oil Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Worthington Energy Inc (WGAS.PK)

Worthington Energy, Inc. (Worthington), formerly Paxton Energy, Inc., incorporated July 30, 2004, is an oil and gas exploration and production company with assets in Texas and in the Gulf of Mexico. Worthington�� assets in Texas consist of a minority working interest in limited production and drilling prospects in the Cooke Ranch area of La Salle County, Texas, and Jefferson County, Texas, all operated by Bayshore Exploration L.L.C. (Bayshore). The Company�� assets in the Gulf of Mexico consist of a leasehold working interests in certain oil and gas leases located offshore from Louisiana, upon which no drilling or production has commenced as of December 31, 2011, and a 10.35% interest in the recently drilled I-1 well and a 2% royalty interest in 14,400 acres in the Mustang Island Tract 818. On March 27, 2012, it acquired certain assets from Black Cat Exploration & Production, LLC.

In Texas, the Company has working interests ranging from 4% to 31.75% (ne t revenue interests ranging from 3% to 23.8125%) in the various wells. In the Gulf of Mexico it has a 70% leasehold working interest, with a net revenue interest of 51.975%, of certain oil and gas leases in the Vermillion 179 tract and 10.35% interest in the recently drilled I-1 well and a 2% royalty interest in 14,400 acres in the Mustang Island Tract 818. As of December 31, 2011, it had one producing well that generated average total monthly net revenue.

The Mustang Island 818-L Field, located in the Kleberg County waters of the Gulf of Mexico, is a field re-habilitation project targeting bypassed or only partially produced gas-condensate. Total production from the wells within the seismic coverage was 125.6 billion cubic feet. In January 2011, the Hercules Offshore 205 jack-up rig was contracted to re-enter the I-Well on the Mustang License Area. The oil and gas leases are located in the VM 179, which is in the shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico offshore fr om Louisiana. VM 179 is at 85 inches water depth approxima! te! ly 46 miles offshore Louisiana in the Gulf of Mexico.

10 Best Oil Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Africa Hydrocarbons Inc (NFK)

Africa Hydrocarbons Inc. (AHI) is a Canada-based oil and gas company engaged in the acquisition and development of energy assets, with an emphasis on Africa. The key asset of the Company is its 47.5% owned Bouhajla Block, which is located onshore in Tunisia within the productive Pelagian Basin. The Company completed approximately 60 square kilometer of three-dimensional (3D) seismic. The Company�� BHN-1 well was spud on the Bouhajla North oil prospect. The Company�� projects include Tunisia Project Highlights, Tunisia - Pelagian Basin Area, Bouhajla Prospects and Leads, Bouhajla Prospects, Bouhajla North Risk Mitigation, Tunisia - Bouhajla PSC and PSC Terms - Oil.

Sam Champion exits ABC for Weather Channel

Sam Champion, in leaving ABC's "Good Morning America" to be managing editor and a show host at the Weather Channel, called his new gig a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) Last year, one popular morning television show replaced an anchor in the worst possible way: By forcing her out and leaving her humiliated on her last day. Now another morning show is replacing an anchor, and the contrast couldn't be more stark.

ABC, which benefited enormously when NBC's "Today" show dismissed Ann Curry, is amicably parting ways with Sam Champion.

Champion has been the weather anchor on "Good Morning America" for the past seven years. On Monday, he announced he is becoming managing editor of the Weather Channel and host of a forthcoming morning show.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me to do what I love most at a network that lives and breathes the weather," Champion said.

Champion's departure will almost certainly make some people at ABC anxious. He was one of the five anchors who, in the spring and summer of 2012, helped "GMA" topple the "Today" show in the ratings for the first time since the mid-1990s. "GMA" recently began its second year at No. 1.

As Champion can attest, the relationships between anchors are enormously important in morning television -- and his removal from the equation will be an adjustment both for the other anchors and for viewers. Some portion of the audience might follow Champion to the Weather Channel.

But if there's any bitterness or resentment behind the scenes, it was undetectable on Monday.

The president of ABC News, Ben Sherwood, thanked Champion for his "countless contributions to our news division." At the same time, the producers of "GMA" started to plan a televised goodbye party for Wednesday.

It's as if ABC absorbed the lessons of Curry's mangled departure and zigged where NBC zagged.

NBC, for example, didn't televise a highlight reel of Curry's time on "Today" on her last day -- an omission that she interpreted as the last in a long series of insults by her bosses. ABC will almost certainly have a Champion highlight reel on Wednesday.

Hot High Tech Stocks To Invest In 2014

Of course, the circumstances are very different this time around.

NBC executives thought Curry was performing poorly on the "Today" show and decided to replace her with Savannah Guthrie. ABC executives wanted to keep Champion and made wh! at one person familiar with the negotiations called "a generous offer" to stay.

But that offer was ultimately trumped by one from the Weather Channel, which could give him something ABC couldn't -- a management role and a morning show of his own.

While the negotiations with Curry dragged on for weeks in the spring of 2012, the negotiations with Champion were relatively straightforward. Champion informed ABC of his decision to leave over the weekend, and ABC moved to announce it right away, lest the news start to leak the way Curry's did.

Sherwood then tapped Ginger Zee, who has been the weather anchor on the weekend editions of "Good Morning America" for the past two years and has filled in frequently for Champion on the weekdays. As Sherwood announced Champion's departure, he also said that Zee would take over for him immediately -- limiting the kind of speculation about a successor that hurt the "Today" show last year.

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On Twitter on Monday, Zee wrote to Champion: "Thank you for your guidance the last two years...you can never be replaced but I am so excited for us both in our new endeavors!"

The addition of Champion is a coup for the Weather Channel, which recently gave itself a facelift and is intent on adding new programming for weather aficionados.

In an internal memo, Weather Channel President David Clark said Champion would host a new, as-yet-unnamed morning show "that we have been developing and planning to launch" in the first three months of next year. A channel spokesman said Champion's start date has not been determined.

The Weather Channel is partly owned by NBC Universal, so Champion's move means he could come on the "Today" show and other N! BC progra! ms in the future. An NBC News spokeswoman didn't rule that out on Monday: "We love having the Weather Channel talent appear on the platforms of NBC News, and we hope and expect that will be the case with Sam Champion in his new role with them."

Talent transitions are often turbulent times for television networks, as NBC's experience with Curry demonstrated last year.

But Champion's departure is unlikely to damage "GMA," partly because he is leaving on a positive note and partly because the show's ratings don't seem to depend on any single anchor. The weekly ratings for "GMA" stayed remarkably steady last fall and winter while its biggest star, Robin Roberts, was on a long medical leave.

Roberts' multi-million-dollar contract was due to expire at around the same time as Champion's contract. ABC declined to comment on Roberts' status. But negotiations have been taking place in secret for months, and Roberts is on the verge of signing up for several more years at ABC, according to a person with direct knowledge of the situation. In fact, some of Roberts' colleagues are under the impression that her deal is already done.

Once Champion says goodbye, attention inside ABC will turn to the future of two other "GMA" anchors: Josh Elliott and Lara Spencer. The contracts of both are set to expire early next year.

The only member of the five-person "GMA" team on an entirely different contract cycle is Roberts' co-anchor, George Stephanopoulos.

On Monday he wrote on Twitter, "Congrats Sam! Big adventure for you. We'll miss you!"