Saturday, May 31, 2014

Top 5 Wireless Telecom Companies To Invest In 2015

Top 5 Wireless Telecom Companies To Invest In 2015: Eutelsat Communications SA (ETL)

Eutelsat Communications SA is a France-based holding company that provides fixed satellite services. It provides four types of services, including broadcast services, such as direct-to-home and professional broadcasting; broadband services, comprising broadband Internet access; telecoms and data services to ensure permanent communications links from all points of the globe, establish or restore communications in an emergency and multicast content; as well as mobile and maritime communications, such as fleet management and on- and off-shore broadband maritime communications. It operates a fleet of satellites covering Europe, the Middle East, North and sub-Saharan Africa, as well as parts of Asia and the Americas. In January 2014, it acquired Satelites Mexicanos, S.A. de C.V. and together with SES SA have completed the sale to EchoStar Corp. of Solaris Mobile Ltd. Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Sofia Horta e Costa]

    Eutelsat Communications SA (ETL) declined 6.2 percent to 21.02 euros after predicting sales will grow by more than 2.5 percent for the year 2013 to 2014. The company, which operates 31 satellites, forecast growth of more than 5 percent for the following two years through June 2016. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut its price target for the stock to 24 euros from 33 euros, saying analysts will probably reduce their estimates following the companys revised guidance.

  • source from Top Penny Stocks For 2015:http://www.topstocksforum.com/top-5-wireless-telecom-companies-to-invest-in-2015.html

Hot Construction Companies To Own In Right Now

Hot Construction Companies To Own In Right Now: Tutor Perini Corporation(TPC)

Tutor Perini Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides diversified general contracting, construction management, and design-build services to private clients and public agencies worldwide. It operates in three segments: Civil, Building, and Management Services. The Civil segment involves in public works construction, and the repair, replacement, and reconstruction of infrastructure. This segment?s civil contracting services include construction and rehabilitation of highways, bridges, mass transit systems, and wastewater treatment facilities. The Building segment provides services to various specialized building markets for private and public works clients, such as the hospitality and gaming, transportation, healthcare, municipal offices, sports and entertainment, education, correctional facilities, biotech, pharmaceutical, industrial and high-tech markets, electrical and mechanical, plumbing, and HVAC services. The Management Services Segment offers diversifie d construction and design-build services to the United States military and government agencies, surety companies, and multi-national corporations in the United States and internationally. This segment also provides rapid response and contract completion services; and management or general contracting services to fulfill the contractual and financial obligations of the surety on notification from the surety of a contractor bond default. The company was founded in 1894 and is headquartered in Sylmar, California.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Rich Smith]

    Following up on the news that it's the likely winner of a $985 million contract to design the Madera-to-Fresno segmentof California's new high-speed railway, civil engineering firm Tutor Perini (NYSE: TPC  ) announced Tuesday that it's scored a second major contract win.

  • source from Top Penny Stocks For! 2015:http://www.seekpennystocks.com/hot-construction-companies-to-own-in-right-now.html

Friday, May 30, 2014

Students panic over online college application glitches

common application college

Students are anxious that their college applications won't be received in time for early deadlines.

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) The college applications process is fraught with anxiety for students.

The last thing they need is a major technological glitch.

But in recent months, students across the country have encountered numerous glitches in the Common Application site they use to apply to more than 500 colleges and universities.

The site wouldn't let them submit forms, deleted entire portions of essays, and at times even charged twice for the same application. In some cases, students who thought they submitted applications learned that they hadn't even gone through.

It has caused a wave of concern among students and families who are applying early to colleges this year. The early applications are due for most colleges in mid-October through early November.

"I can't log into my Common App. It says my user name and password is incorrect even though it is not, and when I click 'forget password,' it does not send a reset link," Ramya Rupanagudi wrote on Common App's Facebook (FB, Fortune 500) page.

Matt Walz wrote that his entire essay was deleted and that he had to spend an hour retyping what he lost. Cathy Wood's daughter couldn't upload her letter of recommendation. Margaret Owens Rieger said that colleges she applied to never received her transcripts or essays. Evan Benford was charged twice.

The Common App lets students fill out a single application for multiple colleges, including the vast majority of the country's top-tier schools. The site's popularity has skyrocketed, with the number of applicants nearly doubling in the last five years to more 700,000.

The website's software was overhauled in August. Since then, students and universities have experienced a litany of issues.

The site lists about 15 problems in the "Known Issues" page. All of them are in the process of being fixed, the site says.

But many students are worried that it will be too late.

Huai Julie wrote on Facebook that she was having trouble submitting her application.

"If this problem cannot be solved, it means I will [lose] my application opportunity," she wrote.

Some colleges have taken steps to address the issue, warning of the processing problems in their own websites. Others, like The University of North Carolina and Georgia Tech, extended their deadlines from from Oct. 15 to Oct. 21.

"We are in regular communication with the Common Application, which is doing their best to resolve these issues," UNC's wesbsite said.

Common Application did not respond to requests for comment. To top of page

Thursday, May 29, 2014

10 Best Sliver Stocks To Watch Right Now

10 Best Sliver Stocks To Watch Right Now: Apollo Gold Corporation(BRD)

Brigus Gold Corp. engages in the extraction, processing, refining, and production of gold and other by-product metals primarily in North America. The company principally produces gold and silver. It primarily owns the Black Fox Complex and Black Fox Mill properties located in the Timmins Mining District in the Province of Ontario, Canada; the Goldfields project located in the Lake Athabasca region of Saskatchewan, Canada; and the Ixhuatan property located in the state of Chiapas, Mexico. Brigus Gold Corp., through its joint venture, holds interests in the Ampliacion Pueblo Viejo and Loma El Mate gold exploration projects located in the Dominican Republic. The company was formerly known as Apollo Gold Corporation and changed its name to Brigus Gold Corp. in June 2010. Brigus Gold Corp. was founded in 1936 and is headquartered in Halifax, Canada.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By MONEYMORNING]

    As well, Primero Mining (NYSE: PPP) bought Brigus Gold Corp (USA)(NYSE: BRD) for $220 million, and Asanko Gold (NYSEMKT: AKG) is acquiring PMI Gold Corporation (TSE: PMV).

  • [By Zacks Investment Research]

    It is hard to find a good play in the Zacks Industry of mining non-ferrous metals, as the industry currently has a rank of 247 out of 261. In fact, in our five mining industries, there are only two No. 1-Ranked stocks: Brigus Gold (BRD) and Impala (IMPUY.PK). Both of these are in struggling industries, but they have proven to be best-in-class thanks to improving earnings estimates. Plus, both have seen their ranks surge from holds (or worse) up to strong buy territory, suggesting either of these names might be better picks than the struggling SCCO at this time.

  • source from Top Penny Stocks For 2015:http://www.topstocksforum.com/10-best-sliver-stocks-to-watch-right-now.html

Top Penny Stocks To Invest In 2015

Top Penny Stocks To Invest In 2015: Select Comfort Corporation(SCSS)

Select Comfort Corporation develops, manufactures, markets, and distributes adjustable-firmness beds and other sleep-related accessory products in the United States, Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, and Australia. It offers its mattresses under the Sleep Number brand name. The company also provides a line of accessory bedding products, including specialty pillows, mattress pads, comforters, sheets, and leg options. Select Comfort Corporation distributes its products through retail, direct marketing, and e-commerce channels. As of January 2, 2010, it had 403 company-owned stores and 146 retail partner doors. The company was founded in 1987 and is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Rich Bieglmeier]

    [Related -Select Comfort (SCSS) Calls Active]

    Sales, unlike earnings, are expected to grow, rising 6.2% year-over-year (YoY). Select Comfort's consensus revenue estimate for Q1 is $ 274.27 million, more than last year's $ 258.24 million.

  • [By Monica Gerson]

    Select Comfort (NASDAQ: SCSS) is estimated to post its Q1 earnings at $0.32 per share on revenue of $274.27 million.

    E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (NYSE: DD) is projected to report its Q1 earnings at $1.58 per share on revenue of $10.45 billion.

  • [By Tess Stynes]

    Among the companies with shares expected to actively trade in Monday’s session are Hhgregg Inc.(HGG), Select Comfort Corp.(SCSS) and Walgreen Co.(WAG)

  • source from Top Stocks For 2015:http://www.topstocksblog.com/top-penny-stocks-to-invest-in-2015.html

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Many workers see higher health care premiums

More employees are getting hit with higher health insurance premiums and co-payments, and many don't have the money to cover unexpected medical expenses, a new report finds.

More than half of companies (56%) increased employees' share of health care premiums or co-payments for doctors' visits in 2013, and 59% of employers say they intend to do the same in 2014, according to the annual Aflac WorkForces Report. It's based on a survey of 1,856 employers and 5,209 employees at small, medium and large-size companies.

In 2013, 19% of companies implemented a major medical plan with a high deductible (more than $1,000) and Health Savings Accounts as an alternative to a traditional medical plan, the study finds.

Employees are worried about covering their medical costs: 49% have less than $1,000 to pay for unexpected out-of-pocket medical expenses; 53% would borrow from their 401(k)s or credit cards to cover unexpected medical costs; 66% say they wouldn't be able to adjust to the large financial costs associated with a serious injury or illness.

The survey also showed 69% of workers at least somewhat agree that they regularly underestimate the total costs of an injury or illness, including medical, household and out-of-pocket expenses.

Many employees are in a "fragile financial situation" and couldn't afford the out-of-pocket expenses of many medical situations, says Matthew Owenby, vice president of human resources for Aflac, a provider of supplemental insurance, such as accident, cancer, critical illness, dental and vision.

Top 10 Defense Companies To Invest In 2015

Some companies are already offering high-deductible plans and, "I think we'll see more of this in the future," he says.

The need to control costs is driving many companies' decisions on benefits, Owenby says. The report shows that almost half of employers (49%) agree that controlling costs is the primary objec! tive, and took steps to contain costs, including:

• 39% hired independent contractors or consultants.

• 32% eliminated or delayed raises.

• 22% eliminated or cut back on benefits.

• 21% changed some full-time workers to part-time workers.

The report notes that the Kaiser Family Foundation finds that health care premiums have increased 80% since 2003, nearly three times as fast as wages (31%) and inflation (27%).

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Top computer hacker gets leniency

NEW YORK — A top computer hacker who helped investigators disrupt at least 300 cyberattacks on targets ranging from the U.S. armed forces and Congress to a TV network and a video game maker was spared additional prison time Monday after prosecutors argued for leniency.

Hector Xavier Monsegur could have faced more than 26 years behind bars for his confessed cyberattacks as a former member of the Anonymous and LulzSec hacking collectives.

But U.S. District Judge Loretta Preska imposed a term of seven months behind bars — the exact equivalent of what he'd already served — which means Monsegur was a free man after his sentencing hearing in Manhattan federal court.

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Federal prosecutors argued Monsegur merited the far lesser punishment because he "was an extremely valuable and productive cooperator" whose help led to the arrest and conviction of eight co-conspirators.

They did not specifically name the targets saved from potentially crippling cyberattacks as the result of Monsegur's cooperation. But they estimated in a government sentencing memorandum filed Friday that his actions "prevented at least millions of dollars in loss to these victims."

"Monsegur's cooperation was complex and sophisticated, and the investigations in which he participated required close and precise coordination with law enforcement officers in several locations," Manhattan Assistant U.S. Attorney James Pastore wrote in the memo.

Among other specifics, Pastore credited Monsegur's assistance in the 2012 arrest of Jeremy Hammond, who at the time was the FBI's number one cybercriminal target. Hammond pleaded guilty and was sentenced to a 120-month prison term in November 2013.

Monsegur's assistance was invaluable because he was a trusted member of hacking groups involved in numerous hacking episodes. Using the online alias "Sabu," he was known for analyzing computer code ! for vulnerabilities that could be exploited, Pastore wrote.

Some of those cyberattacks listed in the sentencing memo included the hack that compromised the database of the Fox reality TV show X-Factor, and attacks on PBS, Sony Pictures, Nintendo and Infragard Unveillance, an FBI affiliate in Atlanta.

Monsegur pleaded guilty to computer-hacking crimes in August 2011 as part of a government cooperation deal after FBI agents confronted him about his online activities. He served the seven months imprisonment because the government moved to revoke his bail in 2012 after he made unauthorized online postings.

Under federal sentencing guidelines, Monsegur could have faced 259 months to 317 months imprisonment. But the U.S. Probation Office recommended in a pre-sentence report that he not spend additional time behind bars.

Monday, May 26, 2014

Top 10 International Companies For 2015

Positive trends have Silicon Valley tech giants Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL  ) , Facebook (NASDAQ: FB  ) , and the century-old�International Business Machines (NYSE: IBM  ) �poised for future success in each of their diverse, but somewhat interrelated, businesses.�

Investors who take notice can be rewarded.�

Advertisers like Facebook
Assuming continued low operating costs, mostly for labor and relatively inexpensive computer infrastructure, an increase in the number of ads placed on Facebook should also translate into higher profits for the company.

For Facebook, the key to more ads is growth in the number of users, especially from mobile platforms like smartphones and tablets. A positive trend is sales of those products have been increasing.�

The user base, now at over 1 billion strong, has been increasing at a brisk pace and there is no reason to think that it will slow down. Demographics are on the side of Facebook. Every day more people who are likely to buy products advertised on its website become connected to the Internet.

Top 10 International Companies For 2015: GT Advanced Technologies Inc (GTAT)

GT Advanced Technologies Inc., incorporated on September 27, 2006, is diversified technology company with crystal growth equipment and solutions for the global solar, light emitting diode (LED) and electronics industries. The Company operates in three segments: its polysilicon business, its photovoltaic (PV), business and its sapphire business. The Company's principal products are Silicon Deposition Reactors (SDR) and related equipment used to produce polysilicon, the key raw material used in silicon-based solar wafers and cells; Advanced sapphire crystallization furnaces (ASF) which are used to crystallize sapphire boules, and Directional solidification (DSS) furnaces and related equipment used to cast multicrystalline and MonoCast crystalline silicon ingots. On January 7, 2013, the Company announced the idling of its HiCz pilot manufacturing facility in Hazelwood, Missouri. On November 8, 2012, the Company acquired certain assets of Twin Creeks Technologies, Inc. (Twin Creeks). In May 2013, the Company acquired the business of Thermal Technology LLC.

PV Business

The focus of the Company's PV business is the development, manufacture and sales of crystallization growth furnaces to produce silicon ingots used in the production of solar wafers. The Company's principal product line has been the DSS family of casting furnaces that are used to produce multicrystalline ingots and MonoCast ingots. As of December 31, 2012, the Company shipped approximately 3,300 DSS crystallization furnaces. The ingots are used to make photovoltaic (PV) solar wafers and cells. HiCz, or continuous Czochralski (Cz) growth process, produces monocrystalline ingots that are designed to produce more efficient wafers. The Company�� DSS furnace is a specialized furnace used to melt polysilicon and cast multicrystalline ingots. Multicrystalline ingots are used to produce solar wafers, which ultimately become solar cells. The Company markets its DSS crystallization furnaces under the names DSS450HP and DSS6! 50. The Company's largest capacity DSS furnace, the DSS650, is capable of producing ingots that weigh up to 650 kilograms using standard silicon feedstock. In January 2012, the Company introduced its MonoCast silicon casting technology that uses the DSS furnace architecture to produce ingots comprised of a high percentage of monocrystalline material. The Company is markets MonoCast technology under the name DSS450 MonoCast.

The Company�� ancillary equipment provides operators with material handling assistance during the preparation of the crucible before it is loaded with silicon and during the loading and unloading of the crucible into the DSS furnace chamber at the start of the growth process and out of the DSS furnace chamber at the conclusion of the ingot growth process. The Company's ancillary equipment includes crucible coating stations, crucible manipulators, loaders/unloaders, extraction tools and other material handling systems required to safely transport material during the ingot growth process. The Company sells replacement parts and consumables used in its DSS furnaces and other PV equipment.

Polysilicon Business

The Company's polysilicon business offers Silicon Deposition Reactors, which utilize the chemical vapor deposition process, and related trichlorosilane (TCS) technology and equipment along with engineering services to existing polysilicon producers and new market entrants. The Company's polysilicon business focuses on product design, quality control, engineering services, project management and process development related to the production of polysilicon. It markets its SDR reactors under the names SDR300, SDR400, SDR 500 and SDR 600. The Company provides equipment, technology and engineering services for the production and purification of TCSand silane. This hydrochlorination technology eliminates the need for silicon tetrachloride converters which are required when using certain other polysilicon production technology. The Company also pr! ovides an! cillary equipment and technologies for producing seed rods used in its SDR reactors and for handling and processing the polysilicon rods into a finished product.

Sapphire Business

The Company's sapphire business markets and sells of the Company's ASF systems to customers to enable them to produce sapphire material. The Company also produces sapphire material, on a limited basis, for the LED and other specialty markets at its sapphire pilot production facility in Massachusetts. Its ASF systems produce monocrystalline sapphire material, referred to as sapphire boules. The sapphire boules are used to make sapphire wafers, a substrate for manufacturing LEDs, as well as sapphire blanks and windows for such applications as medical devices and watch crystals. The Company's ASF technology is based on the heat exchanger method (HEM), which is a directional solidification technique, which crystallizes the sapphire meltstock material during the growth process. The Company also uses the facility as a research and development (R&D) center to test new technology developments prior to commercial release. The Company markets and sells its ASF systems under the name ASF100. The Company also provides engineering and product design, quality control, process engineering, engineering services and field services related to the operation of its ASF furnaces. The Company produces sapphire material on a limited basis at its pilot production facility in Massachusetts. The Company sells this material to customers in the LED and other markets, such as the aerospace, defenses and medical device.

The Company manufactures and sells two principal types of sapphire materials: hems Sapphire Material and Titanium-doped Sapphire (Ti:Sapphire) Material. Using the material derives from the sapphire boule generated with its ASF furnaces, the Company cut the sapphire material in a number of different dimensions and crystal orientations, in form factors such as cores, rods, blanks, windows and tubes. The! Company ! generates sapphire boules that are doped with titanium. The Company provides certain finishing and polishing for its Ti:Sapphire material.

The Company competes with ALD Vacuum Technologies AG, JYT Corporation, Ferrotec Corporation, PVA TePla AG, Centrotherm Elektrische Anlagen GmbH & Co., Jing Gong Technology, Zhejiang Jingsheng Mechanical & Electrical Co., Ltd, MSA Apparatus Construction for Chemical Equipment Ltd, Centrotherm Elektrische Anlagen GmbH & Co., Morimatsu Industry Co. Ltd., Poly Plant Project, Inc., Hemlock Semiconductor Corporation, Wacker Chemie AG, MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc., Renewable Energy Corporation ASA, Thermal Technology LLC, Advanced Renewable Energy Company, LLC, Rubicon Technology, Inc., Sapphire Technology Co. Ltd. (Korea), Kyocera International Inc., Saint-Gobain, Gavish Inc., and Monocrystal.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Paul Ausick]

    Stocks on the Move: GT Advanced Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: GTAT) is up 20.5% at $10.10 after earnings and signing deal to supply Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) with sapphire glass. Marvell Technology Group Ltd. (NASDAQ: MRVL) is up 8.5% at $13.03 following reports of an investment by KKR & Co. (NYSE: KKR). Oxygen Biotherapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: OXBT) is up 62.7% at $8.38 along with other biotech stocks making big moves today.

  • [By Paul Ausick]

    We have tracked the short interest in the following North American Solar companies as of September 13: Canadian Solar Inc. (NASDAQ: CSIQ), First Solar Inc. (NASDAQ: FSLR), GT Advanced Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: GTAT), SunEdison Inc. (NYSE: SUNE) and SunPower Corp. (NASDAQ: SPWR).

Top 10 International Companies For 2015: K&S AG (KPLUY)

K&S AG is a Germany-based holding company which is active in the chemical sector. The Company divides its activities into four main business segments. The Potash and Magnesium Products segment is engaged in the crude potash and magnesium salts extraction and in processing raw materials into products for industrial, pharmaceutical, cosmetics and food industries. The Nitrogen Fertilizers business segment distributes fertilizers for almost all agricultural crops, and products for home and garden, plant care and plant protection, specialty fertilizers for public green areas, tree nurseries, horticulture and various special crops are offered. The Salt segment offers food grade salt, industrial salt and salt for chemical use, as well as de-icing salt applied to ensure road safety. The Complementary Business segments include recycling activities and the disposal and reutilization of waste salt mines, granulation of CATASAN, logistics, and trading in different basic chemicals. Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Rich Duprey]

    Yet, Europe's leading potash player K+S (NASDAQOTH: KPLUY  ) just said that, because of the upheaval that's occurred in the market, it was slashing its dividend by 82% for 2013,�reducing the payout ratio to just 11% of adjusted after tax�earnings, a far cry from the miner's usual�ratio of between 40% and 50%. Could this signal a new era of austerity that will ultimately see Potash,�Agrium (NYSE: AGU  ) , and Mosaic (NYSE: MOS  ) �end up whacking their payouts, as well?

Best India Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Dole Food Company Inc(DOLE)

Dole Food Company, Inc. engages in sourcing, growing, processing, marketing, and distributing fresh fruits and vegetables, and food products to wholesale, retail, and institutional customers worldwide. It operates in three segments: Fresh Fruit, Fresh Vegetables, and Packaged Foods. The Fresh Fruit segment involves in growing and selling bananas under the DOLE brand name primarily in North America, Europe, and Asia; ripening and distributing DOLE and non-DOLE branded fresh produce in Europe; growing, sourcing, and selling fresh pineapples under the DOLE TROPICAL GOLD label; and exporting Chilean fruits, including grapes, apples, pears, stone fruits, and kiwifruits primarily to North America, Latin America, and Europe. The Fresh Vegetables segment engages in sourcing, harvesting, cooling, distributing, and marketing various fresh and fresh-cut vegetables, including iceberg lettuce, red and green leaf lettuce, romaine lettuce, butter lettuce, celery, cauliflower, broccoli, c arrots, Brussels sprouts, green onions, asparagus, snow peas, artichokes, and radishes, as well as fresh strawberries and raspberries. This segment also processes and markets value-added vegetable products, such as packaged salads and packaged fresh-cut vegetables. The Packaged Foods segment produces and markets canned pineapples, canned pineapple juice, fruit juice concentrate, fruit parfaits, snack foods, and frozen fruits, as well as fruits in plastic cups, jars, and pouches. Its principal customers include mass merchandisers and supermarkets. Dole Food Company, Inc. was founded in 1851 and is based in Westlake Village, California.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Jeremy Bowman]

    What: Shares of Dole Food� (NYSE: DOLE  ) were looking sweeter today, gaining as much as 22% after CEO David Murdock offered to pay $12 a share for the remaining 60% of the company that he doesn't already own.

  • [By Rich Duprey]

    That's why seeing Dole Foods (NYSE: DOLE  ) lurch from a stock buyback program one day to suspending it weeks later so it can buy new ships instead, rattled investors and caused its stock to drop 10% so far.

  • [By Michael Nau]

    How would you react as a shareholder if the management of a company you owned behaved erratically and consequently pushed down the company's share price? What if after pushing down the share price, management offered to buy you out on the cheap? That is exactly what the Chairman, CEO and 40% owner of Dole (DOLE) David Murdock appears to have done.

Top 10 International Companies For 2015: Constellium NV (CSTM)

Constellium N.V., formerly Constellium Holdco BV, is a Netherlands-based company, which is engaged in the manufacture of aluminum products and solutions. The Company is a supplier of such sectors as: aerospace, automotive and packaging. Constellium Holdco BV offers plates, sheet and coil, precision casting, cockpit carriers for vehicles, vehicle safety components, profiles, as well as tubes and bars, among others. Its main customers include: Airbus, Boeing, Embraer, Audi, BMW, Citroen, Renault, Mercedes Benz, Jaguar and others. The Company is active domestically and abroad, including North America, Europe and Asia. Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By GuruFocus]

    George Soros (Trades, Portfolio) just reported his first quarter portfolio. He buys Citrix Systems Inc, Baker Hughes Inc, Comcast Corp, Spansion Inc, etc during the 3-months ended 03/31/2014, according to the most recent filings of his investment company, Soros Fund Management LLC. As of 03/31/2014, Soros Fund Management LLC owns 305 stocks with a total value of $10.1 billion. These are the details of the buys and sells.New Purchases: BHI, CODE, CTRP, CLI, AVB, COMM, CNQ, AGO, AUY, ATML, ASH, BXMT, CSTM, AEM, CMA, ARE, CHKP, AUQ, BEAV, CX, ADSK, AALCP, BLK, AIG, BIIB, ADEP, AMRI, ARWR, ATHX, BALT, BCRX, BEAT, CFX, CLFD, CUR, CODE,Added Positions: CTXS, CMCSA, CNP, ALTR, BRCD, CBS, CRM, CHTR, CCJ, CIEN, BIDU, ALLE, ABT, CDNS, ACT,Reduced Positions: AAPL, CCI, AMT, ABBV, AAL, BITA, AL, ANGI, ARIA, CBST, BA, BIRT, EXAR,Sold Out: C, BAC, CRI, AMZN, AGN, CF, BRCM, COTY, BMY, AMCX, CAR, A, ADBE, AFL,For the details of George Soros (Trades, Portfolio)'s stock buys and sells, go to http://www.gurufocus.com/StockBuy.php?GuruName=George+SorosThis is the sector weightings of his portfolio:Technology18.9%Energy14%Healthcare8.3%Consumer Defensive8.2%Communication Services8.1%Consumer Cyclical5.4%Industrials5.1%Basic Materials4.9%Financial Services2.5%Real Estate1.9%Utilities0.5%These are the top 5 holdings of George Soros (Trades, Portfolio)1. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd (TEVA) - 10,310,041 shares, 5.4% of the total portfolio. Shares added by 10.67%2. Herbalife Ltd (HLF) - 4,901,337 shares, 2.8% of the total portfolio. Shares added by 52.9%3. EQT Corp (EQT) - 2,573,814 shares, 2.5% of the total portfolio. Shares added by 3.27%4. Adecoagro SA (AGRO) - 25,915,076 shares, 2.1% of the total portfolio.5. Halliburton Co (HAL) - 3,596,353 shares, 2.1% of the total portfolio. Shares reduced by 20.73%New Purchase: Baker Hughes Inc (BHI)George Soros (Trades, Portfolio) initiated holdings in Baker Hughes Inc. His purchase prices were between $51.82 and $65.27, with an estimated

Top 10 International Companies For 2015: Barclays PLC (II)

Barclays PLC (Barclays) is a global financial services provider engaged in retail banking, credit cards, wholesale banking, investment banking, wealth management and investment management services. The Company�� operations include its overseas offices, subsidiaries and associates. The Company operates in eight segments: UK Retail and Business Banking (UK RBB), Europe Retail and Business Banking (Europe RBB), Africa Retail and Business Banking (Africa RBB), Barclaycard, Barclays Investment Bank, Barclays Corporate Banking, Wealth and Investment Management, and Head Office and Other Operations. Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Todd Sullivan]

    HHC has increased all our ownership percentage through the repurchasing of outstanding warrants.

    From the 13D/A
    On December 31, 2013, certain of the Reporting Persons entered into swaps for the benefit of certain Pershing Square Funds. Under the terms of the swaps, (i) the relevant Pershing Square Funds will be obligated to pay to the bank counterparty any negative price performance of the 5,399,839 notional number of Common Shares subject to the swaps as of the expiration date of such swaps, plus interest rates set forth in the applicable contracts, and (ii) the bank counterparty will be obligated to pay the relevant Pershing Square Funds any positive price performance of the 5,399,839 notional number Common Shares subject to the swaps as of the expiration date of the swaps. During the term of the swaps, cash will be paid by the bank counterparty to the relevant Pershing Square Fund in an amount equal to the amount of notional distributions or dividends paid by the Issuer in respect of such notional number of Common Shares. All balances will be settled in cash. The Pershing Square Funds��counterparties for the swaps include entities related to Citibank, Nomura, Soci茅t茅 G茅n茅rale and UBS. The swaps do not give the Reporting Persons direct or indirect voting, investment or dispositive control over any securities of the Issuer and do not require the counterparty thereto to acquire, hold, vote or dispose of any securities of the Issuer. Accordingly, the Reporting Persons disclaim any beneficial ownership of any Common Shares that may be referenced in the swap contracts or Common Shares or other securities or financial instruments that may be held from time to time by any counterparty to the contracts.

  • [By Holly LaFon]

    Performance data quoted represents past performance and is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than original cost. As stated in the current prospectus, the Fund�� Investor Class Share�� annual operating expense ratio (gross) is 1.28%. The Fund�� adviser has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its fee and/or reimburse Fund expenses to limit total annual operating expenses at 1.25%, which is in effect until October 31, 2015. Other share classes may vary. The Fund charges a 2.0% redemption fee on shares redeemed within six months of purchase. For the most recent month-end performance, please call (877)328-9437 or visit the Advisor�� website at www.auxierasset.com. The recent growth rate in the stock market has helped to produce short-term returns that are not typical and may not continue in the future.Spring 2014 Market CommentaryAuxier Focus Fund�� Investor Class returned a modest 0.25% for the quarter ended March 31, while Standard and Poor�� 500 Stock Index (S&P) rose 1.81%. The Fund ended the quarter with 70% in U.S. stocks, 16% foreign stocks, 1.7 % bonds and 12.3% cash. Since inception in 1999, the Fund�� equity exposure has averaged 72%. Our stockholdings in the healthcare industry generally gained for the quarter. But many of our multinational and foreign stocks were hurt by the threat of currency repercussions from geopolitical events in Russia and Ukraine. The foreign portion of the Fund is easily the most undervalued. Longer term, we see a very favorable risk/reward potential with our UK and European holdings. Some emerging market companies we follow are the cheapest in over twenty years. In allocating capital, we much prefer the gloom of down to flat markets and the corrective process that tempers exuberance. We remember that one of th

Top 10 International Companies For 2015: Convergys Corporation (CVG)

Convergys Corporation provides relationship management solutions in North America and internationally. Its Customer Management segment offers agent-assisted, self-service, and intelligent technology care solutions, including customer service, customer retention, sales, technical support, social interaction, collections management, back office, business-to-business, customer experience applied analytics, and intelligent interaction solutions for communications, financial services, technology, retail, healthcare, and government markets. This segment also provides premise-based and hosted automated self-care and technology solutions; speech recognition solutions; and license, professional, consulting and maintenance, and software support services. Convergys Corporation was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Wallace Witkowski]

    Convergys (CVG) �shares surged 20% to $25 on light volume after the customer management firm announced it will acquire Stream Global Services Inc. for a total enterprise value of $820 million in cash. The acquisition should add about 35 cents a share to Convergys earnings excluding one-time costs, the company said.

  • [By Jake L'Ecuyer]

    Convergys (NYSE: CVG) was also up, gaining 12.44 percent to $23.46 after the company announced its plans to acquire Stream Global Services for $820 million in cash. Convergys also reaffirmed its outlook for 2013.

Top 10 International Companies For 2015: Osaka Gas Co Ltd (OSA)

OSAKA GAS CO., LTD. is primarily engaged in gas business. It operates in four business segments. The Gas segment is involved in the production, supply and sale of gas, the sale of gas equipment and housing equipment, the construction of gas piping works, the maintenance and inspection of gas equipment. The Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), Electric and Other Energy segment is engaged in the sale of LPG and the supply of electricity. The Oversea Energy segment is engaged in the leasing of liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers, the oil and gas-related development and investment, the research and investment of energy supply business. The Environment and Non-energy segment is involved in the development, leasing, management and subdivision of real estates, the leasing and maintenance of automobiles, the manufacture and sale of fine materials and carbon materials, the staff dispatching business, the credit and insurance agency business and the operation of sports facilities. Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Damian Illia]

    The company is also aware that its ability to sell non-invase treatment products relies largely on the willingness of third parties to pay for treatment. Therefore, it not only focuses on developing devices to treat sleep apnea and other respiratory problem. It also does on increasing awareness among patients and healthcare professionals of the potentially serious health consequences of untreated SDB as well as educating caregivers about therapy options. It is estimated that SDB affects 20 percent of the adult population and that 90 percent who have obstructed sleep apnea (OSA) still are and most likely will remain undiagnosed and untreated. The company has therefore created a number of foundations and funds primary care physician programs to educate doctors on SDB. On the other hand, diagnosed COPD patients in America are around 12 million people, but is is estimated that another 12 milion may have the disease and hasn't been diagnosed yet. Also, ResMed looks forward to capture those patients who formerly balked at costly, uncomfortable testing in a sleep lad through at-home sleep apnea testing. What this all really means actually, is that ResMed's potential markets have not really been penetrated and that the growth prospects for the coming years is huge.

Top 10 International Companies For 2015: China Yuchai International Limited (CYD)

China Yuchai International Limited, through its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells diesel and natural gas engines primarily in the People�s Republic of China (PRC). It operates in two segments, Yuchai and HLGE. The company provides engines for light, medium, and heavy-duty for highway vehicles; generator sets; and marine and industrial applications, as well as supplies after-market parts and services. It also offers diesel power generators that are used in the construction and mining industries; diesel engine parts; and remanufacturing services. In addition, the company operates hotels and engages in property development activities primarily in the PRC and Malaysia. It distributes its products directly to auto plants and agents. The company was founded in 1951 and is based in Singapore.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Rich Duprey]

    Following the abrupt resignation of director and President Benny H. Goh on May 27, China Yuchai International (NYSE: CYD  ) has been operating with an interim officer, Kok Ho Leong,�who also held the position of CFO while a replacement was found.

Top 10 International Companies For 2015: PBF Energy Inc (PBF)

PBF Energy Inc. (PBF Energy), incorporated on November 7, 2011, is an independent petroleum refiners and suppliers of unbranded transportation fuels, heating oils, petrochemical feedstocks, lubricants and other petroleum products in the United States. The Company produces a range of products at each of its refineries, including gasoline, ultra-low-sulfur diesel (ULSD), heating oil, jet fuel, lubricants, petrochemicals and asphalt. The Company sells its products throughout the Northeast and Midwest of the United States, as well as in other regions of the United States and Canada, and are able to ship products to other international destinations. As of December 31, 2011, the Company owned and operated three domestic oil refineries and related assets. The Company's refineries have a combined processing capacity of approximately 540,000 thousand barrels per day. The Company's three refineries are located in Toledo, Ohio, Delaware City, Delaware and Paulsboro, New Jersey.

The Company's Midcontinent refinery at Toledo processes light, sweet crude, has a throughput capacity of 170,000 thousand barrels per day and a Nelson Complexity Index of 9.2. Toledo's West Texas Intermediate (WTI) based crude is delivered through pipelines, which originate in both Canada and the United States. The Company's East Coast refineries at Delaware City and Paulsboro have a combined refining capacity of 370,000 thousand barrels per day and Nelson Complexity Indices of 11.3 and 13.2, respectively. These refineries process medium and heavy and sour crudes.

Delaware City Refinery

The Delaware City refinery is located on a 5,000-acre site, with access to waterborne cargoes and a distribution network of pipelines, barges and tankers, truck and rail. Delaware City is a fully integrated operation, which receives crude through rail at the crude unloading facility, or ship or barge at its docks located on the Delaware River. The crude and other feedstocks are transported, through pipes, to a tank! farm where they are stored until processing. In addition, there is a 17-bay, 50,000 thousand barrels per day capacity truck loading rack located adjacent to the refinery and a 23-mile interstate pipeline that are used to distribute clean products.

The Delaware City refinery has a throughput capacity of 190,000 thousand barrels per day and a Nelson Complexity Index of 11.3. The Delaware City refinery processes a range of medium to heavy, sour crude oils. The refinery has conversion capacity with its 82,000 thousand barrels per day fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) unit, 47,000 thousand barrels per day fluid coking unit (FCU) and 18,000 thousand barrels per day hydro cracking unit with vacuum distillation. Hydrogen is provided through the refinery's steam methane reformer and continuous catalytic reformer. The Delaware City refinery has total storage capacity of approximately 10 million barrels.

Paulsboro Refinery

Paulsboro has a throughput capacity of 180,000 thousand barrels per day and a Nelson Complexity Index of 13.2. The Paulsboro refinery is located on approximately 950 acres on the Delaware River in Paulsboro, New Jersey, just south of Philadelphia and approximately 30 miles away from Delaware City. Paulsboro receives crude and feedstocks through its marine terminal on the Delaware River. Paulsboro is one of two operating refineries on the East Coast with coking capacity, the other being Delaware City. Units at the Paulsboro refinery include crude distillation units, vacuum distillation units, an FCC unit, a delayed coking unit, a lube oil processing unit and a propane de-asphalting unit. The Paulsboro refinery processes a range of medium and heavy, sour crude oils. The Paulsboro refinery produces gasoline, heating oil and jet fuel and also manufactures Group I base oils or lubricants. In addition to its finished clean products slate, Paulsboro produces asphalt and petroleum coke. In addition, separate from the Company's agreement with Statoil the Company ha! s a long-! term contract with Saudi Aramco. The Paulsboro refinery has total storage capacity of approximately 7.5 million barrels. Of the total, approximately 2.1 million barrels are dedicated to crude oil storage with the remaining 5.4 million barrels allocated to finished products, intermediates and other products.

Toledo Refinery

Toledo has a throughput capacity of approximately 170,000 thousand barrels per day and a Nelson Complexity Index of 9.2. Toledo processes a slate of light, sweet crudes from Canada, the Midcontinent, the Bakken region and the United States Gulf Coast. Toledo produces a high percentage of finished products, including gasoline and ULSD, in addition to a range of petrochemicals, including nonene, xylene, tetramer and toluene. The Toledo refinery is located on a 282-acre site near Toledo, Ohio, approximately 60 miles from Detroit. Units at the Toledo refinery include an FCC unit, a hydrocracker, an alkylation unit and a UDEX unit. Crude is delivered to the Toledo refinery through three primary pipelines: Enbridge from the north, Capline from the south and Mid-Valley from the south. Crude is also delivered to a nearby terminal by rail and from local sources by truck to a truck unloading facility within the refinery.

Toledo is connected through pipelines, to a distribution network throughout Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The finished products are transported on pipelines owned by Sunoco Logistics Partners L.P. and Buckeye Partners.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Ben Levisohn]

    It’s been a very good three months for oil refiners. Western Refining has gained 37% during that period, while Marathon Petroleum has risen 35%, Valero has advanced 38% and Tesoro is up 28%. The price of PBF Energy (PBF) shares has increased 39%. That was helped� by the fact Brent crude, the European benchmark, had gained 2.2% to $116.0 during that period, while the price of WTI crude, the U.S. benchmark fell 5.2%–increasing the difference between the two.

Top 10 International Companies For 2015: Pazoo Inc (PZOO)

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

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

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Bryan Murphy]

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

Sunday, May 25, 2014

Best Life Sciences Stocks To Watch For 2015

Best Life Sciences Stocks To Watch For 2015: Steven Madden Ltd.(SHOO)

Steven Madden, Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, designs, sources, markets, and sells fashion-forward name brand and private label footwear for women, men, and children. It offers wholesale footwear under the Steve Madden Women?s, Madden Girl, Steve Madden Men?s, Steven, l.e.i., Elizabeth and James, Olsenboye, Stevies, Big Buddha Shoes, Madden, Betsey Johnson shoes, Report, and Superga to department stores, mid-tier department stores, better specialty stores, and independently owned boutiques in the United States. The company also provides wholesale handbags and accessories under the Daisy Fuentes, Olsenboye, Steve Madden, Steven by Steve Madden, Betsey Johnson, Betseyville, and Big Buddha brand names, as well as sells cold weather accessories, fashion scarves, wraps, and other trend accessories primarily under the Cejon and Steve Madden brand names to department stores and specialty stores. As of December 31, 2011, it operated 84 retail stores, including 73 Steve Ma d den full price stores, 6 Steve Madden outlet stores, 3 Steven stores, 1 Report store, and 1 e-commerce Website. In addition, the company licenses its Steve Madden and Steven by Steve Madden trademarks for use in connection with the manufacturing, marketing, and sale of cold weather accessories, sunglasses, eyewear, outerwear, bedding, hosiery and women?s fashion apparel, jewelry, and luggage, as well as licenses Betsey Johnson and Betseyville trademarks for sale of apparel, jewelry, swimwear, eyewear, watches, fragrances, and outerwear. Steven Madden, Ltd. distributes its products through its retail stores and e-commerce Website in department stores, specialty stores, luxury retailers, national chains, and mass merchants in the United States; and through special distribution arrangements in Asia, Canada, Europe, the Middle East, Mexico, Australia, Central and Sout! h America, and India. The company was founded in 1990 and is headquartered in Long Island City, New York.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Ben Levisohn]

    Shares of Deckers Outdoor have dropped 13% to $73.90, while Crocs (CROX) has gained 0.8% to $15.24, Steve Madden (SHOO) has dropped 0.1% to $36.52, Wolverine World Wide (WWW) has fallen 1.2% to $126.36 and Skechers (SKX) has fallen 1.6% to $33.82.

  • [By DAILYFINANCE]

    David Tulis/AP It's beginning to look a lot like ... the day after Christmas? On the day before Christmas, retailers turned shoppers' attention to the day after the holiday. Amazon.com (AMZN) already is offering "after Christmas" deals of up to 70 percent off clothes and 60 percent off some electronics. Old Navy (GPS) is running TV ads that its "after-holiday sale starts early" with discounts of up to 75 percent off. And CVS (CVS) was selling a wine cabinet for $10 off at $39.99 and three fleece throws for $9.99 on Christmas Eve. Heather Nadler, 38, stopped by the CVS in Decatur, Ga., on Tuesday, searching for stuffed animals for her children. But she still plans to hit up sales after Christmas. "I'll probably start shopping for me at that point," she said. Stores usually wait until after Christmas to offer discounts of up to 70 percent or more on holiday merchandise that didn't sell. But Americans who are still worried about the economy have held tightly to their purse strings this year, and store sales have fallen for the past three consecutive weeks. The pre-Christmas deals come as retailers are feeling pressure to attract Americans into stores during the final week of what's typically the busiest shopping period of the year. The two-month stretch that begins on Nov. 1 is important because retailers can make up to 40 percent of their annual sales during that time. Sales at U.S. stores dropped 3.1 percent to $42.7 billion for the week that ended on Sunday compared with the same week last year, according to ShopperTrak, which tracks! data at ! 40,000 locations. That follows a decline of 2.9 percent and 0.8 percent during the first and second weeks of the month, respectively. Stores had a problem even getting Americans into stores, let alone getting them to spend. The number of shoppers fell 21.2 percent during the week that ended on Sunday, according to ShopperTrak. Karen McDonald, a spokeswoman at Taubman Centers, which owns or operates 28 malls, estima

  • source from Top Stocks Blog:http://www.topstocksblog.com/best-life-sciences-stocks-to-watch-for-2015.html

Saturday, May 24, 2014

3 Machinery Stocks to Buy Now

RSS Logo Portfolio Grader Popular Posts: Hottest Technology Stocks Now – ASX DDD HIMX CDNSBiggest Movers in Financial Stocks Now – SNV WETF CIT WFHottest Healthcare Stocks Now – CLVS CYH AZN MNKD Recent Posts: Biggest Movers in Financial Stocks Now – ADS ENV PL BOFI Hottest Healthcare Stocks Now – CYH MSA PBYI ALGN Hottest Technology Stocks Now – SFUN RENN EPAM CRAY View All Posts

This week, three machinery stocks are improving their overall rating on Portfolio Grader. Each of these rates an “A” (“strong buy”) or “B” overall (“buy”).

Hot Cheapest Stocks To Watch For 2015

Luxfer Holdings PLC Sponsored ADR () is making headway this week, with the company’s rating improving to an A (“strong buy”) from a B (“buy”) last week. Luxfer Holdings, a materials technology company, engages in the design, manufacture, and supply of materials, components, and gas cylinders. In Portfolio Grader’s specific subcategory of Equity, LXFR also gets an A. .

WABCO Holdings () is making progress this week as its rating of C (“hold”) from last week increases to a B (“buy”) rating this week. Wabco Holdings manufactures and sells control systems, including advanced braking, stability, suspension, transmission control and air compressing and processing systems, that improve vehicle performance and safety and reduce overall vehicle operating costs. .

This week, American Railcar Industries, Inc.’s () ratings are up from a C last week to a B. American Railcar Industries designs, manufactures, and sells hopper and tank railcars in North America. Shares of the stock have been trading at an exceptionally rapid pace, up twofold from the week prior. .

Louis Navellier’s proprietary Portfolio Grader stock ranking system assesses roughly 5,000 companies every week based on a number of fundamental and quantitative measures. Stocks are given a letter grade based on their results — with A being “strong buy,” and F being “strong sell.” Explore the tool here.

Friday, May 23, 2014

Rieder: Sulzberger fires back in Abramson…

Arthur Sulzberger Jr. has taken off the gloves.

After taking a public relations drubbing for days over his handling of the firing of New York Times executive editor Jill Abramson, the Times publisher has given his first interview on the imbroglio that has engulfed the nation's top news organization.

Declaring "I'm not going to let lies like this lie," Sulzberger outlined for Vanity Fair's Sarah Ellison the chain of events that led to his decision to fire Abramson. And he portrayed Abramson's managerial deficiencies as so profound that despite her journalism strengths, retaining her was not an option.

Sulzberger was emphatic in rejecting the meme that has been most damaging to him and the paper, one that emerged shortly after Abramson's beheading last Wednesday: that she learned that she was being paid less than her male predecessor, Bill Keller, and that her decision to lawyer up over the issue was a key factor in her ouster. Moments after that proposition was asserted by New Yorker media writer Ken Auletta late Wednesday afternoon, Abramson's image rapidly morphed from rough, cold leader to sex-discrimination victim.

"There is no truth to the charge" that Abramson, the first woman to serve as the Times' executive editor, was paid less than Keller, Sulzberger, who is also chairman of the New York Times Co., said in the interview. He added that after she joined the Times Co. executive committee in 2013, her total compensation package – salary, bonus, stock – was 10% higher than Keller's had been in 2010, his last year as the Times' executive editor.

REM RIEDER: A bravura performance by Jill Abramson

In the interview, conducted Sunday and posted early Tuesday morning, Sulzberger made clear he was suffering from an acute case of buyer's remorse. In 2011, after Keller resigned, Sulzberger chose Abramson over Dean Baquet, the man he named to succeed her last week in the Times newsroom's top job. If he could do it over again, "Of course I would have done it differently,! " Sulzberger said.

Best Healthcare Equipment Stocks To Buy Right Now

Sulzberger conceded the obvious, that the Times had published excellent work under Abramson, who is highly regarded for her journalistic chops. But he portrayed her managerial shortcomings as a severe problem, so severe that in January 2014 he gave her what Vanity Fair characterizes as a "stark" performance review, and the paper's human resources department helped her find an executive coach.

Sulzberger said Abramson was often absent from the newsroom and had a tendency to make decisions without informing colleagues. Tellingly, he said, her relationship with managing editor Baquet, her top deputy, and other key newsroom editors had become "very frayed."

It has been widely reported, based on anonymous sources, that Abramson's demise stemmed directly from her efforts to woo The Guardian's Janine Gibson to become the Times' co-managing editor for digital. In the interview, Sulzberger discussed in detail how that played out.

The key problem was that Abramson never told Baquet that she planned to give Gibson a rank equal to his. When he learned from Gibson over lunch May 5 that that was the case, he wasn't happy. "When Janine told Dean that she'd been offered the job of co-managing editor, he didn't have a clue," Sulzberger said.

Two days later, the two men had dinner, and Sulzberger said he learned "the severity of his feelings."

"At that point, we risked losing Dean, and we risked losing more than Dean," Sulzberger told Ellison. "It would have been a flood, and a flood of some of our best digital people."

Baquet, who has the people skills Abramson lacks, is a popular figure in the Times newsroom. Sulzberger said a number of people in the newsroom had told him, "The one person we cannot lose is Dean Baquet."

On Friday, May 9, Sulzberger told Abramson it was time for a change. Five days l! ater, wit! h Abramson nowhere to be seen, the publisher announced the leadership change.

On Monday, Abramson gave a well-received commencement address at Wake Forest University in which she described the Times as an "important and irreplaceable institution" and said there was "not a chance" that she would have the tattoo of the New York Times "T" on her back removed.

Thursday, May 22, 2014

NASA Technology Brings Down Asthma, Allergies

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Ten-year-old Chandler from Arizona is a gifted musician whose fingers fly like feathers as they create mellifluous music on the piano. He also wants to play a flute. But his lungs won't let him. He nearly fainted when he tried it once.

"His (Chandler's) asthma controls his life. He misses out on a lot of things other children his age are able to do. The older he gets, the worse it is," his mother says. Many a time, she cannot afford medical treatment for her sprightly son.

Chandler is among 7 million children -- and 25 million Americans in all -- who live with asthma. But here's the good news: A revolutionary new home and office environmental system, originally developed for NASA, is now a fixture of mainstream society as it seeks to solve pollution-related problems, boost children's immune systems and improve quality of life in the U.S.

Air Scrubber Plus was installed in the International Space Station to make it feasible for NASA astronauts to live in close quarters for months on end, without falling sick. The technology underwent testing at Kansas State University to determine its efficacy in eliminating Staph, MRSA, E.Coli, Anthrax, Strep, black mold and other serious indoor air quality concerns. Scientific peer-reviewed studies have determined that the technology weeds out 99% of surface bacteria and reduces airborne viruses, molds and germs by up to 90%. The sophisticated ActivePureTM system sanitizes the air and indoor surfaces -- and many time the inhabitants themselves. Mario Plascencia from Dallas, Texas recently purchased the NASA-inspired air cleaner. The 35-year-old entrepreneur's wife suffered from indoor allergies that have stopped since the installation. "I could notice a difference in the air quality in just two weeks," Mario said. "This technology is designed to kill bacteria, not just mask it." The air purification mechanism at play is an Advanced Oxidation Process, which involves radiating a combination of germicidal UV light, oxygen and water molecules. These react together and pass through a honeycomb cell coated with titanium dioxide and other rare metals. The oxidation produces superoxide ions, hydroxyls and hydrogen peroxide, which purify the air and clean indoor surfaces. Air Scrubber Plus manufacturers say that the oxygen and hydrogen molecules that arise from this catalytic process replicate the power of nature. >>Read More: A Romantic '70s Icon Exits the Solar System With a Song The Environmental Protection Agency has ranked indoor air pollution among the top five environmental hazards in the U.S., since tests have determined that it is two to five times worse than the most unclean clouds of outside air.

Top 5 Companies To Invest In 2015

According to the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology, about 7.8% of adults and 10% of children in the U.S. develop hay fever, which arises from an allergic response to pollen, dust mites, cleaning chemicals, radon, pesticides, cigarette smoke, pet dander and cooking odors.

About 3,000 people die from asthma-related issues every year, with children and the elderly constituting a majority. Scientists have estimated that nearly two-thirds of childhood asthma and allergies could be prevented by adequate ventilation, filtration and cleaning. 

Traditional ventilation systems have exacerbated the problem because their ducts are clogged with dirt, dust and other debris. Cleaning out these ducts is both cumbersome and enervating. Air cleaning processes have been particularly challenging in schools across cities like Detroit, Chicago and Philadelphia, where buildings are often more than a hundred years old.

At many schools that have installed the new-age air purification system, teachers are relieved that students are far healthier, especially during cold and flu seasons. "Last year, half our kids were out sick. And half the teachers too," says Kelly Notaros, a third-grade teacher in Chicago. "Since the school installed the air scrubber system, we've seen those numbers go way down." Early-adopter hospitals are reporting speedier patient recoveries too. Though mortality rates have not significantly declined as an offshoot of the air scrubber installation, the success rate among recovering patients has vastly improved because of reduced infections. That's because "this technology far exceeds the current methods of infection control," says the Director of Operations at SJC Industries, an international ambulance manufacturer that has installed Air Scrubber Plus on three of its largest ambulance brands, McCoy Miller, Marque and Premiere. Among the schools across the country that see measurable improvements in student health and class attendance is the Triton School in Bourbon, Ind. The school has more than 1,000 students from kindergarten through high school. School attendance records that were reviewed show that the number of people who reported flu symptoms went down by about 80% after Air Scrubber Plus was installed across its premises. "For the same period of time (the first semester), the number of flu symptoms went down from around 50 per month to 8-10 in the year after products with Air Scrubber technology were installed," a senior school administrator at Triton said. "Although there is no cure for asthma and allergies, indoor air quality science and technology can help people live happier and healthier lives by providing a solution to one of the biggest health issues in this country," said Tom Lozano, Executive Director of Air Scrubber Plus. >>Read More: NASA Leans Back for #GlobalSelfie for Earth Day SpaceX IPO 'Possible in the Very Long Term' This article represents the opinion of a contributor and not necessarily that of TheStreet or its editorial staff.

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Hey, Scrooge! 3 Signs That You're Too Cheap

Tommy Steele Returns To London Palladium In Scrooge - Photocall MJ Kim/Getty Images Frugality is a great thing. It can pave the way to financial freedom, security and even wealth. But it can also pave the way to madness, if you take it too far. Here are some signs you might be taking things to the extreme -- and what you should be doing instead. 1. You Put Way Too Much Time Into Penny-Pinching The internet is full of people who like to brag about the crazy measures they take to save money. They rinse out Ziploc baggies so they can reuse them. They spend hours each week clipping and organizing coupons to save a few extra cents on a can of soup that they don't even particularly like. They dissect nearly empty toothpaste tubes so they can scrape out the last bits of toothpaste. They spend far too much time, in other words, for not nearly enough return. Creativity and a do-it-yourself spirit is one thing, but if you find yourself devoting hours of your life to shaving off a few cents here and there, it's time to reconsider your savings strategy. Instead of making your own laundry detergent, could you start line-drying your clothes to cut back on utility costs? Instead of reusing the same sheet of tin foil over and over again, could you invest in some Tupperware so you can store your food without any waste? At some point, you need to recognize that your time has a value, too, and wasting it on extreme savings strategies isn't always the best way to spend it. I advise people to be frugal with their time, not just their money. 2. You Sacrifice Quality for the Sake of Pinching Pennies If you've ever re-used dirty bathtub water, or if you use rags as "reusable toilet paper," you're pushing frugality too far.

There are certain things in life that are worth paying a little more for.

Sometimes it's worth spending on an item that costs a little more but gives you better (or more hygienic) quality. Trimming your water bill by taking shorter showers is fine; trimming your water bill by only showering once a month is just plain filthy. That $10 pair of sneakers in the bargain bin may seem like a great deal, but will you be saying the same thing a few months from now when they fall apart and you just have to buy new ones? Reusing your coffee grounds may seem like a smart way to stretch your resources, but if you're just drinking twice as many cups to get the same pick-me-up, is it really saving you anything? There are certain things in life that are worth paying a little more for, whether they'll last longer, save you down the road or give you an overall better experience. Next time you consider doing something extreme to save a buck or two, ask yourself if that buck is really "worth" it in the grand scheme of things. Consider the true "value" of your money. 3. You're Just Plain Miserable As Ebenezer Scrooge can attest to, simply saving lots of money doesn't equal happiness. Money is meant to be a tool for living our best lives, rather than an end in itself. While smart money management can absolutely lead to a happier life, you don't have to make yourself miserable now in order to be happier later. In fact, you shouldn't. If you live on the edge of self-enforced poverty for 65 years so you can be rich when you retire, will you really consider your life well-spent? Sacrificing some things (like regularly dining out) in order to pay down debt or build up savings is one thing. Never eating out, ever, even for your parents' 40th wedding anniversary dinner, is another. Your money is a tool you can use to maximize your life, and as such, you can and should prioritize the things that make you happy. If you adore good food, have a nice meal out each week -- maybe you can cut back in another area you don't care about as much. If you love to travel, investing in a once-in-a-lifetime journey can be "worth" just as much as some extra dollars in your bank account that you never let yourself touch. Be smart with your money, and you can walk a happy line between financial responsibility and enjoying yourself once in a while. And please, ditch the reusable toilet paper. That's just not good for anyone. More from Paula Pant
•What Is Your Spending Personality? •Hate Your Job? Don't Quit Just Yet •Help! My Passion Isn't Profitable - Now What?

Monday, May 19, 2014

Gas-rich Qatar adds Deutsche to bank portfolio

deutsche bank frankfurt

Qatar already owns stakes in Credit Suisse and Barclays. Deutsche Bank's fund raising drive comes as Europe's banks try to meet new financial rules ahead of a region-wide stress test later this year.

LONDON (CNNMoney) The oil and gas rich Gulf state of Qatar has added Deutsche Bank to its portfolio, buying shares worth $2.4 billion as part of a move by the German lender to put its business on a firmer footing.

Qatar makes most of its money from energy -- it's the biggest exporter of liquified natural gas -- but for some years has been looking to develop alternative sources of income by investing in companies around the world.

Deutsche Bank, like some of its European rivals, is still struggling to come to terms with tougher rules introduced after the global crash and to deal with the consequences of scandals that have sapped its financial strength.

The bank said it raised 1.75 billion euros by selling 60 million shares to Paramount Holdings Services, an investment vehicle owned by Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani, a member of the Qatari royal family and prime minister until last year.

Qatar already owns significant stakes in Credit Suisse (CS)and Barclays (BCS).

Deutsche is also planning to issue a further 300 million shares to existing investors with the aim of raising 6.3 billion euros. Its shares fell 2.3%, taking losses for 2014 to 13.5%.

Earlier this month, Moody's said it could downgrade Deutsche's ratings after first quarter net income fell by 34%. The ratings agency said the bank faced considerable challenges in strengthening its profitability, raising concerns about its ability to absorb future losses.

"The firm's need to reduce its leverage could impede its ability to generate earnings growth -- making its efficiency targets, and earning its cost of capital, even harder to achieve," Moody's said in the report.

Deutsche has been forced to set aside billions of dollars in recent years to cover the cost of fighting a series of high-profile law cases and paying settlements including a 725 million euro penalty for rigging Libor interest rates.

Legal risks haven't gone away. Regulators are investigating allegations that several banks, including Deutsche, may have manipulated the global market in foreign exchange.

BofA can't do math?   BofA can't do math?

Deutsche's move to shore up its financial base comes as the European Union p! repares to test the resilience of the region's banks before adopting a single regulatory authority later this year.

"The package of measures we are announcing today represents a decisive response to both the challenges and opportunities in a changing macro-economic, competitive and regulatory environment," Deutsche said in a statement.

Barclays is also finding the going tough. It was forced to raise about $12 billion last year to plug a hole in its balance sheet. Earlier this month, it said it would shed about 19,000 jobs over the next three years, and withdraw from large areas of investment banking. To top of page

Sunday, May 18, 2014

Average 30-year mortgage rate dips to 4.20%

WASHINGTON (AP) — Average U.S. rates on fixed mortgages declined this week for a third straight week. The low rates could give a boost to the spring home-buying season, which has gotten off to a slow start.

Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday that the average rate for a 30-year loan eased to 4.20% from 4.21% last week. The average for the 15-year mortgage fell to 3.29% from 3.32%.

Mortgage rates have risen nearly a full percentage point since hitting record lows about a year ago.

OUTLOOK: Homebuilders feeling less confident in May

Warmer weather has yet to boost home-buying as it normally does. Rising prices and higher rates have made affordability a problem for would-be buyers. And many homeowners are reluctant to list their properties for sale.

Home sales and construction have faltered since last fall, slowing the economy. A harsh winter, higher buying costs and a limited supply of available homes have discouraged many potential buyers. Existing-home sales in March reached their lowest level in 20 months.

The increase in mortgage rates over the year was driven in part by speculation that the Federal Reserve would reduce its bond purchases, which have helped keep long-term interest rates low. Indeed, the Fed has announced four declines in its monthly bond purchases since December because the economy appears to be steadily healing. But the Fed has no plans to raise its benchmark short-term rate from record lows.

Fed Chair Janet Yellen has told Congress that the economy is improving but noted that the job market remains "far from satisfactory" and that inflation is still below the Fed's target rate. She said she expects the Fed's near-zero target for short-term rates to remain appropriate for a "considerable time" after the bond purchases end.

To calculate average mortgage rates, Freddie Mac surveys lenders across the country between Monday and Wednesday each week. The average doesn't include extra fees, known as points, which most borrowers must pay! to get the lowest rates. One point equals 1 percent of the loan amount.

The average fee for a 30-year mortgage was unchanged from a week earlier at 0.6 point. The fee for a 15-year loan also remained at 0.6 point.

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The average rate on a one-year adjustable-rate was steady at 2.43%. The average fee rose to 0.5 point from 0.4 point.

The average rate on a five-year adjustable mortgage fell to 3.01% from 3.05%. The fee declined to 0.4 point from 0.5 point.

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Momentum Tech Stocks Have Short Hedge Funds Scrambling

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- As I mentioned yesterday, the short hedge fund community was close to the end of its short covering at the all-time markets highs.

Wednesday saw those short hedge funds signal the turn to the downside on an intraday basis. Most of those short hedge funds had completed their covers early on with the market slightly green at the open. In the end, the DJIA closed down 101.47 points at 16613.97 after being up slightly at the market open. That green open was enough to push the DJIA closer to the extreme overbought condition that I mentioned in Tuesday's article. The S&P 500 closed down 8.92 at 1888.53.

The Nasdaq closed down 29.54 at 4100.63 and the Russell 2000 closed in the red, down 18.02 at 1103.14. The Nasdaq loss could have been much worse if it were not for the momentum stocks such as Netflix (NFLX), and Yandex (YNDX). Those stocks were able to close on the upside. Facebook (FB) was up most of the trading day before closing in the red and Apple (AAPL) closed in the green fractionally after being much higher intraday.

The momentum tech stocks were the last area for the short hedge funds to cover their positions. This was very entertaining to watch if traders and investors have an understanding of what to watch. Those same technology stocks are now in overbought territory and, in some instance, extremely overbought.

Leave it to the hedge funds that work in unison to cover at the highs. I suspect that we will now see those tech stocks head to the downside on Thursday or Friday at the latest. Once again, where has all the volume gone? Is this market being traded by only the hedge fund community? I have no idea but it seems that the small retail trader is non-existent. As mentioned on many occasion, this stock market in 2014 is not for amateurs. The market can quickly suck a trader or investor in and, before you know it, pull the plug and leave a person holding the bag. It is extremely critical to understand what the market is telling you and understand the Trend Bearish and Trend Bullish time frames. The DJIA and S&P 500 are Trend Bullish. The Nasdaq and Russell 2000 are Trend Bearish. These are time frames of three months or longer. Heed the signal and act accordingly. If you want to be bullish on a sector, trade or invest in the Select Sector Utilities ETF (XLU).  That sector is Trend Bullish. On Wednesday, I covered the final piece of my Bob Evans (BOBE) short position for a nice gain. At the close of trading, I started a short position in Yandex (YNDX). My internal algorithm has YNDX with an extreme overbought signal within a Trend Bearish condition. This process is documented at www.strategicstocktrades.com. At the time of publication, the author was short YNDX. This article represents the opinion of a contributor and not necessarily that of TheStreet or its editorial staff. >>Read more: Marijuana Brands Push Past Bans to Go National

Stock quotes in this article: NFLX, YNDX, FB, AAPL, XLU, BOBE, YNDX 

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Broker Or Trader: Which Career Is Right For You?

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Are you having trouble deciding between a career as a stockbroker or a trader? Each career involves trading securities, but the nature of each varies greatly, and these variations could make all the difference in determining which career will suit you best. In this article, we'll look at these differences as well as the preparation required to pursue either career.

Brokers vs. Traders
While both brokers and traders purchase and sell securities, brokers are also sales agents, either on their own behalf or for a securities or brokerage firm. Traders, on the other hand, tend to work for a large investment management firm, and they buy and sell - or trade - securities on behalf of the assets managed by that firm.

Brokers tend to have direct contact with clients, either individual or institutional, and buy and sell securities based on those clients' wishes. Traders, on the other hand, tend to buy or sell securities based on the wishes of a portfolio manager (or managers) at an investment firm.

Finally, a broker is also a sales agent and is responsible for obtaining and maintaining a client roster.

Background of Brokers and Traders
Brokers and traders tend to have high energy levels and strong communication and negotiation skills. They are usually proficient at multi-tasking and must be able to cope with a fast-paced, high-pressure environment.

If you are considering a career as a broker or trader, you should learn as much as you can about the financial markets. Reading The Wall Street Journal or The Financial Times, or watching the financial news on CNBC, is a good way to start.

A business degree is not required to enter this field, but if you are an undergraduate student considering a career as a broker or trader, it is advisable to take classes in economics or finance as well as in business and sales if your college offers them. Popular majors for those that go on to become brokers and traders include: economics, finance, business and math. Many have also studied physics, biology or electrical engineering. Even liberal arts graduates, such as those that major in history, English, political science and philosophy, have gone on to successful careers as brokers or traders. However, be advised that the road to success as a broker or trader will be longer and more difficult if you do not have any education in business or finance.

One important note for those considering this career is that many brokers and traders have additional work experience prior to entering the field. Particularly if you are seeking a career as a broker, any prior sales experience is highly valued. This is due to the sales component of the brokerage position.

Requirements for Brokers and Traders
Being a broker or a trader requires a Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA, formerly the NASD) license to execute orders to buy or sell securities. A FINRA license is obtained by achieving a passing score on the General Securities Registered Representative Examination - more commonly referred to as the Series 7 Exam. The Series 7 Exam tests the basics of investing as well as the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), an organization that governs the investment industry. When an individual has a license from FINRA, he or she is then a member of the stock exchange and has the ability to buy or sell stocks.

In addition to the General Securities Registered Representative Examination, many states require a candidate to pass the Uniform Securities Agents State Law Examination (commonly referred to as the Series 63 exam). The Series 63 exam also tests various aspects of the stock market.

Many brokerage firms and investment companies will accept candidates for a broker or trader position with the understanding that the candidate will take the Series 7 and other required exams necessary to obtain a license. The firm will often provide training and classes, and pay for the exam fees for such candidates. This is often called "sponsoring", which helps the candidate apprentice his or her way into the position.

A Day in the Life of a Broker or Trader
A broker spends a great deal of time keeping clients informed of variations in stock prices. Frequently, a client is interested in purchasing a particular security if it goes below a certain price, or in selling a company's stock if it goes above a certain price. As a result, a broker must watch the market with vigilance to monitor these fluctuations. Similarly, a trader may be instructed by a portfolio manager to buy or sell a stock at a certain price point.

Brokers and traders also look at analyst research to make recommendations to clients or portfolio managers to buy or sell securities. Additionally, brokers spend a fair portion of their days looking to expand their client bases. They tend to do this by cold calling potential clients, introducing themselves and showcasing their background and abilities. Brokers also often hold seminars on various investment topics. The brokers advertise these seminars locally with the hope of drawing a crowd that will include potential clients.

Conclusion
A day in the life of a broker or trader is an exciting and varied one. Many brokers or traders enjoy their position so much that they make it a life-long career. Other brokers or traders go on to different positions in the financial services industry such as an analyst or portfolio manager. If you like a fast-paced environment, enjoy reading financial publications and are looking for a life-long career, then a trader or broker career could be for you.

Monday, May 12, 2014

Why FireEye, Inc. Shares Skyrocketed Today

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

What: Shares of FireEye (NASDAQ: FEYE  ) jumped nearly 11% Monday, then settled to close up around 8% leading into the cyber-security specialist's on-campus analyst open house this afternoon.

So what: Disappointing guidance has caused FireEye shares to plummet following each of its past two quarterly reports -- including an 11% drop in February, and a 22% plunge last Wednesday -- and both results were largely influenced by significantly increased chunks of cash dedicated to R&D and sales and marketing. Even after today's jump, the stock still sits more than 70% below its March highs.

But FireEye's open house today could be a solid first step to providing more clarity to analysts on why it's missing their proposed marks. To be sure, FireEye stated the afternoon's events would include product demonstrations, Q&A with senior management, and updates on their "vision, strategy and operations."

Now what: Of course, that doesn't change the fact FireEye has made a habit of falling significantly short of Wall Street's expectations. But if their efforts today can at least help analysts understand why that's the case and successfully help them pitch a longer-term outlook, perhaps the broader investing public will be more forgiving of the company -- especially considering its underlying stock trades at a lofty 17 times trailing 12-month sales. For now, though, and despite the big pullback since the last time I opted to stay on the sidelines, I'm just fine keeping FireEye on my watch list.

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Sunday, May 11, 2014

LPL Financial Focus13 Conference to Unveil New Mobile Apps

The buzz has begun in advance of Focus13, the giant conference for gigantic independent broker-dealer LPL Financial, which will bring hundreds of advisors together for three days of technology launches, continuing education sessions, compliance workshops and networking opportunities between advisors and home-office partners.

To be held Aug. 18 to 21 in LPL’s headquarters city of San Diego, Focus13 will feature keynote speakers Gen. Colin Powell and The Economist economic editor Zanny Minton Beddoes in addition to home-office speakers Chairman and CEO Mark Casady, president of Advisor and Institution Solutions Robert Moore, Chief Investment Officer Burt White and more.

LPL’s heavy focus on technology will be a big theme of this year’s conference. The independent broker-dealer already has established itself in the Twittersphere (with 2,794 followers as of Wednesday, many of them including the 17,000 financial professionals associated with the firm), and LPL is using that online presence to talk up its tech launches ahead of the conference.

The firm’s Twitter feed, @LPLFinancial, is currently promoting a new client portal with new mobile apps to be unveiled at Focus13 along with a new Account View tool.

LPL CIO Victor Fetter, Twitter handle @vpfetter (click to enlarge)As a further example of LPL’s renewed commitment to investing in its technology platform, 22-year IT industry veteran Victor Fetter (left) joined LPL in December as chief information officer from Dell, where he served as CIO of Dell Online. Now, Fetter is actively tweeting about LPL’s tech developments and launches planned for Focus13.

“<1 week to #LPLFocus. @LPLFinancial team hard at work putting finishing touches to new #products and #platforms,” Fetter said in one typical tweet from his Twitter feed @vpfetter, while reaching out in other tweets to LPL partners planning to attend Focus13.

Fetter also is scheduled to speak at Focus13.

Meanwhile, Bill Hamm, president and CEO of one of LPL’s top RIAs, Independent Financial Partners (IFP), based in Tampa, Fla., said he planned to spend time at Focus13 meeting with LPL executives and with about 20 fellow members of a study group for the hybrid BD/RIA firms partnered with LPL. He also looked forward to meeting with wholesalers and platform providers who serve IFP’s 34 employees and 485 advisors.

As an indication of just how important tech has become in the advisor universe, here are just a few of IFP’s tech-related initiatives this year:

LPL’s Moore acknowledged back in late January that LPL, the largest IBD in the U.S., was grappling with the consequences of its own success, including a new level of competition from other technology platforms and complexity in everything from alternative investments to regulatory requirements.

“LPL is on a journey. We’ve been the leader in the IBD space, but being the leader in 1995 was a very different experience from what it is now in 2013,” Moore told a crowd of about 200 affiliated advisors at the firm’s alternative investments symposium in New York on Jan. 31.

Read LPL’s Latest Shot in Tech ‘Arms Race’: Naming Ex-IT Exec to Board at ThinkAdvisor.

Thursday, May 8, 2014

2 trends Janet Yellen calls 'disturbing'

Janet Yellen: No obvious stock bubble   Janet Yellen: No obvious stock bubble NEW YORK (CNNMoney) There are two economic trends that Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen told Congress this week she finds "very disturbing." Unfortunately, the Fed has very little power to fix either of them.

'Very disturbing' trend #1: Long-term unemployment

About 3.5 million Americans have been out of a job for at least six months.

This group accounts for 35% of all the unemployed.

"That's a very disturbing trend, and something that we would like to be able to do something about," Yellen said to the Senate Budget Committee Thursday.

'Very disturbing' trend #2: Income inequality

"We have seen a trend toward rising inequality in income and also in wealth. And I personally view this as a very disturbing trend that policymakers should be looking at and considering what is the appropriate response," she said.

Why the Fed can't fix either of these issues

Through lowering interest rates and buying bonds, the Fed can try to stimulate the economy by making it cheaper for businesses and consumers to take out loans. Low interest rates can also boost the housing market by making mortgages cheaper, and fuel stock market gains by making equities a more attractive option than bonds with measly returns.

The Fed's hope is that all this leads to job creation across a variety of industries. But the Fed cannot target specific geographic regions or industries that need the most help, or specific workers that may need to revamp their skills through job training programs.

Monetary policy also can't offer help to the low-income, lesser educated part of the population, which suffers the most from long-term unemployment and inequality. This group is the least li! kely to own stocks or be capable of buying a home, so low interest rates don't help the poor as much as the middle class and wealthy.

As Yellen put it: "I think what the Fed can do is to promote a stronger economy, a stronger job market, generally, and that will help."

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So who can solve these issues, and how? That job is up to President Obama and Congress, who can do more for the economy through spending on various federal programs. Yellen suggested education is the key, including more early education for kids, job training for adults and access to student loans to those who cannot afford college. To top of page

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Top Supermarket Stocks For 2015

LONDON -- After a busy month for company results in May, with many reporting for the year or quarter ending 31 March, things are going to be a bit quieter during June. But we're still going to have some important dates for investors, and we'll keep you updated as they come along.

We have already had a quick look at three pieces of news�expected next week, so here's a glance at some key dates for the rest of the coming month:

Wednesday June 12, Sainsbury
In May,�J. Sainsbury� (LSE: SBRY  ) reported full-year results for the year to 16 March, and they looked good. Telling us of "significant market outperformance," the supermarket chain reported a 6.2% rise in underlying pre-tax profit to 756 million pounds, after sales grew by 4.6%, to 25.6 billion pounds. With performance like this, it's no wonder Sainsbury's shares are up 30% over the past 12 months, to 377 pence.

The results extended a remarkable run to 33 straight quarters, in which Sainsbury's has lifted its like-for-like sales -- will that continue on to 34? We should know on 12 June, when we get a first-quarter trading update. Analysts are positive about the full year, forecasting a 6% rise in earnings per share.

Top Supermarket Stocks For 2015: Radian Group Inc.(RDN)

Radian Group Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates as a credit enhancement company in the United States. The company offers credit-related insurance coverage, primarily through private mortgage insurance, and risk management services to mortgage lending institutions. Its private mortgage insurance protects the holders of the company?s insurance from default-related losses on residential mortgage loans made generally to home buyers, as well as facilitates the sale of these mortgage loans in the secondary mortgage market. The company primarily serves mortgage originators, such as mortgage bankers, mortgage brokers, commercial banks, savings institutions, credit unions, and community banks. Radian Group Inc. was founded in 1977 and is headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Markos Kaminis]

    I come to the real unemployment rate and the real underemployment rate (U-6 figure) by switching this month's labor force participation rate with the rate that existed in the healthier economy of November 2006. Some would argue that participation level was inflated by the real estate bubble, with a good many Americans lucky to be working in mortgage finance at Bank of America's (BAC) Countrywide Financial, or in construction or housing sales at Toll Brothers, and other ancillary jobs tied to housing like in mortgage insurance at Radian Group (RDN). While I give that argument some credence, I also suggest that given the humming economy of the time on various drivers, those Americans could also have found other work or founded businesses.

  • [By Selena Maranjian]

    Finally, Diamond Hill's biggest closed positions included Chubb�and Merck. Other closed positions of interest include mortgage insurer Radian Group (NYSE: RDN  ) , one of the most popular stocks among hedge funds -- for good reason, apparently, as it has more than quadrupled in value over the past year. The recovering housing market is helping Radian, along with tighter lending rules�likely to lead to greater need for its coverage. Delinquent loans are a risk for Radian, as is strong competition.

Top Supermarket Stocks For 2015: Petrotech Oil & Gas Inc (PTOG)

PetroTech Oil and Gas, Inc., formerly Unity Management Group, Inc., incorporated on April 10, 1998, operates and develops Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) opportunities within qualifying oil reservoirs in the United States using its Enhanced Oil Recovery method and technique. The company is also a construction and heavy equipment company. The Company is focussing on developing and acquisitions of technology in secondary oil recovery, oil and gas reporting software, trading software and Nitrogen and CO2 injection equipment. Enhanced oil recovery is also called improved oil recovery or tertiary recovery. The Company�� services include Work over and Installation Services, Heavy Equipment Services, Nitrogen, CO2 and Gas Mixture Treatments, Exhaust Gas Unit, Gas Assisted Gravity Drainage and Reservoir Development. During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company acquired On Track Technology, Inc. On June 30, 2012, the Company acquired Metropolitan Computing Corp.

Work over and Installation Services

Drilling Vertical or Horizontal Well Supervision, Traditional Work over, Oilfield Work Over Rigs and Roustabout Services to be on location while recompletion, plugging or equipping of wells for in house leases and third party jobs as well. Where applicable Petrotech will utilize flexible Poly Urethane tubing for testing of wells and permanent installs for some shallow depths. The flexible tubing has a Paraffin�� and Asphalt Ines don�� stick to flexible tubing (as it does to steel tubing); and flexible tubing has an estimated 10 times longer life dependent upon the corrosiveness of production and by products, such as the water produced with hydrocarbons.

Heavy Equipment Services

Heavy Equipment Services includes heavy equipment, oilfield roustabout, crane work, water hauling, setting pumping units, separators, tanks, digging pitts and locations roads and heavy equipment services also includes highways for in house leases, third party oil companies and loca! l and government agencies.

Nitrogen, CO2 and Gas Mixture Treatments

The Company focuses in treating with Nitrogen, CO2 or a combination of the two; through two applications where applicable-Huff and Puff and Steady flooding. In cases, HoCyclic gas injection processes has been primarily restricted to the use of pure CO2 or CO2 that has been slightly contaminated.

Exhaust Gas Unit

The CO2/N2 gas mixture focuses to generated from a patented one-of-a-kind portable exhaust unit capable of producing 2.5 millions of cubic feet equivalent at 2000 psi. The exhaust unit manufacturing facility is capable of building over 100 million of daily of deliverability or 180,000 horse power of equipment per year.

Gas Assisted Gravity Drainage

Natural segregation of its gas mixture at miscibility pressure is a component in recreating a gas cap. Doubling of the primary oil recovery from a reservoir is expected with this EOR method and gas mixture. SPE paper #89357 documents GAGD recoveries averaging 63% of the OOIP.

Reservoir Development

Petrotech Oil and Gas Inc. focuses to use the technology in third dimension geophysics available, drilling and compositional reservoir modeling to devise the reservoir�� development plan. In some reservoirs has two horizontal wellbores; one each for the injection of gas and production of oil.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Peter Graham]

    Last Friday, small cap marijuana stock Petrotech Oil & Gas Inc (OTCMKTS: PTOG) surged 65.7% while OSL Holdings Inc (OTCMKTS: OSLH) and WebXU Inc (OTCMKTS: WBXU) sank 20.47% and 12.02%, respectively, thanks in part to news and (in the case of two of these small caps) some paid promotions or investor relations type of activities. But will these three small cap marijuana stocks be able to sustain their highs or come out of rehab this week? Here is a reality check before you look for a quick high with them:

Top 10 Retail Stocks To Buy Right Now: Wyndham Worldwide Corp(WYN)

Wyndham Worldwide Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides various hospitality products and services to individual consumers and business customers in the United States and internationally. It offers its products and services under the Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, Ramada, Days Inn, Super 8, Howard Johnson, Wyndham Rewards, Wingate by Wyndham, Microtel, RCI, The Registry Collection, ResortQuest, Landal GreenParks, Novasol, Hoseasons, cottages4you, James Villa Holidays, Wyndham Vacation Resorts, and WorldMark by Wyndham brand names. The company?s Lodging segment franchises hotels in the upscale, midscale, economy, and extended stay markets of the lodging industry, as well as provides hotel management services for full-service hotels. Its Vacation Exchange and Rentals segment provides vacation exchange products and services, as well as access to distribution systems and networks to resort developers and owners of intervals of vacation ownership interests (VOIs); a nd markets vacation rental properties primarily on behalf of independent owners, vacation ownership developers, and other hospitality providers. Wyndham Worldwide Corporation?s Vacation Ownership segment develops and markets VOIs to individual consumers; and provides consumer financing in connection with the sale of VOIs, as well as offers property management services at resorts. The company is headquartered in Parsippany, New Jersey.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Monica Gerson]

    Wyndham Worldwide (NYSE: WYN) is estimated to report its Q3 earnings at $1.36 per share on revenue of $1.41 billion.

    Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC) is expected to report its Q3 earnings at $1.82 per share on revenue of $5.96 billion.

  • [By Laura Brodbeck]

    Stocks moving in the pre-market included:

    Wyndham Worldwide Corp (NYSE: WYN) gained 2.65 percent in pre-market trade, adding to its 4.02 percent rise over the past five days. Goldman Sachs Group Inc (NYSE: GS) gained 1.42 percent in pre-market trade after falling 0.95 percent on Wednesday. Perrigo Co (NYSE: PRGO) gained 0.66 percent in pre-market trade after losing 1.96 percent in the past week. U.S. Bancorp (NYSE: USB) lost 0.61 percent in pre-market trade after gaining 0.80 percent over the past five days.

    Earnings

Top Supermarket Stocks For 2015: Tompkins Financial Corp (TMP)

Tompkins Financial Corporation (Tompkins) is a bank holding company. The Company is a locally oriented, community-based financial services company that offers an array of products and services, including commercial and consumer banking, leasing, trust and investment management, financial planning and wealth management, insurance, and brokerage services. The Company operates in two segments: banking and financial services. Banking services consist primarily of attracting deposits from the areas served by the Company�� banking subsidiaries��45 banking offices and using those deposits to originate a variety of commercial loans, agricultural loans, consumer loans, real estate loans, and leases in those same areas. Financial services activities consist of the results of the Company�� trust, financial planning and wealth management services, broker-dealer services, and insurance and risk management operations. On June 1, 2011, its subsidiary, Tompkins Insurance Agencies, Inc. (Tompkins Insurance), acquired Olver & Associates, Inc. (Olver), a property and casualty insurance agency. In August 2012, it acquired VIST Financial Corp.

The Company maintains a portfolio of securities, such as obligations of the United States Government agencies and the United States Government sponsored entities, obligations of states and political subdivisions thereof, and equity securities. Tompkins provides a variety of financial services to individuals and small business customers.

Commercial Services

The Company�� subsidiary banks provide financial services to corporations and other business clients. Lending activities include loans for a variety of business purposes, including real estate financing, construction, equipment financing, accounts receivable financing, and commercial leasing. Other commercial services include deposit and cash management services, letters of credit, sweep accounts, credit cards, purchasing cards, Internet-based account services, and remote deposit ser! vices.

Retail Services

The Company�� subsidiary banks provide a variety of retail banking services, including checking accounts, savings accounts, time deposits, individual retirement accounts (IRA) products, brokerage services, residential mortgage loans, personal loans, home equity loans, credit cards, debit cards and safe deposit services. Retail services are accessible through a variety of delivery systems, including branch facilities, automated teller machines (ATMs), voice response, Internet banking, and remote deposit services.

Trust and Investment Management Services

The Company offers a range of financial services to customers, including trust and estate services, investment management, and financial and insurance planning. These services are offered through Tompkins Investment Services (TIS), a division of Tompkins Trust Company, and AM&M. Tompkins Financial Advisors has office locations at all three of the Company�� subsidiary banks, and provides a range of money management services, including investment management, trust and estate, financial and tax planning, as well as life, disability and long-term care insurance services.

Broker-Dealer Services

AM&M operates a broker-dealer subsidiary, Ensemble Financial Services, Inc. Ensemble Financial Services, Inc. is an outsourcing company for financial planners and investment advisors.

Insurance Services

The Company provides property and casualty insurance services and employee benefits consulting through Tompkins Insurance. Tompkins Insurance is an independent insurance agency. Tompkins Insurance has automated systems for record keeping, claim processing and coverage confirmation, and can provide insurance pricing comparisons from a range of insurance companies. Tompkins Insurance provides employee benefits consulting to employers in Western and Central New York, assisting them with their medical, group life insurance and group disability in! surance. ! In addition to its seven offices, Tompkins Insurance shares several offices with The Bank of Castile and The Trust Company. AM&M also provides insurance services for financial planning and wealth management clients, offering risk management plans using life, disability and long-term care insurance products.

Subsidiary Activities

The Company�� subsidiaries include: three wholly owned banking subsidiaries, Tompkins Trust Company (the Trust Company), The Bank of Castile, and The Mahopac National Bank (Mahopac National Bank); AM&M Financial Services, Inc., doing business as Tompkins Financial Advisors, a wholly owned and an investment advisor (AM&M), and a wholly owned insurance agency subsidiary, Tompkins Insurance. AM&M and the trust division of the Trust Company provides an array of investment services under the Tompkins Financial Advisors division, including investment management, trust and estate, financial and tax planning, as well as life, disability and long-term care insurance services. The Trust Company has a full-service office in Cortland, New York and a full-service office in Auburn, New York. Both of these offices are located in counties contiguous to Tompkins County. The Trust Company operates 15 banking offices, including two limited-service banking offices in the counties of Tompkins, Cortland, Cayuga and Schuyler, New York.

The Bank of Castile is a New York State-chartered commercial bank and conducts its operations through its 15 banking offices, in towns situated in and around the areas commonly known as the Letchworth State Park area and the Genesee Valley region of New York State. The Bank of Castile�� lending portfolio includes loans to the agricultural industry. The Mahopac National Bank (Mahopac National Bank) operates 15 banking offices, including one limited-service office in counties north of New York City. The 15 banking offices include five full-service offices in Putnam County, New York, three full-service offices in Dutchess County,! New York! , and six full-service offices, and one limited-service office in Westchester County, New York.

Tompkins Insurance Agencies, Inc. (Tompkins Insurance) offers property and casualty insurance to individuals and businesses primarily in Western and Central New York. AM&M Financial Services, Inc. (AM&M) offers financial services through three operating companies: AM&M Planners, Inc., which provides fee-based financial planning and wealth management services for corporate executives, small business owners and high-net-worth individuals; Ensemble Financial Services, Inc., an independent broker-dealer and outsourcing company for financial planners and investment advisors, and Ensemble Risk Solutions, Inc., which creates customized risk management plans using life, disability and long-term care insurance products. Tompkins Capital Trust I and Sleepy Hollow Capital Trust I are Delaware statutory business trusts.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Fredrik Arnold]

    Tompkins Financial Corp. (TMP) netted $44.97 based on a mean target price estimate from three analysts combined with projected annual dividend less broker fees. The Beta number showed this estimate subject to volatility 27% less than the market as a whole.

  • [By Marc Bastow]

    Ithaca, N.Y.-based financial services company Tompkins Financial (TMP) raised its quarterly dividend 5.3% to 40 cents per share, payable Nov. 15 to shareholders of record as of Nov. 4.
    TMP Dividend Yield: 3.25%

Top Supermarket Stocks For 2015: Guardian 8 Holdings (GRDH)

Guardian 8 Holdings (G8), formerly Global Risk Management & Investigative Solutions, is a development-stage company. G8 focuses on the commercialization and sale of its Personal Security Guardian device. The Personal Security Guardian device is a personal security device that incorporates countermeasures to help defend against personal attacks, including alarms to frighten and video the attacker and/or alert others, latest technology utilizing light emitting diode (LED) lights to momentarily visually impair a would be attacker at night, as well as global positioning system (GPS), audio/visual communications and Bluetooth technology advising security or law enforcement of the incident. On November 30, 2010, the Company merged with Guardian 8 Corporation.

Prior to the reverse merger with Guardian 8 Corporation, the Company focused on the provision of investigative, technical information technology (IT), background, document verification and data banks of security information. As of December 31, 2010, the Company completed the initial design and tooling for the first product under development. As of December 31, 2010, the Company had not generated any revenue.

The Company competes with Taser International, Armor Holdings, Inc., TigerLight, PepperBall Technologies and FN Herstal.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Peter Graham]

    Small cap stocks Banjo & Matilda, Inc (OTCMKTS: BANJ), Amazonica Corp (OTCBB: AMZZ) and Guardian 8 Holdings (OTCMKTS: GRDH) have been getting some extra attention in various investment newsletters or email alerts. Of course, there is nothing wrong with properly disclosed promotion or investor relations type of activities but they can cause problems for unwary investors and traders alike. So how hot are these three small cap stocks? Here is a closer look and a reality check:

Top Supermarket Stocks For 2015: Twin Disc Incorporated(TWIN)

Twin Disc, Incorporated engages in the design, manufacture, and sale of marine and heavy duty off-highway power transmission equipment. The company?s product portfolio includes marine transmissions, surface drives, propellers, and boat management systems, as well as power-shift transmissions, hydraulic torque converters, power take-offs, industrial clutches, and controls systems. It sells its products to customers primarily in the pleasure craft, commercial, and military marine markets, as well as in the energy and natural resources, government, and industrial markets through direct sales force and distributor network worldwide. Twin Disc, Incorporated was founded in 1918 and is headquartered in Racine, Wisconsin.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Eric Volkman]

    It was chief executive election time at Twin Disc (NASDAQ: TWIN  ) , with a familiar name emerging as the winner. The company's board of directors has chosen John Batten to be its new CEO and president, effective Nov. 1. Batten replaces his father, Michael, who is to retire effective Dec. 31. The elder Batten will continue to serve in his present capacity as board chairman.

Top Supermarket Stocks For 2015: Powershares Dynamic Pharmaceuticals Portfolio (PJP)

PowerShares Dynamic Pharmaceuticals Portfolio seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield, before fees and expenses, of the Dynamic Pharmaceuticals Intellidex Index (the Pharmaceuticals Intellidex). The Fund will normally invest at least 80% of its total assets in common stocks of pharmaceutical companies. The Fund will normally invest at least 90% of its total assets in common stocks that comprise the Pharmaceuticals Intellidex. PowerShares Capital Management LLC (the Adviser) is the investment adviser for the Funds.

The Pharmaceuticals Intellidex comprises stocks of 30 United States-based pharmaceutical companies. These are companies that are principally engaged in the research, development, manufacture, sale or distribution of pharmaceuticals and drugs of all types. These companies may include, pharmaceutical companies and other companies involved in the research, development, manufacture, sale or distribution of drugs, including companies that facilitate the testing or regulatory approval of drugs.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Jim Lowell]

    Meanwhile, the PowerShares Dynamic Pharmaceuticals (PJP) has grabbed the top spot among sector ETFs.

    The fund seeks investment results that correspond to the price and yield performance of the Dynamic Pharmaceuticals Intellidex Index, which is made up of 30 US companies involved in the research, development, production, sale, or distribution of pharmaceuticals and drugs.

  • [By Gary Gordon]

    On behalf of most of my clients in 2013, I chose to overweight tech and health care. However, I did so with areas that are traditionally less volatile. I continue to own Powershares Pharmaceuticals (PJP) and/or SPDR Select Healthcare (XLV). I’ve been a proponent of “old tech” with the attractive prices and dividends; First Trust NASDAQ Tech Dividend (TDIV) fits the bill. Additionally, I have remained faithful to iShares Small Cap Value (IJS) for small-cap exposure, rather than hop on the IWO express.

Top Supermarket Stocks For 2015: Rigel Pharmaceuticals Inc.(RIGL)

Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a clinical-stage drug development company, engages in the discovery and development of small-molecule drugs for the treatment of inflammatory/autoimmune diseases, as well as for certain cancers and metabolic diseases. Its product development programs include R788, which completed a phase 2 clinical trial for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis; and is in phase 2 clinical trials for B-cell lymphoma, T-cell lymphoma, immune thrombocytopenia purpura, and certain solid tumors. The company?s product development programs also comprise R343, which is in phase 1b clinical trial for the treatment of asthma. In addition, its preclinical programs include oral JAK3 inhibitor program for research in the area of immunology/inflammation; adiponectin mimetics for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus and other potential indications; and muscle atrophy program for muscle homeostasis. Further, the company is evaluating R763/AS703569 compound in its aurora kinase inhibition program targeting cancer cell proliferation. Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has collaboration agreements with AstraZeneca AB; Pfizer, Inc.; and Daiichi Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. The company was founded in 1996 and is based in South San Francisco, California.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Max Macaluso, Ph.D.]

    Early Tuesday morning, Rigel Pharmaceuticals� (NASDAQ: RIGL  ) and its now-ex-partner, AstraZeneca (NYSE: AZN  ) , reported late-stage clinical trial results for the experimental rheumatoid arthritis drug Fostamatinib. In the following video, health-care analyst Max Macaluso discusses why Rigel dropped 18% after the news was released and the risks that lie ahead for Rigel Pharmaceuticals.

  • [By Sean Williams]

    What: Shares of Rigel Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: RIGL  ) , a clinical-stage small molecule drug company focused on inflammatory and autoimmune disorders, dropped as much as 21% after the company resumed full responsibility for its rheumatoid arthritis pill, Fostamatinib, and reported topline data from two late-stage studies involving the drug.

  • [By Maxx Chatsko]

    Rigel Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: RIGL  ) was kicked in the stomach earlier this month, when AstraZeneca (NYSE: AZN  ) returned full rights for fostamatinib. The Big Pharma member decided to write off $140 million of assets attributed to the partnership rather than take the next steps in commercializing the drug for rheumatoid arthritis. Ouch. While it's a smart idea for AstraZeneca to walk away now, Rigel is in a tough spot with its top drug candidate receiving a vote of no confidence. There is a handful of companies that stand to benefit from fostamatinib's failure. In the following video, Fool contributor Maxx Chatsko explains what it means for investors and what the future could hold for the development-stage company. �

  • [By Sean Williams]

    It wasn't nearly as exciting a week for Rigel Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: RIGL  ) , which regained full rights to rheumatoid arthritis pill Fostamatinib from AstraZeneca�on Tuesday. The pair actually reported a statistically significant ACR20 response rate at 24 weeks in two trials, but the data isn't expected to be conclusive enough to gain FDA approval. AstraZeneca, not wanting to spend any more on the program, took a $140 million charge and returned all licensing back to Rigel. With the prospect of high trial costs and a drug which did well, but perhaps not well enough to compete with competition already on the market, Rigel is now in a tough position and is worth avoiding at all costs.

Top Supermarket Stocks For 2015: LinkedIn (LNKD)

LinkedIn Corporation operates an online professional network. The company, through its proprietary platform, allows members to create, manage, and share their professional identity online; build and engage with their professional networks; access shared knowledge and insights; and find business opportunities. Its platform also offers members with solutions, including applications and tools to search, connect, and communicate with business contacts, learn about career opportunities, join industry groups, research organizations, and share information. In addition, the company provides LinkedIn mobile applications across various platforms and languages, such as Android, Blackberry, iPad, and iPhone mobile devices; a public Website that allows developers to integrate its content and services into their applications; and a set of embeddable widgets to allow Web developers to include content from the company�s network into their Website or application. Further, it offers hiring solutions comprising LinkedIn Corporate Solutions that enable enterprises and professional organizations to find, contact, and hire qualified candidates; LinkedIn Jobs that allow enterprises and professional organizations to advertise job opportunities on the company�s network; and Subscriptions, which enable recruiters and hiring managers to find, contact, and manage potential candidates. Additionally, the company provides marketing solutions, such as LinkedIn Ads, a self-service platform that enable advertisers to build and target their advertisement to its members; and LinkedIn Ads for Enterprise, which are marketing solutions to target larger advertisers that receive dedicated account management and additional marketing solutions. It also offers premium subscriptions that are subscription packages designed for general professionals to manage their professional identity and connect with talent. LinkedIn Corporation was founded in 2002 and is headquartered in Mountain Vi ew, California.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Hibah Yousuf]

    Twitter's upcoming IPO could also be a boon for the Global X Social Media ETF (SOCL), which will likely be the first exchange-traded fund to add Twitter -- as early as five days after it begins trading. The ETF, which holds Facebook, LinkedIn (LNKD), Groupon (GRPN), Pandora (P) and other social media stocks, was the first ETF to add Facebook after it went public. The fund is up almost 50% in 2013.